NFC Rundown

Here are my thoughts about the National Football Conference.

NFC EAST:

Philadelphia Eagles:
Some say this team made a plethora of moves. Many are saying they’ll get to the Superbowl. There are some that may also forget about team chemistry. Michael Vick signed a long-term deal, which goes to show you that some people really do get second chances (at least in the NFL). The Eagles then went and signed the highest ranked free agent, Nnamdi Asomugha.  Asante Samuel will still be on the other side of the field, with Rodgers-Cromartie playing 3rd string. They snuck into the Giants locker room and stole Steve Smith (see next team). Ronnie Brown is now backing up LeSean McCoy. Everything about this team says it should be good. The bottom line is if Vick stays healthy and does what he did last year for the whole 2010-11 season, they will win. Plain and simple.
Besides the fact they still have Maclin, Jackson, and Celek; I think the Eagles have this division locked as long as the team ‘clicks’.

New York Giants:
Besides all the off field drama with almost signing Plaxico (again) and Umenyioria’s hold out-turned ‘I need surgery’, the Giants will do just fine. Steve Smith decided that he would rather go with the ‘Superteam’ Eagles, and snubbed the G-men by jumping ship to the rival. To the Giants defense; Smith had a pretty bad injury so they probably didn’t attempt to sign him while the Eagles went and gobbled him up.  They re-signed Bradshaw, and Kiwanuka. Both of these were smart moves. Jason Pierre-Paul looks all amped up and ready to go with Tuck still on the other side. This teams defense had a few hits during the pre-season, but they should still fare just fine.
The Giants will surprise many, but not all and end up in second place in this division. The Cowboys have been way to inconsistent, and the Redskins are a non-factor.

Dallas Cowboys:
Tony Romo is back to take full control of his team. Will  he be able to handle the pressure? This teams offense should be formidable with Dez Bryant, Miles Austin, and Felix Jones. I see Jones having a great year. Also, let us not forget about Jason Witten, a staple in the ‘Boys offense. Besides DeMarcus Ware, I don’t think their defense is too much to tout about.
They’re team always looks fantastic on paper [Charger-esque], but they seem to falter every year for one reason or another. Look for the ‘Boys to end the season in third, probably with a .500 record. 

Washington Redskins:
Mission accomplished for the Washington Shanahan’s….err Redskins. Donovan McNabb AND Albert Haynseworth are both gone. Rex Grossman is now their starting QB with John Beck as a backup. Their running corps gets a face lift with Tim Hightower and Roy Helu. Jabar Gaffney also joins this team and adds another formidable receiver to pair up with Santana Moss. The problem is, how will Grossman perform? He has been pretty inconsistent over his whole career, but at least it looks like Shanahan finally approves of a QB.
This team is has a huge question mark at QB, and this will hamper their chances. Last place for the ‘Skins.

NFC NORTH:

Chicago Bears:
I personally think this team is pretty good, until they let their QB get sacked 100 times a game. They need to start clamping down for Cutler, or he’s literally going to fall apart. Roy Williams left the Cowboys to be a #1 WR for the Bears, but it looks like Johnny Knox may take that role away from him. Matt Forte is formidable, and the contract talks between him and the Bears seem to have fallen through, which is never a good sign. Chicago has good defense, especially with Peppers on the line, but will the much maligned grass at Soldier Field affect their play and/or effort?
In a division with the reigning Superbowl champs it is hard to pick the Bears to reach the playoffs. They really need to start protecting Cutler or they will go nowhere. I think they’ll be in third place in this division.

Green Bay Packers:
Aaron Rodgers, Greg Jennings, Ryan Grant, Jermichael Finley, Donald Driver, etc. Reigning Superbowl champions, and probably still the best offense in the whole league. Their defense isn’t too shabby either with Woodson, and Matthews suited up. Brandon Jackson left after a decent season, and Mason Crosby returns to the Pack. Ryan Grant has rushed for almost 3,500 yards in 4 years. Keep in mind he only had 8 attempts for 45 yards all of last season.
This team is incredibly good, they will win their division without any doubt.

Detroit Lions:
I think that these Lions have some potential. Their QB in Matthew Stafford is as solid as it gets for a young guy (barring any more injuries), and Calvin Johnson is quite the athletic specimen and seems like he could catch a ball 25 feet in the air. Nate Burleson and Pettigrew aren’t any slouches, either.  Jahvid Best is up and coming. Everything is looking up for this team.
I’m going to go out on a limb here and say these Lions are not the Lions of 2008. They will finish the division in second.

Minnesota Vikings:
Without one player, this team could quite honestly go defeated for the season. Adrian Petersen is the best running back in the league, and I really don’t care what you think. He runs this team, literally, and figuratively. Favre is gone (and retired[for now]). Tarvaris jumped ship to be the starting QB for the Seahawks. Sidney Rice also decided to go with Tarvaris. Donovan McNabb will be throwing the rock for this team. He could be good, or maybe he won’t be able to run the 2 minute drill again. Time will surely tell. The defense is OK at best, only because of Jared Allen. Expect AP to score almost all of the Vikings points.
If you haven’t figured it out already, this team will be in the basement, but may battle the Bears for third towards seasons end.

NFC SOUTH:

Atlanta Falcons:
I really like the Falcons. They’re offensive firepower is very formidable and could put them in a really good place in their division. Matt Ryan can chuck it very far, and very accurately. Don’t forget about the ‘burner’ Michael Turner who could easily rush for 100+ yards in a game. Rookie Julio Jones should be incredibly exciting when coupled with Ryan’s arm, and you know that Roddy White can catch anything thrown his way. Then you get to the veteran star, Tony Gonzalez. We all know what he can do.
This is a hard pick because the Saints are also very good. Week 16 and 17 will determine a lot for this team. If they can win both, they will win this division.

New Orleans Saints:
Drew Breeeeeeeeees, my fantasy QB of choice as of late. What a fantastic offense, there are weapons everywhere. They got rid of Reggie Bush, and replaced him with Darren Sproles. They drafted a good RB in Ingram, but I think it will take some time before he hits his full potential. Then you have Colston, Moore, Henderson, Meachem and the rest of ’em. Everyone of these guys can catch, and the fact that Brees will have even more time in the pocket with Olin Kreutz as his center can be very scary to any defense.
I like the Saints, but like I said above, their season will depend on their last couple of games. All said and done, they should easily be in second place in this division. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
The Bucs are also up and coming. They don’t have enough firepower like the last two teams I wrote about, so that will lower their chances. Josh Freeman is a solid young QB and has some potential. Unfortunately, for him his best receiver is Mike Williams. Then you have Kellen Williams, and a big question mark in Arrelious Benn. Blount should have a decent season, though.
This division has the top two (above) and then the bottom two. The Bucs are the latter. They’re better than the Panthers, only because of some consistency on offense. They will end in third place.

Carolina Panthers:
The quarterback carousel that is the Carolina Panthers is disheartening for its fans. Maybe they can hang out with Oakland fans? Anyway, Jimmy Clausen was good.. in college. So they gave him a one year leash, and he lost his job. Cam Newton, the number 1 pick this past year in the draft will be at the helm for this team. He has the physical attributes, but can he run a (semi-)professional team in the Carolina Panthers? Steve Smith is no longer better than the other Steve Smith. DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart are a good tandem, but can they stay healthy? Maybe Cam has 1,000 yards in his legs? Probably not.
If you haven’t summed it up yet, the Panthers will (again) end the season in last place, but they’ll have a few good games.

NFC WEST:

Seattle Seahawks:
I find it very funny that this team won the division last year at 7-9. That’s pretty terrible. This team is very different this year. Franchise QB Matt Hasselback ran for the hills in Tennessee, and Tarvaris Jackson replaces him. I know what you’re all thinking… Tarvaris… Jackson?! I think it’s time to give this guy a legitimate chance without an aging vet breathing down his neck. This might be just the right situation for him, and his buddy Sidney Rice comes along for the ride from their old team, the Vikings. Finally, they went and picked up one of my favorite tight end’s in Zach Miller. He will be catching a lot of balls for this team, that is for sure.
I don’t think the Seahawks will be as lucky this year, because a nice amount of their offense is new. They’ll still be competitive, but 7-9 won’t win this division this year. The Seahawks will finish in third.

St. Louis Rams:
Yes, I know they were that close to winning the division last year. Sam Bradford is great, and finally got a second competent receive in Mike Sims-Walker. Danny Amendola is also someone to look out for and is just waiting for that breakout season. Then of course, you have Steven Jackson who has just about 8,000 yards rushing in his eight year career. Backing him up is Cadillac Williams straight from the Bucs. On the defensive side of the ball, I really like DE Chris Long.
I like Bradford, and Jackson. These two can really hold up this team. Because of the weak division that they are in, and they have the best QB, I give the Rams their first division title. The first since ’03 and first playoff appearance since ’04. 

San Francisco 49ers:
I really liked the 49ers last year. This year, not so much. The only legitimate player acquisitions were Braylon Edwards and Donte Whitner. Although he stepped up last year for the Jets, we all know Braylon has butter fingers. Will Ted Ginn ever be the player he was supposed to be? Sure, you have good offensive threats in Vernon Davis and Frank Gore, but what does that mean when mediocre Alex Smith is chucking/handing off the rock?
They have a new coach in Jim Harbaugh, and his last pro stint was with the Raiders as QB coach in 02-03  This was the last time the Raiders made the Superbowl, and former QB Rich Gannon was the league’s MVP). That said, maybe he can make Alex Smith better, but in such a short offseason? The Niners will fall short of the playoffs again, falling to second.   

Arizona Cardinals:
Leading rusher Tim Hightower decided he wanted to run in Washington, and Kevin Kolb decided he will offer his services full time under center. Larry Fitzgerald is staying put and inked an eight year $120M contract. Todd Heap came back to his home to help shore up the tight end position. Besides that, there isn’t all that much. Beanie Wells could break out, or he may not. The defense is nothing to praise either. Fitz is going to have to wait at least another year before he smells the playoffs again.
They were helped by signings of Kolb and Heap, but they definitely need more. Their only two proven players Fitzgerald, and Heap may not be able to take the full load. The Cardinals will end the season in last place.

For the Wild Card predictions:

The Giants will take one berth. The other will go to either the Saints (again based on the last 2 games of the season).

And there it is, my preseason thoughts on all the teams in the NFL.

Enjoy kickoff tomorrow!