Preseason predictions and awards -- Heavy favorites

Everyone is wondering two things -- Will the Philadelphia Eagles finally be able to win the NFC Championship and get to the Super Bowl, and can the New England Patriots keep their winning streak alive and dominate the NFL like they did in 2003?

The answers are yes and maybe.

First, though, let's look at the predictions for the playoffs and beyond.

NFC Division Champions and Wildcards

NFC East: Philadelphia Eagles (12-4)

Carolina Panthers (11-5)

NFC North: Minnesota Vikings (10-6)

NFC West: St. Louis Rams (11-5)

NFC Wildcards: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-6), Washington Redskins (10-6)

Close, but no cigar: Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers

NFC Championship: Tampa Bay at Philadelphia

NFC Champion: Philadelphia

In the NFC it has just got to be the Eagles year.

The Correll Buckhalter injury is obviously a big blow, but one that can be overcome.

Word out of the Cheese-Steak City is that Brian Westbrook was destined to be the number one back anyway.

Many teams have had great years and have even won Super Bowls without a featured running back.

Team Green needs to realize that and not panic.

They haven't yet after making a safe move to add familiar Dorsey Levens.

In addition, look for Donovan McNabb to have a monster year and win the NFL MVP award.

Nothing would be better for the City of Brotherly Love to finally win the NFC Championship game at home and make even Rocky proud.

Unfortunately The Pack is headed back to the back of the pack, as is Seattle. Neither of those teams improved themselves enough in the off season to keep up last year's momentum.

AFC Division Champions and Wildcards

AFC East: New England Patriots (12-4)

AFC South: Indianapolis Colts (13-3)

AFC North: Baltimore Ravens (11-5)

AFC West: Kansas City Chiefs (11-5)

AFC Wildcards: New York Jets (10-6), Tennessee Titans (10-6)

So close they could smell it: Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns

AFC Championship: New England at Indianapolis

AFC Champion: New England

In the AFC the Patriots are the popular pick to repeat.

Even though I've also picked them here to go all the way there is concern in Beantown.

It's the same uncertainty that plagued the squad in 2002 when they failed to make the playoffs after their first world championship -- run defense.

The loss of Ted Washington and not having yet replaced their aging middle linebacking corps could cause the team to falter.

For their sake, let's hope head coach Bill Belichick and defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel have seen something in the following players that we yet haven't -- veteran Keith Traylor, second year player and former first round pick Ty Warren, and this years number one selection Vince Wilfork.

Talk to me in week 6 and I might flip flop the Jets and Browns.

One more year for Cincinnati and watch out.

Super Bowl XL: Philadelphia and New England

Super Bowl Champions: New England (Drive III)

Taking a closer look at the playoff predictions you'll find some changes in 2004, with the NFC having the biggest turnover of teams.

We're going with the Redskins getting a big lift (a la Dallas last year with Bill Parcells) with the new Joe Gibbs regime.

The Vikings have to finally show some consistency under Mike Tice or he's gone.

Tampa Bay should have its act together again after the all too familiar post Super Bowl letdown year.

The AFC picture shouldn't change as much, with only the Jets getting to the playoffs and Denver dropping out.

The Browns, with the addition of Jeff Garcia and Kellen Winslow, Jr. on the offensive side of the ball are possibly poised to do some damage.

In Oakland there has to be an improvement on last year, but who is going to run the ball, who is going to catch the ball?

Has Indianapolis done anything to improve their defense overall?

What has Kansas City done?

Now it's time for some early individual award prophecies.

NFL Offensive MVP: Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia Eagles. He's going to have to scramble more like the early days, lead by example, and put the ball where it needs to be with pinpoint accuracy.

NFL Defensive MVP: LaVar Arrington, Washington Redskins. There was some changing of the guard in the Nations Capital. Overall the defense is younger and faster. Arrington should have a breakout year and become a bona fide superstar.

AFC Rookie of the Year: Robert Gallery, Oakland Raiders. Without the emergence of any of the backs (Stephen Jackson, Chris Perry, Julius Jones) or wideouts (Larry Fitzgerald, Roy Williams) this sure-thing is primed to make a statement early and often.

Hedge your bet on Kellen Winslow Jr., as long as his head doesn't become too big to fit in his helmet.

NFC Rookie of the Year: Sean Taylor, Washington Redskins. With a little added and needed discipline, Gibbs shouldn't have to worry as much about the D as Steve Spurrier should have. ST will just need to stay on the field. Unfortunately, I can't help but think there will be a suspension at some point this year for a massive hit or team rule violation.

NFL Coach of the Year: Steve Mariucci, Detroit Lions. Motor City Madness, the Lions win nine games.

It will be fun around mid-year to check back on these early forecasts.

Remember the definition of the word predict from Merriam-Webster -- Foretell on the basis of observation, experience, or scientific reason.

Scientific?

Comments? Email me at jpsqwe@comcast.net