Bold Predictions for NFC Playoff Picture

The NFC has become a wide-open race to the playoffs and there are a few more teams who could potentially get in the picture.

Now, a team like the Green Bay Packers remains the standard of the NFC North, as their offense will continue its efficiency and the defense made significant improvements via the 2012 NFL draft. Whether or not someone else from the division joins the cheese in the postseason is another story.

So, here's a way early look at how the 2012-13 NFC playoff picture pans out.

No. 1 Seed, San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco fields the NFC's best defense and arguably the best in pro football.

The pass-rushing duo of Justin Smith and Aldon Smith got a rotational player in rookie Cam Johnson, while Patrick Willis and Navorro Bowman reside at inside linebacker.

In the secondary, Donte Whitner and Carlos Rogers remain, and if safety Dashon Goldson can get signed, San Francisco's defense will be impenetrable.

Offensively is where the drastic improvements exist.

The passing game gets a major boost from Randy Moss, Mario Manningham and rookie A.J. Jenkins to allow more reliable targets for Alex Smith. With Michael Crabtree and Vernon Davis still around, the 49ers will be spreading the field on each pass.

As for the ground game, Frank Gore has two complements in Brandon Jacobs and rookie LaMichael James. Jacobs will pay dividends in short-yard situations and occasionally leak out of the backfield as a check down receiver.

James, on the other hand, is the future. He's a complete ball carrier and will see time on third-down and as part of a two-back set with Gore in shotgun. The schedule isn't overly difficult either as the Packers and Patriots are the only teams who stand out.

Arizona remains a few steps back in the division, so expect at least 12 wins from the 'Niners in 2012. 

No. 2 Seed, Green Bay Packers

Although they've made improvements, the Packers' defense is still a concern.

Last season Green Bay ranked dead last in total defense and pass defense, No. 27 in sacks, and No. 26 in yards allowed per rush.

The cheese couldn't stop anyone unless it was an interception, and living off turnovers proved costly in the postseason. Looking ahead, Green Bay's defensive rookies in Nick Perry, Jerel Worthy and Casey Hayward will make for a quick turnaround.

Perry is an all-around defender who plays his role to a T and will be a solid complement to Clay Matthews as a pass-rusher. Worthy is a run-first stuffer and has a knack for making plays in the backfield. He can also provide an interior rush to help out Matthews and Perry on the outside.

As for Hayward, he finished his college career with 15 picks and will develop quickly in the pass-happy NFL. With the improved front seven, Hayward's playmaking skills suit the Pack perfectly.

Offensively, the Packers just need to keep rolling. The receiving corps remains intact and as long as Aaron Rodgers is under center, Green Bay will burn the scoreboard. The ground game is the only concern, so expect the cheese to run that legendary power-sweep a bit more in 2012.

On the schedule, San Francisco and Houston are the two best opponents. While the Lions and Bears will challenge for the division, the Packers still have the more effective offense and opportunistic defense.

No. 3 Seed, Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles significantly underachieved in 2011, period.

The good news, however, is that last season ended on a four-game win streak and that momentum has carried through the offseason.

DeMeco Ryans fills a major void at linebacker because he can play well against the run and is an aware pass defender. In the draft, the Eagles also added defensive lineman Fletcher Cox, who can play anywhere in the trenches, and Vinny Curry for pass rush rotation.

Brandon Boykin, who provides depth in the secondary, will contribute as a nickel/dime back and can also serve as a return specialist. The offense need not make any large changes after ranking inside the top-10 in passing and rushing a year ago.

Running back LeSean McCoy is arguably the best and most complete back in the game, while the receiving corps got a sleeping gem in Marvin McNutt during the draft. McNutt can stretch defenses to open up the middle for DeSean Jackson and is a better-than-advertised run blocker.

Provided that Michael Vick continues his improved development as a passer, Philly will see at least 10 victories this fall. With the NFC East as the most evenly keeled division, other tough games like Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and Detroit will challenge the Eagles.

Give them another year or two and the Eagles will be vying for the NFC's No.1 seed.

No. 4 Seed, Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta is the most complete team right now in the NFC South.

The Saints, even if Drew Brees gets aboard, still lack a stellar defense and will have to outscore to have a shot at winning.

Carolina remains balanced on offense but the defense has question marks in the secondary. Luke Kuechly was a big add in the draft, but the Panthers are still about two years away. Tampa Bay is the toughest opponent, because the Buccaneers had a great draft and offseason overall.

How quickly Tampa's defensive rookies develop and produce will determine whether the Bucs can match the Falcons.

Offensively, the aerial assault will continue with Roddy White and Julio Jones in order to prevent defenses from stacking the box against Michael Turner. The Falcons have the consistently reliable ground game in the division, so they have an advantage when it comes to controlling the game temp.

Atlanta's defense was the concern after 2011. Fortunately, the secondary has impressive talent/depth with Brent Grimes, Asante Samuel, Dunta Robinson and Thomas DeCoud.

Losing Curtis Lofton hurts the front seven, but Lofa Tatupu, Akeem Dent, rookie Jonathan Massaquoi, and the other defensive line veterans will pick up the slack. Outside the division isn't insanely rough but Atlanta will get tested from Philly, Dallas, Denver and Kansas City.

As division champs though, the Falcons have yet to prove they can get it done in the postseason.

No. 5 Seed, Detroit Lions

Detroit still has questions to answer on defense before they make a run at the Super Bowl.

The offense has no questions as long as the Matthew Stafford-Calvin Johnson connection is working because that opens up the rest of the playbook.

Stafford has a sound receiving corps after Megatron to target, and if the ground game can prove effective, Detroit's offense will explode to new heights in 2012.

On the flip-side, the defense allowed five yards per carry in 2011 (ranked No. 30) and was No. 22 against the pass. If the Lions can't improve at slowing down opponents, they won't contest Green Bay for the NFC North.

The good news is that rookies Ronnell Lewis, Travis Lewis and Dwight Bentley have the potential to make an immediate impact. Both Lewis' will improve the front seven against the run and Bentley has the instincts to be a consistent playmaker in the secondary.

This season will tell us a lot about where the Lions' are headed in the short-term future. With tough games against Philly, Houston, San Francisco and Atlanta outside the division, Detroit will have to work extra hard for the playoffs in 2012.

No. 6 Seed, Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys simply have too much talent to not make the playoffs.

Tony Romo is coming off his best season as a pro with 31 touchdowns to only 10 picks and did so without a consistent set of receivers to target each week.

Dallas also had inconsistencies in the ground game, which put even more pressure on Romo. Looking at 2012, the real issue is whether the defense will live up to the hype.

DeMarcus Ware is the NFL's best pass-rusher and got a complement in rookie Tyrone Crawford. Big D also spruced up the secondary with Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne, so anticipate another good year from safety Gerald Sensabaugh.

This year you can expect the running game to be more consistent as the Cowboys try to be more balanced. Too many times last season did Dallas lose because the offense failed to keep opponents honest, putting its own defense at a disadvantage.

The Cowboys just need to use a simple formula of running, play-action, and quick routes with Romo under center to move the ball. As long as the defense is applying quarterback pressure, the linebackers and improved secondary will lock down in coverage.

Division games will be close as usual, but watch for other away games in Carolina, Atlanta and Cincinnati, as those will determine whether Big D reaches the 10-win mark.

John Rozum on Twitter.