Defensively, the Redskin are a bit banged up in the secondary, but their defensive line has been doing a great job lately of pressuring opposing quarterbacks without the aid of the blitz. The Redskins are going to be a tough draw for any team, and they are playing well enough to knock anyone off right now. If you’re looking for a dark horse in the NFC, this might be your team.
5. New York Giants
After staying relatively healthy most of the season, the injury bug has bitten the Giants at the worst time possible. They are playing with a rookie at cornerback, a depleted linebacker corps, and both starting defensive tackles are banged up. Tight end Jeremy Shockey may not be available for the first round as well.
Tiki Barber had an MVP-type season, and the team will rely heavily on him in the playoffs to take pressure off quarterback Eli Manning, who has struggle a little with his accuracy in the short-to-medium passing game. On the other side of the ball, the Giants have struggled to stop the pass, and the better passing teams should be able to pick them apart. New York might win one game at home, but they are not a good road team and will not make it to Detroit for Super Bowl XL.
6. Carolina Panthers
The Panthers need a consistent rushing attack to be successful in the playoffs, but that wasn‘t the case during the regular season. Without it, Jake Delhomme will be forced to shoulder more of the load, which will probably lead to more turnovers. Wide receiver Steve Smith is as dangerous as any wideout in the league, but the team doesn’t have a No. 2 capable of drawing coverage away from him. Defenses will simply double Smith in the playoffs and force Delhomme to beat them with an inferior receiver.
Carolina’s defense is still strong, but not as good at stopping the run as they have been in the past, which could be a problem against some of the top running backs they could face. The team also faces three games on the road if they are to make it to the Super Bowl. The Panthers just don’t have the horses to pull that off this year. This team will be lucky to get out of the first round.
