#2 The New England Patriots

This was one of the few teams I chalked in as an auto-loss for everyone else without thinking. Mostly because Tom Brady is back, but this time I want to point out that the secondary that you Pats fans are used to...is gone.

Mayo and Thomas are great LB's and Welker and Moss will do their jobs, but what about the rest of the team? How will the adjustment to the 3 - 4 treat them sans Seymour? Bruschi is gone too. It'll be a great season for the Pats but maybe not as good as everyone expects...

1	Sep 14	BUF @ NE	Gillette Stadium	7:00 PM	ESPN
2	Sep 20	NE @ NYJ	Giants Stadium	1:00 PM	CBS
3	Sep 27	ATL @ NE	Gillette Stadium	1:00 PM	FOX
4	Oct 04	BAL @ NE	Gillette Stadium	1:00 PM	CBS
5	Oct 11	NE @ DEN	Invesco Field at Mile High	4:15 PM	CBS
6	Oct 18	TEN @ NE	Gillette Stadium	4:15 PM	CBS
7	Oct 25	NE @ TB	Wembley Stadium	1:00 PM	CBS
8	Bye
9	Nov 08	MIA @ NE	Gillette Stadium	1:00 PM	CBS
10	Nov 15	NE @ IND	Lucas Oil Stadium	8:20 PM	NBC
11	Nov 22	NYJ @ NE	Gillette Stadium	4:15 PM	CBS
12	Nov 30	NE @ NO	Superdome	8:30 PM	ESPN
13	Dec 06	NE @ MIA	Land Shark Stadium	8:20 PM	NBC
14	Dec 13	CAR @ NE	Gillette Stadium	1:00 PM	FOX
15	Dec 20	NE @ BUF	Ralph Wilson Stadium	1:00 PM	CBS
16	Dec 27	JAC @ NE	Gillette Stadium	1:00 PM	CBS
17	Jan 03	NE @ HOU	Reliant Stadium	1:00 PM	CBS

Teams who can realistically beat the Pats:

Atlanta, Indianapolis, New Orleans, Houston, Carolina.

Why? They have a great passing game with a decent running game (except Atlanta, who has a great running game). I think NE overmatches the Titans.

So let's put the Pats at 11 - 5 because of the massive defensive holes. If one guy can pull this off, it's Bill.

- Dave

#3 The Philadelphia Eagles

Donovan McNabb, Brian Westbrook and Mike Vick in the backfield, with a defense that has been great for years. Although Jim Johnson has since passed away - his next in line has been with the team for a number of years, so that ultimately won't be an issue.

I am a big believer in Jackson, he gives McNabb a great target.

1	Sep 13	PHI @ CAR	Bank of America Stadium	1:00 PM	FOX
2	Sep 20	NO @ PHI	Lincoln Financial Field	1:00 PM	FOX
3	Sep 27	KC @ PHI	Lincoln Financial Field	1:00 PM	CBS
4	Bye
5	Oct 11	TB @ PHI	Lincoln Financial Field	1:00 PM	FOX
6	Oct 18	PHI @ OAK	Oakland Coliseum	4:05 PM	FOX
7	Oct 26	PHI @ WAS	FedEx Field	8:30 PM	ESPN
8	Nov 01	NYG @ PHI	Lincoln Financial Field	4:15 PM	FOX
9	Nov 08	DAL @ PHI	Lincoln Financial Field	8:20 PM	NBC
10	Nov 15	PHI @ SD	Qualcomm Stadium	4:15 PM	FOX
11	Nov 22	PHI @ CHI	Soldier Field	8:20 PM	NBC
12	Nov 29	WAS @ PHI	Lincoln Financial Field	1:00 PM	FOX
13	Dec 06	PHI @ ATL	Georgia Dome	1:00 PM	FOX
14	Dec 13	PHI @ NYG	Giants Stadium	8:20 PM	NBC
15	Dec 20	SF @ PHI	Lincoln Financial Field	1:00 PM	FOX
16	Dec 27	DEN @ PHI	Lincoln Financial Field	1:00 PM	CBS
17	Jan 03	PHI @ DAL	Cowboys Stadium	1:00 PM	FOX

One thing that should be mentioned, was as I was filling these out, the NFC East was the division I feared the most as an opponent, and now that the script is flipped, it is pretty easy to see how they face some tough teams. The only teams I can legit see beating the Eagles are the Chargers, Bears (because it's in Chicago) and one of the games against the Giants.

I can see the Eagles going 12 - 4 or 11 - 5. Expect big things from the Eagles.

Or a 5 - 11 campaign could happen...We'll just have to wait and see

- Dave

#4 The New York Giants

Osi is back, and Justin Tuck is underrated. Antonio Pierce is a SOLID middle linebacker. On offense the Giants have obviously returned Eli Manning, but they drafted Hakeem Nicks who is listed behind Dixon on the depth chart, but I'll be completely honest - I believe he'll be amazing this year.

1	Sep 13	WAS @ NYG	Giants Stadium	4:15 PM	FOX
2	Sep 20	NYG @ DAL	Cowboys Stadium	8:20 PM	NBC
3	Sep 27	NYG @ TB	Raymond James Stadium	1:00 PM	FOX
4	Oct 04	NYG @ KC	Arrowhead Stadium	1:00 PM	FOX
5	Oct 11	OAK @ NYG	Giants Stadium	1:00 PM	CBS
6	Oct 18	NYG @ NO	Superdome	1:00 PM	FOX
7	Oct 25	ARI @ NYG	Giants Stadium	8:20 PM	NBC
8	Nov 01	NYG @ PHI	Lincoln Financial Field	4:15 PM	FOX
9	Nov 08	SD @ NYG	Giants Stadium	4:15 PM	CBS
10	Bye
11	Nov 22	ATL @ NYG	Giants Stadium	1:00 PM	FOX
12	Nov 26	NYG @ DEN	Invesco Field at Mile High	8:20 PM	NFLN
13	Dec 06	DAL @ NYG	Giants Stadium	4:15 PM	FOX
14	Dec 13	PHI @ NYG	Giants Stadium	8:20 PM	NBC
15	Dec 21	NYG @ WAS	FedEx Field	8:30 PM	ESPN
16	Dec 27	CAR @ NYG	Giants Stadium	1:00 PM	FOX
17	Jan 03	NYG @ MIN	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome	1:00 PM	FOX

The Giants will go 5 -3 in the rough NFC East, and facing the AFC West - I'd expect them to go 3 - 1. That's an easy 8 -4 base, and the Giants should beat the Vikings, Panthers, Falcons too.

Overall, expect the G-men to go 11 - 5, maybe even 12 - 4.

- Dave

#5 The San Diego Chargers

There is a ridiculous amount of talent on this roster and they have become a sexy pick to win the Super Bowl. With Rivers handing of to a rejuvenated LT. Also, there may be no better TE than Gates.

1	Sep 14	SD @ OAK	Oakland Coliseum	10:15 PM	ESPN
2	Sep 20	BAL @ SD	Qualcomm Stadium	4:15 PM	CBS
3	Sep 27	MIA @ SD	Qualcomm Stadium	4:15 PM	CBS
4	Oct 04	SD @ PIT	Heinz Field	8:20 PM	NBC
5	Bye
6	Oct 19	DEN @ SD	Qualcomm Stadium	8:30 PM	ESPN
7	Oct 25	SD @ KC	Arrowhead Stadium	1:00 PM	CBS
8	Nov 01	OAK @ SD	Qualcomm Stadium	4:05 PM	CBS
9	Nov 08	SD @ NYG	Giants Stadium	4:15 PM	CBS
10	Nov 15	PHI @ SD	Qualcomm Stadium	4:15 PM	FOX
11	Nov 22	SD @ DEN	Invesco Field at Mile High	4:15 PM	CBS
12	Nov 29	KC @ SD	Qualcomm Stadium	4:05 PM	CBS
13	Dec 06	SD @ CLE	Cleveland Browns Stadium	4:05 PM	CBS
14	Dec 13	SD @ DAL	Cowboys Stadium	4:15 PM	CBS
15	Dec 20	CIN @ SD	Qualcomm Stadium	4:05 PM	CBS
16	Dec 25	SD @ TEN	LP Field	7:30 PM	NFLN
17	Jan 03	WAS @ SD	Qualcomm Stadium	4:15 PM	FOX

The schedule for the Chargers is brutal, especially playing that vicious NFC East. The actual division of the Chargers is not that difficult, but they should beat the Raiders, Dolphins, Broncos, Chiefs, Raiders again, Broncos again, Chiefs again, Browns, Cowboys, Bengals, and Redskins...

I obviously have the Chargers at 11 - 5.

- Dave

#6 The Indianapolis Colts

Peyton Manning, number 18, is probably the closest thing to a Derek Jeter the NFL has, well respected, does his job and that's it. He doesn't talk too much, except for making fun of his former kicker. Gone are the days of Edge, Harrison, and even Tony Dungy. Last year he started slow because of the injury. However, this year he has a new coach who has been listening to Dungy for a while.

1	Sep 13	JAC @ IND	Lucas Oil Stadium	1:00 PM	CBS
2	Sep 21	IND @ MIA	Land Shark Stadium	8:30 PM	ESPN
3	Sep 27	IND @ ARI	University of Phoenix Stadium	8:20 PM	NBC
4	Oct 04	SEA @ IND	Lucas Oil Stadium	1:00 PM	FOX
5	Oct 11	IND @ TEN	LP Field	8:20 PM	NBC
6	Bye
7	Oct 25	IND @ STL	Edward Jones Dome	1:00 PM	CBS
8	Nov 01	SF @ IND	Lucas Oil Stadium	1:00 PM	FOX
9	Nov 08	HOU @ IND	Lucas Oil Stadium	1:00 PM	CBS
10	Nov 15	NE @ IND	Lucas Oil Stadium	8:20 PM	NBC
11	Nov 22	IND @ BAL	M&T Bank Stadium	1:00 PM	CBS
12	Nov 29	IND @ HOU	Reliant Stadium	1:00 PM	CBS
13	Dec 06	TEN @ IND	Lucas Oil Stadium	1:00 PM	CBS
14	Dec 13	DEN @ IND	Lucas Oil Stadium	1:00 PM	CBS
15	Dec 17	IND @ JAC	Jacksonville Municipal Stadium	8:20 PM	NFLN
16	Dec 27	NYJ @ IND	Lucas Oil Stadium	4:15 PM	CBS
17	Jan 03	IND @ BUF	Ralph Wilson Stadium	1:00 PM	CBS

This is one of those teams that looks like it has a great schedule for a first year head coach.

There are only a handful of tough games: Cardinals, Titans, Texans, Patriots, Titans...that's it. There's one MAJOR question mark: Bob Sanders. If he's gone for a while, (say through the sixth week) The Jags and the Dolphins should beat them, so I'll go with a conservative 11 - 5 for this version of the Peyton Manning's.

- Dave

#7 The Tennessee Titans

Last year's last undefeated team, the Titans open up tonight against the defending NFL Champs in what is sure to be a defensive slugfest. Chris Johnson was a beast last year, but the knockout punch came from LenDale White as the two rushed for a combined 2,001 yards. Kerry Collins threw for another 2,676. If I have ever seen a more balanced team with this decent a defense, it might lost to the 08 Titans. The 09 version returns with the biggest question mark:

Who replaces Albert Haynesworth. Answer: No one.

1	Sep 10	TEN @ PIT	Heinz Field	8:30 PM	NBC
2	Sep 20	HOU @ TEN	LP Field	1:00 PM	CBS
3	Sep 27	TEN @ NYJ	Giants Stadium	1:00 PM	CBS
4	Oct 04	TEN @ JAC	Jacksonville Municipal Stadium	1:00 PM	CBS
5	Oct 11	IND @ TEN	LP Field	8:20 PM	NBC
6	Oct 18	TEN @ NE	Gillette Stadium	4:15 PM	CBS
7	Bye
8	Nov 01	JAC @ TEN	LP Field	4:05 PM	CBS
9	Nov 08	TEN @ SF	Candlestick Park	4:15 PM	CBS
10	Nov 15	BUF @ TEN	LP Field	1:00 PM	CBS
11	Nov 23	TEN @ HOU	Reliant Stadium	8:30 PM	ESPN
12	Nov 29	ARI @ TEN	LP Field	1:00 PM	FOX
13	Dec 06	TEN @ IND	Lucas Oil Stadium	1:00 PM	CBS
14	Dec 13	STL @ TEN	LP Field	1:00 PM	FOX
15	Dec 20	MIA @ TEN	LP Field	1:00 PM	CBS
16	Dec 25	SD @ TEN	LP Field	7:30 PM	NFLN
17	Jan 03	TEN @ SEA	Qwest Field	4:15 PM	CBS

At first glance, this is not a difficult schedule.

Easy wins? Jax, 49ers, Bills, Rams Dolphins, Seahawks...and I guess the Jets too. There's 7 wins, and knowing this team, they can take out most of the harder teams, but the biggest question stands - how will the team rebound without big Al in the backfield?

I see an obvious step backwards, but maybe more of a leap to 9-7.

- Dave

#8 The Atlanta Falcons

Matt Ryan took the NFL by storm his rookie year. This year he has Michael Turner in the backfield, and the added security of Tony Gonzalez. While he is nowhere NEAR the player he once was, he will provide Ryan a great security blanket should he not be able to hand it off to Turner or toss it to Roddy White.

1	Sep 13	MIA @ ATL	Georgia Dome	1:00 PM	CBS
2	Sep 20	CAR @ ATL	Georgia Dome	1:00 PM	FOX
3	Sep 27	ATL @ NE	Gillette Stadium	1:00 PM	FOX
4	Bye
5	Oct 11	ATL @ SF	Candlestick Park	4:05 PM	FOX
6	Oct 18	CHI @ ATL	Georgia Dome	8:20 PM	NBC
7	Oct 25	ATL @ DAL	Cowboys Stadium	4:15 PM	FOX
8	Nov 02	ATL @ NO	Superdome	8:30 PM	ESPN
9	Nov 08	WAS @ ATL	Georgia Dome	1:00 PM	FOX
10	Nov 15	ATL @ CAR	Bank of America Stadium	1:00 PM	FOX
11	Nov 22	ATL @ NYG	Giants Stadium	1:00 PM	FOX
12	Nov 29	TB @ ATL	Georgia Dome	1:00 PM	FOX
13	Dec 06	PHI @ ATL	Georgia Dome	1:00 PM	FOX
14	Dec 13	NO @ ATL	Georgia Dome	1:00 PM	FOX
15	Dec 20	ATL @ NYJ	Giants Stadium	1:00 PM	FOX
16	Dec 27	BUF @ ATL	Georgia Dome	1:00 PM	CBS
17	Jan 03	ATL @ TB	Raymond James Stadium	1:00 PM	FOX

This is a brutal schedule for a team with a decent defense. While I think Atlanta can go 3-1 vs the AFC East and 2 - 2 vs the NFC East, in their own division, I think they should go 4 - 2, falling to the Panthers and the Saints once. That's a total of 9 wins to begin with, so when it boils down to it, the Falcons are poised to have a good year at about 10 - 6, but how will Ryan fare in the post-season?

Very well, because of Michael Turner, but of those 6 games the Falcons will lose, I would not be surprised if it is a direct result of a horrible defense.

#9 The Minnesota Vikings

Brett Favre is their quarterback. They had one of the top defenses, and the "Williams Wall" will be playing in their opener. Adrian Peterson is widely regarded as the best running back in the NFL, but he was taxed pretty heavily last year.

1	Sep 13	MIN @ CLE	Cleveland Browns Stadium	1:00 PM	FOX
2	Sep 20	MIN @ DET	Ford Field	1:00 PM	FOX
3	Sep 27	SF @ MIN	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome	1:00 PM	FOX
4	Oct 05	GB @ MIN	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome	8:30 PM	ESPN
5	Oct 11	MIN @ STL	Edward Jones Dome	1:00 PM	FOX
6	Oct 18	BAL @ MIN	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome	1:00 PM	CBS
7	Oct 25	MIN @ PIT	Heinz Field	1:00 PM	FOX
8	Nov 01	MIN @ GB	Lambeau Field	1:00 PM	FOX
9	Bye
10	Nov 15	DET @ MIN	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome	1:00 PM	FOX
11	Nov 22	SEA @ MIN	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome	1:00 PM	FOX
12	Nov 29	CHI @ MIN	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome	1:00 PM	FOX
13	Dec 06	MIN @ ARI	University of Phoenix Stadium	4:15 PM	FOX
14	Dec 13	CIN @ MIN	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome	1:00 PM	CBS
15	Dec 20	MIN @ CAR	Bank of America Stadium	8:20 PM	NBC
16	Dec 28	MIN @ CHI	Soldier Field	8:30 PM	ESPN
17	Jan 03	NYG @ MIN	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome

I don't care if this team had Billy Dee Williams at quarterback, they should go 3-0. Actually, with the Vikes, it might be easier to find out what games they'll lose/contend in.

Green Bay, Rams, Ravens, Steelers, Green Bay is going to be a hell of a stretch for the Vikes. Perhaps the Rams game could be one of those trap games. Later, they close with the Cards, Bengals, Panthers, Bears and Giants. Those two separate stretches could keep Minnesota from getting a lengthy home field advantage, but don't expect this team to fall short of the playoffs. A 10 - 6 campaign is reasonable, maybe 11 - 5. However, with Favre openly admitting he may not be able to handle a 16 game season, how will the extra games in the playoffs treat Favre?

- Dave