•  5. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Eagles must soar above the hype yet again after last year’s supposed Dream Team went bust, but I don’t see many weaknesses. Losing LT Jason Peters for season to injury is big; LeSean McCoy will miss him. But Mike Vick has enough weapons to fashion a big comeback year. And Birds made a huge defensive add in MLB DeMeco Ryans.

•  6. New Orleans Saints (13-3): Don’t write off N’Awlins just because the team was socked hard by the league in Bountygate penalties. See that instead as major motivation. Pass-rush seems a bit suspect, but this Drew Brees-led offense remains capable of keeping Saints in every game.

•  7. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Joe Flacco and Ray Rice front an offense that is plenty good enough, and I think this aging defense has a last hurrah in it. Old Canes Ray Lewis and Ed Reed are near the end but not there yet.

•  8. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Ben Roethlisberger behind an improved offensive line gives this team another division title shot. So many distractions, though, including the holdout of WR Mike Wallace, RB Rashard Mendenhall not being ready to start the season following knee surgery, and LB James Harrison’s preseason injury. That’s a lot to overcome in a tough (well, except for Cleveland) division.

•  9. Houston Texans (10-6): I’m not as hyped on Texans (Miami’s season-opening foe) as some. Team lost a few big, key pieces especially on defense in DE Mario Williams and LB DeMeco Ryans. But as long as Matt Schaub, Arian Foster and Andre Johnson stay healthy, this is a dangerous offense leading what should be playoff team.

•  10. Chicago Bears (8-8): A healthy Jay Cutler could mean a breakout year for Brandon Marshall (whom the Dolphins sorely miss, on the field if not off it), and adding Michael Bush to Matt Forte solidifies the ground game. If Bears’ aging defense has a big year left in it, this could be a playoff team.

•  11. Detroit Lions (10-6): I like this team. Matthew Stafford last year threw for 5,038 yards and 41 TDs. He has best receiver in Calvin Johnson. Defensive front is stout. And this 10-win squad returns 21 of 22 starters. Wonder about Detroit’s secondary, though. Also, Lions are 2-10 past two years vs. division’s Packers and Bears.

•  12. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Andy Dalton to A.J. Green, a successful draft, the addition of RB Benjarvus Green-Ellis, and nine starters returning to a defense that ranked seventh in league. That’s a lot to like and to make you think Cincy can fashion its first back-to-back winning seasons since 1981-82. Team must find a way, though, to beat Steelers and Ravens; they’ve lost seven straight to their division’s kingpins.

•  13. Atlanta Falcons (10-6): So much depends on whether QB Matt Ryan, in his fifth year, can make that leap from good to great. Two new coordinators mean improvement was needed. Trade for Asante Samuel should help the secondary.

•  14. Denver Broncos (8-8): Broncos are way over-hyped (Super Bowl odds are only 16-1) solely because of Peyton Manning and the belief that, at 36, he will bounce back from his neck surgeries as good as ever. That’s a lot to ask, especially with an iffy running game and a young O-line. But Manning and a less-than-fearsome division at least give Denver a legit playoff shot.