NFC East
1.
Washington Redskins
2.
New York Giants
3.
Philadelphia Eagles
4.
Dallas Cowboys
Analysis: The
Washington Redskins were dominant last year and then fell off the rails. This is once of their last chances and I think the division goes back to the nation's capital this year. Behind them are the
New York Giants who gave their GM a last second reprieve -- one I think will work. They're really the only two teams that can win the division as both the
Philadelphia Eagles and
Dallas Cowboys have begun their rebuilds.
NFC North
1.
Minnesota Vikings
2.
Chicago Bears
3.
Green Bay Packers
4.
Detroit Lions
Analysis: One last rodeo for Daunte Culpepper and the
Minnesota Vikings -- and I think it ends with a division title. The
Chicago Bears are still good and should be pushing for both the division and the playoffs. The
Green Bay Packers are a bit of an unknown, as you have to wonder whether they overachieved last year or if that was their new normal. As for the
Detroit Lions, the current roster reminds me a lot of GM Justin Herr's roster in Kansas City....the same mistakes are being made in a new city.
NFC South
1.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2.
New Orleans Saints
3.
Carolina Panthers
4.
Atlanta Falcons
Analysis: Times have changed and the NFC South may be the
toughest division in football, with all of these teams more than capable of being .500 or better. I like the
Tampa Bay Buccaneers' chances to win the division, but expect the
New Orleans Saints to be right behind them. The
Carolina Panthers are also a sleeper for a playoff team if they get the gameplan right. It does feel wrong putting the
Atlanta Falcons in last place, but this a tough division and new GM Garth Pearce has his work cut out for him in replacing an aging roster that got lucky in the playoffs last year.
NFC West
1.
Arizona Cardinals
2.
Seattle Seahawks
3.
San Francisco 49ers
4.
St. Louis Rams
Analysis: The
Arizona Cardinals are a complete roster and new GM Scott Gardiner made the right moves by being conservative and trusting the roster while bringing in new talent in appropriate places. The
Seattle Seahawks should be good as well, but they seem to bounce between dominant and bad quite often. I also like the
San Francisco 49ers, but I need to see before I believe with them. Last place will likely be the
St. Louis Rams, who are undergoing a massive rebuild.
NFC Playoff Seedings
1.
Arizona Cardinals
2.
Washington Redskins
3.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
4.
Minnesota Vikings
5.
Seattle Seahawks
6.
San Francisco 49ers
