Lee Roy Selmon's shoulder pads 1, NFL 0Predicting the NFL.
Predictions
NFC West
AFC East
AFC North
AFC South
AFC West
Atlanta Falcons -- 12-4 
Did you know the Falcons scored the second most points and allowed the third least points in the NFC a season ago? They had the NFL's fifth ranked defense for points per game. So why did it seem like the defense let them down? They added Jacquizz Rodgers to a pretty good running game and Julio Jones to a pretty good passing game. Matt Ryan took a big jump a year ago. Can he take another? Seems like there's a lot more questions than there are answers.
New Orleans Saints -- 11-5 
The difference between the 2010 Saints and the Super Bowl champs of 2009 were the turnovers. There were nine interceptions a year ago following a magical season in which every compromised ball went their way. A lot of issues were on the front of the defensive line. Not enough pressure and the wayward throws weren't coming as handily. Offensively, they weren't the same. They couldn't run the ball and maybe Mark Ingram (and a healthy Pierre Thomas) can help with that. And, like any MVP, the Saints go as Drew Brees goes. He had 22 interceptions, nine fumbles and was sacked 25 times a year ago. That will sink you. Eleven wins assuming the running game gets on track and that forces defenses to stay honest.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- 8-8 
The Bucs got 10 wins a year ago due to insanely clutch play from Josh Freeman and a salty front seven on defense that allowed, a top 10 defense against the run. Freeman might take another step forward and the front seven will only get better with rookie lineman Da'Quan Bowers. I just think they'll have a tougher road. Schedule is a bit harder, Freeman can not be any worse and the secondary needs to get better. If they win 10, I won't be shocked. If they win seven, still wouldn't be shocked.
Carolina Panthers -- 2-14 
A potentially extremely rough year for the Panthers. A rookie quarterback with a ton of doubters, a new coach, an absentee defense and, at most, four winnable games. I don't know what to make of Cam Newton. He's raw and very talented, obviously. We've seen talent like that flounder and we've seen it succeed. To call it a complete crapshoot is an understatement. The Panthers have a lot of young players on this team. You hope they exceed expectations, at best.
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