Predicting match-outcomes in the NFL can be called a science without any further ado. The number of people using this scientific approach to actually make a living only comes to confirm its legitness.

Great handicappers can achieve quite incredible results in this - most widely bet on - sport genre, through acquiring an intimidating amount of information, data, down to the smallest detail, and through feeding on a constant flow of updates from every domain related - even if but remotely - to the NFL.

Despite these - sometimes impressive - results, handicapping is by no means an easy way to earn a decent buck. Always remember that the odds given out by sportbooks and online casinos are the result of a lengthy and carefully crafted algorithm designed to give the players minimum chances to bust the bookie.

Consider all of the above as said with an in-progress NFL season in mind. Attempting to predict game outcomes and trophy winners of a future season further complicates the structure of the equation. The interesting thing about it is however that it also complicates things for the online sportbooks and bookies. If you're looking for favourable odds this is the way to bet.

But enough of the smalltalk. Let's get down bit and submerge ourselves into the ocean of data that holds clues to what might or might not happen NFL-wise next season.

In AFC East the New England Pats - benefiting from the wisdom of coach Bill Belichick - look bound to continue their long dominance. Miami however will pobably be riding the top of an improvement-spiral, thus becoming a potential threat for the Patriots.

The Buffalo Bills and New York Jets are both likely to continue their struggle on the offensive and defensive ends through next season, and this might just put them out of contention for AFC East supremacy.

AFC North is a big pot of mess for any handicapper. Sure the Pittsburg Steelers are the all-time favs, but at a closer look one has to admit all four teams have a fair chance for the top spot. OK, maybe the Cleveland Browns are more of a longshot but with two savvy characters (Phil Savage and Romeo Crennel) heading the team and a top-notch quarterback like Charlie Frye, writing them off completely might prove to be a huge mistake.

AFC South presents another handicapping dilemma. At any rate it's going to be a close call between the Indianapolis Colts and the Jacksonville Jaguars. Despite the fact that good players keep leaving the ranks of the Indianapolis team, quality replacements being called in will probably prove to be the edge in this matchup. The Jags on the other hand will have a tougher schedule than they had in 2005, that might work against them in the longrun. Tennesse and Houston can probably be written off the favs list for 2006.

One division that's easy handicapping is AFC West. The Broncos will most probably be the dominant force here - having a team that works every aspect of the game to near perfection. The threat might come from the talented Oakland Raiders, but the arrival of a new coach - who hasn't really been doing any couching for the past 12 years - hangs a big questionmark above their capability to beat Denver in the longrun.

The Chargers, hindered by manning issues, and the Chiefs having problems in the "D" sector will probably be left to battle it out for the bottom.

In NFC East, injuries and other such "minor" factors will play a major role next season. This is probably the best division in the NFL and all four teams have a healthy chance for winning it.

The Bears are the team to watch in NFC North. The Packers hindered by a weak offensive line, the Vikings by the inexperience of the new coach, and the Lions by just about everything.

NFC South will see Carolina take on Tampa Bay for the top spot. Quarterback problems for the Falcons ( Michael Vick) and defense issues for New Orleans will probably keep these two teams busy on the bottom positions of the division.

Seattle simply put kicked ass last year as far as conference games were concerned. This year however, the improving Cardinals and Rams might just be able to surprise the Seahawks.

Whatever the outcome will be next season, one thing is for sure: the NFL will continue turning bettors' money around on a scale hardly reachable by any other professional sport.