NFC Season Preview

By Peyton Schultze

The Rams have more questions than answers heading into the 2019, as Jared Goff and Los Angeles try to make it back to their second straight Super Bowl (via USA Today).

On September 5th, football is finally back. As the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears get ready to kick off the NFL’s 100th season next Thursday night, all players, coaches, and fans around the league will have a refreshing sense of hope for their team to make it to Miami for Super Bowl LIV. From Saquon Barkley’s sudden rise to superstardom to the comeback tour of Jimmy Garoppolo, and from the return of the magic in Dallas to the road back to the Super Bowl of the reigning NFC champs in Los Angeles, here’s our full 2019 preview of the NFC.

Divisional Predictions

NFC East

1. Philadelphia Eagles

Carson Wentz must stay healthy in the upcoming season if the Eagles want to capture their second Super Bowl in franchise history (via USA Today).

Few teams in the league have a roster as deep, from top to bottom, as the Philadelphia Eagles. However, few teams last season had as many injury concerns along the way as the Eagles, which significantly halted their promising potential and stopped them from winning their second Super Bowl in franchise history.

This year, however, things look very sunny in Philadelphia, with a healthy Carson Wentz returning to the lineup at quarterback for one of last year’s Wild Card teams. With this, Philadelphia returns Wentz and a steady offense that remains one of the league’s most promising when everyone is on the field and in the starting lineup. With immovable rocks on the offensive line such as Jason Kelce and Jason Peters, the Eagles have to feel confident in their ability to protect their franchise quarterback, in addition in their ability to lead a strong run game led by ex-Bears running back Jordan Howard and rookie back Miles Sanders. If the Eagles want to replicate their success on offense from their Super Bowl season just two years ago, they’ll need to not only establish their rushing attack at a consistent level, but also get all of their receiving weapons their fair share of targets. The core is led by all-world tight end, Zach Ertz (married to USWNT star, Julie), who has had a spectacular career thus far after being drafted out of Stanford. In addition, the Eagles still have Alshon Jeffrey and Nelson Agholar on the perimeter to help out Wentz. But the offseason addition of former Eagle fan-favorite, Desean Jackson, is what may really take this offense to the next level. Jackson’s ability to stretch the field is unlike many in the league, and Wentz will greatly benefit with his presence on the field.

As for the defense, Philly returns a rock solid unit full of experienced veterans and upcoming youngsters. After being beat up for most of last season and finishing ranked #23 on defense last year, the Eagles have to at least feel confident that they will rebound from a down season. The headliner of the group is none other than Fletcher Cox, one of the premier players in the NFL. With him, Derek Barnett, and free agent pickup Malik Jackson, Philly has one of the better defensive lines found throughout the league. The linebacker position remains a weakness other than Nigel Bradham, and the secondary is also a major question mark. Last season, Philadelphia was forced to throw many corners and safeties into the lineup after a plethora of injuries. However, many players such as Ronald Darby and Jalen Mills figure to be part of the equation this season, along with the leader of their defense, Malcom Jenkins, roaming the field at free safety.

The Eagles’ success in 2019 may truly rely on one thing: the health of Carson Wentz. Although they lost Super Bowl champion, Nick Foles, to the Jaguars in the offseason, the Eagles truly have a special player under center and need him on the field. If Wentz is healthy, there are few teams in the NFC that have the overall roster and experience that Philadelphia has, especially over the course of head coach Doug Pederson’s successful tender (29-19 career record). Our guess is that Wentz limits his aggressiveness outside of the pocket this year and learns what it truly means to be the franchise leader of a team. Things look bright in Philly and they should rank as one of the league’s best teams at the end of the season.

Prediction: 12-4

Team MVP: Carson Wentz

Breakout Player: Miles Sanders

2. Dallas Cowboys

Few teams face as much pressure as the Dallas Cowboys heading into the new season, especially with tons of drama surrounding the contract situations of some of their best players (via CBS Sports).

While the Cowboys made a late-season push into the playoffs led by a defense full of stars and a capable offense, they eventually lost at the hands of the eventual NFC champs in the Los Angeles Rams. The disappointment from that game has seemed to carry over into the offseason, where the holdout of running back, Ezekiel Elliott, has attracted most headlines from Big D. Will Dallas be able to overcome the noise and reach their first Super Bowl since 1996?

If the Cowboys want to not only win the NFC East, but also reach the Super Bowl for the first time in over 20 years, they must figure out the contract situations involving Ezekiel Elliott, Dak Prescott, and Amari Cooper. Behind an offensive line with studs such as Tyron Smith, Zack Martin, and Travis Frederick, the Cowboys have the single best rushing attack in the league with Elliott on the field. However, without him there, the Cowboys are limited to running the ball with Tony Pollard, while relying more on a passing game and quarterback Dak Prescott. Although Dak has had to play without Zeke before and is better than some of his doubters around the league make him out to be, it is hard to rely on him to carry the ‘Boys offense alone. Compared to when Elliott was suspended two seasons ago, the Cowboys can at least have some confidence in the fact that they now have star wide receiver, Amari Cooper. Last year, Cooper was elite during his tenure in Dallas after being acquired via trade, completely transforming the Cowboys offensive attack and helping them reach the playoffs. The Cowboys may count on him just as much this year to be a difference maker, as they truly lack a solid #2 wide receiver outside of free agent pickup, Randall Cobb.

Meanwhile, the Cowboys defense might be starting to form something truly special. Led by perhaps the best young core of linebackers in Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch, the Cowboys’ defense is truly loaded from top to bottom with young and agile defensive difference makers. Can they rush the passer at a high level? Yep, they have premier pass rusher Demarcus Lawrence leading the way for Dallas. Can they cover at a high level? Yep, they have one of the most underrated corners in the league, Byron Jones, and solid #2 corner Chidobe Awuzie scouting the perimeter for loose balls in coverage. Although they were slept on mightily for a large portion of last season, they did actually finish the season ranked #7 in the NFL and really put together some spectacular performances (a dominant win over Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints comes to mind). If Dallas can replicate that success or even build upon it, this unit could turn out to be one of the more potent defenses found throughout the league.

It is hard to base the success of a team solely on one player in football, but the implications of Ezekiel Elliott’s contract situation are as alarming as the Cowboys’ checkered playoff record in recent memory. If Jerry Jones and Jason Garrett are wise and opt to pay Zeke, the Cowboys will benefit greatly, especially with a harder schedule and a target on their backs. If they don’t, however, and the holdout continues, the Cowboys will be forced to rely on Prescott and their defense, which could produce mixed results without their squad at full strength. Our prediction is that Jerry and Zeke get a deal done by at least Week 3 of the season, and the Cowboys ride the momentum of the return of their star running back into a solid season.

Prediction: 9-7

Team MVP: Jaylon Smith

Breakout Player: Chidobe Awuzie

3. New York Giants

Only a year into his NFL career, Saquon Barkley is the best running back in the league and a truly generational talent (via Giants.com).

On paper, the New York Giants’ roster looks significantly worse than it did just a season ago. With the departure of superstar Odell Beckham Jr. and Olivier Vernon, the Giants have two significant holes and a ton of pressure on quarterback Eli Manning. Will the Giants shock the world and storm back into NFC contention?

The Giants’ offensive struggles may have been slightly exaggerated just a season ago, as Eli Manning was able to produce one of his better statistical seasons despite limited play from Beckham Jr. However, despite the numbers, Manning is simply just not the player he once was and will face a lot of heat from recently-drafted quarterback, Daniel Jones, if he does not perform at a higher level. Jones had a great all-around preseason performance, and many New York outlets are already calling for Manning’s replacement. However, the Giants are giving the future Hall of Famer one last chance to succeed, but he may struggle once again with a terribly inconsistent offensive line. However, at least Eli has a star running back at his disposal. Saquon Barkley is truly a one-of-a-kind player, and is the absolute focal point of this Giants’ offense. Even with stacked boxes and severe attention paid to him at all times, Barkley showed up in a big way in his rookie season and already has truly became arguably one of the faces of the league. With Saquon, emerging tight end Evan Engram, and a surprisingly decent amount of “B” receivers (such as breakout candidate Sterling Shepard), the Giants’ offense has at least surrounded Manning with some weapons that will give him a fair shot in perhaps his final chapter of his solid Giants’ career.

Although Manning and the offense received most of the scrutiny from the media in 2018, the Giants’ defense did nothing to help the cause as a whole. Ranking #24 last season in total defense, the Giants truly struggled all around the field. The defensive line this year faces a shortage of true difference makers, with rookie Dexter Lawrence proving to be the biggest name. Meanwhile, the linebackers are also nothing much to brag about either, with Alec Ogletree and Markus Golden being perhaps the Giants’ only hope of formidable thumpers up the middle. However, the Giants at least have an intriguing secondary, with players such as Janoris Jenkins and former Michigan star Jabrill Peppers on the field. The Giants ranked #23 in the pass last year, so look for them to improve in the area of the defense at least somewhat this season.

In terms of overall roster potential, it is hard to have a ton of confidence in this version of the G-Men. However, the Giants do have some lethal weapons on offense and figure to hang in some high scoring games with a Terminator like Barkley on the field. The Giants and Pat Shurmur do not figure to win a ton of football games in the NFL’s 100th season, but look for them to steal some wins against quality opponents that might take them for granted such as the Cowboys in Week 1 and possibly even the rival Patriots in Week 6 on Thursday Night Football.

Prediction: 6-10

Team MVP: Saquon Barkley

Breakout Player: Sterling Shepard

4. Washington Redskins

Redskins’ fans are likely in for a long year, as young Dwayne Haskins and the rest of Washington’s crew figure to be in a transitional year (via MMQB).

Although the Redskins finished 7-9 and hung around in the NFC playoff picture for most of last season, Washington once again heads into a new year with major question marks. From a coach on the hot seat to a questionable quarterback situation to one of the most scrutinized owners throughout the league, the ‘Skins have a lot of doubters to prove wrong if they want to make the playoffs for the first time since 2015. Will Washington step up to the plate, or will they crumble to the bottom of the NFC East?

On offense, Washington again figures to be near the bottom portion of the league. Under center, the former Vikings star and failed Broncos starter from last season, Case Keenum, figures to take most of the snaps for at least the start of the season. Keenum, who is more likely viewed as a career backup, will likely have a short leash, especially with rookie Dwayne Haskins (Ohio State) sitting right behind him. If Washington starts slow, look for Jay Gruden to make a quick switch between signal callers. Among the rest of the offense, the Redskins’ offensive line remains a strong aspect of their team, but they need left tackle Trent Williams to end his holdout as soon as possible for the best results. If he returns and the line can stay healthy with offensive rocks like Brandon Scherff and Morgan Moses, the Redskins can at least have a strong rushing attack with Adrian Peterson and Derrius Guice in the backfield. Guice will be exciting to watch this season after missing all of last year, and he is certainly a candidate to break out this season. The receiving group still remains a question mark, and players such as Josh Doctson and Paul Richardson will need to step up for Keenum. Washington’s tight end core also remains a question mark, although Jordan Reed and Vernon Davis are both quite solid when healthy. If both can play a full 16 game season, the Redskins may be better than expected on offense.

Meanwhile, the Redskins defense returns most of their starters from last season after finishing #17 in the league on that side of the ball. The ‘Skins still have a capable unit, led by their leader Ryan Kerrigan and players such as the eccentric Josh Norman and youngster Jonathan Allen. If Washington figures to be any good this year, however, they’ll certainly need offseason acquisition, Landon Collins, to help carry the load on defense and return to his All-Pro status at safety from just a few seasons ago. The former Alabama star signed a big contract in the offseason after departing from the Giants, and he’ll certainly be looking to prove his worth. Elsewhere, the ‘Skins have some intriguing young players, such as Montez Sweat and Daron Payne, both of whom should receive plenty of playing time this season. The defense may not rank among the league’s best, but the Redskins should be competitive enough to keep them in some close games.

You’d have to imagine that there is not a clear direction for the Redskins’ front office right now, especially with doubts about their young quarterback and a lot of mediocre players throughout the roster. With that being said, the Redskins at least have a solid defense that may keep them in some tough games. But will the offense be able to get them over the top and surprise fans around the league? Our guess is no, and the Redskins will finish last in the NFC East in 2019.

Prediction: 4-12

Team MVP: Landon Collins

Breakout Player: Derrius Guice

NFC West

1. Los Angeles Rams

Aaron Donald and the Rams will look to recover from a Super Bowl disappointment against the Patriots last February (via Daily Mail).

Coming off a very controversial postseason run last season, Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams enter 2019 with some major concerns across the board. Will this group of Los Angeles superstars run it back one more time and finally capture football glory in Miami? Or will they fall apart due to high expectations, and perhaps secede the division to another divisional foe? Only time will tell for one of the most interesting and questionable teams heading into the new year.

As evident by scoring only 3 points in last year’s Super Bowl loss, the Rams have major questions on offense across the board. After leading the NFC last year in total yards and points per game, it was a shock to see the Rams fully collapse on the league’s biggest state against the dynastic Patriots. Yet it is a new season, and the Rams may just have to take a wiser approach on offense to conserve their talent for what could be another long and deep run. Mainly, the Rams must be careful with star running back, Todd Gurley, whose knee problems in last year’s playoffs became a major story after a magnificent regular season. If Gurley can get anywhere near 15 touches per game without overworking the star, the Rams will likely benefit, especially with the consistent development of Jared Goff. Behind a steady offensive line led by Andrew Whitworth, Goff has progressed each year during his short career and had some huge moments last year. Even though he struggled in last year’s Super Bowl, look for Goff to take another major step and rise into the top quarterback discussion in Year 4. Luckily for him, he still has some elite weapons on the outside. With the return of Cooper Kupp from a torn ACL and the surprisingly great production from receivers Robert Woods and Brandin Cooks, Goff has some reliable options at his disposal that will help carry this offense for large portions of the season.

As for the Los Angeles defense, the Rams’ finished last season just 19th in the NFL in total yards. Although they definitely started to click at the end of last year and certainly in the postseason (limiting Tom Brady and the Pats to just 13 points), it was somewhat of a shaky year for their defense, led by coordinator Wade Phillips. Nevertheless, the Rams still have the best player in football, defensive tackle Aaron Donald, and some solid pass rushers such as Dante Fowler Jr. and ex-Packer Clay Matthews. In addition, the Rams have some big-time playmakers in their secondary, with major names such as Aqib Talib, Marcus Peters, and Eric Weddle flying around in the secondary. It is quite possible that this defense could take it up a notch and rise to the next level this season, especially with more experience together and having played in some big games against top tier quarterbacks. If the Rams’ D can reach that and rise up consistently on a week-to-week basis, anything is possible, especially with the dominant Donald. Watch out for Los Angeles to have one of the best defensive units in the league this year.

Think of the Rams as the football equivalent of the 2018-2019 Toronto Raptors. With a great collection of solid players and one mighty and all-world player (Aaron Donald to Kawhi Leonard), the Rams have massive hopes in a wide open conference that is once again up for grabs. However, will they be able to finally win the last one, as the Raptors did in this year’s Finals against the nearly-unbeatable Golden State Warriors? It’s a little too early to say right now, but the Rams figure to be one of the NFL’s true contenders once again to capture the Lombardi Trophy in February.

Prediction: 11-5

Team MVP: Aaron Donald

Breakout Player: Jared Goff

2. Seattle Seahawks

With Russell Wilson and the 12th Man behind him, you never know what can happen in Seattle on a weekly basis (via SI).

2018 was a shocking year for Seattle Seahawk fans, as a solid defense, a great run game, and the always-magnificent Russell Wilson carried them into the playoffs after an expected down year. Now, with higher expectations and a better division around them, can the Seahawks replicate their success and compete among the NFC’s best in 2019? You never know what can happen with Seattle, but you know it will be anything but quiet.

A season ago, the Seahawks took the NFL by storm late in the season and made the playoffs once again, before falling to the Cowboys over Wild Card Weekend. Much of their success was predicated on the league’s top statistical rushing attack, led by breakout stud Chris Carson and rookie Rashaad Penny. With the loss of their other back, Mike Davis, this season will hinge once again directly on the success of their offensive line and ground game, especially with so many teams consistently focusing on star Russell Wilson. Although Wilson did not put up huge passing numbers last season, it is very hard to argue that he is not among the league’s top 6 quarterbacks and he remains a huge threat on the ground and with his right arm. Wilson has also proven to be extremely clutch in big moments, often carrying the Seahawks in the 4th quarter to unlikely victories when the playbook opens up and he is forced to carry Seattle on his back. Yet he may have a bit more difficulty accomplishing that this season, mostly due to the retirement of security blanket, Doug Baldwin. With his loss, Russ will likely look to target much more of Tyler Lockett and rookie receiver DK Metcalf (Ole Miss) this season. Seattle is always dangerous on offense with Wilson still in the picture, and do not expect that to change whatsoever in 2019.

Although they certainly are not the same defense from the Super Bowl year that saw them dominate the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII, Seattle still has some promising defensive players that makes them a competitive group. However, Seattle will likely be hurt by the loss of Seahawk legend, Earl Thomas, to Baltimore and look to replace his production in the secondary. Seattle is not great with their corners and safeties, with names like Tre Flowers, Shaquill Griffin and Bradley McDougal, but they are at least solid and should not be a weakness. Meanwhile on the defensive line, Seattle may struggle to rush the passer a bit, with very few premier players that will be able to attack the quarterback in a division with Jared Goff, Jimmy Garoppolo, and Kyler Murray. However, where Seattle truly thrives on defense is at the linebacker position. With KJ Wright and arguably the best linebacker in the league, Bobby Wagner, still roaming around, Seattle is strong suited at the position and relies on their leadership. If Wagner goes down for any long stretch during the season, Seattle may be done. But until then, their group remains a middle-of-the-pack defense with enough effectiveness to keep them in games.

You never completely understand what you’re getting out of Seattle every year, but you can at least expect the trio of Wilson, Wagner, and head coach Pete Carroll to rank among the league’s best. If their two stars can stay healthy for all 16 games this season, Seattle has the chance to beat any team they face on any given week in the league. If not, however, this team will likely crumble and fall back toward the bottom of the conference. We’ll bet on that trio though, and expect the Seahawks to at least be in the playoff conversation as the season winds down.

Prediction: 8-8

Team MVP: Russell Wilson

Breakout Player: Tyler Lockett

3. San Francisco 49ers

George Kittle, one of the league’s best tight ends, figures to have another massive year catching the football for San Francisco (via USA Today).

Last year, the 49ers’ season was all but lost when their bright, young quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo, was lost for the season with a torn ACL. Now, although he had a very shaky preseason, Garoppolo is back and the 49ers are looking to strike gold and return to glory once again. Can Garoppolo prove himself to the rest of the league that he is next in line of the 49ers’ quarterback lineage?

It’s hard to find much to brag about in terms of the 2019 49ers’ offense, but they can at least say that they truly have one of the league’s most dynamic all-around pass catchers in tight end, George Kittle. With Jimmy G back in the lineup, Kittle has the potential for a monster year with a solid starting quarterback throwing him the ball. As for the rest of Garoppolo’s receiving targets, Dante Pettis and Deebo Samuel figure to be major components of their play-action heavy offense. With those two young speedsters, you can certainly bet that Garoppolo will have somewhat of an easy transition back into game play if the 49ers want to head back to the playoffs for the first time since 2013. As for the rest of the O, San Francisco still has a decently steady offensive line, led by left tackle Joe Staley, that has succeeded in protection in recent years. In addition, it will be important for this team, led by offensive guru Kyle Shanahan, to establish their running game. Luckily for them, they posses several backs that have the potential to do just that. With Tevin Coleman, Matt Brieda, and Jerick McKinnon in the backfield, the 49ers should be able to have a nice rotation of running backs to help open up the offense and force defenses to pay attention to their running backs. The 49ers offense has the makings of a top unit, but it truly depends on Garoppolo. If he can stay healthy and prove that he is not a fluke to the rest of the league, there is no ceiling for this football team.

On defense, the 49ers were quite solid just a year ago, ranking #13 in the league and #11 in passing defense. A large part of this has to do with their prior addition of future Hall of Famer, Richard Sherman, who produced at a high level in an otherwise quiet season for him. With Sherman and players like Jimmie Ward and a healthy version of Jason Verrett in the secondary, the 49ers have the makings of a solid group of defensive backs. In addition to this, the Niners added Kwon Alexander in the offseason to be one of their starting linebackers. If he can contribute right away, San Francisco will be trending upward as the season moves along. Nevertheless, the strength of this team is truly its defensive line. With pure studs such as offseason pickup, Dee Ford, DeForest Buckner, Solomon Thomas, Arik Armstead, and rookie Nick Bosa, this 49er defensive line has a chance to be filthy. If they can rush the passer at a high level and force turnovers via fumble or interception (they ranked dead last in turnover differential in 2018), the 49ers will look strong and ferocious in the NFC.

San Francisco is a hard team to predict coming into 2019, especially with the uncertainty surrounding Jimmy Garoppolo. With that being said, like Carson Wentz with the Eagles, the 49ers just need their franchise quarterback to stay healthy to give them a fighting chance. If that is the case, the 49ers could reach the 9,10, or even 11 win range. Or, if it is not the case, the 49ers could simply be a mediocre team that gets pushed around from week-to-week. There’s a lot of unanswered questions in San Fran, and it will be exciting to see how their season plays out in a tough NFC.

Prediction: 8-8

Team MVP: George Kittle

Breakout Player: Nick Bosa

4. Arizona Cardinals

An up-and-down preseason has fans questioning just how good Kyler Murray will be in the NFL (via Flipboard).

Few teams in the league (possibly outside of Dallas) have faced as much criticism on their decision making in the past year as the Arizona Cardinals and their front office staff. After shipping away Josh Rosen to Miami and firing head coach Steve Wilks, the Cardinals brought in Sean McVay-lookalike Kliff Kingsbury and University of Oklahoma superstar Kyler Murray, ushering in a new era of Cardinals football. But will this brand-new era formulate any kind of success, or will even more losing seasons follow?

Although the Cardinals have a limited number of stars on offense, it will be nice to have a veteran like Larry Fitzgerald, truly one of the best receivers of all-time, around Kyler Murray in the early stages of his career. With him and Christian Kirk on the perimeter and workhorse David Johnson still in the Cardinals’ backfield, Murray has some studs surrounding him that will help him put up some decent rookie numbers in his first season in the league. With that being said, it will be interesting to see how Coach Kingsbury calls plays for Murray. Although he will be a productive player, despite his very small frame and size, it is foolish to think that Murray will resemble Patrick Mahomes or Baker Mayfield right away, or even ever. With that, expect him to use his mobility to his advantage and be his own type of player that will surprise defenses around the league. In addition, he may have to use his scrambling to his ability, especially behind a pathetic offensive line that has struggled to block for years now. If Murray has to flee from pass rushers at a consistent rate, this Cardinals team will likely struggle to produce any kind of success.

The Cardinals’ defense made some significant additions in the offseason, such as longtime Baltimore Raven Terrell Suggs, and their unit looks like it will be pretty solid in 2019. Rounding out the rest of the line alongside Suggs are elite pass rusher Chandler Jones and solid backer Haason Reddick, who are key components to their defense led by defensive coordinator and ex-Broncos head coach Vance Joseph. Joseph has experience working with defensive backs from his time with Cincinnati and will look to clean up his football reputation by upgrading the Cardinals’ secondary to compliment a solid pass rush that can get to the quarterback. Unfortunately, Patrick Peterson will serve a 6 game suspension to start the 2019 season, and their secondary is depleted without him in the lineup. Nevertheless, the Cardinals will have Budda Baker and DJ Swearinger filling out the rest of the secondary, and they hope to return the defense to top form. The Cardinals are really a solid defensive unit on paper, but it remains to be seen just how effective they can be as a whole.

Recent years have not been kind to the Arizona Cardinals, especially since their oh-so-close season in 2015, which saw them fall at the hands of the Carolina Panthers in the NFC Championship. Although their record certainly won’t be anything special, it should be at least an exciting year of football in the desert. Watch for Murray to prove himself as a true franchise quarterback despite his size and a bad supporting cast, but look for Kingsbury to be on the hot seat right away once the 2019 season kicks off.

Prediction: 5-11

Team MVP: Chandler Jones

Breakout Player: Kyler Murray

NFC North

1. Green Bay Packers

Aaron Rodgers and the Packers should return to NFC contention in 2019 under new head coach Matt LaFleur (via Flipboard).

It’s a new day in Green Bay, where Aaron Rodgers finally has a breath of fresh air with Mike McCarthy out of the picture and Matt LaFleur calling the shots. Rodgers has had a loud offseason, full of criticism from analysts over his production and leadership qualities, but he is once again looking to bring Green Bay back to the playoffs after a poor 6-9-1 record in 2019. Can Rodgers get Green Bay back to the Super Bowl for only the second time in his career, or will him and the Packers fail to meet expectations again?

After two straight seasons full of drama, injuries, and constant issues throughout the organization, Green Bay may finally enter 2019 with as few of problems as they have had in recent seasons. Although he was overshadowed by the magic of Patrick Mahomes and poise of Drew Brees last season, Aaron Rodgers still remains one of the best overall players in the league and will surely be out for vengeance this year. Luckily for him, his 2019 season may be even better than his 2018 season (25 TDs, 2 INTs) with an offseason of rest, new playcalling, and some weapons around him. Aaron Jones may be the most talented back in the Rodgers-era in Green Bay, and he’ll look to run behind a great offensive line featuring the likes of the outstanding left tackle, David Bakhtiari. In addition, Rodgers will have top 10 wide receiver Davante Adams (111 catches in 2018) and playmakers such as Jimmy Graham, Geronimo Allison, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling around the field on offense with him. The key for Green Bay’s offense is not only to establish their run game and to mix up their playcalling from prior years with McCarthy, but to have Rodgers play another full 16 game season with great health. Although Rodgers played all games last season, he was injured in Week 1 against the Bears and never truly recovered. Healthy and ready to go, look for Rodgers to have an MVP type season in ‘19.

Green Bay faced some major change in the offseason with Matt LaFleur after years of conservative front office decisions. However, the organization shifted its thinking in the offseason and was aggressive in terms of fixing their defense. With Mike Pettine back as the defensive coordinator and some solid players across the board, Green Bay should be improved from their #18 ranked defense last year. In the secondary, the Pack have some very solid defensive backs, including the likes of Jaire Alexander, Tramon Williams, Josh Jackson, Kevin King, and ex-Bear Adrian Amos. With a secondary full of fast players, the Packers may force more turnovers this season, especially after only recording 7 interceptions last year. In addition, the Packers added to their linebacking core, with Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith being added to a group that already includes Blake Martinez. The defensive line may be their weakest component, but they should be decent enough in that area with Kenny Clark, a beast in the middle, and Dean Lowry, a player that was huge for them in 2018. This defense is very much improved from a season ago and will be a major reason for their success if they get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2016.

A lot of the issues stemming from Green Bay’s last two unsuccessful campaigns have been tied directly to the sour relationship that developed between Rodgers and McCarthy. With the coach out the door and a younger offensive caller in the picture, however, Rodgers should be much more pleased and in a more confident state of mind. Few players have as much of an emotional impact on their team as Rodgers does behind center, especially with how poor his body language was at times last year. That issue should now be resolved, and with a happy Rodgers and an improved defense from a season ago, the sky is the limit for Green Bay for as long as Rodgers is home in Wisconsin.

Prediction: 11-5

Team MVP: Aaron Rodgers

Breakout Player: Marquez Valdes-Scantling

2. Chicago Bears

The Bears face a very tough schedule in 2019 that may affect their record, but the 2018 NFC North champs are still a playoff team with Khalil Mack in the picture (via USA Today).

Chicago was the surprise team of 2018, and fans in the Windy City relished in the success of the Bears’ return to glory. However, that joy was ruined by the leg of Cody Parkey, who vanquished the Bears’ Super Bowl hopes and sent them home earlier than expected. Now, with the loss of their elite defensive coordinator and changes all around their division, will the Bears return to the playoffs for the second year in a row?

Head coach Matt Nagy transformed the entire organization with his arrival last season, making his presence known while leading the Bears to a 12-4 record. This shift was none more apparent than in the play of Mitchell Trubisky, who was made into a capable quarterback worthy of leading a championship-caliber team like the Bears. Trubisky now faces high expectations in the second year of the Nagy-era and it will be interesting to see how he handles the pressure of adjusting defenses. A big reason why the young QB was successful last year was due to his speedy playmakers around him. With talent such as Tarik Cohen, Allen Robinson, and Taylor Gabriel around him, Trubisky has some help that makes his life in the pocket much more easier. Two players that will be added to the mix this season are rookie back David Montgomery and receiver Cordarrelle Patterson. Both players expect to make significant contributions to the offense, catching the ball and running it, and they should enjoy nice production in Nagy’s offense. Also, the Bears’ offensive line should be able to protect Trubisky once again, with players such as Charles Leno Jr, Kyle Long, and Cody Whitehair returning once again. If the Bears can block for Mitch and the young quarterback can dish out the ball to his playmakers, the Bears should improve off of their #21 total offense in terms of yardage from a season ago.

What made the Bears so dangerous last year was not just Nagy’s creative playcalling, but the Bears’ awesome defense, led by coordinator Vic Fangio. However, Fangio is now in Denver and the Bears lost several key players in free agency from the top defense in the league last year. However, this version of the Bears should still remain in the top 3 in the league, especially with the talent of Khalil Mack, an example of a walking Hall of Famer. On the defensive line, with underrated beast Akiem Hicks and big Eddie Goldman, the Bears are harsh in the trenches and make it hard on opposing teams. In addition, the Bears’ pose three very good linebackers in Danny Trevathan, Roquan Smith, and Leonard Floyd that all excelled a season ago. If they can replicate their success, the Bears will be very pleased. Meanwhile in the secondary, the Bears still have two of the best at their position in Kyle Fuller and Eddie Jackson. Jackson in particular may be one of the best, if not the best, safety in the league, where he will be accompanied by pickup Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. For the second year in a row, the Bears’ will be nasty on defense and it would not be a surprise to see them lead the league in that area again.

While the Bears are a pure force on defense, they may miss some of Fangio’s pure commitment to excellence on that side of the ball. In addition, the Bears lost some key members from last year’s squad such as Adrian Amos and Bryce Callahan that may have them take a small step back on defense. This simply just puts more pressure on Trubisky to have to come through in big moments when he is needed most, which has rarely been seen thus far in his short NFL career. The Bears are certainly still a playoff team and a club that needs to be reckoned with in January, but don’t be surprised if they take a small step back with a brutal schedule on their plate.

Prediction: 10-6

Team MVP: Khalil Mack

Breakout Player: David Montgomery

3. Minnesota Vikings

Adam Thielen was a flat out monster at receiver in 2018, and he’ll look to replicate his numbers once again in year two with Kirk Cousins (via The Zone Report).

After a disappointing first year with Kirk Cousins at quarterback, the Minnesota Vikings head into 2019 with hopes for better results. With a roster as talented as almost any around the league, Minnesota figures to be amongst the possible teams to make the playoffs in the NFC. However, will Cousins start slow once again and fail to miss the playoffs for the second straight season? Or will the high flying Vikings soar to the top of the NFC North?

After a successful tenure with Case Keenum that saw the Vikings reach the NFC Championship Game in 2017, the Vikings took a major step back last season with ex-Redskin Kirk Cousins under center. This season, Cousins hopes for better results than their 8-7-1 record last year, especially with all of the marquee weapons around him. This team begins and ends with their two top tier receiving studs in Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs. The two combine to form the most dynamic receiving duo in the league and are surely due for another massive statistical season. Meanwhile, running back Dalvin Cook is projected to have a solid season after a promising preseason that saw the running back with some big plays. In order for the Vikings to succeed, they’ll need Cook to step up big time in the run game (ranked 30th last year) in order to take some of the added pressure off Cousins. In terms of the Vikings offensive line, Minnesota has not been great in recent years and did not make any significant improvements in that area. The Vikings have some true threats on offense, but they need a balanced attack so that Cousins can be in the best position to succeed. And if they can’t accomplish that feat? This offense will sink and Cousins may be sailing away in the offseason.

As for the defense, Minnesota ranked 4th in the NFL last season and once again figures to be near the top in the league. The Vikings’ defense really has it all, starting with a great defensive line with primetime players. With beasts such as Everson Griffen, Linval Joseph, and Danielle Hunter on the line, the Vikings thrive at clogging holes and harassing the opposing quarterback. Meanwhile, the Vikings still have two elite linebackers in the middle that combine to form one of the league’s better duos. Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr have been awesome in the middle, although they were worn down a little bit by the rushing attack last season (15th in the league). Yet where this defense truly thrives is in its secondary. With shutdown corner Xavier Rhodes and solid defensive back Trae Waynes, the Vikings have a great corner duo that helps them against any top receiving corps. In addition, the heart and soul of their defense, Harrison Smith, still roams the back end of their defense. Smith, one of the best safeties in the league, is the Vikings’ most important player and rely on his veteran leadership on a weekly basis. The Vikings defense was great a year ago, and there is very little reason that will change.

Although the Vikings 8-7-1 record from a year ago was a surprise due to their previous success, Minnesota faced a brutal schedule with some very tough matchups. Although the difficulty is trimmed down a bit this season, Minnesota faces the issue of being in a loaded division full of star players. This forces the Vikings to play a game of matchups; can Kirk Cousins really go head-to-head with Aaron Rodgers? Is their defense on the same level as the Bears? It is hard to make a case for either of those options, which may limit Minnesota’s effectiveness in trying to get back to the playoffs. The pressure is all of Kirk Cousins right now, and it will likely be up to him to decide if Minnesota gets back to the NFC playoffs.

Prediction: 8-8

Team MVP: Harrison Smith

Breakout Player: Dalvin Cook

4. Detroit Lions

In a brutal NFC North, Matthew Stafford and the Lions face an uphill climb to the top despite several nice offseason additions (via Sporting News).

In Matt Patricia’s first year as head coach of the Detroit Lions, the team from the Motor City went 6-10 and struggled to stay competitive in a tough NFC North. However, the Lions made some big moves in free agency that may have them in a much better position heading into 2019. Will Patricia be able to turn around the Lions and lead them to the playoffs, or will he become the next in line of failed Belichick disciples?

Matthew Stafford had a very unusual season for his standards in 2018, only throwing for 21 TDs and 11 INTs. Stafford will need to have much better production this season if he wants to stay in Detroit for the future, as the Lions look to bounce back from a very shallow 6 win campaign. Luckily for the quarterback, he has a very solid backfield with breakout candidate Kerryon Johnson and the veteran backup, CJ Anderson. If the Lions are able to establish a decent run game behind a good but not great offensive line, the Lions will be very balanced and possibly even potent on offense. Throw in the fact that Stafford has two great weapons in Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones Jr. on the outside and the Lions’ look like a team that may have a solid offense. However, all of this does put a little bit more extra pressure on Stafford, who looked mediocre for most of last season. If he bounces back, look for Stafford to re-emerge in the conversation to be considered as a top 10 signal caller. If he doesn’t? The Lions could possibly be forced to move on from their best quarterback in franchise history.

The Lions were not a great football team last season, but they did shockingly put up some very good numbers on the defensive side of the football. Adding Trey Flowers to a D Line with Damon “Snacks” Harrison can only be a positive thing for the Lions and they should be able to improve on their top 10 rushing defense from last season. In addition, the Lions still have Jarrad Davis (100 tackles in 2018) at middle linebacker and should be at least solid at the position with Christian Jones and Devon Kennard. Yet the Lions’ greatest strength on D may be in their secondary, with notable names such as Darius “Big Play” Slay and Quandre Diggs. If Slay and Diggs can once again lock down some opposing offenses and their passing game, then the Lions have a real shot at being a formidable unit on defense. Although they likely won’t lead the league in the category, watch out for the Lions’ defense to sneak up and prey on opponents this season.

Although Detroit made the big move of signing Trey Flowers in the offseason, the NFC North may just be too good for the Lions to make any sort of noise. However, the Lions can still count of Stafford to at least be productive, and a resurgent season from #9 could at least shoot some confidence into Lions’ fans that a possible playoff push could be in the future. Nevertheless, our guess is that the Lions won’t do much in 2019, and will instead seep to the bottom of the NFC.

Prediction: 5-11

Team MVP: Darius Slay

Breakout Player: Kerryon Johnson

NFC South

1. Atlanta Falcons

Expect Julio Jones and the Falcons to surprise some teams with a much better season in 2019 (via Yahoo Sports).

In 2018, the Falcons had their first losing season since 2014 despite a great season from Matt Ryan. After being beat up by injuries and miscommunication in terms of offensive playcalling, Atlanta heads into 2019 with a fresh new look and with high hopes. While it will be very difficult to unseat the Saints as NFC South champions, the Falcons are hoping to not only take back the division from their rivals, but make it back to the Super Bowl for the first time since 2016.

Although the Falcons struggled at times last year, Matt Ryan quietly put together a phenomenal season with 35 TDs and only 7 INTs. If Ryan’s defense returns to full strength and he puts up those same numbers, this Falcons’ offense should soar. However, it is imperative that their offensive line protects Ryan again, which has been an inconsistent trait in recent seasons with a group led by center Alex Mack. The Falcons lost Tevin Coleman to the 49ers in the offseason, and the Birds now turn their attention to Devonta Freeman and Ito Smith in the backfield. Freeman is a stud when healthy, but his reoccurring injury concerns have held the Falcons back in recent years. That could open the door for Smith, who put up good numbers in a limited role last year. The Falcons’ real strength on offense is their elite wide receivers and they should enjoy another great year with Ryan still at quarterback. Led by Julio Jones and accompanied by Calvin Ridley and Mohamad Sanu, the Falcons’ playmakers made some huge plays last year that impressed many around the league. If Ryan and his receivers can do it again, the Falcons should be a dangerous teams with sights on the Super Bowl.

One of the main reasons for Atlanta’s regression in 2018 was the loss of some of their best defensive players to injury. Starting with the linebackers, stud Deion Jones is back to full health and ready to lead the Falcons’ defense once again in the middle. With Jones in the picture, the Falcons should be able to stop the run much better after ranking #25 last year. On the defensive line, Grady Jarrett and Vic Beasley should be able to once again rush the passer at a high level, although the unit struggled with sacks last year (only totaling 37, tied for 22nd). With a strong front half of their defense, the Falcons turn to their secondary where they will be happy to see star safety, Keanu Neal, back in the lineup. After Neal missed most of last year, the Falcons pass coverage fell off the map, finishing 27th in the league. With Neal and Desmond Trufant hovering around in the secondary at full speed, the Falcons should be much better at stopping opposing offenses and creating turnovers. While the Falcons still are not a top 5 unit on defense even at full speed, Atlanta should be much improved on that side of the ball in a division with some great offenses.

Plain and simple, Atlanta was too beat up all around their roster to have made any type of noise last year. With that being said, if the Falcons are at full speed, they are still an elite group that will rank near the top of the league. Contrary to New Orleans, the Falcons will also play a second-place schedule that should make their road to the top of the division just that much easier. The Falcons will be an interesting team to watch and look for them to get right back to the playoffs in 2019.

Prediction: 11-5

Team MVP: Julio Jones

Breakout Player: Ito Smith

2. New Orleans Saints

Alvin Kamara and the New Orleans Saints face a tough road back to the top of the NFC with a brutal schedule in front of them (via Heavy).

First, the Minnesota Miracle. Then, the Call that Never Was. And now? The Saints expect to be one of the top teams once again in the NFC, but may have a tough road ahead of them after two straight years of crushing heartbreak. Can Drew Brees finally take the Saints back to the Super Bowl, or will New Orleans begin to show some serious signs of fatigue?

Make no mistake about it, the New Orleans Saints are loaded on offense. With a top 5 player at quarterback, running back, and wide receiver, the Saints’ offense will once again be as tough as ever to defend. Yet their key to success begins and ends with Brees. Although the future Hall of Famer showed some signs of slowing down in the playoffs, Brees put together a magnificent season that had him collecting some MVP votes in 2018. Can he produce at a high level once again, or will he finally show some signs of regression? It will be interesting to watch, but don’t count out Brees. Luckily, he is surrounded by a great offensive line that has protected him well in recent years, led by left tackle Terron Armstead. The unit has also been great in the run game, which helped all star running back Alvin Kamara rush for 14 touchdowns last season. Kamara won’t have his running mate, Mark Ingram, in the lineup anymore, but expect huge numbers once again from #41. Elsewhere, the Saints still have the great Michael Thomas on the outside, who expects to have another huge year. Thomas will likely face a ton of coverage from opponents this year, but the Saints have other weapons such as the old Raider, Jared Cook, and playmakers such as Tre’Quan Smith and Ted Ginn Jr. This New Orleans’ offense should once again be ruthless, as they look to get back into the playoffs for the third straight season.

Although the Saints’ offense is the focal point, their defense is not too shabby either. All around the field on defense, the Saints are solid, starting with their defensive line led by Cameron Jordan. Jordan, one of the best pass rushers in the league, will hope to put together another impressive season alongside players such as Marcus Davenport and Trey Hendrickson. At the linebacker position, the Saints return solid middle linebacker Demario Davis to roam the field, as well as AJ Klein. The Saints were great against the run last year, ranking #2 in the league, and hope to have those same numbers once again. In the secondary, the Saints still have Pro Bowl corner Marshon Lattimore shutting down top receivers, as well as players such as Vonn Bell, Marcus Williams, and Eli Apple. New Orleans had some major lapses in coverage last year, and they hope to eliminate some of their poor results from last year. Once again, New Orleans figures to be a threat on defense and one of the better units in the NFL.

New Orleans may be one of the most talented teams in the league, but faces a brutal schedule with unfavorable outdoor road games against top opponents. It is easy to assume that the Saints will continue to be dominant at home, but their record may regress significantly after an awesome 13 win season. The Saints are still a playoff team that will make some noise, but they’ll face some difficulty this season in their fight to reach the Super Bowl.

Prediction: 10-6

Team MVP: Alvin Kamara

Breakout Player: Marcus Davenport

3. Carolina Panthers

After an awesome season in 2018, Christian McCaffrey will be looking to put up another huge season for the Panthers in the NFL’s 100th year (via USA Today).

The Panthers started off hot last year, going 6-2 in their first 8 games under a much more consistent Cam Newton and a capable defense. That is, until they ran into the Pittsburgh Steelers on a Thursday night, where their season would completely fall apart. The Panthers would only win 1 more game the rest of the season, finishing at 7-9 in a disappointing season. Can Cam and the Panthers get back into the NFC playoff picture, or is this the beginning of the end for Super Cam in Carolina?

Cam Newton is the face of the Panthers and the Panthers are Cam Newton. Although Newton is not the most reliable pure passer in the league, he remains one of the NFL’s most unique players with the ability to take over football games. A season ago, Newton faced slightly less pressure in a brand new offense under offensive coordinator Norv Turner, and he’ll look to build upon his numbers from last year after offseason shoulder surgery and a preseason ankle injury. Luckily for the Panthers, the emergence of Christian McCaffrey should help Cam out and make for a much more balanced attack on offense. However, Carolina’s offensive line remains a bit of a question mark, and they’ll need to have a much better year than last season in order to protect Newton from injury. They did add center Matt Paradis in the offseason and will count on his veteran experience to solidify the offensive line. On the perimeter, head coach Ron Rivera and the rest of the Panthers are excited about what Curtis Samuel and DJ Moore can do in the passing game, especially in an offense with many screens and a lot of misdirection. In addition to them, the Panthers retained Greg Olsen, Newton’s longtime security blanket, and hope for a full season of health. Carolina is very unpredictable on offense, but they need Newton on the field for any kind of success in 2019.

Meanwhile on defense, the Panthers are led by one of their best players in franchise history in linebacker, Luke Kuechly. Kuechly’s uncanny ability to find the football and create big plays for the Carolina defense has been on display every year in his career, and the Panthers need him on the field at all times. To help out Kuechly are backers Shaq Thompson and Jared Norris, as well as Jermaine Carter. On the defensive line, Carolina has brought in Bruce Irvin to help rush the passer and add to a line that already has solid players such as Dontari Poe, Kawann Short, and Mario Addison. If Carolina can build upon their success against the run from last year, they will likely be a top 10 run defense in the league. The Panthers’ secondary features decent corners in Donte Jackson and James Bradbury, as well as veteran safety Eric Reid. Carolina will need their pass defense to improve from a season ago, where they ranked just 18th in the league. Outside of Kuechly, the Panthers lack a ton of true playmakers on defense and will likely need some unexpected production in order for this defense to soar.

Carolina may be the most unpredictable team in the NFL heading into 2019, especially with the true health of Newton being up in the air. We do know that Carolina’s defense will likely be in the middle of the pack, which means that Carolina’s offense may need to make some big plays to put them over the top against quality opponents. While this does lean us to pick Carolina as a simply mediocre team in the NFC, the Panthers are still a streaky football team that many opponents will fear in the conference if they get hot at the right time.

Prediction: 8-8

Team MVP: Luke Kuechly

Breakout Player: DJ Moore

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Under new head coach Bruce Arians, it’s now or never for Jameis Winston to step up for Tampa Bay (via WFLA).

Tampa Bay made an interesting choice at head coach in the offseason, bringing in recently retired head coach Bruce Arians to help a somewhat dysfunctional organization. Arians had a great tenure while in Arizona, and many in the organization are counting on him to help solve Jameis Winston’s issues that have transpired so far in his career. Will Arians be able to turn the ship around, or will the Bucs continue into the dark sea of bad NFL teams?

The Buccaneers ranked 3rd in total offense in 2018, led by a big play offense that featured both Ryan Fitzpatrick and Jameis Winston at quarterback. With Fitpatrick now gone, the pressure is all on Winston to finally limit his turnovers and return the Bucs back to the playoffs. Lucky for him, the Bucs’ offense still has the ridiculous receiver, Mike Evans, on the perimeter, as well as solid targets in Chris Godwin and the explosive tight end OJ Howard. While Tampa will miss DeShaun Jackson, the Bucs should be able to put up some points on a week-to-week basis, no matter the opponent. The Bucs’ backfield is not as fortunate as their receiving core, as Ronald Jones and Peyton Barber will likely share carries behind a mediocre offensive line. This Bucs’ offense will go as far as Winston takes them, but he needs to cut down on the interceptions and fumbles in order for the Bucs to make any noise in their division.

A season ago, Tampa Bay ranked 27th in the league on defense in total yardage and even allowed 29.0 points per game, a staggering number for the Bucs. Other than drafting rookie Devin White and adding backers Shaq Barrett and Deone Bucannon (a fitting name for a Buccaneer) to a group headlined by stud defender Lavonte David, the Bucs did very little to improve their defense whatsoever. In terms of rushing the passer, Tampa Bay at least retains Jason Pierre-Paul and Vita Vea, both of whom are expected to have another solid season for the Bucs. Meanwhile in the secondary, Vernon Hargreaves remains their best option at cornerback, while rookie Mike Edwards will step into the starting safety role to begin the season. Tampa Bay looks like they’ll rank near the bottom in defense once again in 2019, which will likely hold them back once again.

The Bucs may be in a better position now than they were just a year ago under Arians, but they still lack a lot of truly elite playmakers. Combining that with a below average defense and a quarterback with some major leadership problems and Tampa Bay looks like they will certainly be one of the worst teams in the conference in the upcoming season.

Prediction: 5-11

Team MVP: Mike Evans

Breakout Player: OJ Howard

Final Playoff Predictions

After a strange 2018, the Philadelphia Eagles should rebound with a strong season (via PhillyTrib).

1. Philadelphia Eagles (12-4)

2. Los Angeles Rams (11-5)

3. Green Bay Packers (11-5)

4. Atlanta Falcons (11-5)

5. New Orleans Saints (10-6)

6. Chicago Bears (10-6)

Wild Card:

Green Bay over Chicago

New Orleans over Atlanta

Divisional:

Philadelphia over New Orleans

Green Bay over Los Angeles

NFC Championship:

Philadelphia over Green Bay

NFC Champion: Philadelphia Eagles