The NFL is notoriously hard to predict, but entering the 2019 preseason, three teams in the NFC stand out, mainly due to having the least amount of question marks going into the new season. Those teams are the defending NFC Champion Los Angeles Rams, the New Orleans Saints, and the Dallas Cowboys.
Let’s break down each division before we pick the NFC representative for Super Bowl LIV in Miami.
NFC East
- Dallas
- Philadelphia
- Washington
- New York Giants
It’s safe to expect that the NFC East will be a two-horse race, with the possible inclusion of Washington if rookie quarterback Dwayne Haskins sets the league on fire. Not much is expected from the Giants, as veteran quarterback Eli Manning has been on a downward trend, star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is gone, and no one really knows what to expect of rookie quarterback Daniel Jones – if he even plays in 2019. That leaves the Cowboys and the Eagles. The Cowboys’ core of Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, and Amari Cooper remains, while the Eagles are all-in on the health of quarterback Carson Wentz, now that Nick Foles is in Jacksonville. Jordan Howard was a nice pickup at running back, but we see the Cowboys edging out Philly for the division title.
NFC North
- Green Bay
- Chicago
- Minnesota
- Detroit
There’s a lot to like about the Bears, but it’s difficult to see them reaching their 12-4 mark from 2018. First, Vic Fangio – the architect of 2018’s highest-scoring defense – is gone, running back Howard was shipped to Philly, can Mitch Trubisky generate more offense, and did the Bears solve their kicking woes after it cost them a playoff game this past January? Meantime, the Packers and star quarterback Aaron Rodgers appear to be rejuvenated with new head coach Matt LaFleur reimagining the offense that became stagnant under Mike McCarthy.
NFC South
- New Orleans
- Atlanta
- Carolina
- Tampa Bay
After signing wide receiver Michael Thomas to a long-term deal, the Saints appear to be ready to continue from where they left off in 2018 – a missed pass interference call away from perhaps Drew Brees and Sean Payton’s second Super Bowl title in the Big Easy. The Falcons looked to solve their problems on defense, but they will be battling with Carolina over a wild card spot.
NFC West
- Los Angeles Rams
- Seattle Seahawks
- San Francisco 49ers
- Arizona Cardinals
This is perhaps the NFL’s most intriguing division. We know who the Rams and Seahawks are, but the 49ers have potential as Jimmy Garoppolo returns after his season ended in Week 3 last year. Arizona may not be good, but with No. 1 overall draft pick Kyler Murray and head coach Kliff Kingsbury, the Cardinals should at least be fun to watch.
Playoff Predictions
WILD CARD ROUND: Green Bay over Atlanta, Los Angeles over Philadelphia
DIVISIONAL ROUND: Dallas over Los Angeles, New Orleans over Green Bay
NFC CHAMPIONSHIP: New Orleans over Dallas
