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Amid all the other big moves that happened, the Pittsburgh Steelers pretty much stayed pat.
An improved offensive line and the confidence from last year's run should make them Super Bowl contenders.
The Baltimore Ravens should be tough once again as Joe Flacco continues to improve, but it's their defensive quarterback (Ed Reed) who should win them at least two games all by himself.
The Cincinnati Bengals could be a sleeper team this year, with a great quarterback, deep receiving corps (if Ochocinco is M-I-A, there are guys waiting to step up), and a defense that looks a lot better than the Bengals traditionally have.
And even the Browns are only two years removed from a 10-6 season, and whoever wins the quarterback battle should have a productive year. I expect Braylon Edwards to bounce back nicely.
6. NFC North
Cutler, Rodgers, Stafford, and...Favre? This will be the story of the year in the NFC North. Besides the Lions, it's easy to see any of these teams coming out on top.
The Chicago Bears have added arguably the most talented quarterback in the league in Jay Cutler, and the defense is solid as usual.
The Green Bay Packers come off a season in which they really underachieved, and Aaron Rodgers seems to have a chip on his shoulder because of Brett Favre's shadow.
Lastly, the Vikings won the division, and whether or not they add Favre, that defense can shut down anybody, not to mention the fact that they have the best running back in the game in Adrian Peterson.
The Lions will not go 0-16, and hope is on the horizon for this franchise. Look at it this way: the Lions will definitely improve on last year (and they certainly can't do any worse).
7. NFC West
This division should be more competitive than last year.
I like the Cardinals a lot. The passing attack should be dominant, but look out for Chris "Beanie" Wells to give the Cards a thumper running back that can wear defenses down
Wells will force coordinators to pick their poison between leaving Larry Fitzgerald in one-on-one coverage or letting Wells and Tim Hightower chip away with four, five, and six yards at a time.
Meanwhile, their defense should easily be top 15 (maybe top 10), led by playmakers like Adrian Wilson, Darnell Dockett, and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.
The Seattle Seahawks have three linebackers with Pro Bowl talent and, with a healthy Matt Hasselbeck, should be respectable again.
And if the San Francisco 49ers figure out their quarterback situation, they have enough surrounding talent to make a serious run at the playoffs.
St. Louis figures to have a rebuilding year, but don't be surprised to see San Francisco and Seattle make some noise this year.
8. AFC West
The worst division in football.
The San Diego Chargers are a trendy Super Bowl pick, and the defense should bounce back with the return of Shawne Merriman.
Playoff contenders end there, though.
Denver's team has been run straight into the ground. They fired a Hall-of-Fame coach, and hired an offensive coordinator who rode the talent of Tom Brady, Randy Moss, and Wes Welker to a head coaching position.
Jay Cutler is gone, the defense is still a mess, and I would not be surprised at a 3-13 season.
Oakland is still Oakland, and Kansas City is on the right track but still a year away from being a serious contender.
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