2010-2011 NFL Season Predictions: NFC and Super Bowl

Last season, the Super Bowl champions came from the NFC. The New Orleans Saints won their first Super Bowl in franchise history. The Saints dominated their division and the playoffs. They beat the Colts in deciding fashion and brought something to the City of New Orleans that finally deserved some celebrating. Will they repeat? Better question is can they repeat? The last NFC team that repeat as Super Bowl champions was the Dallas Cowboys. They won the 1993 and 1994 Super Bowl titles.

Speaking of the Cowboys, they tied with the Philadelphia Eagles for the division title last year. They ultimately won the division because they won the season series with the Eagles. Last season was also a disappointing one for the New York Giants. They finished 8-8 and missed the playoffs. With the addition of QB Donovan McNabb, the Redskins might be able to contend this year. I see two teams making the playoffs from this division.

NFC East Champs: New York Giants
Wild Card Team: Dallas Cowboys

The NFC North is now the most unpredictable division in the entire NFL. The Packers, with help from the arm of Aaron Rodgers, almost won the division last year. They were beat out by the arm of the Packs' former QB, who has a chronic case of retiring, Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings. The Bears were contenders for most of the season, but fell off and finished with a 7-9 record. The Lions finished with a record of 2-14, but got a great WR in the NFL Draft. Unfortunately, a rookie WR can't change the fate of the Detroit Lions. Just ask Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson.

NFC North Champs: Minnesota Vikings

The Super Bowl champs came out of the NFC South division. With Drew Brees and most of the Super Bowl team coming back, they look unstoppable. The Saints' offense is so good, they only took one offensive player in the draft, and he will be playing 3rd string QB. The Falcons missed the playoffs by 2 games. With a 9-7 record, Matt Ryan proved himself to be a good QB, with a bright future. With 2 QB, one out of the draft and one with only 8 starts in his career, the Panthers still have questions within their franchise. The Bucs haven't been the same team since they won the Super Bowl. Don't expect anyone to challenge the Saints in the division, but I do expect 2 teams to go to the playoffs in this season.

NFC South Champs: New Orleans Saints
Wild Card Team: Atlanta Falcons

The NFC West has been dominated by the Arizona Cardinals the last 3 years, and with the same roster as they had the last 2 years, I don't see any change. The Rams finished with the worst record in the league last year, but with that feat, they picked up Sam Bradford, the top pick in the NFL Draft. All signs point to Bradford being the starting QB, but it will be his rookie season. The Seahawks have a new coach in Pete Carroll. Carroll has led the USC team to many NCAA BCS championships. With the 49ers QB problems kinda solved with the acquisition of David Carr, they might be able to concentrate more on challenging the Cardinals. I don't see the Rams 49ers, however, being a threat. Maybe Carroll will change the luck of the Seahawks. I think he will.

NFC West Champs: Seattle Seahawks

The teams with the bye week in the first round of the playoffs would be the Vikings and the Giants. That leave the Cowboys to face the Seahawks and the Saints against the Falcons. I see the Cowboys and Saints advancing from this round. I then see the Vikings hosting the Saints in an NFC Championship rematch from last year, and the Giants hosting division rivals, the Cowboys. The NFC Championship game will see the Vikings squaring off against Giants. Brett Favre against Eli Manning. I believe the Vikings will be too much for the Giants.

NFC Champions: Minnesota Vikings

In my last article, you read that I thought the Indianapolis Colts would win the AFC Championship. Which means the Super Bowl would see Peyton Manning against Brett Farve. The White and Blue against the Purple and Gold. Brett Farve came back, saying he had to for the team. That, to me, means he needs to win a Super Bowl this year. This may be the year Brett Favre's return actually means something.

Super Bowl Champions: Minnesota Vikings. Yes, I believe this is the year. Brett Favre is coming back for the team. Not to glorify his career. Hie selfishness will payoff in the 2nd NFL Championship in Vikings history.