Trell's NFC Prediction

NFC East

1. Eagles (10-6)

Losing Desean Jackson will not slow down Chip Kelly's offense. With McCoy, 3rd down specialist Darren Sproles and help from an improved front 7, the Eagles should run away with this division.

2. Cowboys (8-8)

Good news...Romo is back. Bad news....Romo is back. The Cowboys must improve in the secondary plus an extra consistent Tony Romo in order to contend for a playoff spot.

  

3. Redskins (6-10)

Defense looks mediocre at best and the play of RGIII this preseason has been mind boggling.  Hopefully Alfred Morris can carry the offense until the RGIII-D-Jack connection gets on the same page.

4 Giants (5-11)

The magic has ran out for Tom Coughlin and Eli Manning. An upgrade in the secondary will bring a fresh start to that side of the ball but with minimum transactions made on the offensive side of the ball, its going to be a long season for Giants fans

 NFC North

1. Packers (12-4)

Aaron Rodgers will be MVP-like this season with the re-signed Jordy Nelson and the emergence of Randall Cobb. A question mark could be the D-Line but if the Packers can be average on the defensive side of the ball there could be a Super Bowl run in store.

2. Lions (11-5)

Maybe the Lions will tap into all that potential or maybe the schedule-making gods were on their side. Megaton, Stafford and Reggie Bush (YES Reggie Bush) will put up the numbers for the Lions to go 6-2 outside the division. The Detroit secondary is still a weakness in a pass heavy division but the pressure Ndamukong Suh can put on a QB can offset that (if he can stay on the field).

3. Bears (9-7)

The Bears giving Jay Culter an extension maybe the biggest mistake of the offseason. Yes he has been somewhat productive but his productivity doesn't produce W's.  Two big targets out wide will keep the offense afloat but defensively the Bears are a disaster waiting to happen.

4. Vikings (4-12)

Teddy Bridgewater is not starting so really we are just waiting for Matt Cassel to say he has had enough.  Adrian Peterson is a staple and the Vikings are looking for a breakout year from Cordarrelle Patterson at receiver. Minnesota's defense was 2nd-to-last in total yards and I don't see much change in that.

NFC South

1. Saints (12-4)

We know what that offense does in New Orleans so no need to go down that road. The Saints defense has always be their Achilles heel but those days are over.  After one year Rob Ryan has turn that defense to one of the top defenses in the NFC. Adding Jarius Byrd to that improved defense will put the Saints in position to make a Super Bowl run.

2. Falcons (9-7)
Julio Jones is back from an season-endinig injury and Matt Ryan couldn't be happier. Inconsistencies defensively still linger including getting to the quarterback which is what separates the Falcons from the elite NFC teams. If they can somehow find a spark in the running game, Atlanta could be in the playoff hunt by seasons end.

3. Panthers (6-10)
I have Cam Newton winning 4 games just off the strength that he is Cam Newton. I have no idea where the Panthers will get points from outside of Newton actually becoming Superman. Linebacker Luke Keuchly will be the anchor for a defense who was top 10 in pass defense a year ago.

4. Buccaneers (5-11)
Lovie Smith's return to the sideline will not come without numerous challenges. Doug Martin is back but how productive will he be after a season ending injury.  The offense look like a JV version of the Chicago Bears with McGown at quarterback and two 6'5" targets out wide.  The defense is young and improving but is a couple years away from contention.

NFC West

1. Seahawks (13-3)
The defending Super Bowl champs are back and in prime position to repeat. Russell Wilson leads a near perfect Pete Carroll attack. The biggest question some may have about the Seattle offense is the health of speedster Percy Harvin. An explosive Harvin on offense and in the return game will add a couple of win to an already seller total. The loss of Brandon Browner won't slow down the NFL top defense. Expect the Seahawks to make a run deep into the playoffs.

2. 49ers (11-5)
A lot of off the field questions circle around the 49ers as they come into this season a Richard Sherman play away from back-to-back Super Bowl appearances.  Aldon Smith problems continue as he will miss 9 games to start the season to a defense that still top 5 in the NFL. Hopefully Colin Kaepernick's sub par preseason is behind him as he host a cast of Pro Bowl talent on offense.  If the 49ers make it to the Super Bowl it will be with some luck and a MVP season from their 4th year quarterback.

3. Cardinals (9-7)
The Cardinals are coming off an 10-6 season with most of those wins coming against teams with top 10 draft picks in last May draft. Carson Palmer has shown that he still has a little in the tank but how long can that last with a rushing attack ranked 27th in yards per carry.  Signing Antonio Cromartie to play opposite the highest-paid cornerback in the league Patrick Peterson should boost up a defense that is top 10 in the league.

4. Rams (5-11)
Tough break for the Rams who lost quarterback Sam Bradford to another (yes another) season ending injury.  Expect Shaun Hill to do...well nothing much really. Tavon Austin and Zac Stacy are two young bright spots on a team that will finish bottom of who some would claim the toughest division in football.  Expect a lot of weight to fall on the D-Line shoulders because from the looks of things, they will be on the field a lot this season.