NFC North (Projected Order of Finish)
1. Minnesota Vikings (10-6 Last Year)
I proclaimed the Vikings as serious players in the NFC in a previous blog, so I won't bore you by repeating those points. Brett Favre has arrived, eliminating one of the few holes they had. He, Adrian Peterson, and the defense will make the Vikes the favorite in nearly all the games they play this year. But Favre better have it for the whole season. Minnesota's last three games (about the time Favre turned into Bruce Vilanch last season) are @Carolina, @Chicago, and hosting the Giants in what may be the battle for the #1 seed in the NFC. Keep it together, Brett.
2009 Projected Record: 13-3
2. Green Bay Packers (6-10 Last Year)
From Favre's team of new to Favre's team of old. And his replacement, quarterback Aaron Rodgers, isn't too shabby at all. His top receiver Greg Jennings still doesn't get the lovin' he deserves, but that's just fine with him as he quietly puts up one monster season after another. He and Donald Driver are nice weapons for Rodgers, while I see a bigtime bounce-back year for Ryan Grant in the backfield. They don't have the defense to challenge for the division, but they'll be in the thick of the wild card for sure.
2009 Projected Record: 8-8
3. Chicago Bears (9-7 Last Year)
Another NFC North team, another quarterback at the forefront. Jay Cutler takes his hurt feelings from Denver to the windy city, and we'll all find out if his crybaby act was worth it. He takes the reigns at quarterback and will throw to....uh oh. After having great receivers last year with the Broncos, Cutler has a box of Jujyfruits with the Bears. I see this as the reason for Chicago's step backward in '09. While the Bears' QBs sucked last year, at least they knew they sucked and didn't force any passes they knew would be disasters. I think Cutler, with all his baggage and so much to prove, will force too many crazy passes to too many subpar receivers, which will absolutely kill them in close games. With his great receivers in '08 with Denver, Cutler still threw more interceptions than anyone with less than 3 retirements. They will need their great defense and emerging superstar Matt Forte in the backfield to come up big if Cutler struggles.
2009 Projected Record: 7-9
4. Detroit Lions (0-16 Last Year. Ew.)
They were the first 'defeated' team in the history of the 16-game NFL season last year....They will probably improve. Let's just give 'em 4 games. Their fans must be happy with that, right? Right??
2008 Projected Record: 4-12
NFC South (Projected Order of Finish)
1. New Orleans Saints (8-8 Last Year)
This division is usually the most topsy-turvy in all of football, and I expect that to continue. The Saints were in last place in '08, and I have them 1st in '09. This isn't a groundbreaking prediction though...one of the biggest mysteries of last season was the Saints' inability to win those close games with their phenomenal offense. Drew Brees threw for 5,000 freakin' yards. His top target Marques Colston (from Hofstra, baby!) got hurt last year, and a full 16 games from him makes the offense even scarier. The defense is loaded with turds, but they are led by Reilly Sports Blog favorite Jonathan Vilma at linebacker. It won't matter. If their opponent scores 30, they'll score 40. Score 40, they'll get 50. You get the idea.
2009 Projected Record: 11-5
2. Carolina Panthers (12-4 Last Year)
The Panthers were phenomenal in the regular season last year, going 12-4 and seemingly ready to go deep into the playoffs. Then Jake Delhomme played like Bruce Vilanch after 16-18 beers in the playoff game against Arizona. It was horrific. It was graphic violence. It would have gotten a TV-MA rating if shown on HBO. Five (5) interceptions against a Cardinal team known to have a crummy defense. Granted, the Cardinals were operating under something divine in the playoffs last year, but it was a game that he still might not have shaken off yet. He better, because the only thing uglier than Delhomme's playoff game is their 2009 schedule. Look out. Their fantastic runners and above-average D will keep them in the hunt. But forget 12-4.
2009 Projected Record: 8-8
3. Atlanta Falcons (11-5 Last Year)
The only mystery bigger than the Saints going 8-8 last year was the Falcons going 11-5. I still don't get it. The magic of rookie QB Matt Ryan and new runner Michael Turner could seemingly only go so far. But then it went further. And further. Then 11-5 further. New Orleans is criticized for their Dunkaroo defense, but don't think of Atlanta's D as superior. The post-Mike Vick magic was incredible for one year, but I think they fall to earth and fall short of the postseason.
2009 Projected Record: 8-8
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7 Last Year)
Boy, did the heads roll down south last year. It was the most carnage you could have after an above-.500 year. GM, gone. Head coach Jon Gruden, now a Monday Night Football announcer. Long-time players who were staples of the team, tah tah. The growing pains will be immense for the Bucs as they go in a new direction. In such a tough division, they really cannot contend in '09. Byron Leftwich, Derrick Ward, and Kellen Winslow are all newcomers on the offense. And there is pretty much nothing left of the defense that dominated earlier this decade. Kicker Matt Bryant is one of the best players on the team.
2009 Projected Record: 5-11
Well geez, that was a long one. I hope you enjoyed the accompanying logos...they took far more work to do than it appears. The wait is over on Wednesday, Giants fans. A detailed NFC East overview will be then. Have a good few days.
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