We’re back for the second part of our NFL preview, this time taking on the NFC and all its splendor. Last year’s results are in parentheses, and teams are listed in predicted order of finish.
NFC EAST
Dallas Cowboys (13-3, lost in Divisional round)
On Offense: Make no mistake: this team is loaded. QB Tony Romo stands safely behind a mammoth offensive line, and gets to throw to WR Terrell Owens and TE Jason Witten, or else hand the ball off to RB Marion Barber. All of those guys made the Pro Bowl last year. In addition, Dallas adds exciting rookie RB Felix Jones, so don’t expect any drop-off when Barber takes a series off to catch his breath.
On Defense: There may not be as much star power on this side of the ball, but Dallas has a championship-caliber defense too. Sack masters DeMarcus Ware and Greg Ellis flank a strong front seven, and Dallas is deep in the secondary. S Roy Williams seems to do everything well except cover the pass, but the Cowboys added Adam “Don’t call me Pacman” Jones, to give them three swarming CBs to defend spread formations.
X-Factor: Dallas isn’t known for being a staid, routine place to play football. There’s always drama, and it starts from the top. Owner Jerry Jones is an egomaniac that gets his hands dirty with this football business. On top of that, the Cowboys have to contend with Romo dating Jessica Simpson, ex-Pacman’s checkered history, and country bumpkin head coach Wade Phillips, who may or may not be able to withstand all of these distractions. His dad’s name is Bum, for crying out loud! He just wants to play the dang ol’ football game, not deal with all these divas! It’s a combustible situation, to be sure.
Philadelphia Eagles (8-8, successfully dodged thrown batteries)
On Offense: It’s the same old story in Philadelphia: RB Brian Westbrook is easily in the top three in the league at his position, but the WRs are again sub-par, and QB Donovan McNabb again has incredibly high expectations placed upon him to make it happen.
On Defense: Philadelphia is perennially strong on defense, and it’s usually because of their fearsome pass rush. Their schemes are the best in the league, and they have the personnel up front to execute them. In addition, the Eagles have outstanding cover CBs in Asante Samuel and Sheldon Brown. The Eagles find a way to plug in tackling machines at LB, so you can expect the Philly defense to be just as strong this year as it has been in year’s past.
X-Factor: As is the case every year, it’s Donovan McNabb. Philly has declined to stock up on offensive weapons once again, expecting McNabb to make up the difference by himself. It’s nearly time people acknowledge that, maybe, McNabb isn’t a once-in-a-generation QB, but merely very good. He was healthy last year, but battled injuries in the years preceding that, and doesn’t have anyone reliable to throw the ball to.
New York Giants (10-6, won Super Bowl)
On Offense: QB Eli Manning isn’t ever going to be his brother Peyton, but last year he came into his own just in time to push the Giants all the way to the championship. He’s still above average at best, but this is an above average offense in general. Brandon Jacobs leads a deep stable of RBs, none of whom are elite but all are quite capable. WR Plaxico Burress had a stellar 2007 despite being injured the whole season, and now he’s back to his disgruntled self. There’s a bit of a fall-off after him, though, as TE Jeremy Shockey is gone (though he might not be missed), and there are a few merely adequate options as 2nd WR. At least the Giants have a superior offensive line, so their offense will always be effective enough.
On Defense: The Giants front seven lost DEs Michael Strahan (retirement) and Osi Umeniyora (season-ending injury), but they seem to produce tall, athletic defensive linemen from an assembly line. New York’s linebackers are steady and reliable, and its secondary is strong. Watch for CB Aaron Ross to emerge as a Pro Bowler this year.
X-Factor: Every team responds to championships differently. New York isn’t likely to experience a hangover, but the truth is that the Giants are still just one of four strong teams within its own division. Expectations may get out of control in the media capital of the world, so it’ll be interesting to see how they respond.
Washington Redskins (9-7, lost in Divisional round)
On Offense: The Redskins’ strength lies in running the ball, with RB Clinton Portis doing the lion’s share of the work. QB Jason Campbell is still something of a project, and Washington is asking a lot of him to compete in this division. True to form in the NFC East, the Skins have a punishing offensive line, and Campbell should have ample protection, but his WR targets aren’t as physical as is ideal for the offense the Redskins run. TE Chris Cooley is a dependable target, and apparently very secure in his masculinity.
On Defense: DE Jason Taylor heads an improved pass rush, no doubt thanks to his fancy footwork. At LB, London Fletcher never seems to age, and Marcus Washington’s jersey is a bit redundant. But Washington is in a bit of trouble in pass coverage. CB Carlos Rogers is still recovering from a knee injury, and there’s no way to replace the tragic loss of S Sean Taylor last year.
X-Factor: There’s just too many things going on to slow this team’s development, and it’s going to cost them in this brutal division. Injuries have halted the progress trying to be made by a new coaching staff, and a slow start to the season might be impossible to recover from, given one look at last year’s standings.
NFC NORTH
Green Bay Packers (13-3, lost in NFC Championship)
On Offense: Hey, what’s going on? There’s a fan on the field throwing the football! Oh, wait, that’s new starting QB Aaron Rodgers, who staged a duplicitous coup and overthrew the previous king. Something rotten in the state of Wisconsin indeed. But Claudius is a former 1st-round pick, and has waited long enough for his chance to never live up to the unrealistic expectations of the football-mad dairy capital of the country. To help him, futile though it may be, is overnight sensation Ryan Grant at RB, and the tandem of Donald Driver and Greg Jennings at WR.
On Defense: For some reason that I can’t recall at the moment, the Packers’ defense hasn’t received much attention. But wouldn’t you know it, they’re pretty good! DE Aaron Kampman leads the charge up front, CB Charles Woodson provides steady leadership in the secondary, and Green Bay is anchored by two excellent LBs in AJ Hawk and Nick Barnett. Why has nobody noticed, I wonder?
X-Factor: Breakups are always hard enough, but it’s especially difficult when your ex had formed such a bond with all your family and friends. That person’s absence resonates so much louder and more profoundly. You try to move on, meet someone new and try to help integrate that person into your life the same way, but the memory of your ex haunts you and those around you, making it nearly impossible to pick up the pieces and live your life again. Sorry, I guess this doesn’t apply to the Packers. I was just thinking aloud.
Minnesota Vikings (8-8, throws like a girl)
On Offense: You may think this offense is all RB Adrian Peterson, but that’s not true. It’s MOSTLY Adrian Peterson. But Minnesota’s offensive line is splendid, so the Vikings don’t have to hide the fact that they’re going to run the ball. The problem stands behind center, and his name is Tarvaris Jackson. He’s likely the second-worst starting QB in the league (see below), and he doesn’t even have a good TE to bail him out.
On Defense: This is where the magic happens for Minnesota. It all starts up front, with DTs Kevin Williams and Pat Williams. They weigh a combined 630 lbs, but they are exceptional athletes. They could beat the Venus and Serena Williams in doubles, I’m sure. Behind them stands a tough stable of LBs and excellent pass defenders such as CB Antoine Winfield and S Darren Sharper. This is an outstanding defense all around.
X-Factor: Jackson’s play is pretty important to this team, but the season rests on Peterson’s shoulders, and will be carried by his legs. There’s no limit to his potential, but he does have a history of injuries. The NFC North isn’t a strong division, so if he can stay healthy, Minnesota has a chance to sneak into the playoffs.
Chicago Bears (7-9, pines for Tarvaris Jackson)
On Offense: It doesn’t matter, since Chicago won’t be on offense very much this season. This is their QB. Their best offensive player is a DB. He’ll get more touches returning kicks than by having it thrown at him. I find this offense quite offensive.
On Defense: Now we’re talking. Kinda. LBs Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs are fast and versatile, and so is Urlacher’s taste in women. Chicago’s DBs are good if they can stay healthy. But that’s a big If. And the defensive line tends to have great seats watching opposing RBs have great games.
X-Factor: The Bears are pretty high on rookie RB Matt Forte, but his starting gig is as much due to opportunity as it is due to his performance. Maybe he surprises and has a good year, and if that’s the case, Chicago can keep its defense off the field long enough to catch their breath.
Detroit Lions (7-9, couldn’t beat more economical, Japanese football teams)
On Offense: QB Jon Kitna is one of those guys who put up pretty good numbers for a guy who never wins anything. He has a pair of standout WRs to throw to in Roy Williams (a href= http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/5894>not this guy) and breakout candidate Calvin Johnson. Detroit should be able to run the ball better this year too, adding rookie RB Kevin Smith (not this guy), and veteran Rudi Johnson. Detroit might score a lot of points, but unfortunately…
On Defense: …They’ll give up a lot, too. LB Ernie Sims is one of the league’s best, but do you think he looks around the huddle and immediately counts down the days to free agency? The Lions have an abundance of nameless, faceless, talentless defenders who are just good enough to start for the worst defense in the league, but that’s about it.
X-Factor: Detroit’s only shot at competing is if they can score, score, score. Unfortunately, their divisional rivals all have strong defenses, so Detroit needs to find balance between the pass and run. This is especially true since they have to play outside in Green Bay and Chicago. If Smith can develop right away, or Rudi can find his form of years past, then Detroit will make things interesting. If not, this is going to be a long season.
NFC SOUTH
New Orleans (7-9, cannot believe they have to deal with this hurricane bullshit again)
On Offense: The Saints had a down season last year, but make no mistake, this is a potent offense. QB Drew Brees leads the way, throwing to WR Marques Colston and new addition TE Jeremy Shockey, or else handing off to the dynamic duo of Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister, the latter having been dearly missed last season. But he’s back now, and the South is a winnable division with this offense.
On Defense: Meh. LB Jonathan Vilma is a nice addition, but New Orleans’ secondary has injury concerns, and the defensive line didn’t generate much of a pass rush last year. There’s nowhere to go but up for the 30th-ranked pass defense. Let’s hope.
X-Factor: It looks like Gustav has done its worst, so thankfully, that won’t be the unknown quantity this year. But Bush is an unknown quantity himself. Is he the highly touted college star, or is he an undersized scat back who can catch a lot of passes but not actually run the ball? If he’s going to become a superstar, 2008 is a good year for him to do so.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7, lost in Divisional round)
On Offense: QB Jeff Garcia will be playing with a chip on his shoulder, after putting in a Pro Bowl performance last year but still having to watch his team make a push for Brett Favre this off-season. Then again, he’s 38, and his best WR is 37-year old Joey Galloway, who still goes by Joey despite being 37. RB Earnest Graham was a pleasant surprise last year, after injuries opened a path for him onto the field. This is a steady, modest offense that tries to manage the game rather than blow up the scoreboard, and it worked for them last year.
On Defense: Tampa’s Cover 2 defense has worked for years, and is led by LB Derrick Brooks and CB Ronde Barber. But Brooks is getting old too, and there aren’t many individual players on this side of the ball that make anyone excited. The Bucs will probably be a tough defense once again, but schemes only go so far without elite talent to carry out the orders.
X-Factor: This is an old team. Garcia, Galloway, Brooks, among others, are all at an age where a sudden drop-off could occur overnight. They are all savvy vets who know how to play, but it wouldn’t surprise anyone if their bodies betrayed them during the second half of the season.
Carolina Panthers (7-9, really took one on the chin)
On Offense: QB Jake Delhomme is back from Tommy John surgery, after apparently throwing too many curveballs when he was only 12 years old. Joining him in the backfield are RBs DeAngelo Williams and rookie Jonathan Stewart (not this guy), the latter of whom is poised to become The Man in Carolina before the season is done. WR Muhsin Muhammad is seemingly ageless (not true. Actual age: 35), and is happy lining up way on the other side of the field from Steve Smith, who is one of the most exciting WRs in the game, but has trouble with conflict management.
On Defense: DE Julius Peppers had a terrible 2007 season, but he is an athletic marvel who can’t be kept down two years in a row. Na’ill Diggs anchors a solid LB unit, and a strong secondary completes the package. Carolina is yet another team with a perennially strong defense, and this year should be no different.
X-Factor: The NFC South is a winnable division, but it is a competitive one. Steve Smith begins the season suspended by the team, and his loss will be a big one. Giving up even one game because of his absence could be costly, so we’ll see how the Panthers cope without him.
Atlanta Falcons (4-12, dogged it for much of the season)
On Offense: 2008 marks the start of a new era for the Falcons, as 1st-round pick Matt Ryan takes over at QB. He may be the future in Atlanta, but for now, he’s going to have his work cut out for him. Helping to take the edge off will be RB Michael Turner, who toiled previously as LaDainian Tomlinson’s sensational back-up in San Diego. Behind him is another sensational back-up, Jerious Norwood, who has actually put up better numbers than Turner. WR Roddy White emerged as a go-to-guy, but passing options are thin after that. It’s going to be a rough year for the Falcons on offense, but they are starting to put the pieces together.
On Defense: DT Grady Jackson will bolster a defensive line that could use the help. LBs Keith Brooking and Michael Boley cover a lot of ground, but pass coverage is where this team will struggle. DeAngelo Hall was a big mouth, but he was also a decent CB, but he’s moved on, and Von Hutchins was lost for the year due to injury. Finding able bodies in the secondary is never easy, and Atlanta has seemingly failed to do so in time for the start of the season.
X-Factor: Even if the Falcons aren’t any good this year, it will be such a relief to not have all the drama of 2007. With Michael Vick going to jail, and head coach Bobby Petrino bailing on the team before the end of the season, last year was a nightmare for Atlanta. The relief the Falcons will feel this year will be priceless.
NFC WEST
Seattle Seahawks (10-6, lost in Divisional round)
On Offense: QB Matt Hasselbeck is stable and dependable. He doesn’t have a great supporting cast this year, as MVP RB Shaun Alexander disappeared sometime last season, and has been replaced by Dallas cast-off Julius Jones. WR is a big question mark, with both Deion Branch and Bobby Engram suffering significant injuries. Nate Burleson is a decent WR, but not good enough to carry a playoff team’s passing attack.
On Defense: Seattle has a formidable defense, with DE Patrick Kerney wreaking havoc on the line of scrimmage, CB Marcus Trufant anchoring a strong secondary, and a pair of elite LBs. Lofa Tatupu is the leader of this defense, and Julian Peterson is the athletic playmaker. Points won’t be easy to come by against this defense.
X-Factor: Seattle takes pride in its deafening crowd, which provides the Seahawks with perhaps the best home field advantage in the league. It’s no stretch to think Seattle could run the table at home, which means merely splitting its road games could be enough to earn the Hawks a first-round bye.
Arizona Cardinals (8-8, but knows how to party)
On Offense: Kurt Warner seems to have won the QB job in the desert this year, and his accuracy will pay dividends as he gives stud WRs Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin a chance to catch every ball in sight. RB Edgerrin James touched the ball 348 times last year, so he’s either very reliable or about to break down. But this is an exciting offense that will give the Cards a chance to win most Sundays.
On Defense: There are some good players on this Arizona defense, namely S Adrian Wilson and LBs Karlos Dansby and Chike Okeafor, but overall this unit is just okay. It might be good enough to keep the Cardinals in the game and give the offense a chance to win, but don’t expect them to pitch too many shutouts.
X-Factor: QB is a sticky situation for the Cardinals. The job was Matt Leinart’s to lose, and he delivered on that. Warner is the better option, but he’s 37 and is prone to fumbling when pressured. If he were to get hurt, there’s no reason to think Leinart would fill in effectively.
St. Louis Rams (3-13, the greatest no-show on turf)
On Offense: Injuries tore this team apart last year, but the Rams’ offense is actually pretty potent. RB Steven Jackson can run and catch with the best of them, and WR Torry Holt is a steady vet who produces every year. QB Marc Bulger can be shaky, but he can also be very productive. St. Louis’ offensive line suffered most of all last year, but 2008 sees the return of a healthy OT Orlando Pace and added depth in case of more injuries.
On Defense: The Rams are strong at LB, with Will Witherspoon and Pisa Tinoisamoa covering from sideline to sideline. Up front, the Rams are counting on rookie DE Chris Long to make up for Leonard Little, who was a disappointment in 2007, and in life in general. The secondary has some concerns, though, both in talent and in health.
X-Factor: With the Rams, injuries are definitely a concern. Every key player on offense is either coming off injury or has a tendency to get hurt. You saw what injuries did to St. Louis last year, and they are threatening to do the same in 2008.
San Francisco 49ers (5-11, reduced its carbon footprint significantly)
On Offense: RB Frank Gore is a threat to score from anywhere on the field, but he might be the only bright spot on this offense. QB Alex Smith has been so disappointing that he’s been replaced by unknown JT O’Sullivan. But of course, he’ll be able to throw to a productive TE in Vernon Davis, who doubles as one of those Terminators you see in Under Armor commercials. Bryant Johnson comes over from Arizona, where he was a decent third WR, but is he a #1 guy? He’ll have to be. The Niners have problems on the offensive line, as indicated by their allowing the most sacks in the league in 2007. It’s going to be a rough year for San Francisco.
On Defense: SF is strong up front, with DE Justin Smith being added to the mix. LB Patrick Willis is emerging as an All-Pro, but there’s a big drop-off in talent after that. This is a no-name defense that rests comfortably in the bottom third in the league in both yards allowed and points allowed, so don’t expect great things from this unit.
X-Factor: One thing San Fran has going for it is excellent special teams. K Joe Nedney is accurate, and P Andy Lee made the Pro Bowl last year. CB Allen Rossum can be dangerous as a returner, and overall SF can use special teams to give them a bit of an edge in field position. But it likely won’t be enough to keep this team competitive.
