East:

Dallas: Even if T.O. does not play, the Cowboys should win the NFL’s toughest division. That defense is downright scary.

New York Giants: Improved on a team that won the division last year, but Eli Manning and company have an extremely tough schedule ahead of them.

Washington: I’m tempted to say two wild cards will come out of this division. With several high profile additions, missing the playoffs would be an extremely expensive bust for owner Dan Snyder.

Philadelphia: Were they really in the Super Bowl just two years ago? They should improve, but being in this intense division will not help the Eagles get out of the cellar quickly.

North:

Chicago: Not at all sold on their offense: Rex Grossman and Thomas Jones … sweet. In football’s version of the NL West, someone has to win this division, and their defense is nasty.

Minnesota: If a couple of playmakers emerge, this team could make a run. Brad Johnson always seems to be counted out, but always seems to get the job done too.

Green Bay: Brett Favre deserves better than this, and it will be a shame to see him retire after another horrid season on the Frozen Tundra. I think a couple of the guys on this team could play for Binghamton’s football team.

Detroit: The Joey Harrington era was a complete failure, Charles Rogers was just released and Matt Millen is still in charge. But on the bright side, they didn’t draft a wide out this year.

South:

Carolina: Defensive backs have nightmares about Steve Smith. Quarterbacks have nightmare about this team’s front seven. This team is primed for another big year.

Atlanta: Michael Vick is not as overrated as everyone seems to be saying he is. He is also not nearly as good as Madden ’07 says he is.

Tampa Bay: Chris Simms and Cadillac Williams lead an electrifying offense, but December trips to cold weather cities will doom this team’s playoff hopes.

New Orleans: They won’t contend, but with Drew Brees, Joe Horn and especially Reggie Bush, they are gonna be fun to watch. Regardless where they are playing in a few years, they could be good again soon.

West:

Seattle: Far and away the class of the NFC. The offense got deeper, and the defense is loaded. Oh, and they re-signed some guy named Shuan Alexander.

Arizona: There’s hope in the desert! Edgerrin James could shatter every Cardinal rushing record, and Matt Leinart could foreseeably hook up with every girl in Phoenix.

St. Louis: This is the least-threatening Rams team in years. But look on the bright side Rams fans, at least you don’t have to deal with Kurt Warner’s wife.

San Francisco: The defense lost Julian Peterson, Mike Rumph and Andre Carter, and Alex Smith does not look like he has made much progress … they could average 50 points against this year.

NFC Championship: Seattle over Dallas

Super Bowl XLI: Peyton Manning and the Colts finally get their due.