NFL early playoff predictions: NFC
NFL early playoff predictions: NFC
Philadelphia Eagles- just two years ago Carson Wentz was in the position to win the league MVP after an extraordinary season that captivated the whole city of Philadelphia. Now he’s back with a ton of weapons and an offensive line who still remains a top of the league. If Carson returns to his old self there is no reason this roster shouldn’t compete for a super bowl.
Key off-season decision: Signing Desean Jackson Djack fits perfect with the strengths of Wentz. The city has not lost their love for number ten and him being back will bring new life and swag to the receiving core. If Carson can continue to extend plays and throw that deep ball well Desean is in for a big year.
Green Bay Packers- The media has been all over Aaron Rodgers the past few seasons. People forget how dominant in the past Aaron was. If he can stay healthy he will be in the MVP race and this team will be on top of the NFC north. The front office was aggressive in free agency and made it a priority to give Aaron a roster that takes some pressure off of him. Rodgers will return to greatness and Green Bay will be back as a dominant force of the NFC.
Key offseason decision: Buying a defense Preston Smith, Za’Darius Smith, and Adrian Amos make this a top ten defense if not better. The packers putting a defense out there that can get off the field and give Aaron Rodgers the ball back is exactly what the Packers needed.
New Orleans Saints: “Who dat” nation is still a force to be reckoned with in the NFC. It will never be easy to win a game in their house especially when Drew Brees is your quarterback. Alvin Kamara finally gets the backfield to himself which he has proved getting him the ball is never a bad thing. They signed Jared Cook, off of a quality season in Oakland who should serve as a safety blanket for Brees. The saints haven’t changed much of their roster but that necessarily isn’t a bad thing they have been so close for so long maybe this is the roster to finally breakthrough.
Key offseason decision: Resigning Michael Thomas was a good decision that will keep Drew Brees and the fanbase happy. He has quietly been one of the best wideouts in the game doing pretty much everything Drew Brees needed him to do. That duo is what can take this team to the promise land.
Los Angeles Rams: The Rams were like a new app everyone was buying into last year that was new and fresh it was something different for the league. They were playing in a huge market with a new coach who had young and exciting players. This team is deep with talent if they can keep the headcases from destroying any kind of team chemistry and find a way to keep Gurley on the field for the whole season they’ll be in it once again. A healthy Cooper Kupp should also help the passing game.
Key offseason decision: Signing more glue for the locker room. Eric Weddle and Clay Matthews have both been around for a while. They both are still effective players to have on your defense. Most importantly they know a locker room and will be able to keep the young guys in check throughout the season.
Chicago Bears: The bears last season were dominant once they’re defense settled in and Trubisky’s offense finally started to click. Their division got a lot better so don’t expect them to be as elite as they were last season. Tarik Cohen is the lead back for the first time in his young career. Depending on if David Montgomery will be able to balance the running attack like Jordan Howard once did may make a huge difference in their level of success. Expect them to be a playoff-contending team but nowhere near the dominance, they portrayed last season.
Key offseason decision: Haha Clinton Dix replacing Adrian Amos. Haha has proved to be an effective safety in the past and to not create another hole on defense is a huge deal considering how much the offense's success comes from the defense.
Dallas Cowboys: Even with the confusion going on with Elliot and his contract the Cowboys have a defense that was borderline elite last season. They were able to win some games for their offense. Even if the Cowboys can’t sign Zeke before week 1 they should be fine having Dak and Amari control the offense. The Eagles and Cowboys will fight hard for the division but I believe both are some of the NFC’s toughest teams this season if the Cowboys offensive line can remain healthy and stable they should have a shot come January.
Key offseason decision: Randall Cobb signing the cowboys lost their slot receiver that had been a stable part of their team for a few years in Cole Beasley. They were able to find Cobb who is also very effective in the slot and can work those short routes and the middle of the field while Gallup and Cooper work down the field.
-By: Sam Kirk