NFC East
1. Dallas - The Boys are truly the best team in the NFC on paper. They have had some let downs in the past 2 postseasons but don't let that fool you. This team is the real deal. They have sured up their pass coverage woes (yes I am talking about Roy Horse Collar Williams) by drafting Jenkins and getting Adam Jones. Throw in Zach Thomas and the defense should be able to repeat its performance from last year. On offense, Marion will be unleashed and Felix the Great will flash some of that 8ypc he showed at Arkansas. TO, is TO and Patrick Crayton has the best job as 3rd fiddle since Steve Kerr.
2. Philadelphia - McNabb despite not having anyone to throw to of Pro-Bowl status will have a great year. Letting Westbrook pace the team as usual, the Eagle are my surprise pick to win the Wild Card. The defense should be able to defend the spread better than any other with 3 Pro Bowl caliber CBs. Desean Jackson is the difference maker this team has yurned for.
3. Washington - Let's face it, this is an over achieving team. After Sean Taylor's murder, they really banned together and rode their emotions to the playoffs. This year, they will be right in the thick of things with a heavy dose of Portis and defense. Jason Taylor will be ready for the upcoming season, ready to prove he is more than just a dancer with great looks.
4. New York Giants - From 1st to worst is usually a horrible thing for a franchise. But when you play in the toughest division in football, worst could mean you are 8-8 or 7-9. The lost of Strahan (currently on Brett Favre's retirement plan) and now Osi have left a vital hole to fill in what essentially won the championship: dominating pass rush.
NFC South
1. New Orleans - New defense, healthy (somewhat) backfield and did I mention new defense? The Saints should return to the form that got them deep into the playoffs two years ago despite a banged up running game. Duece McCallister is coming back again from knee surgery and Reggie Bush is not an every down back just yet. Look out for Pierre Thomas to fill the main carries role if Duece can't get loose. On the defensive side of the ball, the additions of Jon Vilma, Randall Gay, Sedrick Ellis and a few others should give the Saints enough defense to get at least to the 2nd round of the playoffs.
2. Carolina - Despite losing Steve Smith for 2 games for going Tyson on his teammate, the Panthers are in a good position. For once, they wont have to worry about losing Smith to injury early. Add despite all of the woes they faced last year with QBs, the defense played lights out and the team finished 7-9.
3. Atlanta - Rebuilding is in full swing and so is the Matt Ryan era. He has been named the starter which equates to him trying not to mess up more than win games. This should be a clinic of Big Ben in Pitt his first year with a massive ground game. Michael Turner will try to prove he is worthy of starter money and Jerious Norwood will try to prove he is still relevant as a change of pace back.
4. Tampa Bay - Although they did not have any relevant personnel changes, I just think last year was a fluke. The Bucs played great defense, made plays when they had to, but mostly capitalized from a weak division and injuries. It seems like you just keep waiting on father time to finally catch up with this team (Garcia, Galloway, Brooks, Barber, etc.) and it seems it is this year. Everyone else in the division made significant moves, the Bucs dropped the buck.
NFC West
1. Seattle - It's not that the Seahawks are that good, but more of saying that this could be the weakest division in football. Despite the star power (Hasselbeck, Holt, Jackson, Warner/Leinart, Gore, Fitz/Bolden), this division has some of the weaker teams around. Seattle may struggle early with a number of receivers out, but it should be better after the return of Branch and Engram that should lead them to their 6th consecutive conference title.
2. St. Louis - Not that the Rams have made any key improvements, but again this division is lacking the key ingredients to knock them any lower. The Rams drafted a speed rush energy guy in Chris Long but didnt sure up the gaping holes they had at WR, DT, CB, S, or depth anywhere else. Long will be able to help get pressure on the pass happy West but these teams have superior talent at WR compared to the Rams Db's.
3. Arizona - Matt Leinart is about to lose his job to a busboy. Well not really, this busboy is Super Bowl MVP Kurt Warner. Leinart, overhyped but decent qb, has never really lived up to the hype. His lack of cannon arm has not been helped by his poor judgement or glaring accuracy problems. I liked Leinart coming into this year, he should have been able to hit a lot of quick hitters to his star combo of Fitzgerald/Bolden. However, after Kurt Warner gets hurt (its inevitable), the shine will be on Leinart, and if the light is too bright, he may become the next David Carr.
4. San Francisco - Mike Martz is a genius. He found a way to blow the biggest game and point spread in Super Bowl history (before the 18-1 Pats). What has that gotten him? Two more offensive coordinator positions. Will Martz finally run the ball in a WR deprived offense of the 49ers? Frank Gore will try to stay healthy, Ike Bruce will be a good role model and creep towards more HOF credentials, and the defense will be tough. But a team that is debating between JT O'Sullivan and Shaun Hill as the starting qb can not be serious about a playoff push, can they?
NFC North
1. Green Bay - Yes. Brett Favre is gone. Yes Aaron Rodgers is inexperienced and wide-eyed. But the Packers are going to prove the critics wrong and prosper post Favre. The defense is turning the corner, but needs some young blood in the secondary to help Woodson and Al Harris as they start to wind down. Otherwise, the defense is stout, Ryan Grant will see if he was a one-year wonder and the boo birds will be out early if Rodgers doesnt deliver. No fret, he will.
2. Minnesota - Despite all the hype surrounding the defense and running game, this team just doesn't seem to impress you. Of course, their is the traditional talk that Peterson and Taylor are enough to walk through the division, but your team can not be built solely on the ground. Tavaris Jackson will be good enough to lead them down the stretch, especially since they have one of the easiest schedules after week 9.
3. Detroit - Post Mike Martz Detroit will fair better on offense that with Martz. The arrogance that comes with Martz has rubbed off and the team is better for that, but even the genius needs a reality check sometimes. A more balanced attack will help this retooled defense keep a number of games close, but they still will fall under .500.
4. Chicago - The Bears are starting Kyle Orton at qb, Devin Hester at WR, and a rookie RB, Matt Forte. Yes they are rebuilding. A few years removed from a Super Bowl lost, the Bears seem to be getting long in the tooth on their staple, defense. Mike Brown doesn't look the same, Urlacher has chronic back pain, and the corners look very suspect.
Playoffs
Dallas, Green Bay, Seattle, New Orleans, WC - Philadelphia, Minnesota
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