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| Is Matt Ryan still scratching his head about that home playoff loss to the Packers last season? Or are the Falcons ready to soar even higher in 2011? |
The NFC has laid claim to 3 of the last 4 Super Bowl champions and seem to have several legit contenders for it again this year. The NFC West is the only division where I do not see a potential Super Bowl contender, but that doesn't mean there arent others. Philly, Dallas, Green Bay, New Orleans and Atlanta are the teams where the NFC champion will come from. The question is who? Well being more of an NFC guy I have really delved into the top teams of the conference to see what I like and don't like about their teams.
The question is whether the NFC is finally ready to prove to the football world that they are just as tough, and good, as their counterparts in the AFC. it has long been thought by some that the AFC is the toughest of the two divisions but I sincerely disagree. The NFC plays some real football as well and have made strong arguments about being the best conference.
So here's what will happen, maybe, in the NFC this season. Enjoy!
*denotes wild card team
NFC East NFC North NFC South NFC West
Cowboys 10-6 Packers 11-5 Saints 11-5 Rams 8-8Eagles 10-6* Bears 9-7 Falcons 11-5* Cardinals 8-8
Giants 8-8 Vikings 8-8 Buccaneers 7-9 Seahawks 7-9
Redskins 5-11 Lions 7-9 Panthers 3-13 49ers 4-12
In the East I have the Cowboys sticking it to the "Dream Team" of the Eagles and winning the tie breaker to become division champions. Tony Romo is back from injusry and will be rested and ready to go and as one of my Cowboy buddies convinced me, and after some further research, watch for Felix Jones to have a breakout season alongside an improved defense now under Rob Ryan. Right behind them and making the wild card are the Eagles. They had a great offseason with many solid additions to their team but I think teams are starting to figure out Michael Vick more just like when he was in Atlanta, but they're still very solid. Behind them I'll take the Giants. I lvoe the offense but they have had a bad case of the injury bug in the pre-season and I think it ultimately hurts them. Lastly, we have the Redskins. Rex Grossman, how are you still in the league.
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| Jermichael Finley is back this season with a vengeance |
The North is the home of last seasons two NFC championship game teams and the Super Bowl Champion. I fully expect the Packers to win this division. They have so many weapons with Grant, Finley, Jennings, Hawk, and of course, Aaron Rodgers. They'll be back in the playoffs. Behind them I have the Bears because of their solid defense that always seems to come to play, but with a speculative offensive line and immobile Jay Cutler I'm not sold on them this season. Behind them by 1 game are the Vikings. Adrian peterson keeps his legs churning for some wins and Donovan McNabb will keep them in games but not enough to be playoff bound. Lastly, but closely behind, I have the lions. I really like what they've done on the defense with Fairley and Suh and Calvin Johnson is possibly the best receiver in the game. They are on the rise.
Next, the NFC South was the only division in football last year where 3 teams had double-digit wins, not too shabby. A very powerful, QB strong division will be very close this season with the Saints edging out the Falcons in a tie-breaker. With the addition of Mark Ingram their running game is, in my opinion, better than it was when they won it all in 2009. Drew Brees has many weapons to throw to and will be deadly. The Falcons drafted Julio Jones and this will help the other weapons in their arsenal, Roddy White, Gonzalez and Douglas. Oh yeah and Michael Turner can run the ball. Behind them are the Buccaneers led by up and coming QB Josh Freeman. They are a young team that will win some games but last eyar they didn't win a single game against a big team. They're not there yet. Lastly, the Panthers. Cam Newton will struggle and their RB duo will not be able to carry them.
Last year I don't think this division even deserved a playoff team, but was proven wrong when the Seahawks upset the Saints. I expect to see an improved Rams team this season especially Sam Bradford who is on his way to being a solid QB in this league. But questions still remain on defense and I think they can win this division with a .500 record. Behind them I'll take the Cardinals. With possibly the best receiver in the game and an improved QB they can definitely still win this division. Kevin Kolb takes the reigns and has some quality weapons around him. In third place I'll go with the Seahawks. In my opinion they had a downgrade in QB losing Hasselbeck and adding Tavaris Jackson. They still have holes on defense that will hurt them. Lastly, we have the 49ers who can't figure out their QB situation at all. Vernon Davis and Frank Gore are solid but without a QB I have little confidence.
Wild Card Round Divisional Round
Packers and Saints receive byes
(6) Eagles @ (3) Cowboys W (3) Cowboys @ (2) Saints W
W (5) Falcons @ (4) Rams W (5) Falcons @ (1) Packers
NFC Championship
(5) Falcons @ (2) Saints W
I have the NFC South renewing their most fierce rivalry in the NFC Championship this season. The Battle of "Who's Dome is Better" will take place in New Orleans with the Saints prevailing. These two teams are insanely close in my opionion. Their talent levels are closely matched and are both led by top QB's. Home field will play a factor in helping lead New Orleans to another Super Bowl. I think the Saints have a more balanced running game than the Falcons even though the Falcons receiving core is more star studded. The X-factor in this game is Saints tight end Jimmy Graham who will catch 2 TD's en route to a 31-27 win.
My Super Bowl 46 pick is the New England patriots vs the New Orleans Saints. The game will be played at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. This should be a very exciting game with many notable names taking part. Drew Brees and the Saints hope to benefit from being in a dome for the big game utilizing their speed and passing attack. Tom Brady leads the Patriots into the game hoping for a bruising running attack mixed with timely passing and a stout secondary to slow down the Saints. The Patriots get off to an early start and hold a 17-10 halftime lead. Sean Payton elects against the onside kick thos time around but Brees hits Lance Moore for a strike to tie the game. Early in the 4th, the Saints opportunistic defense picks off Brady and gets it down to the red zone where Mark Ingram punches it in. Down 7, Brady leads his team down the field and BenJarvus Green-Ellis pounds one into the endzone. Now late in the 4th quarter the Patriots come up with a big stop and get Brady the ball back with 2 minutes to go. Driving them down the field, Gostkowski kicks a 47 yard field goal to win the Super Bowl 27-24 over the Saints and Brady once again reigns supreme on top of the NFL mountain.
Feel free to drop a comment and let me know what you think, any opinions are welcomed. Enjoy the 2011 NFL season!
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