NFL predictions: NFC

We will do the NFC tonight, the AFC tomorrow.

16. Carolina Panthers... I think Cam Newton will be a good QB in the NFL but right now not much to work with.  They will improve from the 1 win last year.  But not by much.

15. San Francisco 49ers.... Until they get rid of Alex Smith the Niners will never be any decent. Maybe Jim Harbaugh is hoping for Andrew Luck next season.. maybe he figured with the lockout it was better keeping the status quo.  Either way they need a QB to get Michael Crabtree the ball

14. Seattle Seahawks... After winning the division with a losing record and beating the defending champ Saints last year, The Seahawks took a step back with Tavaris Jackson.  Their defense was horrendous last year, Pete Carroll  will wish he was still in southern California, only a year later then i thought.

13. Washington Redskins.... OK Mr Shannahann 1 playoff win since Elway retired and you are going with Rex Grossman? Enough said.

12. Arizona Cardinals.  I would like the them better if they had another receiver to compliment Larry Fitzgerald. going to be hard for Kolb, but this team could be a lot better then people think.

11. Detroit Lions.  Ok they have had an undefeated preseason before, but did you see the way they manhandled the Pats in week 3 of the preseason? this is another team that could go higher if Matthew Stafford plays at least 10 games.

10. Minnesota Vikings.  I probably have them rated too low here.  they made the NFC championship two years ago.  Still have Adrian Peterson.  I think they got McNabb one year too late.  losing Sidney Rice hurts.

9.  St. Louis Rams  -The Rams have a lot of things in place, Sam Bradford is going to take a leap forward with Josh Mcdaniels as his OC.  The problem is their schedule.  Their 1st 7 games Phily At NYG at Bal Was GB at Dallas NO  Wow.. if they could make it to 3-4 that would be a feat.

8. NY Giants... I hate the Giants, I openly admit this, but I really don't know what to make of them.  they have some weapons, I think Elil Manning and Tony Romo are two of the most under appreciated QB's in football.  (wait did i just say that?)  Every time it looks like Tom Coughlin is in trouble the team responds. I think they are 7-9 at best, but i would not be shocked if they go 10-6.

7.Chicago Bears... Here is the problem i have with the bears.  there defense is mostly all in their 30's and Jay Cutler doesn't protect the ball and Mike Martz doesn't protect Cutler.  I think Forte starting and Marion Barber closing could be a good combination, but last year everything went right, can't happen two years in a row.

6 Tampa Bay Bucs... They have a very good young team.  Love their QB their running game and their coach.  its too bad the Saints and Falcons are in their division.

5. Dallas Cowboys... Without being biased i will just state some facts.  1) two years ago Tony Romo became the 1st Cowboys QB to take every snap. 2) Felix Jones doesn't have Marion Barber looking over his shoulder.  3)Every defensive coordinator knows the cowboys best offensive player is Dez Bryant and it keeps them up at nights. 4)Under Jason Garrett the cowboys went 5-3 and were a Roy Williams fumble against the saints and missed extra point against the cardinals from going 7-1.  ok one opinion: The cowboys will make the playoffs.


4... New Orleans Saints.  The Saints are loaded on offense.  Mark Ingram and Sprolles are certainly an upgrade over Reggie Bush. I love Jimmy Graham ... a fantasy sleeper. The defense took a step back last year.  If they go back to two years ago, the Saints can win the NFC

3. Philadelphia Eagles.  Michael Vick Lesean McCoy Desean Jackson etc.  This team is loaded on offense and defense.  Can Andy Reid mesh this team together? Can they protect Michael Vick?  I think the Vikings game last year on that tuesday night exposed the Eagles pass protection. if they sure it up they definitely can win the NFC

2. Atlanta Falcons... This is a team that won 13 games last year added Julio Jones.  Plus they don't have to play pittsburgh and baltimore this year.  Going to be the 2 seed

1. Green Bay Packers.  With all the injures they had last year.  They still managed to sneak into the playoffs and win the SuperBowl.  Imagine Jermichael Finley healthy, with Greg Jennings and an up and coming Jordy Nelson.  Aaron Rodgers is at the top of his game.  The defense stepped up last year.  Could the Packers Repeat? Yes i think they can, and the lockout helped because teams like the Rams and Lions may be held back a year.  It is a QB league now and the Packers have one of the best.

Tomorrow... AFC predictions.