Sep 04 2008
2008 NFC Preview
The NFC is harder to figure because there are so many teams which seem to be very close in talent. We learned from last season, that getting hot heading into the playoffs can be more important than a great record and home field advantage. Will we see another New York Giants like run this year? I doubt it. That was very unlikely, even in the parity drive league. That being said, the change at quarterback in Green Bay is the most significant change in the NFC. They’d likely be the favorites if Brett Farve was still there. The Packers are talented at every position, and really the only questions they have is Aaron Rodgers and Ryan Grant’s health. Those are significant enough though, that I think they will be in a dog fight with Minnesota for the division and the potential wildcard teams, Dallas, Philadelphia, New York, Tampa Bay and Carolina. The West is easy, it is Seattle’s to lose. The other teams are terrible, if USC was in the division, they’d place 2nd. The South is tricky, because the division since it’s inception in 2002 has never had the same winner in consecutive years. And I’m sorry to those who believe in Jeff Garcia, it isn’t happening this year either. I pick the New Orleans Saints to capture the division. The North I think will go to Minnesota in a tight one.
That leaves the NFC East, the toughest and deepest division in football. My heart says Philly is prime to do it, and my head says don’t think with your heart, the Cowboys should repeat. I’m going with Philly, based on the fact that they’ve won the division 5 out of the past 7 years, and with a healthy Donovan McNabb, they are probably more talented then they’ve been since 2004. Their return game with DeSean Jackson and Quintin Demps returned 2 tds in the preseason, which was two more than their defense and special teams had all last season. I don’t think the Eagles will be good enough to run away with the division and secure homefield advantage though. Where does that leave some really good teams in New York, Dallas and potentially Washington? I think only one of them can grab a wildcard slot, based on the fact there are some really bad teams in other divisions which will allow a team like Green Bay to secure as many as 4 easy divisional wins. I’m going to go with Dallas, although I don’t like Tony Romo or Wade Phillips (he’ll be gone after this season). I don’t think New York was a fluke; I’ve always felt watching Eli Manning play, that while he was sporadic, he had the heart to fight through anything. However, the loss of Osi and Michael Strahan is going to be difficult to overcome, based on the fact their secondary is ordinary at best, and their system is predicated on Quarterback pressure. I think they’ll stay in the race to the end but fall out in the end.
Here’s my picks for the NFC, with the playoff round they’ll reach in the parentheses.
NFC North
- Minnesota (Divisional Round)
- Green Bay (Divisional Round)
- Detroit
- Chicago
NFC South
- New Orleans (Wildcard)
- Carolina
- Tampa Bay
- Atlanta
NFC West
- Seattle (NFC Championship)
- USC St. Louis
- Notre Dame Arizona
- Syracuse San Francisco
NFC East
- Philadelphia (NFC Championship, Superbowl)
- Dallas (Wildcard)
- New York
- Washington
Dallas is going to have another quick playoff exit to Philadelphia, sorry can’t get on the Romo-Philips bandwagon until they accomplish something. The Packers are better defensively than the Saints may ever be, so they’ll upset them in the dome. Minnesota will have a bye but fall to coach Brad Childress’ former boss Andy Reid. Seattle and Mike Holmgren will relish the opportunity to put a whipping on Farve’s replacement Aaron Rodgers. Since I like Pittsburgh to reach the Superbowl, and am not ready to see a repeat of their matchup, I’m going to take Philadelphia over Seattle.
Philadelphia is your Superbowl winner. Yes, I’m a homer, but I think they have a talented team, with several hungry, veterans who have been through playoff wars. Brian Dawkins, Brian Westbrook, McNabb, John Runyan, Tra Thomas etc, have been through this all before, and unless that group (primarily McNabb and Westbrook) is unable to remain healthy, they will be able to break through this year. Either that or I’m flat out wrong on everything, and the Patriots will win it all.
