Alright it is time for me to keep plugging away at my NFC predictions. The next division will be the NFC South.
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons had a great season last year. I have a feeling that they will continue to have a great season. The biggest offseason move made by the Falcons was the acquisition of Tony Gonzalez. Normally the addition of a tight end isn’t a big deal. But we are talking about a great pass catcher (especially in the red zone) and a decent blocker. You throw that in the mix with Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, and Jerrious Norwood and you have a potent offense. While the wide receiver position isn’t stellar but it did the trick last year and will continue to do so this year. The one thing that will keep Atlanta from achieving success will be their defense. Either way I think that they will manage to go 9-7.
New Orleans Saints: Here is a team that could win the division. But I think the strength of their schedule will ruin any hopes of winning the NFC South. On the offensive side of the ball you have to start at quarterback. Drew Brees is a stud quarterback.. He will put up solid numbers and connect with Marques Colston and Jeremy Shockey a lot. Reggie Bush will be the feature back. It might be tough on him mentally knowing that him and Kim Kardashian are through. I know that would be on my mind constantly. That sweet sweet ass. Sorry I spaced out. I was on Planet Kardashian. Anyways like the Falcons, their defense will determine their success. The mindset in the past has been to just outscore your opponent and play mediocre defense. The Saints will go marching to a 8-8 record.
Carolina Panthers: The Panthers disappointed many of their fans last season in the playoffs. They were clear favorites to destroy the Arizona Cardinals. However they just didn’t show up at all. During the offseason they were dealing with Julius Peppers and his desire to leave Carolina. But they managed to work things out and help keep their defense in tact. The offense still has its weapons in Steve Smith, Deangelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart, and inconsistent Jake Delhomme. But I hate to disappoint you Panther fans out there but if you take a gander at their schedule you will see how difficult it is. They may have scored one of the toughest schedules. With that being said the Panthers will go 8-8.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The term “rebuilding year” certainly comes to mind when I think of the Tampa Bay Bucs. They have a new head coach. They got rid of veterans like Derrick Brooks, Joey Galloway, Warwick Dunn, Cato June, and Ike Hilliard. Next they bring in Byron Leftwich and draft Josh Freeman to battle Josh McCown for the starting job at QB. Then they sign Derrick Ward to compliment their backfield of Earnest Graham and Cadillac Williams. Finally on the offensive side they added Kellen Winslow Jr. at tight end. I can see the offensive side putting up some points. The real question is will their defense be tough and intimidating like in years prior. At a quick glance at their depth chart my answer will be no. For this reason I see the Bucs going 4-12.
Next the Man Behind the Clouds will tackle NFC West to complete the conference.
Minnesota Vikings: Anybody else tired with this whole Brett Favre ordeal during the offseason? If you weren’t then please crawl out of the cave you were in the entire time. Every time Sportscenter was on it was all Brett Favre contemplates a come back with the Vikings. Oh wait this just in Favre has diarrhea. Let’s see if his poop is in the shape of the Vikings logo. I was so tired of this whole sh*t. I loved how Jared Allen spoke out about how he had enough with Brett. I mean it really took away from the team’s focus. But I digress. The Vikes still have one of the best running backs in the league today. Adrian Peterson plays a major role in getting that offense going. Now many skeptics will say that there still are some issues at QB. Well I think Tavaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels are decent quarterbacks. Decent will do when your defense is awesome. It helps knowing that you don’t have to put many points on the board. They drafted Percy Harvin who is quite the utility man on the field. I will be interested to see how the Vikings use him. I believe that a 10-8 season will easily be enough to lock this division down.
Chicago Bears: For the first time in a long time they actually have a reasonably talented QB. But while they may have landed a QB they failed to put anything around him. Jay Cutler will be ten times better than having Grossman or Orton. He will look like an all-star compared to what Chicago is use to. But someone needs to tap Cutler on the shoulder and tell him that he isn’t throwing to Brandon Marshall or Eddie Royal. But instead he is throwing to Devin Hester. A guy that is still green when it comes to playing wide receiver. Hester has the potential to put up numbers with Cutler at the helm. Same goes for their tight end, Greg Olson. They still have somewhat of a solid running game with Matt Forte. Like the Vikings, the Bears defense will keep them in close games. The offense just needs to put up some points. I believe the Bears will finish 8-8 with their tough schedule.
Green Bay Packers: I really don’t have much to say about the Packers. They drafted BJ Raji from Boston College and that is really about it. It is another year for Aaron Rodgers to take snaps. In all fairness, he didn’t do bad with what was in front of him. Ryan Grant will try once again to invigorate the running game for the Pack. Green Bay will still have Donald Driver and Greg Jennings at the receiver positions. If I am not mistaken their roster is almost identical except for their draft picks. I am going out on a limb that they will have a sub par season and go 7-9. All of which I base on their easy schedule.
Detroit Lions: Wow what can I say about a team that went undefeated in losses? Other than I hope they don’t repeat last year’s efforts! So the Lions had the number one pick locked down I think after week 8 or so. With that pick they took Matthew Stafford. Hey most people think that Stafford is under a ton of a pressure. I respectfully disagree. All he has to do is win one game and he will be the hero of Motown. But Stafford must prove to the coaching staff that he deserves to start over the veteran Daunte Culpepper. I have a feeling that Daunte will start the first couple of weeks. If they see the same result from last year, we will see Stafford really quickly. I also believe that Stafford will come around the week they play the Rams or something and look like a hero. Both QB’s do have the luxury of throwing to the beast known as Calvin Johnson. This kid can flat out play. If he can stay healthy and focused, he will help them win games. With Kevin Smith fresh off his rookie debut, I expect to see him shine like his days at UCF. If the defense can step up their play I can see the Lions going 4-14.
Philadelphia Eagles: Yes I know they signed Michael Vick aka Donovan McVick. You talk about the ultimate insurance policy. Just think about it. Except for accuracy, I think Michael Vick is an exact replica of Donovan. Plus Vick will have receivers to throw to and a gigantic offensive line to protect him. Good move by the Eagles. Even before Vick’s arrival, Philadelphia was going to be my choice as the winner of the NFC East. If you really think about it the Eagles have made moves for today and the future. They drafted LeSean McCoy to back up injury prone Brian Westbrook. They added a rookie receiver in Jeremy Maclin that may have an immediate impact. Then they beefed up their o-line. If Philly can stay healthy, I truly think that they could go places. Dare I say to the Super Bowl?? The eagles will win their division with a 12-6 record
New York Giants: What else can I say besides the fact that I hate them! Just needed to get that off my chest. The Giants won their division last year with a record of 12-4. They just recently inked Eli Manning to a lucrative deal. Making him the QB for the next several years. However Eli will not have many options to throw to. Especially after the loss of Plaxico Burress. They drafted Hakeem Nicks from the University of North Carolina. Plus on the other side of the ball, their defense isn’t as intimidating as it was a few years back. My prediction for the Giants is that they will win 9 games thanks to their defense. I will predict 9-7!
Dallas Cowboys: They figure that big things are coming for the Big D. For their sake they better hope so. The Cowboys will need to fill up the new stadium that they just built. The T.O. soap opera has moved to Buffalo. However the whole drama associated with who Tony Romo is dating these days seems to be a major distraction. I think the Cowboys could get their act together and play like a team. Personally I just do not see it happening this year. Believe it or not but I think that they will miss T.O. If the Lombardi trophy was given away to the team with the best backfield, I think Dallas would win! They certainly are stacked at this position. But you can’t run the ball all the time and expect to win. I think Dallas needs to realize that they don’t have many offensive weapons outside the running back position. At receiver they will need for Roy Williams to step up and be their number one. Granted they have one of the best tight ends in the league that still won’t be enough to strike fear into defenses. I see America’s team going 8-8
Washington Redskins: I really don’t know what to say about this team. The only big offseason move was the signing of Albert Haynesworth. I see their defense benefiting tremendously from this acquisition. They were rumored to be interested in Jay Cutler. Which rattled the cage of their current quarterback, Jason Campbell. Although he doesn’t have tremendous stats when compared to other great QB’s in the league, I believe Campbell continues to step up and improve each season. What shocks me the most is the lack of movement to go out and get another WR and RB to help bolster the offense. Santana Moss and Clinton Portis continue to be two big contributors for the offense. Also throw in Ladell Betts and Chris Cooley. But that isn’t enough to put Washington towards the top of their division. After taking a look at their schedule, I feel the Redskins will go 7-9 and sit in last place in their division.
