NFC: More or Less?
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by Behbigben15
NFC: More or Less?
North
- Bears (13 wins in '06)- Less: The Bears are only going downhill. They lost some guys on their defense, they got lucky they didn't lose Lance Briggs, and they have a QB situation that every team hates: An inconsistent QB that turns the ball over too much. Not to mention that they lost RB Thomas Jones, and new starter Cedric Benson may not be able to handle the load of a starter. Grossman is by far, in my opinion, the worst starting QB in at least their division. No way the bears will win 13, if they want to win 10 or more, then the defense is going to have a year like last year, or maybe even better. Although, the rest of their division still won't be able to catch up to the Bears, at least not this year. Bears win division with 11 wins.
- Packers (8 wins in '06)- Same: I don't see the Packers winning anymore than 8 games, and I don't see them winning under 8 games. Favre is just too talented to let the Packers go under .500, I just don't see it happening. Favre is still just having fun playing the game he loves, but he still has the talent to lead them to an 8-win season, but deffinitely not the playoffs. You can argue with me all you want, I still think they will win 8 games just because Favre is still playing.
- Vikings (6 wins in '06)- More: The Vikings only real weakness on offense is receiver, I really think that Tarvaris Jackson will shape into a pretty decent QB, possibly a McNabb-style QB. The Vikes drafted a great RB in Adrian Peterson, who will accompany Chester Taylor in the backfield this year, and will be an immediate impact on third downs. The Vikings defense isn't exceptional, but will be good enough for the Vikings to win 9 games.
- Lions (3 wins in '06)- More: Like the Raiders, the Lions can't get much worse, therefore will win more games this year than last. The Lions gained RB Tatum Bell from Denver, and although he got just over 1,000 rushing yards last year in Denver, he will still make a decent combo when teamed up with Kevin Jones. That may not sound like a good combo, but it will take some pressure off QB Jon Kitna, who has a Pro Bowl receiver, along with the NFC leader in receptions a year ago, and a 6'5" 235 pound speedy Rookie receiver. Their defense isn't too strong either, but if the offense performs well, and keeps the defense fresh on the sidelines, then I think they will do just fine. But, the Lions won't win no 10 games (who, according to Kitna, will), they will be lucky to get 8 wins, so I will go with 6-7 wins in '07.
East
- Cowboys (9 wins in '06)- More: Tony, no homo, Romo will live up to his expectations, as well as please T.O. in the year 2007. The Cowboys defense is great, DeMarcus Ware leading the way along with hard-hitting SS Roy Williams, and the 'Boys tough secondary. The Cowboys running game will be great, with outside-runner Julius Jones, and Powerback/TD vulture Marion Barber III will rack up TD's, as well as yards this year. The Cowboys will win 12 plus games this year, and win the division (sorry 'Skins fans).
- Eagles (10 wins in '06)- Same: I know there are alot of Philly fans on this site, and I sadly (for them) going to say that the Eagles will not do as good as expected this year. But, good news (not for Giants fans): McNabb looks good, and he will play all 16 games. But, McNabb on his own cannot, unfortunately, win the Eagles the division title. Big mistake letting go of LB Jeremiah Trotter, who def. reminds me of Joey Porter (only Porter is a better player, and guy). I don't see Brian Dawkins producing as well as he has been, and the Eagles secondary have been hit with injuries. Eagles win 10 games, again.
- Redskins (5 wins in '06)- More: Jason Campbell sprained a knee ligament in the preseason, but should be good to go for Sunday's opener. And the Redskins will need him, I think that benching Brunell was a good decision last year, Brunell did nothing for the Redskins, and Campbell should end up being a pretty decent QB, maybe a Phillip Rivers-type QB. He certainly fits the system, anyway. RB Clinton Portis missed some time last year, and backup Ladell Betts did a nice job filling in (rushed for over 1,000 yards last year). If Portis struggles this year, I don't think Gibbs should have any trouble benching him and going with Betts. The defense looked awesome in the preseason, and should be able to do the same during the regular season.
- Giants (8 wins in '06)- Less: The Giants are in a deep hole before the season even starts, Coughlin was sidetracked, along with Manning. Tiki Barber (former Giant RB) jumped all over both of them this offseason, and Eli has guys jumoing all over him. Manning has struggled, and they now have a RB problem after Barber retired after last year. The Giants are just in a mess altogether, I don't think there is anybody thinks the Giants will win 8 games this year, I don't even think that Giants fans think they will win 8 this year. NY will win 6 games (if that) this year.
South
- Saints (10 wins in '06)- More: The Saints probably have the most faith now, then they have ever had after emerging from the ashes and winning 10 games last year. The offensive success belongs to QB Drew Brees (a top 5 fantasy QB), and second-year players Reggie Bush, and Marques Colston. The defense still has alot of question marks, but they still held up long enough to make the playoffs. If the defense does better this year, then the Saints could go to the Super Bowl. Saints win the division this year with 12 wins.
- Panthers (8 wins in '06)- Same: The Panthers have a big issue at QB, Jake Delhomme has struggled, and newly acquired QB David Carr could be the starter by the end of the season. The thing is: Noone is sure Carr is a decent QB, he struggled at times with a weak O-Line in Houston. The Panthers don't have a question at RB, second-year player DeAngelo Williams had a 4.1 yards per carry last year, and looks promising. The Panthers defense is beat up as well, but should still be a top 15 defense in the league. The Panthers will miss the playoffs with another 8-8 season.
- Buccaneers (4 wins in '06)- More: The one and only reason that Tampa will win more is because they did horrific last year with QB problems, but this year they have a much stronger QB corps. and I think RB Cadillac Williams will have a much better season (no sophmore jinx), although they have lost FB Mike Alstott, who could be headed to the HOF. The Bucs defense has slowed down a little, and they lost DE Simeon Rice, but they have one of the best defensive coordiantors in the league. Bucs will win 7 games this year, an improvement over last year.
- Falcons (7 wins in '06)- Less: This team is going all downhill, after losing the face of their franchise (dare I say his name). They have a rookie coach, who is coming up from college, always a hard transition. They made a big mistake, they traded away their decent backup QB, and now have to count on a QB who has struggled as a starting QB (and backup) in the NFL. The Falcons have a questionable RB i Warrick Dunn (although they do have a promising young RB, as well). Their defense isn't that great either (other than the secondary).
West
- Seahawks (9 wins in '06)- More: This will be a 10 win team if former MVP Shaun Alexander can bounce back after a terrifying season last year. Matt Hasselbeck will have to settle with WR Deion Branch after losing Darrell Jackson to the Niners. Although, I still think that he will be a top five fantasy QB. I like the Seahawks defense, especially their LB's, I think this team can still win the division, though the race will be much closer this year with the Niners right at their heels.
- 49ers (7 wins in '06)- More: I like the Niners alot this year, I really think they have the potential to win 10-11 games this year, and possibly the division, not likely, though. But QB Alex Smith is getting better and better, along with 2006's breakout player of the year (in my opinion), Frank Gore who broke out with 1500+ rushing yards last year. Their weakness on offense is the receivers, but I don't think that will affect Smith's game that much. San Fran added CB Nate Clements from the Bills this offseason, and drafted LB Patrick Willis in the first round this year. Their defense is much better this year, and the Niners will win 10 games this year.
- Rams (8 wins in '06)- Same: The reason they will win the same amount of games this year than last, is because the Rams defense and is weak. Steven Jackson will be the MVP of the league this year (yes, I think he will beat out L. T.), Bulger is an awesome QB and he has WR's Torry Holt and aging Isaac Bruce (along with newcomers Drew Bennett, and Dante Hall). Bulger, and Jackson will lead the offense to the top five offenses in the NFL, but, although they have added some good players on defense (drafted Adam Carriker) the defense just isn't good enough, at least they weren't last year. The defense looks good to me, but they just haven't come through in the past for them, and this year won't be any different. St. Louis wins 8 games this year.
- Cardinals (5 wins in '06)- More: Arizona added two key coaches this year (both from Pittsburgh), and Matt Leinart will lead the offense with two Pro Bowl receivers (Boldin, and Fitzgerald), the "Edge" will return to his normal Pro Bowl play with the upgrade at O-Line. If Edgerrin James goes down with an injury, or simply doesn't produce, then this may be a different story. But, for now the Cardinals are looking good, even with the defense they have. The Cards will win 7-8 games this season, which will be a productive improvement, the next year if they don't loe any key guys, then they could be a playoff caliber team, but not today (sorry folks).
