NFC Review

NFC East

1. Cowboys (11-5): The Cowboys will be an explosive offense the season led by QB Tony Romo. Romo will be fully expected to have a career season with WR weapons in Miles Austin, Roy Williams and rookie first round draft pick Dez Bryant. There are no doubts the Cowboys have the tools to get back to the playoffs but will they perform in the biggest games?

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2. Giants (10-6): Eli Manning has proven to be an elite QB in the NFL but how will he bounce back from an average season last year. The Giants will feature three running backs once again this season with Brandon Jacobs, Danny Ware and Ahmad Bradshaw. The Giants need to get back to their physical play led by their experienced line to contend in the rigid NFC East. The Giants have a favorable schedule which is why I put them so high in the standings.

3. Eagles (8-8): New QB Kevin Kolb will have to replace Donovan McNabb but showed he can be an electric passer in limited situations last year. There will be no shortage in passing options with WR DeSean Jackson, WR Jeremy Maclin and TE Brent Celek. This could be a breakout year for second year Pitt RB LeSean McCoy. This team is very young team and could have some struggles along the way but they are not that far off.

4. Redskins (6-10): Yes, Donovan McNabb comes to the Nations Capital and I am a big fan of McNabb. BUT! I just do not see the playmakers around him to keep this team competitive. Clinton Portis is a broken down RB that will again have trouble making it through an entire season. The best weapons McNabb will have are WR Santana Moss and TE Chris Cooley. The defense continues to overturn now going with the 3-4. It’s going to be a tough year in a tough division for the Redskins.



NFC North

1. Packers (12-4): QB Aaron Rodgers could be well on his way to NFL MVP this season with his accuracy and weapons on offense. Rodgers was one of the top QBs last season and will surely pass those numbers. He’s got weapons every with WR Donald Driver and Greg Jennings. If this team can get any running production from RB Ryan Grant they will be tough to stop.

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2. Vikings (11-5): QB Brett Favre once again returns for another drama filled off season to play his 20th NFL season. Favre was brilliant last year but can he have another Pro-Bowl season? Adrian Peterson needs to help take pressure off of Favre and get over his fumbling issues. When right he is a violent and explosive back with runaway speed. The Vikings need to get their receivers back and healthy for Favre to have success. The defense will once again be dominant led by DE Jared Allen coming

  off the edge.
3. Lions (6-10): Second year QB Mathew Stafford will be expected to make big strides in order the Lions to have success. WR Calvin Johnson will have a lot to do with the success for Stafford his a huge receiver with game breaking speed. The Lions fully expect to improve off last season.

4. Bears (5-11): Hot and cold QB Jay Cutler returns for a second season with Bears. Last season Cutler was plagued by constant turnovers throughout the season. The Bears spent tons of money on DE Julius Peppers to anchor the defense along with LB Brian Urlacher. Will WR Devin Hester and WR Johnny Knox be enough to help the Bears lowly offense?

NFC West

1. 49ers (12-4): QB Alex Smith is now the man in the Bay Area. They are expecting Smith to simply run the offense not make mistakes. The core of their offense will go through RB Fred Gore who is an undervalued back. The WR core should be a value to this team with WR Michael Crabtree and TE Vernon Davis.

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2. Cardinals (8-8): Matt Leinhart is now gone and the reins of the team have been turned over to QB Derrick Anderson. This is a gutsy call for the Cardinals. They plan on returning to the physical nature of Coach Ken Wishenhunt. They expect RBs Tim Hightower and Beanie Wells to give them a controlled offense on the ground. Anderson will be looking for WR Larry Fitzgerald at all times.

3. Seahawks (6-10): The Seahawks need QB Matt Hassleback to be healthy in order for this team to get wins. No team has endured more turnover on their roster than Seattle. New Head Coach Pete Carroll will try to bring his college success to the Pros.

4. Rams (2-14): The Rams will go with Rookie Sam Bradford to lead their team that has a long way to go for any success. This will be a long season for young Bradford who will learn a lot from his experiences for the future.

NFC South

1. Saints (12-4): Will the Saints feel the Super Bowl hangover? I do not think so. This team led by QB Drew Brees will have too many weapons for nearly every team they play this season. The Superdome has become as true as a home field advantage there is in the NFL. Expect three receivers to go over a 1,000 yards in the Saints pass happy offense.

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2. Falcons (11-5): QB Matt Ryan will look to improve on a tough sophomore year. The Falcons dealt with many injuries last season and seem to have a manageable schedule to make the playoffs this season.

3. Panthers (6-10): The Panthers will try to find a QB to go along with their stellar rushing attack of Jonathon Stewart and DeAngelo Williams. The Panthers staple of defense will take a hit with the loss of Julius Peppers.

4. Buccaneers (3-13): QB Josh Freeman will again lead the Bucs who do not have the talent to matchup with the rest of the NFC South. Head Coach Raheem Morris may be the first coach to be fired in 2010.