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After what has seemed like an eternity, the NFL has finally returned to take its rightful place as "America's favorite presenttime." The passes, catches, runs, tackles, blitzes, dimes, nickels, fumbles, picks, and kicks have all come back in season to captivate and energize us fans who are desperate for some real action.

When we last saw our daring heroes on the gridiron, the underdog Patriots were being carried off the field as Super Bowl Champions. But there have been a lot of changes of characters and scenery since then. What thrilling plot twists should we look for in this year's NFL season? How about keeping your eye on these football nail-biters:

1. New England Tries to Repeat

Drew Bledsoe doesn't have to worry about beating out Tom Brady for a job in Foxboro anymore -- Bledsoe was finally traded to the conference rival Buffalo Bills. That means that Brady will be in charge of leading the defending champions to the Promised Land once again. Unfortunately for last year's Super Bowl MVP, the Patriots play in what figures to be the toughest division in the league. And though head coach Bill Belichick's defensive genius will guide an even better Pats' defense this season, Brady will be lucky to get New England back to the playoffs.

2. Conference Realignment

For the first time in years, there will be no talk of possible realignment in the NFL. Why? Because all of the divisions have been switched around this year. This makes geographic sense in a lot ways (Arizona no longer plays in the NFC East, for example) and there will be new rivalries created (Tennessee vs. Houston), but now making the playoffs will be harder than ever because of an extra division champ and one less wild card team.

3. Worst to First

So, who will it be this year? Last season, the New England Patriots were picked to finish last in their own division and ended up as Super Bowl champs. The season prior to that, the Baltimore Ravens went from bottom dwellers to ring bearers. And the season before that, the St. Louis Rams went from anonymity to near immortality. If form follows true, there will be some team that didn't even make the playoffs last year that will be legitimate contenders this year. Bad news for the Patriots, Steelers, and Rams, good news for the Browns, Chargers, and Cowboys.

4. Offense vs. Defense

A few years ago, the Rams won the Super Bowl by scoring a trailer load of points, and some teams tried to copy them. Then two seasons ago, the Ravens won the Super Bowl by having one of the stingiest defenses of all-time, and some teams tried to copy that formula, as well. Last year, the Patriots won it all with a little of both (and maybe just a little luck). So which recipe for success will teams try to feature this season? The Rams, 49ers, Broncos, and Colts are some of the teams who love to score, while the Eagles, Browns, Steelers, and Dolphins love to keep teams out of the end zone.

5. Steve Spurrier

Maybe $25 million is more than enough loot to get anyone to leave The Swamp, but you get the feeling that new Redskins head coach Steve Spurrier really has something to prove in the NFL. The former head coach of the Florida Gators has brought his "fun and gun" offense to the big leagues, and teams started circling their dates against the 'Skins immediately. Is it confidence that makes Spurrier believe that NFL hanger-ons like Reidel Anthony and Danny Wuerffel can actually lead a formidable offense in the NFL? Is it arrogance that drives Spurrier to call deep passing plays late in the fourth quarter of blowout preseason games? Call it what you like, but it will fun to see that famous visor on the NFL sidelines.

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