NFC EAST:
4. NY Giants- Go ahead, be surprised by this pick. The G-Men lost Tiki Barber, their best offensive weapon by far to retirement, and now he’s bashing the living crap out of New York in his cozy new desk job. We still don’t know what to make of Enigmatic Eli, and Brandon Jacobs? Can his bruising style as a third down and short yardage back translate to being the every down guy? I don’t think it happens right away. Chalk this up as Tom Coughlin’s last year as a Giant as Eli struggles to make the next step.

3. Washington- Last year I thought they had the potential to be a Super Bowl team. Now, they’re aiming for .500. Why? Jason Campbell who has the potential to be a very good QB is young and needs to develop. That defense is good but not stifling, and a lot of people are curious if Joe Gibbs still has what it takes to coach an NFL team in this new era.

2. Dallas- Tony Romo had an off-season to forget following his shocking bobbled snap that cost Dallas a playoff win. Now that the the Tuna is out, and Wade Phillips is in, how will he respond under the tutelage of new QB coach Jason Garret. Will T.O. be a distraction? Will the team play consistently? I just don’t know at this point. I’m holding onto my reservations on this team.

1. Philadelphia- Life after Garcia should be a promising one. If of course Donovan McNabb can avoid the injury bug. The Eagles learned with Garcia that if they pick their game up a notch, it takes pressure off the QB. It was clear that McNabb had to shoulder way too much of the offensive load last year when he was healthy. His team went 5-5. Now that they know they can all pick up their games it will help everyone out, and the Eagles will be a double digit win team because of it. Barring McNabb’s health.

NFC NORTH:
4. Green Bay- Roger Clemens is struggling this year, because he just doesn’t know when to quit. Brett Favre is heading along that same road. The Green Bay Packers finished strong in 2006, but their quality finish was more of a mirage then a sign of things to come. I will say this many times throughout the year: the Pack won’t be ready to start really winning again until they break in a new QB. Favre can’t hold onto the job forever.

Favre’s jerseys are real cheap now:Favre Jersey for $49

3. Detroit- Jon Kitna says 10-12 wins. I say 8-9 would be an accomplishment. The Lions continue to draft wide receivers, this year bringing in Calvin Johnson. I just don’t buy that team. Kitna is not an elite QB. The Lions did however lose a lot of close games last year, so we will find out if they can learn to win the close ones, or if they’re just same ol’ Detroit.

2. Minnesota- Tavarus Jackson is getting a lot of crap right now. So here’s a bold pick: Not only do the Vikings shock a lot of people, Jackson will have a solid season. Look at the plethora of talent around him: Chester Taylor, Adrian Peterson, Steve Hutchinson, and then when you look at that defense, they were great last year. I think this team, even with Jackson can contend in the weak NFC, it should be advised however, that Tavarus has to prove me right.

1. Chicago- Rex Grossman was awful in the Super Bowl, but there is no Brian Griese debate. The Bears were one of the top 3 scoring teams last year. Huh? Yeah, and now Devin Hester is going to be catching some passes too. How will their defense fare, and can another inconsistent season still lead to the type of success they had last year? Yeah, they’re still head and shoulders above the rest of the division.

NFC SOUTH:
4. Atlanta- Joey Harrington is not the great white hope in Atlanta. In fact, I am still baffled the Falcons dealt Matt Schaub to Houston. How stupid do they feel right now, knowing they could have a guy like him, compared to the best that is Joey. Joey failed in Detroit. Showed glimpses in Miami before resorting to form, and will struggle on what is looking like a woeful Falcons team.

3. Carolina- Is John Fox on the hot seat? He will be after this year. And here’s another bold pick. Jake Delhomme will be benched half way through the year in favor of the forgotten David Carr, who will pull a Jeff Garcia in leading the Panthers back to prominence… next year.

2. Tampa Bay- Jon Gruden knows his job is on the line. Jeff Garcia knows he can be a starter. He’s getting paid like it, even if he is old. I like the Bucs for the simple reason that they’ve revamped their Defense and Garcia gives them some hope on offense. Last year was a terrible year for Tampa, but that won’t happen again.

1. New Orleans- No one has ever won this division in back to back years. Was last night a sign of things to come? Or was it just a bump in the road versus a better, more complete Colts team. I think it’s the latter. Reggie Bush will have a big year, and I don’t think Brees will struggle like he did last night. Then again, no one repeats in this division. This year that finally changes. I think.
NFC WEST:
4. 49ers- This division will be the best in football this year. Did you hear that? It is the best division from head to toe. It’s the only explanation I can come up with, to put a solid 49ers team at the bottom of the division. The 49ers may go down in wins this year, but I think they will be a better team. I think Alex Smith has a good year, I think Frank Gore has another great season, and I love the addition of Nate Clements to that defense. This is a weird pick for this team, because I sort of think they’re better then this.

3. Seahawks- Seattle finally takes a step back. The Hawks have owned the division for a few years now, but I just have a gut that this is the year they lose that perch at the top. The loss of Steve Hutchinson will continue to haunt Shaun Alexander who hasn’t been the same player since. Prove me wrong, Seattle.

2. Cardinals- Total homer pick? Not quite. While I’m not sold on their shaky defense, I am sold on Ken Whisenhut and that revamped coaching staff. I think Leinart is ready for his close up, and Edge will have a bounce back year. Stability if what the Cardinals need, and if they can stay healthy, I think they have the type of play makers to host a top 5 offense, and maybe, just maybe a winning season.

1. Rams- Am I buying into the Stephen Jackson hype? Absolutley. The guy is going to put up monster numbers this year, and Bulger and Co. will make that offense a very formidable attack. I think their defense has improved enough for them to make the leap back to division champion. But this division is good enough for any one of the four teams to win it. Even Arizona. Even San Fran.

Tommorrow: NFL Playoff picks

What do you think? Post your opinion in the comment section.

Want to read unpublished content, not available at the site?
Want access to NFL Media.com, where the press gets insider info?
Sign Up For The Complete Package Here!
You just need an email address!

Complete NFL News NFL news, opinion, comment, injuries, fantasy… everything. From Juiced Sports: Writing Enhanced by Flaxseed Oil.

Alex Gaskarth of All Time Low Interview All Time Low singer and frontman Alex Gaskarth discusses how his addiction to pop music comes off on CDs, for example, a certain song on the new one, So Wrong, It’s Right, that sounds like Jennifer Lopez.