subject: Nfl Tickets - Nfc Playoff Predictions [print this page] Here is how I see the NFC playoff picture shaping up in 2010:
NFC East Champ - Dallas Cowboys: I think Dallas is the best team in the NFC this season. What I love about the Cowboys is that they don't appear to have a weakness. The Cowboys offense should be explosive this season, especially the passing game. Tony Romo has so many weapons at his disposal now, namely rookie wideout Dez Bryant. With Bryant, Miles Austin and Jason Witten, Romo could have his best year as a pro in 2010. The running game hasn't looked great in the preseason, but with Marion Barber and Felix Jones the Cowboys have two talented backs that complement one another very well. I think the defense, led by DeMarcus Ware, will terrorize opposing quarterbacks in 2010 and make this team the favorite to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.
NFC North Champ - Green Bay Packers: Talk about an offense that will sell NFL tickets in 2010. Aaron Rodgers is already one of the best quarterbacks in the league and he's only getting better. This unit has looked great in the preseason and Rodgers has some great targets in Greg Jennings and Jermichael Finley. The running game should be solid, but the defense has its question marks. If the offensive line can protect Rodgers and the defense can bend and not break, the Packers have Super Bowl potential.
NFC South Champ - New Orleans Saints: I don't think the Saints will be quite as good in 2010 as they were in 2009, but they will easily be good enough to win their division. The Saints had a lot of bounces go their way last season, which isn't likely to happen again in 2010. Still, they've got a prolific passing attack led by Drew Brees and should be solid enough on defense to win 11 games. I'm ready to give Reggie Bush one more chance this season, as he looked great in the playoffs last year and has played well this preseason. If he and Pierre Thomas can balance out this offense a bit, the Saints have a shot at a repeat.
NFC West Champ - San Francisco 49ers: This division is wide open, but the Niners appear to be the most solid team in the West. The team seems dedicated to get back to the running game, as they drafted two offensive linemen in the first round of the 2010 draft, which should serve them well. If Frank Gore can stay healthy, his production on the ground should make things easier on quarterback Alex Smith. Smith has some really good weapons at his disposal, namely Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree. The defense is becoming one of the better units in the league, which is a big reason I've got them winning the division.
Wild Card - New York Giants: I think the Giants will be solid in 2010. Their passing game was a pleasant surprise in 2009, but the keys for this team will be getting back to running the ball and rushing the passer. Look for Ahmad Bradshaw to take over as the lead back for the G-Men, and new additions like Jason Pierre-Paul to bolster the pass rush.
Wild Card - Minnesota Vikings: I'm tempted to put Atlanta here, but I think the Vikings will sneak into the postseason. I don't see a way that Brett Favre can play as well as he did last season, especially with Sidney Rice sidelined for a good portion of the year. I think the Vikes will take a step back, but not one big enough to result in them missing the playoffs.
