NFL SEASON PREDICTIONS: NFC

The NFC is home to the last 2 Super Bowl Champions and the back to back MVP. These accolades and accomplishments provide a lofty base for expectations in this conference. While there are successful franchises, a good number of teams are trying to rebuild or stabilize their path toward improvement.

The conference was very close to looking much different in late February / early March. There was a possibility of Aaron Rodgers leaving the Packers and Tom Brady retiring early in the offseason. Obviously those monumental moves were avoided and both returned for another year. Russell Wilson on the other hand was traded from Seattle to Denver, signaling the commencement of a rebuild for the Seahawks. Other QB questions in the conference circle around Trey Lance and Jimmy G in the Bay Area, Kylar Murray’s contract verbiage, Baker Mayfield, who wins the job in the ATL and is Jameis Winston healthy.

The NFC East was captured by the Dallas Cowboys last season and the Eagles joined them in the postseason. The Commanders are a team stuck in the middle and if the team stay healthy they can make noise, but that also depends on Carson Wentz. The Giants have yet another head coach but questions across the roster, including Daniel Jones. The Cowboys have had roster turnover including WR Amari Cooper departing, so this must be the year CeeDee Lamb explodes. The Eagles have overhauled their roster and the energy in Philly is sky high, creating expectations that might actually be detrimental.

The NFC North runs through Lambeau Field and Aaron Rodgers, but this year the defense might be the catalyst. The Vikings offense is loaded and now they have an offensive minded head coach to push them to be better. Factoring in the Hard Knocks hype, the Lions have improved, but is this finally the year they break through? The Bears are in trouble heading into 2022 with Roquan Smith wanting out and no legit number 1 WR, can Justin Fields shoulder everything

The NFC South had a slimmer of hope for others and then TB12 decided to unretire after a month. The Buccaneers have a talented roster, but I am worried about their injuries on the OLine. The Saints defense is beyond nasty, but the offense is a mystery. Jameis is back, Kamera and Mark Ingram are back, but WR Michael Thomas is still in doubt, can Jarvis Landry and Chris Olave put up touchdowns. The Panthers might have finally found their QB in Baker Mayfield, but only for a year. Can Coach Rhule and the Panthers finally win or will he return return to the college head coaching ranks next season? The Falcons have freaks on offense; the two questions are focused on who is the QB and can the defense stop anyone?

The NFC West is a fun and wild ride. The Seahawks are in full rebuild mode, but might pull some upsets. The Cardinals have a ton of veteran talent, but it all comes back to Kylar Murray and his contract drama. Can they be the 3rd straight team to win a Super Bowl in their own stadium? The 49ers also had their share of offseason drama between the Deebo contract issues as well as the Trey Lance/ Jimmy G saga. They have a great defense that pushed them to a great playoff run last January. The Rams are the defending champions and return with Aaron Donald, Cooper Kupp, Jalen Ramsey, Cam Akers and add WR Allen Robinson.

PREDICTIONS:

NFC EAST:

1.). PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

2.). DALLAS COWBOYS

3.). WASHINGTON COMMANDERS

4.). NEW YORK GIANTS

NFC NORTH:

1.). GREEN BAY PACKERS

2.). MINNESOTA VIKINGS

3.). DETROIT LIONS

4.). CHICAGO BEARS

NFC SOUTH:

1.). TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

2.). NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

3.). CAROLINA PANTHERS

4.). ATLANTA FALCONS

NFC WEST:

1.). SAN FRANCISCO 49ers

2.). LA RAMS

3.). ARIZONA CARDINALS

4.). SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

NFC WILD CARD TEAMS:

• MINNESOTA VIKINGS
• LA RAMS
• NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

NFC CHAMPION: GREEN BAY PACKERS

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