I don't trust media rankings. I always find many things wrong with them. I see six teams making the Superbowl (3 NFC- DAL, SEA, CAR; 3 AFC- DEN, IND, PIT). My opinion changes throughout the offseason, but here is how I feel right now:
AFC East- MIA, NE, NY, BUF
-Miami was competitive last year against New England. With offseason changes, I have to favor Miami. Saban seems to know what he is doing, anyway. Little Bill just relies on other people. New York's recovery from injury won't be enough, but they might start getting strong again. I'm starting to see what their coach is doing, and I actually like it. Buffalo is simply not doing enough.
AFC North- PIT, CIN, CLE, BAL
-Pittsburgh did win the Superbowl and it is the most complete team in their division. Cincy needs a better defense, Cleveland is a major unknown, and Baltimore can't seem to hold it together.
AFC South- IND, JAC, HOU, TEN
-Indy's obvious hole is running back, but I doubt its offense will fall a lot. Jacksonville now has to face the music. Its sched is going to be brutal. Indy is use to playing tough teams. Jacksonville is most certainly not ready to face the entire NFC East. Houston has slightly more potential than Tenn., although that would not mean Tenn. couldn't end up ahead of Houston. They both need a lot of help.
AFC West- DEN, KC, SD, OAK
-To me, Denver is the clear leader, but Kansas City has a good enough offense to compete. San Diego is now an unknown, since they no longer have Brees to lead. Oakland is likely to finish last simply because the rest of the division is too tough.
NFC East- DAL, WAS, NYG, PHI
-Dallas is slightly more complete than Washington, and both are a head of New York right now. Philly cannot compete and win with this new NFC East, even with a healthy roster. See last year's game in Irving. Last year, Dallas suffered in 3 positions. Kicker, Free Safety, and Tackle. The Cowboys now have Vanderjagt (most accurate kicker that I can think of), and 4 people competing for the free safety spot (including a decent vet). As for tackle, Adams is now healthy once again, and Fabini was signed. Two younger players Petitti and Colombo are actually giving Fabini a run for his money at RT. Petitti is no longer the 6th round pick push over. He has trained harder and gained muscle. Colombo is rumored to be playing at his expected level, when he came out of college. Washington is no longer a weakling team, but they are not super strong in many positions. It may be good enough to get them to the playoffs, but I can't see them in the big game. New York has a much tougher sched (only 8 home games, too
), and I think we started to see their true colors in the playoffs. It seems Eli relies on Tiki far too much. So I say, the way Tiki goes is the way New York goes. Philly is just outmatched on both offense and defense with all three teams. Their world of hurt is not over. The NFC East is now much stronger, and so is the NFC is general.
NFC North- CHI, MIN, DET, GB
-I don't expect much difference here. CHI and MIN might not finish as strong, but the other two give little competition. There are no decent QBs in this division. Yes that means I wouldn't consider Favre decent, anymore. Whoever wins this division probably won't go far in the playoffs.
NFC South- CAR, TB, ATL, NO
With Key, Carolina is more than just pass to Smith on offense, and their defense is already great. They would be the division winners, if they play to their potential. TB's defense is simply better than Atlanta's offense. That alone is why they would finish above Atlanta. It is not like TB can't run, either. New Orleans has a lot of troubles, despite Brees and Bush. I can't see them being strong enough to climb out of the basement so soon.
NFC West- SEA, ARI, STL, SF
-Seattle wins by default. Arizona can pick up 2nd, if it can translate its yards (and yards allowed) into points (and less points) this season. Saint Louis is still not ready, because its defense will still be lacking. San Francisco has the worst talent in the League.
