The Bizniz, Volume 2, Issue 11 ARCHIVE

9/5/07

NFL, kids. The time has come for a full-blown NFL season preview.

I'll look first at the lesser of the league's two conferences, the NFC.
**-Division Winner *-Wild Card

NFC East: Predicted Order of Finish (with record)
1.) Dallas (10-6)**
2.) Philadelphia (10-6)*
3.) New York G (7-9)
4.) Washington (6-10)
The question in this division is can Donovan McNabb stay healthy and bounce back from his season-ending knee injury last year. If he does, then Philly will be a big-time player in the NFC. Dallas' QB, Tony Romo, must also bounce back from a disappointing finish to an otherwise great season. Both teams will have good defenses (both were in the top half of NFL D's in total defense, 15^th and 13^th respectively last year; both should be improved this year.) I think they'll battle all year for the division crown. The Giants likely take a step back with the loss of Tiki Barber. Eli Manning is developing and they have some good weapons (Jeremy Shockey, Plaxico Burress, etc.) but they lack something-maybe continuity and confidence in their coach, Tom Coughlin, who lives in the hot seat. Washington is still a few years away, looking for Jason Campbell to be a star (I'm big on the guy) and other young players to step up. They have an awful lot of money invested in a coaching staff that provided 5 wins last year.


NFC North: Predicted Order of Finish (with record)
1.) Chicago (11-5)**
2.) Green Bay (7-9)
3.) Minnesota (6-10)
4.) Detroit (4-12)

Chicago is clearly the class of this division. They will be money on defense again. The questions remain on the offensive side of the ball, however. Can Rex Grossman be a viable NFL starter? Can Cedric Benson provide the rushing game of Thomas Jones now that Benson is the guy? I think they'll be ok again. Brett Favre is a gamer but aren't we all sick of the guy by now? Does he really think the Packers can compete? Brad Childress was a dud in his first year at the helm in Minnie. The Vikes have talent, but it's young and unproven; they're a ways away. Detroit is Detroit. The Lions will be pretty bad again but they have some positives to look forward to for the future, namely the tandem of Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson. I still say they should've addressed other needs rather than draft receiver 1 for the 26^th straight year.


NFC South: Predicted Order of Finish (with record)
1.) Panthers (11-5)**
2.) Saints (11-5)*
3.) Buccaneers (6-10)
4.) Falcons (4-12)

I had the Panthers in the Super Bowl (independent of any other source) last year and that didn't work out too well. I'm backing them again this year to make a playoff run. It seems like many people are getting off the Jake Delhomme train, but not I. I still think the guy is a leader and has the tools to get it done. Steve Smith is great and Dwayne Jarrett was a steal in the draft. Julius Peppers is still among the league's best and most versatile defenders. The Saints surprised us all but they won't sneak up on anyone this year. Drew Brees was healthy and Marques Colston was a find in round 7. Reggie Bush will only get better, too. The D was much improved and the O was numero uno. They'll be right there again, though I still think they have questions at WR. The Bucs were a big flop a year after making the playoffs in '05. Is Jeff Garcia the guy? Tampa's still built on defense and they have injected some youth into an aging corps. The offense must improve from 29^th in total O, though, or it will be another long season for Chucky. Atlanta must deal with the loss of Mike Vick. Joey Harrrington is the guy. Not good. With all the off field distractions this off- and preseason, it will be amazing if the Falcons an even play at .500. The D has questions and now so does the O.


NFC West: Predicted Order of Finish (with record)
1.) Seattle (10-6)**
2.) St. Louis (8-8)
3.) San Francisco (8-8)
4.) Arizona (7-9)

This division will be a lot of fun to watch all year, both because of stellar offenses, but also because it should be extremely tight all year. The Seahawks should be right in the mix once again, as they bring back the mainstays from the last several years of playoff runs, like Matt Hasselbeck, Shaun Alexander, Walter Jones, and the like. They were middle of the pack in both offense and defense in '06 and they figure to improve in both areas. They have health concerns but they should be right there. The Rams are again right under the radar in terms of contention. Marc Bulger is solid and Steven Jackson's a budding star but they have some questions, particularly on D where they finished 23^rd in total D last year. The 49ers have made some strides but you get the feeling that Mike Nolan's time is now to make a playoff push. Alex Smith is starting to show the promise that made him a 1 overall pick and a healthy Vernon Davis will go a long way to help this team. I'm not a big Darrell Jackson fan, but the 9ers think he can be a front line receiver. San Fran was 26^th in the league in both sides of the ball last season-that simply won't cut it this year. Arizona will again be a chic pick to make some noise. Ken Whisenhunt comes in as the coach and has some serious weapons, arguably better than those any of his Pittsburgh offenses. Matt Leinart showed flashes and Edgerrin James was a solid contributor. Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin are the best duo in the league, apologies to Harrison and Wayne. There really aren't any excuses for the Cards not to be competitive. We'll see if they are.