Wednesday, January 12, 2011

NFL Season Wrap-Up: NFC East and NFC North

NFC East
My Pre-Season Predictions
1.Dallas Cowboys(12-4)
2.Philladelphia Eagles(9-7)
3.New York Giants(8-8)
4.Washington Redskins(6-10)

Final Standings
1.Philadelphia Eagles(10-6)
2.New York Giants(10-6)
3.Dallas Cowboys(6-10)
4.Washington Redskins(6-10)

Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles success this year can be attributed to the resurgence of Michael Vick. Vick's play was dominant for most of the season and he had the best season of his career. In addition to Vick's comeback, the Eagles young stars really emerged as a force. Desean Jackson,Lesean McCoy, and Jermey Maclin all had excellent years and should continue to get better. The Eagles collapse at the end of the season really hurt their momentum and their defense was up and down all year. A good year for The Eagles and their young team should get better next year.

New York Giants: As usual, The Giants showed flashes of brilliance and had a great stretch in the middle of the season after a slow start, followed by the typical New York Giants late-season decline. Eli Manning's inconsistent play is the root of the offense problems. He led the league in interceptions this year and that cost his team a lot of games. The defense also started off great and ended up playing terrible in the last few games. On the plus side, the Giants have a dangerous 1-2 running back punch with Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw. They both had great years and shredded most defense in their paths. Hakeem Nicks also proved himself has a great option in the passing game, he is a playmaker that should continue to thrive in this offense. The Giants still have huge issues. They don't know how to a finish a season and their play needs to improve if they want to make the playoffs.

Dallas Cowboys: Probably the biggest disappointment of the season. The whole beginning of the year was a string of miscues which was capped off my Tony Romo's season-ending injury. The team did play better when Jason Garrett took over at head coach. The Cowboys should have a better year next year, their team still has a ton of talent, it's just a matter of playing up to their potential.

Washington Redskins: Mike Shanahan clearly lost his marbles when he took that year off from coaching. The choices he made this season were complete head-scratches. Benching Donovan McNabb for Rex "Sexy Rexy" Grossman is flat out dumb, even with McNabb having an off year. The whole team collapsed in the second half of the season. This is a team that is not going to be leaving the basement of the NFL for a while, they are an absolute mess.

NFC North
My Pre-Season Predictions
1.Green Bay Packers(11-5)
2.Minnesota Vikings(10-6)
3.Chicago Bears(8-8)
4.Detroit Lions(6-10

Final Standings
1.Chicago Bears(11-5)
2.Green Bay Packers(10-6)
3.Detroit Lions(6-10)
4.Minnesota Vikings(6-10)

Chicago Bears: My favorite team in the league really surprised me this year, they exceeded my expectations tremendously. Julius Peppers was such a big addition to the defense, his presence makes this defense 10x better and he makes everyone better, an absolutely key offseason move. Jay Cutler also had a great year, he has greatly improved and finally lived up to his potential. Mike Martz turned out to be just what Cutler needed in an offensive coordinator. Brian Urlacher bounced back from injury seamlessly and had one hell of a year. Their is still a few flaws here mainly with offensive line, but still A great year for the Bears overall.

Green Bay Packers: The Packers overcome a ton of injuries to key players, including Ryan Grant and Jemichael Finley and still made the playoffs. Aaron Rodgers was lights out all year, he is one of the best quarterbacks in the league and his leadership is a key part of what makes the Packers so good. Their defense was also great, Clay Matthews is one of the best pass rushers in the league and the young players including B.J Raji are making a big impact. A damn good team that could make a deep run in the playoffs.

Detroit Lions: This is a team on the rise. Their offense is dangerous, Calvin Johnson still flys under the radar as a wide receiver. Shaun Hill is actually a pretty decent quarterback and had a pretty good year. The defense is improving too. If Matthew Stafford can stay healthy and they keep getting better, we could be looking at a playoff team.

Minnesota Vikings: Brett Favre should have stay retired, it's an embarrassing way to go out and I am not going to lie, I was pretty excited to see him plays this poorly. The Vikings need a quarterback now, I don't think Joe Webb or Tavaris Jackson is the answer. They should have a better year next year with a healthy Sidney Rice, Percy Harvin and Adrian Peterson back. I don't expect them to finish in last place again next year.

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