A few days ago I predicted the winner of the AFC. Now it's time for me to crack my knuckles and do the same for the NFC . The AFC is by far the better conference, but that doesn't mean it's going to be easy to pick a winner from the NFC. This conference is like the Wild West and you could make a case for almost all 16 teams. But I'm here to trim the fat and pick a winner from the Blue Conference.
East
1. Philadelphia Eagles (10-6)
2. Dallas Cowboys (9-7)
3. New York Giants (6-10)
4. Washington Redskins (6-10)
The Iggles could win this division easily if Donovan McNabb stays healthy. Yes, they made it to the playoffs last season with Jeff Garcia, but he's gone to Tampa and it looks like rookie QB Kevin Kolb will be second in command. Still, Brian Westbrook and a blitz-happy defense should be enough to to give Philly the division. Tony Romo should be anxious to put that fumbled snap from a year ago behind him and the Cowboys have a pretty good one-two punch at running back with Julius Jones and Marion Barber, but it won't get them into the playoffs. The Giants could be in for a long season if they get off to a poor start. Head coach Tom Coughlin was nearly kicked to the curb after last season and the loss of RB Tiki Barber (even though the G-Men won't miss his mouth) will be hard to overcome. Jason Campbell will finally answer the opening bell as the Redskins' starting QB, but they'll still finish 2007 with double-digit losses.
North
1. Chicago Bears (11-5)
2. Minnesota Vikings (8-8)
3. Detroit Lions (5-11)
4. Green Bay Packers (5-11)
The defending NFC champs should win this division in a cake walk. RB Cedric Benson finally gets the chance to carry the load full-time and the Monsters of the Midway still possess a smothering D. QB Rex Grossman can be his own worst enemy, but he should lead Chicago to their second straight divisional crown. The Vikings could be better than people think even with unproven Tarvaris Jackson at QB. The Purple People Eaters are nearly impossible to run against and rookie RB Adrian Peterson could be a real playmaker on offense. The Lions may have the most talented, young receivers in the league with Roy Williams and number 1 pick Calvin Johnson, but their defense is still piss poor. And how many games will Brett Favre play before everyone starts talking about his retirement?
South
1. New Orleans Saints (11-5)
2. *Carolina Panthers (10-6)
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-11)
4. Atlanta Falcons (3-13)
*Wild Card
The Saints almost culminated a dream 2006 season with their first trip to the Super Bowl and have maybe the most exciting player in the league in RB Reggie Bush. Drew Brees had a terrific season last year even though he doesn't possess a strong arm (I wonder why nobody gives him any grief for that) and even though their defense isn't stellar, the Saints should take the South home. Carolina was everyone's sweetheart pick for the Super Bowl over the past couple of years, but people seem down on them now. QB Jake Delhomme should bounce back from a subpar 2006 and DE Julius Peppers will lead the Panthers to a wild card berth. The Bucs should be better on offense with the arrival of QB Jeff Garcia (they can't do any worse), but there's too much age on this team to make a difference in the South. The Falcons were in trouble with Michael Vick. They'll be DOA with Joey Harrington at the controls.
West
1. St. Louis Rams (10-6)
2. *Seattle Seahawks (9-7)
3. San Francisco 49ers (7-9)
4. Arizona Cardinals (5-11)
*Wild Card
The Rams were terrible against the run last season and didn't really address the problem with free agency or the draft, but I still like them to take the West. Call me crazy. RB Steven Jackson is poised to become a superstar and QB Marc Bulger continues to put up monster numbers. RB Shaun Alexander is coming off foot surgery and has hit the magical 30 mark in age, but he's still a pretty good back. But, Seattle's strength may be in the linebacking corps with Pro Bowlers Lofa Tatupa and Julian Peterson and they should give St. Louis a run all season for the top spot in the division. San Francisco threw a ton of money to lure CB Nate Clements to the Bay area (8 years, $8 million) and have RB Frank Gore (1,695 yards rushing in 2006), but it won't be enough to get them to .500. I'm still not sold on QB Matt Leinhart in the desert, but the Cardinals do have a solid offensive nucleus for him to work with.
When all is said and done I'm going with New Orleans to make it to the big dance. It's the chic pick and usually that makes me go the other way, but all the teams in the NFC are flawed and I think New Orleans gets just enough from their defense. The Saints also won't be able to sneak up on any teams this year, but their division is pretty soft and they'll be hard to beat if they claim home-field advantage. Again, injuries will play a huge role with any team in the NFC, but I believe the team down on the bayou will make it to the desert in Arizona.
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