NFL 2008: NFC Preview

(This story appeared on FoxNews.com)

It’s been almost seven months since the New York Giants walked into an Arizona sunset with their first Super Bowl title in nearly two decades.  Coming off one of the biggest upsets in sports history, the team now finds itself with a bullseye on their big, blue helmets.

“We have to take it one day at a time, practice hard and try to perform our best,” kick returner Domenik Hixon said. “Everybody’s goal is to get to the Super Bowl and it’s tough.”

The Giants suffered two major losses on defense this off-season.  First, future Hall of Fame defensive end Michael Strahan retired.  Then, just last week, Osi Umenyiora, the team’s leader in sacks (13) last year, went down with a season-ending left knee injury.  New York’s defense, the primary reason they were so successful last season, will now be led by Antonio Pierce, a vocal leader on the field, Justin Tuck, Fred Robbins and Mathias Kiwanuka.

“We need to continue to build on the success that we had last year,” Tuck said. “We won the Super Bowl and want to win it again.”

Quarterback Eli Manning is back in charge of a Giants offense that sees the return of Plaxico Burress, Brandon Jacobs and Amani Toomer.  The MVP of Super Bowl XLII has more confidence than ever, but is still modest enough to say the team is not as good as it could be.

“There are some things to work out, but I feel good, the team feels good,” Manning said.

Head coach Tom Coughlin knows it’s hard to make it back to the big game.  The two previous times the Giants won the Super Bowl, they didn’t even make it to the playoffs the following year.  Manning hopes this team’s work ethic will end that string of bad luck.

“We’ll continue to work hard, be prepared to execute plays and be ready to play each Sunday,” the fifth-year quarterback said. “It’s the same game we played last year.”

Only this year, they’re the defending champs.

MVP Picks: 1) Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia. 2) Tony Romo, Dallas. 3) Adrian Peterson, Minnesota.

Rookie To Watch: Felix Jones, RB, Dallas– The Cowboys drafted Jones, a 6-foot, 211-pound back from Arkansas, with hopes of solidifying this position in their offense for years to come – something Julius Jones couldn’t do.  Jones, who will share carries with Marion Barber, has big-play potential and should give Romo a dependable backfield option.

StanchPoints: The NFC East is the best division in football.  All four teams are playoff contenders and I’d be shocked if any less than three don’t get in…The Chicago Bears finally benched Rex Grossman.  How long before Kyle Orton suffers the same fate?…Aaron Rodgers has the tough task of replacing Brett Favre.  Tagging alongside the future Hall of Famer for the past three years was the best on-the-job training a young quarterback could have received.  He’ll do just fine…The Atlanta Falcons (4-12) can’t be as bad as last season…The Seattle Seahawks should win the NFC West by at least four games…I have high hopes Saints running back Reggie Bush won’t turn out to be another Heisman bust.  This is a huge year for the 23-year-old…Donovan McNabb is not through in Philadelphia. He’s about to prove a lot of people wrong…Minnesota’s defense, not Peterson’s legs, will be the main reason they make the playoffs.

Predicted Playoff Picture: Dallas, Minnesota, Tampa Bay, Seattle, Philadelphia (Wild Card), New York (Wild Card)

Next Week: AFC Preview

Scott Stanchak has covered the NFL for four seasons.  For more: ScottStanchak.com.