The Foolproof NFL - NFC Preview

With yesterday’s AFC preview gone and predicted, I move ahead to the NFC. The NFC is without question harder to predict than the AFC, as I predicted the NFC a season ago, and predicted the Seahawks to get back to the Super Bowl and win. I also predicted four out of the six playoff teams in the NFC correctly a season ago, so there is some precedent for me to succeed in predicting the NFC.

So without further ado, here is what will happen in the 2007 NFC.

NFC EAST

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: The Eagles will be happy to have all-world quarterback Donovon McNabb to an offense that would struggle without him. Brian Westbrook is a terrific talent at running back, but with the loss of Dante Stallworth from their receiving corps, Mcnabb will need to stay healthy, and make plays. Philadelphia curiously cut Jeremiah Trotter, but defensive coordinator Jimmie Johnson runs an aggressive blitz scheme that is tough on opposing offenses. FINAL RECORD: 12-4

DALLAS COWBOYS: Bill Parcells is gone, insert Wade Phillips. Phillips struggled in Buffalo, but Dallas a number of weapons around game manager Tony Romo. Terrell Owens seems to be less of a distraction, Terry Glenn had a renaissance last year, and Julius Jones is tough bruising back. Dallas’ defense is terrific and the playoffs should not be an issue barring a significant injury. FINAL RECORD: 11-5

NEW YORK GIANTS: The Giants are down. Despite two consecutive playoff appearances, the Giants will struggle this season. There is bickering in house between Michael Strahan and the team. Tiki Barber is gone, but is still calling out his former teammates via the NBC studios. The one bright spot should be the defense which will feature three solid linebackers, and look for Eli Manning to have his best season as a pro. It still won’t save Tom Coughlin’s job. FINAL RECORD: 6-10.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS: The Redskins were a popular pick to make the Super Bowl last season. However, they fizzled badly and will likely do so again this year. Jason Campbell is good quarterback, and Washington will also have Clinton Portis back for the entire season. But, Washington will struggle on offense and don’t be surprised to see the Redskins in the top 10 of the NFL Draft come April yet again. FINAL RECORD: 4-12

NFC NORTH

CHICAGO BEARS: The NFC starts and finishes with the defending champions. Never has such a successful team, that lost so little been more maligned than the Bears have been this offseason. There has been talk of Rex Grossman, the departure of Thomas Jones, Tank Johnson is gone, but the Bears will carry on, and still be the class of the worst division in football. The Bears have underrated weapons on offense in Muhsin Muhammad, Bernard Berrian and rookie tight end Greg Olson. The Bears defense is still disgusting, led by Brian Urlacher, and paced by defensive tackle Tommie Harris. The secondary with Nathan Vasher should be tough to throw on. Chicago’s special teams led by Robbie Gould and return specialist Devin Hester are probably the best in football. Barring a total collapse by Grossman or the defense, the Bears will probably make a return trip to the Super Bowl. FINAL RECORD: 13-3.

DETROIT LIONS: The Lions are a popular pick this season, and deservedly so. Jon Kitna is a serviceable quarterback with tons of weapons in Mike Martz’s offense. The addition of no. 2 overall pick Calvin Johnson, to go along with Roy Williams and Mike Furrey will be a formidable receiving corps to balance with Tatum Bell. Watch out for the Lions this year, because the playoffs aren’t out of the question. FINAL RECORD: 10-6.

GREEN BAY PACKERS: Brett Favre’ possible last season, will be one of his most difficult. Donald Driver isn’t well, and the weapons around him are not good either. Vernand Morecy? Greg Jennings? These sound like guys who could be working at the local supermarket, not playing in the NFL. The defense isn’t all that sterling either, and it should be a long season for one of the most loyal fan bases in all of pro sports. They won eight a year ago, but they won’t get near that. FINAL RECORD: 5-11.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS: The Vikings are a young team. They have good young players, and should be a force in a few seasons. But not this season. Tarvaris Jackson is the quarterback, and people in and around Minnesota are high on him to do great things. First round draft pick Adrian Peterson should see time, but Chester Taylor is also there to play running back for Minnesota. But the Vikings will struggle mightily. They may be one of the worst teams in all of the NFL. FINAL RECORD: 3-13.

NFC SOUTH

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: The Saints were the feel good story of 2006. With their return to New Orleans, and their emotional trip to the NFC Championship game, the Saints became a team the whole country could rally behind. They were good too, and should have a similar season in 2007 because of their loaded offense. With Drew Brees at the helm, Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister getting snaps at running back, and a deep crop of young receivers led by Marcus Colsten. The Saints have a good defense and in the NFC South, should win the division with ease. FINAL RECORD: 11-5

CAROLINA PANTHERS: The Panthers are just three years removed from the Super Bowl, and just two years removed from the NFC Championship game. But Carolina looked mediocre last season. That trend should continue with inconsistent gun slinging quarterback Jake Delhomme. Steve Smith is the best receiver in football and with Keary Colbert on his other side provide a deep and talented team. Julius Peppers leads a defense that will also welcome back Dan Morgan. But Carolina is just too mediocre. FINAL RECORD: 8-8.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: The seat is hot for head coach Jon Gruden. This season the Bucs seemed to only improve their quarterback unit. Jeff Garcia is in, and is an improvement over either Chris Simms or any of the other quarterbacks that Tampa Bay relied on a season ago. Simeon Rice is gone, and the defense is not as formidable as it once was. FINAL RECORD: 5-11.

ATLANTA FALCONS: The Falcons could be the perfect storm this season. Between a below average team, the whole Michael Vick saga, and a new quarterback, the Falcons will struggle early and often. It really is too bad, because Joey Harrington seems like such a nice guy and Warrick Dunn deserves better. Watch for Atlanta to have the no. 1 pick in the 2008 draft. If it weren’t unprecedented, I’d say this team could go 0-16. FINAL RECORD: 1-15.

NFC WEST

ST. LOUIS RAMS: The Rams have been down for a while now. This is the season they come back. Marc Bulger leads a terrific offense along with receivers Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt. Stephen Jackson is one of the best running backs in the NFL. Watch for the Rams to be the surprise team in the NFC this season, and win the NFC West. FINAL RECORD: 11-5.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: The Seahawks only finished 9-7 a season ago. Despite the trip to the second round of the playoffs, Seattle struggled mightily, being swept by archrival San Francisco. Matt Hasselbeck is a good quarterback. Shaun Alexander is an above average running back. But Seattle’s receivers are too spotty, and their defense, especially defensive backs, are inconsistent. Seattle will be over .500, but the playoffs aren’t happening in the Pacific Northwest this season. FINAL RECORD: 9-7.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS: See Frank Gore run. Watch Frank Gore run. That pretty much symbolizes the San Francisco team. The 49ers running back had a tremendous season a year ago, leading the 49ers to seven wins, as one of the surprise teams in the NFL last year. The 49ers have lofty expectations with Alex Smith controlling the offense again, and beast Vernon Davis as Smith’s no. 1 target. San Francisco will improve, but only slightly. FINAL RECORD: 8-8.

ARIZONA CARDINALS: The Cardinals are a year away from being a scary team in the NFC West. With Anquan Boldin, Larry Fitzgerald, Edgerrin James, and Matt Leinart, the Cardinals have the offensive weapons. But Arizona’s defense is the reason why the Cardinals will be below average in 2007. 2008 will be a different story. FINAL RECORD: 7-9.

So let’s recap:

EAST NORTH SOUTH WEST

1. EAGLES* 1. BEARS* 1. SAINTS* 1. RAMS*
2. COWBOYS* 2. LIONS* 2. PANTHERS 2. SEAHAWKS
3. GIANTS 3. PACKERS 3. BUCCANEERS 3. 49ERS
4. REDSKINS 4. VIKINGS 4. FALCONS 4. CARDINALS

*-Denotes playoff team

That’s it, the fool proof NFL preview that’ll make you the champ of your office pool anywhere. And if an injury or two occur, or something pan out, then I can’t be held accountable for what I wrote. That’s why they play the game. But I’m confident I steered all of you in the right direction.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to tweak my fantasy team. You probably should too.