A Sneak Peak inside the NFL
By: Isaac "Zeek" Cohen
September 4, 2006

AFC EAST

New England Patriots- Will Tom Brady and the Brady Bunch be able to make due with their subpar receiving corps? Bill Belichick is a defensive guru and will somehow find a way to get the job done.
Prediction: 11-5

Miami Dolphins- An offensive juggernaut with the combination of stingy defense and great coaching could spell the end of New England's run atop the AFC East.
Prediction: 10-6

Buffalo Bills- How they passed on Matt Leinhart I'll never understand. Willis MaGahee and the Buffalo D will once again carry the load for the Bills.
Prediction: 7-9

New York Jets- Chad Pennington's bum shoulder and Curtis Martin's wonky knee have the Jets looking towards the future in Jonathan Vilma and D'Brickashaw Ferguson.
Prediction: 5-11

AFC NORTH

Cinncinati Bengals- It's the Carson Palmer show with special guests Chad Johnson, Rudi Johnson and many more. As long as Palmer's knee holds up this show will stay on the air for many years to come.
Prediction: 11-5

Pittsburgh Steelers- With Big Ben's health an immediate concern, this may Willie Parker's time to take the torch and run with it. The Steelers will keep the towels waving in Pittsburgh with hard-nose football.
Prediction: 10-6

Baltimore Ravens- Defense!.... Defense! Wait, the Ravens have a legit offense now too. They're not far off from being back atop the AFC North.
Prediction: 8-8

Cleveland Browns- Romeo Crennel's team is a work in progress. While there are some pieces in place, the time is not now for the Browns.
Prediction: 5-11

AFC SOUTH

Indianapolis Colts- Now that Edge has moved on it's officially Peyton's Place. A new season is upon us yet the same question remains; Can Peyton Manning and Tony Dungy finally get the monkey off their back?
Prediction: 12-4

Jacksonville Jaguars- Defense continues to be their trademark but the offense won't cut it in the AFC. 12 wins last year was nice but as they say, "it was good while it lasted"
Prediction: 9-7

Tennessee Titans- On the heels of a great draft, Titan fans can't help but feel giddy about the prospects of QB Vince Young and RB LenDale White down the road.
Prediction: 6-10

Houston Texans- Not picking Reggie Bush # 1 is like passing on LeBron James. The Texans better hope Mario Williams turns out to be Super Mario.
Prediction: 3-13

AFC WEST

Denver Broncos- Javon Walker may be the missing link to Denver's SuperBowl mission, however Jake Plummer will make or break this team.
Prediction: 11-5

Kansas City Chiefs- Larry Johnson made everyone forget about Priest Holmes last season. K.C. won't have problems putting points on the board but their D has some catching up to do.
Prediction: 9-7

San Diego Chargers- L.T. and Gates can make any QB look good. Is Phillip Rivers next?
Prediction: 8-8

Oakland Raiders- As Chris Berman likes to call them, "Da Raidas" have talent on paper but whether or not they mesh well remains to be seen.
Prediction: 6-10

NFC EAST

New York Giants- With a balanced attack on both sides of the ball this could be the year takes Eli Manning takes a giant step towards an all Manning SuperBowl matchup.
Prediction: 10-6

Washington Redskins- Is Mark Brunell washed up? Or will he be like fine wine and get better with age. The additions of T.J. Duckett, Antwaan Randle El and Brandon Lloyd could catapult this team to a division title.
Prediction: 9-7

Dallas Cowboys- Even with Bill Parcells running the ship, Big D will stand for Big Distraction as T.O. will once again take centre stage. If you think Jeff Garcia and Donovan McNabb Ticked Off Owens, allow me to introduce you to Drew Bledsoe.
Prediction: 9-7

Philadelphia Eagles- The Eagles are not a last place team, but in the most competitive division in football Philly may find themselves on the outside looking in.
Prediction: 8-8

NFC NORTH

Chicago Bears- Whatever the Bears lack on offense they make up in defense. Da Bears should have no problems winning the weakest division in football.
Prediction: 11-5

Minnesota Vikings- A fresh start was needed for the Vikings. With average players across the board, expect Minnesota at best to be fighting for the last Wild-Card spot.
Prediction: 8-8

Detroit Lions- Roy Williams and Kevin Jones are due for breakout seasons. It won't quite be Detroit Rock City but the Lions will be bordering mediocracy once again.
Prediction: 6-10

Green Bay Packers- Brett Favre is back for one last hurrah in Green Bay. If the Packers are looking to take a Lambeau leap in the standings it ain't happening.
Prediction: 6-10

NFC SOUTH

Carolina Panthers- John Fox is arguably the best coach in the league. Add Steve Smith and Co. with their killer D to the equation and we could be looking at the next SuperBowl champions. Prediction: 12-4

Atlanta Falcons- Michael Vick is still missing a true # 1 wideout. Atlanta's running game has always been their bread and butter, with this year being no different. Their playoff fate will come down to the last week of the season.
Prediction: 9-7

Tampa Bay Bucanneers- Cadallac Williams and the defense is their claim to fame. As far as a second consecutive division title is concerned, the buck stops here.
Prediction: 8-8

New Orlean Saints- If there's a franchise that needed Reggie Bush it's definately the Saints. Barring any major injuries, New Orleans could play the spoiler role late in the season.
Prediction: 6-10

NFC WEST

Seattle Seahawks- One Win. That's all Seattle was missing from a SuperBowl championship. With virtually the same team as a year ago, the Seahawks are still Miami bound.
Prediction: 13-3

Arizona Cardinals- The most exciting offense in the NFC with a young D on the rise. A wild-card berth may be in the Cards for Arizona.
Prediction: 9-7

St. Louis Rams- This is no longer the greatest show on turf, but the offense is still better than most. Defense will be the Rams downfall.
Prediction: 7-9

San Francisco 49ers- It will be years before we talk postseason and 49ers in the same breath. Frank Gore for President!
Prediction: 2-14