The most popular question this off season is will the Bucs repeat?  Simple answer, no.  The close games they won last year will not fall their way this year.  Tampa would've been dead in the water if New Orleans hadn't collapsed late last year.  Their defense will show cracks and the offense will, as usual, putter along.  Playoffs yes, repeat Super Bowl, no.

The Falcons and the Jets were given huge setbacks when their starting QB's went down in pre-season.  The Jets still have Vinny but the Falcons are in a bad spot with an unproven back up.  San Francisco has had problems with Jeff Garcia as well.  An experienced back-up QB is not a luxury any more, it is a necessity.

Bill Parcells will definitely improve Dallas but not in 2003.  He is old school but not a magician.  Dallas will have about 2 more years before they can be competitive with the Giants and Eagles.

Which St. Louis team will show up in 2003?  The

Rams will be playoff bound this year but not in their 1999-2001 style.  Their defense is suspect but thanks to an above average offense, that will be compensated for.

Unlike baseball and the NBA, the NFL actually has parity.  Every team has a legitimate shot at the playoffs (well, all but Cincinnati and Detroit).  The surprise team of 2003?  Houston.

Houston's coach, Dom Capers, took Carolina to the post season and within one win of the Super Bowl in their second year of existence.  He also revolutionized the zone blitz in Pittsburgh as the defensive coordinator.

Exactly half of the teams are predicted to finish between 7-9 and

9-7.  A key injury here or a lucky break there can make all the difference in the world.  The Falcons and Jets were both playoff teams until their QB went down.  That opens the door for Miami and St. Louis.

The 49'ers playoff hopes are shaky with Garcia's woes and if a few breaks go their way, Atlanta may sneak in or maybe the Vikings.  If Houston fails to prosper as I expect, the Titans and Colts may be playing after Christmas.

The team to watch is Cincinnati.  They will be bottom feeders as usual but if you read between the lines with their new coach, Marvin Lewis, you can see the foundations being built.  Contender in 2004?  Just maybe.