Last week we focused our attention on which teams from the AFC would make the playoffs. With the start of the NFL season less than a week away, let’s take a look at who will make the playoffs in the NFC.
The playoff picture in the NFC is interesting, partly because it’s possible all 4 teams from one of the divisions could make the playoffs. Let’s start with the NFC East.
NFC East
Many so-called experts have the Dallas Cowboys winning this division, but I can’t disagree more. Dallas certainly has an offense that should be as good as any in the NFL. Quarterback Dak Prescott returns from injury to lead a high-powered offense featuring a solid offensive line, RB Ezekiel Elliott and an elite group of wide receivers in Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup. The Cowboys will need every point their offense scores, though, as their defense isn’t that good. I do think the Cowboys offense will allow them grab one of the wild card spots, though.
But do you know who does have an elite defense? The Washington Football Team. Only the Rams defense gave up fewer points than Washington did in 2020 and the defense will be very strong again this year led by their stout defensive line.
The Washington team will be much more than just about their defense though this year. They return 2 of the elite young offensive stars in WR Terry McLaurin and RB Antonio Gibson. And to go with that duo they have added veteran QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, who will be an upgrade over Alex Smith & Dwayne Haskins. They also added 2 dynamic WRs in free agent Curtis Samuel and rookie Dyami Brown. Their offense won’t be on the level of the Cowboys, but it will be much improved over the 2020 edition, hence I expect them to win the division.
As for the New York Giants, there are too many questions marks for me to consider them a playoff contender. QB Daniel Jones is still a bit of unknown, the O-line leaves something to be desired and their receiving group had several injuries last year and they are already banged up this season. The return of RB Saquon Barkley from injury will help a great deal, but not enough.
As for the Philadelphia Eagles, they were a mess last season and I’m not sure how much better they will be this season. Carson Wentz is gone, so QB Jalen Hurts now has the keys to the offense, but I have concerns about his ability to be a consistently effective passer. I do love the addition of Heisman Trophy winning WR DeVonta Smith, though.
NFC North
Green Bay will win this division going away. QB Aaron Rodgers will be on a mission in what could be his final season as a Packer. And he will have the help of 2 of the best players in the NFL in WR Davante Adams and RB Aaron Jones.
The rest of the division doesn’t get me overly excited, although the Vikings will be fun to watch with 2 of the premier offensive players in the league in RB Dalvin Cook and WR Justin Jefferson. Chicago could also be fun to watch, assuming coach Matt Nagy decides to start 1st round pick QB Justin Fields. If Fields get the opportunity, they could compete for a wild card spot as the Bears have a solid defense.
A team that won’t be fun to watch is the Detroit Lions. They will be amongst the worst teams in the NFL. The Lions have 1 playoff victory (in 1991) in the last 62 years and that streak will continue this year.
NFC South
The defending Super Bowl champs the Tampa Bay Buccaneers return all their starters from last season, so you can etch in stone them winning the NFC South. This team has no real weakness. Their defense is amongst the best in the NFL as is their offensive line. Tom Brady will continue to be Tom Brady and he could lead the league in passing yards and TD passes. Having receivers like Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Antonio Brown & Rob Gronkowski makes Brady’s job even easier.
Carolina should be an exciting team to watch with the return of RB Christian McCaffrey from injury and the addition of QB Sam Darnold from the Jets. They also have a solid receiving corps with DJ Moore, Robby Anderson and rookie Terrace Marshall. But the defense is a work in progress and who knows how good (or bad) Darnold will be.
New Orleans & Atlanta are 2 teams in transition. Jameis Winston replaces Drew Brees at QB, WR Michael Thomas will miss at least the first 6 games of the season recovering from ankle surgery and the Saints had to release several veterans due to salary cap issues.
The Falcons still have 36-year-old Matt Ryan at QB, but WR Julio Jones is now in Tennessee. WR Calvin Ridley and rookie TE Kyle Pitts are 2 elite targets for Ryan to throw to, though. But their running game and defense leave much to be desired, so no playoffs for the Falcons this year.
NFC West
This division is probably the deepest in the NFL and it’s not crazy to argue that all 4 teams could make the playoffs. I envision the Rams winning this division. They had the best defense in football last year and they have significantly upgraded the offense by trading for QB Matt Stafford, who should be considerably better than Jared Goff. Losing RB Cam Akers for the season due to injury was a big blow, though, as he came on strong in the 2nd half of his rookie season in 2020. But they have Darrell Henderson back and they traded for Sony Michel, so the running back cupboard isn’t bare.
Seattle with QB Russell Wilson and his stable of excellent receivers should garner one of the wild card spots as should the San Francisco 49ers, as long as they can stay healthy. The 49ers went from playing in the Super Bowl to going 6-10 last season as both sides of the ball were ravaged by injuries. Everyone is healthy right now, which should allow them to make the playoffs. The most interesting issue to follow in San Francisco, though, will be if/when coach Kyle Shanahan inserts Trey Lance, the 3rd overall pick in the draft this year, as the starting QB over veteran Jimmy Garappolo.
Arizona should also be a legitimate playoff contender. They went 8-8 last year and have added WRs A.J. Green and Rondale Moore not to mention defensive end J.J. Watt. And, of course, they have one of the most dynamic players in the NFL with QB Kyler Murray. It’s tough to have all 4 teams going to the playoff, though, when you consider they all have to play each other 2 times.
Summary:
NFC East – Washington
NFC North – Green Bay
NFC South – Tampa Bay
NFC West – Los Angeles Rams
Wild Cards – Seattle, San Francisco and Dallas www.facebook.com/greg.fuchs1; Twitter – gfuchs@gregoryfuchs
