NFC East
*Dallas Cowboys – The Cowboys have the most talent in the NFC East and have for the last few years but that hasn’t helped them get out of the first round. Quarterback Tony Romo has had his share of superstar girlfriends but it’s Eli Manning that has a Super Bowl title. Ok enough smart talk lets get down to the real. On offense, Romo is joined by Terrell Owens (top three receivers in the game), running back Marion Barber (now a full time starter with Julius Jones leaving) and Jason Witten at tight end. The offensive line, led by Flozell Adams, is quality and gives equal footing for the run and pass.

On defense, the team has upgraded with the addition of cornerback Adam (don’t call me “Pacman”)_ Jones, who will also help the special teams. This means CB Anthony Henry will get picked on even more in man coverage. Roy Williams is great against the run but struggles in coverage. Terrance Newman is a Pro Bowl player and the defensive line is great with Marcus Spears and DeMarcus Ware. The special teams should get a boost from former Razorback Felix Jones returning kicks and Jones on kicks and punts possibly.

Overall, this team should win it all but are they smart enough when it matters. I see a 12-4 record and home-field advantage in the NFC.

*Philadelphia Eagles – This team has quality all around but if they are to win it will be chemistry and the sum being bigger than its parts. Quarterback Donovan McNabb is arguably the best QB in the NFC and appears confident and healthy after recovering from an ACL injury that hurt his productivity last season. Running back Brian Westbrook is a top five running back in the NFL but shouldn’t have to carry the load and needs help from other skill positions like tight end (L.J. Smith) and wide receiver. The team hasn’t made the move for a big-time receiver but does think it can do well because they have an exciting rookie in DeSean Jackson out of the University of California and players with specific skills like the long Hank Baskett, speedy Kevin Curtis (after injury) and Reggie Brown.

The defense is led by their stellar secondary with new player Asante Samuel and long time safety Brian Dawkins. The linebackers are young and talented but that can be a weakness too! Trent Cole is a top-flight defensive end but will he be the only one to apply pressure? The answer to that question is the answer to whether the Birds can compete. I think the can and see a top wild-card team at 11-5.

Washington Redskins – This team lost its legend head coach Joe Gibbs and replaced him with a former quarterback coach in Jim Zorn so it’s hard to tell their direction. The team is talented and made the playoffs but has to adjust to a new system on offense and defense. Quarterback Jason Campbell has struggled to adjust to the West Coast offense but should come around. The running game is nice with Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts and the offensive line is solid in run blocking but struggle with the pass. Chris Cooley is a slept on threat at the tight end position.

On defense, Jason Taylor was given new life, out of sunny Miami and the secondary is solid but the team needs to get consistent pressure on the quarterback from the defensive line and age is a concern. The special teams is a concern but they do have threats with Rock Cartwright and Antwaan Randle-El (also a decent receiver) pulling duty. I see an 8-8 season from the ‘Skins.

New York Giants – It’s crazy to think that the defending Super Bowl champions aren’t favorites to win their division but many including this writer think just that. The team played exceptionally well last season and defeated the perfect Patriots on one day but can they sustain that type of effort for a whole season and repeat? I don’t think so and the reason is because the team isn’t the same.

The team has lost Usi Umenyiora to injury and Michael Strahan to retirement.The defense has also lost linebacker Kewika Mitchell and safety Gibril Wilson to free agency.

On offense, many of their keys return but they won’t be slept on any longer. Plaxico Burress proved he’s a frontline receiver and tight end Kevin Boss along with receivers Steve Smith and David Tyree made plays in the big game but is it questionable if they can do for a season with team gunning for them. I saw this team takes a step back especially in the division. I see a 7-9 season.

NFC North
*Green Bay Packers – We all know that Brett Favre isn’t on the team but this team will compete for the division title and has a chance to go to far in the playoffs. The team has a nice run game led by Ryan Grant and good receivers led by veteran Donald Driver and young receiver Greg Jennings. The defense is stout against the run and is led by defensive end Aaron Kampman and tackle Ryan Pickett.

The team’s strength on defense is their cornerbacks because of their ability to cover in man on man and make plays on the ball. Al Harris is a straight stickler and Charles Woodson is a great athlete who has compensated for his declining speed with better footwork.

The team is coached well and has a nice home field advantage, which can help. I see this team going 10-6 and making the playoffs.

*Minnesota Vikings – The Vikings have the best young running back in Adrian Peterson, an awesome offensive line led by Steve Hutchinson and have gone out and signed Bernard Berrian at wideout. The quarterback is questionable as Tavarris Jackson is being asked to manage the game and stay healthy but they do have a nice backup in Gus Frerotte.

The team didn’t stand pat during the offseason trading for Kansas City’s Jared Allen who led the NFL in sack last season and has a great attitude. The middle of the defensive line is super tough to get through with Pat and Kevin Williams two 300-pound tackles. The defense has playmakers at cornerback and safety with Antoine Winfield and Darren Sharper doing their things and last year the linebackers led by E.J. Henderson stepped up. The defense should be special and will carry the team through the bad times. I see the Vikings winning the North with an 11-5 record.

Detroit Lions – The Lions have great receivers in Roy Williams and second year player Calvin Johnson but questions on their running game will persist until they show they can consistently run the ball. The offensive line is patchwork (Sounds familiar, remember Barry Sanders?) and needs to keep quarterback Jon Kitna upright. The defense traded Shaun Rogers to the Cleveland Browns in a move that is questionable because he was one of their best players.

The defense should be improved because it’s their third year in head coach Rod Marinelli’s system but it has a lot to work against including those teams in Green Bay and Minnesota. As usual the Lions have good special teams led by kicker Jason Hansen but I still don’t see the team making a step forward in the standings. They will finish with a 4-12 record but be competitive for what that’s worth.

Chicago Bears – The team has finally grown tired of QB Rex Grossman’s inconsistency and have turned the keys over to Kyle Orton. Orton has played well but not spectacular in the past. The offense will depend on a rookie in Matt Forte to run the ball and the offensive skill players have dwindled with losing wideouts Muhsin Muhammad and Bernard Berrian and running back Cedric Benson, who was released. The team brought back wideout Marty Booker who can be effective but the only way this team can make the playoffs and shock people is if their staunch defense plays the role and dominates.

The defense has a chance to do just that and is led by linebackers Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs and defensive linemen Tommie Harris and Alex Brown. The secondary has gotten turnovers in the past but has suffered injuries as well and that’s been the reason they’ve eventually worn down. I see the Bears getting a respectable 8-8 record.

NFC South
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – The team won their division and unceremoniously lost in the first round to the eventual New York Giants. Tampa Bay has one of the best offensive minds in Jon Gruden at head coach but the feeling is people are growing tired of his need for twenty quarterbacks and questionable drafting. This year the Bucs need to make a repeat appearance in the playoffs and win a round for the dogs to get off his back.

Quarterback Jeff Garcia had a good season and will be joined by a running back tandem of Earnest Graham and a returning Warrick Dunn. Joey Galloway continues to play well and show great speed and Michael Clayton should continue to be a quality possession receiver. The defense is led by Derrick Brooks at linebacker and Ronde (Tiki’s) Barber is the anchor of the secondary. This team plays in a weak division and will post an 8-8 record.

*New Orleans Saints – The Saints return with a new look on defense led by new middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma and former New England Patriot Randall Gay. Rookie defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis will also help to stop the run on defense.

On offense, quarterback Drew Brees has a new target in former NY Giant Jeremy Shockey at tight end. Head coach Sean Payton worked with Shockey as an offensive coordinator with the Giants early in Shockey’s career and will use him well. Marques Colston is the team’s best threat at receiver and the team hopes a healthy Duece McAllister will join Reggie Bush this season. Both running backs will run off the blocks given by an exceptionally talented but inconsistent offensive line led by Jamaal Brown and Jahri Evans. The key for the team will be health and their defense.. I see them making it back to the playoffs with a 10-6 record.

Carolina Panthers – The Panthers have disappointing seasons since they made the Super Bowl in 2003. In 2008, the team gets their starting quarterback in Jake Delhomme but that’s the only thing that is clear. This team looks like they are in rebuild mode but they don’t want to admit it. DeAngelo Williams will be asked to run behind a mediocre offensive line and produce big. The teams’ re-acquisition of wideout Muhsin Muhammad will help but is it enough? I don’t think so and head coach John Fox will be on the hot seat.

On defense, Julius Peppers had an off year but is still the anchor. Ken Lucas is solid in the secondary but needs more help. Lucas and wideout Steve Smith got into a fight during the preseason and Smith will be out for the first two games of the season.

Smith is one the game’s best receivers but needs to get his attitude together and be a team leader because the whole needs to be better than its parts on this team. I see a 7-9 record.

Atlanta Falcons - This is clearly the worst team in the division and they are still suffering the loss of former quarterback Michael Vick. The team has moved on though and has the overall number one pick in quarterback Matt Ryan who will start the season at quarterback. The team lost offensive stars in Alge Crumpler and Warrick Dunn to free agency but still have wideout Roddy White who made some plays last season.The team-traded cornerback DeAngelo Hall to Oakland so there is another hole looking to be filled by a young player.

Overall this team will get beaten up by its opponents all season but fight hard. I see a return to the top five in the draft with a 3-13 record.

NFC West
San Francisco 49ers – A few years back quarterback Alex Smith was drafted number one pick overall and was expected to lead the team back to the Super Bowl or at least respectability. Now he’s going to lose his job to J.T. O’Sullivan. You know what they say: as the QB goes so does the team! With that being said it doesn’t look great for the Niners to make the playoffs. The team has a decent running game led by Frank “The Inconvenient Truth” Gore and former Penn State QB Michael Robinson. Their tight end, Vernon Davis has all the skills to be one of the leagues best but needs to show consistency. The team added wideouts Bryant Johnson and former Rams mainstay Isaac Bruce so they should score more points. And have a nice balance.

On defense, Patrick Willis was everything advertised when he came out of Mississippi last year and manned the middle linebacker spot admirably. The team has a nice secondary led by Nate Clements and if they keep teams in front of them should compete for a respectable record. I see them with a 5-11 record with a chance to move up.

Arizona Cardinals – The Cardinals, on paper, should be a playoff team but there is something about playing in the desert that stops teams from playing up to their potential. The team has excellent skill players led by wideouts Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin but still struggle to run the rock with Edgerrin James. Their offensive line needs to step up and run block and pass block for either QB Matt Leinart or veteran Kurt Warner. The defense has a good secondary led by Adrian Wilson and Antrel Rolle, who is finally healthy but the team needs an consistent pass rush to compete for a playoff spot. The special teams led by kicker Neil Rackers and kick and punt returner Steve Breaston with help with shortening the field. I see this team finishing 6-10 this season.

* Seattle Seahawks – The Seahawks are the class of the division and should compete for the conference championship. The team has steady play from one quarterback, Matt Hasselbeck, decent receivers led by Bobby Engram and Deion Branch and a revamped running game led by Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett. The defense, led by linebackers Julian Peterson, Lofa Tatupu and defensive lineman Patrick Kerney is smart, aggressive and gets turnovers. Head coach Mike Holmgren is in his final year at the helm and always coaches smart. I see an 11-5 season and a division title.

St. Louis Rams – The Rams have a great running back in Steven Jackson and wideout Torry Holt still has plenty of game but can quarterback Marc Bulger stand in, under pressure, and deliver the ball? Bulger is one of the most accurate passers in the league but needs help from his offensive line. The defense is blah blah and one of the league’s oldest but rookie Chris Long (son of hall or famer Howie) should help at defensive end. The team will depend on DE Leonard Little and the rookie for the pass rush it needs on the Astroturf of the dome but the team overall is slower on the grass, which hurts during the season. I see the team going 7-9.

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