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CLIP REEL: WELCOME BACK, NFL

by Ted Bauer

Getty Images

Her: "We should check out that new Italian place tomorrow." Him: "I just figured out a new variation on the nickel. What the heck is she talking about?"

Welcome back, National Football League. What might we expect from you? Let's take a look. Bonus: check out the entire ESPN The Magazine NFL preview right here.

WHO MIGHT WIN THE SUPER BOWL?
Patriots seem like a good candidate.
Read this as a primer on them.
Then read this as another reason they might win it all.
In the NFC, we like the Cowboys.
They do have a ton of distractions, though.
Vikings are a sleeper pick.
We'd like to think this is the year the San Diego Chargers finally break through.
Here's the song for good measure!
This Manning bursa sac thing doesn't seem like a big deal, but we kinda think the Colts might be past their one shining moment.
Here's our entire NFL preview.

WHO MIGHT BE MVP?
Start here.
Then consider this dude.
Young, but good.
Logical candidate as well.
Can LJ bounce back this year?
This picture, by the way, is incredible. LJ's boss is her husband!
We don't know why, but we'll add Carson Palmer to this discussion.
And for some reason, Julius Jones.


OTHER THEMES OF THE YEAR
What happens with Brett?
What happens in Holmgren's final season in the Pacific NW?
Can the Giants make it all the way back?
How's this J.T. O'Sullivan thing going to go?
Which rookie will be the best?
Can the Bengals manage their talent properly?
Are Braylon and the Browns ready for the spotlight (or playoffs)?

GOOD RESOURCES FOR YOU
ESPN.Com's NFL page.
NFL.Com.
Fifth Down Blog on NYTimes.Com.
San Francisco Chronicle NFL coverage.
Dallas Morning News NFL coverage.
ESPN's NFL blog network.
ESPN's NFL Video hub.
Good collection of pro football blogs run by local fans.
This video is funny enough that you should repeatedly watch it.
NFL Films is iconic.


ESPN Conversation

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