Who says NFL preseason games don't mean anything? I saw some excellent performances that, I believe, portend to brilliance during the regular season.

However, in the cases of rookies C.J. Spiller and Sam Bradford, that may not translate into many victories for their new teams.

Spiller has taken over as the Buffalo running back and Bradford has done the same at quarterback for St. Louis. Both teams are in tough conferences. I don't see them making the playoffs.

Other than the skill players, it's hard to get a handle on rookies, but Detroit defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh certainly got plenty of camera time after he grabbed the face mask of Cleveland quarterback Jake Delhomme, twisted it, wrapped his arms around Delhomme's head and slammed him to the ground.

But, of course, the question around these parts is how will the Miami Dolphins do? Well, I'm sorry, Dolfans, but I don't see a great deal of improvement -- unless you call letting a still viable Jason Taylor go to the New York Jets a step up. I don't. It doesn't compare with trading wide receiver Wes Welker to New England a few years ago, but it still was not the move to make. And, why did Bill Parcells bail out of the top job? I guess we'll find out eventually, but the timing certainly doesn't help the Dolphins.

I see Miami like I see the Florida Marlins -- an average team trying to get above .500. That means the Dolphins will finish 8-8; at best 9-7, which I don't think will be good enough for them to make the playoffs.

I think both New England (1) and the Jets (2) will finish above them in the AFC East. That puts Miami third and out.

Houston, with running back Arian Foster and quarterback Matt Schaub, could make some noise in the AFC South, but it's difficult to say that Indianapolis and Peyton Manning won't win that division. In the AFC North, I like Baltimore (doesn't everyone) with Cincinnati contending. In the AFC West, it's San Diego.

My wild card teams are the Jets and Houston. My longshot is Pittsburgh.

Dallas appears to be the team to beat in the NFC East with the New York Giants better than Washington (despite Donovan McNabb's presence) and Philadelphia (now without McNabb).

Super Bowl champ New Orleans has to be given the nod in the NFC South. Atlanta could surprise.

Aaron Rogers succeeded Brett Favre and he'll outlast him this season, leading Green Bay over Minnesota (I see Favre getting injured and the Vikings sinking), Detroit and Chicago.

The NFC West is so weak that San Francisco should win the division.

The wild cards go to the Giants and Atlanta.

Conference champions are New England (over Indianapolis) and Green Bay (over New Orleans).

Drum roll, please. The Super Bowl champion and the winner of the Lombardi Trophy will be Green Bay.

You heard it here. Run, don't walk, to the bank and withdraw a ton of money to place on Green Bay.

Sports Editor Ralph Morrow's Armchair Comment appears exclusively in The Citizen. He can be reached at 305-292-7777, Ext. 264.

, at Rmorrow@keysnews.com and by Fax at 305-295-8016.