NFL 2008 predictions, part I

The Magazines have spoken, at least the ones that I trust, about the 2008 NFL season. What follows are their projections for the upcoming season, which kicks off in a week.

Pro Football Weekly (which joined forces with CBSSports.com) predicts New England beating Dallas in the Super Bowl.
Here is its division-by-division breakdown:
AFC East
1. New England; 2. Buffalo; 3. NY Jets; 4. Miami
AFC North
1. Cleveland; 2. Pittsburgh; 3. Cincinnati; 4. Baltimore
AFC South
1. Indianapolis; 2. Jacksonville; 3. Houston; 4. Tennessee
AFC West
1. San Diego; 2. Denver; 3. Oakland; 4. Kansas City
NFC East
1. Dallas; 2. NY Giants; 3. Philadelphia; 4. Washington
NFC North
1. Green Bay; 2. Minnesota; 3. Chicago; 4. Detroit
NFC South
1. New Orleans; 2. Carolina; 3. Tampa Bay; 4. Atlanta
NFC West
1. Seattle; 2. Arizona; 3. St. Louis; 4. San Francisco

Analysis: I wonder about Cleveland and Green Bay winning their divisions, and there are some orders of division picks that I question.

The Sporting News, which merged with Street and Smith's, sees the Chargers defeating Dallas in the Super Bowl.
AFC East
1. New England; 2. NY Jets; 3. Buffalo; 4. Miami
AFC North
1. Pittsburgh; 2. Cincinnati; 3. Cleveland; 4. Baltimore
AFC South
1. Indianapolis; 2. Jacksonville; 3. Tennessee; 4. Houston
AFC West
1. San Diego; 2. Denver; 3. Kansas City; 4. Oakland
NFC East
1. Dallas; 2. NY Giants; 3. Philadelphia; 4. Washington
NFC North
1. Green Bay; 2. Chicago; 3. Minnesota; 4. Detroit
NFC South
1. New Orleans; 2. Tampa Bay; 3. Carolina; 4. Atlanta
NFC West
1. Seattle; 2. St. Louis; 3. Arizona; 4. San Francisco

Analysis: Of the three, this is the most solid to me with a few exceptions. I don't see the Rams or Bengals finishing nearly that high or the Vikings that low.

And Sports Illustrated foresees New England defeating Philadelphia in the Super Bowl
AFC East
1. New England; 2. NY Jets; 3. Buffalo; 4. Miami
AFC North
1.Pittsburgh; 2. Cleveland; 3. Baltimore; 4. Cincinnati
AFC South
1. Indianapolis; 2. Jacksonville; 3. Tennessee; 4. Houston
AFC West
1. San Diego; 2. Denver; 3. Kansas City; 4. Oakland
NFC East
1. Philadelphia; 2. Dallas; 3. NY Giants; 4. Washington
NFC North
1. Minnesota; 2. Green Bay; 3. Detroit; 4. Chicago
NFC South
1. Tampa Bay; 2. Carolina; 3. New Orleans; 4. Atlanta
NFC West
1. Seattle; 2. Arizona; 3. San Francisco; 4. St. Louis

Analysis: Every season SI should preface Dr. Z's picks by disclosing his heavy East Coast bias. How else does one explain the Eagles winning the NFC East over Dallas? Putting Tennessee in the playoffs again this year seems a reach to me, too.

Consensus division winners:
AFC East - New England
AFC South - Indianapolis
AFC West - San Diego
NFC West - Seattle
Other consensus playoff teams - NY Giants, Jacksonville, Dallas.

Coming up: My AFC and NFC breakdowns and predictions