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PREDICTIONS

Globe picks for 2013 NFL season

Who will hold the Lombardi Trophy at the end of the season?Seth Wenig/AP/Associated Press

Our football staffers make their picks for the 2013 season:

Christopher L. Gasper

Patriots: 11-5. Tom Brady will make it work on offense. But there are some very good quarterbacks on the schedule. That doesn’t bode well for a defense that since 2010 has allowed more comfortable air travel than some airlines.

Playoff forecast:

AFC East: Patriots

AFC North: Steelers

AFC South: Texans

AFC West: Broncos

AFC wild cards: Chiefs and Bengals

NFC East: Giants

NFC North: Packers

NFC South: Falcons

NFC West: 49ers

NFC wild cards: Saints and Seahawks

Super Bowl: Falcons over Steelers. BC alum Matt Ryan lives up to his nickname “Matty Ice” in frigid conditions as fans shiver their way through a Super Bowl that could have been played in a meat locker, which would be more picturesque than New Jersey in February.

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Awards forecast:

MVP — Drew Brees, QB, Saints

Most underrated player — Alex Smith, QB, Chiefs

Most overrated player — Colin Kaepernick, QB, 49ers

Ben Volin

Patriots: 11-5. The Patriots might have a few hiccups on the road at Cincinnati, Houston, or Baltimore, but will easily coast to another division title.

Playoff forecast:

AFC East: Patriots

AFC North: Bengals

AFC South: Colts

AFC West: Broncos

AFC wild cards: Texans and Ravens

NFC East: Giants

NFC North: Packers

NFC South: Falcons

NFC West: 49ers

NFC wild cards: Seahawks and Lions

Super Bowl: 49ers over Broncos. Jim Harbaugh’s teams have reached the NFC Championship game and the Super Bowl, and finally get over the top with a championship against Peyton Manning’s Broncos.

Awards forecast:

MVP — Andrew Luck, QB, Colts

Most underrated player — Anquan Boldin, WR, 49ers

Most overrated player — Jay Cutler, QB, Bears

Dan Shaughnessy

Patriots: 12-4. Ho-hum. Winning the putrid AFC East is like getting 200 points to sign your name on the SAT. The Patriots have three playoff wins since 18-0 — none of them impressive. See you in January.

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Playoff forecast:

AFC East: Patriots

AFC North: Ravens

AFC South: Texans

AFC West: Broncos

AFC wild cards: Dolphins and Steelers

NFC East: Giants

NFC North: Packers

NFC South: Saints

NFC West: 49ers

NFC wild cards: Redskins and Seahawks

Super Bowl: 49ers over Broncos. Wes Welker drops game-winning TD and gets ripped by Mrs. Manning.

Awards forecast:

MVP — Colin Kaepernick, QB, 49ers

Most underrated player — Matt Simms, QB, Jets

Most overrated player — Robert Griffin III, QB, Redskins

Shalise Manza Young

Patriots: 11-5. The Dolphins look like they’ll pose a challenge in the AFC East, but the Jets and Bills are serious works in progress. New England’s non-division schedule is not going to be easy, with several tough road games.

Playoff forecast:

AFC East: Patriots

AFC North: Bengals

AFC South: Texans

AFC West: Broncos

AFC wild cards: Colts and Steelers

NFC East: Giants

NFC North: Packers

NFC South: Falcons

NFC West: Seahawks

NFC wild cards: 49ers and Bears

Super Bowl: Seahawks over Broncos. Peyton Manning will get another shot to tie his little brother in Super Bowl rings, but Seattle’s young quarterback, Russell Wilson, and stellar secondary will win the day for Seattle.

Awards forecast:

MVP — Matt Ryan, QB, Falcons

Most underrated player — Rob Ninkovich, DE, Patriots

Most overrated player — Joe Flacco, QB, Ravens

Michael Whitmer

Patriots: 11-5. All predicated on Tom Brady staying healthy. Cupcake division (as always), but some tough road games. Offense will surprise, though.

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Playoff forecast:

AFC East: Patriots

AFC North: Bengals

AFC South: Texans

AFC West: Broncos

AFC wild cards: Chiefs and Colts

NFC East: Giants

NFC North: Packers

NFC South: Falcons

NFC West: Seahawks

NFC wild cards: Saints and 49ers

Super Bowl: Broncos over Seahawks. How would Patriots fans react to Wes Welker winning the ring he came to New England for? Happily, I’m guessing.

Awards forecast:

MVP — Peyton Manning, QB, Broncos

Most underrated player — Giovani Bernard, RB, Bengals

Most overrated player — Colin Kaepernick, QB, 49ers

Jim McBride

Patriots: 10-6. The “AFC East Champions” T-shirts and hats were printed in June. But to go any further, they have to find a way to make opposing QBs uncomfortable.

Playoff forecast:

AFC East: Patriots

AFC North: Ravens

AFC South: Colts

AFC West: Broncos

AFC wild cards: Texans and Bengals

NFC East: Giants

NFC North: Packers

NFC South: Falcons

NFC West: 49ers

NFC wild cards: Seahawks and Saints

Super Bowl: Patriots over 49ers. The division schedule is a joke, but the rest of the slate is pretty tough (check out the QBs on that list). The pups will take their lumps, but come December, these Patriots will be battle-tested and ready.

Awards forecast:

MVP — Tom Brady, QB, Patriots

Most underrated player — Lance Briggs, LB, Bears.

Most overrated player — Tony Romo, QB, Cowboys.