NFL Season Preview: The Top Storylines in Each Division

Well it's almost that time again. Once we get past the practice scrimmage that is the NFL preseason, we'll have America's favorite sport back in full effect. 

Today we'll take a look at the biggest storylines in each division in the NFC and try and predict where each team will end up at the end of the year.

This NFL season preview was originally posted at everydayisasportsday.blogspot.com

NFC East

1. Dallas Cowboys 2a. New York Giants 2b. Philadelphia Eagles 4. Washington Redskins

Major Storyline: Youth.

OK full disclosure: I am a die-hard Eagles fan. But that does not change the fact that the infusion of new talent as well as the growth of the younger players in this division will probably spell its fate. Three of the four teams in this division will probably see big returns from their young talent this season and it shouldn't be surprising when the Redskins, being the odd one out, are at the bottom of the division. Trent Williams still needs time to develop and while Shanahan will make this team better, I don't think the big turnaround will happen this season (unless they get Haynesworth far away from the locker room).

The Cowboys have a real gem in rookie receiver Dez Bryant and many sports writers seem to be excited about what Felix Jones will give to this team; possibly supplanting Marion Barber as the top running back in that three-headed system.

The Eagles are all-in with their youth movement, shipping Donovan McNabb off within the division and getting rid of injury-prone Brian Westbrook. But honestly, besides the quarterback position, I don't think there is an appreciable drop-off in this team's talent and one could make a case for Kevin Kolb as the perfect QB for Andy Reid's west coast offense. With one of the top trio of wide receivers in the league (Jackson, Maclin, and Avant) and Shady McCoy in the backfield, this team might be able to overcome their tough schedule.

The Giants added another piece to their already stacked line in Jason Pierre-Paul and should see a big year out of Hakeem Nicks and Steve Smith. New York really underperformed last year and I think we will see them play to their potential in 2010.

NFC North

1. Green Bay Packers 2. Minnesota Vikings 3. Chicago Bears 4. Detroit Lions 

Major Storyline: Quarterbacks.

This division will be dictated by the play of the men under center. I think Aaron Rodgers is finally poised to surpass his predecessor especially with the growth of the Packers on defense. I think if Rodgers can replicate his success from last season we will see this team form into a true Super Bowl contender.

Even though the Vikings were one throw away from the Super Bowl last season, you have to wonder if Brett Favre will be able to replicate the best year of his career with a banged up receiving core. Percy Harvin and his migraines are an even more serious problem than last year and Sidney Rice is banged up. We also can't forget about Favre's surgically repaired ankle.

The Bears hope that Cutler has exorcised the interception demons that he seemed to have last year because without him this offense will fall flat. If preseason can be any indicator of things to come (which is doubtful) the introduction of Mike Martz's system will help Cutler greatly this season but the Bears still have a long way to go.

The Lions will be the bottom feeders of this division. Matthew Stafford will make some steps forward this season but the team still isn't that good. Anything is better than 0-16 though.

NFC West

1. San Francisco 49ers 2. Seattle Seahawks 3. Arizona Cardinals 4. St. Louis Rams

Major Storyline: The Next Step.

I feel like this division is just the muck of the NFL. Whatever team that comes out is probably destined for an early exit in the wild card round. The 49ers seem to me the most complete team in this division. Their receiving corps seems poised to make steps forward and the defense under Mike Singletary should be better than last year. Quarterback is still a concern but they should have enough to win the division.

The Cardinals lost a lot of key pieces in the offseason. With the retirement of Kurt Warner and the departure of Karlos Dansby and Antrel Rolle this team seems destined for a big drop off. Hopefully Matt Leinart is ready to step up, but I have my doubts.

The Seahawks look like a sleeper team that could take advantage of this shakeup under new head coach Pete Carroll. They won't make the playoffs but they should surprise a few people and take a step toward being relevant once again.

The Rams are still bad but their next step involves trying to manufacture a way to protect their franchise quarterback.

NFC South

1. New Orleans Saints 2. Atlanta Falcons 3. Carolina Panthers 4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

Major Storyline: Question Marks.

For the past few years this division has had a different winner every season. Since the NFL divisional realignment in 2002, the team that finished in last place in the NFC South the previous year went on to make a postseason appearance the following season, with the last place team winning the division in 6 of the past 7 seasons I think this will be the first time that trend does not come to fruition but I still have some pressing questions about each team in this division.

The Saints should be division leaders again though even with increased pressure from the Falcons as they shake off the injury problems from last year to be a very formidable foe. But will the Saints be able to repeat as Super Bowl Champions?

The Falcons defense inspires a yawn, so are Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, Roddy White, and veteran Tony Gonzales ready to carry this team?

The Panthers are a very skilled team but with questions at quarterback and the loss of Julius Peppers are they going to be left behind in a league that stresses the pass over the run and emphasizes the need for elite pass rushers? 

And finally is Josh Freeman able to reward the vote of confidence from the Buccaneers' brass with a successful season? Because any success that Tampa Bay can hope for starts solely with him.

AFC East

1. New York Jets 2. New England Patriots 3. Miami Dolphins 4. Buffalo Bills

Major Storyline: Top Heavy.

Now while it might have been easy to focus on the difficult contract situations in this division, I don't think that topic will be an issue when the real football starts up. this big story in this division is the level of talent. For the first time in years I believe that the AFC East has surpassed the AFC North and NFC East as the power division of the league. The Patriots, Jets and the Dolphins all have the rosters to not only get into the playoffs but even represent the conference in the Super Bowl.

The Patriots appear to have the only "proven" QB in the division but Chad Henne and Mark Sanchez seem capable as signal-callers and will be put to the test this season. Once the Jets get all their players in camp they should be able to hold off the competition, but honestly I wouldn't be surprised to see either of those three top the division.

AFC North

1. Cincinnati Bengals 2. Baltimore Ravens  3. Pittsburgh Steelers 4. Cleveland Browns

Major Storyline: Uncertainty.

With all the injuries to the Ravens defense and the suspension of Big Ben of the Steelers, this division may be a bit unpredictable. Before all of the injuries the Ravens were the popular pick for the Super Bowl this year because of last year's performance.

The Steelers had a down year last year, but many pundits considered it a simple bump in the road. Unfortunately with Roethlisberger out to start the season, they might see a repeat at third in the division.

On the other hand, the Bengals seem to be going in the right direction. The acquisition of T.O. makes an already potent offense even better, and the defense, if it can stay healthy, is almost just as skilled. I think that while the Ravens and Steelers might stutter out of the gates, the Bengals may take an early division lead and hold on to it going into the playoffs. Oh and the Browns are still bad...

AFC West

1. San Diego Chargers 2. Denver Broncos 3. Kansas City Chiefs 4. Oakland Raiders

Major Storyline: The Chargers and the Rest.

This division seems pretty easy to predict. When the biggest new story for your team is the play of your third string QB who is by all accounts years away from seeing the field as a viable starter you know you're going in the wrong direction. *cough*Broncos*cough*. The Chiefs are bad, the Raiders are worse. At least Kansas City seems to be in rebuilding mode, Oakland isn't even in a place to start and I don't think Jason Campbell is the first step. Even with Vincent Jackson possibly holding out I think that the Chargers will make short work out of the division.

AFC South

1. Indianapolis Colts 2. Houston Texans 3. Tennessee Titans 4. Jacksonville Jaguars

Major Storyline: Business as Usual.

The Colts should win this division handly as usual so there probably won't be too many headlines made in terms of the division race. The race for second, however, may be a little interesting. The Titans' season ended on a high note with the team going 8-2 in it's last 10 games. Unfortunately for Tennessee, I think that their current squad is more indicative of their 0-6 start than their finish.

On the flip side, the Texans are still striving to live up to their potential. They have a core of elite players in Matt Schaub, Andre Johnson, Owen Daniels, Mario Williams, Brian Cushing, and DeMeco Ryans but beyond that the skills of the rest of the squad may be a bit suspect. Arian Foster may be a pleasant surprise this season though.  The Jaguars should just try and keep their team in town.