1 seed division champ wild card they have not met expectations
1 seed, division champ, wild card), they have not met expectations.Until they win a playoff game, I cannot put them in the Super Bowl, like most other prognosticators have already. Washington (9-7)Newly hired head coach Jim Zorn begins his journey as an NFL coach in a unique situation. Unlike most first-time head coaches, he does not have to deal with completely rebuilding a roster. The Redskins used the emotional fuel of Sean Taylor’s tragic death to win their last four games and sneak into the playoffs. This is a team that has to score more points, and their draft emphasizes that need. Washington used two out of their first three picks on wide outs, and they used their second pick on TE Fred Davis. Davis seems to pair up nicely with starter Chris Cooley. The defense is solid enough, as they were in the top half in the league in points allowed and yards allowed. Leading tackler London Fletcher returns, as does safety LaRon Landry. The defense generated only 33 sacks last year, and they needs to get more production from someone in their front four other than Andre Carter. I see the Redskins fighting with a few other teams during the last week of the season for the final Wild Card spot. New York Giants (8-8)I know what you’re thinking I’m nuts. No Super Bowl winner has missed the playoffs the following season since the 2006 Steelers.
But the Giants’ record wasn’t much better than this last year (10-6), when they got unbelievably hot on the road on their way to the Lombardi Trophy. Strahan’s gone, as is LB Kawika Mitchell Gibril Wilson departs an already weak secondary. Jeremy Shockey’s stewing over how he was treated during the Super Bowl run once he went down, and Plaxico is holding out over his contract. Offensively, the Giants will return to their tandem backfield of Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward. Jacobs bust out with a 1,000-yard season on a 5.0 yard-per-carry average. Eli Manning did a good job spreading the ball around to his receivers The Giants return three players who had at least 50 catches. Plaxico Burress led the way with 70 reception, 1,025 yards, and 12 touchdowns Amani Toomer turns 34 this season. Look for him to yield some playing time to second-year pro Steve Smith.On the defensive side of the ball, the Giants return Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck on the line, LB Antonio Pierce, and CB Aaron Ross.
New York addressed their pressing needs in the secondary in the draft. They used their first two picks on defensive backs, including S Kenny Phillips in the first round.The division is already brutal enough, and the schedule outside the division is no cupcake. New York faces Seattle, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh, and they close the season out at Minnesota, who could be fighting for playoff seeding. NFC NorthWinner: Minnesota (11-5)Last year’s edition finished the season 8-8 on a two-game losing streak. They started off the year 2-5, and then ran off a five-game winning streak in weeks 11-15. They were in contention for the playoffs until they wore out in the end. That won’t happen this year. A more experienced team will be better prepared to get out the gate quickly and avoid a slow start. With the addition of DE Jared Allen from the Chiefs, the Vikings will be solid, if not spectacular, along the defensive line.Let’s not forget the man who is perhaps the best, pure running back in the league. Adrian Peterson has all the tools, and the offensive line, to crack 1,500 yards.
He needs to stay healthy and avoid unnecessary physical punishment. Luckily, the Vikings have Chester Taylor to carry the rock and take some of the pounding. The one question the Vikings have is in the passing game. In order to be successful, Tarvaris Jackson needs to continue to progress Luckily for him, he has Brad Childress as his mentor. Childress, if you didn’t know, was Donovan McNabb’s quarterback coach and offensive coordinator for seven seasons.Jackson needs to up his completion percentage above 60 percent and throw more than nine TDs.
Jackson should take full advantage of play action with Peterson and Taylor in the backfield. If he is patient, he will find open receivers. If Peterson stays healthy, the Vikings should make a deep run through the playoffs. Green Bay (8-8)The Aaron Rodgers era is going to open up roughly. Rodgers has played well in very limited action, but now he is the man in Green Bay. In the first seven games, the Packers’ opponents include Minnesota, Dallas, Tampa Bay, Seattle, and Indianapolis. Four of those are 2007 playoff teams, and Minnesota figures to be improved. They must also play New Orleans, Carolina, Houston, and Jacksonville in consecutive games later on in the season. Aaron Rodgers does have a good supporting cast around him. Ryan Grant leads the ground attack, while Donald Driver and Greg Jennings lead the receiving corps. Nick Barnett and A.J.