Early NFC Playoff Predictions

A few days ago I did the AFC playoff picture. Now let's look at the NFC and see which teams look primed for a playoff run/push, which teams will miss the cut, and which teams are still a few years away from contention. Here are my predictions:

1. 49ers

I think this is a clear-cut choice. Though the 49ers lost the Super Bowl and the Super Bowl hangover has been a problem for teams in the past, this team is too talented and well-coached to let it happen, and the only other team that competes with them in terms of talent is Dallas but SF is clearly more talented top to bottom. Brock Purdy has shown time and time again that the big moment does not phase him and if he continues to play efficient and clean football, there's no reason the 49ers won't be back in the big game as the team is still intact. They may lose Aiyuk but that doesn't move the needle for me to the point where I see another team having a better regular season than them.

2. Cowboys

The Cowboys are certainly one of the more talented teams in the league which is a big reason why they have terrific regular seasons year after year as they have won 12 games in 3 straight seasons. However, it seems like the team lacks the right intangibles and demeanor of a playoff team. Last year they were the best offense in the league in terms of scoring and they ended up finding themselves down 27-0 to a young Packers team in the second quarter. Year after year they have great regular seasons just to flame out in the postseason. This season I don't see a different story. They will have a strong regular season once again and go out earlier than expected in the postseason as they didn't make any significant personnel or coaching changes from last year.

3. Packers

I truly expect Jordan Love and that very young Packers offense to take it to the next level in this upcoming season. Since week 11 last year, he had 18 TDs and 1 int to finish the regular season. He was terrific in his first playoff game throwing for 3 TDs and no ints with a 157.2 rating. He and the team played well enough to beat the 49ers in the divisional rounds but a few mistakes down the stretch stopped them from finishing the job. There are certainly going to be ups and downs for Love this year as I don't think he's going to keep up the 18 TD and 1 Int pace but after seeing how last season ended for them, they are going to come in with great confidence into the next season.

4. Saints

Every year this division has been the worst of the 4 in the NFC and the winner of the division has just needed around 8 - 9 wins to clinch it. I expect a different year, though, from the division as I believe the Falcons and Saints will be better next year. The Bucs did not make significant changes as they paid Mayfield so they will be good once again. This year, I feel like Carr and the Saints will have a bounce-back year after the disappointment last year. The Bucs had a good year but I will have to see Mayfield put together back-to-back good seasons as he usually has one good year followed up with a mediocre or bad season. The Falcons made a big change at QB as they acquired Kirk Cousins and there will be an adjustment period for them. So the safest, to me, is having the Saints win the division. However, I do think any of the 3 teams has a real shot winning this division.

5. Lions

I think the Lions will have a good year but I think they will slip up a little this year and have a little bit of a letdown, especially after the way their season ended last year as they were so close to reaching the Super Bowl, having the 49ers on the ropes but then they blew their double-digit lead and ended up losing by 3. The Lions, for the first time in a long time, will have very high expectations going into the season. Last year, people expected the Lions to be a decent team and clinch a playoff berth. This year, the story is different. I think anything less than a NFC Championship appearance would be considered a failure. We haven't seen this Lions team deal with expectations like this before. I don't think they will crumble under the pressure but they will falter a bit from where they stood last year.

6. Eagles

I am not sure where this team stands to be honest. The team had a historical meltdown after the 10-1 start as they finished the season 11-6 and got waxed in the first round by Tampa. Kelce retired so we don't know how effective the Tush Push will be. But, with the signing of Saquan Barkley, the backfield will be deadly as we all know it will be tough for defenses to zero in on him on the run game because Hurts is also a threat as a runner. This is very similar to the Baltimore situation with Lamar and King Henry. I have the Eagles low because losing a center will take an adjustment period ad I don't think they will win the division. I could have them and Detroit flipped but I will side with continuity and Detorit has that over them even though they may not be as talented.

7. Rams

It's hard to count out a team with Stafford and McVay so I will slide them ito the playoff picture but they will be final seed because I don't think this team has a lot of talent. They have a good coach, Qb and 2 very good wide receivers but they have no sustainable run game and the defense is going to be inconsistent after the retirement of Aaron Donald. They need to make more personnel moves for me to believe they can go higher on the playoff ladder.

Just missed the cut:

Seahawks - How will new HC do?

Bucs - Can Mayfield put together back to back strong seasons?

Cardinals - How much of a difference maker will Marvin Harrison Jr be?

Bears - Caleb have a CJ Stroud year maybe?

Falcons - How quickly can Kirk adjust to his new offense?

In the midst of rebuild:

Panthers

*Giants

Vikings

Commanders

*Uncertainty at QB position at the moment. Could be Lock or Jones.

These are my NFC playoff picture predictions and we'll see how it plays out!