NFC Preview 2011

NFC East
Philadelphia 11

Philly is coached by Andy Reid A-.  With the FA acquisition of Nnamdi Asomugha A, their defense got a nice upgrade.  Draft spotlight none. Qb is Michael Vick, opponents started to figure him out near the end of the year, but you can’t really teach speed.  He’s a good QB A-.  Rushing attack led by LeSean McCoy B- Defense is likely going to be nasty, A-. I’d ignore the O/U.  start 6-3 and finish 5-2  so 11-5.

Dallas Cowboys 10

Draft spotlight none QB – Tony Romo.  Romo's arm is good and his mobility is a bit underrated B+.  Rushing game led by  Felix Jones B- Defense is generally solid B.  O/U is probably over.  I couldn’t really decide between Dallas making the playoffs and the Giants, but I guess I’ll give the nod to Dallas (sorry N.Y.)  7-2 finish 4-3 so 11-5.  (but Philly wins the tiebreaker)

New York Giants 10

New York has had a few late season collapses lately, but not this year…  This year they’ll just start out poorly and finish well.  Jk, kind of..   Qb – Eli Manning maybe slightly overrated by some and the opposite by others, I think he’s barely worse than a pro-bowl QB, B-.  Rushing attack –   Ahmad Bradshaw  B-.   Defense is a B+.  O/U idk.  They start out 6-4 and finish 4-2 so 10-6.

Washington Redskins 6

 They ‘lost’ Donovan Mccnab, to Minnesota.  And Washington will trust either Rex Grossman or John Beck to lead them to the playoffs.  And guarantees by Grossman aside, I don’t see it happening.  QB likely led by Grossman C+.  Rushing attack led by Ryan Torain C+  Defense if fair B-.  I’d take the U. I have them starting 3-6 and finishing 1-6 therefore 4-12.  I could see them reaching 7-9 or possibly 8-8, but I don’t see them exceeding .500, much less the playoffs.

NFC North 

Green Bay  11

The strange thing about Green Bay is that last year they (obviously) won the SB.  Why is that strange, you ask…  Well the Packers were (relatively speaking) devastated last year with injuries, so generally, since things tend to even out, you would think that this year they would have fewer injuries.  If that would occur, then a 13-3 or 14-2 record would be a possibility for the Packers. 

 Aaron Rodgers is a very good QB A-, don’t get me wrong, but I don’t know if he is a top 5 Qb yet.  Running attack is led by Brandon Jackson   B- Defense is slightly underrated, imho they are a top 5 D  I’d give them a A-.   I have them starting the season 7-5 and finishing 4-0 for a record of 11-5.

 Minnesota  8

Brett Favre has retired.  Sorry, had to throw in a Favre mention, lol.  Donovan Mcnabb was picked up from Washington B-.  I think he has a couple of good years left.  Draft acquisitions Christian Ponder, he’s an interesting QB, right now imho he’s a C-, but I think if you give him time he could be a B.  Rushing attack led by Brett Favre... Sorry just threw that in to see if you were paying attention.  Actually AP or Adrian Peterson is their Rb, he has been a fantasy beast over the years A+.

Their WRs are led by Percy Harvin, who is a great weapon, but not necessarily a very tall receiver…  anyways, since I brought them up, the WRs get a C+.  The Defense is solid, B-.  6-4 then 4-2 to finish 10-6.

Chicago 9

Coached by Lovie Smith.    Qb Jay Cutler…. First off to those who think he’s soft, let’s see you get a knee injury and play through it.  Now that we’ve got the ‘toughness’ question aside…. I actually don’t think he’s even as good as his back-up Caleb Hanie B-.  However Cutler has to live with a bad O-line, so I’ll give him a C+. 

Running attack led by  Matt Forte B- Wide receiving core is slightly pathetic (no offense) D+.  Defense is solid when Brian Urlacher is healthy B+.  I’d take the under.  I like Coach Smith, but I don’t know if he can make it past this season.  6-4 then, 2-4, the bears finish 8-8.

Detroit Lions 7

Interesting to see the number so high.. The front office has done a great job of building through the draft.  Draft acquisitions Mikel Leshoure B+ who was injured and will be out all season. If Matthew Stafford remains healthy.., (and he is not ‘injury prone’ he has just had to work with a bad OL) then the Lions can be more than competitive this year and actually win a fair number of games.  Stafford B-.

Rushing attack Jahvid Best and company C+ The Defensive line might be the best in the NFL and is ‘anchored’ by Ndamukong Suh who is nasty. The D get’s a B. I’d stay away from the O/U line.  If things go right, the Lions could be an amazing turn around story and finish 9-7 or 10-6.  But they’ll probably lose a couple of players and finish 8-8.

NFC South

Atlanta 11

The NFC South has not had the same division winner for quite a few years, but I’ll predict it ends this year.  Draft acquisitions  J. Rodgers B-  QB, Matt Ryan is a great young QB, though with the weapons at WR and the OL he has, you or I could maybe complete 40% of our passes.  But seriously he’s good, A-.  A solid running back in Michael Turner B- Great WRs and TE they picked up Julio Jones A- (for an extremely heavy draft cost) to add to Tony Gonzalez and company B+  D is fair B-.  I’d stay away from the O/U or take the U.  Atlanta 8-2 then 4-2 and finish 12-4.

New Orleans 11

They have Drew Brees, need I say more?

Okay I suppose I will.. They lost Reggie Bush, while sure he’s an extremely high-priced Rb commodity he’s a very good, fast player Qb Brees A-.  Rushing attack led by Chris Ivory C+ Defense is a B.  6-4 then 5-1 and finishes 11-5.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers  9

Raheem Morris B+ is their coach. Starting QB is Josh Freeman, and backup Josh Johnson are both very good.  Freeman had a ‘breakout’ year last year and led TB to an 11-5 record. Freeman B+ Rushing Attack led by Legarrette Blount had a good year last year (which I expected) B+ D is a B+.  O/U I guess I'll take the under.  I should almost definitely think higher of the Bucs, but Idk.  While the Bucs lack ‘star power’, TB is full of young B- players who if they gel could make the playoffs this year.  However..  (Sorry Tampa fans) 4-4,  2-6 to finish 6-10

Carolina Panthers 5

This will basically be a new era for the Panthers, new HC and new QB.  Draft spotlight K. Pilares B+ QB Cam Newton (much hyped, esp. since he’s the last high paid #1 pick, though side-note I think getting paid 2 mil a year is a lot too.  Newton is often compared to Tebow (and since Tebow is my favorite player I don't entirely mind the comparison) and somewhat fairly, but I think that Newton is going to stay in the pocket more than Tebow stays in the pocket.  I would compare Newton instead to Aaron Rodgers.  Newton C+ right now, but within 5 years he should be a B or B+.  Rushing attack is led by Jonathon Stewart C. D is poor yet underrated C+.  2-6, then 3-5, to finish 5-11.

NFC West

St. Louis Rams  7½

The Rams looked impressive in their preseason win over the Colts, albeit the Colts didn't have Manning, since he was injured.  I liked their draft acquisition of Greg Salas and Austin Pettis, both, imho, should have decent rookie years.  I really like Sam Bradford and I don't expect much of a sophomore slump. I'd give their passing attack a  B+.

The Rams' running game is quite solid with Steven Jackson A-. And their defense is so-so, C-, they probably played above their level last year, but hopefully for Rams fans they can exceed expectation this year as well.  The Rams have a very tough schedule for the first 8 weeks, but after that (if you don't count @ Pittsburgh) then their toughest game is... what... @Seattle?  I would stay away from the over under.  I have St. Louis starting the season only 2-6, but ending on a 5-3 winning streak to finish the season  7-9.    I predict them to win the division.... though I do hope they get to .500.  

Seattle Seahawks 7½

Draft acquisitions of O-line so I can’t tell you much about them..  Sorry.  They ‘lost’ Matt Hasselbeck to ‘FA’ (namely Tennessee), the Seahawks wanted to go in another direction.  Which is somewhat understandable considering Hasselbeck is 35. They acquired Tavaras Jackson and WR Sidney Rice from MN.  Qb D+ 

Their running game is led by Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett. B-  If you’ve watched any NFL at all, then I’m guessing you have seen the run by Marshawn Lynch against the Saints in the playoffs, and if you haven’t, then check it out on YouTube.  Nasty run.

Defense is a C-  I have them starting the season 2-6 and finishing 4-4, meaning a 6-10 record.  I could see them winning 7, but it’s fairly hard to get to 8 wins, I definitely would  take the under.

Arizona Cardinals 6½

Since losing Kurt Warner the QB situation has been dreadful in AZ.  (why am I bringing Warner up you ask?  'cause I'm a fan.)  They traded for Kevin Kolb C+, and drafted Peterson, over the offseason.

I don't think Kolb will be as good as most people think, but I think he'll put up good passing 'yards' (not necessarily TD's..) though I wouldn't be too surprised to see my expectations exceeded. They have Chris Wells (an OSU alumni) [I'm a fan of OSU] to carry their running game, I'd rate it a B-.  And their D is slightly underrated, but at the same time fairly bad, D+.

I kind of expect the Cards to have another bad season, sorry Cards fans. It was hard not to give the Cards more wins considering they have Kolb at Qb, and their schedule..  I think their schedule is (probably) the easiest in NFL, if you take out Pitt, @Balt, and @Philly then their toughest game is... vs Dallas?  So they have an outrageously easy schedule, but that's what you get for playing in the NFC West (and yes I tried to ignore that when other people criticized it when Warner was QB).  Anyways though, I have the Cardinals starting 2-7 and finishing on a 4-4 run. An overall record of 5-11 for the AZ Cards.

San Francisco 49ers 7½

The 49ers lost to the Saints in their first preseason game 24-3.  Jim Harbaugh is their head coach, since the 49ers fired Mike Singletary last year.  I was against the firing then and I'm still (slightly) against it..  They lost Troy Smith...\ cut him.  I thought he was their best QB last year, plus he has mobility, which is a huge advantage onsidering the offensive line they have. Draft acquisitions, Kaepernick and Hunter.  I expect both to be good, but they'll probably receive limited playing time this year.

Passing attack is led by Alex Smith he gets a D, if the 49ers wanted to cut a Smith they probably should have cut Alex.  Though no offense meant at him, he has had to suffer through many different Qb coaches and head coaches in his career. I normally don't mention O-lines, but this one, imho, is fairly bad. D-

Rushing attack is led by Frank Gore (and possibly Hunter), Gore has been a fantasy monster over the years and is probably a top 5 running back  A.  The Defense is thought (by others) to be good, but I think it's fairly porous, but it was improved slightly through the draft C-.  I have them starting the season 2-6 and finishing on a 2-6 run, for a 4-12 record.  I would consider it a relative lock that they will finish under 7½ wins.

There are a couple of reasons for optimism for the 49ers. I'm not an expert, so maybe they'll actually finish 12-4, but I doubt it.  Seriously though, the 49ers are a young team, and if they finish 4-12 then it's quite possible that they will get the first draft pick, likely meaning Andrew Luck.  I'm not sure if the front office is intentionally tanking the season or not, but I expect SF to be one of the bottom 5 teams this year.   I have the 49ers finishing tied for the fewest wins in the NFL.  

Thanks for reading.