[GTripp0012]

So, I just picked the schedule all the way through, and would like to revise my rankings a little bit.

#x = playoff team, where x stands for projected playoff seed

AFC East
#2 Patriots (13-3)
Jets (7-9)
Bills (5-11)
Dolphins (4-12)

No big surprises here, I'm predicting that the Bills QBs will struggle, and the Jets will find some consistency at that position.

AFC South
#3 Jaguars (11-5)
#5 Colts (10-6)
#6 Texans (10-6)
Titans (4-12)

The Titans play the role of bottom feeder as Jim Schwartz can't do it again with only Albert Haynesworth and smoke and mirrors. Vince Young takes some small steps forward, but struggles against the top class defenses in the AFC South. Peyton Manning's excellence leads the Colts back to the playoffs, but his luck evens out against the Jags, who beat him twice and take the division.

AFC North
#4 Bengals (9-7)
Ravens (7-9)
Steelers (6-10)
Browns (5-11)

What a craptacular division. Pittsburgh really struggles midseason, dropping 4 straight games. Cleveland struggles all saeson. Baltimore's 'D' keeps them in the playoff race deep into December, though Joe Flacco will be no savior this year. The Bengals keep doing their thing on offense, while the defense takes steps against the pass, good enough for nine hard fought wins.

AFC West
#1 Chargers (14-2)
Broncos (10-6)
Raiders (5-11)
Chiefs (4-12)

Viva la Norv! Chargers return to 14-2 as Phillip Rivers returns to the pro bowl and helps post the league's number one offense. Broncos improve on Cutler's right arm, and the Raiders win 5 games for the first time since 2004.

NFC East
#2 Eagles (12-4)
#5 Giants (10-6)
Redskins (8-8)
Cowboys (8-8)

I'm really waffling atop the division, because I just don't know how good the Giants D will be this year. Two weeks ago, I had them winning the division, and today, I'm confident Philly has the edge. I do think that the Eagles and Giants are significantly deeper teams than the Redskins or the Cowboys, but any team that can stave off injuries (and the Redskins aren't off to a good start) could take the East. Since we can't predict injuries, I'll go with the teams who look better prepared to handle them on paper. Without Strahan and Shockey, the Giants are probably less suited to handle injuries than they were two weeks ago.

NFC South
#4 Panthers (10-6)
Saints (8-8)
Buccaneers (7-9)
Falcons (3-13)

I'm not real confident in this pick. If the Panthers can keep Delhomme: 1) healthy, and 2) on his feet, they should return to the top of the division. The Bucs will grab an early lead in the division, but fade late thanks to a hard schedule and age at the skill positions. Saints will struggle to run the ball and play good defense, but take even more strides in the passing game.

NFC North
#3 Bears (11-5)
#6 Packers (9-7)
Vikings (8-8)
Lions (4-12)

Admittedly, there wasn't a lot to like about Chicago's offense last year, so they did the right thing: they tore it up. They released the veterans who were hurting the team last year, but the question will be, can the youngsters like Chris Williams, Mark Bradley, Earl Bennett, Josh Beekman, Matt Forte, Greg Olsen, and Devin Hester step up and help Rex Grossman mature as a decision maker? If they can't, this projection means nothing. I think Aaron Rodgers will struggle with interceptions this year (even moreso than Grossman), but that Packers team is too good to not push for the playoffs.

NFC West
#1 Seahawks (12-4)
Cardinals (9-7)
Rams (7-9)
49ers (5-11)

If the Seahawks can keep their defense strong, they are the team to beat in the NFC. If the defense regresses to 2006 levels, this might be the prime year for the Rams or the Cards to grab the NFC West crown. The Rams offense should return to form while the Cardinals defense should be it's dominating unit.

Revised playoff picks:

AFC Championship

Chargers vs. Patriots

NFC Championship

Seahawks vs. Eagles

Super Bowl XLIII

Chargers over Eagles