2015 NFL Preview — NFC Predictions


The NFL Season is almost upon us. It's time for some fearless predictions. Below is my predicted order of finish for all the NFC Teams (the AFC post is next). I also make my fearless playoff predictions.

NFC West:
1. Seattle Seahawks, 11-5 — The Seahawks remain the best team in the division and one of the best in the NFC.
2. Arizona Cardinals, 9-7 — The Cardinals were a surprise playoff team last year but injuries killed their chances. I think they regress a bit this season.
3. St. Louis Rams, 8-8 — The Rams continue to make small improvements. I don't think they make the playoffs this year, but they're improving.
4. San Francisco 49ers, 5-11 — The 49ers, after a great run, have crashed back to earth. Their offense will struggle and their defense continues to lose pieces.

NFC North:
1. Green Bay Packers, 11-5 — The Packers, despite the loss of Jordy Nelson in the preseason, remain the class of the division and, likely, the NFC.
2. Detroit Lions, 9-7 — The Lions have talent, but they also have holes. If they put everything together, they could challenge in the Post Season, as they did last season. I think they'll be on the cusp again this year.
3. Minnesota Vikings, 8-8 — The Vikings, like the Rams, are a young team on the rise. Peterson returning will help, but I think they're not quite there this season. With some maturation from Teddy Bridgewater, they'll get there.
4. Chicago Bears, 5-11 — I love Jay Cutler, but I don't see the Bears improving this year. There are too many questions. Maybe John Fox can get it turned around, but it won't happen right away.

NFC South:
1. Atlanta Falcons, 9-7 — The Falcons once had a home-field advantage that was the envy of the league. But that disappeared the past couple seasons. There's still talent there, and I think the Falcons could bounce back to 9-7, which should be good enough to win this division.
2. New Orleans Saints, 9-7 — The Saints have lost a lot of talent the past couple seasons. I think their offense takes a hit this season, and they just miss the playoffs.
3. Carolina Panthers, 7-9 — The back-to-back champs of this division faced an uphill climb before Kelvin Benjamin was lost for the season. Not enough weapons in Carolina.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 6-10 — Call me crazy, but I think the Bucs are a little frisky with Jameis Winston. Not great, but better, and interesting.

NFC East:
1. Dallas Cowboys, 9-7 — The Cowboys were great last year. I think they'll struggle a little this year without DeMarco Murray but are still the best of the heap in the NFC East.
2. New York Giants, 9-7 — The Giants have famously won the Super Bowl twice with Eli Manning from the Wild Card position. I think they have one last run in them.
3. Philadelphia Eagles, 9-7 — I like Chip Kelly, and I think his system has merit. I'm just not sure they have all the pieces together yet. I think they're in the mix, though.
4. Washington Redskins, 4-12 — The Redskins are a mess. It doesn't matter who the quarterback is.

NFC Playoff Predictions:
West Champ — Seahawks
North Champ — Packers
South Champ — Falcons
East Champ — Cowboys
Wild Card — Giants
Wild Card — Eagles

Round One: Cowboys over Giants; Eagles over Falcons

Round Two: Packers over Eagles; Cowboys over Seahawks

NFC Title Game: Packers over Cowboys

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