NFL - National Football Conference (NFC) - Projections of 2006 Season Final Team Standings
NFC East
NFC North
NFC South
NFC West
AFC
NFC Playoffs 2006-2007:
· Wild Card: N.Y. Giants beat Tampa Bay Bucs; Atlanta Falcons beat Minnesota Vikings
· Division: N.Y. Giants beat Seattle Seahawks; Carolina Panthers beat Atlanta Falcons
· NFC Championship: Carolina Panthers beat N.Y. Giants
Last Update: August 24, 2006
NFC East
Division Snapshot: This is the toughest division in the NFL this year-- and any team could win it. But, for the Eagles and Redskins its a tough road. Neither Dallas or the Giants will end up with remarkable records, but they will emerge seasoned for the playoffs.
1. New York Giants Tom Coughlin
2006 projected record: 10-6
Record (2005): 11-5, shut-out by Carolina (23-0) in wild card
Record (2004): 6-10
Problems: The biggest issue is simply whether Eli Manning delivers.
Recap: The Giants have the experience, sans Manning, to win this tough division. The 10-6 prediction reflects the reality that Eli may not be clicking every week.
2. Dallas Cowboys Bill Parcells
2006 projected record: 10-6
Record (2005): 9-7
Record (2004): 6-10
Problems: T.O. is one thing. The other issue is obscured by T.O. No one is talking about Bledsoe as the QB.
Recap: There is a lot of hype behind the Cowboys this year. And against our better judgement, we will ride the hype wave. Cowboys make the playoffs.
3. Philadelphia Eagles Andy Reid
2006 projected record: 8-8
Record (2005): 6-10
Record (2004): 13-3, lost to New England in Super Bowl XXXIX (24-21)
Problems: We saw a glimpse of the Eagles without T.O. last year and it wasn't pretty.
Recap: Still, the Eagles have enough talent in McNabb and Westbrook to be competitive. They could hold off the Redskins.
4. Washington Redskins Joe Gibbs
2006 projected record: 7-9
Record (2005): 10-6, lost to Seattle (20-10) in divisional playoff
Record (2004): 6-10
Problems: Brunell is a huge problem. We don't think the Redskins offense (despite all of its potential-- from Moss, to Cooley, to Portis) can get past the Brunell thing.
Recap: The Redskins are the big unknown, of perhaps the entire NFL. It would surprise no one, including us, if they won the NFC East. However, in our opinion, the opposite is more likely.
NFC West
Division Snapshot: Seattle should have no problem in the NFC West this year. But, Arizona should be much improved. And the 49ers might surprise a few people with a couple more wins than expected.
1. Seattle Seahawks Mike Holmgren
2006 projected record: 10-6
Record (2005): 13-3, lost in Super Bowl to Pittsburgh (21-10)
Record (2004): 9-7, lost to St. Louis Rams in wild card game (27-20)
Problems: Hasselbeck is good, but rarely exceptional.
Recap: Last year might have been a bit too good. But they shouldn't slip too much from last year's pace though.
3. Arizona Cardinals Dennis Green
2006 projected record: 8-8
Record (2005): 5-11
Record (2004): 6-10
Problems: Does veteran Kurt Warner have enough to lead this ultra-talented offense? And, if not, is Leinart capable of stepping in when needed?
Recap: Time to buy a Cardinals jersey. Go to Phoenix, get tickets for a game at their brand new stadium. Things are looking up for Arizona. Now, if only they can deliver a few more wins than even we predict.
2. St. Louis Rams Scott Linehan
2006 projected record: 6-10
Record (2005): 6-10
Record (2004): 8-8, lost to Atlanta in NFC divisional playoff (47-17)
Problems: Bulger and Jackson are fantasy favorites, but can either, or both, deliver enough to overcome the defense.
Recap: New look with Linehan probably can't hurt.
4. San Francisco 49ers Mike Nolan
2006 projected record: 6-10
Record (2005): 4-12
Record (2004): 2-14
Problems: Alex Smith was, simply, horrible last year. And a huge improvement is needed for the 49ers to be competitive.
Recap: The upside could be running back Frank Gore. The 49ers moved Barlow, indicating quite a bit of confidence. We think the 49ers could pull a surprise or 2 this year. But that may be crazy speculation. The easy pick is to say they are the worst team in football.
NFC North
Division Snapshot: When will the Lions turn it around? We predict another year of waiting in Detroit, while the Vikings and Bears slug it out.
1. Minnesota Vikings Brad Childress
2006 projected record: 8-8
Record (2005): 9-7
Record (2004): 8-8, lost to Philadelphia in NFC divisional playoff (27-14)
Problems: It's hard to say too much improvement is possible for a team that no longer has Daunte Culpepper.
Recap: Mike Tice is out and a new coach is in. Brad Johnson may not be spectacular, but what he will provide is a little bit of certainty for this club, and maybe just enough to pull them into the playoffs.
2. Chicago Bears Lovie Smith
2006 projected record: 8-8
Record (2005): 11-5, lost to Carolina (29-21) in divisional playoff
Record (2004): 5-11
Problems: Team chemistry has been messed with by just giving Thomas' job away. Thomas delivered the Bears into the playoffs last year. Benson messed with the team with a prolonged holdout. The winner? Benson! This could be an issue all season-- locker room drama.
Recap: The Bears were a big surprise last year and its anyone's guess this year. We say they just miss the playoffs-- games against the Vikings will be huge this year.
3. Detroit Lions Rob Marinelli
2006 projected record: 7-9
Record (2005): 5-11
Record (2004): 6-10
Problems: Will the Lions ever turn it around? New coach will try.
Recap: We think its about time for a turnaround in Detroit. However, there are just still too many questions. Will Kevin Jones deliver? Can Kitna step in and deliver? Tough division. Another year maybe until Detroit turns it around.
4. Green Bay Packers Mike McCarthy
2006 projected record: 5-11
Record (2005): 4-12
Record (2004): 10-6, lost to Minnesota in wild card game (31-17)
Problems: Continued concerns about the offensive lines. And, their new head coach prior experience is offensive coordinator for the 49ers.
Recap: Would be nice to see Favre and the Packers have a big year, but it just doesn't look like it will happen.
NFC South
Division Snapshot: Carolina's defense is rock solid, and the Panthers have all the pieces on offense. Falcons and Bucs battle for 2nd.
1. Carolina Panthers John Fox
2006 projected record: 10-6
Record (2005): 11-5, lost to Seattle (34-14) in NFC championship
Record (2004): 7-9
Problems: Need all of the key offensive compenents to stay healthy.
Recap: Could be the best team in the NFC.
2. Atlanta Falcons Jim Mora Jr.
2006 projected record: 9-7
Record (2005): 8-8
Record (2004): 11-5, lost to Philadelphia in NFC Championship (27-10)
Problems: Michael Vick is, once again, the X factor.
Recap: Vick is a winner and we think he can do just enough to get the Falcons in the playoffs.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jon Gruden
2006 projected record: 9-7
Record (2005): 11-5, lost to Washington (17-10) in wild card
Record (2004): 5-11
Problems: Simms emerged last year as a solid QB, but there are indications of a lack of full confidence from Gruden.
Recap: Carolina is rock solid this year and the Falcons may improve, but Bucs could still back into the playoffs.
4. New Orleans Saints Sean Payton
2006 projected record: 5-11
Record (2005): 3-13
Record (2004): 8-8
Problems: Reversing last year's 3-13 performance won't be easy.
Recap: The key factor here is that the Saints will, at least, be entertaining with Reggie Bush. And that energy could produce a couple extra wins.
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