2008 NFC predictions

Before we get to the NFC picks I want to answer a question from a reader about my thoughts on Matt Gutierrez getting cut from the Pats. I am pretty disappointed Matty Gutz didn't make the team. He showed that he could run the offense pretty well in preseason, leading the team on a few touchdown drives.

The real issue is that Matt Cassel has no right to be on an NFL team. He never played at USC, and he has rarely played in New England. When he has played, there have been few - if any - flashes of anything remotely resemlbing potential. It seemed to me that this preseason was make or break time for Cassel, and he didn't do much to make me want to see him in a Patriots uniform in September.

And now...on to the picks.

NFC East
1. Dallas (12-4) - The toughest division in the league will pose a challenge, but this team has the goods to deliver.

2. N.Y. Giants (10-6) - The G-men have a chip on their shoulder because no one is picking them to win it all this year. Hey, everyone said the Patriots were lucky in 2001, so it doesn't mean the Giants aren't good. Still, it will be tough to replace the two sacks leaders from a D-line that singlehandedly won a Super Bowl.

3. Philladelphia (9-7) - McNabb goes down in week 11. Kevin Kolb steps in and wins four of six to close out the year. McNabb comes back for the playoffs. The Eagles are promptly eliminated.

4. Washington (6-10) - Am I the only one that knows Jason Campbell is the quarterback for this team? Why is everyone picking them to do well? He's just not good enough.

NFC North
1. Minnesota (10-6) - They have a weak QB like Washington, but the Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor combo will make life easier for Tavaris Jackson. And the defense is good enough to make up for a mediocre offense.

2. Green Bay (9-7) - Aaron Rodgers will take some lumps in his first season, but he's surrounded by a team that was one play away from the Super Bowl last year. He's no Favre, but he'll be fine.

3. Detroit (6-10) - Sorry Kitna, but your team is still not getting to 10 wins. The schedule did the Lions a lot of favors to start the year in 2007; it gives no such help this year.

4. Chicago (4-12) - An aging defense (see Baltimore) that's built around guys like Urlacher playing every snap means those weaknesses will be exposed late in games. Seriously, no quarterback in free agency or the draft?

NFC South
1. Carolina (13-3) - Call me crazy, but I believe in the Panthers. Jake Delhomme was on the verge of taking a big step last year when he got derailed by Tommy John surgery. If he recovers like a baseball player (usually stronger than before), this team will be a beast.

2. New Orleans (10-6) - A healthy running game should help the Saints this year. Reggie Bush will look better with Deuce Deuce back to compliment him.

3. Tampa Bay (6-10) - Jeff Garcia is a winner, but eventually he has to get old. He's been bald for about 54 years now, so I'm saying this is the year he drops off for good.

4. Atlanta (2-14) - And with the first pick in the 2009 NFL draft...

NFC West
1. Seattle (9-7) - The best of the worst division in all of football. I think the SEC is tougher than the NFC West.

2. St. Louis (7-9) - Most of the Rams' problems last year were caused by injuries. They weren't as bad as the team that earned the second pick in the draft, and they won't be that bad again this year.

3. Arizona (6-10) - I'm not falling for the Cards this year, which means they'll probably win the Super Bowl. Odds either Kurt Warner or Matt Leinart is healthy come New Year's: 7-1.

4. San Francisco (3-13) - When T.J. O'Sullivan beats you out for a job it's safe to say you were a bust as the No. 1 draft pick Alex Smith. Too bad the Pats don't have the Niners' draft pick this year.

Playoffs
First Round - Vikings def. Eagles, Giants def. Seahawks
Second Round - Panthers def. Giants, Vikings def. Cowboys
NFC Championship - Panthers def. Vikings