I’ve been an NFL fan almost as long as I’ve been an MLB fan. Almost. But I’m always juiced about the return of the NFL season. With the Colts and Saints playing in the background, it’s time for me to roll out my NFL picks for the 2007 season. I think I’ll start with the NFC.
NFC East: Philadelphia
I’m picking Philly to repeat as champs of the NFC’s toughest division. This pick assumes Donovan McNabb stays healthy, which is admittedly dicey. But if he plays 12 games or more, I think Philly wins the division. I like Dallas to compete here, too, but the addition of Takeo Spikes gives the Eagles the better defense.
NFC West: San Francisco
This division is the Pac-10 of the NFL. All 4 teams (Rams, Cards, 49ers, Seahawks) can light up the scoreboard; the team that plays the best D will earn a playoff berth. The Niners added DBs Nate Clements and Michael Lewis in free agency and selected Ole Miss linebacker Patrick Willis with their first round draft choice. They’ll help shore up a defense that won’t be great, but should be good enough to win a fairly weak division.
NFC North: Chicago
Not really going out on a limb here, but the Bears are clearly the class of this division. The D comes back to earth a bit, but an improved offense should help make up the difference. Look for Bernard Berrian to break out in a big way this year, giving Rex Grossman a consistent target to throw to.
NFC South: New Orleans
They won’t sneak up on anybody this season, but I think this team might be better than the ’06 version. All-Pro QB Drew Brees is in his prime; Reggie Bush and Marques Colston have a full year of experience with Sean Payton’s system; rookie Robert Meachem gives this offense yet another weapon. I like Carolina to compete in this division, but New Orleans is the best team in the NFC in my opinion.
NFC Wild Card Teams: Dallas, Carolina
I think Dallas could easily win the East if Philly gets banged up. I like Romo better than some people do. He’s young, true, but the personnel surrounding him will make him better. I could easily see this unit winning 10 games. The question is, will Wade Phillips do what his predecessor Bill Parcells could not: win a playoff game. A year ago people were predicting the Panthers to go to the Super Bowl; an 8-8 season later, Carolina is completely off most people’s radar. This team will probably only go as far as the QB play. With David Carr waiting in the wings, Jake Delhomme has little margin for error. But a solid defense and a quality running game should limit the opportunities for mistakes.
AFC East: New England
The Patriots could once again be the best team in the NFL. The additions of WRs Randy Moss, Donte Stallworth and LB Adalius Thomas only improve a unit that made it to the AFC Championship Game last season. If this team doesn’t win 12 games, I’ll be shocked. I see them playing in teh Super Bowl.
AFC West: San Diego
Offensively, they’re as good as they come and the emergence of Vincent Jackson makes this unit even more dangerous. With Shawne Merriman anchoring an underrated defense, look for San Diego to continue to be one of the AFC’s premiere franchises. While they may not win 14 games again, I see them making the AFC Championship Game against New England.
AFC North: Baltimore
Defense has been this team’s MO for nearly a decade. This unit allowed the fewest points in the league last season, but the loss of Adalius Thomas brings them back to the pack a bit. But the running game should be much improved thanks to the addition of Willis McGahee. If I were in charge, I might consider adding Byron Leftwich for insurance if (or when) Steve McNair gets hurt.
AFC South: Indianapolis
After last year’s Super Bowl win, what can NFL-poster boy Peyton Manning do for an encore? How about a repeat? I think this team breezes through the regular season in a fairly weak division. The real test (as always) will come in January. That’ll be the time the weaknesses in this defense will be the most glaring.
AFC Wild Card Teams: Denver, Pittsburgh
I love Denver. Shannahan has coached a 1,000 yard rusher each of the last 12 years. Travis Henry is poised to become #13. The experience Jay Cutler got last year will pay dividends this season. The addition of Dre Bly gives the defense another play-maker. I see 10 wins for Denver, easily. I also expect Pittsburgh to rebound from last year’s 8-8 debacle. A healthy Big Ben could help remedy that. The defense should be solid, as usual.
NFC Championship Game: New Orleans over Philadelphia
AFC Championship Game: New England over San Diego
Super Bowl: New England over New Orleans
already & not yet 
I actually had the Bears slipping this year. I don’t think Grossman is all that bad, but I think he’s going to finally succumb for good to all the bad press and pressure that’s been put on him. Plus, I think they’ll take a step back after losing Jones in the running game. So, I’m gonna go out on a limb and say the Packers come back and win that division. I think they have an underrated defense, and I think Favre has one good year left in him.Other than that I had almost the same picks as you, except I had Dallas winning the East (I know, homer pick), St. Louis winning the West, and my sleeper pick is the Lions for a wild card. In the AFC, my only differences with you were Cincinnati instead of Baltimore and and Tennessee getting the last playoff spot.Anyways, it should a fun season. I’m so pumped to have the NFL back!
Grossman is all or nothing. In the first half last year, it was like he could do no wrong. In the second half, he was pretty atrocious. I’ll admit, I wouldn’t want to pin my team’s success to his ability to perform consistently. But if you have Green Bay winning the North and Detroit as a wild card, that means you think Chicago finishes THIRD in their division! Wow! I like them a lot more than you do!I wish the Titans would make the playoffs but I don’t think we have enough on defense. But it should be fun to watch Vince.
Yeah, I’m a little worried about our defense. But I like Nick Harper, and if Simon can get healthy, it will really help out our line. Also, our rookie at Free Safety, Calvin Lowery is supposed to be awesome. Plus, I think if our linebacker core stays healthy, they’ll rock it out. I don’t know, our defense is either going to be fairly good, or a disaster. Also, look at the past Super Bowl losers this decade, and it doesn’t look good for the Bears. Except, for the Sehawks last year, none of them made the playoffs. I think their defense is worse, their running game is worse, and a combination of Grossman and whoever replaces him in week 6 is going to be worse than last year. I think all of that adds up to a 6-10 team.
My Packers are going the distance, baby!!
based on the way we played yesterday, our defense looks better than Vince does.
I was very surprised to see the defense shut down such a good running game Sunday. They’ll really be tested this week against Indy.