Super Bowl preview?

Some are calling this a Super Bowl preview, but I'm not. That would be disrespectful to the Eagles and Falcons. The Panthers could end up being like last year's Seahawks, who were many people's pick to win the NFC but got knocked out in the first round of the playoffs. Carolina already has lost defensive tackle Kris Jenkins for the season. His absence will affect the Panthers' defense because there is no replacement for Jenkins. Whoever takes over his spot just isn't the same caliber of player.

The Patriots clearly are the best team in the NFL because 1) they're used to winning and 2) they have Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. They clearly are the favorites for Super Bowl XL. Everyone else is chasing after them.

Prediction: New England. This is the week Corey Dillon bounces back with a big rushing day. Look for the Patriots to get back to what they do, and that's running the football and playing great defense.

The Jaguars have good defensive talent and match up well with the Colts' offense. Defensive tackles John Henderson and Marcus Stroud are outstanding, and they will play key roles on Sunday because the Jags don't have to rush a lot of people to put pressure on Peyton Manning. Even when Indy goes to its three-receiver sets, Jacksonville doesn't have to make wholesale changes because it can stop the run with those two big tackles.

Don't discount the Colts' defense, though. It is much improved. That's why I don't think Jacksonville's offense will be as successful as it was last week against Seattle. Indy's defense has been undersized for quite some time. That's why the addition of defensive tackle Corey Simon is such a perfect fit. This certainly is the fastest defense that Tony Dungy has had since he joined the Colts. It's very similar to the defense he had in Tampa Bay. It's not to that level yet, but it definitely has the same type of speed.

Prediction: Indianapolis. The Jaguars won't have enough help in the secondary to slow the Colts' passing attack. Having Brandon Stokley in the slot will be Indy's most favorable matchup. Even the best nickel back in the NFL right now, Deion Sanders, had a tough time covering Stokley in the slot last Sunday.

Would Larry Johnson want more carries after rushing for 110 yards and two touchdowns on just nine carries? Of course. But Priest Holmes has proved he's one of the best running backs in the league. Also, it's hard for any back to find a rhythm when you split up the carries among two backs. What the Chiefs really should be concerned about is the offensive line and tackle Willie Roaf's hamstring injury.

Ronald Curry wondered why he and Jerry Porter didn't get the ball thrown their way in Oakland's loss to New England, but they shouldn't get too excited. It's only one game. When you trade for Randy Moss, it's important that you let it be known he will be getting the ball.

Prediction: Oakland. The Raiders are one of the most improved teams in the league, and I still feel Kansas City's defense has some question marks, particularly in the secondary. The Chiefs don't have a guy who can match up one on one with Randy. K.C. isn't very stout in the defensive front, either. That's why running the ball should be a lot easier for LaMont Jordan. I also look for some play-action passing and for Porter or Curry to get deep with everyone concerned about Moss.

Here's what I don't understand about the Redskins' ongoing quarterback dilemma: If Mark Brunell looked so good in the spring and summer, then why did they draft Jason Campbell? Now, coach Joe Gibbs is in a situation where he risks losing the team because, if Brunell doesn't work out again, Patrick Ramsey basically has said he wants out of D.C. Also, Campbell is not ready to play yet.

That's why the Redskins have to see some immediate success out of Brunell. Problem is, playing the Cowboys at Texas Stadium on Monday night is not the kind of game I'd be banking on for that to happen. It's the kind of QB situation that can send a team on a downward spiral very early in the season.

As for the Cowboys' quarterback play, I don't know if Drew Bledsoe can perform the way he did against San Diego all season long. He has been so hot and cold that I would not expect him to keep up that level of play. Bledsoe's problems always have been holding onto the ball too long and making bad plays. If he can stay away from that, he could get back to the form he had earlier in his career under Bill Parcells.

Prediction: Dallas. The Cowboys now have the combination to run and throw the ball – they haven't had the ability to do that in years. I loved the way their wide receivers played against the Chargers, and they have one of the NFL's best young backs in Julius Jones. When you can run the ball, it opens up so many things for you on offense.

I don't think Chad Pennington's shoulder is 100 percent healthy. I think Miami's defense will put more pressure on him than the Chiefs did last Sunday in Kansas City. The Dolphins' defense is far more aggressive. Jason Taylor, who now is being moved around the defensive line, has been reborn. Look for the Chiefs to do everything they can to take away any type of rhythm from Pennington.

Nick Saban has listened to people in Miami and he knows their expectations aren't high. Instead of being conservative, he has decided to be more aggressive. You knew the Dave Wannstedt era was over after the Dolphins threw the ball 24 times in the first half against Denver. When you have play-calling that aggressive, the players get excited about it. Gus Frerotte has found a system that is a good fit for him, and I think he'll play his best football under offensive coordinator Scott Linehan. If Ronnie Brown can run the ball, Miami will be much improved.

Prediction: Miami. It's going to be a knock-down, drag-out AFC East affair, but in the end, Miami's ability to make big plays will be the difference. The Dolphins will also create a lot of turnovers and will get to play on a short field.

Quarterback J.P. Losman is in a great situation because the Bills have an excellent defense, and there's not a lot of pressure on him because they can run the ball with Willis McGahee. The things that I liked most about his performance against Houston were that he made great decisions with the ball and he made big plays when there was the opportunity to make them.

The Buccaneers have found their franchise running back in rookie Carnell Williams, but I think they need to temper their enthusiasm over Cadillac. He will be a premier runner in the NFL, but in his first 26 carries, he only had 77 yards. Of course, late in the game, he broke off the big 71-yarder for the touchdown, but before that, the Vikings had done a great job shutting him down.

Prediction: Tampa Bay. Jon Gruden really has some weapons with wide receivers Michael Clayton and a healthy Joey Galloway and a quarterback in Brian Griese who really fits his system well. And with Williams, Gruden can have the Bucs run the ball 25 times a game, too.