The gridiron wait is over, as the NFL kicks off its preseason August 12. Among the questions on fans' minds:

Is this Peyton Manning's big year in the AFC? A Super Bowl appearance would prove this fan favorite has finally arrived as a premier NFL signal-caller.

But can he get past New England? Can the Patriots repeat? It's probably too much to ask in today's free-wheelin', free-agency NFL. But this team looks as good as last year's model, which was good enough to win the 2003 Super Bowl.

In the NFC, is this the Year of the Bird? Some bold off-season trading has put the Philadelphia Eagles in the driver's seat. With newly-nabbed Jevon Kearse on defense and Donovan McNabb on offense, is there anyone who can beat them? The Atlanta Falcons have a shot, if QB Michael Vick stays healthy. So does the best-improved team in the conference, the Seattle Seahawks.