It’s time to look at the NFC now. We’ve seen a major shift in the NFC where half the teams in this year’s playoffs weren’t around for the post-season a year ago. There was so much talk about Dallas and Minnesota re-tooling to go after the defending champions, but the season never materialized that way. The Saints made it in, but instead of the Cowboys and Vikings, we’re talking about the Bears and Falcons.
Atlanta Falcons
At 13-3, the Falcons were the best team in the NFC this season and played like the most complete team. Each week, they found different ways to win. Whether it was Matt Ryan leading a pass attack with Roddy White, or Michael Turner running the ball up and down the field or even the defense dominating a game, the Falcons showed versatility. The question is: Will they show nerves now that the games mean so much?
Chicago Bears
Another newcomer to the party makes it to the second seed with an 11-5 record thanks to a rock-solid defense. The biggest concern has to be whether or not they can get enough offence from Jay Cutler and Matt Forte. Cutler is the NFL’s version of Jekyll and Hyde because he can be great for one half and be dreadful the next. They need consistency from him especially if they have any chance of winning.
New Orleans Saints
The defending champs jumped the first hurdle of defending their crown by just making it to the playoffs. It seems a given that the Super Bowl winners from the year before should be able to make it to the tournament again, but just ask any of the other past winners how difficult it is to go from being the hunter to the hunted. In order to win again, they need a consistent rushing attack to give the offence more balance.
Philadelphia Eagles
Their fortunes have relied solely on the left arm and two legs of Michael Vick. He’s played so well that he was even being talked about as an MVP candidate halfway through the season. However, in the second half of the year, opposing defenses were doing a better job of containing Vick and forcing him into mistakes. Will we see the MVP-like Mike Vick or the Mike Vick that had his struggles in Atlanta?
Green Bay Packers
Everyone who says that the Packers have a chance point to their defense as the catalyst. They may have given up the 2nd least amount of points in the NFL, but a deeper look inside the numbers will tell you that they don’t have as good of a defense as the points against number would suggest. The numbers will also tell you that they better be able to find a rushing attack to go alongside the threat that is Aaron Rodgers.
Seattle Seahawks
If ever there was a team that could pull out the “nothing to lose” card, it would have to be Seattle. After all, they are the only division winner in NFL history to finish 7-9 and make the playoffs. But all you have to do is get in to the tournament and get on a roll. If the Seahawks could ever do that, it would be one of the best sports stories we’ll see in our lifetime.