The NFL has been in the news a lot lately, highlighted by the trade of Jason Taylor earlier tonight. With the Redskins kicking off the first training camp, I figured now was as good a time as any to offer up my early predictions for the upcoming season. Note: My picks probably will not change much, if at all. I have a habit of sticking with my gut.

 

* - Denotes playoff team

 

AFC East

 

*New England - 13-3: Too much talent. Will contend for another Super Bowl.

 

Buffalo - 8-8: Headed in the right direction, but still a year away.

 

NY Jets - 7-9: Spending spree produces mediocre season.

 

Miami - 5-11: Should win a few more close games this season, but still pretty terrible.

 

AFC North

 

*Pittsburgh - 11-5: I hate them, but I've got to respect a solid team.

 

Cincinnati - 10-6: Offense leads Bengals back to brink of playoffs.

 

Cleveland - 8-8: Not sold on this team yet.

 

Baltimore - 5-11: Some nice pieces, but a year or two away.

 

AFC South

 

*Indianapolis - 13-3: Year in and year out, Manning and the Colts dominate.

 

*Jacksonville - 12-4: A shame they play in the Colts' division.

 

Tennessee - 9-7: Vince Young is a little overrated. Yea, I said it.

 

Houston - 6-10: NFL's youngest franchise continues to struggle.

 

AFC West

 

*San Diego - 11-5: Still the best out west, but no match for Indy and New England.

 

*Denver - 10-6: Surprise pick. Broncos get back to the playoffs.

 

Oakland - 7-9: McFadden proves he's the real deal.

 

Kansas City - 3-13: Tough year ahead, but the future holds hope.

 

NFC East

 

*Dallas - 13-3: Cowboys lock up home field for second straight year.

 

*Philadelphia - 9-7: Surprise pick. Eagles grab No. 6 seed by virtue of tie breakers.

 

Washington - 9-7: Too tight a division for the Skins.

 

NY Giants - 8-8: Same for the defending Super Bowl Champions.

 

NFC North

 

*Minnesota - 9-7: Defense and Adrian Peterson carry the Vikings to division crown.

 

Green Bay - 8-8: Favre or not, the Packers overachieved last season. Won't happen again.

 

Detroit - 7-9: The Lions will always be the Lions.

 

Chicago - 4-12: Just a few years removed from a Super Bowl. How the mighty fall.

 

NFC South

 

*New Orleans - 10-6: Saints will prove last season's slow start was a fluke.

 

*Carolina - 9-7: Too much talent for this team not to make the postseason.

 

Tampa Bay - 6-10: If they land Favre, they could make a playoff run.

 

Atlanta - 2-14: A franchise in disarray. Poor Matt Ryan.

 

NFC West

 

*Seattle - 12-4: Seahawks poised for deep playoff run in Mike Holmgren's final season.

 

St. Louis - 8-8: Dangerous offense, but still no defense.

 

Arizona - 7-9: Cardinals always hover around .500.

 

San Francisco - 4-12: 49ers admit they reached for Alex Smith.

 

Playoff picks

 

AFC - Wild Card: Chargers over Broncos, Jaguars over Steelers. Divisional: Patriots over Jaguars, Colts over Chargers. Championship: Patriots over Colts.

 

NFC - Wild Card: Saints over Eagles, Vikings over Panthers. Divisional: Vikings over Cowboys, Seahawks over Saints. Championship: Seahawks over Vikings.

 

Super Bowl: Seahawks over Patriots.