Every NFL season, a slew of predictions and speculations begin to circulate about who will make it to the top and who will fall to the bottom of the football pack, with their uniform and protective padding in tow.

Here is a roundup of some of the high hopes that news wires are rooting for:

In Super Bowl picks, Metro New York's Sports Editor, Mark Osborne, predicted that the Packers and Ravens will make it to the end, but that Green Bay will come out victorious.

"Green Bay definitely has something to prove after a choke job in the NFC divisional round last year to the Giants," he said. "There's no reason to think they won't be right back in the same position this season...and finish."

However, two other sports editors from the publication agreed that the Patriots would win the Super Bowl.

The Dallas Cowboys had a "near miss" last season, with two losses to the New York Giants, but this year they have DeMarco Murray back, healed from a broken leg he experienced last time around. AM New York reported that Tony Romo came off of his "best statistical season" in his football career, which might carry over this season to help his team win big, along with aid from Murray.

The publication also mentioned the Philadelphia Eagles - that if player Michael Vick can keep his health in check this season, he has a good shot at taking his team to the playoffs.

Coming off of their Super Bowl win, the Giants would hate to lose their first game of the NFL season against the Cowboys. Though they are "viewed widely as underdogs in the NFL," according to the Bleacher Report, they have brought back all their star players that helped in their Super Bowl victory. The big names returning include Jason Pierre-Paul, Eli Manning and Victor Michael Cruz.

The site also predicted that the reigning Super Bowl champions will take home the win against the Cowboys because of their strong defense.

"They're a formidable group. They've all come in a good frame of mind, they all work hard, and I'm pleased with where they are right now," said defensive line coach Robert Nunn. Underdogs or not, they are already Super Bowl champions and Big Blue might make New York proud once again.

SB Nation Detroit claimed that the Detroit Lions have "high expectations" to do well this season, and specifically beat the St. Louis Rams in their Week 1 opening game - a game that should be an easy win for them, according to the site.

"It would be hard for the Lions to have drawn a more pleasing opening day matchup," they reported. The site also had the same high hopes for the Chicago Bears, who will host the Indianapolis Colts, also in Week 1 of the NFL Games.

A big name being tossed around as well are the Patriots. However, SB Nation Houston stated that they might experience two problems that could cost them their place in the playoffs this year: their offensive line and pass defense.

"New England has lost a few starters on the line over the last couple of years, and the Giants exposed that in the Super Bowl, hitting Brady, not giving him time to find open receivers, and sacked Brady for a safety early in the game," they reported. "Their struggles in pass defense are well documented as they gave up nearly 300 passing yards a game last season ranking 31st in the league."

Kickoff for the NFL season begins Wednesday night, Sept. 5, and already predictions have been laid out for many of the teams over who will make it to the Super Bowl. Make your own call by watching the action live and checking out all the details about each team on the official site for the NFL Games.

Tags
NFL., Super bowl, Football