On My Mind

My first guest blogger (and oldest son) is back with another NFL Preview, this time with a look at the season ahead for the NFC:

Same rules as before, with an added: Jay Cutler shall be referred to as 'Crybaby who shall not be named.' Alright, buckle up.

NFC North Winner: Green Bay Packers (even if Brett Favre plays in Minnesota)
Yes, that's right. I like the Packers to win this division, Brett Favre or no. I think this team is built well and built to win tough games. Aaron Rodgers is an absolute stud at QB, Ryan Grant doesn't get all the credit he should, and Donald Driver and Greg Jennings are an oft overlooked receiver duo. The defense has a solid, but young, linebacker corps, and I think this team as a whole can really make a splash in the NFC.

NFC East Winner: Dallas Cowboys
Again, I hate my fingers for typing it, but, it's the only obvious pick. This team really didn't lose a whole lot, and I like them adding Dez Bryant. Plus, look at the teams in their division. I don't think Philadelphia will be at the same level of explosiveness with Kolb there in his first full year. I don't think Shanahan can turn the Redskins around in his first year. I don't know what happened to the Giants last year, but until they show some fire, I'm not sure where they are. The Cowboys should have no trouble winning this division. Honestly, and I know nobody will agree, I don't think the NFC East is the toughest division anymore, atleast not this year. Cowboys take it.

NFC South Winner: New Orleans Saints
Did you know that no team has ever won the NFC South in back to back years? Pretty interesting stat, but I think after this year it will be null and void. The Saints are out of their mind with all the weapons they have on offense, led by the weapons master himself, Drew Brees. He turned Devery Henderson and Robert Meachem into offensive threats in the NFL. The defense played great last year, and another year in the same system could turn them into opposing offenses nightmares. I know its tough for a team who won the Super Bowl to come back and play at the same level, but if anybody can, don't you think it's Drew Brees?

NFC West Winner: San Francisco 49ers
This division on the whole could be historically bad, although I see a bright future for some of these teams. The 49ers were a team last year that I thought would make bigger waves, and they disappointed me. I like a lot of things about this team, but the things I don't like are fairly key positions the quarterback being the biggest. I don't think Alex Smith is their guy going forward, but for this year I think they can have him manage the team well enough to get them to a 9-7 division crown. Frank Gore is a beast, and I think Crabtree could be really good. I like this team's defense and swagger, although maybe I'm just saying that because I'm worried that the coach might pull his pants down. I'm telling you: that will never be not funny.

Wild Card Hopefuls:
Atlanta Falcons- I really, really like Matt Ryan. I almost picked this team to win the NFC South just because of what I think he's going to do this season. He'll win his fair share of NFC South titles, but not this year. They are my favorite Wild Card team, and I think they'll be a dangerous foe in early January for some division winner.

Minnesota Vikings (only if Brett Favre plays)- If Favre plays, this team could win a Super Bowl. Without him, they're a borderline last team in. I'm sorry, but that's just how it is. They have no receivers who make a quarterback better, they need a quarterback to make the receivers better. Adrian Peterson fumbles the ball every other carry, or at least it feels like that, and I don't see him going his whole career without a big injury. He runs wild and maniacally, and he's going to get hurt. If Brett plays, this team is very good. If not, this team could still snatch a Wild Card, but I'd be more inclined to put them in the "teams who should be less than hopeful" category.

New York Giants- I like Eli Manning, and I like the young receivers they have there. I think this team could turn it around from last season's weirdness, and make the playoffs again.

Philadelphia Eagles- With McNabb still, I see them being a legitimate threat to win the NFC. With Kolb in his first full season as a starter, they have a chance to be decent, but not at that same level. They could grab a playoff spot.

Carolina Panthers- They could sneak up on some teams, and Matt Moore could have a breakout season. They can run the ball like nobody's business, and that is a key element to giving a young quarterback success. I have a feeling they could make a run, and it wouldn't surprise me much.

Teams that should be less than hopeful for a Wild Card spot:
Chicago Bears- They don't deserve a playoff spot. Crybaby who shall not be named proved last year that he's not as great as everyone wished he was. Now, a huge, HUGE part of that was the fact that they just completely ignored Matt Forte and hardly ran the ball. The year before, Forte was an absolute stud, then Crybaby comes in, they get infatuated with throwing deep, and Forte is scraps. Trust me, I know, he was on my fantasy team. (Crybaby even ruined my fantasy season. That's low.) I don't think they have the receivers to help Crybaby, and I think their defense is old. Maybe that's the vindictive side of me, but I don't see them being a playoff threat.

Detroit Lions- In a few years, this team could be like the Rams of my youth. They have so much potential firepower, it could be insane. This year will be key for those young offensive weapons to mature and grow, and also key for the defense to mesh together. I like where this team is going: Stafford, Calvin Johnson, Ndamukong Suh; but I don't think they'll get there yet.

Arizona Cardinals- All of it depends on if Matt Leinart can play. It's do-or-die for him and his career, and if he does well, this team around him is good enough to win their division. If he doesn't, they should start scouting next year's quarterback crop.

Teams that shouldn't really have much hope for this year, but should look to the future:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers- They have pieces and potential, but young and in a tough division.

Seattle Seahawks- I think Pete Carroll is going to get a quarterback that he wants in there eventually, but I think for now, a successful year for them would be 7-9. In the future though, I like Carroll, and I think he'll turn this team back around. I just do.

St. Louis Rams- Steven Jackson is the bane of my fantasy existence, so I won't refer to him either. Sam Bradford is going to be a good quarterback, I genuinely believe that. This year though, they got nothing. Young team all the way around, and they need a few more pieces.

Washington Redskins- I could be wrong, and I'd like to be, because I like Shanahan and I like McNabb. I don't like the pieces around these two though, and I don't know if they'll be a contending type team. I think they'll be better, but they really don't have a reliable running back, and I don't like any of their receivers. Defensively they'll be fine, but I don't see them being great there either.

Well, there you have it. That's what I think.