Legit NFL Preview NFC Edition

Scroll down to see my AFC Preview....for some reason, it was posted below Travis' opening weekend post.

NFC East
1. Dallas Cowboys (11-5): The Dallas Cowboy 3 ring circus is back in full force. With troubled stars like TO, Pacman, and Tank, this team looks a lot like America's Team of the 1990s. It's tough to predict any other team coming out of the NFC because right now, there isn't a more talented bunch then the Boys in the NFC. If Patrick Crayton steps up and has a good season this year, I can't see them missing the Super Bowl.

2. Philadelphia Eagles (9-7): This Philly team, if McNabb stays healthy all year, is another one of those dangerous teams. While they just went 8-8 last year, it was a fairly impressive 8-8. Brian Westbrook might be the most dangerous weapon in the league. I see good things from the Iggles this year.

3. New York Giants (8-8): If you want to call me biased, that's fine. Sorry Giant fans, but without Strahan and Osi, this team is not a playoff caliber squad.

4. Washington Redskins (8-8): A tough schedule for the Skins this year. Their first 3 road games are all divisional games. This pesky team, which went to the playoffs 2 of the past 3 years (I was surprised too when I realized that), will rollover for exactly no one. This is Jason Campbell's year to step up.

NFC North
1. Minnesota Vikings (9-7): Had the Vikings somehow gotten Brett Favre, I would rate them a bit higher than where they are. The truth is, I don't trust Tavaris Jackson as a reliable playoff quarterback. Their defense, especially their front line, is unstoppable though.

2. Green Bay Packers (8-8): They will miss Favre more than they realize. That's not a shot at Aaron Rodgers, but they went through a significant downgrade at the quarterback position. It will be a struggle for the Pack to make the playoffs again this year.

3. Detriot Lions (6-10): You have to feel for the fans in Motown. They haven't had a quality football team there in years. Last year was supposed to be their year, but they just collapsed down the stretch. Kitna can still make things happen with his arm, but he throws too many picks. On a lighter note, kudos to the Lions for taking a chance on a chubby writer/director as their starting running back. Wait, it's a different Kevin Smith?

4. Chicago Bears (4-12): When your quarterback and running back is Kyle Orton and Matt Forte, you're not going anywhere this year.

NFC South
1. New Orleans Saints (10-6): The Saints ended last year strong after starting 0-4. They have so many offensive weapons and a healthy Deuce McAllister will really help them out this year. Reggie Bush should not be a featured back, but a change of pace back instead.

2. Carolina Panthers (9-7): I immediately regret giving the Panthers a winning record. Jake Delhomme is coming off of Tommy John surgery, Steve Smith is suspended for two games, and they lost DeShawn Foster. But their schedule is kind of easy, so I got to give them a winning record.

3. Tampa Bay Devil Bucs (7-9): While they return most of their playoff team from last year, something tells me that the Bucs were overachievers last year. I'm not trying to hate on Jeff Garcia, but they just don't have the offense to make a return trip to January football.

4. Atlanta Falcons (3-13): I do like Matt Ryan, but this will be a long year for the BC alum.

NFC West
1. Seattle Seahawks (10-6): Seattle might be the most boring good team in all of sports. Nobody really cares about Seattle. They're just there. But every year, they finish atop the West.

2. San Francisco 49ers (9-7): Shocker of the year! I see J.T. O'Sullivan (who Matt Berry and Bill Simmons hilariously suggested has a name that sounds like a bar/restaurant) as a guy who will not make mistakes (a game manager). I really think this is the year that the Niners step up.

3. Arizona Cardinals (7-9): Hey, remember when everybody loved Matt Leinart?

4. St. Louis Rams (5-11): If Bulger, Holt, and Jackson play every game, they can actually be a 9-7 team, but I doubt all three of them will be injury free this year.

Playoff Picks
Wild Card Weekend
Philly over Seattle
New Orleans over Carolina

Divisional Round
Dallas over Philly
New Orleans over Minnesota

Conference Championship
Dallas over New Orleans

Super Bowl
New England over Dallas

I am a homer.