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Dallas: Too much talent. You can’t swing a cat without hitting a Pro-Bowler on this roster. Heavy favorite to represent NFC in Super Bowl.
Philadelphia: A healthy McNabb and Westbrook, and Jim Johnson’s defense sounds like a playoff run to me. Rookie wideout DeSean Jackson gives Eagles a legit weapon in passing game.
New York Giants: Loss of pass rush specialist Osi Umenyiora (injury) and Michael Strahan (retirement) turns strength of champs into a weakness. Solid running game and Plaxico Burress will keep Giants competitive.
Washington: Jason Campbell will be doing what he does every year: learning a new offensive system. Skins will struggle to score but their defense will keep them in games. If he stays healthy, Jason Taylor will be a good fit for defense.
NFC North
Green Bay: QB Aaron Rodgers must stay healthy in spite of interior O-line performance, but talented receiving corps and stout defense should carry Packers to top of NFC North. A big year from Ryan Grant would help ease Rodgers into the job.
Minnesota: More Adrian Peterson and the arrival of Jared Allen and Bernard Berrian should mean more wins and a playoff berth. Suspension of legally-challenged left tackle Bryant McKinnie probably costs team shot at division title.
Chicago: Defense will rebound from down year, but how is this team going to score points? Orton-to-who?
Detroit: The rebuilding continues. Lions have fantastic receivers in Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson but Jon Kitna at QB. When will Ford wake up and recall Matt Millen?
NFC South
New Orleans: Should be this year’s turnaround team. Adding Jeremy Shockey to offense is scary and linebacker Jonathan Vilma was a major acquisition for this porous defense.
Carolina: If Jake Delhomme stays healthy, Steve Smith doesn’t attack any more teammates Panthers could challenge.
Tampa Bay: As always Monte Kiffin’s defense is strong, but offense is still short on playmakers.
Atlanta: Michael Turner is nice addition but Vick-less Falcons don’t have much bite.
NFC West
Seattle: Holmgren hoping veteran team ready to make deep playoff run in his swan song.
Arizona: Window of opportunity beginning to close on team that has been living off of its “potential” for far too long. Are there any players on the roster who are earning their money other than receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin and safety Adrian Wilson.
St. Louis: Injuries doomed this team from the start last year. Now it’s just a lack of talent.
San Francisco: Mike Martz brought in to help anemic offense. He won’t help unless he can play QB.
AFC East
New England: Patriots are leaps and bounds better than anyone in the East. Anything short of return to Super Bowl would be disappointing.
New York Jets: Brett Favre has brought sense of excitement that has been missing since Joe Namath left the Broadway stage.
Buffalo: Trent Edward shows flashes at QB, but he needs more help. Only Detroit was worse on defense last year.
Miami: Chad Pennington will steer the ship while the Tuna works hard to bring more talent onboard.
AFC North
Pittsburgh: Ben Rothlisberger, not the defense, carries the Steelers’ hopes for 2008. Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes and Heath Miller create huge headaches for defenses.
Cleveland: This is 2008’s trendy pick. Browns are scary good on offense, but the defense is still a work in progress.
Cincinnati: Soap opera less interesting now that Bengals aren’t winning. Coach Marvin Lewis firmly seated on hot seat.
Baltimore: New coach John Harbaugh has inherited a team on the edge. Ravens need a QB to step up fast and Jonathon Ogden’s retirement will hurt for years to come.
AFC South
Jacksonville: Jags poised to end Colts hold on division. Super-efficient QB David Garrard firmly in charge of most physical team in NFL.
Indianapolis: Peyton Manning and Colts still dynamic on offense, but age and injuries beginning to take their toll.
Tennessee: Vince Young is an electrifying talent at QB, but team still lacks playmakers at wide receiver. Defense will carry the day for Jeff Fischer’s Titans, as usual.
Houston: Texans are the worst team in a terrific division; would be serious playoff contender in the NFC.
AFC West
San Diego: Loaded on both sides of the ball. Chargers’ window of opportunity is closing, though. Recent injuries to David Rivers, LaDainian Tomlinson and Shawne Merriman could spell trouble for Chargers.
Denver: Cutler-to-Marshall combo could be amazing if Marshall decides it is important to him.
Oakland: JaMarcus Russell, Darren McFadden bring dazzling abilities to team living off the exploits of its defense. CB Nnamdi Asomugha is the biggest superstar in the NFL that the average fan wouldn’t recognize.
Kansas City: Herm Edwards is knee deep in rebuilding project, hopefully ownership lets him stay long enough to see how it turns out.
