2010 NFC Division by Division Preview and Predictions

The NFC has it's fair share of storylines so far this season.

Can Brett Favre duplicate his success from a year ago? Can Mike Shanahan and Donovan McNabb make an impact for the Redskins? Can the Saints defend their Super Bowl championship? Who will win the ultra competitive NFC East? The following is a division by division preview, complete with predicted record for their respective 2010 season.

Here is my 2010 NFC divisional preview. 

NFC West

1. San Francisco 49ers: 10-6. The 49ers have the best overall roster in the division. Their defense will keep them in every game, on the strength of LB Patrick Willis and their run stuffing defensive front. The 49ers feature one of the premiere running backs and one of the premiere tight ends in the league in Frank Gore and Vernon Davis. Alex Smith holds the keys to what could potentially be a quite respectable offense.

2. Seattle Seahawks: 6-10. A perusal of Seattle's roster indicates a lack of identity. The roster doesn't have a great deal of strength at any one position, although I believe they have an exquisite young safety in Earl Thomas. Their running backs are okay, their wide receivers are decent, their defensive line is a major concern with very few proven commodities. Pete Carroll's first task will be changing around the culture in Seattle.

3. Arizona Cardinals: 6-10. Wasn't it just two years ago this franchise was a Super Bowl contender? The loss of a game changing WR in Anquan Boldin and an elite signal caller in Kurt Warner will do that. Larry Fitzgerald still calls Arizona home, but that will be one of the few bright spots for this flawed football team.

4. St. Louis Rams: 3-13. The Rams will triple their win total from a year ago, but are still an afterthought. They are going in the right direction, as the finally have a young, franchise QB under center. Of course Steven Jackson still totes the rock for St. Louis, and is coming off arguably the best season of his career. The Rams are still two solid drafts away from potentially returning to respectability.

NFC North

1. Green Bay Packers: 11-5. Is there an analyst that ISN'T picking Green Bay to go to the Super Bowl? The Pack are the vogue pick to represent the NFC in 2010, and why not? Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, elite weapons in Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, Ryan Grant and Jermichael Finley, and a defense that was number one in the NFL against the run. Potential concerns are whether Al Harris can return from a debilitating injury and whether their nickel and dime corners can get the job done.

2. Minnesota Vikings: 10-6. The Vikings led the off-season in storylines, without question. Brett Favre's retirement saga, Percy Harvin's migraine headache concerns, Sidney Rice's 8 game hiatus. Two very stable forces which Minnesota possesses are all world running back Adrian Peterson and arguably the best run defense and pass rush in the league. Until Rice returns, and to properly acclimate Favre to his "new" set of receivers, Minnesota will return to their smash mouth ways with All Day.

3. Detroit Lions: 6-10. Matthew Stafford, Jahvid Best and Calvin Johnson is an outstanding playmaking trio. The duo of Ndamukong Suh and Kyle Vanden Bosch will give many opposing offensive coordinators gray hairs in 2010, but the secondary remains the weakness of this Lion's franchise on it's return to NFL relevance.

4. Chicago Bears: 6-10. They paid big money to Julius Peppers, Brian Urlacher is back from injury, and they signed Chester Taylor to add depth to their backfield. Ironically, last year's addition of Jay Cutler will be what holds them back. Cutler and new offensive coordinator Mike Martz are not a match made in heaven. Cutler has the biggest arm in the league, but is one of the worst decision makers. Martz' system calls for timing, accuracy and trust with receivers. None of which are Jay Cutler's strong suits.

NFC East

1. Dallas Cowboys: 11-5. Their offensive line is currently ravaged by injury, but Dallas is head and shoulders above their competition in the NFC East. Tony Romo is blessed with an incredible array of skill position players, the defense boasts the likes of arguably the most feared player in the league in DeMarcus Ware, and their cornerbacks are rock solid. Their potential bug-a-boo could be their safety play, as starters Alan Ball and Gerald Sensabaugh are both relatively green.

2. New York Giants: 9-7. I don't think even Giant's fans know what they have in this year's Big Blue. The Giants are loaded at defensive line (as always), get the services of two safeties in free agent Antrel Rolle and Kenny Phillips from injury. The once stable line of the Giants is one of the concerns now, as injuries have ravaged the group.

3. Philadelphia Eagles: 9-7. The Eagles completely bypassed the lengthy rebuilding process and opted for a one off-season turnaround. Kevin Kolb takes the reigns of one of the elite offenses in the NFL, and the Eagles defense will always keep them in games with their exotic zone blitz schemes.

4. Washington Redskins: 8-8. If the 'Skins competed in a lesser division, they'd be garnering more buzz as a potential playoff team. The defense is one of the most underrated units in the league, with solid talent abound. But sledding won't be quite as easy for Donovan McNabb, as he won't receive anywhere close to the pass protection he enjoyed in Philadelphia.

NFC South

1. New Orleans Saints: 10-6. It's always said it's easier to be the hunter than the hunted, and the Saints find out first hand this year. But they still have the best play-caller in the league on their side in Sean Payton, coupled with Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees directing the league's best offense. The defense is returning 10 of 11 starters, but the absence of safety Darren Sharper for two months will be an obstacle.

2. Atlanta Falcons: 9-7. The Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, Roddy White, Tony Gonzalez core is one of the most feared in the game today. All they need is the defense to limit touchdowns in the red zone and limit explosive plays for the Falcons to return to the playoffs. This team was ravaged by injuries a year ago, health will be paramount as Atlanta doesn't have much depth.

3. Carolina Panthers: 6-10. Pros: DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart form the league's best RB duo (by a mile), the secondary is solid, and LB Jon Beason is one of the best in the NFL. Cons: Who can rush the passer? Is Matt Moore an NFL starter? Who can take attention off of WR Steve Smith (that's been a question for six years)?

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 3-13. Raheem Morris has his hands full. The league's youngest roster plays in Tampa Bay. Proven NFL players are hard to come by, as the Bucs have seen a major roster overhaul the past few seasons. DT Gerald McCoy has all the makings to be an elite pro, but Tampa is a few drafts away.

PLAYOFF TEAMS:

San Francisco 49ers, Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans Saints

WILD CARD TEAMS:

Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants

NFC CHAMPIONSHIP:

Green Bay Packers over Dallas Cowboys

BEST OFFENSIVE NFC PLAYER:

Adrian Peterson, RB Vikings. Sidney Rice's injury shows me that Minnesota will re-establish their identity as a run first team. The Vikings are going to come off the bus running. All Day is also the Vikings new third down back with Chester Taylor gone. 1,700 yards rushing, 400 yards receiving, 17 touchdowns.

BEST DEFENSIVE NFC PLAYER:

DeMarcus Ware, LB Cowboys. Ware has 64.5 sacks already in his five seasons in Dallas, including a staggering 45 sacks in his last three years. I anticipate DeMarcus Ware getting 17 sacks, 2 interceptions and leading the Dallas defense to one of the premiere units in the NFL.

NFC COACH OF THE YEAR:

Mike Singletary, 49ers. Singletary does what Dennis Erickson and Mike Nolan failed miserably at, return the 49ers to glory. I anticipate Singletary securing a division crown and subsequent  playoff berth, and thus turning around what was a completely moribund franchise just two short years ago.

SUPER BOWL PREDICTION:

Baltimore Ravens over Green Bay Packers, 27-20. Ray Lewis gets his second Super Bowl as the Ravens front seven completely harasses and butchers the Packer's offensive line.  

Please read my AFC Predictions as well here.