2008 Woodie Awards
Storylines and switch-ups set the stage for NFC success
Pat Pickens
Issue date: 9/14/06 Section: Sports
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There was a time when the National Football Conference was considered the dominant force in the NFL, owning the "little brother" known as the AFC.
The times have changed.
The AFC has won the last three NFL title games and four out of five. According to most experts this year should be no different.
The NFC has been down over the course of a few years, but this year there are several bright spots to look to and interesting story lines that make the NFC the conference to watch once again this season.
Carolina Panthers receiver, Steve Smith is the most valuable player in football, and the Panthers feature Julius Peppers and the best defensive line in the game. They came within one game of the Super Bowl, and added Keyshawn Johnson in the off-season to allow for less double coverage on Smith.
The Panthers must be leery of the Atlanta Falcons who have greatly improved in the NFC South. They acquired dominant defensive end John Abraham to add to bookend Patrick Kearney and a very good secondary. The Falcons proved in week one by dominating the Panthers that they are a force to be reckon with.
The Falcons also have the most explosive offensive player in Mike Vick, and a two-headed monster at running back with Warrick Dunn and T.J Duckett.
The Washington Redskins were commended for their off-season moves, as they bolstered their wide receiving corps by signing multi-purpose Antwaan Randle-El and Brandon Lloyd. These acquisitions take the load off of the solid Santana Moss, and running back Clinton Portis. Thirty-seven year old quarterback Mark Brunell is not getting younger or better, and watch for Jason Campbell to take over the reigns if things do not go smoothly in the first few weeks. Portis was also injured in preseason, which could plague the Redskins the whole season.
The New York Giants were one of the more surprising teams a year ago, going 11-5 and winning the NFC East. They only improved this off-season by signing athletic linebacker LaVar Arrington to an already strong defense that features the best pass rush tandem in football, Osi Umenyiora and Michael Strahan. On the offensive side of the ball, Eli Manning is one year older and wiser, Tiki Barber continues to be himself and the Giants have the explosive weapons to go deep.
The times have changed.
The AFC has won the last three NFL title games and four out of five. According to most experts this year should be no different.
The NFC has been down over the course of a few years, but this year there are several bright spots to look to and interesting story lines that make the NFC the conference to watch once again this season.
Carolina Panthers receiver, Steve Smith is the most valuable player in football, and the Panthers feature Julius Peppers and the best defensive line in the game. They came within one game of the Super Bowl, and added Keyshawn Johnson in the off-season to allow for less double coverage on Smith.
The Panthers must be leery of the Atlanta Falcons who have greatly improved in the NFC South. They acquired dominant defensive end John Abraham to add to bookend Patrick Kearney and a very good secondary. The Falcons proved in week one by dominating the Panthers that they are a force to be reckon with.
The Falcons also have the most explosive offensive player in Mike Vick, and a two-headed monster at running back with Warrick Dunn and T.J Duckett.
The Washington Redskins were commended for their off-season moves, as they bolstered their wide receiving corps by signing multi-purpose Antwaan Randle-El and Brandon Lloyd. These acquisitions take the load off of the solid Santana Moss, and running back Clinton Portis. Thirty-seven year old quarterback Mark Brunell is not getting younger or better, and watch for Jason Campbell to take over the reigns if things do not go smoothly in the first few weeks. Portis was also injured in preseason, which could plague the Redskins the whole season.
The New York Giants were one of the more surprising teams a year ago, going 11-5 and winning the NFC East. They only improved this off-season by signing athletic linebacker LaVar Arrington to an already strong defense that features the best pass rush tandem in football, Osi Umenyiora and Michael Strahan. On the offensive side of the ball, Eli Manning is one year older and wiser, Tiki Barber continues to be himself and the Giants have the explosive weapons to go deep.
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