NFC 2008 Season Forecast

It is finally upon us. Tomorrow, the new NFL season kicks off. There are a lot of changes, from rules regarding fan conduct or plays on the field—like the force-out on pass plays—to the faces of franchises like Brett Favre being traded from the Green Bay Packers to the New York Jets (perhaps you've heard?).

There are a couple constants, however. For one thing, parity reigns: 15 of the 16 NFC teams can realistically shoot for a playoff spot, and there are maybe a dozen in the AFC.

There is also the returning theme of injuries, the biggest of which saw the Super Bowl champions losing Osi Umenyiora to injury to put their title defense in jeopardy. Shawne Merriman has ignored the advice of four doctors and will try to play through what was described as a career-threatening knee injury.

But what it all comes down to is who can overcome their division rivals, tough non-division opponents, and injuries most consistently. Below is a division-by-division prediction for the regular-season standings in the National Football Conference:

NFC East

1. The Dallas Cowboys are the most talented team in the NFC and perhaps the league. They are also a powder keg waiting to explode, thanks to character deficiencies for key players: Terrell Owens' selfishness, Pacman Jones' criminal tendencies, and Tony Romo's pursuit of celebrity and lack of courage in the pocket. But there will be no match (double-meaning intended) in the regular season, as they will finish as division champs and get a first-round bye.
2. The Philadelphia Eagles had one of the most successful offseasons in the league, and now feature what is probably the best pass defense in the game. That and the play-making of Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook will be enough to get them in the playoffs.
3. The New York Giants lost two of their three-best pass rushers, and in a division this tough, that will keep them from even getting the opportunity to defend their title in January.
4. The Washington Offensively Named Ones (I refuse to use that name just as I would not use the "N" word to describe a team!) have an inexperienced coach and too many questions, as has been the norm  under owner Daniel Snyder. They could possibly win the NFC West, but the best they can do here is 8-8.

NFC South

1. The New Orleans Saints have made moves to shore up their defense, their one Achilles' heel in the past two years. It is still going to be mediocre, but with the addition of a motivated Jeremy Shockey (expect him to be on his best behavior for this one season at least) and the return of Deuce McAllister, this becomes one of the most potent offenses in the league. They win this division and possibly earn the top seed because they will have an easier schedule than Dallas.
2. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were so decimated in the backfield in the 2007 season that I was expecting a call any day, but they still won their division. This season, they should be able to augment that always potent defense with a more balanced attack and once again reach the playoffs.
3. The Carolina Panthers' window has closed. Even assuming Jake Delhomme fully returns from Tommy John surgery, his main targets are Steve Smith, who's antics are wearing thin on the team, and Muhsin Muhammad has not been the same since he left Carolina years ago. They also have lost depth in their backfield, and have two good teams in front of them. They will be lucky to finish 8-8.
4. The Atlanta Falcons are unequivocally the worst team in the conference, perhaps the league. They are in a shambles after the tumultuous season last year that saw their franchise quarterback embroiled in animal brutality and their coach quit on them. Matt Ryan may eventually be a better quarterback than the inaccurate, inconsistent Michael Vick, but he is being thrown to the wolves with no support and tough division foes. They will not win four games.

NFC North

1. The Minnesota Vikings were aggressive in the offseason, going after Jarred Allen to bolster their pass rush, Bernard Berrian to bolster their receiving corps, and Brett Favre to give them a quarterback—okay, supposedly they didn't do the third, but they should have done something for that position. They have every other piece of a championship puzzle, and that will be enough in the NFC North.
2. The Green Bay Packers were the anti-Vikings. As a lifelong Packers fan, that is normally a good thing. Unfortunately, this offseason, it is bad. General Manager Ted Thompson made as many apparent key additions in the last two years as the Vikings have championships (zero, although Ryan Grant turned out to be key despite his low-profile arrival) and forced out one of the greatest quarterbacks of all-time. Aaron Rodgers has handled the pressure well so far, but how will it go when he has a bad game and bitter fans turn on him? It is hard enough getting a rhythm down with your receiving corps and blockers and learning to read coverages and blitzes, but to follow a legend under these circumstances is brutal. The Packers have a winning season but will miss the playoffs.
3. The Detroit Lions have probably the best quarterback in the division, by default, and a great receiving corps. They added a good rookie running back and an offensive coordinator who understands you need to run the ball. But they still come up short on defense and seem to lack the correct mentality. I doubt they finish .500.
4. The Chicago Bears may have the worst quarterback situation in the league, and their running game disappeared on them last season, too; their best offensive player is a defensive back. Furthermore, they seem to have frequent problems staying healthy, and there is no defense good enough in the world to overcome all that. They likely will lose 10 games.

NFC West

1. The Seattle Seahawks shored up their running game a bit and feature an experienced coach and quarterback to go along with a solid defense. They lack consistency and a receiving corps and are not exceptional in any phase of the game, but their balance and experience will carry them in this competitive, but unspectacular, division.
2. The Arizona Cardinals have some issues: an unhappy star receiver, an old quarterback known to hold the ball too long (this combines to make his health a severe question, as is the backup at the position), and no proof they have the mentality to contend. But they have a solid defense and enough at the running back position to keep teams honest, and should go at least 8-8.
3. The San Francisco 49ers have a journeyman quarterback, an offensive coordinator who does not believe in running the ball guiding an offense whose best player is a running back, and a coach who threw his injured quarterback under the bus last season while defending the worst coordinator in history. The defense and special teams are pretty good, but not that good; they will finish with a losing record.
4. The St. Louis Rams have a great running back and quarterback. They drafted the player I think will turn out to be one of the best in the class of 2008, Chris Long, to shore up their defensive line. He reminds me of Aaron Kampman: an overachiever whose motor is always running. But they are too lacking in too many areas to make a serious run. I would not be surprised if they finish as high as second place in the division, but would be if they win more than eight games.