Early NFC Predictions

C

Cooley Cadets

Banned
[FONT=&quot]NFC East[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]http://www.nfl.com/teams/profile?team=PHIPhiladelphia Eagles[/FONT][FONT=&quot][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]OL upgrade along with a nice WR and RB in the draft leads me to expect Philly to unseat the Giants as the conference champion. Dallas and Washington will both make some noise but the Eagles should sweep at least one of those teams this year.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]http://www.nfl.com/teams/profile?team=NYGNew York Giants[/FONT][FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]The loss Steve Spagnuolo and Plaxico Burress will cause a transition period that will cost the team a couple of close games. I would not be surprised if the team comes on strong as the season progresses and beats out Dallas and Washington to contend for a wildcard spot.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]http://www.nfl.com/teams/profile?team=DALDallas Cowboys[/FONT][FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]TO may have been made the scapegoat but the problem runs deeper and perhaps holding a grudge against Roy Williams I do not see him as the clutch player to push them to the top. If Romo shows signs of taking a swan dive expect Kitna to make an appearance and McGee to become the future.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]http://www.nfl.com/teams/profile?team=WASWashington Redskins[/FONT][FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Campbell knows he is a leader on the hot seat and although he has handled it well so far if the team struggles expect him to become the scapegoat whether it is deserved or not. Washington appears to be cursed yet another season despite an offseason big name acquisition. [/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]NFC North[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]http://www.nfl.com/teams/profile?team=MINMinnesota Vikings[/FONT][FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]This happens ONLY if Brett Favre makes more than an appearance. Harvin is a nice addition to offensive weapons if there is a player that can bring out his and the others best. If this does not happen expect the Vikes to sink back into the middle of the division as the teams beat up each other despite another great season by AD and a solid performance from their D.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]http://www.nfl.com/teams/profile?team=DETDetroit Lions[/FONT][FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Go ahead and laugh, I will wait for you to wipe your eyes. I admit this is a partial homer pick but the offense will produce with Culpepper at the helm and Pettigrew playing the double role of blocker and safety valve. The reason for the jump is the moves on the defensive side of the ball. The LB corps will become the heart of a rejuvenated D but there have been enough upgrades on the DL and DB to quickly make last years D a faded memory.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]http://www.nfl.com/teams/profile?team=GBGreen Bay Packers[/FONT][FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]I fully expect the Packers to be in the mix of passing Det and contend with Minny whether Favre plays or not. The D has obtained some nice players to assist with the conversion to a 3-4 but the real rewards for that may be a season away. On O Grant will not return to his 1st season production and to much reliance will be placed on the passing game.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]http://www.nfl.com/teams/profile?team=CHIChicago Bears[/FONT][FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Cutler is a part of the puzzle this team has been missing for some time. He has some weapons but not the same caliber as in Denver. The passing game will suffer a choppy 1st year and as a result the focus on Forte will hurt is game as well. The D remains a force but its best days are behind it and will start to show cracks not seen before as some of its stars show their age.[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]NFC South[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]http://www.nfl.com/teams/profile?team=CARCarolina Panthers[/FONT][FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Looks like Peppers is going to stay and with the influx of rookies the D should remain tough. Delhomme should continue his rebound and make due with Muhammed as the #2 WR. It should remain a close race with Atlanta but Carolina should eke it out one more time.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]http://www.nfl.com/teams/profile?team=ATLAtlanta Falcons[/FONT][FONT=&quot][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]The team appears to be making the right moves to make another playoff run. Gonzo is an upgrade and the emphasis in the draft on D should pay immediate dividends – especially if Jerry remains healthy. Carolina remains the team to beat but Atlanta will be competing for the top spot and if it comes up short could be a wildcard representative.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]http://www.nfl.com/teams/profile?team=TBTampa Bay Buccaneers[/FONT][FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]To many changes for immediate success to the extent of pushing them into playoff contention. This new regime has placed its claim to legitimacy on Freeman’s shoulders so expect him to make an appearance in his 1st season. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]http://www.nfl.com/teams/profile?team=NONew Orleans Saints[/FONT][FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]In a close division NO’s drew the short straw this year. The D has several new faces but even if they are an improvement Grant and Smith not returning to form will make the D continue to be the thorn in this teams side. Brees will continue to make the most of what he has to work with but the RBBC will not be as successful as when the Deuce was a part of the equation.[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]NFC West[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]http://www.nfl.com/teams/profile?team=ARIArizona Cardinals[/FONT][FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]The Cardinals repeat as Division champions more by default than anything else. Wells makes the transition from James even if it is not as smooth as desired. Warner does well but can not repeat the heroics of last year. The D continues to develop with some of the rookies breaking into the starting line up as the season progresses.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]http://www.nfl.com/teams/profile?team=SEASeattle Seahawks[/FONT][FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Seattle[/FONT][FONT=&quot] does rebound with a healthy Hasselbeck and Curry does help the D despite the loss of Peterson. If this team can split with Arizona they may position themselves to contend for a wildcard spot but may just as well find themselves as the odd man out.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]http://www.nfl.com/teams/profile?team=STLSt. Louis Rams[/FONT][FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Most of the names associated with their hey-day are gone. The run not the pass will be the emphasis now. The defense will get burned yet but should be able to offset that with the creation of turnovers. The team should improve throughout the season and be in a position to contend next year.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]http://www.nfl.com/teams/profile?team=SFSan Francisco 49ers[/FONT][FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
The overall weakness of this division could see anything even a complete reverse order of final placement. If the QB position just becomes stable Gore and the appearance of Crabtree into the mix of Bruce, Morgan and Hill will balance the offense. The D should be able to hold its own if the Offense is able to produce with any level of consistency.

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bodey24

bodey24

Staff member
I would be shocked if the Lions did not get last place in the division again. I believe the Bears and Vikings will compete for the division, and the Packers will get third place in the division comfortably ahead of the Lions. I also look for the Saints, Falcons, and Panthers to battle for their division and the Bucs to fall out of the race early.
 
C

Cooley Cadets

Banned
bodey24 said:
I would be shocked if the Lions did not get last place in the division again. I believe the Bears and Vikings will compete for the division, and the Packers will get third place in the division comfortably ahead of the Lions. I also look for the Saints, Falcons, and Panthers to battle for their division and the Bucs to fall out of the race early.
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I would imagine you share the same opinion as 99.9% of the people out there regarding the Lions. An easy schedule and EVERYONE looking past them this year will cost a few teams. Noticeable improvements on both sides of the ball won't hurt either.

At this point I see all 4 teams good enough to beat up on each other and would not be surprised with a Chi-town revival under Cutler but I'm guessing he will need some time and at this point some more/better weapons to make this the year.

All 4 of the NFC South teams could take the division but if one does drop out early TB is the most likely - NO at least has a proven offense that should remain very formidable.
 
WesDawg

WesDawg

'Burghapologist
I admire the loyalty, but you're at least a year premature on the Lions turning it around that far. I'll leave it at that since we went on at length about this topic in the Kevin Smith Prediction thread.
 
C

Cooley Cadets

Banned
WesDawg said:
I admire the loyalty, but you're at least a year premature on the Lions turning it around that far. I'll leave it at that since we went on at length about this topic in the Kevin Smith Prediction thread.
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I can fully appreciate that. If I am one thing, it is consistent with donning the pre-season rose colored glasses. At least I tempered it and didn't outright put them on top.
 
WesDawg

WesDawg

'Burghapologist
Like I said on that other thread, I really hope you're spot on with your projection. Would be ideal if they can approach .500 this year and set Stafford up with something to work with in 2010 and beyond.
 
C

Cooley Cadets

Banned
WesDawg said:
Like I said on that other thread, I really hope you're spot on with your projection. Would be ideal if they can approach .500 this year and set Stafford up with something to work with in 2010 and beyond.
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I think the 4 teams in the division are much closer to each other than many people do. Anything over .500 for my Lions will have me loving their turnaround. I'm also hoping they can do that without turning the reins over to Stafford this season.
 
WesDawg

WesDawg

'Burghapologist
I don't have a huge issue with Stafford starting games this year, as long as it's a late-season sampling, like the Giants did with Manning. If they force-feed him in like they did with Harrington, he could possibly be dead by December.
 
C

Cooley Cadets

Banned
WesDawg said:
I don't have a huge issue with Stafford starting games this year, as long as it's a late-season sampling, like the Giants did with Manning. If they force-feed him in like they did with Harrington, he could possibly be dead by December.
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My concern with that is it is a result of a porous OL causing Culpepper to go down - in that setting I would prefer he not be pushed into action before the line can be upgraded.
 
ExperiencedRookie

ExperiencedRookie

Well-Known Member
Cooley Cadets said:
I would imagine you share the same opinion as 99.9% of the people out there regarding the Lions. An easy schedule and EVERYONE looking past them this year will cost a few teams. Noticeable improvements on both sides of the ball won't hurt either.
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I'm not sure what to make of Detroit. Their division isn't exactly the toughest in the NFC, but it's not the NFC West either. The teams in the North are all very well rounded, and without any other team being the whipping post, Detroit remains at the bottom.

Some team in that division is going to be 7-9 and be at the bottom.
 
R

Runnik's Hambones

Active Member
Oh I agree with you ER. I've said that on the radio show too. There's no reason, IMO at this point that Byron should not be the starter. At the least, it should be an open competition between Leftwitch and McCowen.
 
WesDawg

WesDawg

'Burghapologist
Open competition is a stretch.

Should be Leftwich, McCown, Freeman until TB can find a suitor for Freeman.

Maybe they could get 27 draft picks from New England over the next 2 years?
 
Cerberus

Cerberus

In Dog We Trust
I'm still laughing about Lefty being in TB. What is the hype about him? Has anyone besides me seen this guy "play" ? I had to watch him in Jax, Then he came to Atlanta, shortly, when i lived there. I lived just south of Pittsburgh and he came there. I was starting to get the feeling this guy was stalking me. I move back to Jax and boom this dude goes to TB. So the way i see it, anybody tick me off and i'm moving to your town and bringing this loser with me. LOL.
 
C

Cooley Cadets

Banned
Cerberus said:
I'm still laughing about Lefty being in TB. What is the hype about him? Has anyone besides me seen this guy "play" ? I had to watch him in Jax, Then he came to Atlanta, shortly, when i lived there. I lived just south of Pittsburgh and he came there. I was starting to get the feeling this guy was stalking me. I move back to Jax and boom this dude goes to TB. So the way i see it, anybody tick me off and i'm moving to your town and bringing this loser with me. LOL.
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Yo, dumb - - - I live in Green Bay Wisc - do you need a map? Its about time we get Rodgers out of here before I move to Chicago. ;)

Read that 1st part with Red from That 70's show in mind.
 
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Cerberus

Cerberus

In Dog We Trust
Cooley Cadets said:
Yo, dumb - - - I live in Green Bay Wisc - do you need a map? Its about time we get Rodgers out of here before I move to Chicago. ;)

Read that 1st part with Red from That 70's show in mind.
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Rodgers? Not talking about him. GB Wi, been there done that, no thanks. Red Foreman is a trip.
 
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