Are You Ready For Some Football? We've Got Some Predictions (And Some Hot Pictures)!

Indianapolis Colts quarteback Peyton Manning

It's hard to believe after the gloom and doom during the four-month lockout, but the NFL is back and looking as wild as ever. These picks will have a shelf life of about a week, since the biggest wild card in any season is injuries.

For example, if Peyton Manning misses any significant time, the Colts are toast. Ditto for key players, especially quarterbacks, on the other 31 teams.

As co-founder of Outsports.com, here are my 2011 outlook:

AFC East:

The Patriots are loaded as usual, and Tom Brady has ditched the Bieber haircut for something a lot less teeny-bopperish. If the Pats can generate a consistent pass rush, their defense will be formidable. Having lost their last three playoff games, the Patriots' aura of invincibility is gone but they are still the team to beat.

Tom Brady

Jets coach Rex Ryan may have a foot fetish but the man can coach, having taken New York to the AFC title game two years in a row. Quarterback Mark Sanchez is a big fan of Glee, Justin Bieber and Broadway show tunes, which means he has gayer tastes than me. Sanchez needs to be more consistent as a thrower for the Jets to be a serious contender.

Jets' Mark Sanchez and Coach Rex Ryan

In Buffalo, the Bills have new uniforms, so that's a start for a franchise that last made the playoffs in 1999. Buffalo will be improved but they won't get by the Pats or Jets.

Miami's quarterback situation is awful since Chad Henne inspires little confidence. But the Fins do have Reggie Bush, so their hotness factor increased tenfold in the offseason.

Miami Dolphins Running Back Reggie Bush