ZOOM

NFC East
1. Dallas (10-6): I'm not a big Terrel Owens fan and I never know what you are going to get from Drew Bledsoe. But I do like Bill Parcells and if anyone can get the most out of TO -- it's him. If the defense plays like most teams do under Parcells, they could be a very good team.
2. NY Giants (9-7): Eli Manning is becoming a pretty darn good QB -- making San Diego fans hate him even more. But I just don't think their going to be better than Dallas.
3. Philly (9-7): This is a team surrounded by "ifs." If McNabb is healthy and can return to his old self, they'll be tough. They won't have TO's talent but they won't have TO either. If the defense is as good as it has been they could win the division.
4. Washington (8-8): A lot of folks love Washington. But I don't see Brunell being as good in 2006 as he was in 2005. WithPhilly not being as bad as they were last year an improved Cowboy team, I just can't see a return to the playoffs.

NFC North
1 Chicago (10-6): They aren't as good this year and the QB situation is still terrible. But that defense might be good enouugh to carry them.
2. Green Bay (8-8): Brett Farve won't be the train wreck he was last year. Running game should be better as should the WRs. But the defense is still questionable and I don't think Charles Woodson looks any better as a Packer than he did as a Raiderl
3. Minnesota (8-8): The Vikes appear to be another popular pick, but they have an OK RBs and no real WRs to go along with a QB in Brad Johnson who is all of 38. It's the Mark Brunell factor is all that I can figure.
4. Detriot (5-11): They've dumped Joey Harrington, signed Joe Kitna. Picked up Mike Martz (OC) and Donnie Henderson (DC) who should make things better, but they're a long way a way. But root for former Butte star Shaun Bodiford

NFC South
1. Carolina (12-4) The Panthers are a huge favorite to get back to the Super Bowl after a down year. If they can stay healhy -- WR Steve Smith is already hurt -- it's easy to see why. But it won't be easy, TB is improving and Mike Vick has to meet his potential right? All these equal, the Panthers will win the division.
2 Tampa Bay (10-6): The Bucs just couldn't score against Washington, but I still like the offense. Chris Simms is pretty decent and Gruden won't ask him to win games. If Carnell Williams and Mike Pittman provide a stable running game, Tampa will be good.
3. Atlanta (9-7) :Speaking of Vick, the Falcons will need him, but the bigger question is can Warrick Dunn be the big back? When he shared time with Duckett he didn't to and now he will. If he can't it puts pressure Vick.
4 New Orleans (6-10): The Saints have Reggie Bush. And they have Drew Brees. But with only Horn at WR, one wonder how good they will be? Despite Bush's I'm not thrilled.

NFC West
1. Arizona: (11-5) Trendy pick last year, but I really like the offense. If the OL can open holes for Edgerrin James, they will be explosive. Kurt Warner looked in preseason play and if stays healthy the Cards could be good.
2. Seattle (9-7) : They'll have a mini-hangover from the Super Bowl this year. The WRs still stink. The defense might be better with ex-49er Julian Peterson up there.
3. St. Louis (6-10): Martz is gone and Linehan comes on -- to bring a more balanced attack. The problem the Rams will have is both lines are suspect. Will the defense keep them in games long enough for a running game to have an impact. The Rams might end up throwing as much under Linehan as they did under Martz.
4. 49ers (5-11) The 49ers should be a little better. And they did sweep the Rams this year, but I think they're at least a year away.