This is annually the greatest week of the year as far as I'm concerned. That's right - it's the start of a new NFL season. This year, I once again will have the pleasure of following a Dallas Cowboy playoff team and I am anxiously awaiting next Sunday's kickoff.

As I've done the last 3 years, I am pleased to announce my scandal-free, non-steroidal, somewhat-fearless predictions for the upcoming season. As always, I strongly urge each of you extreme caution when betting on my picks - they've been known to cause serious pains in the wallet area.

So, without any further ado...

2006 NFL Predictions

NFC East

Dallas…………….…….............…...11-5
Washington…………....…….........10-6*
NY Giants……………..……......…...9-7
Philadelphia…………....…...………7-9

NFC North

Chicago....…......…......….............9-7
Minnesota………………................8-8
Green Bay………………...........…....7-9
Detroit…………………...............….5-11

NFC South

Carolina………………........... ……...11-5
Tampa Bay……………..............……10-6*
Atlanta…………………...........…...….7-9
New Orleans……….......... .....…… 4-12

NFC West

Seattle………………..….............…….10-6
Arizona………………..................……8-8
St. Louis……………...............….…..7-9
San Francisco………......................4-12

AFC East

New England…………....….......…..11-5
Miami………………………...............10-6*
Buffalo………………........……...…..6-10
NY Jets…………….........……..…....5-11

AFC North

Cincinnati…………….......…..….….12-4
Pittsburgh………….......…..………...9-7
Baltimore…………….......…....……..7-9
Cleveland……….......…..……….…...5-11

AFC South

Indianapolis………….......…..………11-5
Jacksonville…….......…..…………….9-7
Houston…………….......……………....7-9
Tennessee…….......…..…......………4-12

AFC West

Denver…………….......…..…………..….11-5
Kansas City…….......…..…………..…..9-7*
San Diego…….......…..……………..…..9-7
Oakland……….......…..……………......4-12

First Round NFC: Seattle over Tampa Bay, Chicago over Washington

First Round AFC: Indianapolis over Kansas City, Miami over Denver

Divisional Playoffs NFC: Carolina over Chicago, Dallas over Seattle

Divisional Playoffs AFC: Cincinnati over Miami, New England over Indianapolis

NFC Championship: Dallas over Carolina

AFC Championship: Cincinnati over Pittsburgh

SUPER BOWL XLI: Cincinnati 31 Dallas 21

What do you think?