Week 10 NFC Playoff Talk

I got my AFC predictions out of the way earlier. They might change over the coming weeks, but I tend to stick with my picks if they get made around turkey time.

The NFC is all about QB's. Manning and Delhomme are potential MVP candidates. Then there are Orton, Romo, and Rodgers playing hurt, and who the heck is this Kurt Warner guy.

So without further ado, the NFC...

1. Carolina Panthers, coach John Fox

Claims to fame—Jake Delhomme and the backs have been awesome while Steve Smith and Muhsin Muhammad have been leaving tracks all over the field.

But it's the team's ability to come together after the Steve Smith-Ken Lucas incident, much like the Brady Bunch after Marsha got hit with the football, that is going to separate this team from the Giants.

Carolina has the intangibles to be the lead dog in the NFC and their defense has been better than the Giants'. Julius Peppers has been a mad man and does anyone doubt that Jon Beason needs to be the Defensive Player of the Year?

Reasons Why 2009 May Not Be Super—Their schedule; the Panthers final six opponents are 16 games over .500 on the year, as opposed to the Giants scheduled teams, which are only 15 games over .500, but that includes Carolina.

2. NY Giants, coach Tom Coughlin

Claims to Fame—The 2008 Super Bowl Champs are back and better than ever. The backs are good, the defense is decent, and Coughlin hasn't rubbed any players the wrong way yet and won't as long as they are winning.

Reasons Why 2009 May Not Be Super—Plaxic"Owens" Burress might be a toxic force in the locker room. This team has a dangerous mixture of personalities and could explode.

3. Arizona Cardinals, coach Ken Whisenhunt

Claims to Fame—Whisenhunt needs a Klondike bar. With Matt Leinart's escapades, Kurt Warner's resurgence, and the defense not clicking until last week, Whisenhunt has been the glue. Oh yeah, Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, and Tim Hightower have been amazing as well.

They have an easy, breezy schedule, except for New England, and should win 11 games. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and the secondary have been fabulous and they are finally clicking.

Reasons Why 2009 May Not Be Super—Young teams don't do particularly well in the playoffs. This team is comparable to the Tampa Bay Rays in the MLB. They might get close, but next year seems more fitting.

4. Minnesota, coach Brad Childress

Claims to Fame—Adrian Peterson, Mr. MVP, or should be if the Vikes go to the playoffs. Anyone on the defense named Williams.

Reasons Why 2009 May Not Be Super—They just have yet to click, their defense gets sour after three quarters, and they don't seem to be motivated to win it all.

5. Tampa Bay, coach Chucky...um Jon Gruden

Claims to Fame—Carmen's husband Jeff Garcia, Antonio Bryant, and their revolving door of good backs. Their linebackers are always among the best and have maintained true to that this season.

Reasons Why 2009 May Not Be Super—Tampa is another three quarters of the game team. The revolving door at back will get sour and someone will need to step it up.

6. Dallas, coach Wade Phillips

Claims to Fame—Their defense has sustained them; that and Marion Barber. Not much else on the upside right now

Reasons Why 2009 May Not Be Super—Injuries and T.O. always gets volatile when he isn't winning.

Playoffs

Wild Card Playoffs

Dallas at Arizona, Arizona wins

Minnesota at Tampa, Tampa wins

Divisional Playoffs

Arizona at Giants, Arizona wins

Tampa at Carolina, give this one to the Panthers

NFC Championship

Arizona at Carolina, Arizona heads to the Super Bowl.

Super Bowl

Remember that Tampa Bay baseball reference? Jets over Arizona, but those "Baby Birds" will get great next year.