my.nwi.com

AFC East: New England

AFC North: Pittsburgh

AFC South: Indianapolis

AFC West: San Diego

AFC wildcard teams: Tennessee, Baltimore 

NFC East: New York Giants

NFC North: Chicago

NFC South: Atlanta

NFC West: Arizona

NFC wildcard teams: Philadelphia, Minnesota 

None of these picks should be too far out there. I'm sure some folks think forecasting the Bears to win the NFC North is a homer selection, but I believe after a big start, Brett Favre and the Vikings will fade down the stretch. Certainly, Atlanta and Arizona aren't locks, while teams such as Carolina, Dallas, New Orleans and Green Bay could earn playoff spots. In the AFC, I'm pretty confident in my selections. I don't think Miami will be as good as last season, and the Jets are decent, but not good enough to get to the playoffs.  

I have joined a confidence pool, but it doesn't start until next week, and at that time I will reveal my confidence picks every week.

Tonight's game: Steelers 24, Titans 20

A battle of two outstanding defenses will yield a few more points and yards than anticipated, but Big Ben will make a few more plays than Kerry Collins.

- Tom