NFL 2013 NFC preview

Most national analysts believe the next Super Bowl Champion will come from the NFC, and there is reason to feel that way.  There are plenty of strong teams in this conference, and one division may not produce a team with a losing record.

NFC East
Perhaps the worst division of the conference this season, it won't be as competitive as it has been recently.
1.  Washington Redskins (11-5) : Between QB Robert Griffin III and RB Alfred Morris, the Redskins should get see plenty of yards via rushing.  While both are only in their second year in the NFL, they showed their power last season, and know get to show how much they have learned.  Griffin may pass more, as his knee problems at the end of the season convinced him to get rid of the ball, but he'll still run when it looks like the defense is loose.  As he gets better at reading defenses, his strategy will only get more dangerous -- to opponents.

2.  Philadelphia Eagles (6-10) : I didn't expect Philly to be my choice for second place in this division, but it's more due to a loss of power on the part of Dallas and the Giants than a marked improvement in the Eagles.  Michael Vick won the quarterback battle, but only because he's the only one fast enough to implement new coach Chip Kelly's fast-paced offense.  RB LeSean McCoy will help this fast-paced offense, as it hinges on read options and exchanges between the quarterback and running back.  The Eagles may start the season with a ground game, as injuries to Jeremy Macklin and Arrelious Benn leaves only DeSean Jackson and Jason Avant capable of moving at this pace.

The fast-paced offense may have greater impact on the defense.  We'll find out just how good the team's conditioning program is, as the defense will have about half the time between drives to rest and recuperate.

3.  New York Giants (5-11) : QB Eli Manning has plenty of tools, so the passing offense is strong.  Their problem last year was the defense.  They toughened the defensive line over the off-season in an effort to help stop opponents' running attack, but we're yet to see much of a change.  Worse, their own running attack might not be too difficult to stop,

4.  Dallas Cowboys (3-13) : QB Tony Romo still has few capable receivers.  New defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin has shuffled defensive players among positions.  This was done to supposedly simplify the defense, but so far it has only confused the players.  They do play great in the red zone, when there are fewer moves to watch for, but they easily let opponents GET to the red zone.

NFC North
1. Green Bay Packers (10-6) : There are high hopes for this team, but they took hits in the off-season.  They again have a thin corps of wide receivers; the last time this happened, injuries devastated them before the end of the season.  The loss of Charles Woodson has caused some shuffling in the defensive backfield.

2.  Minnesota Vikings (9-7) : QB Christian Ponder has no excuses this year.  Although Percy Harvin was sent to Seattle, he has Greg Jennings, Jerome Simpson, rookie Cordarrelle Patterson, Joe Webb, and tight end Kyle Rudolph.  Along with RB Adrian Peterson, this offense is loaded. 

3.  Chicago Bears (9-7) : They built up the offensive line in the off-season, which will help both QB Jay Cutler (so he won't be scrambling so much) and running backs Matt Forte and Michael Bush.  Lance Briggs replaces Brian Urlacher as the defensive squad's captain, and free agent DJ Williams assumes Urlacher's place on the field.  The team hopes Jon Bostic will start there before the end of the season.  Bostic is speedy and hard-hitting in pass coverage, but doesn't get up to threaten the quarterback or stop the running game well enough.

4.  Detroit Lions (8-8) : The looked to support the defensive line this off-season, drafting two ends and getting two more through free agency.  The middle of the line is more of a concern, as they need to reduce the penalties committed by Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley.  QB Matt Stafford still has a great slate of wide receivers, but he throws too many interceptions.

NFC South
1.  New Orleans Saints (10-6) : New defensive coordinator Rob Ryan has brought new life to the worst defense in NFL history.  Moving Will Smith to linebacker has produced excellent results in preseason play, where he has been dominant.  With a rejuvenated defense to match their powerful offense, this team can be hot again.

2.  Atlanta Falcons (10-6; wildcard) : The Falcons have a powerful passing attack, but the running game was atrocious last year.  That's why they nabbed free agent Steven Jackson.  While he's 30 years old, he will certainly breathe new life into the running game.  Their defense was also bolstered with the acquisitions of Osi Umenyiora and rookie Desmond Trufant.

3.  Tampa Bay Bucs (7-9) : QB Josh Freeman needs to perform.  He has the wide receivers, RB Doug Martin, and now a stronger offensive line to protect him.  If he is lackluster, he'll be gone next year.  The Bucs' passing defense was abyssmal last season, so they got San Fran's Dashon Golden and Darrelle Revis, who should be back from surgery as soon as Week 3.

4.  Carolina Panthers (6-10) : The offensive line needs to open holes for running backs DeAngelo Williams and Kenjon Barner.  They also need to give QB Cam Newton more time.  He's accurate when he can scan the field, but when he runs he makes some poor decisions.

NFC West
1.  San Francisco 49ers (13-3) : Wide receivers Michael Crabtree and Mario Manningham are out with injuries (Manningham until mid-October, Crabtree until late November), but the team is not hurting at wide receiver.  The team got Anquan Boldin, Lavelle Hawkins, and Austin Collie.  Tight end Vernon Davis has also emerged in preseason as a popular target.  The team also drafted Marcus Lattimore to spell Frank Gore.

2.  Seattle Seahawks (12-4; wildcard) : Chris Clemons is back from injury, and the acquisition of Michael Bennett further improves the pass rush.  Since the pass rush was the only weak spot on this team's defense last year, that makes them fierce.  QB Russell Wilson gained Percy Harvin, but he can't use him until his return from hip surgery in November.  That's okay -- Wilson still has plenty of weapons.

3.  St Louis Rams (3-13) : QB Sam Bradford struggled last year with a set of new receivers.  So what do the Rams do?  Give him a whole new slate!  They lost Danny Amenola, who was Bradford's favorite target, and deep threat Brandon Gibson.  They have replaced them with TE Jared Cook and rookie WR Tavon Austin, but the receiving corps is still thin.  A weak secondary on this team doesn't help.

4.  Arizona Cardinals (2-14) : They hope their quarterback problems from the past two years are over, as they gained Carson Palmer.  I question that, as Palmer didn't help the Raiders much last year.  Of course, Palmer has a slightly better stock of receivers here.  One of the Cardinals' biggest problems was on the offensive line, as they couldn't protect their quarterbacks.  Palmer is not a scrambler, so did they help him?  They did gain Eric Winston, but the line is still weak.  The defensive secondary was improved by Tyriann "Honey Badger" Mathieu, but the defense still needs plenty of work.
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