NFC North
Chicago Bears
The defending NFC champions still have one of the best defenses, but lost running back Thomas Jones to the Jets in the offseason. Quarterback Rex Grossman will be on a shorter leash than last season, and he had better get off to a quick start. Three out of their first four road games are at San Diego, Green Bay and Philadelphia. If they are dominant in those games, they should cruise to home-field advantage in the playoffs.

Chicago wins the NFC North with an 11-5 record.

Green Bay Packers
This should be Brett Favre's final season as the starting quarterback in Green Bay, but he will probably play another three full seasons. The Packers could have the most underrated defense in the NFC. Coach Mike McCarthy has to get another good year out of cornerbacks Charles Woodson and Al Harris, and hope that Donald Driver has another strong season at wide receiver. If the offensive line does not protect Favre, the Packers do not stand a chance at making the playoffs. The Packers will be in contention until early December and finish 8-8.

Minnesota Vikings
I'm not sold on second-year quarterback Tarvaris Jackson, but the Vikings defense is good enough to keep them competitive. Rookie running back Adrian Peterson is finally healthy and should get a heavy workload, running behind left guard Steve Hutchinson. Minnesota was the only defense to give up less than 1,000 yards (985) last season, but they still won't scare any opponent with their passing game. The Vikings need another solid draft before they think of going to the playoffs. They will be lucky to finish this season 6-10.

Detroit Lions
Get ready to watch another Lions team try to dig out of the cellar. Its offense is solid with Jon Kitna back at quarterback after throwing for 4,208 yards in 2006. The addition of rookie wide receiver Calvin Johnson should enable Kitna to cut down on his 22 interceptions from last year. But will they be able to run the ball? Tatum Bell will have to stay healthy as he replaces the injured Kevin Jones. The defensive line is loaded with Cory Redding and Shaun Rogers forcing running backs to get to the corner in the hopes of picking up yards. Rod Marinelli's 2007 roster looks good, but they are still the Lions. Don't expect them to win more than five games.

NFC South
New Orleans Saints
The team of destiny in 2006 will have to play with high emotion to match its intensity from last season. The Saints have Drew Brees at quarterback and the two-headed monster of Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister at running back. It doesn't get much better than that. New Orleans gave up too many big plays on defense last season, and their cornerbacks are still suspect. The front seven is improved and I expect defensive end Charles Grant to have another big year. This franchise has turned around quickly and expects to get to the Super Bowl this upcoming February. The Saints keep rolling to an 11-5 record.

Carolina Panthers
The team everyone picked to make the playoffs last season was easily the most disappointing team of 2006. Coach John Fox must go deep into the playoffs to quiet his critics. Quarterback Jake Delhomme threw for less than 3,000 yards (2,805) and had only 17 touchdowns in 2006, so David Carr was brought in to push him. The defensive line still has Julius Peppers, Kris Jenkins and Mike Rucker. A weak schedule should help the Panthers get off to a quick start, and Carolina is ready to get back to the top of the NFC this season at 10-6.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jon Gruden is under pressure to take the Bucs back to the playoffs, and Jeff Garcia was brought in to help. Gruden finally has a proven veteran quarterback to run his West Coast offense, but running back Cadillac Williams must stay healthy — 798 rushing yards for one touchdown will not cut it. A healthy and improved defense with rookie defensive end Gaines Adams and veteran linebacker Cato June should keep the Bucs in the playoff hunt, if they don't get buried by the tough opening schedule with road games at Seattle, Carolina and Indianapolis. Gruden is a great coach and should keep his job even if his team ends up 8-8.

Atlanta Falcons
Goodbye, Michael Vick. Hello, Joey Harrington. No one has any clue how this team will respond after their worst offseason in franchise history. Coach Bobby Petrino has no pressure to win after losing Vick to an indefinite suspension because of a dog fighting conviction. Atlanta has several playmakers on defense, including DeAngelo Hall, John Abraham and Keith Brooking, but how will they handle losing if they get off to an expected slow start? Owner Arthur Blank will spend most of the season counting empty seats at the Georgia Dome, but he will get his team back to the playoffs in the next few years. Atlanta goes 5-11 in 2007.