NFL Predictions- NFC

NFC East

1. Washington Redskins

2. New York Giants

3. Philadelphia Eagles

4. Dallas Cowboys

Why the Redskins will win the NFC East?

            Because somebody has to. Trying to pick the winner of the NFC East is like trying to win the “Pick 4”, some people use an important date in their life, some try some sort of numbering strategy, while other just pick random numbers. The reason why it is so similar to projecting the East, is because no matter how you slice, nobody truly knows, with any confidence, who will win this see-saw of a division. I’m going with the Redskins because I think they will prove to make the fewest mistakes. Jay Gruden’s ball-control, west-coast offense should tame the growing process of RG3 and with the emergence of Jordan Reed and Pierre Garcon, not to mention the addition of DeSean Jackson, Griffin has a plethora of weapons and should not be forced into too many bad decisions. The defense has enough playmakers to force turnovers and keep their opponents saddled enough for this potentially explosive offense.

Why the Cowboys will finish last in the NFC East?

            The Cowboys had the worst defense in the NFL a season ago, and lost their two best defensive players (Demarcus Ware to free agency, and See Lee to a season ending injury). Not to mention the replacement to Demarcus Ware, Demarcus Lawerence broke his foot and he will be out until mid-October at best. Tony Romo is coming off of a major back injury, Jason Witten is another year older, and the Cowboys are relying on DeMarco Murray having another full, healthy season. Experts are wondering if Dallas will have another 8-8 season, but with all of these issues, expect the Cowboys to circle around half that win total.

Are the Giants and Eagles good enough?

            They both provide loyal fans enough reason to think they are good enough to make the playoffs, but both will go through transition this season. The Giants lost Justin Tuck on defense and Hakeem Nicks on offense, they will need to be able to find the big play potential to replace those two. They are also switching to a true west-coast pass system, which Tom Coughlin has already voiced concern about their ability to adjust quickly. The Eagles were the hottest team in the league a year ago, riding unknown Nick Foles into the playoffs and one of the most dynamic offenses in the NFL. But there are questions as to whether or not Foles can repeat his magic, and the loss of DeSean Jackson hurts the Eagles ability to make big plays down the field. The secondary also has a lot of issues, and in a division with RG3, Eli Manning and Tony Romo, that’s a big problem.

NFC North

1. Green Bay Packers

2. Minnesota Vikings

3. Chicago Bears

4. Detroit Lions

Why the Packers will win the NFC North?

            Because by now they have to be tired of not running away with it year after year. The Packers are loaded with talent on both sides of the ball, and have the most efficient/dominate Quarterback in Aaron Rodgers. While all the talk in the NFC will center once again around who is best the 49ers or Seahawks, the Packers will remind everyone that they belong in that discussion.

Why the Lions will finish last in the NFC North?

            It’s a new coach but the same team. New head coach Jim Caldwell comes in under the notion that this nonsense, disciplinarian mantra will work wonders on this underperforming franchise. However there are people that are just unchangeable. Not just on the Lions but in all parts of life. And true change can only come in personnel turnover, and there just wasn’t enough in Detroit to convince me that the Lions will be different. The Lions say the want to run the ball more, but they just are not built that way. It appears that Caldwell is going to try and inject his philosophy into a group that has played the same brand of football for the past four years. Its going to be a bad mix.

Are the Vikings and Bears good enough?

            Everyone appears to think the Bears are and the Vikings are not, but I actually think it’s the opposite. Yes the Bears have an explosive offense and in the second year of head coach Marc Tressman many expect the Bears to be even better than last year. But the Bears defense is not your typical Bears defense as it lacks firepower and playmakers than in years past. And if that is not convincing enough, are you really ready to finally put faith into Jay Cutler?

            The Vikings on the other hand have Cinderella written all of them. New head coach Mike Zimmer looks to take a young defense and turn them into the same monster he created in Cincinnati. On offense new offensive coordinator Norv Turner looks to breathe life into a depleted offense in recent years. But the Vikings finally appear to have more weapons than just Adrian Peterson. Cordelle Patterson is expected to explode onto the scene this year, as is tight end Kyle Rudolph, and perhaps everyone had it wrong on Teddy Bridgewater. I love teams that have low expectations and great potential…gotta love the Vikings.

NFC South

1. New Orleans Saints

2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

3. Atlanta Falcons

4. Carolina Panthers

Why the Saints will win the NFC South?

            Because they will prove when you have a stable/efficient quarterback and stable/brilliant head coach, you win things. Other teams in the South, may have one and not the other but the Saints have both in Drew Brees and Sean Payton. The real good news for Saints fans is that they appeared to get younger but locking up Jimmy Graham, drafting Brandin Cooks and asking more out of Kenny Stills and letting Lance Moore and Darren Sproles go. They continue to get better on defense by adding Jariyus Byrd at safety.

Why the Panthers will finish last in the NFC South?

            Because they are convinced they are as good as last year’s record, when they are not. Listen, the defense is great, but the offense will be an even bigger struggle without providing Cam Newton significant upgrades. While everyone is wondering why the Panthers were not more aggressive in adding receiving options for Cam, I keep scratching my head as to why the Panthers still are investing in DeAngelo Williams and Jonathon Stewart. Kelvim Benjamin may prove to be a stud, but without a consistent running game, and an over dependency to make magic through the air and on the ground, the Panthers are asking for trouble in their star quarterback.

Are the Buccaneers and Falcons good enough?

            They will be better than this season’s edition of ‘Hard Knocks’ but that isn’t saying much. Both teams have improved from their abysmal seasons a year ago, but not enough to contend for the playoffs. Matt Ryan should return to a Top 8 fantasy quarterback with Julio Jones coming back healthy, but the Falcons still haven’t addressed the running game. The Buccaneers have a lot of talent on offense and defense, but not in enough places. Quarterback is still a big question and neither Josh McCown nor Mike Glennon have answered the bell. I think 8-8 for either one of these teams would be an accomplishment.

NFC West

1. San Francisco 49ers

2. Seattle Seahawks

3. Arizona Cardinals

4. St. Louis Rams

Why the 49ers will win the NFC West?

            Because they have too. The training camp season started with the possibility of Jim Harbaugh leaving San Francisco because of contract disputes, and the 49ers offense has been sputtering throughout its two preseason games thus far. This 49ers team appears to be backing into a corner. That is not a team I would want to play. There is just too much going for this franchise to not win the division this year, despite the turmoil (which may bring them closer together). Colin Kaepernick looks to take another step forward and have that year to catapult the 49ers past the Seahawks and back into the top spot in the NFC. The defense will still be very good, Michael Crabtree is full healthy to start the year, and the 49ers have found a gem in running back Carlos Hyde who should take over the duties from Frank Gore.

Why the Rams will finish last in the NFC West?

            Unfortunately they are just not good enough in this division. The defense can play with the Seahawks, 49ers and Cardinals, but they are still trying to figure out if Sam Bradford is their starting quarterback. This is a really bad division to figure out who your quarterback is. Maybe next year Ram fans.

Are the Seahawks and Cardinals good enough?

            Good enough to win to make the playoffs? Yes. Good enough to win the division? Yes. Good enough the win the Super Bowl? Yes. This is just how good the division is that you could finish in 3^rd place and still be considered a Super Bowl contender. The Seahakws have the pedigree but lost a lot on defense, while the Cardinals have gotten better on offense with the emergence of Michael Floyd and Andre Ellington but still are trying to squeeze out every drop out of the toothpaste that is Carson Palmer. Both will be fighting for playoff spots up until the end of the season, just have to see how it all plays out.

The Wild-Card Teams

1. Seattle Seahawks

            Despite the losses on defense, this team is good enough that making the playoffs should be relatively simple. Russell Wilson should also take another step forward and while he may never light up the scoreboard his intelligence and decision making makes him just as dangerous as any quarterback in the NFC. Percy Harvin is the ultimate wildcard for the Seahawks, because if he can find his form like he did in Minnesota, the Seahakws have a playmaker they have never had on offense.

2. Minnesota Vikings

            They are last year’s version of the Philadelphia Eagles. The Vikings have a lot of hidden explosiveness that teams will not see coming. Every year the NFL has one team you didn’t think about. I’m thinking it’s the Vikings.