PSR's 2000 NFC Preview
By Joe Bendel

NFC EAST

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Arizona Cardinals

1999 RECORD: 6-10

STRENGTHS: The wide receiver trio of Rob Moore, Frank Sanders and David

Boston could be the best in the league, but Moore is out for the season. Sanders is a short threat and Boston is a deep threat, making them nearly impossible to cover. The quarterback position can be strong if Jake Plummer, who was injured much of last year, proves he can do more than turn broken plays into long gains. He needs to be more consistent.

WEAKNESSES: The offensive line was the epitome of inconsistency. Tackles

L.J. Shelton and Anthony Clement improved as the year went on, but both are young and inexperienced. The Cards signed a couple low-level free agents, which doesn't bode well for that unit.

WATCH FOR: Running back Michael Pittman to have a big year.

NOTABLE: Coach Vince Tobin has just one winning season in four years with the Cards.

PREDICTION: 7-9

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Dallas Cowboys

1999 RECORD: 8-8; defeated by Minnesota, 27-10, in wild-card game

STRENGTHS: Quarterback Troy Aikman is still a capable passer and running back Emmitt Smith is coming off a Pro Bowl season. Backing up Smith is the talented Chris Warren. The wide receiver corps of Joey Galloway, acquired in an offseason trade, and Rocket Ismail form the fastest unit in the league. The offensive line is also solid.

WEAKNESSES: The secondary must overcome the loss of Deion Sanders and Kevin Smith. Ryan McNeil is good, not great. The kicking game is also an area of concern.

WATCH FOR: The Cowboys' reaction to life without Michael Irvin and to new coach Dave Campo.

NOTABLE: Dallas has qualified for the playoffs eight of the last nine seasons.

PREDICTION: 10-6

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New York Giants

1999 RECORD: 7-9

STRENGTHS: The defense is strong up front. Michael Strahan, who had a down year in '99, has proven he can be dominant on the defensive line.

Keith Hamilton and Chris Peter are also strong up front. At linebacker,

Michael Barrow and Jessie Armstead form a powerful one-two combination.

Rookie Brandon Short might be in the mix at linebacker.

WEAKNESSES: Ron Stone is the only offensive lineman from last year that hasn't switched positions or been replaced. Longtime veteran Lomas Brown will man the spot at left tackle, but his skills continue to diminish.

WATCH FOR: Quarterback Kerry Collins to put together a strong season under fourth-year coach Jim Fassel.

NOTABLE: Top draft pick and Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne will win the starting job.

PREDICTION: 8-8

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Philadelphia Eagles

1999 RECORD: 5-11

STRENGTHS: Cornerbacks Troy Vincent, Bobby Taylor and Al Harris are among the top trios in the NFL. All three are excellent in one-on-one coverage and all can make the big play. Vincent finished with five interceptions. The defensive line and linebackng corps also have a chance to be solid.

WEAKNESSES: Second-year quarterback Donovan McNabb is loaded with potential, but his inexperience (he didn't start until the 10th game of last season) will catch up to him as he attempts to figure out complex pass coverage schemes.

WATCH FOR: The Eagles defense, which led the NFL with 46 takeaways last season.

NOTABLE: The Eagles offense finished 30th in the NFL last season.

PREDICTION: 6-10

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Washington Redskins

1999 RECORD: 10-6; defeated by Tampa Bay, 14-13, in NFC semifinals

STRENGTHS: The 'Skins are loaded just about everywhere. Brad Johnson is

a top quarterback, tailback Stephen Davis set a franchise record with

1,405 yards and Michael Westbrook, Albert Cornell and Irving Fryar are formidable wideouts. On defense, Bruce Smith is in the fold on the line, along with Marco Coleman and Dan Wilkinson. LaVar Arrington is expected to be the next Lawrence Taylor at linebacker and Deion Sanders will work at cornerback and as a return man.

WEAKNESSES: Kicker Brett Conway hit 22 of 32 field goals, but was only three of nine from 50 yards or more.

WATCH FOR: Coach Norv Turner to keep all of his stars aligned en route to to the Super Bowl.

NOTABLE: Last year's playoff appearance was the first for the 'Skins in six seasons.

PREDICTION: 13-3

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NFC CENTRAL

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Chicago Bears

1999 RECORD: 6-10

STRENGTHS: Wide receiver Marcus Robinson set a team record with 1,400 receiving yards. He is complemented by Bobby Engram, who hauled in 88 passes. Robinson and Engram combined for 172 receptions, earning them praise as two of the better pass catchers in the NFC.

WEAKNESSES: Quarterback Cade McNown had a tough rookie season, throwing 10 interceptions in 235 attempts. The Bears are hoping that his year of experience will translate into better things, but if not, Jim Miller, who was suspended for taking an illegal diet supplement last season, will step in.

WATCH FOR: Running back Curtis Enis to carry much of the load for the

Bears, who need a strong running game in order to fully utilize their talented receiving corps.

NOTABLE: Kick returner Glyn Milburn became the first Bear voted to the

Pro Bowl in six years.

PREDICTION: 5-11

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Detroit Lions

1999 RECORD: 8-8; defeated by Washington, 27-13, in wild-card game

STRENGTHS: If quarterback Charlie Batch can stay healthy, the Lions can go quite a way under his guidance. If not, the Lions will depend on longtime veteran Mike Tomczak. The receiving tandem of Johnnie Morton and Herman Moore is still good, but the duo has slowed a bit over the years.

WEAKNESSES: The offensive line is being revamped, due to a poor season last year. The Lions will be big up front with 380-pound Aaron Gibson and 350-pound Stockar McDougle, but that doesn't mean better.

WATCH FOR: Defensive lineman Robert Porcher to live up to the big contract he recently signed.

NOTABLE: Coach Bobby Ross may have done his finest work last year, considering the abrupt retirement of Barry Sanders.

PREDICTION: 6-10

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Green Bay Packers

1999 RECORD: 8-8

STRENGTHS: Everything in Green Bay starts and ends with quarterback Brett Favre, a superstar who can carry a team on his shoulders. Favre struggled a bit last season due to a thumb injury, but there's no reason why he can't return to his three-time MVP form. Running back Dorsey Levens and wide receiver Antonio Freeman, who had a poor season in '99, could reinvigorate the Packers offense.

WEAKNESSES: The linebackers, led by Brian Williams, rarely strike fear into the opposition. The lack of a true dominating force on defense (free agent signee Russell Maryland hopes to change that) will put more pressure on the Packers offense.

WATCH FOR: Favre to excel under first-year coach Mike Sherman.

NOTABLE: Sherman has no head coaching experience.

PREDICTION: 8-8

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Minnesota Vikings

1999 RECORD: 10-6; defeated by St. Louis, 49-37, in NFC semifinals

STRENGTHS: There is no better receiving duo than Cris Carter and Randy

Moss. They combined for 2,654 yards last season and Carter led the league in touchdown receptions with 13. The loss of Jake Reed will hurt the duo a bit, but not enough to stop them from dominating opposing secondaries. The running game, led by Robert Smith, is another area of strength.

WEAKNESSES: Jeff George is gone. Randall Cunningham is gone. As a result, the Vikings are in a state of flux at quarterback. The inexperienced Daunte Culpepper will be called upon to lead the Vikings, with journeyman Bubby Brister as the backup.

WATCH FOR: The Vikings' once-potent offense to take a nosedive.

NOTABLE: Coach Dennis Green courted Dan Marino to lead the Vikes for a year, but Marino chose to retire.

PREDICTION: 9-7

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers

1999 RECORD: 11-5; defeated by St. Louis, 11-6, in the NFC Championship

STRENGTHS: The Bucs defense is the best in the league. Period. The front four is unparalleled, with Defensive Player of the Year Warren Sapp leading the way. Sapp had 12.5 sacks last season and Brad Culpepper has 23.5 the past three years. The offense is strong with newly acquired Keyshawn Johnson teaming with Jacquez Green at wide receiver, and backs Warrick Dunn and Mike Alstott handling the running duties.

WEAKNESSES: Quarterback Shaun King proved that he was capable, but he must produce more points and quit putting so much pressure on the defense.

WATCH FOR: Johnson to lead the Bucs to another NFC title game.

NOTABLE: The Bucs lost perennial Pro Bowl linebacker Hardy Nickerson to

free agency.

PREDICTION: 11-5

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NFC WEST

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Atlanta Falcons

1999 RECORD: 5-11

STRENGTHS: The running game can be strong if Jamal Anderson can come back from surgery on his right ACL. If he isn't fully recovered, someone else will take over. The Falcons improved their receiving corps with the signing of Shawn Jefferson, who can stretch defenses. Jefferson should work well with Terence Mathis (81 receptions, 1,016 yards) and Tim Dwight. Atlanta is also strong at linebacker and in the secondary.

WEAKNESSES: Too many question marks surround the quarterback position, especially since projected starter Chris Chandler is injury prone. Tony

Graziani, Danny Kannel or Doug Johnson will grab the QB spot if

Chandler can't do it.

WATCH FOR: Anderson to return to his 1998 form, when he rushed for 1,846 yards and led the Falcons to the Super Bowl.

NOTABLE: Linebacker Jessie Tuggle, a 13-year veteran, was re-signed.

PREDICTION: 8-8

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Carolina Panthers

1999 RECORD: 8-8

STRENGTHS: By far the strongest position for the Panthers is receiver, where two Pro Bowler Muhsin Muhammad leads the way. He lost running mate Patrick Jeffers, though, to a season-ending knee injury in the preseason. Muhammad pulled in 96 passes for 1,253 yards. Tight end Wesley Walls is aging, but he managed 12 touchdowns and made the Pro Bowl.

WEAKNESSES: Tim Biakabutuka is an adequate tailback, but he isn't going to take the Panthers where they want to go. That's why they signed Natrone Means, who may have a good year or two left in him.

WATCH FOR: Coach George Siefert to find a way to put the Panthers in position for a playoff berth.

NOTABLE: The Panthers won five of their final seven games.

PREDICTION: 8-8

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New Orleans Saints

1999 RECORD: 3-13

STRENGTHS: The offensive and defensive lines give the Saints a fighting chance to improve on a dismal '99 season. If defensive tackle Joe Johnson, a 1998 Pro Bowl pick, returns to form after a serious injury and line mate La'Roi Glover lives up to his potential, the Sains will be strong along the defensive front.. Willie Roaf anchors an offensive line that has been upgraded.

WEAKNESSES: Running back Ricky Williams has mounds of potential, but appears to be a head case. If he doesn't endear himself to his teammates, Williams, the top pick in '99, could be in for a long year.

WATCH FOR: Quarterback Jeff Blake, wide receiver Jake Reed and tight end

Andrew Glover -- all free agent signees -- to give the offense a much-needed boost.

NOTABLE: Seven free agent signees are expected to step in and start for New Orleans.

PREDICTION: 4-12

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San Francisco 49ers

1999 RECORD: 4-12

STRENGTHS: Wideouts Terrell Owens and J.J. Stokes may be better than Jerry Rice, who is still a force when healthy. That trio is capable of stretching defenses, as evidenced by their success in '98. The running back spot is solid with Charlie Garner, who ran for 1,229 yards last season, while Garrison Hearst hopes to return from a broken ankle at the end of the '98 season.

WEAKNESSES: With Steve Young gone, the 49ers are in big trouble at quarterback. Jeff Garcia is OK, but he has no chance of taking the 49ers to the playoffs this season.

WATCH FOR: The 49ers to struggle mightily without Young.

NOTABLE: The 49ers will not appear on Monday Night Football.

PREDICTION: 5-11

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St. Louis Rams

1999 RECORD: 13-3; Super Bowl champions

STRENGTHS: You name it, and the Rams are strong there. Running back

Marshall Faulk set the NFL record for most yards from scrimmage (2,429), quarterback Kurt Warner completed a Cinderella story by being named NFL and Super Bowl MVP, and the Rams' foursome of receivers, which includes Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt, is among the league's best.

WEAKNESSES: The Rams have very few. If you want to nitpick, the offensive line could use some fine-tuning with the free agent losses of right tackle Fred Miller and center Mike Gruttadauria.

WATCH FOR: Warner to prove he was no one-year wonder.

NOTABLE: Mike Martz, who replaced the retired Dick Vermeil, is making his debut as an NFL head coach.

PREDICTION: 11-5