NFL Preview: Division-by-division

Correspondent Written on June 28, 2009

New England Patriots QB Tom Brady #12 talks with Eagles QB # 5 Donovan McNabb after the Patriots defeated the Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX between the Philadelphia Eagles and the New England Patriots at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida on February 6, 2005. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

(Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

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8-8: The run offense sets up big plays for Steve Smith, but Jake Delhomme isn't good enough to win games on his own. The defense was not great last year, and I think Atlanta and New Orleans' upgrades will push them past the Panthers.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3-13: Purely a rebuilding year. They've got to hope that Derrick Ward, Earnest Graham, and Antonio Bryant take some pressure off Josh Freeman. That defense will give up a lot of points.

NFC West

1. Arizona Cardinals 11-5: They'll lose some games at the beginning of the year, but this team is simply too talented to lose this division. The offense should be two-dimensional this year. They ran the ball effectively at the end of the year and added Chris Wells. On defense, Adrian Wilson is a Pro Bowler, and Darnell Dockett will head a stronger run defense. On paper, the Cardinals should definitely win the division, but don't be surprised to see them at .500 as late as week 11 before they turn up the jets and win a few games in a row.

2. Seattle Seahawks 7-9: This is a talented team, but TJ Houshmandzadeh is not the answer at wide receiver. They don't have a running game, Matt Hasselbeck has been inconsistent. The defense will keep them in a lot of games, but they aren't a playoff team right now.

3. San Francisco 49ers 5-11: I hate to say it, but that schedule is too tough for this team. It's a shame, because the 49ers have a good coach, a franchise running back, a couple of explosive receivers in Josh Morgan and Michael Crabtree, and a pretty good defense. But at Philly, Arizona (2), Atlanta, at Houston, at Indy, at Green Bay, make for seven guaranteed losses. the 49ers would still have to face Chicago, at Seattle, Jacksonville, Tennessee, and at Minnesota. Mike Singletary has this team a year and a quarterback away from the playoffs, though.

4. St. Louis Rams 3-13: Purely a rebuilding year. Marc Bulger has tailed off, and Donnie Avery is his only weapon. Jason Smith will not immediately stop the bleeding in pass protection, and that defense is still porous.

AFC Playoffs

1. New England Bye

2. Pittsburgh Bye

Wild Card Games

6 Houston @ 3 San Diego: San Diego wins

5 Baltimore @ 4 Indianapolis: Indianapolis wins

Divisional Playoffs

4 Indianapolis @ 1 New England: New England wins

3 San Diego @ 2 Pittsburgh: San Diego wins

Conference Championship

3 San Diego @ 1 New England: New England wins

NFC Playoffs

1. Philadelphia Bye

2. Arizona Bye

Wild Card Games

6 New Orleans @ 3 Atlanta: Green Bay wins

5 New York Giants @ 4 Minnesota: Minnesota wins

Divisional Playoffs

Green Bay @ Philadelphia: Philadelphia wins

Minnesota @ Arizona: Arizona wins

Conference Championship

Arizona @ Philadelphia: Philadelphia wins

Super Bowl XXXXIV:

Philadelphia over New England.

Super Bowl MVP: Donovan McNabb.

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NFL Preview: Division-by-division

Ruchir Pandya

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Results - Author Poll

Philadelphia Eagles

New England Patriots

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Arizona Cardinals

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Pittsburgh Steelers

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