NFC EAST
1) Philadelphia Eagles (12-4)
What I Like: The Eagles were the undisputed champions of this condensed offseason. They added Nnamdi Asomugha, Cullen Jenkins, Ronnie Brown, Jason Babin, and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in the Kevin Kolb heist. Also, they stole Steve Smith away from the Giants. They were already very good before they made all those moves, so the Eagles have stacked the deck for this season. Mike Vick will be the key factor for them, and he is going to be an MVP candidate. Throw in the receiving corps and Lesean McCoy, and you have to like where they are as a team. The have locked and loaded for a big 2011 season.
What I Don't Like: Football is not like the other sports. Yes, you have to have talent to win, but in football you can't expect to just put all these names together and expect to easily go 14-2 or 15-1. Football is more complicated then that. Also, the Eagles have put the bullseye on their back, and the expectations might be too much for them at times.
Prediction: 12-4 and winners of the NFC East.
2) Dallas Cowboys (10-6)
What I Like: Tony Romo is coming back from injury, so that will help them right off the bat. Some people like to kill Romo, but put the tape on from last year's win over Houston, and you see how important he is and just how good he is. Also, you have to like what you see out of Jason Garrett as a head coach, and he seems to have them on the right path, unlike last year's debacle under Wade Phillips. They can really make up ground this year from weeks 7-13 with games against the Rams, Bills, at Wash, Miami, and at Arizona.
What I Don't Like: They are so far behind the Eagles, that it is not even close. There is no shot they can win the division, unless the Eagles completely implode. Their secondary is still shaky, and their offensive line could still have some trouble. Let's face it: The Cowboys haven't gotten a lot of press this offseason, but they are still a national draw, and they are not sneaking up on anyone.
Prediction: 10-6 and a wild card berth
3) New York Giants (8-8)
What I Like: They still have a good head coach in Tom Coughlin, and their core of Eli, Jacobs, Bradshaw, Manningham, Nicks, Tuck, Webster, Thomas, and Rolle is still pretty much in place. The Giants also are always competitive and didn't have too many holes to fill in the offseason. There are not that many things that a 10-6 needs to do to take the next step, and the Giants are in that boat.
What I Don't Like: I don't like anything that happened this offseason for them. First, the Osi Umenyiora situation is a major distraction and problem. They cut Shaun O'Hara and Rich Seubert, they lost Barry Cofield and Kevin Boss in free agency, and they lost Prince Amukamara for two months. To add insult to injury Steve Smith goes and signs with the Eagles. Their schedule down the stretch is absolutely brutal. Their last seven games look like this: Philly, at New Orleans, Green Bay, at Dallas, Washington, at Jets, and Dallas. Tom Coughlin could lose his job if the G-Men miss the playoffs, and it looks like the Giants might be headed that way.
Prediction: 8-8 and third place in the NFC East.
4) Washington Redskins (7-9)
What I Like: Mike Shanahan is still a very good NFL coach despite what happened last year. They were able to add some receivers in free agency this offseason, and their defense has another year to develop in the 3-4 scheme. Rex Grossman and John Beck are not big time QBs, but perhaps Shanny can get enough out of them to be a competitive team and in the hunt down the stretch.
What I Don't Like: I was shocked that Shanahan didn't go after a better quarterback in the offseason. He is going with Grossman and/or Beck, and you can't really expect miracles from those two this season. Their defense is still suspect, and they are clearly behind Philly, the Giants, and the Cowboys in their division.
Prediction: 7-9 and last in the NFC East
NFC NORTH
1) Green Bay Packers (11-5)
What I Like: Aaron Rodgers has made the leap and now he has a Super Bowl ring to boot. Rodgers is now an elite QB in the NFL, and as long as he stays healthy, he will make the Packers a threat to repeat. Plus, Green Bay has done a great job of drafting and developing their own talent. They are still loaded on offense, and I wouldn't expect a Super Bowl hangover from this group.
What I Don't Like: Being the defending Super Bowl champs, the Packers will have the target on their back all season long. It is not easy getting up every single week for every other team's best shot, so it is definitely not going to be easy for them.
Prediction: 11-5 and winners of the NFC North
2) Detroit Lions (9-7)
What I Like: The Lions have slowly built themselves a talented football team. They have the QB in Matt Stafford, and they have talent all over that offense. We know the impact of Ndamukong Suh on that defense, but you could just tell last year that the Lions were starting to make the jump. They finished 2010 with four straight wins, and I learned from last year that if I like a team, don't wait a year for them- just go with it. The Lions are the surprise team of 2011, and they will make their first playoff appearance since 1999.
What I Don't Like: Stafford hasn't stayed healthy his first two years, and I'm a little shaky about Jim Schwartz and his gameday management. They do have to play the NFC South which is a tricky division for them, and their own division is very competitive. They also might buy into their own hype too. If they come out believing their own hype, then they are screwed.
Prediction: 9-7 and a wild card berth
3) Minnesota Vikings (8-8)
What I Like: Donovan McNabb was a nice pickup at QB, and I think McNabb will play well this year. They still have Adrian Peterson and Percy Harvin on offense. The players will actually want to play for head coach Leslie Frazier, and no one is really giving them a chance. They will surprise some people, and they will be in the hunt for a playoff spot down the stretch.
What I Don't Like: If McNabb is toasted, then they are handing over the reins to rookie quarterback Christian Ponder. Their defense is no longer what it once was, and they need more playmakers on offense. Frazier could do no wrong once he took over for Brad Childress, but now the spotlight is really on him. We'll find out if he wilts under the pressure of being a NFL head coach week in and week out with a rabid fanbase.
Prediction: 8-8 and third in the NFC North
4) Chicago Bears (5-11)
What I Like: The Bears did get Gabe Carimi in the draft to help with the offensive line. Marion Barber could help them in short yardage and goal line situations. Roy Williams has to been at least a small upgrade at wideout. Jay Cutler put this team on his back at times last year, and I would expect him to continue to develop as a franchise quarterback.
What I Don't Like: This team really overachieved last year, and it is hard to see them taking equaling last year's 11-5 record. Their defense is another year older, and I'm never going to be sold on head coach Lovie Smith. Cutler can be erratic we know that, and losing Olin Kreutz just seems like a really bad blow. Their first three games are brutal: Atlanta, at NO, and Green Bay, and they could get off to an 0-3 start. I just find it hard for the Bears to take the next step this season.
Prediction: 5-11 and last in the NFC North
NFC SOUTH
1) New Orleans Saints (10-6)
What I Like: Anytime Drew Brees is your QB, you have a good chance to be a contender. The Saints are well-coached under Sean Payton, and adding Mark Ingram will help their toughness and their running game. The Saints also have the motivation of how last season ended with a shocking loss at Seattle in the NFC Wild Card game. You just get the feeling that they are ready to explode back into the mix of the NFC.
What I Don't Like: Their division is very tough and competitive, so the Saints will be challenged every wee, and there are no easy games. How much did they gain on the Falcons? Their division is a lot tougher then the past two seasons, and their out of division schedule includes the Packers, Bears, Lions, Vikings, Indy, Houston, Tennessee, Jacksonville, and the Giants.
Prediction: 10-6 and winners of the NFC South
2) Atlanta Falcons (8-8)
What I Like: Matt Ryan is definitely a franchise type QB, and he will continue to progress. Head coach Mike Smith has done a great job in changing the culture in Atlanta, and the Falcons have quietly built one of the league's top franchises. Adding a dynamic playmaker with Julio Jones to Roddy White should make them more explosive. Getting Ray Edwards in free agency will be a nice compliment to John Abraham.
What I Don't Like: The way that they got destroyed by the Packers just leaves a bad taste in my mouth. It reminds of how when Carolina got beat by Arizona in the 2008 playoffs, and it seemed to send the Panthers into a tailspin that continued into the next season. I think the Falcons are talented, but sometimes teams just don't get the breaks that they did the year before. Something just tells me that the Falcons are going to fall short of their expectations in 2011.
Prediction: 8-8 and second in the NFC South
3) Carolina Panthers (7-9)
What I Like: Things can't get worse than it did with last year's 2-14 season. The Cam Newton factor is definitely intriguing, and they were able to resign their top talent (DeAngelo Williams, Charles Johnson and Jon Beason), add Jeremy Shockey and Greg Olsen, and get Steve Smith to buy in. The Panthers have to look of a really feisty team and will surprise a lot of people.
What I Don't Like: Obviously, anytime you break in a new head coach and rookie quarterback, you are going to have some struggles. We don't know what to expect from Ron Rivera and Cam Newton, and at times it could get dicey. They are in a tough division and are miles behind the Saints and Falcons.
Prediction: 7-9 and third in the NFC South
4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-10)
What I Like: As much as I continue to be a non-believer, Josh Freeman played very well last year, and he looks like he could become a next level guy in the NFL. If Freeman builds off last season, then the Bucs could become legitimate contenders.
What I Don't Like: Freeman was great last year, but I need to see it again. Also, Raheem Morris did a great job last year, but I'm still not sold on him either. I need to see it again from the bot of them. The Bucs are also getting a lot of publicity this offseason, and I just see them failing to meet those expectations.
Prediction: 6-10 and last in the NFC South
NFC WEST
1) Arizona Cardinals (9-7)
What I Like: The move for Kevin Kolb was essential, and I expect him to play really well and help the Cardinals offense. Any kind of play by Kolb this season will be better then what the Cards had last year with their quarterback position. Plus, Ken Whisenhunt is a really good NFL head coach, and he will get the Cardinals back on track.
What I Don't Like: I'm nervous that Kolb could be injury prone or just simply have a rough time in his first real year as a starter. If he struggles, then the Cards are in deep trouble.
Prediction: 9-7 and winners of the NFC West
2) San Francisco 49ers (8-8)
What I Like: Watch how well coached the Niners are this year under Jim Harbaugh as opposed to when the Niners were coached by Mike Singletary. The 49ers look like they will fit the Harbaugh style of a team: Physical, strong, and grinding. The Niners are headed in the right direction.
What I Don't Like: Alex Smith is still the team's quarterback. No offense to Smith, but we have seen that he is simply not the guy in San Francisco. If the Niners had added Matt Hasselbeck or Donovan McNabb, then I would have thought about them stealing the division. They didn't, and I think they are one year away from the playoffs.
Prediction: 8-8 and second in the NFC West
3) St. Louis Rams (7-9)
What I Like: Sam Bradford looked like the real deal last year, and he should continue to progress as a franchise-type QB. Josh McDaniels and Bradford could be a lethal combination. Steve Spagnuolo got the Rams from 1-15 to 7-9, and he looks like he can be a very successful head coach. The Rams look like they are headed in the right direction.
What I Don't Like: I did like adding McDaniels as the offensive coordinator, but this year it might be a little tricky. Bradford might struggle more considering he didn't have anytime to learn the offense in the offseason. Plus, it will be interesting to see how Spags feels about McDaniels play-calling and offensive decision making. I don't think it will be a perfect marriage to start. The Rams will be everyone's pick to win the West, but they might not be able to meet the expectations. The Rams still look like they are a year away.
Prediction: 7-9 and third in the NFC West
4) Seattle Seahawks (4-12)
What I Like: They did add Sidney Rice in free agency, and Pete Carroll seems to have really gotten his players to buy in to his program. They were able to keep Brandon Mebane on their defensive line, and added Zach Miller and Robert Gallery from the Raiders.
What I Don't Like: How could the Seahawks let Matt Hasselbeck go? If they were going to let him go, how do they think that Tarvaris Jackson is the answer? Jackson is not a big-time, starting QB in the NFL. I'm sorry but the Seahawks completely screwed up their season by going with Jackson. They missed the boat on their replacement for Hasselbeck, and it will cost them dearly.
Prediction: 4-12 and last in the NFC West.
NFC PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS:
1) Philly (12-4) NFC East
2) Green Bay (11-5) NFC North
3) New Orleans (10-6) NFC South
4) Arizona (9-7) NFC West
5) Dallas (10-6) Wild Card
6) Detroit (9-7) Wild Card
Wild Card Weekend
3-New Orleans over 6-Detroit (The Saints knock off the young Lions in New Orleans.)
5-Dallas over Arizona (The Cowboys get their second playoff win in three years.)
Divisional Weekend
1-Philly over 5-Dallas (A classic rivalry meets the playoffs as Vick gets the Eagles to the NFC Title Game.)
3-New Orleans over 2-Green Bay (The Saints defeat the Packers in Lambeau in a rematch of the last two Super Bowl winners.)
NFC Championship
3-New Orleans over 1-Philly (Brees outduels Vick as the Saints head to their second Super Bowl in three years.)
Next Time........AFC Predictions!!!!
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