NFC East
Dallas Cowboys
Coach: Bill Parcells
Last season: 6-10, tied for second in NFC East
Key issues: The Cowboys are banking on Parcells’ former quarterback, Drew Bledsoe, to show something he hasn’t in years: an ability to lead the team to the playoffs.
What you need to know: The Cowboys are hoping their odd/even success is back on the happy side this season. Enthusiasm was high last year after Parcells led Dallas to the postseason in 2003. But problems at quarterback and on defense caused the Cowboys to falter badly. This year, Parcells thinks Bledsoe can bring stability to an offense that features up-and-coming star running back Julius Jones. The Dallas defense should be better. Watch out for rookie Demarcus Ware. The linebacker is an early favorite to win the rookie of the year award.
Prediction: 8-8.
New York Giants
Coach: Tom Coughlin
Last season: 6-10, tied for second in NFC East
Key issues: Can Eli Manning continue to handle the New York pressure and continue to improve?
What you need to know: Coughlin still needs to show he’s a good fit for the Giants. Management hired him because of his no-nonsense coaching tactics. But players complained of what they perceived as ticky-tacky rules. Their play as the season wore on reflected unhappiness. The Giants started the season 5-2 but lost eight straight games before winning the season finale. The team’s improvement really depends on whether Manning can improve upon a rocky rookie season and if his top offensive teammates, Tiki Barber and Jeremy Shockey, can stay healthy. This team will not be great, but it could make steps toward improvement.
Prediction: 7-9.
Philadelphia Eagles
Coach: Andy Reid
Last season: 13-3, first in NFC East
Key issues: Can Terrell Owens behave himself? That’s what this season is about in Philadelphia. It’s all about T.O.
What you need to know: The Eagles should be the clear-cut favorite to win the conference again. But the ongoing soap opera created by Owens will be a distraction the team has to overcome. The Eagles have had to deal with Owens’ contract dispute too much already. The issue has become personal between Owens and quarterback Donovan McNabb. The two don’t talk. That’s not good. Reid has to find a way to soothe Owens’ issues over or this team will implode. It’s all about T.O.
Prediction: 11-5.
Washington Redskins
Coach: Joe Gibbs
Last season: 6-10, tied for second in NFC East
Key issues: Can Gibbs’ style work in the NFL again? It didn’t work last year. This season we’ll learn if the game really has passed Gibbs by.
What you need to know: Broncos fans will keep a close eye on the Redskins this season. The Broncos own Washington’s first-round pick in 2006 because of a deal in which Denver sent the 25th overall pick to the Redskins in April. This may turn out to be a terrific deal for the Broncos. The Redskins have the makings of a dreadful team and the Broncos could end up with a top-five pick. The Redskins have trouble all over the field. Their top player is former Broncos running back Clinton Portis. But there are on and off the field risks connected to Portis. So relying on him could get Washington in even more trouble this season.
Prediction: 3-13.
NFC North
Chicago Bears
Coach: Lovie Smith
Last season: 5-11, fourth in NFC North
Key issues: With quarterback Rex Grossman out again with an ankle injury, the Bears have to find offensive leadership.
What you need to know: The Bears just can’t catch a break. Or at least a good break. The Bears’ 2005 season immediately was altered when Grossman went down. Now the Bears have to work with the underachieving Chad Hutchinson as their quarterback. With top pick, running back Cedric Benson, in a contract dispute in the preseason, there seems to be no offensive relief. Defensively, the Bears still feature Brian Urlacher, but he has proven he can’t do it alone. In the 20th anniversary of Da Bears Super Bowl championship season, the past is likely all Chicago will have.
Prediction: 4-12.
Detroit Lions
Coach: Steve Mariucci
Last season: 6-10, third in NFC North
Key issues: Can quarterbacks Joey Harrington and Jeff Garcia not screw up an otherwise great offense?
What you need to know: In a league in which quick and unexpected turnarounds happen, Detroit is a prime candidate. However, the Lions must get solid quarterback play or they’ll have yet another sub-.500 season. Harrington has been in deep water for more than a year and he will be quickly replaced by Garcia, who nearly signed with Denver in the offseason, if he struggles. However, Garcia has had a rough preseason. If Detroit can figure out its quarterback situation, it will win some games. The offense is loaded with receivers Mike and Roy Williams, tight end Marcus Pollard and running back Kevin Jones. The defense, led by tackle Shaun Rogers, is serviceable. But it all depends on the quarterbacks.
Prediction: 9-7.
Green Bay Packers
Coach: Mike Sherman
Last season: 10-6, first in NFC North
Key issues: Can the Packers give enough effort on defense in what could be legendary quarterback Brett Favre’s final season?
What you need to know: Maybe Favre will retire after the season. It seems he considered it every year. But Favre, who turns 36 next month, is certainly nearing the end whether this is his final year or not. From the looks of the Green Bay roster, Favre may want to move on. Green Bay chose to take Aaron Rodgers, Favre’s eventual replacement, in the first round instead of addressing glaring needs on defense. That’s the problem: the Packers have been all offense. The Packers were 25th in defense in the NFL last year and haven’t improved. Watch for it all catch up for the Packers this year as they tumble from playoff contention.
Prediction: 6-10.
Minnesota Vikings
Coach: Mike Tice
Last season: 8-8, second in NFC North
Key issues: The Vikings have a new owner, they don’t have Randy Moss any more. And they couldn’t be happier. The team is more tranquil than it has been since the pre-Moss years. But will it result in wins?
What you need to know: The Vikings have started the past two seasons combined 11-1. But they were a combined 17-15 the past two years. Again, the Vikings seem primed for a big year. But they have to learn how to finish strong. They’ll have to also learn to play without Moss, who was traded to Oakland in March. It may not be too difficult. Many members of the team grew weary of Moss’ antics and some think it will be a case of addition by subtraction. Plus, this offense is still loaded with quarterback Daunte Culpepper primed for an MVP run. The team has five new starters on a defense that seems to be reconstructed every year. The talent is better on defense and is still good on offense. The only question is if Minnesota can stay good all season?
Prediction: 10-6.
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons
Coach: Jim Mora
Last season: 11-5, first in NFC South
Key issues: Can quarterback Michael Vick, the most gifted athlete in the NFL, get a better grasp of the West Coast offense and become a better passer?
What you need to know: The Falcons are a solid team and, with the problems in Philadelphia, have a chance to make some big noise. Last year, Mora was a major success in his first NFL season as a head coach, leading Atlanta to the NFC title game. The key, though, will be Vick. He is a spectacular talent but he is still learning to play the quarterback position. Right now, Vick is more dangerous as a runner than passer. He needs to find consistency as a passer. If he does, the Falcons can win a Super Bowl. The offense is solid and the defense is very stout. This can become a title team, but Vick has to become a title-winning quarterback.
Prediction: 11-5.
Carolina Panthers
Coach: John Fox
Last season: 7-9, third in NFC South
Key issues: Can the Panthers stay healthy? They didn’t last year and it hurt them early in the season. Health will be the key.
What you need to know: This team can win the Super Bowl. In fact, it says here, the Panthers will return to the Super Bowl. Carolina nearly knocked off New England in the Super Bowl two years ago. Last year, though, injuries ravaged the Panthers and they started the season 1-7. However, Carolina was as tough as any team in the second half going 6-2. Watch for the Panthers to take off where they ended 2004. This team has great coaching, a solid offense and a terrific defense. Watch for defensive end Julius Peppers to be dominant and finish the season as the NFL defensive player of the year.
Prediction: 12-4.
New Orleans Saints
Coach: Jim Haslett
Last season: 8-8, second in NFC South
Key issues: The Saints are talented. But that’s always the case. Can Haslett finally take them to the next level?
What you need to know: Haslett is fighting for his coaching life. He was nearly fired in the middle of last season and likely would have been gone at the end of the season had the Saints not won their final four games. Now, the Haslett watch continues. The Saints could easily become a playoff team. There is solid talent here. But there are also enough holes where they could go south. Expect another so-so season ending in Haslett’s firing. He is a good football man but he’s emotional and that act has wore thin in the Big Easy. Thus, another disappointing year of mediocrity will once and for all spark a change at the top.
Prediction: 8-8.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Coach: Jon Gruden
Last season: 5-11, fourth in NFC South
Key issues: Can Gruden, known as a top offensive mind, find a way for the Buccaneers to get out of the offensive doldrums that plagued the team last season?
What you need to know: Gruden is on the hot seat just three seasons after winning a Super Bowl in his first season at Tampa Bay. However, don’t count Gruden out. He’s a fine coach and is close to turning around the team. No longer flush with veterans, the team is relying on young potential offensive stars Michael Clayton and top pick Carnell “Cadillac” Williams. However, Gruden must got production from former Denver quarterback Brian Griese, who had decent success in his third NFL chance last year under Gruden. Still, Griese has to continue to show he can rescue his career. The Tampa Bay defense is no longer dominant but it can still carry the team at times. This may not be a playoff team but it will be a tough team to beat each week.
Prediction: 8-8.
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals
Coach: Dennis Green
Last season: 6-10, third in NFC West
Key issues: Can Kurt Warner revitalize his career with the Cardinals? He’ll get the chance to do so. Green loves veteran quarterbacks.
What you need to know: Many league observers are looking at this team as a flavor of the year type. Green has a proven track record of success and made nice strides with the Cardinals in 2004, his first with the team. Still, it may be too early to get overly excited about this team. After all, it’s still the Cardinals. Warner has slipped and needs to show something before a lot can be expected from him. Behind Warner there some talented receivers in Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. The defense is improving. This team is headed in the right direction. The question is will it get there this season? Probably not quite.
Prediction: 8-8.
St. Louis Rams
Coach: Mike Martz
Last season: 8-8, second in NFC West
Key issues: Can the defense rebound from a poor season in 2004 and can coach Mike Martz keep the organization’s confidence?
What you need to know: The offense will be explosive. It always is. Some believe this can be a surprise 12-win team. But before that is a reality the defense has to improve quickly. From the looks of the offseason, that doesn’t appear to be a certainty. There is age at key spots and inexperience at other key spots. That is not a good combination. Thus, the offense will continue to have to carry the load. It is capable with a solid passing game and impressive youngster Steven Jackson at running back. But in the end, the Rams should be fairly mediocre.
Prediction: 8-8.
San Francisco 49ers
Coach: Mike Nolan
Last season: 2-14, fourth in NFC West
Key issues: Can Nolan build his program with a young team that will feel the sorrow of the death of guard Thomas Herrion all season?
What you need to know: Nolan will make the 49ers a strong program. It may just not be in the next three years or so. There is a lot of work to be done in San Francisco before this team is competitive. Nolan, however, is a good football man who seems to have a good plan for the future. It’s sure to be a tough year for quarterback Alex Smith. He has struggled in the preseason and regular-season struggles appear to be inevitable. Smith is just going to have to take his lumps and look to the future. The same goes for the entire roster. This is a young team, so 2005 will only serve as a building year.
Prediction: 3-13.
Seattle Seahawks
Coach: Mike Holmgren
Last season: 9-7, first in NFC West
Key issues: Can Holmgren finally turn the Seahawks into a winner? The stage is set. If he can’t, it’s likely his last year in the Pacific Northwest.
What you need to know: This is a playoff roster. It’s a roster that can go deep into the postseason. But it has been that way for the past few years. Still, the Seahawks were a first-round playoff exit team last year. The pressure is on Holmgren. He has a talented roster. He has to do something with it. Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck is an underrated player who can change games. The defense will be the key. It appears to be improved and should help the team win more games. Watch for the Seahawks this year. It may finally be their time.
Prediction: 10-6.
