NFC East
1. Dallas Cowboys (11-5)
It's tough for Jerry Jones' Cowboys to ever be a "sleeper", but with so much hype over the Eagles, they kind of fit the bill. Granted, this prediction is solely based on health, especially Tony Romo's, but this is a ridiculous offense in the making. Postseason flubs aside, they've always been a good regular season team under Romo, and now that he'll be around for a full year with Dez Bryant to go along with Austin and Witten, two receivers whom he already has a good rapport with, and there's some great options. Also, I think with Felix Jones finally getting the starting gig, he has top five running back potential and is my prime candidate for breakout star, a la Arian Foster last season. Expect Dallas to win in a lot of shootouts.
2. Philadelphia Eagles (11-5, Wild Card)
I don't fully buy the hype right now. Maybe next year, but not in 2011. Aside from the new signees having a short period of time to learn the new system, Michael Vick will have to be as good as he was last season for them to live up to the hype. Forget the injury risks that come with him, but he put up unbelievable numbers last year, especially when it came to avoiding interceptions; that won't be easy to repeat. Still, they do have a very good team and they should practically be a lock to make the playoffs. Like Jones for Dallas, look for LeSean McCoy to get much more national exposure.
3. New York Giants (8-8)
The Giants might be DOA at the get-go based on all of their defensive injuries during the preseason. They'll have to start strong to have a chance, considering the second half of their schedule features games against the Cowboys twice, Patriots, Eagles, Saints, Packers, and Jets. Fortunately for them, they essentially only play seven road games with the game against the Jets coming on the "road". The offense is going to really have to carry the team for them to have a chance. I'd look for the Giants to struggle this year, get a cushy schedule for next, and come back strong in 2012.
4. Washington Redskins (5-11)
The Skins could be looking at 0-5 (Giants, Cardinals, Cowboys, Rams, Eagles), before they know what hit them. The Grossman/Beck quarterback platoon shouldn't exactly incite fear in opposing defenses, and the Tim Hightower bandwagon might come off the track when he's seeing eight men in the box on every carry.
NFC North
1. Green Bay Packers (12-4)
I can't decide between 13-3 or 11-5 for them this year, so 12-4 it is. In any event, the champs are pretty loaded and are likely the league's most well-rounded team. Aaron Rodgers will be poised for a defense of his WCW title at
2. Detroit Lions (8-8)
I can't do it, I just can't. I want to type "9-7" so badly, but much like I claimed against the Browns...it's the Lions. I have to see it to believe the hype. I also have to see Matthew Stafford stay healthy for a full season, too. We should know what type of season they're heading for with how they start the first three weeks against somewhat formidable opponents, but opponents that good teams beat. Even so, for the millions on the LBP (Lions Playoff Bandwagon), they'll need a strong start because four of their last six are against the Packers twice, the Saints, and the Chargers.
3.Chicago Bears (8-8)
Tough start to the season, with the Falcons, Saints, and Packers, but it gets easier from then on. Still, it'd be hard to believe that the Bears will be as good as last season, and one of their key weapons, Devin Hester's kickoff return ability, just got negated by the rule change. They also added Dallas' baggage in Marion Barber and Roy Williams, so that's not a good sign.
4. Minnesota Vikings (6-10)
I truly don't know what to think about this team. The one thing I know is that they're not good. Poor Adrian Peterson. From Tavaris Jackson, to an over the hill Brett Favre, to an over the hill Donovan McNabb. Can this guy get a decent quarterback in his prime?
NFC South
1. Atlanta Falcons (11-5)
I originally had the Saints slated here, in part because I hate going with trendy teams like the Falcons (it usually backfires), but this offense is that good, and the defense isn't too shabby either. If Julio Jones is as good as they hope, this is gonna be one tough offense to stop.
2. New Orleans Saints (11-5, Wild Card)
The Saints are essentially everything we know they've been the past few years under Drew Brees, nothing more, nothing less. That should be enough to get them a good record and a playoff spot.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8)
Josh Freeman, LeGarette Blount, and Mike Williams are a really nice core who are all trending upwards. Not having the creampuff schedule again will hurt, but having a worse record this year shouldn't be a negative. They have a bright future, but have some more building to do.
4. Carolina Panthers (3-13)
If nothing else, they should be an interesting team based on the intrigue of Cam Newton. They'll probably be in a lot more games than their record will indicate.
NFC West
1. Arizona Cardinals (8-8)
I have no intelligent analysis here; my Cards prediction is based off almost nothing that has to do with them: I think the Rams are better but their schedule begins way too tough, the other teams are a crap taco, and I only think they'll have eight wins because I'm picking them to win the division and it'd be unbelievable if a team with a losing record won their division and made the playoffs after it had never been done once before. I'm shrugging my shoulders at the Cardinals and moving on. (Author's note: I think I've incorrectly predicted the NFC West champ like seven years in a row...sorry Arizona.)
2. St. Louis Rams (7-9)
I think they're a halfway decent team on the upswing who is the best team in the division, but here's how their schedule starts: Eagles, at Giants, Ravens, Redskins, at Packers, at Cowboys, Saints. I wouldn't be shocked if they won one or two of those games, but they very might well be 1-6 going into the back nine. Granted, that still might be good enough to keep them in the division race. Can we please just contract the NFC West already?
3.Seattle Seahawks (3-12-1)
Tavaris Jackson.
4. San Francisco 49ers (3-12-1)
Alex Smith...for the seventh straight year.
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