NFC East

Washington Redskins

Robert Griffin III. Image via Rob Carr/Getty Images

Last Season: 10-6 (Lost in NFC Wildcard)

Key Player: Robert Griffin III (QB). He single-handedly reinvigorated this team. Plus he sells more jerseys than anyone else.

What To Watch For: Alfred Morris (RB) doesn’t get the headlines that his quarterback does, but his 2012 rookie season was every bit as good.

Key Question: How much longer can London Fletcher keep doing this? The 38 year old linebacker has never missed a game - 240 and counting! - Easily the longest active streak.

2013 Prediction: 9-7, lose in NFC Wildcard

Dallas Cowboys

Last Season: 8-8

Key Player: Tony Romo (QB), as always. Cut down on the interceptions and he can be a star. I firmly believe he’s over his early career gaffes, and this is the best supporting cast he’s had yet.

What To Watch For: New defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin brings with him a new defensive structure. If he can unleash the human apocalypse-bringer that is DaMarcus Ware (LB), then the ‘Boys defence suddenly becomes frightful (supposing they keep their starters fit, which was a huge problem in 2012).

Key Question: How good can Dez Bryant be? He seems to have matured and was the form receiver of last December. I’m saying 1500 yards plus this year.

2013 Prediction: 9-7

New York Giants

Last Season: 9-7

Key Player: Jason Pierre-Paul (DE). Possibly the best defensive end in the league. But his fitness is a question entering the new season.

What To Watch For: Hopefully to see Eli Manning’s first losing season. He’s definitely due one.

Key Question: How can Eli Manning be so good in the fourth quarter, yet so average in the first three?

2013 Prediction: 7-9

Philadelphia Eagles

Last Season: 4-12

Key Player: LeSean McCoy (RB). Mike Vick needs some help, and it’s no coincidence that his awful season last year came as McCoy had his worst season as a starter, scoring just 2 rushing TDs (down from 17 in 2011).

What To Watch For: New coach Chip Kelly will certainly have a few ideas on how to turn this team around. 2012 was such a complete disaster that they won’t be afraid to take a few risks either. Which is exactly how Michael Vick thrives.

Key Question: How long will Kelly stick with Vick at QB if he has another year like the last?

2013 Prediction: 5-11

NFC North

Chicago Bears

Last Season: 10-6

Key Player: Jay Cutler (QB). Cos he’s all they got.

What To Watch For: The suffocating Bears defence will be on their game. But the offence struggled last year against good teams, as the Bears fell away down the stretch, falling from 7-1 to finish 10-6 and narrowly miss the playoffs. Must do better, as they say.

Key Question: No Brian Urlacher on the opening day roster for the first time since 1999. How will they cope?

2013 Prediction: 7-9

Detroit Lions

Last Season: 4-12

Key Player: Calvin Johnson (WR). The man known as Megatron is the best receiver in the business. He broke both Jerry Rice’s season receiving yards record with 1964, and also the dreaded Madden Curse in the process.

What To Watch For: They’ve struggled for running backs the past few years. Maybe Reggie Bush will prove the solution.

Key Question: How long until Ndamukong Suh picks up his first suspension?

2013 Prediction: 8-8

Green Bay Packers

Last Season: 11-5 (Lost in NFC Divisional Playoffs)

Key Player: Aaron Rodgers (QB). He’s the best in the league in his position. 84 touchdown passes in two years, with just 14 interceptions in that time. Don’t think he’ll be letting anytime up soon either.

What To Watch For: No more Greg Jennings, someone’s gotta fill that void. Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson should do just fine.

Key Question: Is there a more beautiful stadium in the NFL than Lambeau Field? I doubt it.

2013 Prediction: 10-6, lose in NFC Divisional Playoffs

Minnesota Vikings

Last Season: 10-6 (Lost in NFC Wildcard)

Key Player: Obviously it’s Adrian Peterson. Who else is gonna provide the TDs? Christian Ponder? Ha! Don’t make me laugh…

What To Watch For: Adrian Peterson. The NFL’s premium running back.

Key Question: Can Adrian Peterson go one better and break Eric Dickerson’s all time season rushing record? He was agonisingly just 9 yards shy in 2012.

2013 Prediction: 7-9, with all 7 wins thanks to Adrian Peterson alone.

NFC South

Atlanta Falcons

Last Season: 13-3 (Lost in NFC Championship Match)

Key Player: Matt Ryan (QB). He’s as good a quarterback as anyone outside the elite four. And he’s coming off of a career/contract season.

What To Watch For: Tony Gonzalez (TE). One of the great players of his era, one of the greatest ever in his position. It’s still a joy to watch him doing what he does. The 37 year old signed a 2 year extension this off season despite initially saying he would retire.

Key Question: They came 10 yards short of the Superbowl in 2012. Given a second chance, does this team have it in them to take it?

2013 Prediction: 10-6, lose in NFC Championship match

Carolina Panthers

Last Season: 7-9

Key Player: Well, there’s Cam Newton (QB). But there’s also Luke Kuechly (LB). Dude is a freakin’ moster.

What To Watch For: Slammin’ Cam anytime he sets off to run. One of the great sights in football.

Key Question: They finished last season on a 6-1 run. Was that just garbage time luck or a sign of things to come?

2013 Prediction: 6-10

New Orleans Saints

Last Season: 7-9

Key Player: Drew Brees (QB). Well now they call me the breeze, I keep blowin' down the road. I ain't got me nobody, I don't carry me no load. (Except that Brees has got arguably the heaviest load of any QB).

What To Watch For: New defensive coordinator Rob Ryan’s kamikaze blitz style is either going to be a direct hit or a terrible, terrible miss for a unit that conceded an NFL record 7042 yard last campaign.

Key Question: Sean Peyton’s back from year long suspension as head coach. Can he right this ship? (Yes, he can.)

2013 Prediction: 10-6, lose in NFC divisional playoffs

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Last Season: 7-9

Key Player: Doug Martin (RB). One of the finds of last season. Will he repeat the dose?

What To Watch For: Revis Island. Darrelle Revis (CB) is a Bucc now. He’ll have a huge impact. Also, guess who he’s playing in week 1. The New York Jets. Away.

Key Question: How long will it take for Revis to intercept Mark Sanchez next week?

2013 Prediction: 7-9

NFC West

Arizona Cardinals

Last Season: 5-11

Key Player: Larry Fitzgerald (WR). Carson Palmer is a definite upgrade at QB and the best Larry has seen since his early days with Kurt Warner. He won’t let this chance slip through his fingers, so to speak.

What To Watch For: For Palmer it may be his last shot at a starting gig in the NFL. I wouldn’t be surprised if he cuts loose and puts up some personal best numbers, it’s not as though they’ve got a running game to fall back on.

Key Question: These guys started 4-0 last year, yet finished with only 5 wins. How can you possibly let that happen?

2013 Prediction: 6-10

St Louis Rams

Last Season: 7-8-1

Key Player: Sam Bradford (QB). This is quite a young team now, Bradford needs to assert himself as a leader.

What To Watch For: Rookie WR Tavon Auston could prove the explosive receiver that Bradford needs, especially after losing their consistent no 1 of the last few seasons Danny Amendola.

Key Question: Is this the breakout season for Sam Bradford?

2013 Prediction: 8-8

San Francisco 49ers

Last Season: 11-4-1 (NFC Champions - Lost in Superbowl)

Key Player: Aldon Smith (LB). One of the most frightening pass rushers conceivable. Think Cerberus crossed with a werewolf crossed with a steam train. He’ll getcha.

What To Watch For: Colin Kaepernick’s first full season as an NFL starting quarterback has been a media frenzy after how he started his professional career last year filling in for and then replacing Alex Smith. Hopefully he’s more Tom Brady than Matt Cassel.

Key Question: Is coach Jim Harbaugh capable of murder? Because sometimes I wonder. He can be a very frightening individual.

2013 Prediction: 12-4, NFC & Superbowl Champs.

Seattle Seahawks

Last Season: 11-5 (Lost in NFC Divisional Playoffs)

Key Player: Russell Wilson (QB). He had a great rookie season, but was very much sheltered by coach Pete Carroll. Seattle were dead last in passing attempts in 2012, but will probably loosen the leach a little on Wilson in 2013.

What To Watch For: Marshawn Lynch as he inhabits what he calls ‘beast-mode’. It’s a sight to behold.

Key Question: Is Wilson as good as his 100.0 passer rating last year, or will we be seeing a sharp decline as his arm is called upon more often?

2013 Prediction: 9-7, lose in NFC Wildcard