MY BOLD AFC PREDICTIONS FOR THE 2013 NFL SEASON!

AFC East

1) New England Patriots (10-6) Rumors of the Patriots demise are overstated. I don't think they have the horses to reach the Super Bowl this season, but they've got more than enough to take the AFC East crown.

2) Miami Dolphins (8-8) New logo, new look on offense, solid defense. Sorry Fins fans, while Tannenhill makes strides this season as QB, the team still has too many question marks (especially at running back, tight end and offensive line) to seriously contend for the post season.

3) Buffalo Bills (6-10) There is a real possibility that an undrafted rookie free agent will start at QB for the Bills on opening day. That doesn't bode well for a team that needs more playmakers on both sides of the ball. Yes, from 1990 to 1993 the Bills lost four consecutive Super Bowls. Despite this, Buffalo fans can only glance back wistfully at those teams when compared to today's edition.

4) N.Y. Jets (4-12) The Jets turn in a truly Twilight Zone worthy season during Rex Ryan's swan song.

AFC North

1) Cincinnati Bengals (12-4) This may be the year the Bengals finally put it all together.  They've got talented playmakers on offense and a solid defense. In addition, Andy Dalton continues to make strides and show flashes that he can be an elite NFL QB. This might be Marv Lewis' year to make a deep run in the post season.

2) Baltimore Ravens (9-7) Ray Lewis, the Ravens' heart and soul (at least on defense) for the past decade is gone. I think Baltimore competes this season, but I expect a drop-off from last year. 

3) Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) After every season, it seems the Steelers watch as a lot of home-grown talent moves to other teams for bigger paydays. This past offseason was no exception as playmaker Mike Wallace went to South Beach to catch passes from Ryan Tannenhill instead of Ben Roethlisburger. Despite this, the Steelers always seem to find a way to compete, and I see them as a factor in the AFC North division race late in the season as usual.

4) Cleveland Browns (6-10) The good news: the Browns are improved. The bad news: In the AFC North that will only translate to six or seven W's. 

AFC South

1) Houston Texans (12-4) The Texans are a solid, solid team. This could be Houston's year to finally put it all together and make it to the Super Bowl (something the Oilers were never able to do while they were in Houston). They will be tested by a tough regular season schedule, but if they can avoid last year's late season letdown, they could go far in post season play.

2) Indianapolis Colts (10-6) Andrew Luck will show that his rookie season was no fluke.  However, the Colts still need more pieces if they hope to take another step toward the big game, especially on defense.

3) Tennesse Titans (8-8) The Titans find out if Jake Locker is the real deal at QB this season.  If not, they still have Chris Johnson. I think a tough early season schedule keeps Tennessee from seriously contending for a playoff berth.

4) Jacksonville Jaguars (2-14) The team introduced what had to be one of the worst logo updates in NFL history. They had a chance to land ex-Jet Tim Tebow during the offseason and passed. Sure Tebow may not be an elite NFL QB, but he is well loved in Florida and would have put tails in seats at least. The team lacks talent on both sides of the ball and one has to wonder if owner Shahid Khan is pulling a page from the playbook of the film "Major League" by making the team so toxic to local fans that they stay away, leaving him with no choice but to uproot and move to greener pastures. 

 AFC West

1) Denver Broncos (12-4) Denver should again be a favorite to win the AFC West (easily) and move deep into the playoffs.  However, Peyton Manning isn't getting any younger, and when I watch the Broncos I still see a team that can look like world beaters one week and then look very mediocre the next.

2) Kansas City (8-8) Don't expect a lot of excitement from the Alex Smith dink-and-dunk offense, but the team should be better in 2013.

3) San Diego Chargers (7-9) The Norv Turner regime finally unravelled in San Diego last season. I don't see a rebound for the Chargers in 2013 either. It will be interesting to see if the new coaching staff and team leaders can keep the team motivated.

4) Oakland Raiders (4-12) These guys are a looong way from their "Just Win" days.

My bold NFC predictions for the 2013 NFL Season!

NFC East

1) Dallas Cowboys (9-7) Okay...homer pick here. The Cowboys are my team and always have been. But it's been a while since the Boys have taken home a Lombardi and unfortunately, I don't see them doing it this year either. Tony Romo seems to be the Danny White of our time. He'll put up great numbers during the regular season, but when it's crunch time, he's been uncanny in his ability to choke games away. Still, I think the Boys have enough talent to take the division this season and I'll cross my fingers come playoff time.

2) N.Y. Giants (8-8) The Giants are the proverbial girl with the curl in the middle of her head...when they are bad, they are very, very bad; when they are good, they win Super Bowls. This season, I think the division crown eludes the G-men...and perhaps the playoffs as well.

3) Washington Redskins (7-9) I think RG III comes back to earth this season. Don't get me wrong, I like the kid. I think he's a class act and I think he will be a good NFL quarterback. But one has to wonder if he'll be 100% recovered from last season's injury by the start of the season. Even if he is healthy, he's going to show some rust early. I also don't think RB Alfred Morris has a repeat of his amazing 2012 season. I think the Skins stumble out of the gate and don't right the ship soon enough to make the post season.

4) Philadelphia Eagles (5-11) Welcome to the NFL, coach Kelly. I think in two, maybe three seasons he has the Eagles contending, but not this year.

NFC North

1) Green Bay Packers (10-6) One can never discount a team that has Aaron Rogers behind center. However, I don't think the Packers have an easy time of it this season. I don't think the Pack have addressed their deficiencies on defense and that will be telling, especially when the playoffs roll around.

2) Detroit Lions (9-7) The Lions are the ultimate ying-yang franchise. During years they aren't expected to do much, they end up surprising a lot of people. Conversely, during years they are picked to do well, they end up underachieving (see 2012 season). I think this is a year they end up surprising people. I don't see them taking the division crown from the Packers, but I can see them slipping into the post season. 

3) Minnesota Vikings (8-8) Adrian Peterson will shine again in 2013, but probably not as brightly as he did in 2012. I also don't see QB Christian Ponder as the guy who will take the Vikes to the promised land.  I'm sure Minnesota fans are hoping the team finds that guy before Peterson retires. 

4) Chicago Bears (7-9) The Bears take a slide backwards this year. They'll win a few they probably should lose and they'll lose a few they probably should win. 

NFC South

1) New Orleans Saints (11-5) Sean Payton is back, Drew Brees is still behind center, and the Saints will be playing with a chip on their shoulder this season. I think that translates to a hard-won NFC South division crown.

2) Atlanta Falcons (10-6) Many are favoring the Falcons to make the Super Bowl this season. They do have a lot of talent, especially at wide receiver. However, the Falcons always seem to find a way to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Make no mistake, Atlanta will make the post season, but I think the Saints leap-frog them for a division crown in 2013.

3) Carolina Panthers (8-8) With Cam Newton, and a strong defensive front, the Panthers will contend. But I don't think they have the pieces in place to get past New Orleans or Atlanta.

4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-10) The Bucs seem to be a team in search of an identity. That's not a good place to be in a division with teams like New Orleans and Atlanta.

 NFC West

1) Seattle Seahawks (10-6) The Seahawks have a lot of talent. In fact, I think they have enough to reach the Super Bowl. Time to see if Pete Carroll can translate his college success to the pro level. 

2) San Francisco (9-7) I think NFL defenses catch up to last year's phenom Colin Kaepernick in 2013. The 49ers have a tough defense, but I think they'll struggle at times on offense this season.

3) St. Louis Rams (8-8) Jeff Fisher shows everyone why he is one of the best coaches in the league. The Rams are one or two seasons away from seriously contending for the NFC West crown and a post season berth.

4) Arizonal Cardinals (7-9) The Cards may have finally found a QB in Carson Palmer who can replace Kurt Warner. Unfortunately, I don't think it will be enough to elevate Arizona from the NFC West cellar.

Next up ... AFC Predictions!