NFC West
Seattle Seahawks
This team is experienced, well-coached and talented. They improved their defense with the additions of safety Deon Grant and defensive end Patrick Kerney. Matt Hasselbeck is an elite quarterback and should throw for close to 4,000 yards and 25 touchdowns. Shaun Alexander should have a bounce-back season, rushing for more than the 896 yards in 2006. They play in an improved division but should still rack up at least 10 wins and host a home playoff game. Seattle Seahawks finish 10-6.

San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers are a popular pick for 2007, but they have some major question marks. Quarterback Alex Smith must continue to improve now that Norv Turner has left for San Diego. Frank Gore had an exceptional 2006 season rushing for 1,695 yards and nine touchdowns, but tight end Vernon Davis must prove he was worth a first-round pick. The addition of free-agent corner Nate Clements should shore up a secondary that is still weak at safety. The offensive line is underrated and will only get better at protecting Smith and opening up holes for Gore. The 49ers must fare well in early road games if they want to be in the playoff hunt in December. It will take one more year for the 49ers to make the playoffs after finishing 9-7 this season.

St. Louis Rams
Steven Jackson is the X-factor for this franchise and will play a big role in the offense. He rushed for 1,528 yards last season and caught 90 passes for 806 yards. Marc Bulger got a big contract extension and will look to hook up with tight end Randy McMichael to open up the passing game further for receivers Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce. The Rams defense gave up over 145 yards per game on the ground in 2006, and Adam Carriker was drafted to help improve their run defense. This is a tough team to figure out, because they play down to their competition and usually give up big plays. St. Louis is a playoff bubble team, but I'm keeping them out of the playoffs with a record of 9-7.

Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals always look good on paper, but this season they are close to becoming a playoff team. Matt Leinart will get better if the offensive line gives him time to connect with Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. Bertrand Berry should put up more than the six sacks that he registered in 2006, but the rest of this 29th-ranked no-name defense must do a better job against the pass. The Super Bowl will take place in Glendale, Ariz., on Feb. 3, 2007, and Leinart and his teammates should have fun watching from the stands after their 6-10 season.

AFC East
New England Patriots
On paper, the Pats are the best team I've seen in 10 years. They are loaded on offense and defense and have the best organization in the league. Tom Brady has more weapons on offense this season with the addition of Randy Moss and Donte' Stallworth, while the defense got better with the addition of linebacker Adalius Thomas. The loss of safety Rodney Harrison for the first four games should hurt with games against the Jets, Chargers and Bengals, but they will easily cruise to another AFC East title. This team has no weaknesses and will finish 13-3.

New York Jets
Coach Eric Mangini got more than expected when the Jets won 10 games last season, but that will be tough to top this season. Chad Pennington will get one more chance to make it to the playoffs as a starting quarterback, and he will be helped by new running back Thomas Jones. Rookie corner Darrelle Revis should make several big plays this season. The Jets must improve their rushing defense after giving up 130 yards per game on the ground last season. The Jets come back to earth with a soft landing an 9-7 record.

Buffalo Bills
This is a make-or-break season for general manager Marv Levy and his personnel department. The Bills gave former Raiders right tackle Langston Walker a $25 million contract, and he was one of the worst offensive linemen in the league. J.P. Losman is an example of a young quarterback on a bad team, and he looks like another David Carr. Aaron Schobel is one of the premiere pass rushers in the league, but Buffalo will feel the loss of Nate Clements at corner. This franchise still needs a complete overhaul and will finish 5-11.

Miami Dolphins
New coach Cam Cameron will regret leaving San Diego for South Florida. He will have trouble sleeping at night as he evaluates his inferior offensive line and watches quarterback Trent Green run for his life every time he steps back to pass. Jason Taylor and Zach Thomas are another year older, but should enjoy the addition of Joey Porter in the defensive huddle. Ronnie Brown could have a big year running, but he must score more than 10 touchdowns if Miami wants to be competitive.

Half their 2007 schedule is against teams that went to the playoffs last season and that will be one of the reasons they go 5-11.