AFC East — New England Patriots
The return of quarterback Tom Brady spells trouble for the rest of the AFC. Don’t expect Brady and receiver Randy Moss to duplicate their record-setting 2007 season, but the Pats are definitely improved with the addition of running back Fred Taylor and receiver Joey Galloway.
Overall, the AFC East is a deep and scary division. That shouldn’t matter with the superior and experienced Patriots.
AFC North — Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers return a familiar group of players from its Super Bowl title season. With quarterback Ben Roethlisberger under center and safety Troy Polamalu roaming the defensive secondary, Pittsburgh should own the AFC North. Of course, having Cincinnati and Cleveland on its schedule four times a year helps.
The Baltimore Ravens always put up a fight for the division crown, but it’s hard to go against the defending champs.
AFC South — Tennessee Titans
Losing defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth is a definite subtraction from the Titans defense, but Tennessee returns a consistent offense led by veteran quarterback Kerry Collins and speedy-back Chris Johnson.
Don’t worry about the Titans defense too much, though. With linebacker Keith Bullock still rallying the troops, Tennessee should take down the AFC South for the second consecutive year.
AFC West — San Diego Chargers
Linebacker Shawne Merriman returns after missing 2008 due to a knee injury. With his return, the Chargers defense should turn into one of the elite squads in the league after finishing 25th in the NFL.
Quarterback Phillip Rivers and running back LaDainian Tomlinson return with a healthy slate. If those two can stay on the field, the Chargers should run away with the division.
NFC East — Philadelphia Eagles
The best division in football owns two of the top teams in the NFC: the Eagles and the New York Giants. Without Plaxico Burress, Giants quarterback Eli Manning was barely average down the stretch last season. The Giants added more talent to an already loaded defense, but Philadelphia finally handed quarterback Donovan McNabb some weapons (rookies Jeremy Macklin, LeSean McCoy and some guy named Michael Vick).
If the Eagles defense can continue their aggressiveness after losing defensive coordinator Jim Johnson to cancer over the summer, Philadelphia should inch past the Giants to claim the division.
NFC North — Green Bay Packers
Brett Favre can keep his purple and gold nighties.
While the Minnesota Vikings are the sure favorites to take this division down, the Packers are a sneaky bunch. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers put up great numbers last year while running back Ryan Grant battled injury concerns.
The real question mark for the Packers is their defense. Switching to a base 3-4 system should enhance Green Bay’s defensive talent. Defensive end Aaron Kampman moves to a stand-up linebacker role where he can pressure the quarterback even more.
NFC South — Carolina Panthers
At one point last season, the Panthers looked like the best team in the NFC. Carolina returns the majority of its team led by running backs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart and wide receiver Steve Smith.
The Panthers have to hold off the up-and-coming Atlanta Falcons and the improved New Orleans Saints to nab a second consecutive division title, and with their nasty defense you have to expect a repeat.
NFC West — Seattle Seahawks
Sleeper alert: the Seahawks are back. Quarterback Matt Hassellbeck returns to full form with wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh and a tougher offensive line. Throw in first-round selection Aaron Curry at linebacker with a proven defense and we have an underdog team to overthrow the Arizona Cardinals.
The Cards have a ton of weapons on offense, but their defense returns a bunch of question marks. Not to mention the unlikely hood of 38-year-old quarterback Kurt Warner repeating his 2008 success.
SUPER BOWL — Patriots over Eagles