With the NFL season rapidly approaching, Grizzly Detail presents our predictions for what will happen when the Super Bowl champion is crowned in California this February.
To keep things rolling along, we’ll take a look at our NFC playoff predictions. Will the Seahawks repeat as conference champions? Will the Bears make the postseason?
Here are our picks:
1. Seattle Seahawks
We’ll reveal whether we think the Seahawks will reach a third straight Super Bowl on Thursday, but we definitely think that the team is one of the NFL’s absolute best. Their offense should improve with Jimmy Graham as a weapon for Russell Wilson, and their defense continues to be excellent as they will rely upon an aggressive secondary and a tremendous front seven to wreak havoc upon the rest of the league.
2. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles are a team that generates plenty of buzz, but this offseason has been an interesting one for the club. They swapped quarterbacks as they opted for Sam Bradford over Nick Foles, and they also overhauled their other skill positions as LeSean McCoy and Jeremy Maclin left and were replaced by DeMarco Murray and Nelson Agholor respectively.
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There are plenty of questions still to be answered in Philadelphia, but we like their chances of making a serious run at the franchise’s first Super Bowl championship.
3. Green Bay Packers
While the Seahawks are likely the class of the conference, the Packers are right there in the conversation. Even without Jordy Nelson, their offense should still be excellent, with Aaron Rodgers and Eddie Lacy leading the way, and their defense should continue to excel with an infusion of young talent in the secondary and at linebacker. This team will be tough for any NFC North club to conquer, and they look poised to have a stellar season.
4. Atlanta Falcons
A lot of the Falcons’ potential success rests upon the overall health of the team and the performance of some of their young stars, but we like their chances of beating out the field in a weak NFC South. Matt Ryan is a solid quarterback, and with a revamped rushing attack of Devonta Freeman and Telvin Coleman, the team should be in good shape to make a postseason appearance.
5. Dallas Cowboys
Yes, their running game took a hit with the departure of Murray to the Eagles, but their offensive line is still solid and their defense should be good enough to lift them into the postseason. The aging and increasingly battered Tony Romo and Jason Witten remain question marks, but Dez Bryant should keep the offense from sputtering too badly.
6. Arizona Cardinals
The NFC West remains a tough division even with the plummeting fortunes of the 49’ers, but we’re picking the Cardinals to secure a wild card berth. Their defense is still impressive, and their offense should improve with a healthy Carson Palmer back under center. There are questions about the viability of their running game, but there is reason for optimism if Andre Ellington can stay healthy.
