Biggest loss: WR Mario Manningham
What's the story: Somehow, the Super Bowl champion Giants have flown under the radar this preseason, which is exactly how Tom Coughlin likes it. If Eli Manning can replicate his 2011 play, the Giants will be tough to beat this year, especially considering the draft-day additions of David Wilson and Rueben Randle. As always, a ferocious pass rush will be the key to the New York defense.
Prediction: 10-6
Dallas Cowboys
2011 record: 8-8
Biggest addition: CB Brandon Carr
Biggest loss: WR Laurent Robinson
What's the story: This is a big year for Tony Romo and head coach Jason Garrett. If the Cowboys don't make the playoffs, major changes could be in store. It certainly doesn't help that Romo's two best weapons, Miles Austin and Dez Bryant, are already nicked up and the offensive line has struggled throughout camp. However, expect the much-maligned Dallas secondary to be drastically improved with Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne.
Prediction: 8-8
Washington Redskins
2011 record: 5-11
Biggest addition: QB Robert Griffin III
Biggest loss: S LaRon Landry
What's the story: It is all about RG3 for the Redskins, who paid a steep price to move up for him on draft day. Griffin will start from day one and is sure to have some growing pains, but a bevy of additions at receiver, combined with Mike Shanahan's always-effective ground game, should make for an explosive offense in the near future.
Prediction: 6-10
NFC NORTH
Green Bay Packers
2011 record: 15-1
Biggest addition: RB Cedric Benson
Biggest loss: LB Desmond Bishop
What's the story: The Packers are once again garnering a lot of attention as a Super Bowl favorite and it is well-deserved - they have the NFL's best player in Aaron Rodgers. But they also had the NFL's worst pass defense in 2011, which was exposed by Eli Manning in January. They spent their first six picks in April's draft on defense and will need rookie contributions for that unit to get better.
Prediction: 12-4
Detroit Lions
2011 record: 10-6
Biggest addition: T Riley Reiff
Biggest loss: CB Eric Wright
What's the story: Not much has changed for the Lions in 2012 after a curiously quiet offseason. Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson and the Lions offense are going to have to continue to pile up the points since Detroit did little to patch up a dreadful secondary. They selected three corners in April, but it's tough to expect much from third-, fifth- and sixth-round picks. The Lions, once again, should be involved in plenty of shootouts.
Prediction: 9-7
Chicago Bears
2011 record: 8-8
Biggest addition: WR Brandon Marshall
Biggest loss: S Brandon Meriweather
What's the story: Exit Mike Martz, enter Mike Tice, Brandon Marshall, Michael Bush and Jeremy Bates, who coached Jay Cutler and Marshall in Denver. The Bears looked playoff-bound last year before Cutler and Matt Forte went down. Now that Forte got his contract extension and Cutler is reunited with his favorite target, this offense looks stacked.
Prediction: 10-6
Minnesota Vikings
2011 record: 3-13
Biggest addition: T Matt Kalil
Biggest loss: G Steve Hutchinson
What's the story: After tearing his ACL in December, Adrian Peterson is miraculously on target to play in Week 1. AP's return would no doubt provide a giant lift to a young Vikings offense with a revamped offensive line and developing weapons. But the Minnesota defense has a ways to go and in the loaded NFC North, Christian Ponder and company face a tall task.
Prediction: 5-11
NFC SOUTH
New Orleans Saints
2011 record: 13-3
Biggest addition: ILB Curtis Lofton
Biggest loss: G Carl Nicks
What's the story: The Saints had one of the more tumultuous offseasons in memory and are sure to be under the microscope in 2012. With Sean Payton and Jonathan Vilma expected to miss the season, the fallout from "bountygate" is palpable to say the least. Whether it makes or breaks them will fall mostly on $100 million man Drew Brees.
Prediction: 8-8
Atlanta Falcons
2011 record: 10-6
Biggest addition: CB Asante Samuel
Biggest loss: ILB Curtis Lofton
What's the story: The Falcons' high-flying passing attack has been the talk of the preseason. Julio Jones seems primed to explode playing opposite Roddy White and if it happens, Matt Ryan could be in for a big year. The effectiveness of an overhauled offensive line will be crucial. On defense, Mike Nolan steps in as coordinator and with the addition of Asante Samuel will look to strengthen a porous pass defense.
Prediction: 10-6
Carolina Panthers
2011 record: 6-10
Biggest addition: LB Luke Kuechly
Biggest loss: G Geoff Schwartz
What's the story: The Panthers are a popular sleeper pick in what many think is the toughest division in football. Cam Newton had a historic rookie season. With a stacked offensive line and a stable of solid backs, Carolina has the look of an elite offense. The return of Jon Beason and addition of Luke Kuechly should prove huge for a young defense that finished 28th overall in 2011.
Prediction: 7-9
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2011 record: 4-12
Biggest addition: G Carl Nicks
Biggest loss: TE Kellen Winslow
What's the story: With first-year coach Greg Schiano at the helm, the Bucs added a host of veterans to what proved to be an inexperienced bunch last year. The loss of Davin Joseph to a broken kneecap will certainly hurt Schiano's bread-and-butter rushing attack, but the additions of Doug Martin, Carl Nicks and Vincent Jackson should more than make up for it. If the defense is passable, expect an improved Tampa team under Schiano.
Prediction: 6-10
NFC WEST
San Francisco 49ers
2011 record: 13-3
Biggest addition: WR Mario Manningham
Biggest loss: CB Shawntae Spencer
What's the story: The 49ers return all 11 starters on what was probably the NFL's best defense last season. If superstar OLB Aldon Smith can improve in his second year, it's scary to think this unit could be better. That said, the 49ers have to get better on offense if they want to win the Super Bowl. If Alex Smith can continue to progress under the tutelage of Jim Harbaugh, the additions of Mario Manningham and Randy Moss could provide the boost they need.
Prediction: 11-5
Seattle Seahawks
2011 record: 7-9
Biggest addition: QB Russell Wilson
Biggest loss: LB David Hawthorne
What's the story: The story of the preseason in Seattle was rookie third-round pick Russell Wilson beating out $26 million free agent Matt Flynn for the starting quarterback job. Given the lack of weapons around him, Wilson will have to be dynamic to make the offense respectable. If he is, Seattle could be dangerous given their top-notch defense.
Prediction: 8-8
Arizona Cardinals
2011 record: 8-8
Biggest addition: RB Ryan Williams
Biggest loss: CB Richard Marshall
What's the story: Losing starting left tackle Levi Brown for the year was disastrous for Arizona, as it makes a terrible offensive line even worse. Whether it is Kevin Kolb or John Skelton under center, neither guy figures to have much time to get rid of the football. The Cardinals have weapons on offense and a deep secondary, but questions at quarterback and on both lines could derail their season.
Prediction: 3-13
St. Louis Rams
2011 record: 2-14
Biggest addition: CB Cortland Finnegan
Biggest loss: WR Brandon Lloyd
What's the story: After hiring Jeff Fisher in January, the Rams totally overhauled their roster through free agency and a series of draft-day trades. This project has the look of a long-term rebuild, but its effectiveness is largely dependent on Sam Bradford. Bradford regressed in his sophomore campaign after a promising rookie season. If he can rebound under Fisher, the Rams have a bright future.
Prediction: 5-11
