With the 2011 NFL pre-season only half over, I am prepared to go out on a limb and pick the division winners and playoff teams. What they do once they get to the post-season is another story, so I'll just stop at predicting the teams that will make the playoffs. This includes the four division winners in both the AFC and NFC, along with the Wild Card teams.
AFC
AFC North: Baltimore Ravens
AFC East: New England Patriots
AFC South: Indianapolis Colts
AFC West: San Diego Chargers
Wild Cards: New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers
NOTES: No surprises here, other than perhaps the Ravens sitting atop of the AFC North and the Steelers limping in as the 6th seed. Yes, call e a "homer," guilty as charged. The Patriots look stacked (again!) and the Chargers will not falter early like they have in the past. Despite the health concerns of QB Peyton Manning, he will return and lead the Colts to at least the AFC South title.
(Click on the 'Jump' to see my NFC selections)
NFC
NFC North: Green Bay Packers
NFC: East: Philadelphia Eagles
NFC South: New Orleans Saints
NFC West: St. Louis Rams
Wild Cards: Atlanta Falcons, Minnesota Vikings
Notes: A couple of bolder predictions in the NFC, with the Rams taking the NFC West, as it is almost as much based on the other three teams as it is on St. Louis. I also like the Vikings to rebound under Donovan McNabb, as I am just not sold on Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Josh Freeman just yet. My condolences go to the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants and Chicago Bears, all of whom I am bypassing for the post-season.