The View From the Crossbar.

NFC North

Chicago

For the second year in a row Chicago rode an opportunistic defense, and a crappy crappy division to a good season. This year though they actually managed to make it to the Super Bowl. And then Rex Grossman struck. In the offseason the Bears have been embroiled in a nasty Franchise Tag/Contract dispute with Lance Briggs. They got rid of Thomas Jones, and are now going solely with Cedric Benson at running back. However it all means nothing because the Bears goes as Rex goes. One good note is the Black and Blue division, is still crap this season.

Green Bay

The Packers turned in a surprising second half of the season, went 8-8 and was actually in the playoff race at the end of the season. Which actually prompted QB Brett Favre to not hold the Packers hostage during the offseason. Unfortunately for the Packers Favre is coming back which means this team will still be in a one year stagnant mode.

Minnesota

Minnesota's first year under head coach Brad Childress was a bit rough. The bright spot was RB Chester Taylor. Of course the Vikings responded in the offseason by drafting RB Adrian Peterson and deciding to continue to roll the dice with QB Tavaris Jackson. But to give Minnesota credit they did realize they might be in trouble and signed should-not-be-journeyman QB Kelley Holcomb to back up Jackson.

Detroit

The perennial league whipping boys remained just that in 2006. Mike Martz came in got rid of some of the excess weight (Mike Williams) and Baggage (Charles Rogers) from the recent high WR draft picks. Then helped Jon Kitna, and Roy Williams become quite a Aerial threat. Unfortunately for the Lions they didn't have a running back suitable for the Martz offense, or a Defense to stop anyone else. Meanwhile in the draft the Lions drafted yet another WR with the #2 overall pick. I'd like to say that if Calvin Johnson doesn't pan out GM Matt Millen will be gone, but anywhere else Millen would already had been kicked to the curb.

NFC East

Philadelphia

What was supposed to be one of the strongest division was actually a bit of a dud down the stretch. Philadelphia coming in hoping to bounce back from a bad '05, and things started looking good in the beginning. The QB Donovan McNabb went down for the season and all seemed lost. But QB Jeff Garcia came up and turned intoa masterful performance leading the Eagles back from the dead and into the playoffs. Then ANDY REID FREAKING PUNTED THE BALL?! Philly doesn't really have many holes. Their season pretty much relies on McNabb and RB Brian Westbrook staying healthy. Eagles hope that Free Agent WR Kevin Curtis can be the receiving threat they've needed for years. But in the end it really doesn't mean anything because ANDY REID FREAKING PUNTED!?

Dallas

QB Tony Romo and Dallas let a berth in the NFC Championship game slip right through their hands, literally. The the Tuna decided to retire, again, and they handed the reigns over to Wade Phillips. Which defensively is a wise decision, however Phillips history shows that as a DC He's great, but isn't really able to make the leap to head coach. Year two of the T.O. experiment is set to begin with T.O. making a lot of noise off field last season, but not really a whole lot on-field. Dallas is one of those enigmatic teams that could go 13-3, or 3-13.

New York Giants

One Manning killed his gorilla last year, but in doing so made the gorilla on his little brother's back even bigger. Patience is running out for QB Eli Manning to prove himself. Giants fans won't take much more of this start strong than stumble routine we've seen from him the last couple years. However Manning is the giant with the most to worry about this season. Tom Coughlin's job is on the line this year. Just squeaking into a first round playoff loss won't be enough. Coughlin better hope that Brandon Jacob's and Ruben Droughns can pick up some of the slack left by Tiki Barber's retirement, or he'll be out looking for a new team next season. And with all the bad publicity that swirled around his stint in New York, he might have to go back to being a Coordinator for a season or two.

Washington

The Redskins have had a roller coaster of a ride under 3 seasons with Joe Gibbs. With expectations both high, and low. Expectations are down this season after a dismal season marked by the injury of Clinton Portis. This season though Portis is healthy, and the Jason Cambell or Mark Brunell controversy for now is non existant. Washington could very well be a surprise team.

NFC South

New Orleans

The surprise team of the NFL in '06, the Saints ended their year long suffering as a team without a home with a magical return to the the Superdome in week 3. The magic continued all season for the Saints as they made it to the NFC Championship game. The Saints biggest offseason move was losing long time WR Joe Horn. There isn't anything that is keeping the Saints from being solid again in '07, with Brees, stil playing strong, and Reggie Bush continuing to develop into a threat. However luck and magic can sometimes be a fickle mistress.

Carolina

The Carolina to the Superbowl bandwagon finally crashed for good last season as the Panthers looked miserable on their way to an 8-8 season. Things don't really look too good for '07. The defense that once was stellar is now looking old and injured, except for, or course, Julius Peppers. And Jake Delhomme is really starting to be shown as a flash in the pan. It could be a brutal season, with people calling for David Carr by mid season.

Atlanta

Yes there is actually a football season in Atlanta out there. No Micheal Vick won't be involved. Yes, the Falcons will be better off for it. No longer having to use Vick in the offense, new Coach Bobby Petrino will be better able to bring the offense that made Louisville such a powerhouse into the NFL. Even if his QB is Joey Harrington. There will still be some kinks to work out, and the question of whether Warrick Dunn can still be a RB on a winning team is a question. Defensively, there's been a few changes, the biggest being DE Patrick Kerney moving on. One other thing to look out for is this team has major Ewing Theory potential.

Tampa Bay

Tampa's season effectively ended with Chris Simms' spleen. The Cadillac never really got out of the garage last year, and the teams sputtered dismally, with their Defense showing holes for the first time in years. Offensively the Bucs signed resurgent Jeff Garcia to QB, and RB Cadillac Williams should be better than last season. Defensively they drafted DE Gaines Adams and signed Jeremiah Trotter. However last time Trotter left Philly he stunk and went back crawling to the Eagles. The Bucs also lost defensive leader Simeon Rice.

NFC West

Seattle

Seattle survived the Madden Curse to RB Stephen Alexander, and the Super Bowl Losers curse to take a pathetic NFC West division. This season the division looks to be tougher. Seattle made a bone headed trade by sending WR Darrell Jackson to divisional opponent San Francisco. Seattle is hoping that Deion Branch, and Nate Burleson are better in their second seasons with the team. The offensive line struggled after losing guard Steve Hutchinson, and seems to be on the downward slide after being one of the best for so many years. Seattle is currently still the best in the division, but the gap is about as small as it can get.

St. Louis

After forgetting where the End Zone is at the beginning of the year and struggling out of the gate, St. Louis won it's last 3 to finish 8-8. Mainly due to stud RB Steven Jackson league leading yards from scrimmage. Jackson says he's not slowing down and has set a personal goal of 2500 yards from scrimmage. The Rams offense, while not as prolific as it once was, is still one of the best, thanks to new 60 million dollar man Marc Bulger, and WR's Isaac Bruce, and Torry Holt. The Rams also added Drew Bennett as a 3rd back, and Brian Leonard to spell Jackson. Defensively is where the Rams have struggled, with a league bottom defense, and second to last rushing defense. A trade for James Hall, and drafting DE Adam Carriker and moving him inside. The secondary is the weak link on a weak defense, and is even thinner with the 4 game suspension of Fakhir Brown.

San Francisco

The Niners are the chic pick in the league this year for surprise team after a breakout season by RB Frank Gore. Who then broke his hand in the offseason, although that really shouldn't have much effect on his performance. QB Alex Smith made huge strides last season and looks to continue them this year, especially after the acquisition of WR Darrell Jackson from Seahawks. The biggest question mark is can the offense and it's young players continue the pace it set last season after losing Offensive Coordinator Norv Turner.

Arizona

On paper Arizona, yet again, looks ready to break out and be a good team. Second year QB Matt Leinart is looking good, and ready to take the reigns of the team. The Cardinals have one of the best WR duo's with Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald, and RB Edgerrin James is hungry to return to his Indianapolis Colt's Form. Defensively they need to improve one of the worst in the league last season, and the recent season ending injury to Chike Okeafor doesn't help. Though new head coach Ken Wisenhunt should bring some of that Steeler Toughness with him from Pittsburgh. Though whenever speaking of the Arizona Cardinals there is always one thing to remember. This is the Arizona Cardinals.

Coming Soon

I wasn't able to get this out last week, so this week will be a double dose, as we get ready for Thursday's kickoff with my prediction for the upcoming season later this week.