NFC Preview and Record Predictions
It's officially the start of the season! A time where all 32 teams still have a chance to make their dreams come true - yes even you Saints, Browns, and Giants fans. Before the TNF football game tonight between the Cowboys and Eagles I wanted to put my NFC predictions out there for the world (just my Mom) to see. Keep in mind, whatever I get wrong I will edit out, and will brag about what I got right.
Before we get to the record predictions, here are some headlines I'll be following closely to start the year in the NFC.
What I'm Watching
JJ McCarthy and the Vikings
After a 14-3 regular season led by the resurgence of Sam Darnold, the Vikings now return with a new QB, JJ McCarthy. I am a believer that Kevin O'Connell could make me work at QB (I have bad shoulders, so we'd definitely run the triple option). However, this is his first time dealing with basically a rookie at QB. McCarthy is stepping into a team with a Super Bowl roster in my opinion, that just needs the QB to push them over the top. I will be interested to follow his play this year.
What to Make of the NFC West
You could make a case for any one of the four NFC West teams winning the division, yet they all have major questions. What will the 49ers look like with a less talented defense than usual, and with looming injury concerns? What is the status of Matthew Stafford and his health? Can Kyler take that next step and lead the Cardinals to the playoffs? Was the Sam Darnold resurgence real, can he do the same thing for the Seahawks? Whichever one of these teams can answer these questions I believe will take the division.
Do the Commanders Progress or Regress?
Jayden Daniels led the Commanders to the greatest season their fans have seen in a long time. He felt like a one-man army at times and was miraculous in the playoffs. However, some will point out that the Commanders really didn't beat many quality Quarterbacks until the playoffs and had some real 50/50 games (at least) go their way: e.g, Hail Mary vs the Bears and the Giants losing due to their kicker getting hurt in warmups (not even on the Mt. Rushmore of bad Giants losses I've been forced to watch). But, Jayden Daniels can prove that he is in the same tier as QB's like Josh Allen, Mahomes, and Lamar, and that his teams will win no matter what happens because he's just too good. I will be interested to watch him and the Commanders this year.
Record Predictions
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys
It would be the most Jerry Jones thing in the world to have a great season after trading Micah Parsons, getting counted out by the media, and of course after his Netflix documentary released. I love the Cowboys passing game this year, if George Pickens can be okay being Wr2 of course. I don't love their O-line and running game, but I believe they'll finish over 500 purely because Dallas rarely strings together bad seasons.
Record Prediction: 10-7
New York Giants
My beloved New York Giants are fresh off a season from hell in 2024. I may write a whole post about what I went through, starting with Hard Knocks. For the first time in a while vibes seem to be high in New York - this is probably due to Abdul Carter wrecking havoc in camp and Jaxson Dart putting on a show in the Preseason. However, it was the Preseason, and you go look at their schedule and tell me where they can string together wins. I believe the Giants will be competitive, but that doesn't mean wins. A successful season would be just proving Jaxson Dart is the QB of the future.
Record Prediction: 5-12
Philidelphia Eagles
The reigning Super Bowl champs have all the talent in the world to repeat and I think they can absolutely do it. I do wonder how Saquon performs this year after his high workload last year, but he is just a different type of human, and I wouldn't doubt him putting up a repeat performance. The Eagles did lose depth in the offseason, but teams would love to have the type of problems the Eagles do.
Record Prediction: 12-5
Washington Commanders
I gave some of my questions on Washington at the beginning of the blog, and I am on the side of regression. I believe Jayden will become a permanent fixture in the top 5 QB conversation; I just don't love the roster around him and the schedule is much more difficult than last year.
Record Prediction: 9-8
Final Standings Prediction
Philadelphia Eagles (12-5)
Dallas Cowboys (10-7)
Washington Commanders (9-8)
New York Giants (5-12)
NFC North
Chicago Bears
Chicago is one of the most interesting teams this season. Caleb Williams was outplayed by 3 other rookie QB's last year and the team as a whole was dysfunctional. But now Ben Johnson comes in and the O-line has been revamped and Caleb has plenty of weapons. It's hard to gauge what expectations should be for Chicago, it would be unfair to expect their offense to look like what Detroit's did under Ben Johnson. I went with a lower win total for Chicago because I really like the other 3 teams in this division.
Record Prediction: 6-11
Detroit Lions
The Lions had a disappointing end to last season after a historic year offensively. Aiden Hutchinson along with other injured players from last season return and the defense is expected to take a big leap forward. However, the coordinators do not return from last year, and for the first time in a while there are quesitons around the coaching staff in Detroit and if they can help keep them chugging along. I expect a slow start for the Offense this year followed by a late and strong push for a playoff spot.
Record Prediction: 10-7
Green Bay Packers
The biggest weakness for the Packers coming into this season was their ability to rush the passer, so what do they do? How about draft arguably the top young pass-rusher in the league in Micah Parsons. I am confident the offense will stay elite under Matt Lafleur, and the defense will obviously receive a huge boost. I have the Packers winning the division.
Record Prediction: 11-6
Minnesota Vikings
I discussed my questions above about the Vikings and JJ McCarthy. I just am a believer in Kevin O'Connell and I think he let Sam Darnold walk and passed on Aaron Rodgers for a reason. He has a plan for McCarthy, and he will rely heavily on the defense under Brian Flores.
Record Prediction: 10-7
Final Standings Prediction
Green Bay Packers (11-6)
Detroit Lions (10-7)
Minnesota Vikings (10-7)
Chicago Bears (6-11)
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons
The loss of their Right Tackle Kaleb McGary right before the season really puts a damper on some of the hype the Falcons were getting. Keep in mind that he was the blind side protector for lefty Michael Penix. I was a huge fan of Michael Penix in college, but I think it would be premature to assume he is a good NFL starter after just 3 games last year. I am more down on the Falcons than most because I was not a huge fan of some of Raheem Morris' in game decisions last year and still have major concerns about the defense.
Record Prediction: 7-10
Carolina Panthers
Despite going 5-12 last year, you can classify the 2024 season for the Panthers as a success. This is due to the resurgence of Bryce Young after initially getting benched for Andy Dalton. Despite a great and competitive end to the season for the Panthers, I still don't think you can confidently count on them to take that next step; due to 1. Bryce Young still needing to prove he can be the leader of this franchise and 2. This defense still has a lot of question marks. This leads me to believing the Panthers having a similar season to last year.
Record Prediction: 6-10
New Orleans Saints
They suck. Choosing to start either Spencer Rattler or Tyler Shough is nightmare fuel. There are actually some strengths for this team on the lines of scrimmage, but you won't see me betting their over win total with that QB situation.
Record Prediction: 3-14
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Everything is in place for the Bucs to have a season to remember this year. Elite line play on both sides, elite weapons on offense, and a confident Baker Mayfield. While I still have questions around Baker and the Bucs in their past playoff performances, I think they have a clear edge in the NFC South. I think they should be able to beat up on the division opponents this year, I will be keeping my eye on their performance versus non-divisional opponents though.
Record Prediction: 10-7
Final Standings Prediction
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7)
Atlanta Falcons (7-10)
Carolina Panthers (6-11)
New Orleans Saints (3-14)
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals are becoming a trendy pick to win this division; I personally just don't see it. I'm in prove it mode with Kyler Murray, he has to show me he can lead this team to the playoffs, it's been a while since we've seen it. I like Trey McBride a lot and am rooting for Marvin Harrison Jr to live up to his draft capital, I just have more faith in the other three teams in this division.
Record Prediction: 6-11
Los Angeles Rams
IF, and I mean IF Matthew Stafford and the Rams can stay healthy, I think this team can make real noise this year. They pushed the eventual Super Bowl champs to the brink last year in the playoffs. Davante Adams will be a serious upgrade from what Cooper Kupp was last year, and I think Sean Mcvay will give opposing defenses fits trying to defend Adams and Puka. My record prediction is just putting pure faith in the Rams staying healthy.
Record Prediction: 12-5
San Francisco 49ers
Oh look, another NFC West team that can make real noise if healthy. The 49ers seem to have the worst injury luck every other year, so that means they should be healthy this year, right? They lost a lot of talent this offseason, and while I trust Kyle Shanahan, I just don't think opposing defenses are exactly scared of Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings. The 49ers have the easiest schedule in recent memory, and I think they will ride that schedule to a great season.
Record Prediction: 11-6
Seattle Seahawks
I think the Seahawks have a very high variance for how this season could go. Sam Darnold could prove last season was for real and Cooper Kupp could prove he still has a lot left in the tank. I just don't think either of those things are true. They will be a tough out for anyone, I just think they should've held on to Geno and Metcalf.
Record Prediction: 8-9
Final Standings Prediction
Los Angeles Rams (12-5)
San Francisco 49ers (11-6)
Seattle Seahawks (8-9)
Arizona Cardinals (6-11)
Playoff Standings
Below is my projected playoff field based on my predictions, I will post Super Bowl and award predictions tomorrow (I chose a lot of teams to go 10-7, I'm just guessing how it shakes out):
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Los Angeles Rams
- Green Bay Packers
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- San Francisco 49ers
- Detroit Lions
- Dallas Cowboys
