Patriots hated rivals have everything in place to win it all

Rex Ryan and the New York Jets have gone about this all wrong.

They're brash, they've opened themselves up to public scrutiny with the recent "Hard Knocks" series on HBO and they've gone out and attracted talented but temperamental stars, tempting fate with the likes of Antonio Cromartie and Santonio Holmes.

It says here they will ride this bombastic crest all the way to a Super Bowl championship in February.

Folks in these parts, so used to Bill Belichick's monotone double-speak, mock Ryan in these parts. He learned from one of the best, Brian Billick, who proved you and your team can have personality and perform at the top of the game, winning a Super Bowl with the Ravens in 2000.

1. New York Jets (12-4)

Why they'll win: The best defense in the game today. An attitude and a swagger fitting of a champion. Playmakers at key skill positions.

Why they won't: Mark Sanchez doesn't make the necessary jump from rookie to game-manager at QB.

Fantasy football prospects: RB Shonn Greene moves into the lead back role. TE Dustin Keller will serve as Sanchez' security blanket. If you can wait four weeks for his suspension to lift, Santonio Holmes offers the Jets a top of the line big-play threat outside.

Outlook: Clearly, this is the year that Rex Ryan and previous coach Eric Mangini were pointing to. In a year without a proven juggernaut, the Jets ride to the top. Getting Darrelle Revis back in the fold was key.

2. Dallas Cowboys (11-5)

Why they'll win: The one true hurdle in the division, Philadelpha, takes a step back by trading away Donovan McNabb. There are weapons on offense, impact playmakers like DeMarcus Ware on the defensive side and a quarterback in Tony Romo that is due to break through in the postseason.

Why they won't: Wade Phillips may or may not have control of this bunch. At some point, you need a coach to push you over the top, and he just doesn't inspire greatness.

Fantasy football prospects: QB Romo should rack up the numbers. RB Marion Barber still hasn't run for 1,000 yards in a season. WR Miles Austin enjoyed a monster 2009 campaign. TE Jason Witten might be the best in the game. Rookie WR Dez Bryant will be the sexy over-valued rookie in plenty of drafts.

Outlook: At some point, Dallas is destined to take that final step.

3. Indianapolis Colts (11-5)

Why they'll win: Peyton Manning is the best player in the game right now. At least two of their three top drafted rookies, DE Jerry Hughes, LB Pat Angerer and CB Kevin Thomas step in to aid a defense clearly in need of some youth and athleticism.

Why they won't: The curse of the Super Bowl runner-up. Those wounds inflicted by the Saints in February still haven't healed.

Fantasy football prospects: QB Manning has been a first-rounder since the pre-Internet fantasy days. WR Reggie Wayne heads the list of four or five targets sure to go, along with Austin Collie, Anthony Gonzalez, Pierre Garcon and TE Dallas Clark.

Outlook: The defending AFC champs are, if anything, predictable. Pencil the Colts in for double-digit wins and homefield in the playoffs. Still, Peyton has some explaining to do for his Super Bowl XLIV demise.

4. New Orleans Saints (11-5)

Why they'll win: QB Drew Brees has an offense built to play indoors and a defense that feasts off a rabid home crowd. Throw in a decrepit division and that means the Saints won't venture far from Bourbon Street in the playoffs.

Why they won't: Everybody will be gunning for the defending champs, meaning Sean Payton's crew won't be allowed a chance to rest.

Fantasy football prospects: QB Brees comes off a 34-TD pass season with nearly 4,400 passing yards. After that, it's who has the hot hand. WRs Devery Henderson, Marques Colston and Robert Meachem divvy up the catches. RBs Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush split the ground work. Can you keep TE Jeremy Shockey healthy?

Outlook: Payton is the best bench boss in the game right now. The city and the franchise have things going. Repeating is just not easy in this game, but a trip back to the NFC title game is probably on tap.

5. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5)

Why they'll win: Tradition,a feisty defense and a cause as you have to expect this team to rally around Ben Roethlisberger's four-game suspension.

Why they won't: This team has self-destructed defensively without oft-injured safety Troy Polamalu.

Fantasy football prospects: RB Rashard Mendenhall will be a coveted commodity early. WR Hines Ward is as reliable as they come, and across the way Mike Wallace will benefit from extended chances. TE Heath Miller is usually an overlooked bargain purchase.

Outlook: The Steelers have been overlooked in favor of the Ravens and even the Bengals in the AFC North. The worst thing teams can do is count this franchise out, especially with an energized, fresh and driven Roethlisberger.

6. Baltimore Ravens (10-6)

Why they'll win: Tough to argue with the toughness and the explosiveness this team displayed down the stretch in 2009. Add a gamer in Anquan Boldin to that mix.

Why they won't: You get the feeling that 2009 might have an aging defense's final stand.

Fantasy football prospects: With Boldin at WR to go with TE Todd Heap, many expect QB Joe Flacco to light it up through the air. Coach John Harbaugh won't stray too far from reliable RB Ray Rice.

Outlook: Baltimore is the choice of many, especially after the Ravens' Gillette Stadium playoff undressing of the Patriots. You just wonder if this defense, with its secondary woes, won't be riddled through the air.

7. Washington Redskins (10-6)

Why they'll win: Mike Shanahan and Donovan McNabb are proven winners beyond reproach.

Why they won't: Owner Daniel Snyder gets in the way of a good thing.

Fantasy football prospects: Shanahan will make McNabb a wanted man for his fantasy value. RB Clinton Portis, TE Chris Cooley and WR Santana Moss all step up the ladder with McNabb's upgrade.

Outlook: My shocker, the Skins make the playoffs and McNabb chuckles down at his old team, which stays home for January.

8. Atlanta Falcons (10-6)

Why they'll win: They had that look of something special when Pats made preseason visit. A physical defense has a pair of in-your-face corners and linebackers that make plays. QB Matt Ryan is a franchise guy.

Why they won't: With two minutes to go and this team in need of a TD drive against a solid defense, I wonder if Roddy White and Michael Jenkins are up to the task on the outside.

Fantasy football prospects: QB Ryan is an upper echelon guy. TE Tony Gonzalez might be old, but he's a freakish athlete still producing at top levels. RB Michael Turner has that nose for the end zone.

Outlook: Falcons don't have to look far for the blueprint, they play the champion Saints twice. Can they manage the indoor magic like New Orleans?

9. Houston Texans (9-7)

Why they'll win: They've been stuck in second gear, it's time QB Matt Schaub and WR Andre Johnson kick in the door.

Why they won't: Like the greyhound that runs hard but never goes by the leader, Houston seems destined to remain in Peyton Manning's rear-view mirror.

Fantasy football prospects: Love Schaub at QB and Johnson at WR, but everyone else on the offensive side of the ball is pure speculation.

Outlook: They'll be fun to watch, like a lot of pass-happy clubs around the league but they remain outside the ring of greatness.

10. San Diego Chargers (9-7)

Why they'll win: The AFC West remains a pit of mediocrity. Rookie Ryan Matthews is the guy dubbed to replace LaDainian Tomlinson.

Why they won't: Vincent Jackson, one of the legit threats still in his prime on this team, hasn't reported yet.

Fantasy football prospects: Do you believe in the rookie Matthews. Reports have WR Patrick Crayton headed over from Dallas to help. Without Jackson, Philip Rivers' stock drops.

Outlook: Another division title, another January disappointment.

11. New York Giants (9-7)

Why they'll win: Tom Coughlin has recovered that tough, physical style and his penchant for Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw in a punishing running game.

Why they won't: If forced to throw too often, Eli Manning will falter.

Fantasy football prospects: Tough to figure which RB will deliver on each given Sunday. If what he did Thursday night against the Pats is any indication, TE Kevin Boss will be a franchise backbone.

Outlook: I can easily see this team surging to the top of the NFC East, especially if Dallas doesn't deliver. The linebacking corps is beastly, potentially the best in the NFC. Still, it hinges on Eli and the offense converting on third down when it matters.

12. New England Patriots (9-7)

Why they'll win: Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.

Why they won't: This defense would have trouble stopping Boston College.

Fantasy football prospects: Brady, in a bad year, will throw 30 TDs. You might think 40 because of the defense, the potential deficits and the missing running game. For what it's worth, Randy Moss and Welker Welker will get their catches. Will rookie TE Rob Gronkowski be a red-zone menace?

Outlook: In a bad year, Brady is automatic to win nine. It's just tough to see this defense slowing anyone down.

13. Green Bay Packers (9-7)

Why they'll win: Love the vertical passing game. And I love the front seven on the defensive side. Athletic, playmaking linebackers will make the secondary deficiencies disappear.

Why they won't: The offensive line is one year away from making the Pack a Super Bowl choice.

Fantasy football prospects: Like the passing connection with Aaron Rodgers going to either Donald Driver or Gregg Jennings. RB Ryan Grant is a proven horse, too.

Outlook: The schedule scares the life out of me, but I do believe the Pack takes the NFC North.

14. Minnesota Vikings (9-7)

Why they'll win: There will be no Titanic, typical Brett Favre collapse.

Why they won't: There will be a Titanic, typical Brett Favre collapse.

Fantasy football prospects: RB Adrian Peterson is the best runner in the game. WR is a health question-fest with Sidney Rice on PUP and Percy Harvin's struggles. WR Bernard Berrian starts to look like a value selection.

Outlook: Wasn't 2009 the Vikes year? Favre exhausted everything he had in the tank.

15. San Francisco 49ers (9-7)

Why they'll win: Mike Singletary is a bold, fresh face on the NFL coaching scene, destined to be a winner with potential game-breakers on both sides of the football.

Why they won't: It's not easy to place your hopes on a team led by Alex Smith in the QB spot.

Fantasy football prospects: This is team sleeper with guys like RB Frank Gore, under-achieving second-year man Michael Crabtree and TE Vernon Davis.

Outlook: Mike Singletary's crew seems stuck like an Airbus circling Logan in a holding pattern.

16. Cleveland Browns (8-8)

Why they'll win: Eric Mangini's defense is one of the rising units in the game.

Why they won't: The offense is basically building from scratch, and the second Jake Delhomme throws a pick, you'll hear the calls for Colt McCoy.

Fantasy football prospects: Other than Ben Watson at TE, I'm looking outside of Cleveland.

Outlook: A step in the right direction, but champions are not built overnight.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (8-8)

Why they'll win: Few teams can match this offensive arsenal.

Why they won't: This franchise has ranged from disaster to the big tease. This defense's inability to get off the field does little to make me think that has changed.

Fantasy football prospects: WRs Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens shoot QB Carson Palmer right up the rankings. There's also a dangerous middle of the field threat with TE Jermaine Gresham. RB Cedric Benson isn't worth an early choice, but he'll find the end zone enough this fall to venture a late-round selection.

Outlook: Middle-of-the-pack and proud of it. That might as well be the Bengals rallying cry.

18. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8)

Why they'll win: Andy Reid and a proven system can handle a QB change and the departure of a legend in Bryan Westbrook.

Why they won't: QB Kevin Kolb doesn't live up to the hype.

Fantasy football prospects: Kolb will be the trendy choice for many, but he may be over-valued. DeSean Jackson is an explosive game-breaker. After four starts a year ago, LeSean McCoy gets the nod at RB.

Outlook: The calls for Michael Vick will come in September. Finally, when it's too late in the City of Brotherly Love, Donovan McNabb gets his respect.

19. Jacksonville Jaguars (7-9)

Why they'll win: The Jags will frustrate with offensive balance and opportunistic defense. Balance is a wonderful thing.

Why they won't: David Garrard is getting along under center.

Fantasy football prospects: RB Maurice Jones-Drew is a staple for his touchdown-scoring prowess. At WR, I like Mike Sims-Walker over Mike Thomas across the way. TE Marcedes Lewis will give teams issues running down the middle of the field.

Outlook: The Jags might be the choice had they been located in the AFC West. Playing in football's toughest division bumps Jacksonville out of the playoff chase.

20. Tennessee Titans (7-9)

Why they'll win: Vince Young gets the opportunity from the opening snap.

Why they won't: Jeff Fisher's stubbornness, refusing to yield and allow Young to take the reins a year ago, delayed what could have been a magical run in 2009. Tough to recapture that in back-to-back years.

Fantasy football prospects: RB Chris Johnson is an absolute monster. QB Vince Young is mighty intriguing at the QB spot for his multi-talents. Outside, WRs Nate Washington and Justin Gage might be worth the risk, with a year to bond with Young under their belts.

Outlook: Again, the division is monstrous. You just wonder what might have been had Fisher pulled the trigger earlier last year.

21. Denver Broncos (7-9)

Why they'll win: Josh McDaniel's offense will tear it up, even when they play with those ugly brown throwbacks, complete with vertical striped socks.

Why they won't: I simply can't trust this defense to stop anyone. Philip Rivers has ravaged them over the years, and that will ultimately prove the difference between first and second in the AFC West.

Fantasy football prospects: Recent injury troubles will shy folks away from WR Brandon Lloyd, who when on the field, could be a steal. Have to figure without Brandon Marshall that Eddie Royal will flourish, too.

Outlook: The Broncos are re-tooling defensively, but it's going to take another year, maybe two.

22. Oakland Raiders (7-9)

Why they'll win: Hard to believe, but Jason Campbell adds stability at quarterback that this franchise hasn't seen since the Snow Bowl in 2001.

Why they won't: They are the Raiders. Injuries, bad drafts, horrifying personnel decisions and basic ineptitude ultimately take their toll.

Fantasy football prospects: RB Darren McFadden is the closest semblance to any draftable Raider.

Outlook: Consider the Pats ready to grab a top 10-to-15 draft pick, courtesy of the Richard Seymour deal.

23. Miami Dolphins (7-9)

Why they'll win: The moons align, Chad Henne is the second coming of Tom Brady, and the Bill Parcells magic kicks in.

Why they won't: I just can't trust Henne.

Fantasy football prospects: Those of you who watched this team storm over your Patriots defense a year ago understand there are some interesting potential picks on this roster. Add WR Brandon Marshall to the Ronnie Brown/Ricky Williams "Wildcat" monster, and it's worth a second look.

Outlook: Henne takes his lumps, and the Dolphins bounce off of a major move made in 2009.

24. Chicago Bears (6-10)

Why they'll win: Julius Peppers energizes this defense and terrorizes both Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers.

Why they won't: Jay Cutler's 27 TDs and 26 interceptions scare the daylights out of me.

Fantasy football prospects: Expect a lot more than 900-plus yards and 4 TDs with a 3.6 yard average out of RB Matt Forte.

Outlook: While the Bears were stuck at "solid" the Vikings and Packers upped the ante. Time for the Bears to counter the counter-punch. Just not sure if Chicago is ready.

25. Arizona Cardinals (6-10)

Why they'll win: Derek Anderson catches fire at QB.

Why they won't: Can you imagine the vibes emanating out of Larry Fitzgerald the second he beats a double-team and either QB misses him. This is a combustible situation waiting to happen.

Fantasy football prospects: As big a fan as I am of Fitzgerald, I'm passing to let someone else make the mistake without a QB and no Anquan Boldin for protection. However, I'm high on Beanie Wells taking over the top spot at RB from Tim Hightower.

Outlook: I had no idea there were active volcanoes like this in the desert.

26. Seattle Seahawks (6-10)

Why they'll win: The players buy into Pete Carroll's schtick the second time around.

Why they won't: Controversy brews in Seattle where ownership doesn't want to pay Deion Branch or T.j. Houshmandzadeh, potentially axing both. Does this franchise really want to win?

Fantasy football prospects: All depends on the weekend personnel machinations. With those two catching passes, Matt Hasselbeck can potentially post numbers. Without them, stay away from Seattle.

Outlook: The franchise heads backward before Carroll can turn things around.

27. Carolina Panthers (6-10)

Why they'll win: John Fox finds a way to squeeze production out of his talent.

Why they won't: Matt Moore is not the answer at QB.

Fantasy football prospects: WR Steve Smith and RB DeAngelo Williams will find the end zone.

Outlook: It's struggle time for Carolina, which earns its wins defensively when the offense's ineptness allows.

28. Tampa Bay Bucs (5-11)

Why they'll win: With a healthy Ronde Barber, this team will be able to turn opposing offenses away.

Why they won't: You've got to be Josh-in, with Freeman and Johnson at the QB spots.

Fantasy football prospects: Tough to venture far past RB Cadillac Williams, who might be showing his mileage.

Outlook: Until the franchise finds a QB, it's the basement in the NFC South for them.

29. St. Louis Rams (1-15)

Why they'll win: We New Englanders have already seen it, Sam Bradford is the real deal.

Why they won't: Last year was no illusion, 1-15 is 1-15. It'll take much more than a potential Pro Bowl quarterback to fix what ails this franchise.

Fantasy football prospects: Steven Jackson. The 236-pound bruiser is still about as good as it gets. Expect him to register his sixth straight 1,000-yard season. Last year he averaged an impressive 94.4 yards a game. With Bradford taking the pressure off, the average could increase.

Outlook: It may not be this year or next year, but this is a team on the rise.

30. Buffalo Bills (5-11)

Why they'll win: RB C.J. Spiller is the best they've seen in Orchard Park since Thurman Thomas lost his helmet on Super Bowl Sunday.

Why they won't: The depth chart at QB still reads Trent Edwards, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Brian Brohm and Levi Brown.

Fantasy football prospects: Spiller and Spiller only.

Outlook: Pencil them in for a 1-5 or 0-6 in the division. It goes downhill from there.

31. Kansas City Chiefs (5-11)

Why they'll win: Matt Cassel finds the 2008 form he had with the Pats. He's got the receivers in Chris Chambers and Dwayne Bowe, so get it done.

Why they won't: Mike Vrabel, at age 35, might be the best player on this defense.

Fantasy football prospects: I'm at least a little intrigued by the aforementioned three in the passing game. WR Dexter McCluster is a name to watch.

Outlook: The coaching staff, a proven group, is now in place, but the Chiefs need to rid themselves of the previous dark clouds surrounding the franchise and move forward.

32. Detroit Lions (4-12)

Why they'll win: A 3-1 preseason complete with the installation of rookie sensation Ndamukong Suh on the defensive front has the Lions flying high.

Why they won't: Come on, man. These are the Lions.

Fantasy football prospects: I can't buy into QB Matt Stafford yet, leaving Nate Burleson and Calvin Johnson as mid-level WRs at best.

Outlook: They'll be better, but the road is very long.

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