NFC EastPhiladelphia EaglesWR Terrell Owens is the biggest nuisance in the history of the NFL, but the man can play. He’s vowed “a season for the ages. RB Brian Westbrook runs the ball effectively enough, and doubles as the second WR out of the backfield. Leading the defense is veteran FS Brian Dawkins and athletic DE Javon Kearse. Having Jeremiah Trotter and Dhani Jones at linebacker doesn’t hurt things either, along with the addition of rookie DT Mike Patterson. The only way Philly doesn’t make a long playoff run is if the TO traveling circus shows up again, and he or McNabb misses significant time.

Dallas CowboysBill Parcells won’t allow Dallas to have another season like last year, so I pick them as a wild card contender. RB Julius Jones ran for 805 yards in the final 7 games, giving the Cowboys hope for 2005. QB Drew Bledsoe knows Parcells’ offense, and will be good enough to get the ball to WR Keyshawn Johnson (70 receptions, 981 yards, 6 TD) or TE Jason Witten (87 receptions, 980 yards, 6 TD.) The strength of the defense is the secondary, with star SS Roy Williams and talented CBs Terence Newman and Anthony Henry. The Cowboys need to rely on their defense to return to the playoffs, and their switch to the 3-4 defense will get them there.

New York GiantsIt helps that the Giants added big, physical WR Plaxico Burress to complement WR Amani Toomer. RB Tiki Barber is a Pro-Bowler. TE Jeremy Shockey hasn’t lived up to the hype yet, and will continue being one of the most overrated players in the league. The Giants defense has one star in DE Michael Strahan. Other than Strahan, they need a big season out of CB Will Allen or newcomer LB Antonio Pierce. They couldn’t stop the run last year, and they didn’t do enough in the off-season to address the problem, so look for the Giants to have a disappointing season again.

Washington Redskins QB Patrick Ramsey has played poorly in camp and is barely hanging on to his job over Mark Brunell and Jason Campbell. They do get consistency out of RB Clinton Portis, who had his worst season in the NFL last season (1315 yards, 5 TD). WRs David Patten and Santana Moss are speedy, big play receivers. It will be interesting to see if Gibbs continues to use his WR over the middle, or throws the ball downfield more with the added deep threats. The Redskins defense ranked second in the league last season, and return their run stopping front four. DT Cornelius Griffin is an emerging star, and LB LaVar Arrington is healthy again and ready to wreck offenses.

NFC NorthMinnesota VikingsWR Randy Moss is irreplaceable, but the Vikings are confident that WR Nate Burleson can carry most of the load. WR Travis Taylor has played well, along with Marcus Robinson and rookie Troy Williamson. Michael Bennett is the current starter at RB, but it’s a good bet that Mewelde Moore and Moe Williams will eventually take over, and get most of the carries. Free agents CB Fred Smoot and FS Darren Sharper join CBs Corey Chavous and Antoine Winfield in the secondary. The LB corps added Napoleon Harris and Sam Cowart. The defensive line lost veteran DT Chris Hovan, but remains solid with Kevin Williams, Pat Williams and Kenechi Udeze. Rookie DE Erasmus James should see his playing time go up as the season progresses. If the Vikings find a way to protect Culpepper with the running game, the Vikings will be in the Super Bowl hunt.

Detroit LionsQB Joey Harrington has made progress in the preseason, becoming more accurate and smarter with the football. The drafting gods have been kind to the Lions, who have picked WRs Charles Rogers, Roy Williams, and Mike Williams with their last three 1st round picks. All of them are big, physical guys that can make any catch. Their 4th receiver, Kevin Johnson is a good short option for Harrington, along with newcomer TE Marcus Pollard. DT Shaun Rogers made his first Pro Bowl last year, and should have a repeat performance. DT Dan Wilkinson gives the Lions a good run stopper, along with DE Corey Redding. LB Boss Bailey is back from injury, and anchors a fast, athletic group. CBs Dre Bly and Fernando Bryant are good cover corners, and Safeties Terrence Holt and Kenoy Kennedy will be improved. They’re still a few years away from being a Super Bowl contender, but they will be if they can keep their young players.

Green Bay PackersFavre spent the offseason working with a trainer, and is in the best shape of his career. He has plenty of weapons on offense, with Pro Bowl WR Javon Walker and 1000 yard receiver Donald Driver. TE Bubba Franks will be focused after getting a new 7-year contract. RB Ahman Green should be hungry after a disappointing season last year, and is backed up by rising star Najeh Davenport. On the defensive side, the Packers are average, and lost one of their best players in FS Darren Sharper. DE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila anchors the defensive line, but starting DTs Grady Jackson and Cletidus Hunt are returning from injuries and may be ineffective. Their LBs have questions as well, with their leader Na’il Diggs fighting an MCL injury. Even with Favre around, this team has little shot because of their defense.

Chicago BearsRookie Kyle Orton takes over at QB, and should surprise a lot of people with his play. He’s a big, strong pocket passer and was overlooked by most teams because of his lack of athleticism. The running game will be productive, with RBs Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson splitting carries. The Bears had a huge signing in WR Muhsin Muhammad, who led the NFL in receiving yards last year. The athletic Justin Gage is on the other side, with Mark Bradley and Bernard Berrian also available. LE Adewale Ogunleye had a bad season last year, and needs to step up as the best player on the line. LB Brain Urlacher is healthy after three injuries last year, and will have his standard Pro Bowl season. His abscence opened the door for LB Lance Briggs to step up, and he will start alongside Urlacher. The secondary is very good with CBs Charles Tillman and Jerry Azumah. CB Nathan Vasher is third on the depth chart, after leading the team in interceptions last year. The offense will be atrocious, but the defense should be solid. Simply put, the Bears won’t score enough to win games, and should be in the bottom of the NFC North.

South

Atlanta FalconsQB Michael Vick needs to become a better passer for the Falcons to make a long playoff run. RB Warrick Dunn is quick and shifty, and RB TJ Duckett can come in short yardage situations. WR Michael Jenkins takes over the top spot on the depth chart with the release of Peerless Price. Rookie Roddy White has all the physical tools, but will take some time to mature. TE Alge Crumpler will be Vick’s #1 target though, and the Pro Bowler should be back in Hawaii next February. The line will be a force this year with LE Patrick Kerney and DT Rod Coleman holding down the left side. Atlanta addressed their LB problems with the signings of Ed Hartwell and Ike Reese, who join Pro Bowler Keith Brooking. They have holes in the secondary, with CB DeAngelo Hall as the only marquee player. Atlanta will win the South, and will be a Super Bowl contender with Michael Vick wrecking defensive schemes.

Carolina PanthersQB Jake Delhomme is primed for a huge season, after throwing 29 touchdowns last year without WR Steve Smith or starting RBs DeShaun Foster and Stephen Davis. WR Ricky Proehl is a good slot receiver, going over the middle, catching and holding on to the ball. The Panthers also traded for Rod Gardner, who started every game in the past four seasons for Washintgon. Whoever is running the ball, the Panthers will have one of the best rushing attacks in the league. The defensive line is where it all starts for the Panthers, with elite DEs Mike Rucker and Julius Peppers. DTs Kris Jenkins and Brentson Buckner will clog the middle, and will be tough to run on. At LB Dan Morgan got a huge contract after his Pro Bowl appearance, and Will Witherspoon is an emerging star. CBs Chris Gamble, Ken Lucas, and Ricky Manning Jr. are all capable of being near the top of the league in interceptions, and Gamble should go to his first Pro Bowl this year. SS Mike Minter gives the secondary veteran leadership, and rookie hard hitter Thomas Davis will start at FS. The Panthers would finish first in most other divisions, but they’ll settle for second here. Either way, they will be a threat to go to the Super Bowl behind their defense, and running game.

New Orleans SaintsQB Aaron Brooks threw 16 INTs last year, and completed 57% of his passes; both need to improve this year. RB Deuce McAllister has quietly been one of the top RBs in the league the past few seasons, and was rewarded with a long contract in the off-season. WR Joe Horn is a perennial Pro Bowler, and Donte Stallworth finally played like he was capable of last year. Two speedsters, Devery Henderson and Az Hakim are battling it out for the third receiver spot. Defensive ends Charles Grant and Darren Howard are quick off the edges. New Orleans has no stars at LB, but they played well last season. CB Mike McKenzie had a summer to learn the defensive scheme, and should be dangerous to throw near. The Saints are definitely playoff contenders, and could have a shot at the division.

Tampa Bay BuccaneersApparently Brian Griese forgot he was Brian Griese last year, and completed 69.3% of his passes to lead the NFL. RB Cadillac Williams takes the starting job from Michael Pittman, and FB Mike Alstott will get some carries too. WR Michael Clayton had an argument for Rookie of the Year last year, and should come back with another 1,000-yard season. The Bucs strength is their defensive line, with sack machine DE Simeon Rice. DTs Anthony McFarland and Chris Hovan should get into the backfield to help out Rice too. LB Derrick Brooks is an eight-time Pro Bowler, and can still play. CB Ronde Barber is a Pro Bowler, and should be back to Hawaii. CB Brian Kelly had 4 INTs last season, and 51 tackles. He and Barber are the only hope for the secondary. Tampa has very little chance in this division, but it will be nice to see Michael Clayton and Cadillac Williams mature.

NFC West

St. Louis RamsQB Marc Bulger is the man in St. Louis now, getting the offense back to the Kurt Warner-era numbers. RB Steven Jackson is also the man now, taking over Marshall Faulk’s starting role. Those are some big shoes to fill, but Faulk will still be there to get some touches. Bulger has plenty of weapons at WR with Pro Bowlers Torry Holt and Issac Bruce. Kevin Curtis and Shaun McDonald had good seasons last year, and are improving. Bulger will divide up about 4,000 passing yards over those four receivers. Free agent signings LB Chris Claiborne and LB Dexter Coakley add talent to the backfield. CB DeJuan Groce has potential, and SS Adam Archuleta is a budding star. The defense will be improved from last year, as the Rams look to return to the playoffs, and possibly make some noise.

Arizona CardinalsKurt Warner is hungry after losing his job in New York to Eli Manning. Rookie RB JJ Arrington is regarded as a steal, and will carry most of the load for Green. RB Marcel Shipp will get a few touches in short yardage situations. At WR, Warner will have Anquan Boldin, Bryant Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald. Boldin was injured most of last season, but was great in his rookie campaign. Fitzgerald had a very good rookie year and looks to continue where he left off. Bryant Johnson is a deep threat, and will start living up to the hype he was drafted on. Their defensive line is very good, with Darnell Dockett, Bertrand Berry, and Chike Okeafor all capable of making big plays. LB Karlos Dansby is athletic, and now has a year of the NFL under his belt. The LB corps isn’t great, but should be servicable. CB Antrel Rolle was the Cardinals 1st round pick this year, and will play immediately. He’s a big, physical lockdown corner, which isn’t something you see everyday in a corner. SS Adrian Wilson is very good, and will help bail out Rolle on his rookie mistakes. Arizona is the trendy pick for a breakout season, and I’m on that bandwagon. Kurt Warner will be back to his old self with the offensive weapons, and the defense will get it done enough to help them win games.

Seattle SeahawksQB Matt Hasselbeck has been good in Seattle at times, but his completion percentage hasn’t been great. That should improve with the additions of WR Peter Warrick, and the sure handed Joe Jurevicius. RB Shaun Alexander is arguably the best RB in the league, running for 1696 yards and 16 TD last year, along with 23 catches. The defensive side of the ball is cause for concern, with Grant Wistrom as the only above average player in the front 7 other than LB Jamie Sharper. In the secondary, CB Marcus Trufant is a budding star along with SS Michael Boulware. FS Ken Hamlin needs to return to his old form, and the Sehawks need a good season out of Andre Dyson. I have a feeling that they’ll finish behind the upstart Arizona, based on defense alone.

San Francisco 49ersThey’re locked into a tight battle with Cleveland for the worst team in the league, and I eventually think they’ll lose the war. RB Kevan Barlow should lose his job to Frank Gore. QB Tim Rattay doesn’t have much to throw to, and is only starting because Alex Smith isn’t ready yet. WR Brandon Lloyd is their number one guy, but Arnaz Battle will push him this year if Lloyd doesn’t perform. Rashaun Woods is still trying to get it together, and should get more receptions this year. TE Eric Johnson was Rattay’s favorite target last year, catching 82 balls, and will continue to serve that role. The defense will take some time to adjust to the new 3-4 scheme. The marquee player on the 49er defense is LB Julian Peterson, along with SS Tony Parrish. Parrish has 20 INT in the last 3 years.