NFL Preview Number 2: The NFC

Delhomme looks good, Steve Smith seems as psychotic as ever, and Julius Peppers looks ready to play for his new contract. Add to that the running of Williams and Stewart, and what you get is a very intriguing team in a wide-open division.

You want a long shot?

Super Bowl Champs: 40-1

NFC WEST

San Francisco 6 W, O (-160) U (+130) Proj. 4-12

Can’t bet against your own team. Which is too bad, because I’d be retired by know if I had been betting against the 'Niners since the Dennis Erickson era seamlessly transitioned into what we have today. Bad for me, but good for you.

St. Louis Rams 6.5 W, O (even) U (-120) Proj. 5-11

I can, however, bet against the Rams.

Interesting long-shot here. Steven Jackson to win the MVP is going off at 60-1. Now, because of the division, it’s not too much of a stretch to see the Ram’s overcoming the fact that they’re horrible and winning somewhere in the vicinity of 10 games, which would take the West.

If this happened, Jackson would almost certainly have to have a monster season, and wouldn’t that put him right in the running?

Seattle 8.5 W, O (-190) U (+155) Proj. 8-8

They can’t run, and Nate Burleson is their No. 1 wide receiver.

(There’s a reason why I almost had an orgasm when my fantasy league’s 07 champ drafted Burleson last weekend.)

Arizona 8 W, O (even) U (+155)  Proj. 9-7

Last season, they were two, fluke 49ers losses away from 10-6. Their offensive line will be intact for consecutive years for the first time since 1972. Kurt Warner’s ready for one last hurrah, and Tim Hightower is coming out.

This is a team that’s been held back by their offensive line and quarterback for the past three years, and this is the year they finally get over the hump.

Seeds

NFC                                        AFC

1)Dallas                                    1)New England

2)GB                                         2)Houston

3)Carolina                                 3)San Diego

4)Arizona                                  4)Pittsburgh

5) Philadelphia                          5) Jacksonville

6) Minnesota                             6) Indianapolis

Wild Card weekend

Carolina over Minn; Phi over Ari; Indy over SD; Pitt over Jack.

Divisional

Dallas over Philly; GB over Car; Indy over Hou; NE over Pitt.

Conference Finals

GB over Dal; NE over Indy.

Super Bowl

New England, by a sight.

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