NFC East

As they have been for the past couple of years, the Dallas Cowboys are favoured to win this difficult division. Quarterback Tony Romo runs the show, with talented receiver Miles Austin and tight end Jason Witten his favourite targets. The New York Giants will be much improved on defense, while the Philadelphia Eagles explosive offense is now in the hands of Kevin Kolb. The Washington Redskins could be the surprise packet, with new coach Mike Shanahan and former Eagle QB Donovan McNabb trying to turn things around.

Ed says: 1-Dallas 2-NY Giants 3-Washington 4-Philadelphia

Ashley says: Toss up between the Cowboys, who are seeking to become gthe first team to win a Super Bowl in their own stadium and the Giants. It's a big job for Kolb to step and lead the Eagles to the playoffs, while the Redskins will be better.

NFC North

While Brett Favre talk dominates the airwaves, Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers is on the verge of becoming on of the NFL's great quarterbacks. The Packers have a dynamic offense, and if their defense can stop anyone, they'll win the division. The Minnesota Vikings are a superb defensive team, and on offense it's all down to Favre and running back Adrian Peterson. Detroit will be the big improver behind second year QB Matthew Stafford, rookie running back Jahvid Best and rookie lineman Ndamukong Suh. The Chicago Bears and quarterback Jay Cutler will continue to struggle.

Ed says: 1-Green Bay 2-Minnesota 3-Detroit 4-Chicago

Ashley says: This could be Rodgers year. Favre might regret coming back because his receivers are already ailing.

NFC South

The defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints are still loaded with talent, particularly on offense, where Drew Brees and his crew of receivers return for another shot at immortality. The Atlanta Falcons need a big season from third year quarterback Matt Ryan and bruising runner Michael Turner, while the Carolina Panthers are a bit of an unknown quantity: they have two of the NFL's best runners in DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, and a solid defense. If Matt Moore can manage the game at QB, they could challenge for a wildcard spot. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are still in rebuilding mode and won't make it out of the bottom spot.

Ed says: 1-New Orleans 2-Atlanta 3-Carolina 4-Tampa Bay

Ashley says: If the Saints are focused then they'll win this division comfortably. Former Carlton and Collingwood ruckman Chris Bryant now punts for Tampa Bay.

NFC West

This is the worst division in the NFL, and provides a great opportunity for the San Francisco 49ers to steal the title. The Niners have a fantastic defense and a good running back in Frank Gore. If QB Alex Smith can avoid making too many mistakes, San Francisco should be playoff bound. The Arizona Cardinals enter the post-Kurt Warner era with all kinds of problems at the quarterback position. Golden boy Matt Leinert has been released and journeyman Derek Anderson will get the start. The Cards still have Larry Fitzgerald to throw to, but the Super Bowl is a distant memory. The Seattle Seahawks are also a shambles, with former USC coach Pete Carroll trying to put a once-solid franchise back together. Much depends on the health of QB Matt Hasselbeck, but the Hawks will battle to get above .500. The St. Louis Rams are the worst of a bad bunch. Rookie quarterback Sam Bradford might sell some tickets, but the team is years away from being competitive.

Ed says: 1-San Francisco 2-Arizona 3-Seattle 4-St. Louis

Ashley says: Ed's right. 49ers to scrape through.

AFC East

There are three legitimate contenders for the title. New York Jets' fans, still smiling from last season's AFC championship berth, think this is the year they make the Super Bowl. That's a big call based on the fact that second year quarterback Mark Sanchez is the key. The ageing New England Patriots are always dangerous, with QB Tom Brady at the helm and head coach Bill Belichick pulling the strings. The Miami Dolphins are the unknown quantity; they're hard-hitting on defense and if the offense can move the football, they'll be tough to beat. The Buffalo Bills, of course, will bring up the rear.

Ed says: 1-NY Jets 2-New England 3-Miami 4-Buffalo

Ashley says: While the Pats and the Jets eye each other off, the well-coached Dolphins could slip under their guard.

AFC North

This is a brutal division. The Baltimore Ravens seem to have all the components for a Super Bowl run, with consistent QB Joe Flacco, a good running game and a tough defense. While Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco are getting all the publicity, the key man for the Cincinnati Bengals will be quarterback Carson Palmer. The Pittsburgh Steelers will be without suspended QB Ben Roethlisberger for the first four games, but still have enough talent to win the division, especially with safety Troy Palamalu returning from injury. The Cleveland Browns should be better, but will still finish last.

Ed says: 1-Baltimore 2-Cincinnati 3-Pittsburgh 4-Cleveland

Ashley says: Great division with so many storylines. The Ravens are the trendy pick, and mine.

AFC South

Once again the Indianapolis Colts will be favoured, and once again they should win the division, as long as Peyton Manning stays healthy. He looked sharp in the pre-season and should again rack up big numbers through the air. The Houston Texans had their first-ever winning season last year, and should challenge for a wildcard spot behind QB Matt Schaub and receiver Andre Johnson. The Tennessee Titans are a tough team to figure out, but they have the NFL's best running back, Chris Johnson, talented but erratic QB Vince Young and one of the league's best coaches in Jeff Fisher. Meanwhile, this could be the last go-round for Jacksonville Jaguars' head coach Jack Del Rio.

Ed says: 1-Indianapolis 2-Houston 3-Tennessee 4-Jacksonville

Ashley says: If the Texans beat the Colts on opening weekend, this division is up for grabs.

AFC West

Like the NFC West, this is a bad division, and the San Diego Chargers should have no problem winning it again, especially with QB Philip Rivers behind center. Rookie Ryan Matthews has been highly touted at running back. The Oakland Raiders have replaced the dreadful Jamarcus Russell with Jason Campbell at quarterback, and that should result in a few more wins. The Kansas City Chiefs should be better, but QB Matt Cassel needs more weapons on offense. And the Denver Broncos, in a massive rebuilding phase, have already been hit by injuries in pre-season, the most notable of which is defensive star Elvis Dumervil. Most of the excitement in the Mile High city will be around rookie QB Tim Tebow.

Ed says: 1-San Diego 2-Oakland 3-Kansas City 4-Denver

Ashley says: San Diego wins this disfunctional division. Look for the Chargers to win 13 or so games than flame out in their first playoff game. Again.

Ed's Playoff Predictions

NFC Championship

New Orleans over Green Bay

AFC Championship

Baltimore over Indianapolis

Super Bowl

New Orleans over Baltimore

Ashley's Playoff Predictions

NFC Championship

Green Bay over New Orleans

AFC Championship

Baltimore over New York Jets

Super Bowl

Green Bay over Baltimore