NFC Team Rankings
Now that I'm done with my team by team preview of the 32 NFL teams, I've decided to go through and rank the NFC today, and the AFC next. Looking back at my previous posts, I realize that it's really hard to get a stance on where your team is in the NFL, or even the division, without knowing the rest of the league. For instance, I did the Buffalo Bills rather early on, and now my opinion of them might be changed with regards on how they stand up next to the rest of the NFL. So without further ado, here are my 16 NFC teams, from who I think is worst, to first.
16) SAN FRANCISCO 49ers: Easily the worst team in the NFC, with no real offensive threats, a struggling quarterback, and a patchwork offensive line. Defensively, it’s basically NaVorro Bowman or bust. Nobody else on that defense is a standout player. I don’t think Chip Kelly’s style of play is good for any NFL team, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him get fired.
15) PHILADELPHIA Eagles : After the Carson Wentz trade, this team lost it’s opportunity to build the rest of the team through the draft. Plus, there is the whole Sam Bradford trade demand issue, and a new head coach. There are holes throughout the defense, and the offense if filled with underachievers. Philadelphia is rebuilding, and hopefully they have realized the way to do it right.
14) DETROIT Lions: This is where playoff hopefuls come into play, although it is highly unlikely we see Detroit in them. No more Calvin Johnson, among others, and this team has been on a downward trend ever since Ndamokung Suh stepped on Rodgers’ calf. This team isn’t strong at the skill positions or the secondary, and had the worst line in football last season (although it is better).
13) LOS ANGELES Rams: The defensive line is still really good, but they have lost quite a bit defensively. The secondary looks as weak as ever, the linebacking corp lost James Laurinaitis, and there are no quality skill position players outside of Todd Gurley and the occasional Tavon Austin play. Plus, rookie quarterbacks always make mistakes, and Jared Goff is due for quite a few.
12) TAMPA BAY Buccaneers: This team will be better than last year, but they are still a year away from true contention for anything. Jameis Winston is going into his second year, with a stronger defense and hopefully a resurgent group of pass catchers. It’s still not enough to get them out of the division cellar.
11) CHICAGO Bears: The Bears aren’t ready to make the playoffs, as they still have Jay Cutler as the starting quarterback. Along with Cutler, the Bears have numerous flaws and too many “hopefully’s" on the roster. The defense is better, but there are no studs on it like the old Bears or the older Bears had.
10) ATLANTA Falcons: Many of you might be surprised to see Atlanta so low, but I believe the second half team was more true to what the Falcons are. Rebuilding. The defense is still not there, as there are young pieces and holes throughout, but it looks better than it did last season. Offensively, there isn’t much outside of Julio Jones and Devonta Freeman, so Matt Ryan will have his hands full. That said, they can still make the playoffs as a wild card.
9) WASHINGTON Redskins: I’m not sold on the Redskins, or Kirk Cousins. He could very well be a one-hit wonder type of quarterback, as he really did just “come out of nowhere” last season. Now, everybody knows about him, and he has a bullseye on his back as the leader of this offense. Plus, the running game is not as good, and although the defense got a boost from Josh Norman, it’s still not the strength of the team.
8) NEW ORLEANS Saints: This is probably the most underrated defense in the NFL, and that is because we are used to the Saints having terrible defenses. However, the defense looks solid throughout, and Drew Brees is still around on the offensive side of the football, with as much weapons as ever. I would not be surprised to see this team make the playoffs.
7) DALLAS Cowboys: This is the best offensive line in football, and with Tony Romo and Dez Bryant prepared to play a full season, this team could win the NFC East. I don’t think they are better than the Giants, and then there is the fact that something always seems to go wrong in Dallas. Then you have all the suspensions and injuries, and Dallas may be playing from behind causing a situation where they are doing too little, too late.
6) NEW YORK Giants: This team made major adjustments to its’ defense, and although they are not much better than any of the teams below them from Detroit to Dallas, it might just be enough in my opinion. The offense looks as good as ever, too, although it hinges on the health of Victor Cruz. This team doesn’t make the playoffs by default, but it likely backs in to the NFC East title.
5) SEATTLE Seahawks: This team has lost a lot these past two seasons, only to gain Jimmy Graham. They still have guys throughout the defense who make plays, but many of the ones from the two Super Bowl teams have moved on. Also, the offense is now a pass-first offense, which will put more pressure on the defense due to being on the field more since dropped receptions stop the clock. This team is still a Super Bowl contender, but only because of its’ past status.
4) MINNESOTA Vikings: If Teddy Bridgewater plays better than expected, this might be the second best team in the NFC. Even though the Vikings won the division last season, they still lost to Seattle in the playoffs, and I don’t think they are better than Green Bay with the quarterback situation. Plus, Adrian Peterson is 31. This is still a really good team, and the best defense in the NFL, but it is not the team to beat in the NFC.
3) CAROLINA Panthers: This drop from a 15-1 record and a Super Bowl appearance is happening for two reasons: 1) the schedule will get a lot tougher, and it is really hard to go 15-1 back to back. 2) the secondary took a major hit, starting with Josh Norman but not finishing there. I like this team a lot, but they don’t look as good as they did. And everybody is ready for them this season.
2) GREEN BAY Packers: For the third season in a row, the same offensive line is protecting Aaron Rodgers. Jordy Nelson is back, and Eddie Lacy has lost weight. The defense is young, but a year older. They really need guys on the interior of the defense to step it up to make this a Super Bowl caliber defense, but as long as Rodgers is there, the Packers will be a coin flip away from a Super Bowl appearance.
1) ARIZONA Cardinals: I was not surprised with anything Carolina did last season once they became 8-0, until they beat Arizona. I thought Arizona was the best team in the NFL last season, and they only got better this year by adding DE Chandler Jones and benefiting from a full year of David Johnson as the starting running back. This team won’t go 16-0, or have an easy trip throughout the season. They aren’t flawless, but they are easily the team to beat this season.
Looking at these teams and comparing them through my previews, the closest thing to being a sure thing (without injuries and things that have not happened yet) is the San Francisco 49ers finishing last in the conference. If you think about it, you can make a case for any order you come up with for teams 6-15, and I'd at least be able to understand where you are coming from. You could also find a way to put any of the top 5 teams at the top (I really wanted to put my Packers there, and they should probably be #3, so I compromised at 2), and only Skip Bayless could find a way to put Dallas at #1. There's tiers for sure, but there is no set order among them. Who do you think has a chance to join the upper echelon, or who is overrated? Let me know, the AFC is tomorrow.
