Last season, my predictions were spot-on as I accurately guessed one of the eight division champs... I don't think I could do worse, so I'll just dive into this season's NFC "Predictions No One Asked For".
NFC EAST
1. Philadelphia Eagles
2. Dallas Cowboys
3. Washington Football Team
4. New York Giants
I think this will be one of the more intriguing divisions to watch this season as Drew Bledsoe and Carson Palmer will debut for the Eagles and Football Team, respectively. With as much Breck values his players and hypes them up, I think I'm starting to believe it. Almost caught myself giving him his asking price for players -- I've been brainwashed. Dallas will take a step back this year but still has plenty of firepower. Washington no longer has Champ Bailey or Fred Smoot patrolling the secondary, but there are some young guns who will get ample opportunity to get playing time. The Giants will improve on their 4-12 record with the defensive acquisitions of LBs Joey Porter and Mike Vrabel, who is regressing but should be able to perform. WR Michael Clayton is a great addition to pair with Bragg and Santana Moss.
NFC NORTH
1. Green Bay Packers
2. Minnesota Vikings
3. Chicago Bears
4. Detroit Lions
Green Bay is coming off of a 9-7 year where they won the division, and I don't think enough has changed in the division for them to be unseated. Green Bay added a few pieces on defense both through free agency, draft and trades and it'll be enough to get them to 10 wins. Minnesota traded away WR Clayton but found a replacement in the draft. Their offense should be good, enough to give them a winning season. But they have some guys on defense that would make it look formidable if this were 2004. However, there are still some great players on that side of the ball. Chicago made the move to add Matt Hasselbeck at QB, which will prove a good move with a young OL, but will it be enough? Time shall tell. The Lions are in a rebuild with Rookie GM.
NFC SOUTH
1. New Orleans Saints
2. Atlanta Falcons
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
4. Carolina Panthers
The Saints are reigning Super Bowl champs with very little roster turnover. QB David Greene will just continue to improve, so no reason to think they won't repeat as division champs, at least. The Falcons acquired Tim Couch and that's going to be an improvement over Symons. Tony Gonzalez and Tyrone Calico will benefit greatly from this QB upgrade. But will there be enough weapons outside those two? Does Ahman Green have much left in the tank? Tampa improved their defense with Brodney Pool and Chris Hope, but still lacks some weapons offensively. Carolina added David Carr, John Abraham and Sam Adams, all upgrades over their predecessors, but they lost some pieces too. A young WR group and HB will give them some highs and lows.
NFC WEST
1. St. Louis Rams
2. Seattle Seahawks
3. Arizona Cardinals
4. San Francisco 49ers
If the Rams avoid season-ending injuries that have plagued them recently, they'll find themselves atop the division. Seahawks are working some young guys into the mix, but have a lot of pieces to work with. The Cardinals look as if they're playing the long game as they've amassed seven first round picks for next year. I don't know how to read San Francisco, but I have a feeling they'll be at the bottom. I hope they prove me wrong!
|
