Packers will be mightier than a Bengal's roar in '97

Training camp is winding down. The first weekend of the football season approaches, and as usual, August optimism abounds with every fan. These are the fans who have already booked plane reservations to San Diego for Super Bowl XXXII because this is their team's year. Whose year will it be in 1997? Will the Packers repeat as NFL champions, or will they be dethroned by the Cowboys, the '49ers or -- gasp -- an AFC team? Here are the final predictions for the upcoming season that will end with a Green Bay victory over Cincinnati on January 25.

AFC East

1. Miami Dolphins

2. Indianapolis Colts

3. New England Patriots

4. Buffalo Bills

5. New York Jets

The Dolphins will win this division, but it will be a close race. Marino and company need to overcome their preseason injuries and find their running game, but they have the most talent in the division. Indianapolis will be competitive but lack a defense to win key games. The Colts will have to hold off the Patriots, who have great talent but poor coaching. The Patriots offense, led by quarterback Drew Bledsoe and running back Curtis Martin, will be potent, but the defensive line and backfield are woeful. The Bills are in their final year before being dismantled, while the Jets are being retooled under new coach Bill Parcells.

AFC Central

1. Cincinnati Bengals

2. Jacksonville Jaguars

3. Pittsburgh Steelers

4. Baltimore Ravens

5. Tennessee Oilers

After years of abuse from their AFC opponents, the Bengals will vault to the top of the AFC Central this year. Their weapons on offense, notably quarterback Jeff Blake and wide receiver Carl Pickens, will put points on the board. This team was 6-1 with new coach Bruce Coslet last year. Last year's trip to the championship game was no fluke for the Jacksonville Jaguars, who are arguably the best team in the conference. However, the loss of quarterback Mark Brunell for the first eight weeks is devastating and may keep them out of the playoffs. The Steelers were decimated by free-agency and lack the depth to compete for a division championship. The Ravens may surprise, but pity the fans in Tennessee.

AFC West

1. Denver Broncos

2. Oakland Raiders

3. San Diego Chargers

4. Kansas City Chiefs

5. Seattle Seahawks

With John Elway at the helm of a potent offense once again, the Broncos must be considered the AFC's top team again. Terrell Davis and Shannon Sharpe continue the offensive punch and Neil Smith will bolster a strong defense. But the secondary lacks in both depth and skill and could be a problem like it was against Jacksonville in last year's loss. The Raiders should make the playoffs this year if Jeff George doesn't create a rift in the middle of the season. Once again though, stupid mistakes and poor play down the stretch will most likely cost the Raiders a playoff berth. The rest of the division will just play catch up to Denver. San Diego has too many questions on both sides of the ball but may get to .500 if Gary Brown can run the ball effectively. Elvis Grbac, the third backup quarterback in a row for the Chiefs,is not the answer in Kansas City. The Seahawks think they are better than they really are., even with the addition of key defensive free agents Chad Brown and Bennie Blades.

NFC East:

1. Dallas Cowboys

2. Washington Redskins

3. Philadelphia Eagles

4. Arizona Cardinals

5. New York Giants

The Cowboys are the cream of the crop in the NFC East and won't be challenged by any of their division rivals. The Redskins should make a run for the playoffs this year. The defense needs to improve however for them to and have the edge over Philadelphia. Still, the Eagles' poor quarterback situation will hurt them all year. Arizona is another year away from competing. The Giants will get better in the last year of the Dave Brown era. Rookies Tiki Barber and Ike Hilliard should revitalize a dead offense.

NFC Central:

1. Green Bay Packers

2. Chicago Bears

3. Detroit Lions

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

5. Minnesota Vikings

The Central shapes up exactly like the East, with the Packers dominating the division. They should win at least 13 games this season, and most of those will come at the expense of their divisional opponents. The Bears might be a playoff team but need to play above .500 while receiver Curtis Conway is injured. If the Bears falter, the Lions might sneak up and get a wild-card berth, but their defense is suspect. Tampa Bay is getting better while Minnesota is getting worse.

NFC West

1. San Francisco '49ers

2. St. Louis Rams

3. Carolina Panthers

4. Atlanta Falcons

5. New Orleans Saints

Despite last year's brief dethroning, the '49ers will return under new head coach Steve Mariucci to be best in the west. If Steve Young can stay healthy and Garrison Hearst provides a running game, the sky is the limit for this team who may find themselves in Southern California come January. St. Louis will be the surprise of the NFL this season with their explosive offense. Carolina has a great defense but no offense. Last year they surprised people, but they won't score points this season. Atlanta and New Orleans are the two worst teams in the NFL.