Day 1: AFC East
Day 2: NFC East
Day 3: AFC Central
Day 4: NFC Central
Day 5: AFC West
Day 6: NFC West
One way or another, Bill Parcells will have a hand in the AFC East title.
(Allsport)
Bill-ding a champion
If Bill Parcells and his New York Jets don't win the AFC East this season, he'll only have himself to blame. After all, the Jets' main competition for the division title will be New England -- the team he molded into a Super Bowl runner-up just two seasons ago. Kicking off CBS SportsLine's NFL preview, staff writer Ian Browne says it will be Parcells past vs. Parcells present as
the Patriots and Jets battle for the AFC East crown. As for the rest of the division, Miami, Buffalo and Indianapolis are on the outside looking in.
Give East a chance
From 1987-96, the Cowboys, Redskins and Giants established NFC East dominance by combining to win seven Super Bowls. But the dynasties are dead, and CBS SportsLine staff writer Mike Lurie says it's a wide-open race for the division title thanks to a new coach in Dallas, new defense in Washington and new attitude in New York. As CBS SportsLine's NFL preview continues, take an in-depth look at the players and trends developing in the NFC East.
Young guns
With dynamic stars like Kordell Stewart, Mark Brunell, Eddie George, Corey Dillon and Peter Boulware, the AFC Central is home to some of the best young talent in the NFL. As CBS SportsLine's NFL preview rolls on, senior writer Dennis Dodd says the division's youth won't be a problem come playoff time, as Pittsburgh and Jacksonville are both Super Bowl contenders. As for Tennessee, Baltimore and Cincinnati, the future appears brighter than the present.
Grand Central station
How tough is the NFC Central? Last season four teams made the playoffs, and this year Green Bay and Tampa Bay are Super Bowl contenders. Except for woeful Chicago, the NFC Central is loaded with talent, making it the NFL's best division. But as CBS SportsLine's NFL preview continues, staff writer Michael J. Happy says don't buy all the Bucs' Super Bowl hype just yet. As long as Trent Dilfer, and not Brett Favre, is under center in Tampa Bay, the Packers will reign supreme in the Central.
Key West rivalry
After winning the Super Bowl last season, Denver's John Elway could have retired at the top of the game. Instead, he chose to return and defend his championship. As CBS SportsLine's NFL preview continues, staff writer Andy Jasner says Elway's decision means trouble for the rest of the AFC West. Denver's main challenger will be the Chiefs, who are primed for their own title run and looking for revenge after last season's playoff loss to Denver. Elsewhere in the talented AFC West, Seattle will contend for a playoff berth, while Oakland and San Diego continue to struggle.
The mild, mild West
Playing in the weak NFC West, another division title is virtually assured for San Francisco. While Carolina might threaten for a playoff spot, Atlanta, St. Louis and New Orleans are all near the bottom of the worst division in the NFL. So the only question worth asking around the Bay area lately has been: Is Jerry Rice going to be back to normal? After missing most of last season with knee injuries, Rice is slowly working toward returning for the season opener. CBS SportsLine senior writer Mark Soltau says with a healthy Rice, the 49ers will be that much stronger.