Keys to winning the NFC

Well, here's my rundown of the NFC playoffs. Doesn't look to be quite as stacked as the AFC but there are definitely some quality teams.

Atlanta Falcons
1.Keep doing what you have been all year. There's no flash and flair like the Pats and Saints. No brutalizing D like the Steelers and Ravens. Just good, solid, near perfect play on both sides of the ball. Teams like this are always dangerous.

2.Keep balance on offense. Matt Ryan is deadly off play action. Michael Turner needs to get going to allow the passing game to stay at maximum efficiency.

3.Continue to protect the football. The Falcons have taken excellent care of the football all year. The playoffs are not a good time to stop.

Chances to win it all:high. Just an excellent team all around. The Falcons may be the most balanced team in the NFL.

Chicago Bears
1.Stay consistent on offense. Remember earlier this year when the Bears just couldn't score? Or last week when they only put up 3 points? If that happens again, the Bears are in trouble.

2.Big plays in the return game. Devin Hester doesn't need to return every punt for a touchdown but consistent positive returns will go a long way to help the Bears win.

3.Cut down on the turnovers. We have all seen that Jay Cutler turns the ball over a lot. The Bears need to cut down on his interceptions and it starts with protecting him better.

Chances to win it all:moderate. A great defense but this team turns the ball over too much.

Philadelphia Eagles
1.Use Michael Vick to his full potential. The Eagles can do a lot of things on offense other teams can't. They need to take advantage of that.

2.Run screens. No team in the NFL today runs screens as well as the Eagles. They may run the screen better than any team in league history.

3.Big plays on defense. The Eagles are a little banged up on D. However, they have people in the secondary that can provide huge plays, even if it means potentially giving up a big play on offense.

Chances to win it all:moderately high. The Eagles are lacking in certain areas, but Vick will always give them a chance.

Seattle Seahawks
1.Home field advantage. The Seahawks get to to play one game at home. The defense needs to throw different looks at the Saints and try to force some penalties.

2.How did this team get into the playoffs again?

3.Pray.

Chances to win it all:none. The Seahawks are in a good position to contend next year, but they really have no chance.

New Orleans Saints
1.Step up on defense. We all know that the Saints can score, but the defense has been shaky at times. They need to step it up if they want to repeat.

2.Don't look past their first round opponents. I know we just had some fun at the expense of the Seahawks, but they are still professional football players. The Saints lost to both the Browns and Cardinals this year, so they have taken opponents lightly in the past.

3.Get the run going. Chris Ivory, Pierre Thomas, Reggie Bush or anyone just needs to step up.

Chances to win it all:moderately high. The Saints are a little one dimensional, but few teams are as explosive on offense.

Green Bay Packers
1.Protect Aaron Rodgers. The pass protection has been better this year but Rodgers still hits the turf a little too often.

2.Mix up their blitzes. This is a key to success in any 3-4 scheme. Clay Matthews needs to keep getting to the quarterback, especially in the first round matchup with the Eagles.

3.Keep the momentum going. The Packers are coming into the playoffs on quite a roll. They must find a way to keep it going.

Chances to win it all:moderate. The Packers are great, but they have the toughest road to the Super Bowl possible. They must win at Philly against Vick and the Eagles, at Atlanta where Matt Ryan is 19-1 in his career, make a trip to either Chicago to face their rivals or New Orleans to face the defending champs and play a powerhouse AFC team in the big game.