
Yep, it's time for Fitz's Fearless Forecast for the upcoming NFL season. OK, so I picked Denver last year to win it all and some people are still laughing.
But I was also the runaway winner of our Football Fever contest - and I have the Burger King crown to prove it. Hey, let's see you knock the stuffing out of Robert Kekaula week after week, not to mention Leslie Wilcox.
Anyway, here are my picks after countless hours of drinking, I mean discussion, with my expert panel of bartenders, taxi drivers and exotic dancers.
AFC EAST: 1. Miami - The Dolphins have a lot of holes but also have Dan Marino and Jimmy Johnson. I like that combination.
2. Buffalo - All of a sudden everyone likes the Bills, who were too old last year. Well, they're a year older and even more vulnerable to key injuries.
3. New England - Drew Bledsoe and company will bounce back a bit after last year's disastrous season.
4. Indianapolis - Jim Harbaugh and Marshall Faulk will get hammered behind an offensive line that has four new starters.
5. New York Jets - Greatly improved on offense, but still brutal on defense.
AFC CENTRAL: 1. Cincinnati - I like Jeff Blake at quarterback and the return of running back Ki-Jana Carter from knee surgery. Plus, it's the AFC's worst division.
2. Houston - Steve McNair is ready at quarterback and the Oilers could be a surprise, even though they won't have any home crowd support.
3. Pittsburgh - Good defense, but the loss of Neil O'Donnell will show. Jim Miller at QB? Yikes.
4. Baltimore - The fun of being a fresh franchise will wear off by midseason. Two words: Vinny Testaverde.
5. Jacksonville - Jaguars still have a long way to go to play with the big boys.
AFC WEST: 1. Kansas City - Excellent team coming back in the toughest AFC division. Super defense.
2. Denver - Could win the division if John Elway stays healthy, which is a big if.
3. San Diego - Defense is strong, but it looks like the Chargers will struggle to score.
4. Oakland - Jeff Hostetler has to stay in one piece or forget it. Also the AFC's "Team Turmoil."
5. Seattle - Rick Mirer and the offense can score, but the defense is too shaky.
NFC EAST: 1. Dallas - Cowboys will again be a powerhouse by the time Michael Irvin returns.
2. Washington - Norv Turner has quietly built a contender.
3. Philadelphia - Middle of the pack at best.
4. Arizona - Another mediocre team with little fan support.
5. New York Giants - "Team Turmoil" of the NFC.
NFC CENTRAL: 1. Detroit - The Lions are for real, especially with an awesome offense - in the air with Scott Mitchell and several outstanding receivers and on the ground with Barry Sanders, the league's best running back.
2. Green Bay - Could also win it all in the NFL's best division.
3. Chicago - Excellent on offense, but defense gives up too many late points.
4. Minnesota - I like Warren Moon, but not the Vikings' defense.
5. Tampa Bay - Too much inexperience for this season.
NFC WEST: 1. San Francisco - Plenty of problems, especially with the offensive line. But a weak division will help.
2. Carolina - A well-balanced team that could be a big surprise.
3. Atlanta - I like Jeff George, if the holdout didn't hurt, but the defense is shaky.
4. St. Louis - Lawrence Phillips will have to stay in Rams lineup, not police lineup.
5. New Orleans - Jim Mora will be gone by midseason.
AFC CHAMPION: Kansas City.
NFC CHAMPION: Detroit.
SUPER BOWL: Motown Madness! The Lions win it all!