Q: Everybody is picking the Saints to be the favorites to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, but their defense is borderline questionable at best. Won't their defensive woes catch up with them this year, as no one will take them lightly this go around?
— Omar, Davidson, N.C.

A: I thought the Colts' inability to stop the run would catch up with them, too. They were last in the league at stopping the run. The Colts' ended up 21st overall on defense and the Saints were 11th. The Saints were 31st against the run and the Colts were 32d. What the Saints have going for them is the NFC is relatively weak compared to the AFC. It's pretty much wide open, with no teams clearly at the top of the heap, unlike the AFC, where the Colts, Patriots, Ravens, Chargers look better than any NFC team.

Q: There is a lot of optimism in Detroit over Calvin Johnson, and what he might be able to do for the team. Do the Lions have the defense to help keep them in the game when it gets to crunch time. Do they have the offense? Can they win 10 games this season?
— Tim, Old Hickory, Tenn.

A: I've seen a few Lions predict they will win 10 games. They're like the 300-pound man who wants to lose 100 pounds. I can't figure out why the fat guy doesn't start with losing one pound. The Lions need to figure out how to win five games before they can dream about 10. But they do have talent, as pointed out above, and they do play in a competitively challenged division.

Q: Why did the Redskins pass up on running back Adrian Peterson for a secondary player when they already have Sean Taylor and company and could really use a young and talented running back to replace Clinton Portis and to develop along with their up and coming new quarterback, Jason Campbell? To me Peterson was the best player in the draft. I felt they missed a great opportunity there.
— Josh Phillip, Sparks, Nev.

A: Hadn't thought of that, but you're probably right. Portis is still young, but he's been around for five years and has had injury problems, so maybe he's past his prime. As much as Joe Gibbs loves to run, Peterson would have made at least as much sense as LaRon Landry, who plays essentially the same way Taylor does.

Q: The Raiders have revamped the whole team, improving the offense by leaps and bounds. The whole team is on the same page as Lane Kiffin, who is a fiery coach that has induced that sense of pride that the team has been lacking for some time now. Do you think the Raiders can win 10 games this year?
— Doc, Fargo, N.D.

A: In your dreams. You're like the Lions' fan, biting off more than your team can chew. Try three games and adjust your sights. No question, they will be improved but this is a 2-14 team you're following. Absolutely awful. If Kiffin wins five games, he should be coach of the year.

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