First it was SI, now ESPN, Birds are getting mad love from the Media.

: NFC East (order of finish)

Gene's NFC East picks

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2.

3.

4.

Philadelphia Eagles -- Donovan McNabb hasn't played a full season since cheesesteaks were invented. He has a four-year injury streak, is 31 and just lost Kevin Curtis, one of the few decent receivers the Eagles have on the roster. Yet I figure he'll stay healthy long enough to lead the Eagles to a division title.

 

Rookie DeSean Jackson gives Philly a much-needed speed weapon in the receivers rotation, as well as a legitimate punt return threat. It might not sound like much, but the Eagles finally have a kickoff return man, too: Quintin Demps. And as long as Westbrook is an Eagles employee, life is usually good. The offensive line has age and depth issues, but I'm still rolling the bones on these guys.

Dallas Cowboys -- Last season's 13 wins weren't a fluke (OK, maybe the win at Buffalo, when Dallas overcame five interceptions of Tony Romo), but there are too many moving parts for the Cowboys to match that victory total in 2008. You remember the 12-1 start; I remember the 1-3 finish (6, 6 and 17 points in those three losses). Roy Williams isn't an every-down safety anymore, the O-line is getting AARP-ish and, just a reminder, Cowboys wide receivers not named Terrell Owens are dropping like crime bosses in the baptism scene of "The Godfather."

On paper, the Cowboys are the best team in the division. But I just can't take the full leap of faith yet.

New York Giants -- Enjoy that NFL Films commemorative Super Bowl DVD, fellas, because there will be no repeat. There might not even be a playoff spot. Generally speaking, it's not exactly a formula for success when you lose your two starting Super Bowl defensive ends before the first snap of the regular season. But that's what has happened. Michael Strahan was lost to TV and powder makeup. Osi Umenyiora was lost to an operating table. Sorry, that's a playoff deal-breaker.

Washington Redskins -- Daniel Snyder is the owner. Jim Zorn is the first-time coach. The NFC East is merciless. Gee, what could go wrong? Seven wins, tops.

40: AFC Championship

Gene's AFC title game pick

New England vs. Indianapolis*.

 

All I ask is that we're not subjected once again to that Salvador Dali-like cell phone commercial with Manning, the one in which he's frantically running around some hotel or apartment hallway, sees Marvin Harrison surrounded by Philly cops, I mean, dolphins, and then some kid appears and says, "Clark." What the kid ought to say is, "Beat the Chargers at home this time, will you?"

(*If Manning's knee isn't right this season, San Diego plays the Pats.)

 

41: NFC Championship

Gene's NFC title game pick

Philadelphia vs. Green Bay.

 

Rodgers isn't Favre -- and he doesn't have to be to get the Packers this far. He just can't get hurt or go all Eli Manning (by that I mean Manning circa Nov. 25, 2008, to Dec. 23, 2008, when Eli might have been one of the five worst quarterbacks on the planet). I have more faith in the Packers as a whole than I do in Rodgers, but I have more faith in Rodgers than I do in DeSean Jackson.

And, no, I've got nothing against the Cowboys, but I do think Dallas could struggle more than you -- or Jerry Jones -- expect. I know the chalk says go with Dallas, but I'm taking the educated flier on the Eagles.

 

42: NFC Championship -- Part II

Darren McCollester/Getty Images

Who ends up with the Lombardi trophy? Brady and the Patriots.

If the Buccaneers win the NFC -- and it's not out of the question -- they would become the first team to play a Super Bowl in their own stadium.

 

I'm just looking out for you, come bar bet time.

 

43: Super Bowl XLIII

Philadelphia vs. New England.

 

None of this matters if McNabb is McHurt, or if Brady's mysterious foot injury forces him out of the lineup for any extended period of time (say, longer than a minute), or if David Tyree is traded to the Eagles.

The Patriots have some soft spots, but they also have talent, motivation and the easiest schedule in the league. History and undefeated seasons are wonderful, but all they really want is to get their hands back on the Lombardi trophy.

They will.