The NBA and NHL are done, and training camps are about to fire up. Team season previews are on the way, but to whet the appetite here are 20 questions about the upcoming NFL season. 1. Can the Patriots finish the regular season undefeated once again? Yes, they can. Their first 4 games are against teams that won a combined 14 games in 2007. Then comes a trip to San Diego, with other potential losses at Indianapolis (Week 9) and consecutive games at Seattle and Oakland (Weeks 14 and 15). There is a reason only two teams have had perfect regular seasons in the Super Bowl era, but these Patriots are well-positioned to make it three. On paper anyway. 2. Which division is the toughest? A year after the Eagles finished last with an 8-8 mark, the NFC East is still loaded. The AFC South also boasted all 4 teams having non-losing records, but neither the Titans nor Texans look as strong as any of the NFC East squads. Many people believe Dallas is the best team in the NFC, but I lend some credence to the argument that the Cowboys wind up in last place in their own division. 3. How much better will the Jets be after all their improvements? Alan Faneca, Kris Jenkins, Calvin Pace, Damien Woody all represent upgrades (all but Woody are huge upgrades), and adding a few other veteran role players (a.k.a. the Patriot Way) will have a positive impact as well. But this team still has major issues at QB, only two NFL-caliber WRs, and only half of a secondary. Consider also that 3 of their 4 wins in 2007 came against teams that finished worse than the Jets. The potential to catch Buffalo for 2nd in the AFC East is there, but I caution Jets fans to look at the 49ers of last year. Like the Jets this year, the Niners loaded up on pricey free agents and entered the season widely regarded as an up-and-coming contender. Despite all the upgrades they suffered through lousy QB play, terrible WR play, and an inability to consistently rush the passer and finished 5-11. The Jets have a better OL, so make it 6 or 7 wins in 2008. 4. Which last place team from 2007 has the best chance to make the playoffs in 2008? Both Philadelphia and Houston won 8 games but still finished in last place. I think the Texans will be darn lucky to match those 8 wins in 08, but the Eagles just might be the best team in the NFC. The Ravens could also pull it off if their QB and CB questions get answered quickly. 5. Which division champ from 2007 is primed for a big fall? The popular answer would be Pittsburgh, but I believe it will be worse in Tampa. Under Jon Gruden, the Bucs have never had consecutive winning seasons, and I would bet good money that trend continues. Jeff Garcia saved their bacon in 2007, but he?s on his 5th team in 6 years for a reason and is certainly no spring chicken. They?ve got legit issues at WR, RB, QB, and a defense that regressed as the season progressed last year. Just like 2 seasons ago when they plummeted from first to last, it could fall apart quickly for the Pewter Pirates. 6. What coaches are feeling the heat the most? John Fox in Carolina barely survived the 2007 season, according to some sources. If they?re not 4-4 or better entering their bye, he probably won?t see the end of the season. Wade Phillips in Dallas needs to win a playoff game or two, especially with successor-in-waiting Jason Garrett standing next to him. Marvin Lewis in Cincy, Brad Childress in Minnesota, and Jon Gruden in Tampa might want to keep their houses in selling condition too. 7. What under-the-radar offseason moves will have the greatest impact? Mike Wahle moving from Carolina to Seattle could be the move that puts Seattle back in the Super Bowl. The physical guard finally replaces Steve Hutchinson for the Seahawks. The Patriots picked up a couple of low-profile defenders in CB Fernando Bryant and LB Victor Hobson, two moves that will look a lot better in November than in May. Detroit picking up CB Brian Kelly looks that way too. 8. Who will win rookie of the year? On offense, Darren McFadden and Matt Ryan are the odds-on favorites. But I like two others? chances just as much: RB Jonathan Stewart in Carolina and WR Limas Sweed in Pittsburgh, who should be immediate impact starters on better teams. Defensively it?s wide open, but LB Keith Rivers in Cincinnati looks capable of continuing the string of Demeco Ryans and Patrick Willis as rookie backers who put up outrageous tackle totals. 9. Are the Browns really legitimate contenders in the AFC? Not many teams did more to improve themselves this past offseason, and the Browns were already 10-6 and a tanked game by the Colts from making the playoffs. With their OL and quick-strike offensive weaponry, not to mention their exceptional special teams play, Cleveland is certainly dangerous. But it?s hard to see a team with no playoff experience and a paper-thin secondary jumping over the Colts, Chargers, Jaguars, or Patriots. 10. Will any team threaten Miami?s 1-15 finish from a year ago? It takes a special confluence of egregiousness to finish with such a terrible record: poor QB play, inept coaching, years of ineffective drafting, and bad luck. One team possesses the first three qualities headed into this season: the Chicago Bears. But even with Tommie Harris, Brian Urlacher, and Devin Hester all getting hurt in September (extremely bad luck) it?s hard to see the Bears not winning at least 3 games. The Chiefs could threaten it as well if neither Tony Gonzalez nor Larry Johnson plays at the expected elite levels. 11. Is this the year the Cowboys finally break their playoff victory drought? First off, take note that I?m one of the very few people who predicted zero playoff wins over the last three years for Dallas and suffered lots of ridicule for it. So hear me when I tell you this edition in Dallas isn?t as likely to win a playoff game as either of the last two seasons. Why? The offensive depth is pitiful other than at RB, and the Cowboys have avoided major injuries at key spots. That luck cannot last forever. I?m also skeptical of their ability to stop runs up the gut and their kicking game. 12. Can the Giants repeat as Super Bowl champs? The odds are pretty long, but they were longer before last season and look what happened. They?ve had a pretty good offseason compared to some other recent Super Bowl champs, and Eli Manning might have finally found his place with the elite QBs. Being well-coached and well-managed certainly helps their chances. I wouldn?t bet on a repeat, but only a fool would write them off. 13. You?re no longer referring to Washington as the ?Ethnic Slurs?. What gives? I made a bet with one of their scouts before last season that if the Skins made the playoffs, I had to call them by their actual name this season. I?m a man of my word, though I?m beginning to wonder if my cohort would have really worn a Cowboys jersey to a team meeting... 14. Who are 5 veterans who have to step it up in 08 for their teams to be great? 1. Julius Peppers, DE, Carolina. He went from being the most feared physical specimen in the game to an easy-to-block, listless plugger last season. If he doesn?t bounce back to being awesome, the Panthers will have a hard time making it back to the playoffs. 2. Donovan McNabb, QB, Philadelphia. The second year back from knee surgery is often much better than the first, and the Eagles are good enough at every other position to compete for the NFC title. But if McNabb isn?t up to his old ability, that could equal another last place finish in the NFC East and a changing of the QB guard in Philly. 3. Shaun Rogers, DL, Cleveland. The Browns are heavily reliant on Rogers being heavily reliable in the middle of their defense. In Detroit, Rogers often dominated until about the middle of October and then needed a forklift to get his winded carcass off the field. Since the Browns are aiming for playing into late January, Rogers has to stay in condition both physically and mentally for them to meet that target. 4. Troy Polamalu, S, Pittsburgh. When he?s at his best, Dick Lebeau?s attacking defense is as good as any unit in the league. But last year the wild-haired enforcer struggled with injuries and lapses in on-field judgment. This team has less talent and depth around him and cannot afford another subpar year from the one true difference-maker in their back 8. 5. Donald Driver, WR, Green Bay. With the departure of Favre, his favorite target steps into the role of senior offensive leader and top playmaker. There is nothing better for a greenhorn starting QB than a great WR who can turn short passes into long gains, and Driver has to prove he can make the magic happen without #4. If he can?t, the Pack will fall back to the pack quickly. 15. Which team is the surest bet to win their division? Unless the injury bug runs rampant, it?s clearly the Patriots in the AFC East. I highly doubt any division rival finishes within 3 games of New England. But the Seahawks in the NFC West are pretty close to being just as sure a thing. I?ll believe in the Cardinals once they actually come close to meeting expectations, and both the 49ers and Rams have too many gaping holes to challenge Seattle this year. 16. Kyle Orton or Rex Grossman? And does it really matter? Rex reminds me of John Daly; a very talented guy who can be an elite performer when he puts it all together and stays mentally sharp, but far more often leaves everyone just shaking their heads wondering what the hell happened. Orton doesn?t have the big-time ability, but like Jim Furyk, he hits the fairways and manages the course well enough to keep in contention and earn more impressive finishes. That is the better option for the Bears. And it does indeed matter, because if their key players on defense stay healthy they only need the offense to not lose games instead of outgunning the opponent. 17. Which training camp position battles are most worth attention? The QB battle between Matt Leinart and Kurt Warner in Arizona; the fight for the #3 WR spot in Cincinnati; the 3-man RB derby in New Orleans between Reggie Bush, Pierre Thomas, and Deuce McAllister; and the Shaun Hill/Alex Smith QB battle in San Francisco. 18. Who are some fantasy football sleepers I can get after the first 4 rounds that can help me win my league? First off, stop playing snake-draft fantasy leagues and try a more fair and challenging game, like auction drafts or salary cap-based games, where luck of the draft slotting is replaced by actual aptitude. But if you insist: Laurent Robinson, WR, ATL; Trent Edwards, QB, BUF; TJ ?The TD Vulture? Duckett, RB, SEA; and Randy McMichael, TE, STL. 19. What trends look to become popular across the league in the upcoming season? I?ll give you three things to look for... 1. An increase in directional punting and kicking to neutralize dangerous return men. Call it the Devin Hester and Josh Cribbs adjustment, because both those return men were directly responsible for at least 3 of their teams? wins. 2. Less end-of-season resting of regulars by teams that have clinched playoff berths. Look at playoff flameouts by Tampa and Indy last year after essentially tanking end-of-season games, and the success of New England and the Giants, who met in a spirited Week 17 contest that laid the groundwork for a rematch in the Super Bowl. 3. The increased value of safeties who can cover, with a decreased emphasis on in-the-box hitters who struggle in coverage. Having a safety who can slide up into slot coverage in nickel packages and blanket all the high-profile pass-catching TEs (an ongoing trend) will be the New Black for defenses, while the Roy Williamses and Kenoy Kennedys of the league get phased out with each successive downfield toasting. 20. Early picks for the AFC and NFC title games? Indianapolis vs. New England and Seattle vs. New Orleans, which is almost the exact same prediction as my final preseason forecast from last season (replace Indy with Pittsburgh). I?m either prematurely prescient or terribly misguided. Jeff.Risdon@RealGM.com