Yesterday I broke down the AFC. Today we will take a look at the NFC.
NFC East
1. Dallas Cowboys(11-5)- This has always been the toughest division to pick. I for one will rarely put any money on games involving these teams, because its so unpredictable. But this year, the Cowboys seem to be a cut above the rest. They can still be shaky at times, but I see them going 4-2 in the division and going to the playoffs again.
2. Philadelphia Eagles(9-7)- The Eagles will be preparing for live without McNabb, and its going to be tough. Kevin Klob is a solid QB, but I think he will have a better sophomore season as starter. Also, the defense is aging and could do for some new faces for the future.
3. New York Giants(9-7)- The Giants are always a tough team to figure out. They could get hot and reel off 6 straight games(look at their super bowl year) or they could lose to the likes of the Redskins at home. I would be surprised if the Giants either made a run at the playoffs or fall flat. I see an 8-8 or 9-7 record for them.
4. Washington Redskins(6-10)- Mcnabb should be a great addition to this team, but they are unlucky to be in a division that is chalked full of evenly distributed talent. It will be tough for them to get any momentum going this year, as they will be facing a division opponent 6 times this year. They could come through and surprise people with a 10-6 season and a playoff birth as they have known to do, but I see that more so for next year then this year.
NFC South
1. Green Bay Packers(12-4)- Its very easy to argue that the two best teams in the NFC are in this divison. I'm going to give the nod to the Packers though for one reason: Aaron Rodgers. He has had back to back break out years, and now he is the favorite in many minds to be the MVP. And it wouldn't surprise me in the least. Don't be surprised to see Rodgers put up a 4500 yards 40 TD year on this solid offense.
2. Minnesota Vikings(11-5)- Brett Favre coming back saved all of the fans in Minnesota and those who put money on them right after last year ended. But the loss of Sidney Rice for the first half of the year and the health concerns over Percy Harvin will slow down Peterson and the offense. They could very well get off to a 3-3 type start before making a playoff run when Rice returns.
3. Chicago Bears(6-10)- This year could very well define Jay Cutler's career, or at least his career in Chicago. I think he will have quite a year, as it is always difficult for a QB to pick up an offense well in the first year. Its a shame that a player like Brian Urlacher is no longer on a super bowl contender. A player with his talent and work ethic deserves to contend for a ring.
4. Detorit Lions(3-13)- The Lions have a great thing going with Matt Stafford and Calvin Johnson, but until they get a more improved offensive line and a better defense, they can get used to being a bottom feeder.
NFC South
1. New Orleans Saints(12-4)- The Saints are coming off their dream season, and are looking good for a potential repeat. The Saints are returning nearly all of their top players on offense, and most of their stars on defense. It will be very interesting to see how the Saints play now that they finally, for the first time ever, have a target on their backs.
2. Atlanta Falcons(10-6)- Atlanta has been one of the most underrated and consistent teams of the past decade. They were usually in contention and snuck into the playoffs on more then one occasion, and I see that happening again this year. Matt Ryan is due for a breakout season, and I think he will make the jump to the outside of the elite QB group this year.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers(5-11)- Tampa has a solid young QB in Josh Freeman who could turn out to be a great pick for them. Combine that with you talent on both sides, and the Bucs could surprise some people this year and make a run at .500. But they won't be making the Playoffs this year.
4. Carolina Panthers(4-12)- Talk about a fall from grace. Its amazing what one game can do. Two years ago, the Panthers were 12-4, the 2nd seed in the playoffs, and one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl. After getting utterly destroyed by the Cardinals at home, the Panthers, and more importantly Jake Delhomme, spiraled out of control last year, leading to his untimely exit. Now its the Matt Moore era, but don't be surprised to see that turn into the Jimmy Clauson era by the end of the year.
NFC West
1. San Francisco 49ers(10-6)- This is the ultimate case of a division being gift wrapped for a team. If they don't win the division this year, they may not for years to come. Arizona will be recovering from life without Kurt Warner, Seattle will be adjusting to the Pete Carroll era, and the Rams, are well, the Rams.
2. Arizona Cardinals(6-10)- It is purely my little faith in Derek Anderson that has these guys at 2nd place. It is tough to believe that one player could make that much of a difference, but Kurt Warner is just that. Add in the loss of Anquan Boldin, and Larry Fitzgerald will be getting picked on all year, seeing double and probably triple coverage at times.
3. Seattle Seahawks(6-10)- It will be interesting to see how Carroll adjusts to the NFL game. He will have to deal with figured out whether to still to an aging Matt Hasselback. And with the release of Housmandzadeh, Carroll is putting alot of faith in former Trojan Mike Williams. The Hawks could be back on top in a couple years, but this year they will be getting their feet wet.
4. St Louis Rams(2-14)- Two things you should know about Sam Bradford:1. He will have a bad year starting in St Louis, and could have a bad sophomore season. 2. It won't be all his fault. It's unfortunate when #1 QB's are thrown right into a no win situation(look at David Carr and Jamarcus Russell) and Bradford will be the victim this year.
Playoff Seedings
1. Green Bay Packers
2. New Orleans Saints
3. Dallas Cowboys
4. San Francisco 49ers
5. Minnesota Vikings
6. Atlanta Falcons
Be sure to check in tomorrow as I will be narrowing my predictions down to the biggest stage there is: The Super Bowl. Thanks for reading.
0 Responses "NFC Preview"
Post a Comment