My NFC Predictions

Monday 9/7/09 - Len

Here are the NFC Predictions: 1-4 Distinguish their finish in their respected divisions, and an asterisk distinguishes a playoff spot.

NFC EAST:

*1) New York Giants (12-4): Their receiver core is still suspect, but I think that they have players who can contribute. I heard a great quote about the Giants: "They are as fancy as white bread." This says it all- they control the clock, utilize the run game, and throw in the occasional bomb. They gain the top seed for the 2nd consecutive season. I expect a breakout season out of Amhad Bradshaw, who moved up to second on the Depth Chart after the departure of Derrick Ward.

*2) Philadelphia Eagles (10-6): The signing of Michael Vick will not have as big an impact as their top two draft picks in 2009- Jeremy Maclin and LeSean McCoy. Maclin will prove to be a threat on the opposite side of DeSean Jackson, and McCoy is a clone of Brian Westbrook. The Eagles can make some noise this year. On the defensive side, they will be playing with a heavy heart after the loss of DC Jim Johnson, and the loss of Brian Dawkins doesn't help this aging team either.

3) Dallas Cowboys (8-8): They are not as good as they seem on paper. I think they are a distant 3rd in the NFC East and a middle-of-the-pack team. The billion-dollar stadium will cause more controversy, just like Jerry Jones likes. Wade Phillips will be looking for another job soon enough.

4) Washington Redskins (8-8): This team doesn't have a quarterback, and Clinton Portis is good- until he gets hit. As soon as Albert Haynesworth hobbles off the field, they will call for Jim Zorn's head.

NFC NORTH:

*1) Chicago Bears (10-6): The NFC North has always been known as the bruiser division of the NFC- Now, it's filled with potent offenses. Of the three division contenders, Chicago has the best chance because they made the biggest splash of the off-season by stealing Cutler away from Denver. Many Favre lovers and AP worshippers will disagree with me, but I think this Chicago team is headed for the playoffs- and they save Lovie Smith's job.

2) Green Bay Packers (9-7): Aaron Rodgers continue to improve, and the highlight of his season comes when the Packers take both games against the Vikings. By beating Brett Favre, he has finally gained the respect of the Packer Faithful. Unfortunately, he doesn't get to play January football. Expect a big season out of Ryan Grant though, who will be back at full strength. Also, Don Capers will transition this team into a full-fledged 3-4, and regardless of a Pro Bowl season out of Aaron Kampman, they will have some growing pains.

3) Minnesota Vikings (8-8): Adrian Peterson will run for about 1,800 yards and 20+ touchdowns, but Brett Favre will throw 20 INTs and their defense will be on the field 40 minutes a game. They will wear out and be ousted from playoff contention, and Josh Childress will be out of a job.

4) Detroit Lions (3-13): Matt Stafford is a hero, for he has tripled the Lions win total from 2008. He will be sacked over 60 times though, but he and Calvin Johnson will show some signs of greatness. Dear Detroit, with that #2 overall pick, go draft the best offensive lineman in the country.

NFC SOUTH:

*1) Atlanta Falcons (11-5): This team really scares me offensively. How do you prevent Matt Ryan from getting into a sophomore slump? Go get him Tony Gonzalez. Ryan and Turner will be one of the best backfields in the NFL, but their defense will stink. Keith Brooking, Michael Boley, and Rocky Bernard bolted for the East, but they win the division anyway. They win the division in a tie-break with Carolina.

*2) Carolina Panthers (11-5): Jake Delhomme should not throw the football more than 20 times a game. With DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart in the backfield, he should be fine. Also, of those 20 or so attempts, throw it at least 12 times to Steve Smith. With that and a solid defense led by Julius Peppers, they will be in the playoffs once again.

3) New Orleans Saints (9-7): Drew Brees can throw for 5,000 yards, but with a spotty defense he will always be on the field for less than half the time. Also, I finally expect an above average year out of Reggie Bush, who is complimented nicely with Pierre Thomas. If Reggie can stay on the field, he'll be a joy to watch.

4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): Their defense is aging, and the release of Derrick Brooks and Warrick Dunn leave this team in a clear rebuilding stage. They fired their offensive coordinator, and their rookie coach Raheem Morris hasn't picked a quarterback yet. My bet is that Byron Leftwich takes the snaps to start, followed by Josh Freeman.

NFC WEST:

1) Seattle Seahawks (9-7): Jim Mora Jr. is replacing legendary coach Mike Holmgren in Seattle, and he has inherited a healthy Matt Hasselback. Julius Jones and Edgerrin James should provide an interesting two-back tandem as well. It doesn't take much to win this division, but I feel that an average season by the Seahawks followed by a Super slide from our next team will result in January football in Seattle.

2) Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Not much of a slide (only a one game difference), but it's enough to keep them out of the playoffs. Facing the NFC North this year, they will be headed to Chicago and Green Bay. They also face the Giants on the east coast and Indianapolis in the drum. See, winning the division DOES have it's disadvantages.

3) San Francisco 49ers (7-9): This team is right on the brink of medocrity and average. Mike Singletary still has a lot of work to do with this team. Luckily for this once-great franchise, he's the right guy to whip them into shape.

4) St. Louis Rams (3-13): Steve Spagnuolo bolted New York and took the big job out in St. Louis. Marc Bulger is slowly showing us how bad he really is- even though there isn't much around him to do him justice. Stephen Jackson is great, but gets hit about 1,000 times a game. Their defense will be better thanks to Spags, but it's only a 1-win increase and a third straight year with a top 5 draft pick.

NFC PLAYOFF PICTURE

1) New York Giants (East- 12-4) --BYE

2) Atlanta Falcons (South- 11-5) --BYE

3) Chicago Bears (North- 10-6)

4) Seattle Seahawks (West- 9-7)

5) Carolina Panthers (South- 11-5)

6) Philadelphia Eagles (East- 10-6)

NFC WILD CARD PLAYOFFS

CHI vs. PHI- The snow will most likely be falling in the Windy City, and so will the Eagles. With the absence of Brian Dawkins (FA to Denver) and Lito Sheppard (traded to NYJ), Jay Cutler will pick the defense apart.

SEA vs. CAR- Qwest Field is one of the best homefields in the NFL. When they raise the 12th Man flag, the stadium is rocking and the Seahawks are pumped. Although they will be ready to play, the Panthers are the much better team and win in a romp.

NFC DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS

NYG vs. CAR- This is a great match-up, and many people feel it is evenly matched. I feel, much like the rest of the NFL, that the Giants have the best front-four in the NFL, and their constant rotation of players make them look fast even in the fourth quarter. They stop Williams and Stewart, and advance to the NFC Championship.

ATL vs. CHI- A wise man once said that Defense Wins Championships. If Defense indeed wins you championships, then lack of defense loses you championships (or at least doesn't get you to the championship game). Like I mentioned earlier, defense will be Atlanta's Achilles Heel, and the days of their offense carrying them comes to an end.

NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

NYG vs. CHI- This is going to be a great game. Jay Cutler against the NFC's best Defense. Brandon Jacobs, the hardest hitting RB in football, will go up against one of the hardest hitting defenses in the NFL. The Giants win because of their advantage on the defensive line- once again. They will be refreshed and in the fourth quarter they will be going up against an offensive line that has played four quarters- when they only played two. Giants win in a great game.

NFC CHAMPION: New York Giants

There's my prediction- Super Bowl XIV will be identical to XLII--> New York Giants vs. New England Patriots.

Now all we have to do is play the games.