Last week we took a look at the projected seasons of every team in the AFC. This week, we’ll finish our look at this season by checking out the other 12 team conference in the league, the NFC. Stick around for the end to see my Super Bowl LIII prediction.
NFC (National Football Conference)
North:
Chicago Bears (2-14)
Year two of the Mitchell Trubisky project is here. Can he lead the Bears to wins and success as the frontman of Chicago? With the rebuilding process continuing, the Bears look to find small victories in their journey to the future. The Bears running game with Jordan Howard in the backfield is always a threat.
However, they need consistency with Trubisky to win games.
Detroit Lions (6-10)
The Lions strive to find consistency towards the future. With Matthew Stafford continuing to be under center, they push forward in their journey to grow this team.
However, there are concerns regarding depth of the offense and defense. They were able to win crazy games last year. However, they lost key games they should have won which kept them out of the postseason.
Minnesota Vikings (10-6)
After a year of making the NFC Championship game and last second heroics in the playoffs, the Vikings go into this season to look for the same success they were able to obtain last year. With the signing of Kirk Cousins, there is a lot of optimism in Minnesota.
However, it is going to be tough to hang with the Packers since they get Aaron Rodgers back at full strength. However, if the Vikings can continue their success and win big games they can compete for a playoff spot.
Green Bay Packers (13-3)
Aaron Rodgers and the Packers have one thing in mind. Redemption. Until Rodgers’ injury midway through the season last year, they were the favorites to reach the Super Bowl. However, Rodgers is back and has the ability to lead the Packers to a division championship.
Their schedule is favorable and can easily be the number one seed in the postseason with home field advantage.
East:
Washington Redskins (2-14)
The Washington Redskins have tons of potential to gain success. After the signing of Alex Smith, hopefully it could be a positive for the Redskins. However, there are questions regarding the strength of the defense and consistency of the offense to try to compete in the NFC East. The rebuilding process has started in Washington.
New York Giants (9-7)
A team that needs to show success is the New York Giants. Last year, the Giants were devastated with injuries which doomed their season. Now that the keys are back like receiver Odell Beckham Jr., the Giants seem to be the road to a successful 2018.
Also, with the drafting of Saquon Barkley, the Giants are a threat to show promise and future success in the NFC. The big questions are regarding the defense. Can they make the stops they could not do last year?
With new head coach Pat Shurmur, the Giants have the potential to raise some eyes this season.
Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)
What a year it was for Philly. From nearly going undefeated, to losing their starting quarterback, Carson Wentz towards the end of the season. Hope was lost and no one gave the Eagles a chance.
They used the criticism and went on to win their first Super Bowl in franchise history with backup Nick Foles. This year, Wentz is back under the helm and continues to gain strength.
This year’s Eagles team seem to be better than last year’s Super Bowl winning squad The Eagles will continue to battle the Cowboys to see who eventually wins the NFC East.
Dallas Cowboys (12-4)
The team with the biggest rebound will be the Dallas Cowboys. This year, they will have running back Ezekiel Elliott back for the entire season. Elliot has potential to not only lead the league in rushing, he has potential to run for 2000 yards.
No one in the NFL makes more of an impact on a game than Elliott. Also, the increase of depth on offense makes the Dallas Cowboys the favorites in the NFC East. However, the East can go either way between the Cowboys and the Eagles.
South:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-13)
Tampa Bay is in total dysfunction. With their quarterback, Jameis Winston, who is supposed to represent their franchise suspended. There is no clear direction for the Bucs.
The offense still has Mike Evans who is one of the better receivers in the league and Doug Martin in the backfield. However, their defense has no depth and there is no leader on offense. The Bucs can look for small victories to progress to the future.
Atlanta Falcons (10-6)
After back to back years of making the playoffs, the Falcons look to make it three in a row and try to become the first team to play in the Super Bowl in their home stadium.
However, their schedule is one of the toughest in the NFL and could pose a problem in them getting back to the postseason. Their biggest positive heading into 2018 is a lot of their tougher games are at home.
Can Matt Ryan duplicate his MVP season from two years ago and get the Falcons back to the Super Bowl?
Carolina Panthers (10-6)
The Carolina Panthers are a team with potential for big things. However, the biggest problem with Carolina is their consistency. Carolina was able to win big games which led them to the playoffs last season as a wildcard. However, simple mistakes and a lack of consistency halted a Carolina run through the playoffs.
Quarterback Cam Newton has led the Panthers to near perfection and has led them to a Super Bowl. Now the question is, what must Newton and the Panthers do to make the run towards a championship?
New Orleans Saints (12-4)
The only word to describe the Saints season last year was heartbreaking. A last second missed tackle and touchdown ended the season for a New Orleans team that looked to be on a run towards a championship.
This year they come back with nearly the same team they had last year. Look to quarterback Drew Brees, who is one of the most consistent quarterbacks in the NFL, and has the ability to lead this team to another NFC South Championship.
The running game of Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara can lead this offense to be one of the best in the NFL. They are also helped by a defense that continues to show strength and determination. The Saints are a favorite in the NFC.
West:
Arizona Cardinals (6-10)
Last year was a struggle for the Arizona Cardinals. They struggled to find any chemistry and win big games against tough opponents. They finished .500 last year. This year with rookie quarterback Josh Rosen they look to find the future of their franchise.
Their defense continues to grow and show potential. Also, the offense gets back David Johnson in the backfield. The big question is if David Johnson can stay healthy and try to contend in this now tough NFC East.
Seattle Seahawks (9-7)
The Seahawks did everything in their power to try to make it to the postseason last year. However, they missed the playoffs for the first time in seven years. This year will be a large hill to climb to make it back.
With lots of talent leaving, it leaves quarterback Russell Wilson to lead this team to the best of his ability like he did last year. Their defense also has no depth like the Legion of Boom had years ago.
With Richard Sherman in San Francisco, and Michael Bennett in Philly, it is going to be hard for the Seattle Seahawks to get back to the playoffs.
San Francisco 49ers (12-4)
San Francisco is looking up. After years of nothing, they finally found their answer at quarterback with Jimmy Garoppolo. Jimmy G is undefeated as a starter from his game in New England and the few games he had as a 49ers towards the end of the season.
Can Jimmy G lead the 49ers back to relevancy like the greats Joe Montana and Steve Young did years ago? The defense is also gaining strength with the acquisition of Richard Sherman. The 49ers are a team to look out for. A serious threat to the NFC West and potential contender for the NFC Championship.
Los Angeles Rams (13-3)
After an eventful season, the Rams show tons of potential heading into 2018. Jared Goff leads the Rams offense in his third season. With Todd Gurley in the backfield and new acquisition Brandin Cooks, the Rams offense looks dangerous to opposing defenses.
The defense is still strong with Aaron Donald leading the way. L.A. is the team to beat in the NFC West, but do not count out the Niners to battle with them throughout the season. Either San Francisco or L.A. could easily snag a first round bye in the NFC.
Super Bowl Prediction
Looking into the future, Super Bowl LIII will be the Pittsburgh Steelers versus the Green Bay Packers. A rematch of Super Bowl XLV between two of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, Ben Roethlisberger and Aaron Rodgers.
The result will not be the same as the Steelers win their seventh Super Bowl Championship. In an instant classic, the Pittsburgh Steelers will win, bringing their seventh Super Bowl back to the Steel City.
David Jacobus
Reporter