Bold NFC Predictions

The 2012 National Football League season officially begins Wednesday, when the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants square off.

Who will win the Super Bowl this year? Will the Giants repeat? Will the New England Patriots win?

What about Green Bay?

Which teams will win their respective divisions in both the NFC and AFC?

I am going to take a look at the NFC today, with the Cowboys and Giants set to play each other Wednesday.

So let's take a look at the NFC East:

* Dallas Cowboys -- I just don't buy it. While the Cowboys are a good team, I don't think they are a great team. They sure aren't "America's Team" anymore. Tony Romo and company finish 9-7 and out of the playoffs,

* New York Giants -- The Super Bowl champions will be better this year, but that doesn't necessarily mean they will repeat. I expect Eli Manning and the Giants to finish 10-6 and head to the playoffs again,

* Philadelphia Eagles -- The Eagles will win this division this year with an 11-5 record. They will be in the playoff hunt.

* Washington Redskins -- The Robert Griffin III era begins this weekend. While the Redskins will be better, I see them at 7-9 or 8-8. No playoffs this year.

NFC South

* Atlanta Falcons -- With the problems in New Orleans, this division is wide open and the Falcons have the talent to win it. I think Atlanta goes 10-6 and is in the playoffs,

* New Orleans Saints -- Even without Sean Payton, this team is still tough. Drew Brees will look to outscore opponents, and the Saints finish either 10-6 or 9-7. Playoff bound,

* Carolina Panthers -- With Cam Newton at the helm, the Panthers will be better, but still on the outside looking in,

* Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- A new coach will offer up some growing pains. Quarterback Josh Freeman regressed a bit last season. This team looks to be sub-.500.

NFC North

* Green Bay Packers -- Since Aaron Rodgers took over for Brett Favre, all he has done is win a Super Bowl and put up sick numbers. Rodgers and the Packers will be the cream of the crop in this division, finishing 12-4,

* Chicago Bears -- I think Jay Cutler puts it all together this year. He's reunited with Brandon Marshall. Matt Forte is also a very good running back and the Bears' defense annually is one of the best. Chalk them up at 10-6,

* Detroit Lions -- If Matthew Stafford goes down, this team goes down. Plain and simple. If he's healthy, they could make the playoffs again. I don't see it, though,

* Minnesota Vikings -- Growing pains. This is a young team. This is my favorite team. My poor, poor Vikings. No better than 6-10 this year.

NFC West

* San Francisco 49ers -- Defense and a quarterback good at managing the game. This team could be the best in this conference. Expect 12-4 and a trip to the playoffs,

* Seattle Seahawks -- Even with a rookie quarterback, Seattle has one of the best defenses in the NFL. I see them going 9-7,

* Arizona Cardinals -- I don't think it matters who is playing quarterback for this team. They just aren't up there with the rest of their division. Look for a 7-9 record,

* St. Louis Rams -- The Jeff Fisher era begins. St. Louis will compete, but not this year. No playoffs and no better than 6-10.

Here's your NFC Playoffs:

* NFC East Division Winner -- Philadelphia Eagles

* NFC South Division Winner -- Atlanta Falcons

* NFC North Division Winner -- Green Bay Packers

* NFC West Division Winner -- San Francisco 49ers

Wild Card Teams: New York Giants and Chicago Bears

2012 NFC Title -- San Francisco 49ers