NFC East
The New York Giants could potentially set a new record this year by being the only NFL team not to throw a pass since the forward pass was legalized in 1907. With Plaxico "what's a gun holster" Burress sitting in jail, the Giants have decided that fielding a wide receiver with more than 100 career receptions is highly overrated. Here's guessing that Brandon Jacobs
will be quite busy this season. It shouldn't matter, as the Giants boast arguably the best front seven in the NFL and Eli Manning should be able to make enough plays to win some ball games. The Eagles decided that they missed the days of Terrell Owens press coverage and drama, so they decided to add the dog fighter himself, Mike "the killer" Vick, to their lineup in an effort to introduce the Wildcat offence to their play book. Here's hoping Vick doesn't hate all animals. The Eagles are hoping to build on last season's NFC Conference Championship appearance and annual Donovan McNabb dry heave by winning the big one. I'm not so sure. It seems like this year is going to be Brian Westbrook's swan song, and the Eagle's young receivers may be a year or two away yet.
Dallas cut Terrell Owens and Tony Romo cut Jessica Simpson, meaning their may be a drama shortage in big D. That should work out well for Romo and his new beau, Jason Witten. The questions that surround the Cowboys are the following: 1) can Roy Williams be a #1 receiver? 2) Can the Cowboys defence match the missed tackle record they set last year in their 44-6 loss in their final regular season game to the Philadelphia Eagles? 3)
Did Jerry Jones forget to fire Wade Phillips, or does he actualyl thinks he deserves a job?. Too many questions, not enough answers.The Redskins stunk down the stretch last year and made no improvements to their offence. They did; however, improve their defence by signing Albert Haynesworth. They'll be tough to score on, but it is unlikely that Jason Campbell will provide enough offence to win more than a half dozen ball games. In related news, Clinton Portis should sign contracts with touches per yer incentives. He's going to be out of the league by the time he is thirty but he'll make a great addition to an NFL pre-game show somewhere.
Giants will take the division. No Wildcard.
NFC North
For the past half dozen years, this division has thanked the NFC West for overshadowing them as the laughing stock of the NFL. Oh how the times of change. A Jay Cutler trade and 43rd comeback from Brett Favre have changed the face of this division. It may now be the toughest division in football. Well, if you ignore the 4th team in the division.
The Bears have finally locked down a franchise quarterback for the first time since Jim McMahon by trading a lot of draft picks and Neckbeard to the Homer Simpson owned (and apparently run) Denver Broncos. Suddenly, the Bears are sporting a high octane offence and their defence looks re-committed so far this pre-season (probably because they havean offence to compliment them for the first time in 23 years). The Bears look Super Bowl dangerous; however, they have the same issue at receiver as the Giants.
Nevertheless, Greg Olsen is setup to have a breakout year, and Earl Bennett seems right at home with his former college teammate, Cutler. Throw in budding superstar, Matt Forte, and home run threat, Devin Hester, and this team could put up a lot of points.
The Packers are not looking back as they proceed into year two of the Aaron Rodgers era. Rodgers was exceptional last year. Unfortunately the Rack could not run the ball or stop other teams from scoring.
Their defence seems to have rebounded this year, and Ryan Grant is hoping to overcome the sophomore jinx. expect a bounce back year from the Packers.Oh karma. It just feels like the Minnesota Vikings are owed a kick to the groin for their dealings with Brett Favre. If not them, Favre himself deserves one. He has spit in the face of the karma Gods by signing with his longtime team's arch rivals in Minnesota. Nevertheless, the Vikings are setup very well with their need addressed at qb, the best running back in the game, Adrian Peterson, some young receivers to compliment bomber, Bernard Berrian, and one of the best defences in the league. Their two showdowns this year with the Packers could be legendary.
Oh Detroit, Detroit, Detroit. The Red Wings choked away game seven, the Pistons have blown their team up, and the Detroit Lions folded after Barry Sanders retired, yet they haven't informed their fan base and continue to take money from them every year. I won't even mention the economy. The Lions have destroyed another career by drafting Matthew Stafford with the first overall pick. Tough break, Matthew. For the record, the Lions went 0-16 last year and are 1-23 over their last 24 games. I see room for improvement.
Bears take the division and Packers take the wildcard. The Vikings should make the playoffs, but I'm predicting bad karma will knock them off course. It just has to.
Part 2 of the NFC preview will be posted tomorrow......maybe
