I'm back and so is the NFL

Hello again sports fans! Last night another season began in the unpredictable National Football League. Making playoff picks becomes a tougher task each year, as the salary cap and free agency have certainly leveled out the playing field. In each of the last ten seasons, at least five teams have reached the postseason after failing to do so the previous year, including seven in 2005. So really, nobody can say they know what's going to happen. But here are some predictions anyway:

NFC East - Dallas. Although the Cowboys made a deal with the devil by signing wide receiver Terrible Owens, they possess the ingredients most necessary to win football games - good coaching, defense and running attack.

North - Chicago. The Bears can't run the ball, or even pass it, but their defense showed how strong it can be by giving up a minuscule 61 points in eight home games last year.

South - Carolina. The Panthers appear to have no physical weaknesses, and in 2005 they displayed their mental discipline by committing the fewest penalties.

West - Arizona. Sure, Seattle is a better team, but Tennessee in 2000 is the last club to reach the playoffs or even post a winning record the year after losing the Super Bowl. Also since 2000, being on the cover of John Madden's video game has been a recipe for disaster, and this year Seattle's Shaun Alexander is the next victim. So I'm throwing Seattle out.

St. Louis has a rookie coach, and in 2005 San Francisco statistically finished last in the NFL in both offense and defense, so they shouldn't make it either. That leaves Arizona. With the addition of running back Edgerrin James, the Cardinals will improve greatly on last season's anemic total of two rushing touchdowns. Their new stadium with actual sellouts will help upgrade the home record.

Wild Card - Washington. The Redskins were the league's most pathetic team in the preseason, and star running back Clinton Portis will be playing with an injury, but 10-6 will make the playoffs.

Wild Card - Minnesota. There were about seven different possibilities for the final slot, but the edge goes to quarterback Brad Johnson, a Super Bowl winner who last year led the Vikings on a six-game winning streak.

AFC South - Indianapolis. This one's a no-brainer. Now, can quarterback Peyton Manning pick up his 3-6 record in the postseason?

East - New England. Last year a rash of injuries and a few questionable calls in the playoff loss at Denver foiled the Patriots' quest for an unprecedented three consecutive Super Bowl championships. Another run is possible as an excellent draft helped offset some offseason losses.

North - Cincinnati. The Bengals won the division last season, but lost QB Carson Palmer early in the playoff loss to Pittsburgh. Palmer appears to be healthy enough now to get them back.

Wild Card - Miami. This could be the most dangerous team in the league at season's end. The Dolphins finished 2005 with a six-game winning streak, and the current schedule is favorable.

Wild Card - San Diego. Of the five teams with a reasonable shot at the final spot, the Chargers own the easiest schedule.

So, there you have it. I've got the required five new teams in the playoffs, with both Super Bowl representatives Seattle and Pittsburgh failing to qualify. That's just about right for the inconsistent NFL.

Super Bowl - Not surprisingly, four out of the last seven Super Bowl champions didn't even make the playoffs in their previous seasons.

Prediction - Any time Dallas has a chance at winning it, I always take the Cowboys. Dallas defeats New England.

Note - Numerous future and proposition bets are available in local casinos.