[via www.rebirthstudios.com]

On the night in which the first NFL preseason game takes place, it's time for the "way too early" predictions for the 2009-10 NFL season.

All predictions are not final as I must wait to see which star breaks his leg or something in the preseason leading to the "they play too many games in the preseason" debate.

                               
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AFC EAST
1. New England Patriots (14-2) -- The last time the Patriots had a healthy Tom Brady, they went 16-0.
2. Buffalo Bills (10-6) -- A tough schedule? No problem. No Marshawn Lynch for three games? No problem.
3. Miami Dolphins (8-8) -- Wildcat is wild and crazy and could be crazier with the drafting of versatile Pat White.
4. New York Jets (3-13) -- Rex Ryan takes over for a coach who had two winning seasons in three years.

AFC NORTH
1. Pittsburgh Steelers (14-2) -- The journey for a seventh Super Bowl title begins for the defending champions.
2. Cincinnati Bengals (8-8) -- A healthy Carson Palmer attempts to put the Bengals back on the playoff road.
3. Baltimore Ravens (8-8) -- Can Joe Flacco build on a surprisingly successful 2008 campaign?
4. Cleveland Browns (4-12) -- A new coach, no clear starting quarterback and more questions than answers.

AFC SOUTH
1. Indianapolis Colts (12-4) -- Life after Tony Dungy and Marvin Harrison begins for the Colts.
2. Houston Texans (9-7) -- Can the Texans get over the 8-8 hump and make the playoffs? Yes on both accounts.
3. Tennessee Titans (8-8) -- How much gas in the tank does veteran Kerry Collins have? Page Vince Young.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-10) -- Bold prediction: Jack Del Rio heads for the unemployment line after January 3.

AFC WEST
1. San Diego Chargers (11-5) -- On paper, this team is head and shoulders above the rest in the division
2. Oakland Raiders (7-9) -- A young and improved squad led by Tom Cable tries to undo the wrong done in the past.
3. Kansas City Chiefs (5-11) -- Matt Cassel must prove he's worth all $63 million if the team wants to see the playoffs.
4. Denver Broncos (3-13) -- The Broncos are fielding their worst team that I can ever remember.

NFC EAST
1. New York Giants (12-4) -- Solid everywhere, the Giants are the best team in the league in the trenches.
2. Dallas Cowboys (9-7) -- Jerry Jones, Wade Phillips, Tony Romo and company are glad Terrell Owens is gone.
3. Philadelphia Eagles (9-7) -- If Brian Westbrook is healthy, they are a Super Bowl contender. If not, who knows?
4. Washington Redskins (5-11) -- Mr. Snyder's patience with quarterback Jason Campbell could be fully worn out.

NFC NORTH
1. Minnesota Vikings (11-5) -- A respectable pass offense and pass defense would do wonders for this team.
2. Chicago Bears (11-5) -- A new sheriff is in town. ... He's better than Rex Grossman. ... Bears fans rejoice.
3. Green Bay Packers (8-8) -- Only 14 more 16-start seasons left to go for former Cal quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
4. Detroit Lions (3-13) -- They'll want to see first overall pick Matthew Stafford sooner rather than later.

NFC SOUTH
1. Atlanta Falcons (11-5) -- Is Matt Ryan really the second coming of Jesus? It's hard to argue against it.
2. New Orleans Saints (10-6) -- Can Drew Brees throw for 5,000 yards again? Bush is back and so are the playoffs.
3. Carolina Panthers (7-9) -- Why do I get the feeling that either Jake Delhomme or Steve Smith will get hurt badly?
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-14) -- An 0-7 start seems inevitable with a brutal schedule. Take what you can get.

NFC WEST
1. San Francisco 49ers (9-7) -- Mike Singletary isn't dumb. Shaun Hill will start and he was 5-3 as a starter last year.
2. Seattle Seahawks (9-7) -- Exit Holmgren and enter Mora. Houshmandzadeh gives Hasselbeck at least one target.
3. Arizona Cardinals (7-9) -- Only need a few fingers to count the teams to lose the big one and return to the playoffs.
4. St. Louis Rams (3-13) -- St. Louis desperately needs the 2007 Steven Jackson back for any kind of chance.

                                                                
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AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
No. 2 New England Patriots def. No. 4 San Diego Chargers

NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
No. 5 Chicago Bears def. No. 1 New York Giants

SUPER BOWL XLIV
NFC Champion: Chicago Bears 16
AFC Champion: New England Patriots 24
Super Bowl MVP: Tom Brady