NFC EAST
Philadelphia Eagles
The reigning NFC champs lost both coordinators and a couple of starting defenders, but remain in good shape to make another run. While Philly also has the Super Bowl losers curse to deal with, it’s going to take a few injuries to key players to really submarine this team. Jalen Hurts has three great receiving weapons at his disposal and a deep stable of RBs to run behind the league’s best O-line. The defence will likely see some regression after a near-record season rushing the passer, but can repeat in the NFC East.
Prediction: 12-5
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys smartly held on to defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and should remain one of the NFL’s best units with Micah Parsons sure to challenge for DPOY. The offence will see some change with head coach Mike McCarthy calling plays and long-time RB Ezekiel Elliott gone, but the addition of Brandin Cooks provides a solid No. 2 option behind CeeDee Lamb. Tony Pollard gets his shot at leading the backfield and will play a vital part in the Cowboys chances of finally contending for a Super Bowl.
Prediction: 12-5
New York Giants
Big Blue rewarded Daniel Jones this off-season after one good season and now it’s time for him to live up to it. Was last year’s breakout campaign for real or will he return to his turnover-prone ways? Saquon Barkley is back on a one-year deal but isn’t happy about it and the defence hasn’t seen too much in the way of improvement. Coach Brian Daboll will have to work his magic to return to the playoffs.
Prediction: 9-8
Washington Commanders
The Commanders are starting a new era under a new owner who isn’t universally despised, which is a great start. Not so great: Their QB is Sam Howell and coach Ron Rivera has been looking overwhelmed for years now. The defence should be good, but this should be just the beginning of a rebuild.
Prediction: 7-10
NFC NORTH
Detroit Lions
The hype is strong in Detroit after seeing the Lions finish last season on an 8-2 run. With some big additions in the off-season through the draft and free agency, they’ll be looking to end a lengthy playoff drought and are favoured to win the NFC North for good reason. For once, there’s actual expectations of the Lions – can they live up to them?
Prediction: 10-7
Green Bay Packers
The Aaron Rodgers era is over and the Pack are hoping that Jordan Love will follow a similar path to the one the former MVP did. Green Bay has a group of young potential studs on offence to go with a defence that has some pedigree. If coach Matt Lafleur can help Love shine, this team should be looking at wild-card berth.
Prediction: 9-8
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings were one of the luckiest teams ever last season, making incredible comebacks and winning a ridiculous amount of one-score games. Regression is likely to come as the team’s defence looks to overhaul itself under a new DC and star running back Dalvin Cook has been let go. Justin Jefferson looks like the league’s best WR, but is he enough?
Prediction: 7-10
Chicago Bears
Once the Bears finally figured out that speedy QB Justin Fields should actually have a few designed runs in the playbook, they actually started playing well. Fields proved to be electric with the ball, but eventually wore down as the season rolled on. Can the Bears find a balance to keep him healthy behind a mediocre offensive line, have Fields improve as a passer and can the defence show some signs of improvement? Getting it all together seems like a very tough ask.
Prediction: 6-11
NFC SOUTH
Atlanta Falcons
Like Detroit, the Falcons are a team that has a lot of people buying in early. Unlike the Lions, though, Atlanta has a big question mark at QB with Desmond Ridder not looking up to the task during his late-season starts in 2022. The running game is strong and added Bijan Robinson in the draft, which is the type of luxury move that a team like this might not be ready for. The path to the playoffs may not be as clear-cut as many think.
Prediction: 10-7
New Orleans Saints
The best thing that the Saints have going for them is an easy schedule. We remain unconvinced that Dennis Allen can handle the head coaching job, but bringing in Derek Carr is a definite upgrade at QB. New Orleans lost some talent on defence it will have to make up for but has a good shot at a wild-card spot or even the top spot in this weak division.
Prediction: 10-7
Carolina Panthers
The Cats made their move by trading up in the draft for top pick Bryce Young and now it’s up to new coach Frank Reich to make it work. The surrounding pieces on offence don’t inspire too much hope for this season while the defence does have a chance to be in the top half of the league. There’s going to be learning curve for the Cats this season.
Prediction: 6-11
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tom Brady is gone and so are the Bucs chances of contending for the playoffs. Between Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask, the Bucs are closer to a top-five pick than a playoff spot despite having a lot of leftover talent from their Super Bowl run. Chris Godwin and Mike Evans are still solid receiving options and the defence has some decent players, but it’s hard to buy in with a subpar coach, running game and QB.
Prediction: 4-13
NFC WEST
San Francisco 49ers
The Niners have one of the most stacked rosters in the NFL except for at one position: Quarterback. Kind of an important one, eh? But coach Kyle Shanahan believes in 2022 Mr. Irrelevant Brock Purdy, despite coming off a severe elbow injury. There’s also the fact that reigning DPOY Nick Bosa is holding out over his contract and that they lost their defensive coordinator. These question marks might be enough to provide Seattle an opening to climb back atop the division.
Prediction: 11-6
Seattle Seahawks
Geno Smith’s unlikely emergence as a Pro Bowl QB spurred the Seahawks to a playoff berth last season, well ahead of where many predicted them to be. With that foundation laid and another off-season of building, things are looking up in Seattle – as long as Smith can repeat what he did last season. If he reverts to his early career form, there might be trouble.
Prediction: 11-6
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams are paying the price now for mortgaging their future to win a Super Bowl. It’s a trade you’ll take every time, but this year will be a slog for their fans. Cooper Kupp already is hurt and the Rams have an inordinate amount of rookies and undrafted players on their squad. While Sean McVay can scheme up a few wins, it won’t nearly be enough.
Prediction: 5-12
Arizona Cardinals
If the Cardinals aren’t tanking this season, then you really have to question how management is going about setting up the team for the season. With Kyler Murray injured and Colt McCoy released after the pre-season, the starting job will either go to late-round rookie Clayton Tune or a guy they picked up off waivers just over a week ago, Josh Dobbs. Between their own pick and owning the Texans’ first-rounder the Cards are certainly looking towards the future.
Prediction: 2-15
Playoff teams: Eagles, 49ers, Lions, Falcons, Cowboys, Seahawks, Saints.
NFC championship: 49ers over Eagles