Pre TC NFL predictions - NFC

[jazzcat22]

OK, some will say this is way too early, but so be it. It is the off-season.
Pre TC thoughts on the NFC teams.

NFCE
Dallas: There is no reason to believe they will not repeat to win the division. They improved on paper but need to see it on the field.
Philly: They did nothing to improve enough to win the division. Just as the previous year, I would have said the same thing about Dallas over taking the division from them.
Washington: They will seem to push but won't have enough, but can play spoiler.
NYG: They will be lucky to get 7 wins, even with all the love on here for their RB.

NFCN
Chicago: They have the D, and their O should be better
Minnesota: They will push for the division again, but just do not see them winning it
GB: I think they are pretty much done. AR can't keep doing it, and I just do not see any improvement
Detroit: Every year it seems they may get better, but they don't.

NFCS
N.O: Until they get knocked off, they stay on top here. I think they lost more than they gained, so it may happen.
Atlanta: They still have some talent, and you never know when it will come back together, staying healthy is the key for them.
Carolina: Still not buying into the Cam hype, I think is is along the line of AR in GB, losing hat edge.
TB: They can be hard to figure out, up, seems to be going well, then fall back down. Need to see more consistency, and I don't think they get that from Winston.

NFCW
LAR: They still have the best roster and best schemes.
SF: If healthy I think they can make a push, but still may be a year away.
Seattle: They too can make a push, but I think they lost too much to win it, but will be a spoiler.
Arizona: Just do have have enough, and Murray is not the answer at QB.

Division winners: Dallas, Chicago, NO, LAR
WC: Atlanta, SF

 

[QuincyCarterEra]

Jazz my standings are almost the exact same as yours.

Only changes I would make is San Fran. I like what they did in the offseason compared to Seattle, but I'm still giving the edge to Seattle. Tampa Bay over Carolina. And also I have the Eagles ahead of our Boys.

I'd give the wildcards to Atlanta and Minnesota

 

[IndianaCowboys1994]

Thanks for starting this thread! My picks not etched in stone just yet...usually have my final ones after the third preseason game.

NFC East
Eagles-Really like additions they made on the offensive side of the ball. Big difference between them and Dallas is coaching. Wentz has to be healthy or this is Dallas' division.
Cowboys-Very talented. Could be a 12 win wild card team. Coaching is the biggest question mark.
Commanders-Love Haskins but I think that organization is a huge mess
Giants-Not a lot of positives to say...just terrible

NFC North
Packers- Aaron Rodgers will go off this year. New coach will help. Terrible roster though.
Vikings-Enough talent to win 8 games. Can Kirk Cousins win a game that doesn't start at 1:00 EST?
Bears- On average 5-6 new teams make the playoffs. Bears had a lot of guys have career years last year. Still don't trust Trubisky.
Lions- Like New York not a lot of positives...Will be surprised if Patricia is back in 2020.

NFC South
Saints- Third time a charm? Brees/Payton could have one more chance to win the Super Bowl
Falcons- Kind of like Dallas; not as much talent but coaching is a concern. Should be better in 2019.
Panthers- Could be the end of the Ron Rivera era. They all had one really good season.
Buccaneers- Will be a lot better. Interested to see what Arians does with Jameis.

NFC West
Rams- They are going to take a step back. I don' think Gurley will every be the same. Their line lost a lot.
49ers- All depends on Jimmy G. Like what Lynch/Shanahan did to the defense.
Seahawks- Like the Bears, an obvious team to take a step back. Wilson carries them to an 8-8 record if that.
Cardinals- Awful. Why hire a coach who wasn't even good in College??

Seedings
1. Saints
2. Eagles
3. Rams
4. Packers
5. Cowboys
6. 49ers

Wild Card
#5 Cowboys over #4 Packers
#3 Rams over #6 49ers

Divisional Round
#1 Saints over #5 Cowboys
#2 Eagles over #3 Rams

NFC Championship
#1 Saints over #2 Eagles

If the Cowboys had an aggressive Head Coach I think I'd pick them to win the Super Bowl. But they don't. I think Sean Payton and Doug Pederson would out-coach them in the playoffs.

 

[Alexander]

Division winners: Dallas, Chicago, NO, LAR

If the regular trend of changing out division winners stands true, this has very little chance of happening.

It would be the first time that all four division winners in the NFC repeated since realignment in 2002. It has only happened once in the AFC in 2011 & 2012.

 

[jazzcat22]

Will ad my AFC here, instead of creating a new thread.


AFCE
NE: again by default and controversial issues, as usual
Buffalo: I think they give NE a challenge, but just don’t have enough, and NE is the current champs, so I will keep them there for now.
NYJ: I think they can make a push, but will keep them in the spoiler role
Miami: Another team that seems to be on the right track, then fail. Show me you truly improved to get moved up.

AFCN
Cleveland: Yes Cleveland, they were 3 FG’s away from winning the division last year.
Baltimore: Usually I would co here with the previous division winner, but they to just barely won it last year
Pittsburgh: As long as they have Big Ben, can’t rule them out, but I think their run is over
Cincinnati: Another team that seemed to finally get it together, only to disappoint in the end. I think they have some work to do, but can push this division to come in 2nd too.

AFCS
Indy: They have shown how tough they can be. This division is strange as every year it seems the best 8-8 team wins it. LOL. So why not Indy.
Tennessee: I think they will continue to build on what seems to be a solid team
Houston: Not buying into the hype Houston gets every year. But would not be surprised if they win by being the best of the worst.
Jax: They went from tp to bottom. So can they get to the top again. Yes, with this division they can. I they they added some good players, so would not be surprised they jump back into the mix

AFCW
LAC: I think they are a very under rated team. And they came back and pushed to win the division last year, so I will go against the incumbent nd say they will take it.
KC: I think they lost more than they gained, as the key is will mahommes have another fantastic year, or will DC’s plan for his skills better.
Denver: Hard to say what this team will be, but they will be in some tough games, but not enough wins.
Oakland: They are a few years away at least. Just do not see over 4 or 5 wins.

Division winners: NE, Cleveland, Indy, LAC
WC: KC, Buffalo

 

[Sydla]

I think we have a good chance to win the division but saying the Eagles have done nothing to improve themselves to win the division is a bit of homerism there. The Cowboys will need to be much better than they were in 2018 to repeat.

The Eagles added a better #2 WR, they improved their pretty woeful RB situation from 2018, they not only kept Jernigan but he's going to be a backup to Jackson, a pretty good DT addition. Their LB corps was pretty shoddy but they brought in a pretty good LB in Brown.

Philly is better in 2019 than they were in 2018. But so are we......... at least on paper.

 

[ClappingCarrot]

I can't be the only dude here that thinks the Bears will not make the playoffs and that the Saints have good odds to make the postseason as a WC team.

There is crazy competition in the NFC South and NFC North these days, especially with teams like Green Bay, Carolina, and Tampa Bay visibly improving this offseason. The only team I think that is a lock to make the postseason is the Rams, and they have the Seahawks and a healthy 49ers team that will probably give them hell this season. Falcons could be dangerous too.

 

[jazzcat22]

Was going to have 2 separate threads, so if the thread title can be changed to to NFC & AFC instead of just NFC, would be appreciated.

My playoff teams I have as this:

Browns over Bills
Colts over Chiefs
Saints over 49ers
Bears over Falcons

Browns over Patriots
Chargers over Colts
Cowboys over Saints
Bears over Rams

Chargers over Browns
Cowboys over Bears, of course I picked them, because I actually think it can happen

and in the SB

Cowboys over Chargers. yes, I did it again.

So after TC I will revisit this and see how it changes. Probably not by much.

 

[IndianaCowboys1994]

AFC East
Patriots-by default. Who is Brady going to throw to? Tight Ends are terrible! Sure they will find a way to win 11/12 games.
Jets- Darnold will improve but still a lot of holes on that team.
Bills- They are putting a lot on Josh Allen. Not sure he can handle it.
Dolphins-I think Rosen will be decent but that roster is trash all around.

AFC North
Browns- I think they have to get off to a good start. They are the kind of team where if they start 2-3 it could go bad. Talent, but still some holes (O-Line, Secondary)
Steelers- The Bell/Brown drama hurt them. I think James Washington steps up to the #2 WR spot. Devin Bush was a good pickup next to Watt.
Ravens- Like the Bills, putting a lot on their second year QB. Not sure Lamar can handle it. Lost a lot of leaders.
Bengals- Will contend for the #1 pick. Lot of injury issues from their rookies.

AFC South
Colts- I live in Indiana and what Ballard is doing is amazing. They had a terrible roster two years ago. Luck and Mack need to stay healthy. Think they need to have homefield to have a shot at the Super Bowl. They don't play well in NE and you saw how they did in KC last year.
Jaguars- Nick Foles is a great addition to that locker room and on the field. Fournette and Ramsey need to shut up and play.
Texans- O Line issues will be the story of this season. Deshaun has a lot of talented receivers. Will be tough for him to keep taking hits.
Titans- Mariota can't throw. I don't think the Titans have drafted well either.

AFC West
Chiefs- Tough to pick against Mahomes. Will be a challenge to be with Hunt and Hill (who should be suspended the whole year). Defense should be improved, they got Thornhill who I really like.
Chargers- Really disappointed me in Foxborough last year. Need to stay healthy but still a very good roster.
Broncos- Drew Lock could be the best QB from this class. Chubb/Miller is a good duo.
Raiders- Improved but still a lot of holes. This could be it for Carr.

Seedings.
1. Chiefs
2. Patriots
3. Colts
4. Browns
5. Chargers
6. Steelers

Wild Card
#5 Chargers over #4 Browns
#3 Colts over #6 Steelers

Divisional
#1 Chiefs over #5 Chargers
#2 Patriots over #3 Colts

AFC Championship
#1 Chiefs over #2 Patriots

Super Bowl
Saints over Chiefs. Brees rides off into the sunset and Payton goes to Dallas.

 

[jazzcat22]

I think we have a good chance to win the division but saying the Eagles have done nothing to improve themselves to win the division is a bit of homerism there. The Cowboys will need to be much better than they were in 2018 to repeat.

The Eagles added a better #2 WR, they improved their pretty woeful RB situation from 2018, they not only kept Jernigan but he's going to be a backup to Jackson, a pretty good DT addition. Their LB corps was pretty shoddy but they brought in a pretty good LB in Brown.

Philly is better in 2019 than they were in 2018. But so are we......... at least on paper.

That is what I meant, neither team added or lost any significant players for me to say one deserves to jump the other.
So it is NOT homerism. Do not use that term for this. As I had the Eagles repeating as division winners going into last season, because the roles ware reversed, I say the same for Dallas this year.

But you can say homerism by me prediction a Dallas SB win.

 

[Ranching]

OK, some will say this is way too early, but so be it. It is the off-season.
Pre TC thoughts on the NFC teams.

NFCE
Dallas: There is no reason to believe they will not repeat to win the division. They improved on paper but need to see it on the field.
Philly: They did nothing to improve enough to win the division. Just as the previous year, I would have said the same thing about Dallas over taking the division from them.
Washington: They will seem to push but won't have enough, but can play spoiler.
NYG: They will be lucky to get 7 wins, even with all the love on here for their RB.

NFCN
Chicago: They have the D, and their O should be better
Minnesota: They will push for the division again, but just do not see them winning it
GB: I think they are pretty much done. AR can't keep doing it, and I just do not see any improvement
Detroit: Every year it seems they may get better, but they don't.

NFCS
N.O: Until they get knocked off, they stay on top here. I think they lost more than they gained, so it may happen.
Atlanta: They still have some talent, and you never know when it will come back together, staying healthy is the key for them.
Carolina: Still not buying into the Cam hype, I think is is along the line of AR in GB, losing hat edge.
TB: They can be hard to figure out, up, seems to be going well, then fall back down. Need to see more consistency, and I don't think they get that from Winston.

NFCW
LAR: They still have the best roster and best schemes.
SF: If healthy I think they can make a push, but still may be a year away.
Seattle: They too can make a push, but I think they lost too much to win it, but will be a spoiler.
Arizona: Just do have have enough, and Murray is not the answer at QB.

Division winners: Dallas, Chicago, NO, LAR
WC: Atlanta, SF

It's way too early!

 

[Cowboys22]

Dallas plays the 1st place schedule and the Eagles should be better and have a healthy Wentz. The division basically comes down to Wentz staying healthy and the outcome of the Dallas/Philly games. If either team takes both, they win the division. If they split, the edge goes to philly due to schedule.

 

[jazzcat22]

It's way too early!

Never.

I did it to get some different threads and topics going, hopefully.

 

[jazzcat22]

Dallas plays the 1st place schedule and the Eagles should be better and have a healthy Wentz. The division basically comes down to Wentz staying healthy and the outcome of the Dallas/Philly games. If either team takes both, they win the division. If they split, the edge goes to philly due to schedule.

Not really that big of a difference in the schedules. Technically it is a 1st place schedule, but not like it used to be.
I think one year we had a 3rd place schedule but it was tougher than the 1st place schedule the division winner had.

Schedule differences in the division this year.

1. Dallas plays LAR and NO
2. Philly plays Seattle and Atlanta
3. Washington plays SF and Carolina
4. NYG play Arizona and TB

Other than NY, all the other 3 play teams that can get to the playoffs and win games as well.
And since teams change so much over the off seasons now, it comes down to how the schedule is laid out.

Dallas was 3-5 last year heading into the hardest part of their schedule, and they went 7-1.

 

[CouchCoach]

If the regular trend of changing out division winners stands true, this has very little chance of happening.

It would be the first time that all four division winners in the NFC repeated since realignment in 2002. It has only happened once in the AFC in 2011 & 2012.

And until history, like no NFC East repeat winner in the last 14 seasons, is proven wrong, I'll go with that.

 

[RodeoJake]

Although it's early and we have no idea how Moore's offense will click, I'll give my initial prediction, subject to change after TC.

NFC East
Dallas- I think the offense will sputter out the gate with the offensive changes, but will come on strong in the last 14 games to become the first to repeat in the NFCE in years.

Philly- Could win the division if Wentz stays healthy. That's a big if. Their D will be tough enough to carry them to 2nd if he does go down.

Skins- A tough D could push them to the NFCE title if they get solid QB play. A huge if at this point.

Giants- They're going thru a rebuild and won't be very competitive, even with Barkley.

NFC South

Saints- They are talented and after the NFC championship game, they'll have a big chip on their shoulders.

Falcons- Alright talent gets 2nd because the other two teams in the division ain't good.

Bucs- Not a good roster, but if Arians can get something outta Winston, they could surpass the Falcons.

Panthers- Just a bad team.

NFC North

Packers- Expect a resurgent AR to play lights out.

Bears- Solid D, but suspect offense. If Trubisky improves, they could capture the division.

Vikings- Solid D and a suspect offense that's too one dimensional. Cousins is the quintessential QB with big numbers that hasn't won squat.

Lions- Well, they're the Lions.

NFC West

Rams- Still the team to beat in the NFC.

Seahawks- Still has Wilson and a decent D.

49ners- Young and upcoming squad with a question mark at QB.

Cards- Bad D and question marks at coaching and QB.

 

[McKDaddy]

Washington: They will seem to push but won't have enough, but can play spoiler.

I know they have a lot of questions which includes the most important position, QB. But, they have drafted a lot of talent these last few years (particularly D & with Guice returning). I fear they are dangerous to be that unexpected team that wreaks havoc to projections for at least the first half of the season. Don't know that they can sustain but i could see them hurting other teams chances so we better not sleep on them.

49ers are the other NFC team that seems set up to potentially make a big jump in wins.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Dallas plays the 1st place schedule

Means nothing.

 

[gmoney112]

You don't see any improvement in GB?

Clay Matthew's and Perry were terrible last year, safety was abysmal, corners were young and got beat up.

They let Matthew's and Perry go. Signed Zadarius Smith who's a talented young pass rusher, also signed Preston Smith who's better than what they had. They also drafted Gary, and have Fackrell going into year 4 after getting 10.5 sacks last year.

Signed Amos at S to upgrade, drafted Savage.

They have possibly the best bookend Tackles in the NFL. LG was a swinging door last year, so they signed a stable vet, and used a 2nd on a G.

Jaire Alexander at CB made the All-Rookie team last year. Jackson didn't have a great year, but he'll be competing with Kevin King for #2 (King has been injured a lot, but who knows)

They have a lot of talent. As of 2019, probably one of the most talented in the NFC. If Gary can be productive, that's a 4 deep pass rushing unit. I wouldn't be surprised if they were a top 10 defense if they stay healthy. Right now, I'd put $$ on them making the playoffs and if they get better toward the end of the year, that's going to be a tough team.

NFC North:
Bears - competing for North, defense will be fun to watch
Packers - see above. If the defense comes together early, will be a top team in the NFC
Lions - nope
Vikings - always tough, but between Packers and Bears + NFC strength this year, will miss playoffs

NFC East:
Cowboys - SB champs
Eagles - will be a tough team, secondary was a MASH unit last year. I feel sorry for teams week on interior OL, Cox + Jackson inside is going to get some QBs killed
Giants - sad they got Lawrence, Baker probably decent. Jones a complete unknown. Eli sucks. Wont make playoffs
Commanders - hopefully Sweat and the QB bust. D front is looking pretty stout though. Kerrigan, Payne, Allen, Ionnadis, Sweat. Gulce is back I guess, who knows about the L. Collins signing. If OL doesn't crumble this year, they're another tough team. Don't think they make playoffs, but they're going to be a load up front on defense, if they get solid QB play they're going to be a pretty good team, as long as they don't epic fail in the secondary. Probably underrated as much as I hate them.

NFC West:
Seahawks - they're always pretty good. It'll be interesting to see how they combat the whiz kid McVay.
Rams - I think teams likely will wisen up a bit to Goff + McVays adjustments, if Goff doesn't take the next step they could have a mediocre year. NFC is tough this year, and in-division even the Niners are going to be coming after Goff
49ers - signed Dee Ford, drafted Nick Bosa, signed Kwon Alexander at LB for speed + pursuit. Buckner is one of the best pass rushing DTs in the league. Jimmy G is healthy I guess? Drafted some skill positions after making Kittle a Pro Bowler. Shanahan is a good offensive coach. Not really sure what their record will be, but if Bosa is half of what we expect, all of a sudden they aren't pushovers anymore.
Cardinals - really it's just the Kyler Murray experiment

NFC South:
Falcons - went heavy on OL, ha. Have some talent on defense. Bipolar team, probably in it until the last game of the season
Saints - win the South
Bucs - miss
Panthers - miss

Playoffs:
#1 Saints
#2 Cowboys
#3 Packers
#4 Rams
#5 Bears
#6 Eagles

Seahawks could win West or Wildcard, but I don't think they do. Falcons, Vikes, Commanders will also be tough. Niners will be fun to watch, especially with the defensive front.

There are hardly any pushovers in the NFC this year. And the defensive front talent is pretty ridiculous. I'm glad we invested in OL.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

That is what I meant, neither team added or lost any significant players for me to say one deserves to jump the other.
So it is NOT homerism. Do not use that term for this. As I had the Eagles repeating as division winners going into last season, because the roles ware reversed, I say the same for Dallas this year.

But you can say homerism by me prediction a Dallas SB win.

Eagles lost Bennett and Foles. We add Quinn, Cobb, get Fredbeard back. Put another way,

*What WR unit you rather have ....Cowboys or Eagles
*What starting RB you rather have ............Cowboys or Eagles
*What defense you rather have ......Cowboys or Eagles ( this one is close but I'd still take the Cowboys)

So no it isn't homerism IMO......Eagles only significant addition is Desean Jackson if you wanna call him that.

Also let's not forget, we spotted the division what 5-6 games last year with a starting WR unit of a rookie and 2 others WRs who won't be anywhere near starting lineup game one and a fired OC and still won the division.