E-Mail This Article to a Friend NFL preview: the NFC BY CHRISTOPHER YOUNG

Last Friday, we previewed the AFC for 2005; today, the NFC.

NFC EAST: the Eagles are the defending NFC champs, but even with all of their talent and coaching savvy, I just have a feeling that somewhere down the line, Mr. Terrell Owens will say or do something incredibly stupid or inflammatory, and the already-fragile team chemistry in Philly will irreversibly disintegrate. On a team like this, in a city like Philadelphia, that could very well spell doom for the squad’s championship hopes. After the Cowboys’ playoff run in 2003, great things were expected from the Tuna’s troops last year, but it didn’t happen. This year the Cowpokes are hitching their wagon to Drew Bledsoe, and he’ll likely let them down, ultimately, just as he did with fans in Buffalo. It’ll be the Big D in Dallas that will carry the team into the playoffs, along with electrifying RB Julius Jones. The Giants couldn’t stop the run worth a lick last year, and they enter this season with a banged-up Eli Manning hoping to build on his rookie season. New York will likely improve, as Tom Coughlin teams inevitably do over time, but it won’t be artistic and it won’t be enough to secure a post-season berth. Finally, the Redskins still have a defense that strikes fear into its opponents’ hearts, but that cannot be said for the specter of Patrick Ramsey at QB. Adding Santana Moss and David Patten to the offense may help the air attack, but Washington will need more out of high-priced RB Clinton Portis if it hopes to improve on its 6-10 2004 mark.

NFC NORTH: this should be among the NFL’s weakest divisions, which bodes well for the Vikings. For years, Minnesota has been just good enough to tease its fans into thinking that this was the year (including 6-0 and 5-1 starts the last two seasons), only to endure late-season collapses. Despite Randy Moss’s departure, the Vikes are deep at receiver, and last year’s disappointing defensive unit has also been upgraded. Don’t be surprised to see Minnesota fighting for a conference crown come January. The Lions haven’t finished over .500 since 2000, but this could be the year they at least approach that level. Part of the reason Detroit looks better is because Green Bay is free-falling and the Bears are still borderline putrid, but the Lions always seem to play well at home, and the offense — with its vast array of fine wideouts — should be exciting (although the pass defense will likely be the albatross that keeps Detroit mezza-mezza). Most folks think that Brett Favre will play forever, but his skills have clearly diminished, and the Packers roster just ain’t what it used to be. Finally, the broken ankle suffered by third-year QB Rex Grossman puts the kibosh on any hopes the Bears had for this year — though they should be moderately improved.

NFC SOUTH: finishing the previous season strong always bodes well for any team, and the fact that the Panthers bounced back from a 1-7 start to finish 9-7 is a tribute to the organization. Carolina was snakebit injury-wise last year, and that’s why they couldn’t win the 2003 NFC crown, but they’re deep and physical and could very well host the NFC title game. But if the injury bug bites again, or if they get off to another slow start, Minny or Atlanta will displace them atop the conference heap. The Falcons could benefit from more offensive balance this season, and this could be the year that Michael Vick leads Atlanta to only its second Super Bowl. Both Carolina and Atlanta should make the playoffs, and they might even find that their third match-up of this season will be for a trip to Detroit. Similar to the Bears in 2002, the Saints will find themselves playing outside their home city for the duration of the season, and while a strong season would undoubtedly provide the feel-good story of the year, that kind of travel schedule will eventually sap a lot of the energy from what would have been a fairly mediocre team anyway. The Buccaneers are probably still in rebuilding mode, but they’re still optimistic about their chances this year, with new QB Brian Griese at the helm and first-round draft pick Cadillac Williams providing hints of a solid ground game.

NFC WEST: Installing Steven Jackson at RB should pay dividends for the Rams, but I still think they’re aging a bit and relying too much on speed and their dome. Still, St. Louis should handily win the division, given the fact that the Seahawks are fading a bit and neither the Cardinals nor 49ers are ready for prime time yet. Seattle lost three times to the Rams last season, and it’s time for Mike Holmgren to finally show the magic he did for the mid-’90s Packers. Arizona could be the surprise of the league in Dennis Green’s second season, but, sorry, Kurt Warner isn’t the answer at QB. The Niners? We’ll check back again in about three years.

Sporting Eye runs Mondays and Fridays at BostonPhoenix.com, and Christopher Young can be reached at cyoung[a]phx.com