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What teams have dominated the NFC?
Philly got to the NFC Championship game 4 years in a row, winning once, but lost in the SB. Once McNabb returned to form, they got back on track. Westbrook is a player, and Johnson's defense always strong, but questions surround McNabb and Reid's futures, as well as the franchise's dedication to bringing in other playmakers on offense.
Chicago rode their defense to the top of the NFC, but their success remains an enigma. Briggs can dominate, while Urlacher's ability waned this year; his best years may be behind him. Their offense is a mess; no QB, questionnable WRs and an iffy Cedric Benson at RB. Good young TE can't carry a mediocre offense by himself.
If, in fact, Eli Manning has turned the corner, the NY Giants may have broken into the ranks of the NFC elite. Young, franchise QB, good offense and pass rush that should stay good even when/ig Strahan retires. They play in the NFC East, though, a tough division. And, next year, they will have to shake off the curse that follows Super bowl teams.
Dallas - As long Romo and TO play nice, the rest of their talented team will help them be a contender. But what is going on with the coaching? Can Wade Phillips weather Jerry Jones' disappointment in two early playoff exits? He'll have Jones and Garrett looking over his shoulder, that's for sure. Parcells couldn't deal with it.
Tampa Bay - Garcia helped them win the division title this year. Can they ride him to an NFC Championship or a Super Bowl next year? I doubt it.
Minnesota will win more games than they lose if Adrian Peterson can stay healthy. Until they develop a QB, I don't see them getting too far (WC, maybe?) Based on his history at UW-Madison and in Philly, I don't see Childress as the guy to do it (develop a QB), either.
Green Bay's aging franchise QB ran the NFC's most productive offense in 2007. Has young playmakers at key positions, including the back-up QB position. Young, improving defense doesn't dominate, but does keep team in games. Should be able to win the NFC North and possibly a top seed. Needs to develop consistency in the running game and pass rush to have a real shot at the NFC title and eventual Superbowl appearance, though.
Seattle, under Holmgren, should win the NFC West again. Good QB and adequate offense, but without a running game, won't get past teams like Dallas, Chicago, NY and GB to compete for the NFC title. Tearing up their division and schedule on the way to winning homefield advantage thoughout the playoffs might give them a shot, but I doubt it. And they'd have to spend money on some free agents to do it.
The Washington Redskins have a good defense, but their progress towards NFC title contention rests on the shoulders of Jason Campbell. The jury's still out on that one.
New Orleans may rise again, on the strength of their offense. I could see them winning their division, but their defense will let them down before they get very far into the playoffs.
To sum it up, if Brett Favre returns and MM can complement his effective passing attack with a reliable running game, GB can certainly compete for the NFC title. We don't know what we've got with Rodgers, but it couldn't be worse than our brethren in the NFC Norris.
Based on what we know now (ie, before any off-season moves) GB, NY and Dallas are the only teams close to having all the pieces in place, including the coaching. Philly might, if McNabb and Reid stay, and they spend some money. With NY, Philly, WAS and DAL in the same division, can any one of them win more than 12 games next year? I could even script a scenario in which GB and Seattle end up as the 1 and 2 seeds.
How the top teams fill their holes in the off-season, as well as survive their schedules and injuries, will determine who ends up on top next year... but I like GBs chances.
Philly got to the NFC Championship game 4 years in a row, winning once, but lost in the SB. Once McNabb returned to form, they got back on track. Westbrook is a player, and Johnson's defense always strong, but questions surround McNabb and Reid's futures, as well as the franchise's dedication to bringing in other playmakers on offense.
Chicago rode their defense to the top of the NFC, but their success remains an enigma. Briggs can dominate, while Urlacher's ability waned this year; his best years may be behind him. Their offense is a mess; no QB, questionnable WRs and an iffy Cedric Benson at RB. Good young TE can't carry a mediocre offense by himself.
If, in fact, Eli Manning has turned the corner, the NY Giants may have broken into the ranks of the NFC elite. Young, franchise QB, good offense and pass rush that should stay good even when/ig Strahan retires. They play in the NFC East, though, a tough division. And, next year, they will have to shake off the curse that follows Super bowl teams.
Dallas - As long Romo and TO play nice, the rest of their talented team will help them be a contender. But what is going on with the coaching? Can Wade Phillips weather Jerry Jones' disappointment in two early playoff exits? He'll have Jones and Garrett looking over his shoulder, that's for sure. Parcells couldn't deal with it.
Tampa Bay - Garcia helped them win the division title this year. Can they ride him to an NFC Championship or a Super Bowl next year? I doubt it.
Minnesota will win more games than they lose if Adrian Peterson can stay healthy. Until they develop a QB, I don't see them getting too far (WC, maybe?) Based on his history at UW-Madison and in Philly, I don't see Childress as the guy to do it (develop a QB), either.
Green Bay's aging franchise QB ran the NFC's most productive offense in 2007. Has young playmakers at key positions, including the back-up QB position. Young, improving defense doesn't dominate, but does keep team in games. Should be able to win the NFC North and possibly a top seed. Needs to develop consistency in the running game and pass rush to have a real shot at the NFC title and eventual Superbowl appearance, though.
Seattle, under Holmgren, should win the NFC West again. Good QB and adequate offense, but without a running game, won't get past teams like Dallas, Chicago, NY and GB to compete for the NFC title. Tearing up their division and schedule on the way to winning homefield advantage thoughout the playoffs might give them a shot, but I doubt it. And they'd have to spend money on some free agents to do it.
The Washington Redskins have a good defense, but their progress towards NFC title contention rests on the shoulders of Jason Campbell. The jury's still out on that one.
New Orleans may rise again, on the strength of their offense. I could see them winning their division, but their defense will let them down before they get very far into the playoffs.
To sum it up, if Brett Favre returns and MM can complement his effective passing attack with a reliable running game, GB can certainly compete for the NFC title. We don't know what we've got with Rodgers, but it couldn't be worse than our brethren in the NFC Norris.
Based on what we know now (ie, before any off-season moves) GB, NY and Dallas are the only teams close to having all the pieces in place, including the coaching. Philly might, if McNabb and Reid stay, and they spend some money. With NY, Philly, WAS and DAL in the same division, can any one of them win more than 12 games next year? I could even script a scenario in which GB and Seattle end up as the 1 and 2 seeds.
How the top teams fill their holes in the off-season, as well as survive their schedules and injuries, will determine who ends up on top next year... but I like GBs chances.
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