NFC EAST
Philadelphia Eagles
The defending champs may have lost a couple of players in free agency and got a new offensive coordinator, but all of the key pieces are still there. They still have the Tush Push to fall back on in short yardage situations and should be the favourites to repeat as NFC champions – at least.
Prediction: 13-4
Washington Commanders
The Commanders are the biggest regressions candidates there are this year. They won a ton of close games and needed some incredible luck to make the leap they did. Jayden Daniels was incredible as a rookie, but we’re concerned about his durability when you consider is slight frame and the amount of hits he takes.
Prediction: 9-8
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys will be nothing if not entertaining. Dak Prescott should lead one of the league’s best passing offences and the defence again should be below league-average. Expect some shootouts in Big D, but not the playoffs.
Prediction: 7-10
New York Giants
With the exception of a shockingly fearsome pass rush, there is much to like about the Giants, again. Malik Nabers already is banged up, Russell Wilson is washed up and the offensive line is below average. The two big questions are how long it will be before Jaxson Dart gets thrown into the fire and how long head coach Brian Daboll stays employed.
Prediction: 4-13
NFC NORTH
Green Bay Packers
The Pack have one of the best coaches in the league, an offence stacked with diverse weapons and a defence that got seriously bolstered with the addition of Micah Parsons. Jordan Love was hampered by several injuries last year and has an outside shot at being an MVP candidate if he stays healthy this year.
Prediction: 12-5
Detroit Lions*
Regression is set to hit the Lions hard. They lost both their OC and DC, plus their offensive line took a hit when star centre Frank Ragnow retired. Their schedule is much harder this season and they’ll be playing outdoors more often. This is a big test, but the Lions should pass.
Prediction: 10-7
Chicago Bears
The Bears should get one of the biggest coaching improvements in the league this year with Ben Johnson at the helm. Caleb Williams certainly needs the help after an underwhelming rookie season. But, we’re still not as hot on the Bears as some and can’t back them as a playoff team just yet.
Prediction: 8-9
Minnesota Vikings
This one is all about the JJ’s. McCarthy is an unknown at QB who just sat out his entire rookie season and Justin Jefferson already is dealing with a hamstring injury. In the NFL’s toughest division, that’s too much uncertainty to fully back.
Prediction: 8-9
NFC SOUTH
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs were a big surprise last year and should remain in playoff contention this year despite losing hotshot OC Liam Cohen and their many vets getting a year older. Some injury luck on defence should help, too.
Prediction: 10-7
Atlanta Falcons*
An investment in pass rush and a full season of Michael Penix Jr. at QB – and without Kirk Cousins sabotaging the offence – should vault the Falcons to where many thought they would be last season before things went off the rails.
Prediction: 10-7
Carolina Panthers
Which Bryce Young are we going to get? The one that was benched or the one that came back and looked decent late in the season? That’s the big question in Carolina but otherwise this team is surprisingly decent. Don’t sleep on Panthers if Young actually lives up to his No. 1 overall billing.
Prediction: 6-11
New Orleans Saints
All those years of pushing their cap and draft problems into future will finally catch up to the Saints. With shockingly bad options at QB and holes everywhere, it’ll be long, hard season in the Big Easy.
Prediction: 3-14
NFC WEST
San Francisco 49ers
With the league’s easiest schedule and assuredly some relief on the injury front this season, the Niners should have an easy path back into the playoffs and should be a force.
Prediction: 12-5
Arizona Cardinals*
The Cards are another team that has been building towards some real potential success this season. While he didn’t grab the headlines many thought he would in his rookie season, we’re watching for Marvin Harrison Jr. to have a real breakout in Year 2.
Prediction: 10-7
Los Angeles Rams
There are just too many injury worries to think the Rams will be back to become a real challenge for the NFC title. Matthew Stafford’s back is bothering him, Puka Nacua is sure to get banged up and the defence could see some regression.
Prediction: 9-8
Seattle Seahawks
The defence has a definite chance to be legit, but the offence is in for a big downgrade. The offensive line remains a big question mark and that’s bad news for new QB Sam Darnold, who struggles mightily under pressure. Throw in top receiver DK Metcalf’s departure and we’re in for a lot of low-scoring games in Seattle.
Prediction: 7-10