NFL 2014: More of the same

It seems both surprising and expected that I have written very little in this space since delivering my picks for the 2013 NFL season...

In a league that prides itself on parity, it feels strange to be entering a new NFL season that appears to be a sequel of the old. But no matter how you view it, the trailer for the NFL in 2014 features many of the same names and stories as it did in 2013.

Some teams are poised for improvement - Atlanta will be Atlanta again, Green Bay almost has to be healthier, Houston will dominate enough on defense to make up for a questionable offense, and Miami may try to steal a little of the Chip Kelly magic from Philly. And of course, some teams are suspects for regression - Kansas City will find it difficult to repeat last year's results, the luck in Indianapolis has to run out at some point (even if Luck continues to excel), Carolina's fortunes will return to normalcy as well, and something seems amiss in San Francisco.

With that said, here are the teams I predict will be playing postseason football in January...

AFC

Division Winners: New England, Denver, Cincinnati, Indianapolis
Wildcards: San Diego, Miami

AFC Champion: San Diego

I'm torn between San Diego and New England. It's sad to write, but I believe Philip Rivers can carry a team through to the Super Bowl, while part of me doubts that Tom Brady can still do so - the same part of me that's always doubted Peyton Manning's ability to do so.

NFC

Division Winners: Seattle, Green Bay, Philadelphia, New Orleans
Wildcards: Atlanta, Chicago

NFC Champion: Seattle

Teams like Green Bay and New Orleans are capable of unseating Seattle, but right now the Seahawks are just playing a different game than the rest of the league. I expect they'll win 14ish games and march back to the Super Bowl. San Francisco and Arizona will still be good teams in 2014, but I believe a return to form for Atlanta and an improved defense in Chicago will carry those teams to the postseason. Meanwhile, Philadelphia is the team capable of making a bigger leap than anyone expects.

Super Bowl Champion: Seattle Seahawks

Get used to this prediction - it doesn't look like Seattle is leaving the championship picture anytime soon.