NFC EAST

1. Philadelphia Eagles (11-6) Division Record Tiebreaker over Dallas
   • Wins: ATL, at NO, CLE, at NYG, JAX, WAS, CAR, PIT, at WAS, DAL, NYG
   • Losses: GB, at TB, at CIN, at DAL, at LAR, at BAL
   • SOS: 21
   • Analysis: After limping to the finish line last season, the Eagles will aim to get back to their winning ways. Losing center Jason Kelce hurts but adding running back Saquon Barkley amplifies the already explosive offense. Receivers AJ Brown and Devonta Smith are among the best tandems in the league, so quarterback Jalen Hurts has no shortage of talent around him. The defense, however, is where the questions lie. Philadelphia finished 30th in points allowed and 31st in passing touchdowns allowed. A favorable schedule should allow the Eagles to finish atop the division.
2. Dallas Cowboys (11-6)
   • Wins: NO, BAL, at NYG, at ATL, PHI, HOU, NYG, CIN, at CAR, TB, WAS
   • Losses: at CLE, at PIT, DET, at SF, at WAS, at PHI
   • SOS: 12
   • Analysis: A blowout home loss to Green Bay in the Wild Card round put a damper on what was a great regular season. The Cowboys have some serious question marks, though. They replaced running back Tony Pollard with Ezekiel Elliott, who is well past his prime. The offensive line isn’t the force it once was, either. But quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb should be able to hide the deficiencies at other positions. Fortunately for Dallas, the defense is good, with Micah Parsons off the edge and an elite group of cornerbacks. It’s now or never for Dallas, and serious changes will be made if this year is another bust.
3. New York Giants (6-11)
   • Wins: MIN, at WAS, CIN, CAR, TB, NO
   • Losses: at CLE, DAL, at SEA, PHI, at PIT, WAS, at DAL, BAL, at ATL, IND, at PHI
   • SOS: 6
   • Analysis: The Giants seem to subscribe to the theory that running backs are interchangeable in the NFL. They let their best player, Saquon Barkley, walk away and stay in the same division. They replaced him with Devin Singletary, who was a solid piece for the Texans a year ago but doesn’t have nearly the talent or upside of Barkley. New York is also stuck with Daniel Jones and his expensive four-year contract, and their putrid offensive line gave up 85 sacks last season. The defense is filled with promising young talent, but it won’t mean much if they can’t put points on the board. We’ll give them six wins, but even that might be generous.
4. Washington Commanders (4-13)
   • Wins: CLE, at NYG, DAL, at NO
   • Losses: at TB, NYG, at CIN, at ARI, at BAL, CAR, CHI, PIT, at PHI, TEN, PHI, ATL, at DAL
   • SOS: 19
   • Analysis: New coach Dan Quinn and rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels will inherit a difficult situation. The defense simply isn’t good, and neither is the offensive line. Plus, outside of Terry McLaurin, the Commanders don’t have many pass catchers. On the bright side, Austin Ekeler and Brian Robinson Jr. will provide reliable production from the running back position. Washington can’t expect to compete in the NFC with a first-year quarterback and a rebuilding defense, but hopefully then can make some progress with Daniels going into year two.

NFC NORTH

1. Detroit Lions (12-5)
   • Wins: TB, at ARI, SEA, at DAL, at MIN, TEN, JAX, at IND, CHI, GB, BUF, MIN
   • Losses: LAR, at GB, at HOU, at CHI, at SF
   • SOS: 11
   • Analysis: Let’s cut to the chase: Detroit has a realistic chance to win the Super Bowl this year. They could’ve been there last year if it weren’t for a second half collapse against the 49ers in the NFC Championship game. Quarterback Jared Goff has been reliable as a starter, and Amon Ra St. Brown and Sam Laporta have emerged as elite players at their respective positions. Utilizing the strengths of both Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery at running back proved to work well last season. There are question marks in the secondary, but outside of that, the defense is strong. Could this finally be the year for the Lions?
2. Green Bay Packers (11-6)
   • Wins: IND, at TEN, MIN, ARI, HOU, DET, at CHI, MIA, at SEA, NO, CHI
   • Losses: PHI, at LAR, at JAX, SF, at DET, at MIN
   • SOS: 4
   • Analysis: Green Bay overachieved last year, plain and simple. People weren’t expecting much from quarterback Jordan Love, as his efficiency was dreadful in his first few games as a starter. But he blossomed into one of the very best at the position by year’s end. The Packers have a handful of young receivers to complement Love, and adding Josh Jacobs at running back was a good replacement for Aaron Jones. Green Bay’s defense has a history of mediocrity, but that could change under new coordinator Jaff Hafley. Expect the Packers to pick up where they left off last season.
3. Chicago Bears (8-9)
   • Wins: TEN, LAR, CAR, at WAS, NE, MIN, at MIN, DET
   • Losses: at HOU, at IND, JAX, at ARI, GB, at DET, at SF, SEA, at GB
   • SOS: 29
   • Analysis: There’s a lot to be excited about in Chicago. Unlike Jusin Fields, first-overall pick Caleb Williams will be walking into a great situation. The defense made significant strides in the latter half of last season after acquiring Montez Sweat, so they should provide a security blanket. Williams will be throwing to star wideouts DJ Moore and Keenan Allen along with fellow rookie Rome Odunze, who will provide a youthful spark for the offense. Running back D’Andre Swift was a great addition in free agency. I have the Bears down for eight wins, but an incredibly easy schedule might even yield more victories.
4. Minnesota Vikings (4-13)
   • Wins: NYJ, IND, ATL, GB
   • Losses: at NYG, SF, HOU, at GB, DET, at LAR, at JAX, at TEN, at CHI, ARI, CHI, at SEA, at DET
   • SOS: 18
   • Analysis: Minnesota can’t catch a break. Rookie quarterback JJ McCarthy has already been ruled out for the season with a meniscus injury, and before that, cornerback Mekhi Blackmon went down with a torn ACL. Sam Darnold will now be under center, and it will be interesting to see if they can get the ball into star receiver Justin Jefferson’s hands on a consistent basis. On a positive note, Aaron Jones came over from division rival Green Bay, giving the Vikings a security blanket at running back. The defense was below average a season ago, and it didn’t get much better in the offseason. In all, this probably won’t be a fun year to be a Minnesota fan.

NFC SOUTH

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-8) Division Record Tiebreaker over Atlanta
   • Wins: WAS, DEN, PHI, ATL, at CAR, LV, at LAC, CAR, NO
   • Losses: at DET, at ATL, at NO, BAL, at KC, SF, at NYG, at DAL
   • SOS: 29
   • Analysis: Baker Mayfield’s performance was a pleasant surprise to Buccaneers fans after Tom Brady retired last summer. Tampa Bay, who started the season 4-7, won five of its final six games to secure the division and a playoff spot, where they obliterated the Eagles 32-9 in the Wild Card round. Mike Evans and Chris Godwin are a reliable wideout duo, and Rachaad White continues to be a productive back, especially as a pass catcher. The Bucs’ secondary was poor last season, and the defense as a whole was 23rd in the league. I have Tampa Bay doing just enough to win the division, but they’ll need to be better on defense in order to make a deep playoff run.
2. Atlanta Falcons (9-8)
   • Wins: PIT, TB, SEA, at NO, at DEN, LAC, NYG, at WAS, CAR
   • Losses: at PHI, KC, NO, at CAR, at TB, DAL, at MIN, at LV
   • SOS: 31
   • Analysis: The outcry of disapproval after the Falcons drafted Michael Penix Jr. in the first round has died down. Kirk Cousins, who is coming off of an Achilles tendon injury, will have the keys as the starting quarterback. Many believe that Bijan Robinson and Drake London were hindered by bad coaching and quarterback play and are going to have breakout seasons in the new-look offense. The Falcons were much better on defense last season, finishing eighth in the league against the pass. Although I see Atlanta improving, it won’t be quite enough for them to make the playoffs.
3. New Orleans Saints (7-10)
   • Wins: CAR, at ATL, TB, DEN, CLE, LAR, LV
   • Losses: at DAL, PHI, at KC, at LAC, at CAR, ATL, at NYG, WAS, at GB, at TB
   • SOS: 32
   • Analysis: The good news is that the Saints have the easiest schedule in the league. The bad news is that they are stuck with Derek Carr at quarterback. Carr was frustratingly bad last season and running back Alvin Kamara’s production has been on a steady decline for three years. Wide receiver Chris Olave is a promising young star. The defensive line and secondary are the strengths of the team, but it won’t matter if the offense is anything like it was a year ago. New Orleans is the clear-cut third best team in the NFL’s weakest division.
4. Carolina Panthers (3-14)
   • Wins: ATL, at WAS, NO
   • Losses: at NO, LAC, at LV, CIN, at CHI, at DEN, NYG, KC, TB, at PHI, DAL, ARI, at TB, at ATL
   • SOS: 30
   • Analysis: Bryce Young didn’t perform well last year. It wasn’t all his fault, though, as the Panthers had the worst roster in the league. Unfortunately, that may be the case again this season, at least on offense. They’ll be relying on the additions of Diontae Johnson at wide receiver and Jonathon Brooks at running back, who is rehabbing a torn ACL, to provide a spark. Surprisingly, the defense finished fourth overall in the league last season, and they should be able to replicate their success with the third easiest schedule in the league. But don’t expect too much. I’d say that anything more than three wins would be considered good for Carolina in their current offensive state.

NFC WEST

1. San Francisco 49ers (13-4)
   • Wins: NYJ, at MIN, at LAR, NE, ARI, at SEA, DAL, at TB, SEA, at GB, CHI, LAR, DET
   • Losses: KC, at BUF, at MIA, at ARI
   • SOS: 13
   • Analysis: The 49ers are coming off of yet another Super Bowl loss, their third in the last 12 years. However, they are the consensus favorite to hoist the Lombardi Trophy this season. Christian McCaffrey will try to replicate his historic season in which he rushed for 14 touchdowns and caught seven more. The defense, anchored by Nick Bosa, is expected to remain atop the league. Brock Purdy, former Mr. Irrelevant, continues to defy the odds at the quarterback position. While some people believe San Francisco will regress from deep postseason runs in recent years, I think they have the pieces to be the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
2. Los Angeles Rams (10-7)
   • Wins: at DET, at ARI, GB, LV, MIN, MIA, at NE, PHI, ARI, SEA
   • Losses: SF, at CHI, at SEA, at NO, BUF, at SF, at NYJ
   • SOS: 15
   • Analysis: Running back Kyren Williams and wide receiver Puka Nacua were pleasant surprises for Los Angeles in 2023. Matthew Stafford was as consistent as ever, throwing for over 4,000 yards. The problems for the Rams are on the defensive side of the ball, where they ranked 20th against the pass and were often unable to get stops when they needed to most. The Rams will play their first two games on the road, and then 9 of their next 15 will be at home. I see them taking advantage of their schedule and snagging the NFC’s final playoff spot.
3. Seattle Seahawks (8-9)
   • Wins: DEN, MIA, NYG, LAR, ARI, at NYJ, MIN, at CHI
   • Losses: at NE, at DET, SF, at ATL, BUF, at SF, at ARI, GB, at LAR
   • SOS: 25
   • Analysis: For the first time in a long time, Seattle will have a new head coach on the sidelines. Mike Macdonald enters his first year with an extraordinarily talented offense. DK Metcalf and Jaxon Smith-Njigba are studs at wide receiver, while Kenneth Walker is a quality starter at running back when used properly. The defense is problematic, though, as the Seahawks finished 28th against the run last season and have consistently been at the bottom of the NFL in total defense for five consecutive years. To me, they’re the epitome of an average NFL team.
4. Arizona Cardinals (6-11)
   • Wins: WAS, at MIN, SEA, NE, at CAR, SF
   • Losses: at BUF, LAR, DET, at SF, at GB, LAC, at MIA, CHI, NYJ, at SEA, at LAR
   • SOS: 26
   • Analysis: Arizona can finally see light at the end of the tunnel. They drafted Marvin Harrison Jr., who was far and away the best wide receiver in college football during his time at Ohio State. Quarterback Kyler Murray is finally healthy and seems to have a renewed focus. First-round pick Darius Robinson will look to provide a spark for the defensive line, which is completely revamped after finishing last against the run a season ago. The linebackers and secondary are above average, so if the defensive line can do their part, the Cardinals could be better than expected. I anticipate that they will win more games this year, but 2025-26 might be where they really thrive.

Playoff Seeding

1. San Francisco 49ers
2. Detroit Lions
3. Philadelphia Eagles
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
5. Dallas Cowboys
6. Green Bay Packers
7. Los Angeles Rams