We know what you’re probably thinking: We’re approaching Week 4 and HipHopDX is just now getting around to its annual football predictions. C’mon, homie. Anybody can pick the AFC South champ with nearly 25% of the season already over. And we feel you. But put yourself in our shoes. How many of you would have stepped to special contributors Terrell Suggs (Baltimore Ravens linebacker), Calvin Pace (New York Jets linebacker) and Joseph Addai (Indianapolis Colts running back) and told them they were holding up your editorial calendar? Nah, we didn’t think so.

But because we had you all waiting so long, we’re going to reward you with the most astute NFL predictions you’ll find this side of Sports Illustrated. Thank us with a $20 after you’ve won the Super Bowl office pool in February.

AFC East

1. New England Patriots - A 21-game regular season winning streak came to thunderous end against Miami the other day. Might that signify a changing of the guard in the division? Nope, we think the week off will only rally coach Bill Belichick, Randy Moss and co. to get their ish together. But man, has a QB ever been more missed than Tom Brady is right now?

2. New York Jets - He was a vet and five-time Pro Bowl-er elsewhere, so when he came to New York for $40 million in the off-season, cameras were on his every move. Yep, that offensive lineman Alan Faneca’s got loads of pressure. So, too, does that QB Brett Favre —especially if he keeps hurling those interceptions at such an alarming rate.

• Contributor’s note: “Brett is just a winner. I think when a player has accomplished the accolades and produced the number of wins that he has, players tend to follow the lead of a teammate like that. He is not a guy who gives these motivational pep talks either or puts himself before anyone else. He just goes out in practice and in games and lays it all on the line and the guys appreciate that.” – Calvin Pace

3. Buffalo Bills - DX ain’t 100% sold on this squad yet. Yeah, gun-slinger Trent Edwards is looking solid. True, Marshawn Lynch is doing his thing between the gaps. But man, we’re talking about Buffalo here. The collapse is bound to happen, right?

4. Miami Dolphins - Just off the fact that Chad Pennington is a significant upgrade at QB, the Dolphins will look better than they did a year ago. If a healthy Ronnie Brown and clean Ricky Williams keep working together, they could get six or seven.

Playoff team: New England Patriots.

AFC West

1. San Diego Chargers - Just because Shawne Merriman’s season was over before it began doesn’t mean that the Chargers are finished. Actually, from the way Phillip Rivers and LaDanian Tomlinson looked on MNF the other night, they might be taking it upon themselves to prove just how good they still are. Crackhead-quick Darren Sproles will only help.

2. Denver Broncos - You already knew shutdown corner Champ Bailey was a star. After three games, you know that QB Jay Cutler and sure-handed receiver Brandon Marshall are next up for the tag. If the Chargers slip up at any time, these prolific Broncos will be right there to pick up the mess.

3. Oakland Raiders - The Raiders are arguably the NFL’s biggest wild card. If Jamarcus Russell and Darren McFadden keep grasping regular season speed quickly, there’s no reason the black-and-silver can’t win six or seven. Of course, if head coach Lane Kiffin isn’t around, all bets are off.

4. Kansas City Chiefs - It’s gonna be fun, as always, watching Larry Johnson shake tacklers off. It’s even gonna be nice chronicling rookie Glenn Dorsey’s development along the D-line. But the mess at the quarterback spot is nothing for eyes to see.

Playoff teams: San Diego Charges and Denver Broncos.

AFC South

1. Indianapolis Colts - Peyton Manning, who hasn’t missed a regular-season start in his illustrious 10-year career, has a left knee that’s been giving him some problems. Running Back Joseph Addai’s legs sure look to be in great shape though. Indy fans might have eye issues from staring at gorgeous Lucas Oil Stadium so hard.

• Contributor’s Note: “I mean, for Peyton to have all that other stuff going for him, he’s really down to earth. He can joke around a lot. He’s not one of those uptight people. He’s down to earth. It’s hard to be that way when you’re doing commercials or whatever. He’s real down to earth.” – Joseph Addai.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars - We like QB David Garrard a lot. But we kinda feel bad for the guy, seeing as how a hobbling Jerry Porter and Reggie Williams are his best long-ball options. Thankfully, his short yard choices, Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew, are arguably the best 1-2 punch in the bizness.

3. Tennessee Titans - The preseason word out of Nashville was that this kid Chris Johnson was pure lightning between the seams. And he has certainly proven to be. The regular season murmurs are that Kerry Collins is taking Vince Young’s spot for the rest of the year at QB. Damn, we hate hearing that son’s fallen off like that.

4. Houston Texans - With Matt Schaub under center, rookie RB Steve Slaton behind him and the sure-handed Andre Johnson and Owen Daniels on either side, these Texans will score. If they played anywhere besides the AFC South, folks would care.

Playoff teams: Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars.

AFC North

1. Pittsburgh Steelers - Surprisingly, the Steelers O-line has given up 93 sacks over the past two seasons. It’s no wonder Ben Roethlisberger looks a step slower in the pocket. Receiver Santonio Holmes and safety Troy Polamalu have burn to spare.

2. Baltimore Ravens - B-More’s all of a sudden become the place for drama. What was once clearly Willis McGahee’s tailback slot is somewhat cloudy with rookie Ray Rice in the lineup. Same goes for the QB slot where Troy Smith, Kyle Boller and Joey Flacco still can’t decide who’s most average. It’s a good thing the birds have that stellar defense.

• Contributor’s Note: “We need discipline and attention to detail [to compete for the AFC North title]. We’re a really young team, so we are gonna have to do the little things to win the division. Pittsburgh [is the favorite] because they’re a smash-mouth team with a dominating defense. They’re a better team than they were a year before.” –Terrell Suggs.

3. Cincinnati Bengals - Chad Johnson has just eight receptions through three games. Chris Perry has only 180 rushing yards. Carson Palmer has tossed one measly touchdown. The Bengals are 0-3. What in the name of Icky Woods is going on? We won’t even guess. But for the time being it’s all "Ocho Stinko!"

4. Cleveland Browns - Speaking of foul odors coming from the Buckeye State, the Browns are looking terrible right now. And that’s so hard to fathom, seeing as how Braylon Edwards, Kellen Winslow and Jamal Lewis are all healthy. Brady Quinn’s in orange, too, and it looks like his time under center is about to start. Cue more funk…

Playoff team: Pittsburgh Steelers.

AFC Championship: San Diego Chargers over Pittsburgh Steelers.

NFC East

1. Dallas Cowboys - Marian Barber is an absolute workhorse. Last year, while sharing the carries with Julius Jones, Barber galloped to nearly 1,000 yards. As the primary steed in one of the most potent offenses (Romo! T.O.!), he’ll miss the 1,300-yard marker by a nose.

2. Philadelphia Eagles - Longtime Eagle Donovan McNabb is back. Though new faces (free agent CB Asante Samuel, flashy/clumsy rookie WR Desean Jackson) are around the huddle, McNabb and RB Brian Westbrook’s missions are the same as it ever was—keep the Cowboys and Giants in check.

• Contributor’s Note: “I like Westbrook a lot, man, ‘cause if you put him in the game, you know he’s gonna do something. You can throw it to him. He’ll run the ball. Whatever [you need]. I really respect him.” – Joseph Addai

3. New York Giants - What else can be said about the miracle season from Eli Manning and the surprise champs? Nothing, that’s why the team is squarely focused on keeping the Cowboys at bay and keeping their talented receiver crop (Plaxico Burress, Amani Toomer, Steve Smith) busy.

4. Washington Redskins - LaRon Landry has evolved into one of the most exciting defensive players in the NFL. Basically, you can’t lose watching a Redskins game because, on offense, Jason Campbell should be coming into his own. Too bad they’re playing in the hardest division known to man.

Playoff teams: Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants.

NFC West

1. Seattle Seahawks - Though Julius Jones and the Seahawks play some of the most ho hum football in the world, you can’t argue with Coach Mike Holmgren’s track record. The man has a career winning percentage better than Bill Walsh’s or Mike Dikta’s.

2. Arizona Cardinals - Looks like Matt Leinart is gonna have to wait a while longer to become the franchise quarterback. Vet Kurt Warner ain’t going nowhere. Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald are already two of the franchise’s best receivers ever.

3. San Francisco 49ers - The Niners managed just 219 total points last year. They’ve already scored 77 this season. Of course, you give a lot of the offensive credit to workhorse running back Frank Gore. But keeping it 100%, little-known QB J.T. O’Sullivan has done his thing with the rock (50 of 75, 705 yards).

4. St. Louis Rams - Things are bad in Nelly’s backyard. Marc Bulger can’t get it going. Steven Jackson can’t find any holes. Torry Holt can’t separate from defenders. Can’t you just see a repeat of last year’s 3-13?

Playoff team: Seattle Seahawks.

NFC South

1. Carolina Panthers - In ’07, one man’s body was hurt (Jake Delhomme). The other’s confidence was rattled (Julius Peppers). If the Panthers have both playing to their full capacity, the NFC South race won’t be as tough as many foresee it being.

2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Quietly, Jeff Garcia had a very solid season throwing (2,440 yards, 14 TDs). But if the Bucs are to truly pose a threat to Carolina and New Orleans this year, Warrick Dunn and Earnest Graham have to do more from the backfield.

3. New Orleans Saints - For a Saints offense considered to be so potent, the group only scored the ninth-most receiving TDs a year ago. Having tight end Jeremy Shockey and receiver Marques Colston out for the next couple of Sundays won’t help. An overworked Reggie Bush gets more work.

• Contributor’s Note: “I think that New Orleans has added some good pieces with Jonathan Vilma and Shockey to go along with an already-strong nucleus that will help them get back to the NFC Championship game.” – Calvin Pace.

4. Atlanta Falcons - The 2-1 start is respectable. If this crew of overachieving birds is to gain respect across the league, however, the Michael Turner ground attack and the prolific Matt Ryan-to-Roddy White aerial assault must take its show on the road.

Playoff team: Carolina Panthers.

NFC North

1. Green Bay Packers - The Pack won’t win 13 games and make it to the NFC title game like they did in ’07. They can blame Brett Favre’s Big Apple defection for that. The Pack won’t lose 13 games and make it to the NFC basement either. They can thank heady new QB Aaron Rodgers for that.

2. Minnesota Vikings - With Gus Frerotte, a cat who’s played with seven different squads (and the Vikes twice), as the leader, we’re not really feeling Minnesota as much as we did in the pre-season. Nonetheless, our love for Adrian Peterson has never swayed.

3. Chicago Bears - Picking between Kyle Orton and Rex Grossman for the QB slot is like deciding between a marathon of The Hills and a matinee showing of The Women. You don’t really want either. But we’ll watch Matt Forte or that suffocating defense all day.

• Contributor’s Note: “Chicago looked good in their first game, too, with the rookie Matt Forte coming in and putting up good numbers against a good Colts team. Everybody knows that their defense has all the pieces with Lance Briggs, Tommie Harris and Brian Urlacher to rack up some wins.” – Calvin Pace.

4. Detroit Lions - Jon Kitna’s gotta feel good knowing that he can toss the ball 40 yards down either side of the field and Calvin Johnson or Roy Williams will grab it. Jon Kitna’s gotta feel crappy knowing the Lions are grooming Drew Stanton for his job.

Playoff team: Green Bay Packers.

NFC Championship: Dallas Cowboys over Green Bay Packers.

Super Bowl XLIII on February 1, 2009 in Tampa: Dallas Cowboys over San Diego Chargers.