The question: Which proved more disappointing last season, the Carolina Panthers or the preseason predictions?

Based on the evidence, it's a tough call.

The Panthers, of course, finished 8-8 and out of the playoffs.

Yet they also were the pick of three magazines to win the Super Bowl while two others had them reaching the game but not winning - only Athlon magazine correctly predicted that the Indianapolis Colts would achieve Roman numeral satisfaction.

Last summer's Super Bowl predictions had Athlon picking the Colts over the Panthers, Lindy's picking the Panthers over the Denver Broncos, Pro Football Weekly picking the Panthers over the Colts, Sporting News picking the Pittsburgh Steelers over the Panthers, and Street & Smith's picking the Panthers over the Broncos.

Carolina is hoping to rebound nicely this season, and so are the aforementioned five preseason magazines.

Even so, the New England Patriots should be afraid. Only Lindy's doesn't pick them to win Super XLII in Glendale, Ariz.

Athlon: Patriots over Cowboys. Lindy's: Ravens over Saints. Pro Football Weekly: Patriots over Saints. Sporting News: Patriots over Cowboys. Street & Smith's: Patriots over Saints.

Division winners:

- Athlon: NFC East (Cowboys), NFC North (Bears), NFC South (Saints), NFC West (Seahawks). AFC East (Patriots), AFC North (Ravens), AFC South (Colts), AFC West (Chargers).

- Lindy's: NFC East (Eagles), NFC North (Bears), NFC South (Saints), NFC West (Seahawks). AFC East (Patriots), AFC North (Ravens), AFC South (Colts), AFC West (Chargers).

- Pro Football Weekly: NFC East (Eagles), NFC North (Bears), NFC South (Saints), NFC West (Seahawks). AFC East (Patriots), AFC North (Ravens), AFC South (Colts), AFC West (Chargers).

- Sporting News: NFC East (Cowboys), NFC North (Bears), NFC South (Saints), NFC West (49ers). AFC East (Patriots), AFC North (Bengals), AFC South (Colts), AFC West (Chargers).