Ah, the NFC, typically much worse than the AFC, but still touts some offensive studs even though most of their defensemen deliver duds.

We’ll start with the NFC South (most inconsistent division):

4. Tampa Bay Bucs – Chucky’s gone and the team really has no identity in a pro-bowl type player on offense. 5-11

3. Carolina Panthers – Delhomme determines how far this team goes and he is getting old despite showing some life in his new arm. After Julius Peppers, who is overrated, the defense is soft. 7-9

2. Atlanta Falcons – Matty Ice, meet the sophomore slump. Michael Turner, meet the curse of 370. Roddy White and the addition of Tony Gonzalez at tight end make this a trendy pick, but their defense is too young and their schedule is too hard. 9-7

1. New Orleans Saints – Move over Reggie Bush, Pierre Thomas is in town. The defense will be shaky, but with Drew Brees at the helm of a high octane offense, scoring thirty a game will beat anyone. 12-4

NFC West (aka worst division in football):

4. St. Louise Rams – Someone owes Stephen Jackson an apology for having to play on such a bad team. Marc Bulger is past his prime for the third year in a row. Steve Spagnuolo will wish he stayed in New York. 4-12

3. Seattle Seahawks – If they had a decent running back, they could contend for the division. But they don’t. Hasselbeck is primed for a big return after a long injury layoff with TJ Housh running wideout for him. New coach Jim Mora is going to have to deal with some struggles this year. 6-10

2. San Francisco 49ers – Mike Singletary is the coolest coach and Shaun Hill is the ballsiest QB, but that doesn’t equate to reaching the postseason. It only equates to alot of tension on the sidelines and some good press conferences. Injury prone Frank Gore and perennial underachiever Vernon Davis leave alot to be desired in San Fran, but if they pull it together, the Niners could do some serious damage. They’re almost ready to contend, but not there yet. 9-7

1. Arizona Cardinals – With the ageless Kurt Warner, Larry Fitz, Boldin, and rookie Beanie Wells, the Cardinals might put up forty points 4+ times this year. Still they lack an effective pass rush which will put them in some shootouts throughout the year. 11-5

NFC North (land of drama)

4. Detroit Lions – Thanks Matt Millen. 3-13

3. Chicago Bears – Welcome to Chicago heralded QB Jay Cutler. We are giving you Devin Hester as your #1 wideout! Sorry, he’s all we’ve got! 6-10

2. Minnesota Vikings – Yes, they have the best running back in the universe and their defense is tough as nails. However, Brett Favre will NOT last the season. Sage Rosenfels will not lead this team to a division title. 10-6

1. Green Bay Packers – How ironic that Brett Favre finishes second to Green Bay. The fans will love it. Aaron Rodgers has quickly shown that he is as good a QB as there is and will put up gaudy numbers. Ryan Grant is tough enough to carry the load and the wideout tandem of Jennings and Driver is deadly. 12-4

NFC East (the BEAST)

4. Washington Redskins – The division is just too tough to still be feeling out the QB of the future three years into his career. Jason Campbell needs to step it up or he’s out of DC. Granted they haven’t given him the best receiving options, but he can at least find Cooley across the middle and Santana Moss here and there when the little guy’s in sight. Portis just can’t shake the injury prone tag. The defense is good though and will improve with Haynesworth. 7-9.

3. New York Giants – Eli has proven that he is not just Peyton’s kid brother, but without Plax, he’s waxed. The defense is always on the money, but they won’t have the firepower to win. 8-8.

2. Dallas Cowboys – Wade Phillips turned into a badass in the offseason in order to shape his team up, but with all the distractions of being the largest franchise there is, they won’t win the division. Roy Williams will toil with mediocrity and Jason Garrett, Offensive Coordinator, will have to find a new job at the end of the year. Look out for Felix Jones though. 10-6.

1. Philadelphia Eagles – No, this is not because Vick signed for them, although he does add a wrinkle of flash in their offense. McNabb and Westbrook will dominate and Jeremy Maclin and DeSean Jackson will be great young wide receivers. The defense is solid enough to get the job done. 11-5.

Playoff Picture

Wild Card

#4 Cardinals lose to #5 Vikings (wild card) in a shootout in Zona

#3 Philly beats #6 Dallas (Wade Phillips soon gets fired and Romo goes AWOL)

Divisional

#1 Green Bay beats #4 Cardinals (Kurt retires, Boldin moves on)

#5 Vikings beat #2 Saints (Peterson runs wild, Favre throws 1 TD, 3 INT from a wheelchair)

Conference Championship

Green Bay beats the Vikings. The Pack is back, Favre gets it from what should have been his last team.

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