England = New York Giants

 The spotlight is brightly shone on the English every two years at the Euro Cup and the World Cup with a healthy amount of agitators proclaiming them eventual victors despite a potential lack of talent.  In the Big Apple, both local and national media usually anoint the Giants as a constant threat to win it all despite glaring holes that the rest of the nation might notice.

  United States = Arizona Cardinals

 The Americans shocked the world at last year's Confederations Cup by beating up on title contenders Spain and pushing eventual champions Brazil to the brink, going on an unlikely run that is equally unlikely to continue this summer at the World Cup.  Arizona smashed through the 2008 playoffs on their way to an unexpected berth to the Super Bowl. Last season, the Cards tried it again - but they snuck up on nobody and went home earlier.

 Algeria = St. Louis Rams

 Welcome to the World Cup, Algeria. Have a good time. Hope to see you sometime in the future, don't let the door hit you on your way out.  Anybody expecting the Rams to play more than 16 games this season? Me neither.

 Slovenia = Buffalo Bills

 Slovenia might not make it to the next round of the World Cup, but they're no easy squad to beat, as teams will encounter beginning next week.  The Buffalo Bills have been constant underachievers for the better part of the decade, but they've made some big teams sweat it out from time to time.

 Group D

 Germany = Minnesota Vikings

 The Germans are a well-oiled machine who play physical ball and usually rely on a wily veteran to put them through to where they need to go.  Last season, Minnesota relied on Brett Favre to get them closer to the Super Bowl than they've been in years, but just fell short. Expect for the same to happen to Germany without their captain Michael Ballack.

 Australia = Miami Dolphins

 No one really knows what they'll get from Australia. They're definitely under the radar, but they boast experience and overall solid play on every line, and could benefit from an uneven group to move on.   Miami surprised in 2008 after being utterly putrid just a season before. Then, injuries derailed them in 2009. A similar fate could befall Australia if Tim Cahill, Harry Kewell or Lucas Neill go down.

 Serbia = San Francisco 49ers

 The Serbs have an impressive collection of athletes who play in some of the world's best clubs such as Manchester United and Chelsea, but don't have a clear difference maker who can put them through.  The 49ers are a young, talented squad who have multiple questions at arguably the most important position: quarterback. Should both of these teams find a steady leader, the results could be grand.

 Ghana = Washington Redskins

 A lot of big names litter the Ghana roster but their play as a team has always been underwhelming.   Washington has thrown gobs of money around at the league's most prominent free agents since Dan Snyder bought the team, without any championships to show for it.