NFL Playoffs 2012: How Asomugha's Signing Affects the NFC Playoff Picture

Though the Jets and Cowboys were heavily pursuing Asomugha, it seems as though the Eagles were quietly pursuing him as well.

Asomugha signed a five-year, $60 million contract in a move that shocked everyone.

Now, the Eagles seemingly have one of the best secondaries with Asomugha, Samuels and Rodgers-Cromartie.

After the move, many people instantly crowned the Eagles the clear favorite to win the Super Bowl.

But are they even the clear favorite from the NFC? 

No.6 Seed: Chicago Bears

The Bears have had a sneakily good offseason.

They drafted Gabe Carimi, the former Outland Trophy winner from Wisconsin, to instantly upgrade their offensive line.

They also took on two underachievers that could turn out to be huge steals.

Those two are Roy Williams, who Mike Martz worked with in Detroit, and Vernon Gholston, a draft bust who never adjusted to the 3-4.

In addition, Matt Forte decided not to hold out.

The Bears seem intent on improving from last season and have the cap space to do so. 

No.5 Seed: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

It was tough, but only two of the NFC South teams are going to make the playoffs.

The one that won't make it is going to be the Saints.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a ton of wild cards that could put them into the playoffs or take them out.

First off is the man pictured above. Aqib Talib is, when not in legal trouble, one of the most promising corners in the league.

The other big factor is the defensive line. How dominant will a young line containing Gerald McCoy, Da'Quan Bowers and Adrian Clayborn be when the season starts?

If Talib can stay out of trouble and the young D-line can get past its inexperience, then the Bucs will find themselves in a playoff spot. 

No.4 Seed: St. Louis Rams

The Rams have a solid team and look primed to win the weakest division in football, the NFC West.

Sam Bradford will have one year of experience as well as several new weapons.

Those weapons include Mike Sims-Walker, Lance Kendricks and Austin Pettis.

Sims-Walker is a receiver from Jacksonville who has been given a "one-year, 'prove-it' deal" according to Rotoworld.com.

Lance Kendricks and Austin Pettis were both drafted this year by the Rams.

The Rams have been active in free agency and are looking like the best team in the weakest division.

No.3 Seed: Philadelphia Eagles

Though the Eagles did upgrade their defense with the additions of Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Nnamdi Asomugha and Jason Babin, there seem to still be some question marks.

Before I address those question marks, let me say this. The Eagles will be the best team in the NFC East. There shouldn't be any questions there.

The linebacker situation, for one, hasn't improved. That's about the only part of their defense that they haven't built upon this offseason.

On the other side of the ball, there are a few more questions.

After starting out miraculously last season, Vick showed signs of being human near the end of the year. It seems as if teams found a way to slow him down a little.

Also, the offensive line hasn't really been upgraded, unless you count a 26 year-old guard Danny Watkins with only a month to learn an upgrade.

The most important thing is the DeSean Jackson holdout, which is an interesting topic.

Until these questions are answered, they shouldn't be put ahead of these next two, more stable teams. 

No.2 Seed: Green Bay Packers

Ted Thompson hasn't been very busy with Free Agency, but you could getting 16 players back from the IR an ample substitute for it.

The Packers will only be better in 2011, but it remains to be seen if they will be the best regular season team.

Green Bay has started locking up its rookies and seems focused on retaining the chemistry that got them to the Super Bowl.

Aaron Rodgers' Packers remain one of the deepest squads in the entire NFL and should be able to lock up a first-round bye in next years playoffs. 

No.1 Seed: Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons traded the farm for Julio Jones, and they better hope it pays off.

Atlanta looks to rebound from a 48-28 throttling by the eventual Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers in the Divisional round of the playoffs.

Despite the big loss, the Falcons remain the best regular season team in the NFL that doesn't have a QB named Tom Brady.

Matt Ryan is virtually untouchable in the Georgia Dome during the regular season and should finish with the same playoff seed as last year.

Whether the Falcons can win in the playoffs remains to be seen, but the seeds are determined by the regular season, where Atlanta is at its best.