Editor's note: Brian Edwards shredded the books with his 2007 NFL picks, finishing #1 on VI in both member plays (+1,155) and totals (+1,120). Brian finished the year on a 40-23 run (64%, +1,485). Click to win now!

For the second straight year, VegasInsider.com put together the premier pre-season football seminar in the sports handicapping industry. The best in the business were at Red Rock Casino in Las Vegas this past weekend.

Here were some of the most interesting NFL quotes and comments that I took out of hanging with the industry’s elite for 72 hours.

Ted Sevransky, mostly known as “Teddy Covers” in Sin City, probably made the boldest prediction of the seminar, confidently stating, “I think the AFC East is a two-team race between Buffalo and the New York Jets. I don’t think New England will make the playoffs. I see them having a 7-9 or 8-8 season – maybe 9-7.”

Sevransky continued, “The Patriots have question marks in the secondary, on the offensive line and at the quarterback position. Tom Brady is clearly not healthy and this is New England’s year to drop down.”

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Sevransky’s bold remarks prompted an entertaining exchange with Alf Musketa, who said, “New England is minus 900 to win the division and Teddy is going against that? I’d like to get a piece of that – maybe a couple of steak dinners?”

Sevransky responded by saying, “9 to 1? That means I would get nine steak dinners.”

There’s certainly a precedent for Super Bowl runner-ups falling shy of expectations the following year. Chicago was a perfect example last season and as Marc Lawrence pointed out, only one of the last seven has gone to the playoffs in the following campaign.

As for the Jets in the AFC East, opinions varied. Andy Iskoe and Chip Chirimbes were down on the Jets, as was Ed Meyer. “The Professor” (Meyer) said, “I love the Jets at ‘under’ eight for their season win total. I think Brett Favre and the rest of that team are going to be wishing he stayed retired after a few games this season.”

On the flip side, Musketa is “very bullish” on the Jets. Sevransky added, “The Jets had needs on the offensive line, the defensive line and at quarterback. They addressed each of those concerns.”

Mark Franco wouldn’t go as far as Sevransky in regards to the Patriots, but he also predicted a decline from the team that went through the 2007 regular season in unbeaten fashion. Franco was high on the Bills, noting Trent Edwards’ ability to manage a game.

Marc Lawrence turned a few heads by announcing the Bengals to be the NFL’s biggest surprise. Lawrence forecasted the Vikings to win the NFC North, pointing to the running game with Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor. He questioned how the Packers would replace a three-time MVP in Favre, while also indicating how desperate the Bears were at the QB position.

Like most of the panel, Lawrence went with the Saints in the NFC South and the Seahawks in the NFC West. However, he warned gamblers to be aware of the Rams, who he felt could surprise thanks to Al Saunders’ run-oriented offense that might cater to Steven Jackson returning to his 2006 form.

Chirimbes thinks the NFC North is wide open. “Detroit has the best QB in the division in Jon Kitna. I think there’s value with the Lions and I like ‘over’ six for their win total."

Meyer agreed, suggesting a wager on Detroit’s ‘over.’ He was also high on Cleveland’s ‘under,’ saying, “The problem with the Browns is they think they’re good.”

Iskoe liked Carolina’s chances of enjoying a bounce-back season, noting how many injuries the Panthers dealt with in 2007. Musketa disagreed, questioning how Jake Delhomme’s arm would hold up after having Tommy John surgery.

**B.E.’s Bonus Nuggets**

--Iskoe liked New England and Dallas to win their respective divisions “rather easily.” He also felt Washington was a team that would “offer value in mid-October and beyond” as the team adjusted to new coach Jim Zorn. As for the Bears, Iskoe ripped this zinger, “Rex Grossman, Kyle Orton or Ed Norton – the Bears are very challenged offensively. They might challenge Atlanta for the worst record in the NFC.”

--Iskoe likes the Cowboys to beat the Colts in the Super Bowl, while Lawrence likes the Colts to top the ‘Boys for the Lombardi Trophy.

--Chirimbes took a shot at Dallas QB Tony Romo with this remark, “I think Romo is the most overrated QB in the NFL.” He also pointed out that the Giants have failed to make the playoffs the year after each of their four trips to the Super Bowl.

--Franco had these quotes/suggestions:
1-“I really like New England’s win total ‘under’ 12.”
2-“I also like Pittsburgh ‘under’ nine mainly because of its tough schedule.”
3-“I’ll take the Saints to beat the Jags in the Super Bowl.”

--Musketa likes the Pats to beat the Cowboys in the Super Bowl. He also added, “The problem with the Bengals all along has been Marvin Lewis. Cincinnati has serious discipline problems. I’m real down on Baltimore, too.”

--Meyer and Lawrence made cases for the Eagles to get back to the playoffs. Meyer was also high on Denver to cover in Week 1 against Oakland.

Brian Edwards can be reached at briane@vegasinsider.com.