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NFL teams are about to report to training camp, which marks the (official) official beginning of the 2009 football season. And with that are my predictions for the NFC Conference.

My NFL predictions for the 2009 - 2010 season:

NFC (in predicted order of finish)

East:

Philadelphia Eagles: Donovan McNabb has his contract. He has his weapons. Now is the season to for Donavan McNabb to deliver. If Jeremy Maclin, who is a bigger version of last season's rookie receiver DeSean Jackson, catches on early, watch out! The real rookie to watch out for is LeSean McCoy. He was a gift to the Eagles, and specifically to the dynamic (but oft injured) Brian Westbrook. With McCoy taking on majority of the carries, Westbrook will become more of a receiver where he is the most dangerous. The already solid defense, despite the lost of long-time leader Brian Dawkins, will play with a purpose with the unfortunate recent lost of the great defensive coordinator Jim Johnson.

Should Help: Healthy and hungry McNabb. Every season McNabb has finished the regular season, the Eagles have made it at least to the NFC Championship game.

Could Hurt: Losing someone like Dawkins will always hurt. How will the defense handle the emotion of losing the only coordinator most have ever had in their professional career?

Result: This team will rally together. Already my divisional pick before the recent events, they are my conference pick, despite their challenging schedule.

Dallas Cowboys: With T.O. and Jessica Simpson gone, Tony Romo now has zero distractions from football. Or excuses. Rumor has it that Romo and Roy Williams about have their timing down. Then there's Jason Witten, who should be a fantasy football gold mine. They also have a three-headed monster at running back (Marion Barber, Felix Jones, and Tashard Choice). After being unleashed for a career high 20 sacks last season, DeMarcus Ware could possibly break Michael Strahan's single season record.

Should Help: Removed locker room cancer (T.O.). Solid pass-rushers. Good running back depth.

Could Hurt: Suspect safeties. Romo's lack of poise in big games. Divisional opponents.

Results: On paper, this is a wildcard team at worst. If they can at least match last year's 5-3 divisional record, they should win enough out of division games to secure a wild card spot. And maybe spare Wade Phillip's job.

New York Giants: This team will not be nearly as dangerous without Plaxico and former defensive coach Spags. But do not feel sorry for them though, there is plenty of talent on their roster. Of course, most of the talent is at running back and defensive line.

Should Help: Great running game. Outstanding offensive and defensive lines. Improving secondary.

Could Hurt: No dominate receiver. Any change in defensive philosophy?

Results: Losing Plaxico will hurt on the field, but probably not the locker room. Now defensives can load up against the imposing Bandon Jacobs. This team is still talented enough grab a wild card berth, but they probably will not this season.

Washington Redskins: After flirting with getting Jay Cutler and Mark Sanchez during the off-season, their future now rest with incumbent starter Jason Campbell. Being in the same offense for a second straight season should help Campbell's progress. How much remains to be seen. Clinton Portis played extremely well early last year, but wore down as the season progress. Also, with the teams in their division they will play spoiler in this division, but not much else.

Should Help: Two years in same offensive system. Signing of Albert Haynesworth.

Could Hurt: Under-achieving receiving core. Being in NFC East.

Result: In most divisions, the Redskins would have a chance. This division is not one of them.

North:

Chicago Bears: The Bears finally have their franchise quarterback to go with their franchise running back. Now when will they get their receivers? At least Jay Cutler will be reunited with former college receiver Earl Bennett and offensive tackle Chris Williams. The defense is get a little old, but is still good enough to make a strong run.

Should Help: Strong running game and defense. Missed playoffs last season by one game without franchise-type quarterback.

Could Hurt: Lack of receiving options for Cutler. Loss of Mike Brown.

Result: This team should be able to win the division outright this season. It will not be without challenges, though.

Minnesota Vikings: With no Brett Favre, training camp will decide which quarterback will be the reason for the Vikings' under-achievements this season. Possibly losing Pat and Kevin Williams to begin the season will not help.

Should Help: Best running back in the league. Great run defense. Soft early schedule (@Browns, @ Lions, 49ers).

Could Hurt: Quarterback play. Defense (if Williames are suspended). An early season loss.

Result: Their first five games are very manageable, but more than one early loss could spell doom for their playoff hopes.

Green Bay Packers: Aaron Rodgers showed he was ready for life without Brett Favre last season. Ryan Grant not so much, as his rush average plummeted from 5.1 in 2007 to 3.9 last season. The real area to watch is the defense, as it will change from the 4-3 to a base 3-4.

Should Help: A year of experience for Rodgers. Linebacker depth.

Could Hurt: Early defensive pain. Slumping running game. Aging cornerbacks.

Result: Once the defense pans out, this team should climb back to the elite. In 2010.

Detroit Lions: 0-16. What else can one say? Matt Millen was (finally) shown the door, but the damage was already done. Now is a new age in Detroit, with the hiring of Jim Schwartz and the drafting of quarterback Matthew Stafford. Running back Kevin Smith should be good, but it was hard to tell last season being that the Lions always seemed to be down by three touchdowns going into the second quarter. There has also been a defensive over-haul.

Should Help: Defensive FA signees. Renewed optimism with front office and coaching changes.

Could Hurt: When you go 0-16, the only change that can hurt is NO change.

Result: They will not go winless again (I know, what a stretch) but do not expect a miracle. At least not this season.

South:

New Orleans Saints: With Drew Brees as the quarterback, the Saints always have a chance to win. And with their defense, they always seem to find a way to lose. With some subtle off-season changes, and injured offensive players back healthy, this should be the year they reclaim what is now the toughest division in the league.

Should Help: Healthy Marques Colston and emerging Lance Moore. Addition of rookie cornerback Malcolm Jenkins.

Could Hurt: Secondary still suspect. Division much tougher than the one they won in 2006.

Result: The offense is nearly unstoppable. If the defense can at least slow down their opponents, there is no reason they should not win the division (or grab playoff home-field advantage)

Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons are officially Matt Ryan's team. And any chance for Ryan to have a sophomore slump probably ended with the signing of Tony Gonzalez. The offense should really click, which is a good thing because (like the Saints) their not so good defense is receiving a makeover of sorts.

Should Help: Signing of Gonzalez. Youth movement on defense.

Could Hurt: Youth movement on defense. Early schedule (Dolphins, @ Panthers, @ Patriots).

Result: The early schedule is not kind, but if they can manage to win two of their first three (especially against New England) that could give them the confidence to make another playoff run.

Carolina Panthers: The running tandem of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart was one of the best in the league, and that is no small feat. Steve Smith is still Steve Smith. And Jake Delhomme managed the offense relatively well, at least until that horrible performance at home against the Cardinals that would make Tarvaris Jackson blush. If he can put that game out of his mind, they will be fine.

Should Help: Keeping Julius Peppers (at least for another season). Strong offensive line, running game and defense.

Could Hurt: Carolina fan's patience (or lack of) with Delhomme. Divisional strength.

Result: The window for another Super Bowl appearance for this roster probably closed in Carolina last post season.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: After years of postseason hit and misses, the Bucs finally decided to go in another direction. Enter Raheem Morris, who inherited an aging defense that he helped coach, and a mess at nearly every offensive position. Byron Leftwich will get a chance to resurrect his career, but if his throwing release is still as slow as it was with the Jaguars, this will be his last chance. The signing of Derrick Ward to couple with Earnest Graham will help the running game. And with Antonio Bryant's breakout 2008 and the signing of Kellen Winslow, the offense should be decent, but nowhere near the caliber of their divisional foes.

Should Help: New, young energetic coach. Some offensive and defensive playmakers.

Could Hurt: Who am I kidding, this team is in rebuilding mode.

Result: This is a 10-loss team waiting to happen. But if Leftwich plays like he did in limited action last season with the Steelers, this team could surprise.

West:

Arizona Cardinals: I expected the Cardinals to make noise this season, so they are ahead of schedule. A big part of that reason was the unexpected free-fall of the Seattle Seahawks. History is not kind for Super Bowl losers, and I have a feeling that trend will continue this year for them. Signing Kurt Warner was necessary, but that only means that their franchise quarterback Matt Leinart is not ???the one'. Last season is also the first season since 2001 that Warner played all 16 games. One injury to him will end their season.

Should Help: Rookie Chris "Beanie" Wells. Division full of rebuilding teams.

Could Hurt: Cardinals' playoff hopes rest solely on Warner's health.

Results: The Cardinals will need to be much more consistent during the regular season than they were in 2008. If not, they will not make the playoffs.

San Francisco 49ers: Mike Singletary finally has his coaching gig and (believe it or not) this team has valid potential. The offensive line, built more for run-blocking, fits what Singletary want to do. 49er fans should see a healthy dose of Frank Gore and rookie Glen Coffee. Vernon Davis has a chance to be a solid contributor, but first-round pick Michael Crabtree is on the verge of derailing his career before it is started with his threatening to reenter the NFL draft. The defense is led by star middle linebacker Patrick Willis.

Should Help: Focus on running game and defense, with quarterback and receiver situation unsettled.

Could Hurt: Locker room morale (if 49ers have slow start). Quarterback situation.

Result: Of their first four games, three are against divisional foes (@ Arizona, Seattle, @ Minnesota, Rams). If they can win at least two of the divisional games, along with the Vikings contest, it may give them the momentum they need to win the games they should not win (see: Falcons). This team is still at least a year away from seriously contending, unless the Cardinals fall off.

Seattle Seahawks: Matt Hasselback should be back to form, but at age 33 how many seasons does he have left? The linebacker core received a huge boost when arguably the most talented player in the draft, Aaron Curry, fell into their lap in the draft. Barring injury, this team will be far more competitive this season.

Should Help: Signing T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Multiple veterans back from various injuries. Relatively weak division.

Could Hurt: Aging offensive line. Under-achieving running game and secondary.

Result: With all of the injuries suffered last season, this is the deepest team in the division as far as experience goes. If Jim Mora, Jr. can refocus this group, there is enough talent here to dethrone the Cardinals. They should end up at least 8-8.

St. Louis Rams: Speaking of injuries, this team was ravaged with their fair share. But unlike the Seahawks, they also had to endure horrible coaching. They still have Steven Jackson, and Donnie Avery could have a breakout season. But after years (and years) of beating behind an injury-plagued offensive line, how much more can Bulger take? Coach Spags has a lot of work to do on the defensive side.

Should Help: New coaching staff.

Could Hurt: The players (literally) again...

Result: It seems like ages since they were the ???greatest show on turf'. If this team wins more than six games, it will be impressive (even in this weak division).