The Divisional Races

Although wire-to-wire runaways have not been uncommon, there could be a multiple-team contest in each NFC division this year.

* NFC WEST: When injury-free, Bobby Hebert of the New Orleans Saints will outplay most quarterbacks. But the San Francisco 49ers have the most quarterback depth. The Saints and 49ers are alike in one respect: Both are capable of controlling games with their defense. Coach Chuck Knox brings in the enthusiasm to make the Rams a factor. The Atlanta Falcons could be 8-0 at home and 0-8 on the road.

* NFC CENTRAL: Once more, the Minnesota Vikings lead in quantity of quality players. Once more, a good coach, Mike Ditka, makes the Chicago Bears hard to beat. In Detroit, the question is whether Wayne Fontes, a run-and-shoot coach last year, will be as successful in his new offense, the Washington Redskin system. Some opponents are sure that 203-pound Barry Sanders can’t escape injury while trying to slug it out every week as power runner. The two Lion quarterbacks, Rodney Peete and Erik Kramer, also seem better suited for a run-and-shoot offense. At Tampa Bay, quarterback Vinny Testaverde is saying that he has a new lease on life with the Buccaneers’ new coach, Sam Wyche. At Green Bay, another new coach, Mike Holmgren, is testing veteran Packer quarterback Don Majkowski.

* NFC EAST: With three Super Bowl contenders--Washington, Dallas and Philadelphia--this is the NFL’s strongest division. Coach Ray Handley says the New York Giants will make it four. The Phoenix Cardinals, with Coach Joe Bugel and quarterback Timm Rosenbach, are a candidate for the NFL’s most improved team this year as well as a threat to move up in the NFC East.