In the past seven years, a NFC team has won three of the seven Super Bowl Championships. In fact, the last two times NFC teams won the chip were in the 2022-2023 seasons, when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Los Angeles Rams won back-to-back home Super Bowls. So, will the 2024-25 season be when the NFC climbs back to the top of the hill? If the trend of home Super Bowl wins by an NFC team breaks the current drought, it would mean the New Orleans Saints will win the 59th Edition of America’s Greatest Game at the Ceasars Superdome in February. It’s hard to imagine that result, but the NFL is the league of parity. In this article, we will preview the NFC and predict who wins the divisions and the conference.
1. NFC East- there is a saying, that the only things certain in life are death and taxes. However, another thing certain in the NFL world is that the NFC East never produces a repeat winner. The last time it happened was two decades ago in 2004, when the Philadelphia Eagles won their fourth division title in a row. Last season, the Cowboys romped to a 12-5 record as the division winners, but I feel that this quirky statistical anomaly will continue because I have the Cowboys taking a step backwards. I think the Cowboys have been reeling from an offseason of uncertainties surrounding the final contract year of its coach, Mike McCarthy, and starting quarterback, Dak Prescott. The cloud of uncertainty will inhibit success on the field but they will finish 10-7 for a Wild Card spot. Cowboys fans should be appreciative because they could be New York Giants supporters, who I have in last place with a 4-13 record. I think Daniel Jones is turnover-prone, and sadly they will be looking to replace him next year at the end of the season with a high draft pick. In third place, I have the Washington Commanders, who will finish with a 7-10 record, which is an improvement on their 4-13 record last season. The Commanders will feel positive about the team’s direction because Jayden Daniels will validate his 2nd pick in the draft, and Dan Quinn will improve the defense. Finally, it means I have the Philadelphia Eagles winning the NFC East. Last season, the team suffered an epic collapse from 10-1 to losing 6 of its last seven games. However, I think the team is too talented to fail, and Jaylen Hurts will bounce with Saquon Barkley on the squad and Kellen Moore as the Offensive Coordinator. I have the Eagles finishing with a 12-5 record and winning the East.
2. NFC West- this is one of the two toughest divisions to predict in the conference. The team to rule out of contention is the Arizona Cardinals. I think they will improve on offense behind a healthy Kyler Murray, and it will add two more wins to their tally to a 6-11 record. In third place, I have the Seattle Seahawks, who narrowly missed the postseason last year and will again this term. Geno Smith is a competent quarterback, but his inconsistency in big games will still cost the franchise a shot at a playoff birth with a 9-8 record. At 11-6, I have the Los Angeles Rams as the highest-seeded non-division winner. I think the Rams will be dynamic on offense, with Matt Stafford targeting last season, rookie sensation Puka Nacua, and Super Bowl LVI MVP Cooper Kupp. However, I feel the 49ers will meet their expectations and repeat as division champions with a 13-4 record. After last year’s heartache at the Super Bowl, the 49ers must realize that this season is championship or bust, given how expensive it will get to retain all their star players. I think they will figure it out, and march into the playoffs as division winners, but achieving their goal of featuring in back-to-back Super Bowls will be too difficult.
3. NFC North- this feels like the strongest division in the conference and will remain one of the best because of how young and talented the starting quarterbacks will be. I have the Minnesota Vikings in 4th place with a 7-10 record after J.J. McCarthy suffered a torn right meniscus. The team will struggle with Sam Darnold under center but stay competitive with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison on offense and Brian Flores out to prove his worth as Defensive Coordinator. In 3rd place, I have the Chicago Bears missing the playoffs with a 9-8 record. It will be a two-win improvement on last year’s tally and a step in the right direction with the likely Offensive Rookie of the Year, Caleb Williams. Williams is a magnet and the centerpiece for a Bears franchise starving for an elite quarterback. In 2nd place, I am picking the Green Bay Packers to finish with a 10-7 record and grab a wildcard spot. I think Jordan Love will elevate his status as a signal-caller in the league and galvanize his team towards the playoffs. Finally, I have the Detroit Lions repeating as division champions and finishing with a 12-5 record. Detroit has retained most of its players and led to a similar record last season, and the disappointment in the NFC title game should push them to be hungrier in the upcoming season.
4. NFC South- the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were the only representative from the division in the 2023-24 season after winning it with a 9-8 record. The team that will struggle to compete once again is the Carolina Panthers. I project that they will add one game to last season’s tally of 2 with a roster devoid of talent. I have the Saints in third place with an 8-9 record, which is a slight step back from their 9-8 record last season. I am not confident that Derek Carr will deliver for this team when it matters most. I have the Tampa Buccaneers narrowly missing the playoffs with a 9-8 record. That record won the division last season, but in my eyes, the team has consolidated its position rather than enhance it behind solid play from Baker Mayfield. The division will be won by the Atlanta Falcons, who will finish with a 11-6 record. Atlanta has improved its roster by acquiring Kirk Cousins, drafting Michael Pennix Jr, and trading for top pass rusher Matt Judon. The team has improved and will fly under the radar as a Super Bowl contender next season.
Playoff Teams: 49ers, Lions, Eagles, Falcons, Rams, Packers, Cowboys
NFC title Game: Packers beat 49es