Hopefully sometime within the next seven days, order will return to the sports universe and America's real national pastime — the National Football League — will get back to business as usual.
In fact, I'm feeling so good about it that instead of looking pensively forward as if the season is still threatened, I'll break out the old crystal ball and make some season predictions to get everyone ready and hopefully talking:
NFC East winner — Philadelphia Eagles
There's no reason to believe Michael Vick's stock won't continue to rise (Nike certainly believes it) and that should give the Eagles just enough room to outdistance the Cowboys, Redskins and Giants.
NFC North winner — Green Bay Packers
Compensating for all those injured starters made the defending Super Bowl champions just that much stronger and also added tremendous depth to an already talented team. Beware the Bears and the up and coming Lions, however, while the Vikings remain in rebuilding mode.
NFC South winner — New Orleans Saints
The road was unkind to the Saints last year as horrible late-game tackling at Seattle ended their playoff run on wild-card weekend. With this is mind, New Orleans will be out to ensure the road to the Super Bowl goes down Bourbon Street instead of Peachtree Street in Atlanta.
NFC West winner — Seattle Seahawks
It doesn't seem fair, but this division may be weak once again as the Cardinals, 49ers and Rams continue to address their woes on both sides of the ball. That leaves Seattle as the most playoff-ready team in the division — even though they're still essentially an 8-8 or at best, 9-7 team.
NFC Wildcards — Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears
AFC East winner — New York Jets
Rex Ryan has his team looking, sounding, hitting and winning like the Oakland Raiders of old. Look for their resurgence to continue in 2011 as they finally wrest control of the division away from the New England Patriots. Just how the hunted hat fits them versus the hunter one remain to be seen.
AFC North winner — Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers were a solid offensive line away from a seventh Super Bowl ring last season, but appear to have addressed that need in the draft. But, their defense's window of opportunity may be closing as some of its best are now age 30 and up. Outside two brutal games with the Baltimore Ravens, they should be the biggest bully on the block.
AFC South winner — Indianapolis Colts
The Houston Texans made it clear last season that they want to a say in who wins this division. But, until they can come into Lucas Oil Stadium and win, the Colts will remain safely in control and perennially in the playoffs. The Jaguars and Titans simply have too many personnel issues to contend with at the moment.
AFC West winner — San Diego Chargers
Norv Turner's crew will be out to prove the 2010 season was an aberration. If they're unable to do so and underachieve again, a new head electrician will need to step in and attempt to get a little more out of one of the league's most talented rosters. Kansas City is a step away from cementing its hold on the division and will make things difficult.
AFC Wildcards — New England Patriots, Baltimore Ravens
Feel free to cut this out and remind me next January if I'm off on any of my predictions thus far. After all, if you're able to do that, it means that we'll have a season and isn't that what we all want anyway?
Stephen C. Smith Sr. can be reached via email at stephencsmith1@yahoo.com or www.facebook.com/stephencsmith1
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