In my last column, I noted the 10 AFC games I was looking forward to in the upcoming NFL season. Today, I will discuss the NFC games that I find most intriguing.
Since the format is the same, allow me to quote myself:
Deciding which games should be competitive is difficult business. There are no guarantees that the good teams from 2005 won't collapse and I am sure that there will be some breakout teams no one was expecting. I don't hold a crystal ball. But given what we saw in 2005, and what my gut tells me about teams in 2006, what follows are 10 games I am looking forward to in 2006. After each game, I note the questions the game might answer and spell out why I think it might be worth watching.
NFC
1) Sunday, September 10: Chicago @ Green Bay
I circled this game because Bears vs. Packers is always worth checking out just because of the tradition. A lot of questions hang over this matchup these days. Now that Brett Favre is back, can he make one last playoff run? Favre indicated that he was willing to come back if the Pack was going to be competitive, but I haven't seen any professional pundits predict anything but struggles ahead for Green Bay.
Let's be honest here. Green Bay didn't struggle in spite of Farve, they struggled — at least in part — because of him. It was like he was forcing everything and not really concentrating at times. Granted, the division isn't the most competitive, but he will have to play better if they expect to win. Regardless, this will likely be the final year of a legend. That alone makes it worth watching.
'Da Bears have some questions, too. Can they keep their QB healthy? Was their porous playoff defense an aberration or was that unit's tough reputation more a matter of a weak conference? Somebody is going to win the NFC North division, maybe this game can give us an early clue as to who that might be.
2) Sunday, September 17: Arizona @ Seattle
In the AFC rundown, I wondered about how the Pittsburgh Steelers would respond to being the champs with the bulls-eye on them each week. The flip side of the questions about the Steelers are the questions about the Seattle Seahawks. How does a team respond to a devastating loss like that? Do they want it even more or will it destroy team chemistry? The Seahawks also lost a crucial part of their offensive line in Steve Hutchinson this offseason, and that has got to hurt. Nevertheless, they still have a lot of talent and are competing in the weaker NFC. This will be their first home game and it is against an up-and-coming divisional rival.
The Arizona Cardinals were picked by many as a dark horse candidate for the playoffs last year, but struggled instead. This year, SC's own Ryan Hojnacki is picking the Cards as a sleeper to make the playoffs. Certainly, the addition of Edgerrin James will help. If Kurt Warner can stay healthy, and James can provide the running game they have lacked, they might finally be able to take it to the next level.
3) Monday, September 25: Atlanta @ New Orleans
This will be the first game the Saints play in the Superdome since Katrina and that alone should give it some emotional charge. Throw in Michael Vick and the entertainment value is above normal. The Saints and their fans should be pumped up. Can Drew Brees finally bring some wins to this poor town?
The Falcons have some questions to answer, as well. Is Michael Vick exciting? Yes. Is that going to be enough? No. The question everybody is asking is if Vick can master an offense and lead his team to the playoffs and beyond. Another year of struggles is going to result in some uncomfortable questions.
4) Sunday, October 8: Dallas @ Philadelphia
You think maybe the Eagles fans might have something to say to Terrell Owens when he pays a visit? Do you think Terrell Owens might be motivated to play well in this game? What about Donovan McNabb? You think he wants to put 2005 behind him and return to his healthy winning ways? How many rhetorical questions can I ask in a row?
This game will likely be a media circus, but don't forget it will also be an important divisional rivalry. The NFC East is a tough division and these two teams want to compete for the title. I expect this to be an emotional and hard-fought game.
5) Monday, October 23: New York Giants @ Dallas
There might not be the same media issues surrounding this game, but it has many of the same elements. This is a classic rivalry with two playoff-caliber teams and two hard-headed coaches going at it. The Giants, despite their awful showing in the playoffs last year, have enough talent to be dangerous. The Cowboys took the giant risk of acquiring Terrell Owens in an attempt to bring in the firepower they feel they lacked. This game, and the one in New York on December 3, should be fun to watch.
6) Sunday, November 5: Dallas @ Washington
Okay, I know what you are thinking at this point. What are you, a closet Cowboys fan? Please! I despise the Cowboys, but that dislike doesn't blind me to their entertainment value. Jerry Jones, Bill Parcells, and Terrell Owens: how do you suppose they fit all that ego in one place? Plus, when it comes to rivalries Dallas vs. Washington is a pretty good one. The Redskins seem to have the upper hand in this rivalry of late, and if Dallas wants to be a playoff contender, they will have to change that trend.
The Redskins didn't sit on their hands in the offseason, either. They picked up wide receivers Antwaan Randle El and Brandon Lloyd to try and give the aging Mark Brunell some targets. The offense will certainly need to improve if they plan to go anywhere in the playoffs. Last year's output in postseason was painful to watch. This divisional game should be a good test.
7) Monday, November 13: Tampa Bay @ Carolina
Let's move out of the NFC East, shall we? How about the NFC South? These are two teams that usually win with tough defense. The Bucs and Panthers had identical records last year and split the regular season series. This should be another competitive divisional game. If the teams continue their success from last year, this will be an important game, as well.
After shutting out the New York Giants in their first playoff game, the Carolina Panthers gave up 55 points in their next two games. If that type of defense continues, it will spell trouble. Steve Smith was the clear hero last year, but can he do it again? What about the all important running game? Key injuries in that area clearly hurt them against the Seahawks last year. Can DeShaun Foster carry the load?
In Tampa, they have decided to go with Chris Simms at QB. They let Brian Griese go and head into the season with Tim Rattay and Luke McCown backing up Simms. Carnell Williams showed promise last year and if he returns stronger and more comfortable with the offense, he could be a real weapon. Offensive consistency will be crucial for the Bucs.
8) Sunday, November 26: Carolina @ Washington
After the above two games, this should further sort out the pecking order in the NFC. Two playoff teams from last year. Two teams that like to play tough defense. The Panthers had Steve Smith last year to give them a boost when they needed it. Can the Redskins find that type of player in Randle El or Lloyd? Depending how the offenses preform, this could either be an exciting battle or a real snoozer. Either way, it is likely to be an important game.
9) Sunday, December 24: Carolina @ Atlanta
Earlier, I was on a Dallas kick, this is my Carolina streak. What can I say? They were in the NFC Championship Game. They may bomb in 2006, but they have had a knack for surprising folks. If you are interested in how the NFC is going to shake out, then these are the games to watch. Throw in Steve Smith and Michael Vick and the chances are good for some exciting play.
10) Saturday, December 30: New York Giants @ Washington
We will end this list with a return to the NFC East. These are two playoff teams whose offense struggled mightily in those games. The Giants still have the talent, the question is whether they can come together as a team and play at a higher level? The Redskins went out and got some talent, so the question is whether those players will pay off or not. This game could easily have playoff implications. Prime time in the nation's capitol. Should be exciting.
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So there you have it, folks — 10 games to watch in the NFC. Lots of rivalries and lots of divisional games. These are the games I find have the most meaning and that are the most fun to watch. There doesn't appear to be a lot of distance between many of these teams. It should be interesting to see who comes out on top in what many believe is the weaker conference. Will Seattle continue to dominate or will their Super Bowl loss prove too much? How will New Orleans respond to being back in the Superdome? You never know how it will turn out until they play the games. That is why I will be watching.
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