NFL Preview: NFC

The start of the NFL season is tonight as two NFC teams face off in the Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints. As you probably already know, these two teams are also the last two Super Bowl winners. Do they have what it takes to return to the Super Bowl through the 2011 season? Well the following is my take on where they land through Week 17 as my NFL preview continues.

NFC North
1. Chicago Bears
Projected Record: 14-2
Synopsis: I have the Bears as the regular season darlings of the NFL with the best record in either conference. Continuity is a major factor in this decision as QB Jay Cutler gets increasingly comfortable in an offense that can be tailored to him and star RB Matt Forte. Further, I think people have overblown the lack of talent they have at the WR position, even if Greg Olsen is no longer there to catch passes as well. The defense is just as strong as last year. If the Bears stay healthy they have the talent to pull off the 14-2 record that I state.

2. Green Bay Packers
Projected Record: 10-6
Synopsis: Yes, the Packers are fully healthy now, and you would think that would propel them forward, but what we saw at the end of the last season was a team get hot at the right time. This is a team with potential offensive line issues, and potential durability issues at the RB position. I do like the Packers, but I don't expect them to come out like gangbusters. Also, someone outside of Greg Jennings is going to have to step up and take a major role at WR, especially with Donald Driver aging.

3. Detroit Lions
Projected Record: 7-9
Synopsis: I went back and forth on the Lions a lot, but they land at 7-9. This is indeed a team on the rise, and I fully expect them to compete for a playoff spot in 2012, they might even be in the picture deep into 2011. Health is a huge issue for the Lions. Matthew Stafford and Javhid Best both have to stay healthy, if only so that we can see what the Lions truly have on offense. A lot has been made of the Lions front 4, and it is indeed very formidable, but I have issues with everything that is behind those 4. If the pass rushers don't get there, I expect the Lions to get burned. A quality offensive line will handle them.

4. Minnesota Vikings
Projected Record: 5-11
Synopsis: The Vikings have the opportunity to have a quality offense. Donovan McNabb can bring stability to the QB position, if only for a brief time until the reigns get handed over to Christian Ponder. They have the weapons with Adrian Peterson and Percy Harvin as well, and let's hope for a bounce-back year from Bernard Berrian. The issue with the Vikings is the middle of the defense, and that can be a serious problem. Expect teams to be able to run on them, particularly up the middle. The Vikes will rush the passer, particularly with Jared Allen, but with weaknesses at DT and a lack of depth at linebacker, the Vikings defense will struggle.

NFC East
1. New York Giants
Projected Record: 13-3
Synopsis: I don't care what anyone says, the Giants were a playoff team last year (much more worthy than the Seahawks at least). Their offense is strong, but to be as successful as I suspect they have to refind their identity as a run first team. I think they will, and with the passing weapons included Eli Manning is fixing for a big season with less turnovers. The Giants do already have injuries on their defense, but I feel those are offset by their great depth on that side of the ball. Guys like Jason Pierre-Paul and Aaron Ross are more than capable to step in for the meantime and compete at a high level. I also expect a return to form for LB Mathias Kiwanuka.

2. Philadelphia Eagles
Projected Record: 12-4
Synopsis: The Eagles lose an epic battle for the NFC East Title, but still find themselves as significant players in the playoffs. I'll be honest, I expect a step back for the Eagles' pass offense, particularly with Michael Vick, but the current setup with LeSean McCoy is the closest the Eagles have gotten under Andy Reid to having a legitimate running game. At the same time, the Eagles defense is easily one of the best in the league with Asomougha added. That doesn't mean that they should be handed the NFC right now though. Really, the two games between the Giants and Eagles will probably tell the tale of the division.

3. Dallas Cowboys
Projected Record: 7-9
Synopsis: A lot of people are high on Dallas. I just don't see it. This was an uninspired team last season that kicked it on when it didn't matter anymore, except to interim (no longer interim) Head Coach Jason Garrett. They get Tony Romo back, but really Jon Kitna wasn't the problem last year. Lack of discipline was, and it takes more than an offseason to fix that kind of issue. CB Terrence Newman will be key to their pass defense and to providing stability and leadership to a team that desperately could use it. Right now this is just a team of talented individuals, and their record will demonstrate that.

4. Washington Redskins
Projected Record: 3-13
Synopsis: I feel like Mike Shanahan can't get out of his own way. They wanted to start John Beck at QB, but he got outplayed in the preseason by Rex Grossman. They neglected any sort of long-term solution at QB in the draft. I do expect a very good season out of Tim Hightower in a system that tends to provide great performances from RBs that you may not expect it from. The passing game is an issue though. Santana Moss has underperformed in recent years and Jabar Gaffney can't be expected to be the guy on the other side. I do like the Redskins' defense. Brian Orakpo needs to have a big season at LB rushing the passer, and I'm interested in rookie Ryan Kerrigan on the other side. CB DeAngelo Hall is solid and they've added OJ Atogwe at safety.

NFC South
1. New Orleans Saints
Projected Record: 13-3
Synopsis: The Saints have one of the best team leaders in the NFL in Drew Brees, and I expect him and the New Orleans offense to have another big season. Adding speedster RB Darren Sproles to the offense is an interesting element. Tackling can be an issue for their defense, and especially stopping the run, but with adding Sean Rogers to the middle of their defensive line with Shaun Ellis will go a long way. Malcolm Jenkins is stepping in at safety replacing big shoes in Darren Sharper, but I think he can do it in stride. Tracy Porter is one of the better lesser known corners in the game as well.

2. Atlanta Falcons
Projected Record: 11-5
Synopsis: The Falcons have one of the better all-around offenses in the game, and adding a potential WR on the other side of Roddy White could be a fantastic move. Julio Jones can contribute, but I don't expect the move to pay big dividends right away. The Falcons also can rest assured with depth at the RB position and a solid offensive line. Adding Ray Edwards to pass rush with John Abraham is the kind of move that put the Atlanta defense up a notch. I do think there are still issues at the safety position and if the Packers-Falcons playoff game means anything its that the Falcons pass defense needs improvement. I think the Falcons are well on their way though.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Projected Record: 9-7
Synopsis: Just like the Lions this is another hard team to peg. The offense has a lot of question marks to be honest. Yes, they all performed well last season, starting with QB Josh Freeman, but not many on this squad have more to back themselves up than that one season to their name. The Bucs have a defense that isn't flashy and you may not know a lot of the names, but they get the job done, and I expect them to this season. I wouldn't be surprised if the defense carries them at times this season. I'm especially interested in rookie DE Adrian Clayborn, and really expect big things from him. If the offense can exceed expectations, this may be a playoff team.

4. Carolina Panthers
Projected Record: 3-13
Synopsis: So... Cam Newton. There's just a lot of instability on this team, starting with not knowing what to do with the QB position. I would not be surprised to see the Panthers use all 3 QBs on their roster at some point this season. I do think they can effectively run the ball, but they need to give the idea that they can at least pass the ball a little to make it work. I also think the Panthers have one of the weaker defenses in the league. Outside of CB Chris Gamble they don't really have any playmakers. Jon Beason is a very good LB but has injury issues. I expect offensive lines to have their way with the Panthers' front 4 though.

NFC West
1. Arizona Cardinals
Projected Record: 11-5
Synopsis: One offseason can make all the difference for the Cardinals, especially with a big upgrade at the QB position in Kevin Kolb. Kolb is somewhat unproven but from what we saw in Philadelphia he should be able to link up with the best WR in the league in Larry Fitzgerald. My biggest question with their offense is if the system will sustain itself. They're pass heavy and the likes of Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston are gone. I expect Early Doucet to have a big season at the WR position though. Defensively the Cardinals have a lot of playmakers and I expect them to get back to doing what they've done best in recent years. That is create turnovers. This is a defense that is very good at every level if Joey Porter and Clark Haggans have anything left in the tank at LB.

2. St. Louis Rams
Projected Record: 8-8
Synopsis: This could be a big year for the Rams. Offensively they still have Stephen Jackson at RB who will always produce. I just fear they don't have the weapons at WR to get Sam Bradford to the next level. Further, I question their depth on the offensive line. I do think the Rams have the opportunity to have a very good defense. Quintin Mikell is a nice addition at safety and they have a lot of young talent like DE Chris Long and LB James Lauranitis. Unfortunately, I just don't think they have enough offensively to make it happen, particularly if Stephen Jackson were to go down with an injury.

3. Seattle Seahawks
Projected Record: 7-9
Funny, last year this record won the division. Now it puts them in 3rd. Seattle will struggle offensively. I wouldn't be surprised to see QB Tavaris Jackson replaced with Charlie Whitehurst at some point and I don't find RB Marshawn Lynch to be in a position to really lead the offense. He's just not dynamic enough. Zach Miller is a nice addition at TE, but not enough. Outside of CB Marcus Trufant, I fear the Seahawks lack the ability to stop the pass. The personnel in the defensive backfield isn't there and Chris Clemons is their own quality pass rusher. Alan Branch and Brandon Mebane can go a long way in stopping the run though. They just don't have enough to grab the division by the horns.

4. San Fransisco 49ers
Projected Record: 3-13
Synopsis: With the 49ers offense there is potential, but I don't see it this season, not with Alex Smith at the helm for the ump-teenth time. I do like the weapons: Braylon Edwards, Ted Ginn, Josh Morgan, and Michael Crabtree, but Colin Kapernick needs to sit and learn a little before they give him the offense. If Frank Gore is healthy he will definitely get his, but the passing game doesn't have an orchestrator. I do think the 49ers can have a solid defense with the proper coaching, but this is a defense that needs discipline and for Patrick Willis to step up as a leader. He had a very pedestrian season for his standards last year as well, more is needed if the 49ers are to do better than expected.

What's the baseline?
NFC North: Bears
NFC East: Giants
NFC South: Saints
NFC West: Cardinals
NFC Wildcard: Eagles & Falcons