NFL Preseason Predictions Sure To Go Wrong: This Year's Division Winners

As the first week of the NFL preseason arrives, the bold predictions are made, the laughable breakout players are picked, and the Super Bowl matches are selected.

So here we are, a few weeks away from the regular season, and we really don't have a very good idea of who is going to be real contenders, and who is going to have a treacherous season ahead of them.

Of course there will be those that will laugh at my predictions and tell me why I am wrong, but hey, I didn't expect to write this article and have everyone agree with me.

All I ask is that you give me some good reasons why which team will win their division.

Let the debating begin!

NFC East: Dallas Cowboys

I think this division will be a close race towards the end, but I don't think there will be multiple playoff teams from this division.

This is always one of the best divisions in football and the rivalries speak for themselves. Of course, Dallas has the talent on their roster to take the top spot.

It will be interesting to see if the Giants can bounce back from a terrible season last year, and how the Eagles and Redskins will pan out with the move of McNabb.

NFC North: Green Bay Packers

If Brett Favre comes back the Vikings will obviously contend for the division crown again. I still think if he plays, the Packers will edge them by a game.

If he doesn't end up coming back, then it's definitely the Packers' to lose. Detroit and Chicago might improve a little bit, but this is clearly a two-team race. The Packers are ready to take the next step in my opinion.

NFC South: New Orleans Saints

While the Saints will have a huge target on their backs, Drew Brees is good enough to lead them back to the top of the standings.

This division has always flip-flopped every year, but I really don't see the Buccs or Panthers making any improvements this year.

Atlanta might be ready to take the next step, but knocking off the Super Bowl champs will be one mighty task. New Orleans with a slight edge.

NFC West: San Francisco 49ers

This is one of the more obvious choices in my opinion. I think there are a lot of people picking the 49ers here, as they are finally ready to become a playoff team.

They have the best linebacker in the game (Patrick Willis) and if Alex Smith can finally take a step forward, and Frank Gore stays healthy, Coach Singletary could have his squad in the playoffs.

I don't think Matt Leinart is going to be a successful quarterback in this league, and Seattle and St. Louis are far from being playoff teams. Welcome back San Fran.

AFC East: New England Patriots

This one might come as a shock to some. The fact is, this could be the best division this year. The Dolphins will definitely be better than last year, and the Jets and Patriots are already playoff teams.

The Jets have an incredible roster on paper, but if Tom Brady, Randy Moss, and Wes Welker are all healthy this year, they could have one of the most feared offenses in the league.

The defense will have to step up for them this year. This one will probably go down to the last game of the season, and I give a one game edge to the Patriots over the Jets.

AFC North: Baltimore Ravens

If the Steelers hadn't had such a horrible offseason, they might be the winners still, but the moves that Baltimore has made have them projected on top. The addition of Anquan Boldin is huge, and the running game is well established. Flacco is ready to take this team from one of the most feared defensive teams in NFL history, to an explosive offensive team. Scary thought.

The addition of T.O. in Cincy does make them a little better, but I still don't know if they are a playoff team. The Browns aren't really expected to do much, and the Steelers chances all depend on how they do without number seven for the first few weeks.

AFC South: Indianapolis Colts

A healthy Colts team is a scary team for anyone else in the league. We may have spoken too soon, as we learned this week about Jeff Saturday's surgery. The Texans might be the sexy pick here for a lot of people, and they may even go out on a limb and select the Titans here, but I just don't see anyone finishing ahead of the Colts.

Maybe it's the homer in me, but I think the Colts will have another 12-win season, and finish on top once again. The season opener will be a great test, as the Colts head to Houston for a big game.

AFC West: Kansas City Chiefs

Wait wait wait. Before you start ripping me on this one, take a look at the Chargers' roster. Think about their window of opportunity that has been "open" for several years now. Sure losing L.T. hurts, but he wasn't that effective anymore, and shouldn't be that much of a loss. The receiver situation has been crazy this offseason, and we still aren't sure about the defense. The Raiders will improve, but aren't ready to contend for a playoff spot. Denver has had a horrible last few weeks, and doesn't look like they are headed anywhere good soon.

With the Chiefs, you have Matt Cassell finally ready to step up, and a decent running game with Jamal Charles and Thomas Jones. Dwayne Bowe is a nice young receiver as well. The defense has been upgraded, and the coaching staff looks like they are all on the same page.

Obviously this was the one "reach" in my opinion, but I don't really see a Super Bowl-contending team in this division, so it's pretty much up in the air right now.

Let me know your division winners, and why you picked them.