Dr. Z's Forecast

POWER RANKINGS

1 Buccaneers
2 Eagles
3 Titans
4 Rams
5 Packers
6 Steelers
7 Chiefs
8 Bills
9 Raiders
10 Patriots
11 Giants
12 Dolphins
13 49ers
14 Colts
15 Falcons
16 Broncos
17 Chargers
18 Jets
19 Saints
20 Browns
21 Ravens
22 Seahawks
23 Panthers
24 Vikings
25 Jaguars
26 Bears
27 Cowboys
28 Redskins
29 Lions
30 Bengals
31 Texans
32 Cardinals

HOW THEY'LL FINISH

NFC NORTH PROJECTED RECORD

Packers (5) 10-6
Vikings (24) 6-10
Bears (26) 6-10
Lions (29) 5-11

NFC SOUTH

Buccaneers (1) 12-4
Falcons (15) 9-7
Saints (19) 8-8
Panthers (23) 7-9

NFC EAST

Eagles (2) 11-5
Giants* (11) 10-6
Cowboys (27) 5-11
Redskins (28) 5-11

NFC WEST

Rams (4) 11-5
49ers* (13) 9-7
Seahawks (22) 8-8
Cardinals (32) 4-12

AFC NORTH

Steelers (6) 10-6
Browns (20) 7-9
Ravens (21) 7-9
Bengals (30) 5-11

AFC SOUTH

Titans (3) 10-6
Colts (14) 9-7
Jaguars (25) 6-10
Texans (31) 4-12

AFC EAST

Bills (8) 10-6
Patriots* (10) 10-6
Dolphins (12) 9-7
Jets (18) 7-9

AFC WEST

Chiefs (7) 10-6
Raiders* (9) 9-7
Broncos (16) 9-7
Chargers (17) 8-8

Overall rank in parentheses *Wild-card team

WILD-CARD PLAYOFFS

NFC Rams over 49ers
Giants over Packers

AFC Chiefs over Raiders
Patriots over Bills

DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS

NFC Buccaneers over Giants
Eagles over Rams

AFC Chiefs over Titans
Steelers over Patriots

CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES

NFC Buccaneers over Eagles
AFC Chiefs over Steelers

SUPER BOWL XXXVIII

Buccaneers 27, Chiefs 20

COLOR PHOTO: JOSH UMPHREY/TUSP PRIEST HOLMES Chiefs RB

Player Value Rankings (PVR)

We ranked the NFL's offensive backs, receivers, kickers and
return men 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 career
statistics as well as his role on the team, prospect for
improving or declining, injury history and physical condition.
Using these criteria, we determined the player value ranking
(PVR), which appears under the player's name in his team's
projected starting lineup.

Projected lineups and PVRs compiled by David Sabino

SI.COM For the complete list of PVRs, go to si.com/fantasy. For
scores, team pages, rosters and individual and team statistics,
plus the latest news and analysis from Peter King and Paul
Zimmerman, go to si.com/football.