“Final Score Report” Senior NFL writer Stephen G. here to continue my 2010 NFL predictions. Last week we covered the AFC, today its the NFC.
NFC EAST
Dallas 11-5
Philadelphia 8-8
New York 7-9
Washington 6-10
Dallas is being picked by many as a superbowl favorite. They should win this division, but lets not get carried away here. Yes they have talent, but also subpar coach and a meddling owner so playoffs yes, Lombardi trophy I think not. Philly has some playmakers but still no running game. NY is headed in the wrong direction and not the team of a couple of years ago. As for the Skins, well, there is a reason Philly was willing to trade Chunky Soup McNabb within the division. Shanny is a good coach and a major major upgrade over Zorn but the guy’s not a miracle worker, folks.
NFC NORTH
Green Bay 11-5
Minnesota 10-6
Chicago 8-8
Detroit 6-10
This Aaron Rodgers guy is good, I say this team is as good as any team in the conference let alone the division. The defense should be better in year 2 of Dom Caper’s scheme too. Minnesota will be good, but injuries are piling up and something tells me the Favre thing won’t end well. Plus the Bald Guy is a laughing stock, okay? Chicago won’t go anywhere with Cutler at QB because he’s stupid and Lovie is a deer in the headlights. Detroit will be passing Chicago very soon, maybe not this year but they’ll be much improved.
NFC SOUTH
New Orleans 12-4
Atlanta 10-6
Carolina 7-9
Tampa Bay 5-11
The Saints are still loaded although I think they’ll find it pretty hard to repeat with everyone gunning for them and players not as hungry. It’ll also be hard to get that many turnovers on defense like last year. Atlanta should challenge although they don’t have enough to unseat the Who-Dats. Carolina is the NFC’s version of the Jets, good defense, good running game, shaky QB. They will be in most games, just not good enough to win a lot of them. Tampa is in year 2 of the coach-on-the-job-training-regimen, enough said.
NFC WEST
San Francisco 9-7
Arizona 8-8
Seattle 6-10
St. Louis 4-12
I really like San Francisco to break through this year and win this division. They play hard for Singletary, the QB play is improved and there is talent on both sides of the ball. No matter who Arizona settles on for QB, neither of them is Kurt Warner and the Cardinals will suffer for it. Seattle is in the Witness Protection Program and regardless of Pete Carroll, their QB play is lousy. St. Louis looks like they found a winner in Sam Bradford and if he plays as well as he looked against NE, they may pass Seattle in the high speed lane.
Division Winners- Dallas, Green Bay, New Orleans, San Francisco
Wild Cards – Minnesota, Atlanta