Last week I gave out my 2009 NFL Football AFC Predictions so today I will give out my NFC predictions and try to seperate the contenders from the pretenders. Let’s roll…
THE WINNER OF THE NFC EAST
NY Giants – Everyone and their grandmother seems to be tripping over themselves to hop aboard the Eagles bandwagon in 2009, but not yours truly. I think the Eagles have a capable ballclub and should make the playoffs. However, the offseason departure of long-time safety Brian Dawkins and death of former defensive coordinator Jimmie Johnson(RIP) has to be a concern for Andy Reid’s defense. The Giants, on the other hand, look like they are ready to get back to the Super Bowl. Sure, the loss of Plaxico Burress should hurt the Giants red zone offense, but the addition of rookie WR Hakeem Nicks(1st rd pick) should help. The Giants defense should be better in 2009, as they welcome back outstanding DE Osi Umenyiora back after he missed most of last season on IR.
THE WINNER OF THE NFC NORTH
Green Bay – The NFC North is the definition of the word mediocre. I’m sorry people, but I’m just not impressed with any team in this division. If I have to choose one, however, than I’ll hitch my wagon with the Packers. The Packers faithful should finally be 100% behind QB Aaron Rodgers in 2009, while they collectively let go of their man-crush on the perennially attention-starved Brett Favre. The interception king will finally be sitting on his couch where he belongs this fall, while the Packers look to return to the playoffs after going a dismal 6-10 last season. Rodgers was very good last season, as he threw for over 4000 yards, 28 TD’s, and just 13 INT’s. The problem was the Packers 22nd ranked defense. New defensive coordinator Dom Capers was brought in from New England to install a 3-4 look and 1st rd draft picks DT B. J. Raji(#9 overall) and OLB Clay Matthews(#26 overall) should help. In a division full of mediocre teams, coaches, and defenses, I’ll take my chances with the Packers because of Rodgers and a defense that has nowhere to go but up.
THE WINNER OF THE NFC SOUTH
Atlanta – The Falcons were one of the biggest surprises in the NFL last season. Rookie head coach Mike Smith and rookie QB Matt Ryan were absolutely outstanding in their debut season in Hotlanta. Will they give us an encore performance in year 2 or will they suffer from a sophomore jinx? I’m betting on the former. What can you not say about Ryan? The kid is terrific. The poise, the arm, the leadership….he has it all. Ryan led a Falcons offense that ranked 10th in the NFL last season and should be just as good, if not better, in 2009. Running back Michael Turner rushed for a NFL leading 1699 yards last season and leads an outstanding Falcons running game, while new Falcon TE Tony Gonzalez was acquired via trade to give Ryan another weapon for the Falcons dynamic passing game. The Falcons one question mark is their run defense. It was their achilles heel last season, as it ranked 25th in the NFL. The Falcons drafted DT Peria Jerry with the 24th pick in the 2009 NFL Draft to improve in this area. If they improve upon that, than I absolutely love this team to make noise this January.
THE WINNER OF THE NFC WEST
Seattle – As my fellow FSR writer Stephen G wrote last week, the Super Bowl “jinx” is real. There is something about the inability of the Super Bowl loser to get back at it the following season. The Cardinals have the most talent in the division, but let’s not forget that they were just 9-7 in the regular season in 2008. The Seahawks went 4-12 last season, but they were decimated by injuries to key players. QB Matt Hasselback, OT Walter Jones, DE Patrick Kerney, and WR Deion Branch all missed significant time. The Seahawks must improve an offense that was 28th in the NFL last season, but the addition of pro bowl WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh(get a shorter name son!) in the offseason will surely help. The Seahawks also must get better on the defensive side of the ball and rookie LB Arron Curry(#4 pick overall) will help if he lives up to his billing as a difference maker. The bottom line is there are no dominant teams in the NFC West this season and the Seahawks are my choice to get it done.
NFC WILDCARD FORECAST – The two NFC Wilcard playoff spots should come from a group of teams that consists of the Cowboys, Eagles, Vikings, Saints, Bears, Redskins, and Panthers. My picks are the Eagles and Saints. I like the Eagles a lot and have a lot of respect for Andy Reid. The guy knows how to navigate the regular season and get his team into the playoffs. His coaching in big playoff games, however, is a story for another day. As for the Saints, I’ll take a flier on them because at least I know they have an outstanding QB and solid head coach. Their defense must improve, but can it get any worse? They went 8-8 last season with a 26th ranked defense. If the defense improves just a little bit(say 20th) than I can see the Saints winning at least 10 games with that offense to land a wildcard spot.
NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME PREDICTION
Look for the Giants to get back to the Super Bowl in 2009 by beating Atlanta in the NFC Championship game. Defense wins championships and the Gmen have the best defense in the NFC. Had it not been for the Plaxico Burress fiasco last season, the Gmen might have won the Super Bowl again. They were 11-1 before Burress was kicked off the team and it was all downhill from there. The Gmen must find a way to replace Burress on the offsensive side of the ball, but their defense will give them a shot in every game they play. The Falcons have an outstanding offense and are headed in the right direction, but they still don’t have enough on defense to get them past elite defensive teams like the Giants. Giants 27 Falcons 16.