Breakdown of NFL football NFC and AFC by The Gaming Today’s Mark Mayer

Aside from the Manning neck, note this factoid about Green Bay when in line waiting to make a futures bet. The two previous times the Packers first appeared in the Super Bowl, they returned the following year.

The Packers under Vince Lombardi won Super Bowl I and II, then 30 years later with Brett Favre won SB XXXI and lost XXXII. Now they defend the world title with Aaron Rodgers, but not as favorites.

That distinction still belongs to those New England Patriots at 9-2 odds at the Las Vegas Hilton. The public doesn’t easily forget Bill Belichek and Tom Brady. The Packers, well they are just behind at 5-1 at Las Vegas Hilton SuperBook.

Breaking down the NFC and AFC at first glance, it’s eerily similar to a year ago. The AFC East seems to be New England and the New York Jets. The North again is Pittsburgh and Baltimore, the South looks to be Indy (if Peyton’s neck is healed) with San Diego the choice out West.

The NFC elite again seem to be Philadelphia (East), Green Bay (North), New Orleans and Atlanta (South). That again leaves the NFC West as the one that anyone can win.

However, the NFL is all about parity and change. There are always new teams that enter the playoffs and those that take a step back. Here are some possibilities heading into Week 1 starting Thursday.

Detroit Lions: There has been heavy public money coming in on the Lions, who in 45 seasons have never been in a Super Bowl. There is a lot to like about Detroit.

Houston Texans: We’ve been waiting and waiting for Houston to take that giant step past Indianapolis into the playoffs. Again, many believe this is the year.

Peyton Manning: If this were a horse race, we would have the Colts nipping Houston at the wire by a neck. Unfortunately there is an inquiry about Peyton‘s neck.

St. Louis Rams: The NFL West is open for bidding and our money is on Sam Bradford and the improving Rams. They are the Lions without the public hype.

Tampa Bay Bucs: The young Bucs somehow won 10 games in a division that featured New Orleans and Atlanta. Can they do it again is the big question.

Washington Redskins: The team under the radar in the NFC East where the Eagles, Cowboys and NY Giants live. Watch the Redskins if a quality QB emerges.

We’ll go by history and believe at least four new teams will find their way to the playoffs. Our unscientific view of the season from a Week 1 vantage point is bottom left – definitely subject to alterations as injuries occur.

PREDICTIONS

NFC East: Philadelphia.

NFC North: Green Bay

NFC South: Atlanta

NFC West: St. Louis

Wild Cards: New Orleans, Detroit

 AFC East: NY Jets

AFC North: Baltimore

AFC South: Houston

AFC West: San Diego

Wild Cards: Pittsburgh, New England

 NFC champ: Atlanta

AFC champ: Baltimore

Super Bowl champ: ATLANTA FALCONS

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