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On offense, health is a concern as well, nearly a month before the regular season starts. Offensive line anchor and Pro Bowler Chris Snee got injured in the early stages of training camp, and receiver Steve Smith is also healing up from an injury. Both men are essential to the Giants’ offense, which needs to sustain big-play capability while cutting down on turnovers. Snee has to be in the offensive line so that Eli Manning won’t be vulnerable to fumble-producing sacks. All in all, the Giants have too many health questions to be viewed as a likely playoff team.

Football Preseason Odds: Giants Will Miss Playoffs -140

Carolina Panthers

The team that finished second in the NFC in 2008 is now a shell of its former self. Jake Delhomme was an interception-prone quarterback, but in his better moments, the veteran could get Carolina to the playoffs. This year, it’s going to be a long and hard slog for coach John Fox’s team. Sure, quarterback Matt Moore went 3-0 last season, but the Panthers were 5-8 when Moore stepped in to replace Delhomme; the pressure was off. Now, Moore is a marked man who knows that the well-being of the franchise rests on his shoulders. A terrible performance in his preseason opener at Baltimore does not augur well for Moore and the Panthers in the upcoming regular season.

On defense, the loss of pass-rushing stud Julius Peppers will leave this roster bereft of dynamic talent, and with both Drew Brees and Matt Ryan in their division, the Panthers simply can’t expect to hold down opposing offenses with the same regularity they once did. This is a dead-end year for a franchise in transition. There’s no way Carolina will make the playoffs.

Football Preseason Odds: Panthers Will Miss Playoffs -450

Chicago Bears

If Jay Cutler maxes out and plays to his potential, Chicago can make the playoffs. It’s really that simple. Yes, Julius Peppers is now a Bear after coming from Carolina, but this team will sink or swim based on the play of Cutler, the strong-armed and gifted quarterback whose brain sadly does not match his raw talent. Mike Martz – the offensive guru for the St. Louis Rams a decade ago – has been brought in as the team’s new offensive coordinator. It is the hope in the Windy City that Martz can teach Cutler with a precision and wisdom that will enable the big gunslinger to thrive in a division that contains Aaron Rodgers and might still yet claim Brett Favre. All in all, Cutler’s noted inconsistency will likely keep Chicago home for the playoffs and get coach Lovie Smith fired. If this team was in the NFC West, it might be a division favorite. The NFC North is a bad division for this particular ballclub.

Football Preseason Odds: Bears Will Miss Playoffs -275