It seems as if the oddsmakers have fallen in love over the off-season with the NFC East. The top three teams favored to win the NFC title this year come from the east division. The Giants are the clear cut favorite posted at +450 meanwhile both the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys have been listed right behind the Giants at +550. But what about last year’s NFC Champs who were less then a minute away from being World Champions? Well, the sportsbooks aren’t giving the AZ Cardinals much of chance to repeat as they have been posted at +1200, picked ninth to take home the crown.
Last year the NY Giants started out 11-1 but were never the same once Plaxico Burress shot himself in the thigh and could no longer play. If youngsters Steve Smith and first round draft pick, Hakeem Nicks can step up into big roles at the wide receiver position, this could be the most complete team in the NFC. However, if the passing game doesn’t improve the Giants can rely on stud running back Brandon Jacobs to carry the load. Derrick Ward has departed but Ahmad Bradshaw was re-signed to help bolster one of the best rushing attacks in the NFC.
The defense should be very good once again especially with the signings of linebacker Michael Boley and defensive tackles Rocky Bernard and Chris Canty. The pass rush should also get a boost from having a healthy Osi Umenyiora who missed all of last season with a knee injury. A sound running game and a great defense should take this team to the playoffs but in order to be champions, the Giants have to have steady production from a young group of receivers.
The Philadelphia Eagles are a very dangerous team as well and are looking to build off their late season success. Andy Reid has added some potential stars in Jeremy Maclin and LeSean McCoy through the draft giving Donovan McNabb the most dangerous set of weapons he’s had since T.O. was in Philly. The offense has a rebuilt offensive line and if Brian Westbrook can stay healthy for a full season, this unit should be able to put up a lot of points on the board.
The defense will miss Sean Dawkins at the safety position but they have two outstanding corners in Asante Samuel and Ellis Hobbs who are reunited from their Super Bowl days in New England. They have two studs on the defensive line in Trent Cole and Brodrick Bunkley who will be counted on to stop the run and get to the passer. This is definitely a team to watch in the NFC as they were just one game away from going to the Super Bowl last season.
After the Giants and Eagles this conference is wide open. There are legitimately seven more teams that could make a run at this thing. Despite having problems all year long against the run, the Cardinals are a team to watch out for. At +1200 they are a good value pick to win the NFC but it all depends on keeping Kurt Warner healthy and developing a running game with rookie Chris Wells and Tim Hightower. The ATL Falcons are another popular pick at +900. Matt Ryan is only going to get better, Michael Turner is a budding super star, and the defense is very good as well. And who knows what kind of year the Chicago Bears will have with a legitimate Pro Bowl quarterback in Jay Cutler. The Bears have been listed at +1000 to win the NFC. It seems like a two horse race but with the NFC East possibly beating up on one another, you never know what could happen in the NFC Playoffs this year.
NFL Betting Odds to win 2009-2010 NFC Championship
About Trev Rogers
