 Dallas Cowboys
(13-3, 1st place in the NFC East in 2007)
There’s no doubt that the Cowboys are the best team in the NFC on paper. The question is whether Tony Romo can produce in the playoffs, and if Dallas has a second receiver to complement Terrell Owens. If Adam Jones fits in, and Terry Glenn comes back from injury, there’s no reason to think the Cowboys won’t be the class of the NFC.
Prediction: 13-3
 New York Giants
(10-6, 2nd place)
Which Eli will it be? The clutch quarterback who led the Giants to the Super Bowl, or Peyton’s brother who’s coming off his worst professional season? New York will be overvalued by the public because of their heroic playoff run, so it will be hard for the Giants to duplicate last year’s 10-6 record ATS.
Prediction: 10-6
 Philadelphia Eagles
(8-8, 4th place)
There are two things that could derail the Eagles from making improvements on last season’s 8-8 mark against the number: Donovan McNabb’s health, and the fact that Philly plays in the best division in the league. Free-agent addition Asante Samuel will help in the secondary, especially because the Eagles were 30th in the NFL in interceptions in 2007.
Prediction: 9-7
 Washington Redskins
(9-7, 3rd place)
Jason Campbell is a great fit for new head coach Jim Zorn’s modified version of the West Coast Offense, but it’ll take time for the athletic quarterback to get used to the new system. Working in favor of Redskins backers is Washington’s run defense, which is one of the best in the league.
Prediction: 8-8
Green Bay Packers
(13-3, 1st place)
The Packers were the best bet in the league last season at 12-3-1 ATS, and they could be once again. They’ve lost the face of the franchise in Brett Favre, which means that squares are sure to devalue the profitable Packers. That’s a mistake. Aaron Rodgers has more than enough talent around him on both sides of the ball to lead Green Bay to the top of the division.
Prediction: 11-5
Minnesota Vikings
(8-8, 2nd place)
Minnesota had the best running game in the league last season, as well as the worst run defense – a recipe that drives bettors crazy. Soothing wounds and bankrolls is running back Adrian Peterson, who is poised to become the best rusher going. With wide receiver Bernard Berrian and defensive end Jared Allen on board, the Vikings only need an average year from QB Tarvaris Jackson to be profitable.
Prediction: 10-6
Detroit Lions
(7-9, 3rd place)
The Lions started last season 6-2 before finishing 1-7, disappointing bettors who saw Detroit win only six games against the spread. Detroit had the worst defense in the NFL in 2007, which makes its near .500 record surprising. Expect former UCF running back and the NCAA’s leading rusher Kevin Smith to star in a revamped offense that features a much improved ground game.
Prediction: 8-8
Chicago Bears
(7-9, 4th place)
There are a ton of question marks in the Windy City, ranging from whether the defense will bounce back to who’s going to be the starting quarterback in Week 1. With Berrian and Muhsin Muhammad gone from the receiving corps, Rex Grossman and/or Kyle Orton will have their work cut out for them this season. Prediction: 6-10
Carolina Panthers
(7-9, 2nd place)
While it’s a huge gamble putting the underachieving Panthers at the top of the NFC South, there’s no reason to think they can’t win the division – if Jake Delhomme is healthy. Delhomme missed all but three games last season, and Carolina still managed to go 8-8 ATS. That’s even more impressive considering Vinny Testaverde led the team in pass attempts.
Prediction: 10-6
New Orleans Saints
(7-9, 3rd place)
The Saints had an awful defense and an even worse running game in 2007, as New Orleans went 10-6 over/under. Saints bettors have been dealt a 42-day road trip, with New Orleans playing a game at London, England against the San Diego Chargers near midseason. The bigger worry for the Saints? Whether they can get Reggie Bush and the running game going.
Prediction: 9-7
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
(9-7, 1st place)
The NFC South will be better this season, and the Buccaneers will suffer on the field and at the window. You have to worry about a team that relies on aging players like Jeff Garcia, Joey Galloway, and Warrick Dunn. Hopefully for the Bucs, a favorable schedule and an excellent pass defense keeps Tampa Bay in the hunt for a playoff spot.
Prediction: 8-8
Atlanta Falcons
(4-12, 4th place)
The situation is starting to get better in Atlanta, although things are about to get worse for the Falcons. They’re rid of Michael Vick and Bobby Petrino, but they also dropped key players DeAngelo Hall, Alge Crumpler, and the aforementioned Dunn. Looks like it’ll be one step forward and two steps back for a franchise that surprised sharps by going 8-8 ATS last season.
Prediction: 3-13
Seattle Seahawks
(9-7, 1st place)
The Seahawks are at a crossroads, but there’s no other team in the NFC West that is ready to overtake Seattle. Shaun Alexander is out and Julius Jones is in at running back, although the real questions surround the offensive line and whether the Seahawks will have enough weapons to go along with Matt Hasselbeck.
Prediction: 9-7
Arizona Cardinals
(8-8, 2nd place)
If the Cardinals hadn’t dropped both of their games with the 49ers last season, we’d be talking about Arizona as a playoff team. Whether it’s Matt Leinart or Kurt Warner under center, one thing is for sure: Oddsmakers will adjust for the Cards’ 11-5 O/U mark last season. Don’t be surprised if Arizona sees lower totals as it challenges Seattle for NFC West supremacy.
Prediction: 9-7
San Francisco 49ers
(5-11, 3rd place)
There’s a lot of pressure on offensive coordinator Mike Martz to solve the 49ers’ scoring woes and get Alex Smith going after three tough seasons. The Niners had absolutely no firepower last year, even though Frank Gore rushed for well over 1,000 yards. Expect San Francisco to see better value at the books after covering only five times in 2007.
Prediction: 7-9
St. Louis Rams
(3-13, 4th place)
The Rams have a rough start and an easy finish to their schedule, which will make St. Louis a solid play towards the end of the season. Any improvement for the Rams will be based upon Marc Bulger once again finding his groove with wideout Terry Holt, who seems to be in decline.
Prediction: 5-11 |
