NFC SOUTH

Atlanta Falcons

Training camp solution: The Falcons have finally found a pass-rushing bookend to John Abraham. Third-year pro Kroy Biermann looks like a future Pro Bowler.

Hanging problem: With receiver Michael Jenkins out with a shoulder injury, does Matt Ryan have enough weapons on the outside? The team needs third-year pro Harry Douglas to step up.

Surprise: Ryan had a poor preseason. We don’t care; we think he’s ready to take the next step to be an upper echelon quarterback in his third season.

New Orleans Saints

Training camp solution: Darren Sharper may be out to open the season, but converted cornerback Malcom Jenkins has many folks thinking Sharper may not even get his job back when healthy.

Hanging problem: The team's run defense and linebacker group looked shaky even before they lost projected starting line backer Jonathan Casillas for the season.

Surprise: An injury-prone starting offensive unit enjoyed a fully healthy month. Sean Payton has more veteran pieces that know the team's system cold than he knows what to do with.

Carolina Panthers

Training camp solution: The Panthers cut veterans, lost linebacker Thomas Davis for the season, and yet their defense looks primed for a big year. This is a young, no-name team with a strong secondary. Just how coach John Fox likes it.

Hanging problem: The offense went 42 possessions without a touchdown in the preseason. No one stepped up into the No. 2 receiver role opposite Steve Smith, so it looks like it will be Dwayne Jarrett by default.

Surprise: There wasn’t a hint of a quarterback controversy despite Matt Moore’s preseason struggles. This will be Moore’s team unless they are way out of contention in December.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Training camp solution: Rookie fourth-round pick Mike Williams is already the team’s No. 1 receiver. If he stays out of trouble, he looks like a future Pro Bowler.

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Hanging problem: The team was also hoping for three of Williams’ fellow rookies to have big seasons. Defensive tackles Gerald McCoy and Brian Price didn’t blow anyone away in August; wideout Arrelious Benn is buried on the depth chart. It didn’t help that franchise quarterback Josh Freeman missed most of the preseason with a thumb injury.

Surprise: The emergence of scat-back Kareem Huggins behind Cadillac Williams allowed the team to drop sluggish veteran Derrick Ward. The Bucs are better off this way.

PREDICTIONS

1. Falcons (11-5)
*2. Saints (11-5)
3. Panthers (9-7)
4. Bucs (4-12)

NFC WEST

Arizona Cardinals

Training camp solution: Replacing Matt Leinart with Derek Anderson was unexpected, but a typically decisive move from Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt. Anderson struggles with accuracy, but fits the team’s vertical offense better than Leinart. That said, don’t be shocked if undrafted rookie Max Hall starts games late in the year.

Hanging problem: Forget the quarterback; the offense has no chance to survive if Arizona’s reconfigured offensive line can’t coalesce. They looked rough in the preseason.

Surprise: The Cardinals’ drafts of late have been hit or miss. It looks like they hit with second round linebacker Daryl Washington, who will play a big role. Undrafted free agent wideout Stephen Williams also looks like a keeper.

San Francisco 49ers

Training camp solution: Despite the sudden loss of second-year running back Glen Coffee to retirement, the 49ers appeared to solve their backup running back dilemma. Rookie Anthony Dixon and recent pickup Brian Westbrook look like a capable duo.

Hanging problem: Star-to-be receiver Michael Crabtree is already showing diva tendencies. Team captain Vernon Davis and Crabtree had to be removed from practice after Davis called Crabtree out for dogging it throughout camp with lax effort and bogus injuries.

Surprise: The 49ers are the unanimous pick to win the NFC West despite a defense likely to regress and Alex Smith at quarterback. We think the Cardinals have enough firepower and coaching to hold them off.

Seattle Seahawks

Training camp solution: Pete Carroll spent all month getting rid of the holdovers he doesn’t want -- like T.J. Houshmandzadeh. It could make for a bumpy ’10 but we love the approach long-term.

Hanging problem: The team’s supposed starting tackles are injured (first-round pick Russell Okung) or on the trading block. (Right tackle Sean Locklear.) After vaunted offensive line coach Alex Gibbs suddenly retired, the long-struggling line is full of questions again.

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Surprise: Carroll’s old USC player Mike Williams – yes, that Mike Williams – looked outstanding all camp and will start Week 1 in Houshmandzadeh’s spot. There isn’t a more shocking comeback story in football. You can’t blame it on favoritism. Carroll got rid of former USC players LenDale White and Lawrence Jackson; Carroll also didn’t save Matt Leinart when his old QB was drowning.

St. Louis Rams

Training camp solution: No. 1 overall pick Sam Bradford will start at quarterback in Week 1, and it’s not because of A.J. Feeley’s injury. Bradford finished the preseason with two flawless games and is inspiring a lot of belief in St. Louis.

Hanging problem: Bradford still doesn’t have many weapons around him, and the season-ending injury to his top wideout Donnie Avery won’t help. The Rams hoped to upgrade their skill position depth, but were unable to sign T.J. Houshmandzadeh or Brian Westbrook.

Surprise: 2009 No. 2 overall pick Jason Smith couldn’t start camp healthy, and now he’s staying at right tackle. 2010 second round pick Roger Saffold will instead play the blind side. These young guys are the keys to the team.

PREDICTIONS

1. Cardinals (9-7)
2. 49ers (8-8)
3. Seahawks (6-10)
4. Rams (3-13 )

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