NFL: Mid Season Check Point, NFC Edition

After 9 weeks and the majority of the NFL half way through its schedule, let's see how my preseason predictions are holding up....

NFC East Prediction NFC East Now

New York Giants (13-3) Dallas Cowboys     (6-2)

Philadelphia Eagles (12-4) Philadelphia Eagles (5-3)

Dallas Cowboys (9-7) New York Giants (5-4)

Washington Redskins (4-12) Washington Redskins (2-6)

Overview

Not only did I not expect an early season meltdown for the Giants I did not expect a surge by the Cowboys; the Cowboys are still destine to fall, however. When your head coach is Wade Phillips there really isn't much hope at a deep playoff run. 

New Prediction

A favorable schedule could give Dallas 4 or 5 more gimme wins. Dallas: 11-5

Much like Dallas a favorable schedule will bode extremely well. Philadelphia: 10-6

A very tough Schedule could give the Giants at least three more losses; the Giants should be in panic mode. New York: 9-7

The Redskins could easily lose the remainder of its games, the only bump a game against Oakland. Washington: 3-13

NFC North Prediction NFC North Now

Minnesota Vikings (10-6) Minnesota Vikings  (7-1)

Chicago Bears (10-6) Chicago Bears (4-4)

Green Bay Packers (7-9) Green Bay Packers (4-4)

Detroit Lions (3-13) Detroit Lions (1-7)

Overview

This division is lining up pretty much the same way I thought it would. The Packers were extremely overrated going into the season and I saw through it, the Bears have a new QB and a mediocre coach, and the Lions well they are still the Lions. Expect the division standings to remain the same in the North.

New Prediction

The Vikings have had some trouble closing out games and could easily be 5-3 right now, but they are not and are in good position to win the North. Minnesota: 11-5

Assuming Lovie Smith can win the games he is supposed to the Bears should finish with a winning record, barely. Chicago: 9-7

The Pack are right on track to finish the way I thought they would; the schedule doesn't get any easier. Green Bay: 7-9

The Lions face division foes three more times and go on the road to Cinci and Baltimore back to back, not exactly the turn around they had hoped. Detroit 2-14

NFC South Prediction NFC South Now

Atlanta Falcons (11-5) New Orleans Saints (8-0)

New Orleans Saints (11-5) Atlanta Falcons (5-3)

Carolina Panthers (9-7) Carolina Panthers  (3-5)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-15) Tampa Buccaneers (1-7)

Overview

I don't know how many people saw the Saints surge coming to this extreme, but I definitely saw them making noise. Tampa Bay got the one win I knew they would; everyone laughed at me last week in my blog when I picked Tampa Bay to beat Green Bay, but who's laughing now. And of course, I think many people knew Delhomme was a little past his prime.

New Prediction

A date against the Patriots and a trip to the Georgia Dome could really be the only losses the Saints see this year. New Orleans: 14-2

The Falcons have a pretty nice schedule lined up if they can take care of business when they need to. Atlanta: 10-6

One of the toughest finishing schedules does not bode well for a struggling Panther team. Carolina: 6-10

Josh Freeman showed a lot of promise and potential against the Packers, but the schedule does not. Tampa Bay: 2-14

NFC West Prediction NFC West Now

Arizona Cardinals  (11-5) Arizona Cardinals  (5-3)

Seattle Seahawks (6-10) San Francisco 49ers (3-5)

San Francisco 49ers (5-11) Seattle Seahawks (3-5)

St. Louis Rams (2-14) St. Louis Rams (1-7)

The worst division in football, remains the worst division in football. The Cardinals will continue to win this division by default. 

New Prediction

The Cards have one of the easiest remaining schedules in football. If they can stay hot they could get a first round bye. Arizona: 12-4

The 49ers fluke start was just that. I was one of the few people that did not hop on the SanFranwagon and I will continue to stay off of it. San Francisco: 6-10

The Seahawks just cannot ever stay healthy. It may be time to move forward in many positions. Seattle: 6-10

The Rams are lucky they got to play last year's winless Lions to avoid being this year's winless team. St. Louis: 1-15