Scouting Reports How They'll Finish

AFC

East Projected Record
1 JETS 10-6
2 PATRIOTS 9-7
3 DOLPHINS 9-7
4 BILLS 8-8
5 COLTS 5-11

Central Projected Record
1 JAGUARS 12-4
2 STEELERS 11-5
3 OILERS 8-8
4 BENGALS 6-10
5 RAVENS 4-12

West Projected Record
1 BRONCOS 11-5
2 SEAHAWKS 8-8
3 CHIEFS 8-8
4 RAIDERS 7-9
5 CHARGERS 4-12

NFC

East Projected Record
1 GIANTS 11-5
2 REDSKINS 9-7
3 COWBOYS 8-8
4 CARDINALS 8-8
5 EAGLES 7-9

Central Projected Record
1 BUCCANEERS 13-3
2 PACKERS 12-4
3 VIKINGS 10-6
4 LIONs 8-8
5 BEARs 2-14

West Projected Record
1 49ERS 13-3
2 FALCONS 8-8
3 PANTHERS 8-8
4 RAMS 2-14
5 SAINTS 1-15

AFC WILD-CARD PLAYOFFS
Jets over Dolphins Steelers over Patriots

NFC WILD-CARD PLAYOFFS
Giants over Redskins Packers over Vikings

AFC DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS
Broncos over Jets Jaguars over Steelers

NFC DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS
49ers over Giants Buccaneers over Packers

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Jaguars over Broncos

NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Buccaneers over 49ers

SUPER BOWL XXXIII
Jaguars 24, Buccaneers 20

Player Value Rankings (PVR)

SI ranked the NFL's offensive backs, receivers, kickers and
return specialists from 1 (the best) to 500, based on our
projections of their statistical production this season. The
categories considered were scoring (touchdowns, field goals,
extra points), long scoring plays (25 yards or more), big-game
potential (300 yards passing or 100 yards rushing or receiving)
and passing efficiency. We also took into account each player's
stats from previous seasons, as well as his role on his current
team, his potential for improvement and his injury history. A
player's overall rank based on the above criteria--his
PVR--appears next to his name in his team's lineup.

Statistical boxes in scouting reports compiled by Elias Sports
Bureau
Inside Slants by Richard Deutsch

How We Rank 'Em

1. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS[*]
2. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS[**]
3. GREEN BAY PACKERS[**]
4. DENVER BRONCOS[*]
5. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS[**]
6. NEW YORK GIANTS[**]
7. PITTSBURGH STEELERS[*]
8. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS[*]
9. MINNESOTA VIKINGS[**]
10. WASHINGTON REDSKINS[**]
11. NEW YORK JETS[*]
12. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS[*]
13. TENNESSEE OILERS[*]
14. MIAMI DOLPHINS[*]
15. DETROIT LIONS[**]
16. CINCINNATI BENGALS[*]
17. BUFFALO BILLS[*]
18. DALLAS COWBOYS[**]
19. ATLANTA FALCONS[**]
20. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS[*]
21. CAROLINA PANTHERS[**]
22. ARIZONA CARDINALS[**]
23. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES[**]
24. OAKLAND RAIDERS[*]
25. BALTIMORE RAVENS[*]
26. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS[*]
27. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS[*]
28. CHICAGO BEARS[**]
29. ST. LOUIS RAMS[**]
30. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS[**]
[*]AFC
[**]NFC

COLOR PHOTO: BILL FRAKES Mark of a champion The Jaguars, led by quarterback Mark Brunnell, will be a step ahead of the rest of the league this year. [Mark Brunnell and other in game]