With realignment looming, ESPN The Magazine bids farewell to the NFL (as we've known it). Follow these links for our division-by-division picks and pans.

NFC: East | Central | West    AFC: East | Central | West

THE MAGAZINE'S CHAMP ...

Denver: Last year the Broncos had one of the most lethal offenses in the league and now they're healthier by at least one top-shelf running back, perhaps two. Brian Griese is back, and he was the league's top-rated QB on third down, in the fourth quarter and overall. So points will hardly be a problem.

On defense, Mike Shanahan took full advantage of his first real shopping spree since Denver's last Super Bowl. Denard Walker adds serious cover corner to this young secondary, and the D-line also got a big boost by adding veterans Chester McGlockton and Leon Lett (he could be the real wild card for this team).

But Shanahan and new D-coordinator Ray Rhodes are why this team will get past Oakland and Tennessee. Shanahan was licking his chops a year ago before he lost Griese (and then met Baltimore), because he knew his team had bounced back. Now with the taskmaster Rhodes pushing the buttons on D, the Broncos won't be wasting the O's best efforts. The Raiders and the Titans are the big hurdles for Denver, before the Bucs or Rams, but Shanahan started game-planning for them in February.

Sorry Baltimore, but there are no repeats in this Mag's NFL.

SURPRISE TEAM ...

Seattle: Ricky Watters and the D-men bring the heat while Holmgren cooks up an offense.

CHRIS BERMAN'S SUPER PICKS

Tampa Bay: This is the year they get it right. We know the D is a rock, and Brad Johnson elevates the O. Plus, they'll bid farewell to the NFC Norris with a sub-40-degree win.

Denver: Brian Griese proved last year that he is a true leader, and they have enough top-flight running backs to fill a team bus. Should be a wonderful Super Bowl.

This preview is excerpted from the September 3 issue of ESPN The Magazine.