With my pick of the Bengals to go to the big game out of the AFC it is only fair to see whom will represent the NFC and also pick the Super Bowl Champion. Will Cam repeat or with the Cardinals finally get over the hump, or could it be a dark horse? Read below to find out.
NFC EAST
- Philadelphia 8-8 @
- Washington 7-9
- New York Giants 7-9
- Dallas 4-12
@ Division Winner
% Playoff Team
The Eagles, if they can avoid the injury bug, will be the cream of the crop in the East. Washington has Kirk Cousins as QB, who is 1 hit wonder and is more talk than talent. The Giants have the same old offense with just a new coach. While in Big D, the Cowboys will be starting a rookie QB for most of the season, although he did manage to put up great numbers in preseason against very vanilla defenses.
NFC North
- Green Bay 11-5 @
- Minnesota 10-6 %
- Detroit 8-8
- Chicago 7-9
@ Division Winner
% Playoff Team
The Packers return to be rulers of the NFC North, mostly thanks to Jordy Nelson returning from his injury to give Rodgers a go to target. Opening a new home, the Vikings will be in a fight with the Pack for the division title but Week 16 at Lambeau will be the difference. Detroit just always seems to be one or two players away from being contenders and that trend continues this year. The Bears still have Jay Cutler as QB and until they get a solid QB, John Fox will be coaching an average team.
NFC South
- Carolina 10-6@
- Atlanta 8-8
- Tampa Bay 7-9
- New Orleans 6-10
@ Division Winner
% Playoff Team
The Panthers will repeat as South Division Champs but a first place schedule will lead to what appears to be a down year. Matt Ryan will lead the rebounding Falcons back to the .500 mark this time around after a disappointing 2015. The Buccaneers are a team on the rise with Jameis Winston going into year two. The Bucs are loaded with young talent. The sad thing about the Saints will be the decline in the play of Drew Brees, they can’t win without them.
NFC West
- Arizona 12-2 @
- Seattle 10-6 %
- Los Angeles 8-8
- San Francisco 2-14
@ Division Winner
% Playoff Team
The Cardinals will dominate with their defense and if Carson Palmer can stay healthy, they could go a long way in the postseason. Seattle takes a step back as they have to replace Lynch which is no easy task. The nomads of the league will struggle to start out but have a solid foundation if they can get good quarterback play. The 49ers will struggle thanks to the league figuring out Chip Kelly’s style which will make Eagles fans chuckle because they went through it last season.
As for the team to make it to the Super Bowl LI from the NFC. I can see the Cardinals. They have the defense to make it out of the NFC and the adage goes “Defense wins championships”. This along with having home field throughout the playoffs gives Arizona the advantage. I see them hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in a victory over the Bengals come February.
This is just some food for thought . So with kick off on September 11, I wish good football to all.
