NFC East:
1. Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles are past the whole "dream-team" drama. Vince Young is gone, and so is all the super-hype in Philadelphia. The Eagles didn't make that much of a splash in free agency like last year, but made excellent moves this offseason acquiring linebacker DeMeco Ryans via trade with Houston, and having an excellent draft to further improve the defense with first round pick defensive tackle Fletcher Cox and second picks in linebacker Mychal Kendricks and defensive end Vinny Curry. The key is the health of quarterback Micheal Vick and the rest of the offense. Record: 13-3
2. New York Giants*: It is very hard to put the defending Super Bowl champions not winning their division, but the Eagles I believe are just that much better. It also hurts the Giants cause when they made the run based off they got hot at the right time, at the end of the year. But that doesn't mean you should count out New York. The Giants are still a very good team and improved in the draft. The Giants just need to play more consistently and not lose to teams such as the Redskins like they did last year. Also be on a lookout for the players Big Blue drafted last year. None had much of impact due to injuries and look to make one now. Record: 12-4
3. Dallas Cowboys: Much has been made about the Cowboys being aggressive in the offseason. The Cowboys did improve in the secondary by signing free agents Brandon Carr and Brodney Pool and then trading their second round pick to move up eight slots to grab LSU corner Morris Claiborne in the first round. However, with those moves, the Cowboys don't seem to be the stacked team they say they are. The Cowboys are lacking in the offensive line, along with consistency in the offense as a whole, and there is no answer for a pass rusher opposite DeMarcus Ware. Those are key holes that they have not filled, and it will cost them when it comes to a playoff run. Record: 9-7
4. Washington Redskins: The Redskins are still in rebuilding mode. Even though that is hard to think about since they made the bold move to mortgage their drafts for the next two years to move up and select Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III, but it will most likely be a tough season for RG3. The defense is excellent, as it has stars such as Brian Orakpo, London Fletcher and DeAngelo Hall, along with an up-and-comer star in Ryan Kerrigan, but the supporting cast on offense is very...bland. 5'10" Santana Moss remains to be Washington's only good receiver, and even though tight end Fred Davis is coming into his own, there isn't much for RG3 to throw to, and he must throw to these guys with a suspect offensive line. Redskins fans should probably prepare for another tough season unless Griffin does what Cam Newton did for Carolina last year. Record: 6-10
NFC North:
1. Green Bay Packers: The Packers are still one of the best teams in the NFL. They still have Aaron Rodgers. The still have their good receivers. And they still have their good defensive players on defense with Clay Matthews and Charles Woodson. Now the Packers greatly improve the defense that finished last in the NFL where they always improve, the draft. Adding USC pass rusher Nick Perry along with Michigan State defensive lineman Jerel Worthy should help the defense improve on their embarrassing year last year. Now the only questions are are can the defense come together and can the offense find a running game. Record: 13-3
2. Detroit Lions*: For the first time in a long time, the Lions have expectations to live up to. Coming off of their first playoff appearance in over a decade gives the motor city some optimism, and rightfully so, the Lions are a very talented team. Even though a majority of the fans disagree with the moves the Lions made this offseason, they were all the right ones. The Lions have question marks in the secondary, but a more consistent pass rush along with more depth should help in that department for another year. The biggest question is the running game on offense and if it can be effective with the passing game. If Jahvid Best, Mikel Leshoure and Kevin Smith can all stay healthy, along with the acquisition of Iowa offensive lineman Riley Reiff with their first round pick, the Lions should have a formidable run game and compete in the NFC. Record: 11-5
3. Chicago Bears: The Bears are another team that has made a splash this offseason, acquiring weapons around Jay Cutler in receiver Brandon Marshall via trade, running back Micheal Bush via free agency, and receiver Alshon Jeffery via the draft. However, although the Bears should win a bunch of games this year, I think they miss the playoffs by not addressing their bad offensive line at all and not doing enough to rebuild an aging defense. First round pick Shea McClellin is a start, but it should also be interesting how they make pass rushing packages around him. Record: 10-6
4. Minnesota Vikings: The Vikings had one of the best drafts in the NFL this past April. However, that won't affect their position in the standings, as their is still much more needs on this talent-starved roster. Quarterback Christian Ponder took a beating in his rookie year last season, and should see some help in fourth overall pick USC left tackle Matt Kalil, but there is still many holes on the offensive line. The defense will get a boost with the Vikings second first round draft pick in Notre Dame safety Harrison Smith, but the rest of the secondary is very poor and the linebacking corps is not in very good shape. Minnesota has a long way to go before they make another run. Record: 4-12
AFC South:
1. New Orleans Saints: The Saints have taken a huge hit with the bounty allegations, losing head coach/offensive coordinator Sean Payton and star linebacker Jonathan Vilma. However, New Orleans still have their MVP in Drew Brees, after getting a nice pay-day, along with the majority of their offense. The defense should also get a boost from new coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who was the Giants defensive coordinator when they won the Super Bowl in 2007 and was a very formidable defense then. The team is looking at major adversity, but they have been facing adversity since Brees arrived in 2006, and they have a record of 63-33 in that span. No change in this year. Record: 11-5
2. Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons are a good team. But
they aren't at the elite status they think they are. The offensive did
get a boost with second round pick center Peter Konz out of Wisconsin, but it
is still a weakness when the Falcons want to run the football effectively. Their
rushing total dropped significantly last season, and most of that was the
offense trying to be more explosive with Julio Jones and Roddy White, but their
line is still at the moment suspect. The defense didn't look that much
better when the offense didn't play much ball control last year. The
Falcons must find more consistency on offense and in the pass rush if they want
to win in what is turning into a competitive division. Record: 9-7
3. Carolina Panthers: The Panthers have found their franchise
player. His name is Cam Newton. Their could be a drop-off in
statistics if Newton suffers the sophomore slump, but he should still put up
some numbers. Now the Panthers have a job to do and that is build the
team around him. There has been a little criticism about selecting Boston
College linebacker Luke Kuechly rather than drafting a defensive tackle, but
the Panthers did the right thing and took the best talent on the board.
The Panthers should see more improvements this season, but it is a
process. Record: 8-8
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: After ending the 2012 campaign on a ten game losing streak after a 4-2 start, the Bucs look to a new direction after hiring Rutgers coach Greg Schiano. The Bucs did acquire some nice talent this offseason with wide receiver Vincent Jackson and guard Carl Nicks via free agency and also acquired talent via the draft with safety Mark Barron (7th overall), running Back Doug Martin (31st overall), and linebacker Lavonte David (58th overall). However, with a new coach and the need to make chemistry, there may be growing pains. Plus it doesn't help that the NFC South is fairly tough. Tampa Bay should make some strides in improvement, but it is a work in progress with gathering more talent. Record: 6-10NFC West:
1. San Francisco 49ers: Although the quaterback position is still suspect for the 49ers, the team is still a very solid team. The defense doesn't need to be talked about because they have too many studs. Again, the quarterback situation is one you would not want to look at if you are a 49er fan. Alex Smith did lead the team to the NFC Championship game with a 13-3 season, but San Fran played more of a ball control offense that worked well with their defense. Now it will be interesting to see how the 49ers handle a more down field offense where they actually throw the ball with new acquisitions Randy Moss, Mario Manningham and first round pick A.J. Jenkins at wide receiver. Record: 11-5
2. Arizona Cardinals: The quarterback battle that takes place in Arizona is shaping out to be a boring one if you ask me. Kevin Kolb is probably their best one, and he is inconsistent and has the injury bug. John Skelton won games for the team in 2011, but he had the second worst completion percentage in the NFL too. However, the rest of the team is pretty solid. Offensive line is a weakness, and that affects the play of the quaterbacks. But, the defense is solid and the weapons around whoever is under center are pretty solid. Still a weak division even with all the improvements around, so the Cards are fortunate there. But the play at quarterback unfortunately takes them down and out of playoff contention. Record: 8-8
3. Seattle Seahawks: Yet another boring quarterback battle taking place here. The Seahawks are going to give the keys to either incumbent Tarvaris Jackson, free agent pickup Matt Flynn who has put up numbers in his two career starts, but they are only two career starts, and third round pick (probably the best one) Russell Wilson. Add that sleeping pill of a quarterback battle with a terrible draft, and you got yourselves another 7-9 record in Seattle. The Seahawks used the 15th overall pick on a pass rusher that is only good in passing situations, and then they signed washed up receivers for whoever wins the battle to throw to. Seattle is lucky the Rams are still rebuilding, or they would be in the basement. Record: 7-9
4. St. Louis Rams: I like what the Rams have done. Hiring Jeff Fisher, not panicking after the Jaguars jumped them and took Justin Blackmon and still had a great draft. But the Rams are still rebuilding and I would expect them to take the big step next year after they acquire more talent. They can compete with Sam Bradford, Chris Long, Steven Jackson and their rookies, but their development will be key for them moving forward. Record: 6-10
*denotes wildcard winners
Playoff Seedings:
1. Packers
2. Eagles
3. 49ers
4. Saints
5. Giants
6. Lions
Finally, coming soon, the entire playoff predictions for each round and Super Bowl match-up and winner.
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