NFC PREVIEW

Steve Young and Jerry Rice alone make the 49ers a team to reckon with. The Packers’ Brett Favre is one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the league. The Eagles and Bears have strong young coaches in Ray Rhodes and Dave Wannstedt. But when the dust clears, expect those bad boys, the Dallas Cowboys, to be sitting on top of the world again.

WEST

San Francisco 49ers

Last season: 11-5, advanced to NFC semifinals.

This season: 11-5, advance to NFC final.

KEY QUESTIONS: How long will it take for Bill Walsh to emerge after beginning the season as a behind-the-scenes assistant to offensive coordinator Marc Trestman? Will the defensive line suffer from the loss of end Rickey Jackson, who retired after last season?

PLAYERS ON THE SPOT: Wide receiver J.J. Stokes--Big things are expected from the former UCLA standout, who replaces retired John Taylor. Cornerbacks Marquez Pope and Tyronne Drakeford--With Eric Davis now playing for Carolina, they need to prove that they can cover and shut down receivers in big games.

ACHILLES’ HEEL: A running game that strikes fear in the hearts of no one but the 49ers, with Derek Loville and Tommy Vardell as starters. The Johnny Johnson gamble was a bust, but the 49ers hope by season’s end to start a backfield of Terry Kirby, who was acquired from Miami two weeks ago, and William Floyd, who sat out all of last season because of a knee injury.

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Atlanta Falcons

Last season: 9-7, advanced to NFC first round.

This season: 9-7, advance to NFC first round.

KEY QUESTIONS: Will Jeff George finally shake his reputation as a quarterback who can’t win big games? After giving up a league-record 4,541 yards passing last season, can the defense stop opponents’ air attacks?

PLAYERS ON THE SPOT: Free safety Patrick Bates--Needs to reach potential after sitting out last season because of a dispute with the Raiders; Defensive tackles Shane Dronett and Dan Owens--Free-agent pickups expected to give the Falcons a pass rush.

ACHILLES’ HEEL: An offensive line that has to be able to open holes for running backs Craig “Ironhead” Heyward and Jamal Anderson, and give George enough time to complete passes to receivers Eric Metcalf, Terance Mathis and Bert Emanuel.

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Carolina Panthers

Last season: 7-9.

This season: 8-8.

KEY QUESTIONS: Was last season’s expansion-franchise record a fluke? Is second-year pro Kerry Collins the next great NFL quarterback? Can the defense top last season’s 36 sacks and 37 take-away totals?

PLAYERS ON THE SPOT: Running back Tim Biakabutuka--Rookie from Michigan signed late but will have to carry the running game. Offensive tackle Greg Skrepenak--Never lived up to his billing with the Raiders but signed as a free agent during the off-season. Cornerback Eric Davis--Will team with second-year sensation Tyrone Poole to form one of the best cornerback tandems in the league.

ACHILLES’ HEEL: An offense that turned the ball over more than all but two teams in the league and relies too much on kicker John Kasay, who had 26 field goals last season, compared to the Panthers’ 26 touchdowns on offense.

*

St. Louis Rams

Last season: 7-9.

This season: 6-10.

KEY QUESTIONS: Can defensive end Leslie O’Neal, a free agent from San Diego, give the defense some toughness? Will Steve Walsh start at quarterback the entire season or will rookie Tony Banks take over?

PLAYERS ON THE SPOT: Running back Lawrence Phillips--Rookie from Nebraska whose off-field problems overshadowed his solid play during the exhibition season. Linebacker Robert Jones--Earned three Super Bowl rings with Dallas and now takes over in the middle of a suspect defense.

ACHILLES’ HEEL: A defense that had 14 take-aways last September but gave up 17 touchdowns over the last seven games. Has to gamble to cover up a weak pass rush.

*

New Orleans Saints

Last season: 7-9.

This season: 6-10.

KEY QUESTIONS: Why did the defense change to a 4-3 alignment last season after so many successful years with the 3-4? Can running back Mario Bates become the first Saint to have consecutive 1,000-yard seasons this decade?

PLAYERS ON THE SPOT: Quarterback Jim Everett--He will have to carry a team that is bound to give up a lot of points on defense. Wide receiver Torrance Small--A solid third receiver last season, he will have to step up and replace Quinn Early, who signed with Buffalo.

ACHILLES’ HEEL: A defensive line that can rush the quarterback with the likes of Wayne Martin and Renaldo Turnbull, but has problems against the run.

CENTRAL

Green Bay Packers

Last season: 11-5, advanced to NFC final.

This season: 11-5, advance to NFC semifinals.

KEY QUESTIONS: Can Brett Favre have another MVP-type season without turning to painkillers? Will defensive tackle Santana Dotson free defensive end Reggie White more? Do the Packers need home-field advantage in the playoffs to reach the Super Bowl?

PLAYERS ON THE SPOT: Wide receivers Don Beebe, Desmond Howard and Derrick Mayes--Robert Brooks is Favre’s favorite target but someone will have to replace Anthony Morgan, who was waived. Guard Aaron Taylor--Needs to show that he has recovered from knee injuries the last two seasons.

ACHILLES’ HEEL: Linebackers vulnerable to the run.

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Detroit Lions

Last season: 10-6, advanced to NFC semifinals.

This season: 9-7, advance to NFC semifinals.

KEY QUESTIONS: If the Lions start slow again, will Coach Wayne Fontes finally be fired? Can new defensive coordinator Jim Eddy, who coached Dallas’ linebackers last season, salvage a weak and slow unit?

PLAYERS ON THE SPOT: Middle linebacker Michael Brooks--Struggled playing for New York Giants last season and now has to replace Chris Spielman, who signed with Buffalo. Cornerbacks Corey Raymond and Ryan McNeil--Neither has a reputation for solid man-to-man coverage but will have to step up with Willie Clay now playing for New England.

ACHILLES’ HEEL: With an all-star offense featuring Barry Sanders, Herman Moore, Brett Perriman and Scott Mitchell, Fontes’ job will once again depend on a mediocre defense that keeps the Lions from greatness.

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Chicago Bears

Last season: 9-7.

This season: 9-7, advance to NFC first round

KEY QUESTIONS: Will quarterback Erik Kramer continue to prosper under coordinator Ron Turner’s offense? Will defensive tackle Chris Zorich’s season-ending knee injury make the defense more vulnerable in the middle?

PLAYERS ON THE SPOT: Wide receiver Curtis Conway--Started out fast last season, then faltered down the stretch. Running back Rashaan Salaam--Rushed for more than 1,000 yards as a rookie but fumbled eight times. Middle linebacker Bryan Cox--Counted on to provide leadership and toughness to a slow defense.

ACHILLES’ HEEL: A secondary so thin that Coach Dave Wannstedt traded up in the first round to draft cornerback Walt Harris of Mississippi State.

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Minnesota Vikings

Last season: 8-8.

This season: 8-8.

KEY QUESTIONS: How much will the defense miss coordinator Tony Dungy, who left to become head coach at Tampa Bay? Will the offense have a running game? Is Coach Dennis Green’s job in jeopardy if the Vikings do not make the playoffs?

PLAYERS ON THE SPOT: Quarterback Warren Moon--Last season he matched his career high with 33 touchdown passes, but he will turn 40 in November. Running back Robert Smith--When fit, this four-year pro is one of best backs in the NFC but has not had an injury-free season. Cornerback Dewayne Washington--Had a solid rookie season in 1994, but struggled last season.

ACHILLES’ HEEL: A secondary that gave up a franchise-record 4,122 yards passing last season.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Last season: 7-9.

This season: 5-11.

KEY QUESTIONS: Is Trent Dilfer the right quarterback to start new Coach Tony Dungy’s rebuilding program? Can rookie fullback Mike Alstott be a first-year sensation?

PLAYERS ON THE SPOT: Defensive end Eric Curry--This former No. 1 draft pick who has quietly been a role player. Wide receiver Alvin Harper--After an early season injury, the former Cowboy never played up to expectations. Punter Tommy Barnhardt--He must replace the consistent Reggie Roby, who fell victim to the salary cap.

ACHILLES’ HEEL: An offense that was among the league’s worst last season. Leading rusher Errict Rhett scored 11 of the team’s 24 touchdowns on offense and is a holdout.

EAST

Dallas Cowboys

Last season: 12-4, Super Bowl champions.

This season: 11-5, Win Super Bowl.

KEY QUESTIONS: Will off-field distractions prevent the Cowboys from repeating? Can Emmitt Smith stay injury-free? How much will the losses of cornerback Larry Brown, defensive tackle Russell Maryland and linebackers Robert Jones and Dixon Edwards to free agency hurt the defense?

PLAYERS ON THE SPOT: Wide receiver Kevin Williams--He has to get the ball more with Michael Irvin out for the first five games. Middle linebacker Fred Strickland--A tough defender, he has to replace Jones in the middle. Cornerback Kevin Smith--Sat out all but one game because of an Achilles’ tendon injury.

ACHILLES’ HEEL: Lack of depth. If injuries hamper key starters, the Cowboys become an ordinary team.

*

Philadelphia Eagles

Last season: 10-6, advanced to NFC semifinals.

This season: 8-8.

KEY QUESTIONS: Can quarterback Rodney Peete stay unhurt long enough to get the offense in gear? Can Coach Ray Rhodes keep running backs Rickey Watters and Charlie Garner both happy with enough carries? Will a suspect secondary cost the Eagles a second consecutive trip to the playoffs?

PLAYERS ON THE SPOT: Wide receiver Irving Fryar--He will face constant double-coverage because of the lack of a solid second receiver. Cornerback Troy Vincent--He did not leave Miami on a high note but figures to play a key role. Defensive end Mike Mamula--Thus undersized second-year player has to be more aggressive against the run.

ACHILLES’ HEEL: An offensive line with three new players and problems with pass protection in offensive coordinator Jon Gruden’s West Coast offense.

*

Washington Redskins

Last season: 6-10.

This season: 8-8.

KEY QUESTIONS: How long will Coach Norv Turner stick with Gus Frerotte as starting quarterback? Can the Redskins duplicate last season’s sweep of Dallas? Can Terry Allen rush for more than 1,000 yards again this season?

PLAYERS ON THE SPOT: Defensive tackle Sean Gilbert--The Redskins traded their sixth pick of the draft to get him from the Rams and he must produce. Wide receiver Henry Ellard--Again this year, at 35, he must prove that he is not too old. Cornerback Tom Carter--He’s a talented cover man who gets beat too much for a blitzing defense like the Redskins.

ACHILLES’ HEEL: Last season the Redskins’ quarterback combination of Heath Shuler and Frerotte threw for 16 touchdowns, but also threw 20 interceptions.

*

Arizona Cardinals

Last season: 4-12.

This season: 6-10.

KEY QUESTIONS: Can Coach Vince Tobin provide some stability to a franchise that has had only one winning season since moving to Arizona in 1988? Do the Cardinals really have a chance with Boomer Esiason starting at quarterback?

PLAYERS ON THE SPOT: Running back Leeland McElroy--With Garrison Hearst waived and now in Cincinnati, this rookie from Texas A&M; will get his chance to carry the ball. Linebacker Jamir Miller--A top-10 draftee in 1994, he has to make plays this season. Strong safety Matt Darby--Will get a chance to start after being released by Buffalo.

ACHILLES’ HEEL: With arguably three of the best players in the NFC at their positions in defensive tackle Eric Swann, linebacker Seth Joyner and cornerback Aeneas Williams, but the offense led the league with 43 give-aways last season.

*

New York Giants

Last season: 5-11.

This season: 5-11.

KEY QUESTIONS: Does Coach Dan Reeves believe in quarterback Dave Brown? Can an offense that relies on the running game work with such a weak offensive line?

PLAYERS ON THE SPOT: Running backs Rodney Hampton and Tyrone Wheatley--They will get a lot of carries but will have to break tackles to gain yards. Defensive tackle Keith Hamilton--A converted end who moved inside last season, he is counted on to plug the middle.

ACHILLES’ HEEL: A big-play lacking defense that gave up an average of 132 yards rushing last season and sacked opposing quarterbacks only 29 times.