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1. Tampa Bay Bucaneers

Predicted Finish: 11-5

Last Season: 9-7

Insight: The hiring of head coach Jon Gurden was masterstroke for Tampa Bay. Gruden's offensive schemes make Tampa Bay ne of the most dangerous teams in the league, given that they already have one of the top defenses. Brad Johnson will be the starter and he may have a Pro Bowl season in front of him with Keyshawn Johnson, top draft pick Maquise Walker (Michigan) and Joe Jurevicius as wideouts, the Bucs also picked up TE Ken Dilger and RB Michael Pittman. Add to the potential of the passing game the bruising runnng of Mike Alstott and Travis Stephens (2nd round draft pick - Tennessee) and you have an offense that can hurt you in many ways. The defense, led by Warren Sapp on the line and Ronde Barber in the secondary, is championship caliber. They can shut down the running game of any team and force obvious passing situations where the do real damage with sacks and turnovers (TB was 2nd in the league with +17 tunrover differential). Expect good things all year long from the Bucs with a revitalized offense. They should win their division handily.

Key Games: Sept. 23, St. Louis - getting the Rams on their own turf is a real bonus - they beat the Rams 24-17 last season in St. Louis; Oct. 20, at Philadelphia - prelude to the NFC championship?

2. Atlanta Falcons

Predicted Finish: 9-7

Last Season: 7-9

Insight: It shouldn't take much for Atlanta to produce a winning season after last year's 7-9 campaign. They lost two games to San Fran in OT, and they don't have to face them this year. The loss of Jamal Anderson and the greenness of QB Michael Vick cost them some games last season, but Anderson is gone - replaced by Warrick Dunn and rookie T. J. Duckett (a bruiser from Michigan State) - and Vick is a year older and has the starting job locked up. The offense wil revolve around Vick, who can throw well and is one of the league's most dangerous open-field runners. Vick was second on the team last year in rushing on only 31 carries. This year he has a legitimate shot at throwing for 2500 yards and rushing for 1000. He will carry the team if he can survive the rigorous schedule. Vick's favorite target this season may be TE Alge Crumpler because his wideouts - Jeff Graham and Shawn Jefferson are only average. Kahlil Hill (6th round from Iowa) may make some noise at WR. On defense, the Falcons will be improved with the additon of LB Will Overstreet (2nd round - Tennessee) and vets S Keion Carpenter, S Keith Lyle, CB Fred Weary, LB John Holecek, DE John Thierry. They wil be a vastly improved unit. KR Allen Rossum comes over from Green Bay and is one of the best kickoff returners in the league. Look for some fireworks from Dan Reeves and an improving Atlanta squad which has an outside chance at the playoffs.

Key Games: Sept. 8, at Green Bay - the Falcons open against a team they unexpectedly beat last season; Nov. 24 - Dec. 8 - three straight road games against Carolina, Minnesota and Tampa Bay. Winning two of these is a must.

3. New Orleans Saints

Predicted Finish: 8-8

Last Season: 7-9

Insight: A .500 finish for the Saints would be enough to get Jim Haslett fired and it might. In fact, if the Saints don't get it going early on, Haslett may be one of the first casualties in the coaching ranks. At the end of last season, the Saints imploded, losing their last four games, when many thought they were a lock for the playoffs, but some point to a Nov 4 disaster against the Jets on national TV as where the problems began. The tea was undisciplined and the offense had no punch. At home, the Saints lost that one 16-9 and it wasn't even tht close. They were completely outclassed and outgamed by the Jets. The season seemed to deteriorate from there. Now, Rickey Williams, their leading ball-carrier, is gone, replaced by Deuce McAllister, who may not be as productive in short-yardage situations. The Saints have made massive changes in personnel, letting 14 players go, while picking up 13 free agents. While they have adequate athletes on both offense and defense, attitude will be the difference. If Aaron Brooks lives up to his promise, they have a shot at a winning season. But Brooks makes too many bad decisions and will probably hurt the Saints overall.

Key Games: The first three: at Tampa Bay, Green Bay, at Chicago - a 1-2 or 0-3 start spells disaster. The schedule doesn't get any easier with Pittsburgh, Washington and San Francisco on tap in weeks 5, 6 and 7. Sandwiched in between are the Lions. a 3-4 or 2-5 start could be the end of Haslett.

4. Carolina Panthers

Predicted Finish: 5-11

Last Season: 1-15

Insight: The Panthers are in rebuilding mode and don't have that much to work with. Chris Weinke at QB and top draft pick Julius Peppers (North Carolina) wil be the bright spots along with an easy schedule. This team needs a defense badly.

Key Games: Sept. 8, Baltimore - may be a season-opening shocker; Sept. 15, Detroit - can the Panthers start out 2-0? Pretty much downhill from there.

LINKS PRO FOOTBALL HOME AFC EAST AFC NORTH AFC SOUTH AFC WEST NFC EAST NFC NORTH NFC SOUTH NFC WEST COLLEGE FOOTBALL HOME SPORTS HOME	1. Tampa Bay Bucaneers Predicted Finish: 11-5 Last Season: 9-7 Insight: The hiring of head coach Jon Gurden was masterstroke for Tampa Bay. Gruden's offensive schemes make Tampa Bay ne of the most dangerous teams in the league, given that they already have one of the top defenses. Brad Johnson will be the starter and he may have a Pro Bowl season in front of him with Keyshawn Johnson, top draft pick Maquise Walker (Michigan) and Joe Jurevicius as wideouts, the Bucs also picked up TE Ken Dilger and RB Michael Pittman. Add to the potential of the passing game the bruising runnng of Mike Alstott and Travis Stephens (2nd round draft pick - Tennessee) and you have an offense that can hurt you in many ways. The defense, led by Warren Sapp on the line and Ronde Barber in the secondary, is championship caliber. They can shut down the running game of any team and force obvious passing situations where the do real damage with sacks and turnovers (TB was 2nd in the league with +17 tunrover differential). Expect good things all year long from the Bucs with a revitalized offense. They should win their division handily. Key Games: Sept. 23, St. Louis - getting the Rams on their own turf is a real bonus - they beat the Rams 24-17 last season in St. Louis; Oct. 20, at Philadelphia - prelude to the NFC championship?
	2. Atlanta Falcons Predicted Finish: 9-7 Last Season: 7-9 Insight: It shouldn't take much for Atlanta to produce a winning season after last year's 7-9 campaign. They lost two games to San Fran in OT, and they don't have to face them this year. The loss of Jamal Anderson and the greenness of QB Michael Vick cost them some games last season, but Anderson is gone - replaced by Warrick Dunn and rookie T. J. Duckett (a bruiser from Michigan State) - and Vick is a year older and has the starting job locked up. The offense wil revolve around Vick, who can throw well and is one of the league's most dangerous open-field runners. Vick was second on the team last year in rushing on only 31 carries. This year he has a legitimate shot at throwing for 2500 yards and rushing for 1000. He will carry the team if he can survive the rigorous schedule. Vick's favorite target this season may be TE Alge Crumpler because his wideouts - Jeff Graham and Shawn Jefferson are only average. Kahlil Hill (6th round from Iowa) may make some noise at WR. On defense, the Falcons will be improved with the additon of LB Will Overstreet (2nd round - Tennessee) and vets S Keion Carpenter, S Keith Lyle, CB Fred Weary, LB John Holecek, DE John Thierry. They wil be a vastly improved unit. KR Allen Rossum comes over from Green Bay and is one of the best kickoff returners in the league. Look for some fireworks from Dan Reeves and an improving Atlanta squad which has an outside chance at the playoffs. Key Games: Sept. 8, at Green Bay - the Falcons open against a team they unexpectedly beat last season; Nov. 24 - Dec. 8 - three straight road games against Carolina, Minnesota and Tampa Bay. Winning two of these is a must.
	3. New Orleans Saints Predicted Finish: 8-8 Last Season: 7-9 Insight: A .500 finish for the Saints would be enough to get Jim Haslett fired and it might. In fact, if the Saints don't get it going early on, Haslett may be one of the first casualties in the coaching ranks. At the end of last season, the Saints imploded, losing their last four games, when many thought they were a lock for the playoffs, but some point to a Nov 4 disaster against the Jets on national TV as where the problems began. The tea was undisciplined and the offense had no punch. At home, the Saints lost that one 16-9 and it wasn't even tht close. They were completely outclassed and outgamed by the Jets. The season seemed to deteriorate from there. Now, Rickey Williams, their leading ball-carrier, is gone, replaced by Deuce McAllister, who may not be as productive in short-yardage situations. The Saints have made massive changes in personnel, letting 14 players go, while picking up 13 free agents. While they have adequate athletes on both offense and defense, attitude will be the difference. If Aaron Brooks lives up to his promise, they have a shot at a winning season. But Brooks makes too many bad decisions and will probably hurt the Saints overall. Key Games: The first three: at Tampa Bay, Green Bay, at Chicago - a 1-2 or 0-3 start spells disaster. The schedule doesn't get any easier with Pittsburgh, Washington and San Francisco on tap in weeks 5, 6 and 7. Sandwiched in between are the Lions. a 3-4 or 2-5 start could be the end of Haslett.
	4. Carolina Panthers Predicted Finish: 5-11 Last Season: 1-15 Insight: The Panthers are in rebuilding mode and don't have that much to work with. Chris Weinke at QB and top draft pick Julius Peppers (North Carolina) wil be the bright spots along with an easy schedule. This team needs a defense badly. Key Games: Sept. 8, Baltimore - may be a season-opening shocker; Sept. 15, Detroit - can the Panthers start out 2-0? Pretty much downhill from there.