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1. New England Patriots

Predicted Finish: 11-5 - Win AFC East, First round playoff bye.

Last Season: 11-5, won Super Bowl

Insight: The Patriots went into the 2001 season picked by many to finish third or fourth in their division. They ended up with the second-largest upset in Super Bowl history, besting the Rams with defense and timely offense. This season will be a little tougher, as teams will be better focused against the Pats, but so will they. Coach Bill Belichick will see to it that his players are not distracted and play with pride and poise. Drew Bledsoe has been shuffled off to Buffalo and with it the QB controversy, so Tom Brady can set about his work without worry. Gone also are Bryan Cox and Terry Glenn, two players that are disruptive to team chemistry. There will be few changes from last year's starters except at TE, where Cam Cleland, Christian Fauria and Colorado's Daniel Graham will vie for the job. The defense is unusually talented, especially in the secondary. The Pats actually are better this year on offense, which is a huge plus, considering their defensive prowess.

Key Games: At Miami, Oct. 6 - 2nd straight road game after test in San Diego; At Chicago, Nov. 10 - Tough test for offense.

2. New York Jets

Predicted Finish: 10-6; Wild Card home team

Last Season: 10-6, lost on road to Oakland, 24-38

Insight: The Jets had an up-and-down season which included a thumping at home in their opener by Indy, 24-45, a one-point loss, a two-point loss, three one-point wins and a tw0-point win to close out the regular season. winning four of six of those close games was the key to their season and entry into the playoff picture. Head Coach Herman Edwards passed his rookie season with flying colors - gaining the respect of his team and the league - and now the Jets are ready to make the next step. Of course, that implies a healthy Vinny Testaverde and Curtis Martin and improvement on defense, which sometimes looked lost under Edwards' schemes. The D will be revamped with the addition of All-Pro Sam Cowart, acquired from the Buffalo Bills after sitting out all of 2001, cornerbacks Donnie Abraham and Aaron Beasley and safety Sam Garnes. On offense, look for Curtis Martin to have another unspectacular but productive season. This guy is a workhorse who plays every down. Martin racked up 1513 yards rushing last season to go with 53 receptions for another 320 yards. He is the soul of the Jets' offense. Testaverde will be able to find a corps of talented receivers in Laveranues Coles, Wayne Chrebet, Santana Moss and TE Anthony Becht. The Jets are solid and will vie for the AFC East crown.

Key Games: Sept. 13, New England - home game against the champs in second week; Dec. 15, at Chicago - begins three week stretch at Chi., at NE, home against Green Bay to close season.

3. Miami Dolphins

Predicted Finish: 8-8

Last Season: 11-5; wild card home team, lost to Baltimore, 3-20

Insight: With an undersized linebacking corps and potentially the best secondary in the league, it is up to the offense to put points on the board if Miami will have success this season. The bottom line is QB Jay Fiedler, who has been villified by fans in the past, but somehow managed to get the job done and head Miami into the playoffs. The strong adddition of Rickey Williams at RB is also a key, as the Dolphin offense is built around the run first, throw second ideology. Wiliams will have to be a workhorse, but Fiedler will have to come through on third downs. This will not be an easy season for the Dolphins, who have won 11 games in each of the past two years.

Key Games: Sept. 15 at Indianapolis - key test for a strong secondary. Can the Dolphins' offense put up more points than Manning and Co.?; Nov. 10, at NY Jets - Key national TV divisional game. Could be Maimi's 5th loss or 6th win at misdeason; Dec. 1, at Buffalo - the Bills had the Fish on the ropes last season at home and will be looking for revenge against their most heated rival.

4. Buffalo Bills

Predicted Finish: 7-9

Last Season: 3-13

Insight: The major addition in the off-season was QB Drew Bledsoe, who is one of the most capable in the NFL. The Bills haven't had a quality starter since Jim Kelly retired, going through the past five seasons with Rob Johnson, Doug Flutieand Brad Van Pelt. Bledsoe will make a difference as he has qulity wideouts in Peerless Price, Eric Moulds, Jay Riemersma and 2nd-round draft pick Josh Reed from LSU. Travis Henry had a solid rookie seasn running the football and will have help from veterans Shawn Bryson and Larry Centers (primarily a receiving back). London Fletcher was brought in to fill some holes on defense, but the secondary is still young and had a tendency to get burned and confused last year. The Bills still have not address that problem. Special teams are also not so special, but the Bills will be better than last season and provide some excitement this year.

Key Games: Almost all of them. The Bills have this to open the season: Jets, at Minnesota, at Denver, Chicago, Oakland. If they come out of that 2-3 it should be considered a huge success. They could easily start out 0-5. It gets a little easier after that.

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. New England Patriots Predicted Finish: 11-5 - Win AFC East, First round playoff bye. Last Season: 11-5, won Super Bowl Insight: The Patriots went into the 2001 season picked by many to finish third or fourth in their division. They ended up with the second-largest upset in Super Bowl history, besting the Rams with defense and timely offense. This season will be a little tougher, as teams will be better focused against the Pats, but so will they. Coach Bill Belichick will see to it that his players are not distracted and play with pride and poise. Drew Bledsoe has been shuffled off to Buffalo and with it the QB controversy, so Tom Brady can set about his work without worry. Gone also are Bryan Cox and Terry Glenn, two players that are disruptive to team chemistry. There will be few changes from last year's starters except at TE, where Cam Cleland, Christian Fauria and Colorado's Daniel Graham will vie for the job. The defense is unusually talented, especially in the secondary. The Pats actually are better this year on offense, which is a huge plus, considering their defensive prowess. Key Games: At Miami, Oct. 6 - 2nd straight road game after test in San Diego; At Chicago, Nov. 10 - Tough test for offense.
	2. New York Jets Predicted Finish: 10-6; Wild Card home team Last Season: 10-6, lost on road to Oakland, 24-38 Insight: The Jets had an up-and-down season which included a thumping at home in their opener by Indy, 24-45, a one-point loss, a two-point loss, three one-point wins and a tw0-point win to close out the regular season. winning four of six of those close games was the key to their season and entry into the playoff picture. Head Coach Herman Edwards passed his rookie season with flying colors - gaining the respect of his team and the league - and now the Jets are ready to make the next step. Of course, that implies a healthy Vinny Testaverde and Curtis Martin and improvement on defense, which sometimes looked lost under Edwards' schemes. The D will be revamped with the addition of All-Pro Sam Cowart, acquired from the Buffalo Bills after sitting out all of 2001, cornerbacks Donnie Abraham and Aaron Beasley and safety Sam Garnes. On offense, look for Curtis Martin to have another unspectacular but productive season. This guy is a workhorse who plays every down. Martin racked up 1513 yards rushing last season to go with 53 receptions for another 320 yards. He is the soul of the Jets' offense. Testaverde will be able to find a corps of talented receivers in Laveranues Coles, Wayne Chrebet, Santana Moss and TE Anthony Becht. The Jets are solid and will vie for the AFC East crown. Key Games: Sept. 13, New England - home game against the champs in second week; Dec. 15, at Chicago - begins three week stretch at Chi., at NE, home against Green Bay to close season.
	3. Miami Dolphins Predicted Finish: 8-8 Last Season: 11-5; wild card home team, lost to Baltimore, 3-20 Insight: With an undersized linebacking corps and potentially the best secondary in the league, it is up to the offense to put points on the board if Miami will have success this season. The bottom line is QB Jay Fiedler, who has been villified by fans in the past, but somehow managed to get the job done and head Miami into the playoffs. The strong adddition of Rickey Williams at RB is also a key, as the Dolphin offense is built around the run first, throw second ideology. Wiliams will have to be a workhorse, but Fiedler will have to come through on third downs. This will not be an easy season for the Dolphins, who have won 11 games in each of the past two years. Key Games: Sept. 15 at Indianapolis - key test for a strong secondary. Can the Dolphins' offense put up more points than Manning and Co.?; Nov. 10, at NY Jets - Key national TV divisional game. Could be Maimi's 5th loss or 6th win at misdeason; Dec. 1, at Buffalo - the Bills had the Fish on the ropes last season at home and will be looking for revenge against their most heated rival.
	4. Buffalo Bills Predicted Finish: 7-9 Last Season: 3-13 Insight: The major addition in the off-season was QB Drew Bledsoe, who is one of the most capable in the NFL. The Bills haven't had a quality starter since Jim Kelly retired, going through the past five seasons with Rob Johnson, Doug Flutieand Brad Van Pelt. Bledsoe will make a difference as he has qulity wideouts in Peerless Price, Eric Moulds, Jay Riemersma and 2nd-round draft pick Josh Reed from LSU. Travis Henry had a solid rookie seasn running the football and will have help from veterans Shawn Bryson and Larry Centers (primarily a receiving back). London Fletcher was brought in to fill some holes on defense, but the secondary is still young and had a tendency to get burned and confused last year. The Bills still have not address that problem. Special teams are also not so special, but the Bills will be better than last season and provide some excitement this year. Key Games: Almost all of them. The Bills have this to open the season: Jets, at Minnesota, at Denver, Chicago, Oakland. If they come out of that 2-3 it should be considered a huge success. They could easily start out 0-5. It gets a little easier after that.