NFC Quarterly Report

Dallas Cowboys running back Marion Barber carries the ball against the Denver Broncos.

By James Sullivan

Chiefs Coalition Columnist

    This season the NFC is as wide open as it has ever been.  There are several very good teams but no potential dynastic type teams.  The Giants, Saints, Eagles, Falcons, 49ers and the Vikings all look the part of contenders.  Two things are certain; the professional football teams in the state of Missouri are beginning to redefine the term misery and misery loves company.  One thing about the NFC that Chiefs fans can rejoice in is the fact that the Chiefs are no longer the last team to lose to the Detroit Lions.

NFC EAST

New York Giants 4-0

     Giants quarterback Eli Manning practiced for the first time this week since he sprained his foot against the Chiefs.  He'll be a game time decision this Sunday against the Oakland Raiders.  Questions surrounded the Giants receiving corps entering the season.  Steve Smith and Mario Manningham have answered those questions with their high level of play thus far this season.  The Giants defense still features a ferocious pass rush with the return of defensive end Osi Umenyiora who missed last season with a knee injury.  The Giants did lose defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo to the St. Louis Rams as their new head coach.  The unit doesn't appear to have missed a beat en route to a 4-0 start this season.

Philadelphia Eagles 2-1

      The Eagles suffered the tragic loss of their defensive coordinator Jim Johnson this off season to cancer.  Johnson was defensive mastermind who specialized in a wide variety of blitzes.  Long-time Eagles safety Brian Dawkins left the nest and joined the Denver Broncos.  Quarterback Donovan McNabb will return to the starting lineup this week after missing two games with a rib injury.  Kevin Kolb did well in his first extended action in the NFL, replacing McNabb, spitting a pair of games.  The offense is full of dynamic young talent to compliment McNabb's skills.  If the defense can continue to improve, the Eagles should find themselves in the playoffs this season.

Dallas Cowboys 2-2

      Cowboys wide receiver Roy Williams suffered an injury to his ribs when quarterback Tony Romo left him out to dry against the Denver Broncos last week.  The injuries continue to mount for the Cowboys.  They could be without as many as three starters on offense this weekend against the Kansas City Chiefs.  Romo's play this season seems to have regressed somewhat  and that can be attributed at least in part to the eroding skills of his offensive line.  The defense is still vulnerable to the deep ball and mental lapses.  This is a reflection of their head coach Wade Phillips who seems to be a puppet controlled by Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.

Washington Redskins 2-2

      Thank you, Redskins!  Their loss to the Detroit Lions took the Chiefs off the hook as the last team to lose to Detroit.  The Redskins still seem like a team where the parts don't fit the philosophy of their head coach Jim Zorn.   The Skins owner, Dan Snyder, spent $100 million plus to sign Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth.   It will be hard to ever justify a contract of that magnitude for a defensive tackle.  The Redskins will always find wins difficult to come by until Daniel Snyder realizes that championships can't be bought. 

NFC WEST

San Francisco 49ers 3-1

     49ers head coach and Hall of Fame linebacker Mike Singletary has developed a winning culture that had been absent from the organization for many seasons.  Middle linebacker Patrick Willis leads a defense that is blossoming into one of the top units in the league.  Quarterback Shaun Hill leads the Jimmy Raye coordinated offense that leans heavily on the run.  Newly signed first round draft pick Michael Crabtree joins Josh Morgan to form a dynamic young receiving duo.  Even last season's problem child, tight end Vernon Davis, is finally playing up to his talent level.  So far, so good in 9er Land.

Arizona Cardinals 1-2

     The post-Super Bowl hangover continues for the loser of the previous years' big game.  Arizona doesn't have the fire or magic that led them to their first division title last year since Lassie was a pup.  Of course both of their coordinators from last season are now running the Chiefs.  Quarterback Kurt Warner is a year older and battling injuries to his hip, and shoulder.  His receiving corps has been banged up to start the season except for the incredible Larry Fitzgerald.  The offensive line and defense will prevent this team from returning to the playoffs.

Seattle Seahawks 1-3

     First year head coach Jim Mora has had his hands full with injuries.  First, quarterback Matt Hasselbeck suffered a rib injury and left tackle Walter Jones is out until at least November with a knee injury.  With a banged up quarterback, an injured left tackle and a suspect rushing attack, the offense will have problems with consistency this season.  The defense features rookie linebacker Aaron Curry and not much else.  Stopping teams from scoring will be a problem for the Seahawks all season.  With the problems on offense and defense,about the best thing that can be said is that they have a very nice stadium.

St. Louis Rams 0-4

     New head coach Steve Spagnuolo has his work cut out for him in St. Louis.  Their offensive line is terrible, their running back is a joke, their quarterback is now injured again and their best wide receiver is out for the season.  Howie's boy, Chris Long and James "Baby Animal" Laurinaitis aren't striking fear into anyone.  The biggest thing going against the Rams this season is that they don't get to play themselves or the Chiefs in the regular season.  They do get the Lions but the way it's looking Detroit will have at least two wins this season.

NFC SOUTH

New Orleans Saints 4-0

     The greatest show on turf may have found a new home in New Orleans.  Led by quarterback Drew Brees the Saints offense is the most dangerous in the NFC.  They now have a defense to go along with their powerful offense.  Two additions to the secondary, veteran safety Darren Sharper and rookie defensive back Malcolm Jenkins, give the Saints the talent on the back end of their defense to match the talent in the front seven.  Linebacker Jon Vilma pulls the unit together and gives the Saints perhaps the best team in the conference.  Next week they host the Giants in what amounts to a pivotal game in the battle for home field advantage in the NFC.

Atlanta Falcons 3-1

     Add Hall of Fame bound tight end Tony Gonzalez to an already potent offense and one can't help but wonder if this is finally the year when the Falcons post consecutive winning seasons?  Second-year quarterback Matt Ryan is quickly establishing himself as one of the top players at his position in the NFC.  The defense suffered a huge loss when 2009 first round draft pick, defensive tackle Peria Jerry, was lost for the season.  The defense is still good enough to get the Falcons back to the playoffs but they may fall short of the Saints this season.

Carolina Panthers 0-3

     The NFC South features two winless teams, the only division in the NFL to do so.  Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme has seemingly forgotten how to play the position.  His playoff meltdown and poor start to this season might mean the end for head coach John Fox in Carolina.  The defense is mediocre at best.   It only seems like a matter of time until wide receiver Steve Smith punches another teammate.  Unless Delhomme found the fountain of youth on his bye week it's going to be a very long season in Carolina.  If Bill Cowher wants back in the coaching game next season he might not have to look very far for a team interested in his services.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0-4

     Tell me if this sounds familiar.  A first time general manager hires a first time head coach who proceeds to fire his offensive coordinator right before the start of the regular season.  It should come as no surprise that both the Bucs and Chiefs are winless.  The major advantage the Bucs have going for them is that have some actual talent.  If they can find a quarterback this team could win a few games this season.  Second-year man Josh Johnson went from fourth stringer in the preseason to starter by week four.  He replaced the highly ineffective Byron Leftwich and rookie Josh Freeman has yet to show that he's ready to lead an NFL team.  Fun times in Tampa, at least the weather is nice.

NFC NORTH

Minnesota Vikings 4-0

     The quarterback with nine lives known as Brett Favre had given this team what it was lacking.  Now the offense can match the powerful run defense led by the Williams Brothers.  They aren't really brothers but they squash opponents rushing attacks.  All-Everything but drunk defensive end Jared Allen proves game by game what a major mistake the Chiefs made in trading him.  The Vikings goal is simple, Super Bowl or bust.  The Giants and Saints and maybe Father Time are all that stands in the way of that happening.  Good luck to the rest of the NFC North dealing with this squad.

Chicago Bears 3-1

     With the arrival of Jay Cutler, the Bears, for the first time have a quarterback with a extremely high talent level.  Linebacker Brian Urlacher is injured and out for the season and kick returner Devin Hester has missed time as well.  Rookie wide receiver/kick returner Johnny Knox has been a breath of fresh air.  The defense will miss their leader in Urlacher but they have enough talent to stay in the hunt for a playoff spot. 

Green Bay Packers 2-2

      The Packers are going to find that this season may be an uphill battle from the get go.  With only six playoff spots available  they will have to finish ahead of the Bears to at least have a shot for a spot.  However, in this highly competitive conference even that may not be enough.  Quarterback Aaron Rodgers leads a very potent offense but the team is struggling with the switch to a 3-4 defense.  If the defense can pick up the slack the Pack maybe be back in the playoffs.

Detroit Lions 1-3

       New head coach Jim Schwartz stepped into the worst situation in the NFL and from day one has had a clear and effective plan not only to improve the talent on the team but the culture that surrounds it.   Rookie quarterback Matt Stafford has looked the part so far.  He's not in above his head.  He has weapons around him in wide receiver Calvin Johnson and running back Kevin Smith.  Rookie safety Louis Delmas hits anything that moves.  The defense has a long way to go but under the guidance of former Chiefs head coach and two-time defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham they will improve.  The Lions are no longer the leagues worst team and that in itself is a major stride.

yahoosports.com contributed to this story and the photo is courtesy of Getty Images