Summer is nearly over. Back to school shopping has begun, students are going back to college—and the NFL season is getting closer.

We're still a few weeks away from the first regular season game, so for now, the preseason is still going on. I'm sure there will be much more Brett Favre coverage—because there wasn't enough on Tuesday when he un-retired for the second time.

Last February, we saw the Pittsburgh Steelers win Super Bowl XLIII in dramatic fashion over the Arizona Cardinals 27-23, with Santonio Holmes taking home the Super Bowl MVP.

It's time to wipe the slate clean, because the 2009 season will bring new hopes to teams, while for some it could be just another long year.

 

AFC East

1. New England Patriots: 13-3 (11-5 in 2008)

Quarterback Tom Brady will be at full strength from his knee surgery after playing just one quarter in 2008. With Brady back, the Patriots should be back at the top of the division.

The Patriots strengthened their defense by acquiring Derrick Burgess from the Raiders for a third-round draft pick, which seems like another steal because Burgess is a terrific player who can add to a good defense.

 

2. Miami Dolphins: 9-7 (11-5 in 2008)

Miami shocked the world last year by going from 1-15 to 11-5 and AFC East division winners. Chad Pennington brought veteran leadership to the offense and got the ultimate revenge by beating the Jets in Week 17 to end their season in the Meadowlands.

Longtime Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor returns to Miami after a year with the Redskins, so his speed will be important on the line. Miami's Wildcat offense might be well prepared for in 2009, but they should still be a dangerous team.

 

3. New York Jets: 8-8 (9-7 in 2008)

Eric Mangini and Brett Favre are out, and Rex Ryan and Mark Sanchez are in. The first-year coach brings his aggressive style of defense to New York, along with former Ravens Bart Scott and Jim Leonhard.

The Jets lost Laveranues Coles to free agency and have yet to find his replacement at wide receiver.

The biggest question will be Sanchez. If he does win the job, how will he perform under the bright lights of New York? Only one way to find out in this league.

 

4. Buffalo Bills: 7-9 (7-9 in 2008)

The biggest news of the Bills' offseason is they added Terrell Owens to the offense after he was released by the Cowboys in the winter.

Owens is 35 and is still one of the best in the league, but he drops too many passes. He will also draw double- and triple-team coverages from defenses, so Lee Evans should see a lot more receptions.

Aside from Owens, this is still the same last-place 7-9 Bills team that underachieved in 2008, and they might see head coach Dick Jauron put on the hot seat if the team does not perform well.

 

AFC North

1. Pittsburgh Steelers: 12-4 (12-4 in 2008)

The Steelers will come into 2009 the defending champions and will have a certain swagger about them. The Steelers have been one of the most consistent teams in recent history, with championships won in 2005 and 2008.

The Steelers defense is one of the best in the league with guys like James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley at linebacker.

The Steelers offense relies on a strong power-running game with Willie Parker. The team didn't change from 2008 and should be on top in 2009 again.

 

2. Baltimore Ravens: 10-6 (11-5 in 2008)

First-year head coach John Harbaugh got the Ravens all the way to the AFC Championship game as the sixth seed in the AFC playoffs with rookie quarterback Joe Flacco.

However, Rex Ryan leaves as defensive coordinator, which might take away from some of the aggressiveness of the Ravens' blitz packages. MLB Ray Lewis is still here, however; he looks better than ever and should have the younger players prepared.

Also, wide receiver Derrick Mason un-retired after the murder of Steve McNair and will be a huge passing target for Flacco on offense.

 

3. Cleveland Browns: 6-10 (4-12 in 2008)

Eric Mangini was brought in to replace Romeo Crennel after a disappointing, last-place finish 2008. Nobody is sure who will win the starting quarterback competition between Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn.

If Quinn does win it, expect Anderson to be placed on the trading block because teams will want his services.

Braylon Edwards was not traded, especially after Donte' Stallworth's manslaughter arrest and subsequent 2009 season suspension, along with the trade of TE Kellen Winslow to Tampa Bay.

Cleveland is still young, and if they struggle again, Edwards could be back on the trading block.

 

4. Cincinnati Bengals: 3-13 (4-11-1 in 2008)

No team has dropped off the table faster than the Bengals did after they won the AFC North division title in 2005. Carson Palmer is always injured and missed most of 2008. But when healthy, he is extremely dangerous.

Chad Johnson is now Chad Ochocinco and is looking to have a bounce-back year. They brought in Laveranues Coles from the Jets to be the No. 2 receiver.

This might be the year head coach Marvin Lewis is put on the hot seat. After being a great defensive coordinator, he hasn't had great success in Cincinnati. If they fail again, changes may come for this team, starting with Lewis.

 

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