Random thoughts on all of the NFC teams...

Lets start with the insanely competitive NFC East:

The NY Va-giants: Finally their coach and QB get the kudos they deserve. The pass rush is always a game changer, They have 2 A+ WR's, and Bradshaw should snap back this year. All things considered Coughlin and Manning deserve about 75% of the credit for their 2 most recent championships. Those 2 keep that team focused and are as a good a tandem as Belichick and Brady. Tom C has out performed Parcells statistically, but so Has rex Ryan with the Jets... so take it with a grain of salt. Eli is now the most prolific QB in team history. In the early years there was no way I saw this happening. But, I've always been a big Eli fan. Eli has been very consistent with his message to the team which is this: "Don't forget, we were a 9-7 team last year". Like always he is on point. I must say it's funny to see how the Giants constantly complain about the attention the Jets get from the press. I really believe they are jealous. Their owner always mentions the Jets in some sarcastic way when he is being interviewed. Woody Johnson never mentions the Giants... maybe because HE DOESN'T CARE ABOUT THE GIANTS! Put your tampon in Mr Mara and curl up with a good book. 8-8

The Skins: They gave away anything and everything to move up and draft RG III. Osi Umenyiora said RG III doesn't deserve a nickname yet... for now he is going to call him Bob Griffin. Thats awesome LOL. I like what I have seen from this young man up until this point. It's hard to justify the price they paid, but considering his upside it's hard to say what's too much. If he wins them a Superbowl, I guess he's worth it. Their only major question is in their backfield... who will step up? Shanahan traditionally can turn anyone into a thousand yard rusher. Does he still have his touch? 7-9

The Cowboys: The Dez Bryant gamble has not worked out. They have a long list of draft busts over the past few years. All of their drafts since Parcells left are a long list of nobody's. They have reached and gambled quite a bit and not only have their 1st rounders not panned out but they haven't hit on any of their mid-late rounders. I see them getting buried in this intense division. The Romo/Garrett era comes to an end. Time to re-tool. 5-11

The Eagles: I think we see Vick play smarter football than ever this season. They know that there season boils down to a simple mathematical equation: Vick + significant injury = No playoffs. He will stay in the pocket, slice up the opposition and most importantly stay upright. Andy Reid has been hindered by his sons for years and just today the tragic news came across the wire that his oldest son past away. I am not sure how this will effect his status with the team moving forward. If he stays on and the team stays healthy I pick them to win the Superbowl and have the leagues best record. 13-3

The Bears: They have been a tea that have chosen the path less traveled when build their team over the past few years. They have relied more on big trades and free agent signings than the draft. Popular thinking says that it is not possible to have success in the salary cap era following this strategy, but the Bears make it work. The big names they have traded for were available for a reason. usually it's because their previous teams decided they were better of without them. We are talking about game changers like Peppers, Cutler and Marshall. I am not a fan of any of these players, but they are guys who can get you the next level. The Lions who I will discuss next have followed the more traditional route with a number of lights out drafts over the past 4 years. However, their players seem to have the most off the field issues while Lovie Smith has been able to reign in his 'problem child' FA's... at least so far. I love the addition of Mike Tice, he and Cutler should do very well together. Briggs and Urlacher remind me of Lewis and Reed in Baltimore, when will they hit the wall? 10-6

The Lions: They made the playoffs last year, thats an amazing turn around from a 0-16 season only a few short years ago. If Stafford can stay healthy he and Johnson will continue to steam roll opposing defenses, however thats a big if. I think some coaches simply like bad asses. I am sure Schwartz can handle his players, I think he just doesn't care. I think he embraces their edgy reputation and that's why they continue to have players with off the field issues. He himself tried to take a swing at another head coach after a game last year. I am not saying Schwartz likes to see players in trouble and getting suspended, but he likes the bad boy identity that team has taken on, especially compared to the doormat reputation they had before he arrived. They are relevant again. Not every team needs to be squeaky clean to win. 10-6

The Vikings: This team is pure garbage, I'm sorry but I simply have nothing to say about them. 2-14

The Packers: If they had choked the way they did in 2012 before winning a Superbowl their stock would not be very high. Their early exit from the post season was an epic fail. But they have already won the big game, so I think the collapse last year will simply be a learning experience. They have obvious areas of opportunity mostly revolving around the defense. They went defense in all of the first 5 rounds of the draft. Expect a more balanced team but a slightly worse record. They still win the best division in football. 12-4

The Falcons: Love the way they build their team. The drafts have been pretty solid and they are not afraid to take chances. They know they have a rare young QB and they have done everything possible to surround him with weapons. I also like the free agents they bring in. Samuel is the perfect example of a high quality player who is a game changer that was available at a bargain price. He wasn't connecting with the system or the environment in Philly and ATL snatched him up. I feel that they are the best team in their division yet again. I also see them with double digit wins again. Can they figure out why they curl up and die in the post season every year? Thats the question. 10-6

The Panthers: The only story here is Can Newton. This guy is bigger than the whole franchise and he handles the spot light well. He's every NFL owner's wet dream. Pick a high profile guy in the draft and let him turn your whole team around. There is no way he can't be a bit over-hyped right now but I still think he will avoid the sophomore slump. The NFC East and Central are so stacked I just can't see how Cam makes it to the playoffs this season. 8-8

The Saints: Vilma is one of my favorite players in the league. I can't wrap my mind around a season ending suspension. Roger Goodell will probably not last another 2 years. He has done nothing but alienate the players in this league. He obviously favors a few select franchises and shits on everyone else. Robert Kraft could break Woody Johnson's legs with a baseball bat in the middle of the field with 25 cameras filing him and he would get a slap on the wrist... and Goodell would demand that all of the video be destroyed. They should make John Madden the comish for a few years until they find the right long term guy. Either way I see them playing solid football but they will lose the close games without their coach and QB of the defense. 7-9

Tampa Bay: I just don't see their coach as an NFL guy. Frankly he didn't impress me that much @ Rutgers. He is way to much of a control freak and he is not familiar with how to supervise a bunch of millionaires. They don't say "how high" when you say "jump!" the way a bunch of college kids in NJ do. They will more likely say "call my agent and see if that's covered in my contract". That being said they do have some talent in some important spots. Freeman is a genuine NFL QB. Will Mark Barron and Doug Martin make a big splash in 2012. If these guy become reliable starters the future looks bright in sunny Tampa. 7-9

The Cardinals: I'm not a fan. Skelton played well down the stretch in 2011 and Wisenhunts life became more complicated with every pass the young QB completed. Kolb has all the tools to become an elite QB, but does he have the intangibles? His too cool for school persona has certainly not won over his team mates. They are also not crazy about the amount of money this guy has collected with little to no contribution thus far. Kolb is one step away from being the next Kyle Boller. If he wants to avoid the life long tag "BUST" he needs to step up right now. Ryan Leaf is on the phone Kevin, he wants his chance at a successful life back.

The Rams: Fisher picked a unique place to re-start his career. There are so many important pieces in place. He played Belichick in this draft trading down over and over. Look how well that has worked out for the "genius" in New England. Billy B was starting grocery store employees late last season. They moved down to the 14th pick and went defense. Right now Bradford needs some legitimate targets. Steven jackson is running out of gas. Remember how quickly and hard RB's hit the wall especially when they have millage on them like Jackson. They have a bunch of quality #3 WR's and no one to stretch the field. I have no idea how they didn't land Vincent Jackson.

The Seahawks: I can't believe they are toying with Tavaris Jackson again this year, and why did they undermine Matt Flynn by drafting Russell Wilson? Again we have a coach that is wired for college and not the pro's. I think they should have brought in Jason Campbell and let he and Flynn fight it out. Retaining Jackson and drafting Wilson was simply stupid. I can't decide if the Vikings, the Browns or the Seahawks are the worst team in the league this year. Considering how lackluster their division is they will scrape up a few wins. If they were in the NFC Central they would be 0-16. This year: 4-12

The 49ers: Wow is all I can say. They will destroy their division, and win double digits. However, I have never seen a team from a weak division dominate in the post-season. They simply won't be battle tested enough. They have the deepest backfield and WR corps. in the league. The defense is lights out and the QB should only get better this season. I don't want to over think things considering how talented they are, but I just don't see them making it to the Superbowl. They have tough schedule. I see them losing at least 5 games. 11-5

So I see The Eagles, The 49er's, The Packers and The Falcons winning their divisions. I also think both wildcards will come from The NFC Central: The Lions and Bears.

I see an epic NFCCG @ The Link between the Eagles and Packers. Mike Vick and the Eagles go to the Superbowl.

That makes it The Chiefs and Eagles in the big game and I pick The Eagles to win it all.