At the start of the 2007 NFL season, it was clear that the NFC was the weaker of the 2 divisions. 

Well, it seemed clear then. 

The New England Patriots had justed added a slew of free agents to their already talent-laden line-up, the Indianapolis Colts had just come off QB Peyton Manning’s first championship season and the San Diego Chargers returned much of what had led them to a 14-2 regular season the year before.  Whoever came out of the AFC was sure to win the Super Bowl, right? 

Meanwhile, the NFC stacked up very differently.  League favorites weren’t established until well into the season and even those turned out to be misguided as it was the #5 seed NY Giants who road a slew of road wins through the playoffs to become Super Bowl spoilers for the then still undefeated New England Patriots.

Most everyone I know had no freakin’ clue that any of that would happen.  All in all, it was a wild, wild year in the NFC.  Let’s take a look back at how each division played out.

NFC EAST

1.  Dallas Cowboys (13-3):  New head coach Wade Phillips took the Cowboys to new heights this year.  Tony Romo and a wide-open offense led the Cowboys to a 13-3 record and home-field advantage in the playoffs.  Unfortunately, Phillips ran his playoff record to 0 and forever,and the Cowboys fell to eventual champs NY in round 2.

2. New York Giants (10-6):  The New York Giants overcame adversities galore to win an NFL record 10 consecutive road games.  In the playoffs, the G-men defeated the Cowboys, the Packers and the New England Patriots, all of whom were heavily favored against Tom Couglin’s merry band of road warriors.  QB Eli Manning earned the Super Bowl MVP award and established himself as more than just ’that other Manning’ and Tom Coughlin had the last laugh on the New York media that had criticized him all year. 

3. Washington Redskins (9-7):  Legendary Coach Joe Gibbs returned the Redskins to respectability this season as Washington earned a playoff bid relying on a stout defense and a strong running game.  RB Clinton Portis rushed for 1,262 yards but Washington lost in the first round to the Seahawks.  After the game, Gibbs called it quits leaving the team in a state of disarray going into next year though the cupboard isn’t exactly bare.

4. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8):  Former perennial division champ Philadelphia struggled in the NFC’s toughest division.  Donovan McNabb has begun to hear the footsteps of young, talented QB Kevin Kolb which probably isn’t as bad as hearing fans boo you when you’re drafted, but still has to suck.  Will he be back next season or will Kolb get his chance?  Stay tuned.

NFC North

1. Green Bay Packers (13-3): Everything seemed to be falling into place for the Pack after the Dallas loss to NY gave Green Bay home-field advantage for the NFC Championship game.  Little did they know the Giants had them right where they wanted them.  Still, the Packers had an outstanding year considering many figured they’d do poorly.  Brett Favre will return next year to shatter all passing records known to man and the Packers will have another run to the playoffs.

2. Minnesota Vikings (8-8):  The Vikes were kept out of the playoffs, but earned alot of respect throughout the league as an up-and-coming contender.  Rookie sensation Adrian Peterson proved that he will be one of the best backs for years to come if he can stay healthy.  Look for the Vikes to be even better next season.

3. Detroit Lions (7-9):  The Lions looked great through the first of the season but then they started to look like…well….the Lions.  The Lions hope a good off-season will get them over the hump next year, but most likely there will be more bold predictions by their pedestrian QB, another 1st round pick on a WR and another toothless season for Detroit.

4.  Chicago Bears (7-9):  A slew of injuries and the lack of a decent QB kept the Bears from getting back to the Super Bowl this year.  Something tells me they’ll correct their QB problem this off-season (Donovan McNabb?) and be solid contenders again soon.

NFC South

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7):  The Bucs rode the aging legs of speedster Joey Galloway as far as they could take them.  The former Ohio State WR was the only truly dynamic player on Coach Gruden’s complicated offense and they were easily beaten by the Giants in the 1st round.  Watch for the Bucs to slip down into the basement next season before John Gruden gets his walking papers.

2. Carolina Panthers (7-9):  Anytime you have to start David Carr at QB you know its a bad year.  Still, the Panthers look to have a steady nucleus set for next season and if Jake Delhomme returns to Pro Bowl form and reestablishes a connection with WR Steve Smith, Carolina should be back in the hunt.

3.  New Orleans Saints (7-9):  The Saints almost became the ‘Aints again this year.  By far, New Orleans was the most disappointing team in the NFC.  An early injury to RB Deuce McAllister led many to believe this would be Reggie Bush’s season to shine.  Bush did okay, but being just okay doesn’t justify a #2 overall pick.  For the Saints to get better, QB Drew Brees will have to return to 2006 form and McAllister will have to get his usual amount of carries.

4.  Atlanta Falcons (4-12):  The bleak beginning of the season started with Michael Vick being sent to prison for fighting dogs.  The bleakness should continue next season, too.

NFC West:

1. Seattle Seahawks (10-6):  The Seahawks made it to the playoffs again this year.  They also lost again.  The Seahawks are the boring, make-it-every-year-but-always-lose-team its easy for make fun of.  They’ll do the same next season, too.  At least they’re consistent?

2. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): The Cardinals were a decent squad this year.  QB Kurt Warner took over for the injured Matt Leinart but the Cards couldn’t quite complete a playoff type season.  This team is one good off-season from being a legitimate contender. 

3.  San Fransisco 49ers (5-11):  The 49ers were supposed to win the division and take a step toward their illustrious past.  RB Frank Gore, who lead the NFC in rushing the year before, wasn’t quite the same as opponents stacked the line and forced the offense to pass.  QB Alex Smith looked dismal before a season-ending injury put him on the shelf.  The hiring of offensive coordinator Mike Martz should help this ailing offense improve, but Coach Mike Nolan will need a playoff run to keep his job.

4. St Louis Rams (3-13):  Talented RB Steven Jackson and the Rams were so bad this year they finished below the 49ers.  That’s pretty bad.  Things don’t look so great next  year, either.  Maybe firing Mike Martz wasn’t the best idea after all.

Next Year’s Contenders:

Making predictions this early is pretty foolish, but here are some anyways. Division winners will be Dallas, Green Bay, New Orleans and Seattle with Chicago and New York grabbing Wild-card spots. 

As for the Super Bowl, don’t be surprised to see Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers represent  the NFC next year (unless next season is as crazy as this season was, because then I’d have to say that I really have no freakin’ clue).

Written by Kelsey McCarson