tough as the schedule appears, only one may advance as a wild card - if any.

The Bret Favre saga was not as tumultuous as last year and if history repeats itself, it will not be kind to Bret. Favre is one of the top ten QB's of all-time but is known to play reckless at times. Two examples are the NFC Championship Games, in 2008 and '10. Favre tries to win games the hard way when simple logic would have served better. We have learned 'retirement' is not in Favre's vocabulary but lock-out or not in '11; this will most likely be his last legit shot at a second Super Bowl ring. To return to the NFC Championship Game, he will need a repeat performance of last year (some

saw '10 as his best overall year in his career); which is a lot to ask.

Favre's predecessor in Green Bay, Aaron Rodgers, has developed into a potent QB and is seeking to slide out of "the Great One's" shadow. The Packers will challenge Minnesota for the NFC North title, even if Favre remains to be a healthy prolific passer. If Favre gets sidelined, the North is Green Bay's to win or lose. The guru of "the Greatest Show on Turf," Mike Martz, and Chicago's volatile QB, Jay Cutler, will mix as well as oil and water. The Bears are not expected to challenge for the North title but it will be enjoyable to watch these two clash all season long.

The Saints offensive firepower was no surprise last year, their defense is what astounded most pundits. QB Drew Brees will continue to put up eye-popping numbers, but can their "D" repeat their late season surge this year? New Orleans should hold off Atlanta this year but the Falcons will present a much improved defense and use their late season surge as a stepping stone for '10. With Tampa Bay and Carolina in a rebuilding mode, the Saints and Falcons should both earn double-digit wins in '10.

The NFC (not the best) West could very well send the division winner into the playoffs with an 8-8 record. Arizona has a core group of veterans who know how to win, but the QB controversy will be a major concern throughout the year. Ex-Brown Derek Anderson will compete with Matt Leinart for the job. Leinart has not seen considerable action since '07 and Anderson's breakthrough year of '07 was followed by a disastrous '08 and '09. San Francisco proved they could beat up on their own division last year (5-1) but did not fare too well outside the NFC West (3-7). Mike Singletary is an old-school coach who believes a strong defense can win games. If QB Alex Smith and RB Frank Gore remain healthy, Singletary may have the 49'ers believing they can dethrone the Cardinals.

The AFC East has been New England's territory for nearly a decade. This year, the Jets will stake claim. The Jets have made several bold statements and may have a difficult time backing them up, but Rex

Ryan has them believing. The Patriots will present a stiff challenge, but with their defense still in a rebuilding process, the Jets sneak away with the title.

The AFC North sports three teams (like the NFC East) who could make reasonable assessments of winning the division. Cincinnati has not posted back-to-back playoff appearances since 1981-82 and are known to implode often. 'Lady luck' seemed to be on the Bengals side last year…do not look for it to this year. Pittsburgh rarely posts back-to-back non-playoff years and if you take away their two 'Super Bowl hangover' years, you have to go back to 2003 to see a year they missed January football. Due to 'Big Ben's' suspension, four games since he is now 'Choir Boy Ben', the Steelers will be playing catch-up to the likely winner, Baltimore.
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