The Windy City lived up to its name and provided me with my first taste of fall and Italian beef sandwiches. Apparently, they have some good popcorn too, but during Manweekend, chumps chomp on P-corn while real men plow through sliced beef on a roll covered in white cheese and grilled onions. A few jalapenos do not hurt either.

And, oh, yeah, Springsteen showed why he is "The Boss" -- three hours of nonstop rock 'n' roll, despite performing outside in a downpour.

Of course, I didn't get to give Bruce my complete attention. That's because seated in the row directly in front of me, in the baseball cathedral that is Wrigley Field, there sat a lady who liked to boogie.

Now that in and of itself is not a problem, especially at a concert. But this lady's lethal combination of being short, having stubby limbs and overactive hips made her dance similarly to the gopher in Caddyshack youtube.com/watch?v=ZFGpgt4EC3I.

Her delivery demanded observation, and minor ridicule from Cousins Claw, Roy D and me. She also made us a little nervous because we knew if Kenny Loggins or Bill Murray were to somehow join Bruce on stage, the downpour Bruce was jamming through would have been upgraded to a cyclone of stubby fists of fury and hip checks galore.

Anyway, on to the AFC.

NORTH

Best Offensive Player: Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh

Joe Flacco and Ray Rice are both right there, but until either wins a few rings, I'll keep going with Big Ben.

Best Defensive Player: Ray Lewis, LB, Baltimore

I know he is old and I know his "intensity" can be lame, but the man is an all-time great and --unlike Gopher Lady -- boy, can he dance youtube.com/watch?v=R43adFL8RLk&feature=related.

Best Unit: Baltimore Ravens Offense

Ray Rice, Joe Flacco and a bunch of skilled players will finally give the Ravens D a long-awaited, well-deserved break.

Worst Unit: Cleveland Browns offense

Cleveland running back Trent Richardson aside, this offense is downright offensive.

Biggest Addition: Trent Richardson

He can catch, he can run and he can block. Too bad Cleveland can't play.

Final Standings: Baltimore 13-3; Pittsburgh 11-5 (wildcard); Cincinnati 6-10; Cleveland 4-12

Word of note: Cincy has never made the playoffs two years in a row, ever. It won't happen again this year.

SOUTH

Best Offensive Player: Arian Foster, RB, Houston

Nobody has rushed for more yards in the last two seasons than Foster.

Best Defensive Player: Dwight Freeney, LB, Indianapolis

Few players got around the corner faster than Freeney, and that is when he was in a three-point stance. Now that is standing up, don't be surprised if he nets 15 sacks.

Best unit: Houston Texans offense

When healthy, quarterback Matt Schaub, Foster and wide receiver Andre Johnson may comprise the best big three in Texas since Aikman, Irvin and Smith.

Worst Unit: Jacksonville's defense

They just gave up 26 points to the Vikings.

Biggest Addition: Andrew Luck, QB, Indianapolis

Indy will not win a lot of games, but luck is the real deal.

Final Standings: Houston 13-3; Tennessee 10-6; Jacksonville 6-10; Indianapolis 3-13

EAST

Best Offensive Player: Tom Brady, QB, New England

Still went to Michigan, still dreamy and still the best.

Best Defensive Player: Darrelle Revis, CB, New York Jets

Revis Island is a lonely place for receivers.

Worst Unit: New England Patriots defense

They ranked 31st in the NFL last year in total defense. Part of the reason is because their offense is so dang efficient. The bigger part is they have a hard time tackling, covering and getting off blocks.

Biggest Addition: Tim Tebow, QB, New York Jets

It is more likely that Bills new defensive end Mario Williams will have a bigger impact on the team, but there's another adage floating around the NFL nowadays: All articles pertaining to football must mention Tim Tebow.

Final Standings: New England 13-3; Jets 9-7; Buffalo 8-8; Miami 6-10

WEST

Best Offensive Player: Peyton Manning, QB, Denver

Did you not see him carve up Pittsburgh? If healthy, Raiders' Darren McFadden may have something to say about this. Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, too.

Best Defensive Player: Derrick Johnson, LB, Kansas City

Tackling machine who may be the best linebacker in the AFC ... sorry Ray Ray.

Best unit: San Diego Chargers offense

If healthy, Rivers, running back Ryan Mathews, wide receiver Malcolm Floyd and tight end Antonio Gates are stout.

Worst Unit: Oakland Raiders disciplinary enforcers

They've led the league in penalties every year since I was about 10. It looks like they will do it again this year.

Biggest Addition: Peyton Manning

Enough said.

Final Standings: Kansas City 10-6; Denver 10-6 (wild card); San Diego 8-8; Oakland 7-9

OVERALL

AFC Championship game: Houston vs. Baltimore

Super Bowl: Baltimore vs. Dallas

As much as I want to make this an all-Texas Super Bowl featuring Houston and Dallas, the Ravens appear to have an awful big chip on their shoulder from not making the game last year.

As for Dallas, yeah, they are my team, but more importantly, the adjustments they made on the defensive side of the ball make them a tough out. Just ask the Giants. In fact, the changes will make them Super Bowl champs.

If you have comments on this or anything to do with sports, contact me at chad.t.jones.civ@us.army.mil.