Tommy Rocker’s Top Three NFC Teams to Start the 2013 NFL Season
The 2013 NFL season will begin on Thursday and here are Tommy Rockers top three teams in the NFC to start the battle for the Vince Lombardi trophy.
3. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers defense was third in the NFL last season behind the play of Patrick Willis, Justin Smith and Ray McDonald. That stingy group only gave up 17.1 points per game last season and they added a little depth this year. The 49ers will once again be a tough team to play against and point will be hard to come by which is good for their offense.
The offense is where the real questions lie for this team. Frank Gore had another good year rushing for over 1,200 yards and played in all 16 games. I think the 49ers will run the ball just fine, it’s the passing game where they might have a little trouble.
Colin Kaepernick will get the start but his favorite target Michael Crabtree will start the season on the PUP list with a torn Achilles’ tendon. That leaves Vernon Davis and Anquan Boldin to most of the heavy lifting.
The good thing is with a defense like the 49ers they won’t need to score a ton of points and should make the playoffs.
2. The Seattle Seahawks
The 4th best defense last season only gave up 15.3 point per game, best in the NFL, and they might have the best defensive backfield in the game. This is a young physical group that swarms the ball. Opposing teams will have a hard passing on this group.
The big question is can they get to the quarterback? Chris Clemons is still out so the Seahawks brought in 11 new linemen into camp to improve their play on the defensive line. The good thing is their offense can bring it.
Russell Wilson exploded onto the scene last season as a rookie, some might think he’s ready for the sophomore slump, don’t believe it. Wilson is a gifted athlete and has a couple of solid receivers in Sidney Rice and Golden Tate. Sure the Percy Harvin thing was a disappointment but they don't have to throw the ball a ton.
Seattle needs to give the rock to Marshawn Lynch. Lynch had over 1,500 yards and averaged 5.0 yards per carry last season. The 27-year-old 215 pound back will get over 300 carries again this year and that will help a young QB.
I think Seattle will win the west and could be a tough out in the playoffs.
1. The Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons defense was 24th last season but they only gave up 18.7 points per game. They drafted a couple of cornerbacks in Trufant and Alford and one of those guys will start across from Asante Samuel. The other one will get time as a third DB.
The defense doesn't need to be great because the offense is a beast.
The Falcons offense is loaded with Roddy White, Julio Jones and future Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez; Matt Ryan will be like a kid in a candy store.
They also added Steven Jackson to run the ball. The 30-year-old 240 pound back still has gas in the tank and that is something the Falcons needed last season. Jackson has over 10,000 yards in his career on the ground, can pass-block and catch a pass.
The Falcons will score some points this year and teams will have a tough time slowing them down. With five consecutive winning seasons and only one playoff win, it’s Super Bowl or bust for this team.
Leave me a comment below and let me know your picks.
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