NFL Predictions: The NFC

I did the AFC over the weekend (click here to read it), and now it’s the NFC’s turn.
I know you’re probably thinking I’m nothing but a homer predicting Dallas to do so well … and maybe that’s the case. But if I’m right, then I’m right. If I’m wrong … who cares?
Right?

NFC EAST
1. Dallas Cowboys: I like Tony Romo and the offense around him. I love the defense and the promise of being less predictable under Wade Phillips. The ONLY thing that scares me about this season is that Bill Parcells-coached teams usually don’t do as well the year after he leaves. I have a feeling this team is different. I have a feeling they’ll be strong.
2. Philadelphia Eagles: If Donovan McNabb’s back to 100 percent, this team is a playoff team. If not, they don’t have Jeff Garcia back to save them again. They’ve got some great names on defense: Jevon Kearse, Takeo Spikes and Jeremiah Trotter … but Spikes isn’t what he used to be, and the secondary, outside of Dawkins, is suspect.
3. Washington Redskins: I think Jason Campbell will be an improvement over Mark Brunell, but I still think this is a development year for him. The Skins will be better (the secondary — Sean Springs, Fred Smoot, Sean Taylor and LaRon Landry — is scary), but they’re still a year behind.
4. New York Giants: It’ll be Coughlin’s last year. The team is falling apart. Tiki’s gone. Strahan’s unhappy. Eli’s confidence is shot. They won’t be horrible, but I can easily see them winning between 5-7 games this year. I hope I’m right.

NFC NORTH
1. Chicago Bears: They’re not much of a different team than last year, except they lost a great running back in Thomas Jones. Cedric Benson’s supposed to be the answer, if is career doesn’t follow the path of his predecessor at UT, Ricky Williams. The defense is still great, and Grossman may be better if he doesn’t let the criticism get to him.
2. Green Bay Packers: Verand Morency. Greg Jennings. Brandon Miree. Donald Lee. Who are these people? They’re all starting running backs, receivers and tight ends for the Packers. In other words, it’s a bunch of no-names and Brett Favre. But, it IS Brett Favre, and they got better last year. The defense isn’t half bad, and I can see Green Bay competing for a wild card this year.
3. Detroit Lions: Another team that will be better, but not quite good enough. Jon Kitna’s not the answer at quarterback, even if his ensemble got a lot better with the drafting of Calving Johnson.
4. Minnesota Vikings: The one team that may be worse than Detroit. Tarvaris Jackson doesn’t strike me as a franchise QB … he strikes me as a Jon Kitna. Meaning, he’ll be good enough to get by. Unfortunately, the rest of the team isn’t strong around him. They’ve got a good running game (Taylor and a solid offensive line), but they’re short everywhere else.

NFC SOUTH
1. Carolina Panthers: An up and down team over the past six years, I think they’ll be up again. Delhomme’s playing for his job now with Carr waiting in the wings, and the defense is solid on the front seven. Steve Smith will look more like the Steve Smith from two years ago, and Drew Carter will be an upgrade (eventually) to Keyshawn Johnson … who by the way, I think they should have kept.
2. New Orleans Saints: The Saints will be in the playoffs, so don’t jump all over me. But there’s no way they’re as good as they were last year. First off, everyone’s gunning for them. Second, they don’t have the Katrina factor anymore. I was living in Louisiana last year … TRUST ME .. it made a huge difference. The defense played way over its head last year, and I attribute it to good coaching and some luck. I think the whole team will be a little more down to earth this year … but still good.
3. Tampa Bay Buccanneers: Has one team ever had so many “eh” QBs? Garcia, McCown, Simms, Gradkowski … they could all start, but none for a contender. They’ll still win some games with the defense, and they have an outside shot at wild card.
4. Atlanta Falcons: Vick. Dogfighting. Yeah. Can’t expect a new coach to overcome this, and I just don’t think it’ll be their year.

NFC WEST
1. St. Louis Rams: By far the hardest division to pick, because they’re all pretty decent. St. Louis gets the top nod, however, because I love the offense. Steven Jackson could be the best back in the NFC, and you’ve still got Holt and Bruce (and Drew Bennett, who’s a solid No. 3). The defense will play well enough to win.
2. San Fransisco 49ers: A trendy pick this year, I still think they’re a year away. It’s a young team, and they could just as easily go 10-6 as they could 6-10. Their season rides on Frank Gore’s legs, and the passing game will need to improve to keep it going.
3. Seattle Seahawks: They stumbled into the playoffs last year and won a wild card game thanks to a bobbled snap. They’ll compete, but I don’t see anything more than a 9-7 season again, and they’re finally playing in a tough division after coasting the first few years.
4. Arizona Cardinals: 7-9 could still equal last place in this division, and my picking Arizone 4th doesn’t mean they don’t have a shot. I like Matt Leinart and his receivers, but the defense is still lagging. There will be a lot of 35-31 games this season.

WILDCARDS: Philadelphia, New Orleans
WILDCARD PLAYOFFS: Philadelphia over Carolina, New Orleans over St. Louis
DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS: Chicago over New Orleans, Dallas over Philadelphia
NFC TITLE GAME: Dallas over Chicago
NFC CHAMP: Dallas

SUPER BOWL: New England vs. Dallas
I won’t pick a winner … we’ll just see how close to right I get.