I laid out my AFC predictions in a previous post. Here's how I see the NFC playing out along with my Super Bowl Pick.
Minnesota 7-9
Often viewed as an NFC North contender, there’s just too many wheels in motion for me. They’re rebuilding their secondary on the fly with unproven corners. They’ve used resources to bring in a few faces to try to keep the defensive line strong but injuries and opt outs have set them back. On offense If Cook or Thielen (both were hurt last year) go down, the offense will be significantly hindered. The line is still just okay and if Kirk cousins has proven one thing it’s that he’s not a “hop in my back” kind of guy. If he’s going to consistently stand out he needs a foundation to support him and with this supporting cast it feels more like he’s on stilts.
Green Bay 10-6
Green Bay’s 2019 success was lucky and their off-season was tone deaf and disrespectful to Aaron Rodgers.
That sums up 95% of the analysis on Green Bay since January. Most of the angst seems overblown. I don’t expect them to get dethroned as division champ.
To be fair to the stat nerds, they would qualify 10-6 as regression. I’m not disputing their assertion that the team won more games than they should have in 2019. I’m just finding fault in the inference that the probability outcome of the 2019 season is directly relatable to the 2020 win total. Even if a roster and coaching staff remain stagnant The amount of variables that shift on a team from year to year far outweigh any kind of memory between the two probability outcomes (and that’s in a normal year.. let alone wacked out 2020).
This is all a long way of saying this team is better than last year and this year's and last year's win totals are unrelated..
Detroit 7-9
The lions are becoming a bit of a media sleeper Cinderella. A hard luck team with a talented QB returning healthy is going to scrap their way to win the division.
Sorry, Matt Patricia is more Rumpelstiltskin than fairy Godmother. They win more games but not enough to snag a playoff spot in the crowded NFC.
Chicago 6-10
The Trubisky era has one last quick flash in the pan, but it quickly fizzles out and Nick Foles can’t save the day.
Tampa Bay 9-7
The Buccaneers are going to come out playing with their hair on fire for about eight weeks and then sputter a little in the back half of the schedule. I don’t think Brady quite has enough left in the tank for an extended playoff run.
New Orleans 11-5
Brady is going to torch early and fade late. How will the other 40 plus year old arm hold up? I think he’ll be a little steadier start to finish. The Saints are the most well rounded team in the league. They should carry the mantle as the NFC favorite for most of the year while everyone salivates over potential playoff matchups between the balanced Saints and a couple more explosive teams that emerge (see NFC East and West sections below).
Atlanta 6-10
The Falcons rallied in 2019 to save Dan Quinn's job, but I think it only delayed the inevitable. He just doesn't have it. They are a team that tries to address their needs each offseason, but it never pans out. Here we are again in 2020 with a mediocre offensive line with no depth and a defense without enough playmakers to survive.
Carolina 8-8
Many see Carolina as a bottom feeder team with massive roster turnover and a rookie coach coming from the college ranks that isn't going to be able to gel enough through the neutered preseason to be competitive this year. They might even be a favorite to land the number 1 draft pick.
I'm not buying it. I believe in Matt Rhule and I think their offense is going to be way more potent than most are giving credit. The defense is going to be filled with journeyman and rookies, but they will overachieve enough for Bridgewater and a talented bunch of receivers and running backs to do some damage in the win column.
Philadelphia 4-12
Philly could be a playoff team, but something feels off here. A preseason where they lost multiple key starting players bleeds into the regular season and a Murphy's law year snowballs leading them to finish last in one of the worst divisions in the league.
Dallas 11-5
One of the red hot explosive teams listed above. I'm jumping on the bandwagon of analysts salivating over the potential ceiling of this offense. The defense will be good enough. Dallas clinches the division by early December.
Washington 6-10
The Re... Washington football team's exciting young core on defense thrills fans, but can't quite overcome offensive deficiencies. I'm still a card-carrying Dwayne Haskins doubter. I'm not sold on the Antonio Gibson experiment. And the O-line is still bad.
New York Giants 4-12
I want to predict a little more success here, but I just couldn't find the wins on the schedule. I hope they can at least stay healthy long enough for Daniel Jones to show what he can do with a full compliment of weapons. He'll prove to be good-but not great, but gaping holes in the defensive depth chart sabotage any hopes of registering significant W/L improvement.
Seattle 12-4
Watch out. Here comes another scorching hot meteorite team that is going to blaze it's way into a deep playoff run. Patrick Mahommes is the best and Lamar Jackson is the most exciting, but Russell Wilson bests both of them to take home the MVP trophy in 2020. The defense has a couple chinks in the armor, but not enough to keep Wilson from leading his team to a 1 seed.
Arizona 8-8
Yet another storyline that I can't wait to see unfold this year: The Cardinal's offense and year 2 of Kyler Murray. Still not there on defense.
San Francisco 9-7
I've voiced my concerns about the Deforest Buckner trade before. It leaves a bad taste in my mouth. He enhanced everyone around him and it will show in their 2020 performance with him not on the roster. The rushing attack should still be potent, but Jimmy Garopolo and a banged up WR corps can't hang.
Los Angeles Rams 10-6
The Rams bounce back, but I don't see them as a contender. They'll have their moments, but Goff will let them down in the big spots.
Playoffs:
1. Seattle
2. Dallas
3. New Orleans
4. Green Bay
5. Los Angeles Rams
6. Tampa Bay
7. San Francisco
Round 1:
The Cowboys offense overpowers an overmatched 49ers secondary.
Battle of the 40+ QB's. Drew Brees takes down Tom Brady with a hidden foreign object that the ref doesn't see because he's distracted by Bruce Arians.
The Aaron Rodgers revenge tour kicks into high gear sending Sean McVay back to the drawing board.
Round 2:
The Russell Wilson vs. Aaron Rodgers showdown is one for the ages, but Seattle gets a late interception to seal the victory.
The Saints can't score enough points to keep up with the Cowboys.
Round 3:
The two top offenses in the conferences shine, but Russell Wilson shines brightest.
SUPER BOWL:
Titans vs. Seahawks Super Bowl! The Titans try to bully their way to a Lombardi, but the magic runs out. Russell Wilson completes the dream season.
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