NFC East
Philadelphia Eagles 13-3
The addition of LT Jason Peters from the Bills as well as draft pick Lesean “Shady” McCoy, the Eagles should be one of the leagues’ premier offensive teams. I am not sold on their front 7 on defense, and the loss of Jim Johnson should hurt, but the Eagles will be back in the NFC Super Bowl picture in 2009.
NY Giants 9-7
Getting back Osi Umenyoria might propel the Giants to the playoffs by himself, but I am not sold on Eli Manning without a premier WR. If Steve Smith or 1st round pick Hakeem Nicks can step up to the plate and be a top 15 WR than this prediction will be a game or two to low and the Giants will be back in the playoffs.
Dallas Cowboys 9-7
Just like the Philadelphia Eagles, the Cowboys should have one of the premier offensives in the NFL. Felix Jones, Marion Barber and Tashard Choice form a potent running back combination. Jason Whitten is the league’s best TE and Patrick Crayton and Roy Williams form a very solid WR crew. It is the defense and mainly the LB’s and DB’s that need to take a step up to propel America’s Team back to the playoffs.
Washington Redskins 7-9
On paper, I like the Redskins more than both the Boys and the Giants. Adding Albert Haynesworth, and rookie LB Brian Orapko should have a dynamic effect on transforming that defense into a feared pass rushing unit. The Skins are an above average team personnel wise at every single position on the field. If Jason Campbell can put the fact that the Skins tried desperately to upgrade (oust) him in the offseason, the Skins could easily be a 10 win team. If not, mediocrity will rule again in DC.
NFC North
Green Bay Packers 12-4
My pick this season for the NFC, the Packers boast a talented team at almost every position. The biggest question mark going into the season is on the right side of the Oline, where Josh Sitton and Allen Barbre are young and unproven. Aaron Rodgers is poised for a breakout MVP caliber campaign and has the offensive tools to make it happen. The defense is going through a transition to the 3-4 defense, but have the personnel to make the transition smooth, especially after drafting NT BJ Raji.
Minnesota Vikings 12-4
This was a 10 win team before the additions of Brett Favre and rookies Percy Harvin and Phil Loadholdt. The team did lose veteran Minny mainstay Matt Birk but the team seems to feel comfortable with John Sullivan at C. The offense boasts the best player in all of football who is definitely ready for a 2k yard season. His skill set just seems far superior to most backs in the NFL. Percy Harvin should be a nice addition to an offense that lacked a lot of flair sans Adrian Peterson. If Brett Favre plays like he did before injuring his biceps last year for the Jets, the Vikes have to be a favorite in the NFC to make the Super Bowl.
Chicago Bears 9-7
The Bears solved a 20 year problem this summer by trading for disgruntled Broncos Qb Jay Cutler. Cutler has one of the premier arms in the league, and in my opinion, is one of the top 8 QB’s in the NFL with a chance for real superstardom. The progressions of receivers Devin Hester and Earl Campbell will be the real key to the Bears chances of winning the division. I’m looking for a bounce back year from the Bears defense and a good fight to win the division. 2010 is the Bears year.
Detroit Lions 4-12
A new era begins in Detroit with HC Jim Schwartz and 1st pick in the 2009 NFL Draft Matthew Stafford. Stafford, in a good move by the Lions, was named the starter and Schwartz has made it known that Stafford does not need to look over his shoulder when he makes mistakes. Stafford does have the most freakish player in the league, Calvin Johnson, at his disposal. Megatron put up great numbers with the Dan Orlovsky/Daunte Culpepper poo poo platter throwing him the ball. The Lions still have real holes on defense, but expect a hard-nosed, much improved style of play from the Lions in 2009.