The new season is almost upon us, so what better time to reveal my 2015 NFL playoff predictions than now?
The list is simple; I’ll go by division, predicting the winners of each, as well as the placing of all four teams in that respective division. Today it is the turn of the NFC.
And remember, just because your team isn’t on my list does not mean they won’t make the playoffs.
You can find the AFC predictions here.
2015 NFL PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS: THE NFC
NFC East
This is a division that always seems to have a new winner. The Dallas Cowboys were not expected to win in 2014 in the slightest, but seemingly came out of nowhere to do so thanks to a much improved offensive line, a sustainable defense, the dominance of (now Eagle) DeMarco Murray, and an MVP-caliber season from Tony Romo. The club locked up Dez Bryant (arguably the top receiver heading into 2015) as well, but failed to lock Murray up. The path to the playoffs will be more of a challenge for “America’s Team”, but the offensive line should make up for losses, and new number one running back Joseph Randle has been highly anticipated by many. For now, I give them the edge.
Do not expect to be shocked if the Philadelphia Eagles steal the division, though. The non-QB roster is better than Dallas’, but Tony Romo’s presence gives Dallas the edge. A healthy Sam Bradford should change that, but doubts are on him to do so. Still, the club managed to give their new quarterback a good cast. They acquireed DeMarco Murray and Ryan Matthews from Dallas and San Diego respectfully, and the crazy potential of Jordan Matthews, insane rookie talent Nelson Agholor, and young tight end Zach Ertz make Chip Kelly’s offense pretty formidable. Part of me thinks this team will end up as a house of cards collapsing at any minute, but there should be zero problems in Philly returning to the playoffs this season and clinching a Wild Card spot at the slightest. AND PLEASE DO NOT START TIM TEBOW.
The New York Giants always manage some fluke Super Bowl run every four years, and could be ready to do the same this year. At least that was the case until Odell Beckham Jr (possibly coming off the greatest rookie WR season since Randy Moss) was voted onto the Madden Cover. All jokes aside, I can’t trust NYG to avoid the Madden Curse, but I also wouldn’t be shocked if they somehow did make another Cinderella run. The club figured out that Eli Manning is still a good quarterback, so there’s that. As of this moment, I don’t see a trip to the playoffs, but I’m not writing it off. They’ll have to shake off the injured defense, though, and Victor Cruz has to come back from a disappointing 2014 season.
The Washington Redskins come in last place. There’s not much to say about this club. Jay Gruden probably hates RGIII, who I’ll wait for the regular season to see if he can hold up. I just don’t see it personally, which can be summed up for the rest of the team.
NFC North
Aaron Rodgers=Green Bay Packers on top of the NFC North again. Not too challenging. Eddie Lacy gives the running game a strong identity. Despite Jordy Nelson’s season-ending ACL injury they still have Randall Cobb, who signed an extension in the offseason, catching passes with Rodgers, so they’ll be fine. Put it simply, with the reigning MVP active, Green Bay stays on top.
Coming in second place should be the Minnesota Vikings. Many experts are picking them as a sleeper playoff team, and I’m leaning that way as well. The return of Adrian Peterson should boost the offense, and Teddy Bridgewater is coming off an impressive rookie season. The receiving corps doesn’t scream excellence, but the young talent, and the addition of Mike Wallace, suggests improvement. Mike Zimmer’s impact on the defense has been terrific, so I’m expecting big things from the Vikings this year.
The Detroit Lions come in third place in the division. The club struggled with the offensive line, and I don’t trust Matthew Stafford to progress in the new offense. The team made up for the loss of Ndamukong Suh with the signing of veteran Haloti Ngata from the Ravens. Golden Tate as a second wideout has lived up the hype, and it’s tough to signal Detroit out in a stacked conference such as the NFC. I give Minnesota the edge, though.
The Chicago Bears are coming off a disastrous 2014 season. Jay Cutler’s likely heading out after this year, so it looks like a rebuilding year for the Monsters of the Midway. Young talents in Kyle Fuller and Kevin White build promise for the future, however.
NFC South
This by far was the worst division in 2014, and it makes me cringe to pick a winner out of the NFC South this year. With that being said, I like the Atlanta Falcons coming on top. Matt Ryan is perhaps the most underrated quarterback in the league, and his connectivity with star wide receiver Julio Jones has racked up yardage and will continue to do so. New head coach Dan Quinn looks to prove he was not the benefit of Pete Carroll in Seattle, and the drafting of Vic Beasley is HUGE for an awful 2014 defense. I think they barely squeeze on by.
The Carolina Panthers come up in 2nd place. Cam Newton has been good, but not great, and his inaccuracy is the main reason I’m low on Carolina for now. Couple that with the fact they’ve lost perhaps their best pass-catching weapon in Kelvin Benjamin for the year and there’s a lot of uncertainty surrounding this team.
Carolina still has a better team than the New Orleans Saints, third in the division. Future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees has kind of gotten screwed by losing Jimmy Graham to Seattle and Kenny Stills to Miami, and the supporting cast isn’t giving him much to cheer up about. No one should raise their hand to see if they trust a Rob Ryan defense either.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will end up fourth in the division again. Rookie Jameis Winston is a bright spot, but the offensive line is expected to cause struggles for him passing to Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson. Running back Doug Martin has been in decline since his breakout 2012 season, and it’s unlikely he’ll reach that point again. And you know my doubts on Lovie Smith coaching this team.
NFC West
This might be the last year for the Seattle Seahawks to stay this damn good. Marshawn Lynch is close to Hall of Fame status, but he’s at that age where it’ll be a surprise if he’s still any good, let alone elite. Russell Wilson is rich and locked up, but he’s coming off a 2014 season that was not as good as years past. The health of the Legion of Boom is to be determined. With this being said, the presence of Wilson, Lynch, the arrival of Jimmy Graham, and the top defense in the league provide enough reason for me to have faith in Grungeville winning the NFC West again, and getting back to the Super Bowl.
The Arizona Cardinals come in 2nd place again, but this time might be excluded from the playoffs. Carson Palmer healthy helps the offense significantly, but losing Michael Floyd hurts, as could defensive coordinator Todd Bowles. The club managed to upgrade at tight end, signing Jermaine Gresham from the Bengals to a one-year deal, but is it enough to get back to the playoffs?
In mediocrity hell come the St. Louis Rams. It’s already been established how little Nick Foles can be trusted, and outside a Chip Kelly based offense, there’s little reason to expect him to return to his 2013 play. The defense is very strong, and the club drafted star running back Todd Gurley who will need to overcome the injury suffered in college. Unless the quarterback play improves, I don’t see the Rams getting to the playoffs.
The San Francisco 49ers come in 4th place. Quite possibly coming off the worst offseason EVER, the identity of this once dominant ball club has vanished in the blink of an eye. With Jim Harbaugh departing for Michigan, players retiring or leaving in free agency, and the regression of Colin Kaepernick provides a black eye for this historic franchise. New feature running back Carlos Hyde provides a bright spot for an identity challenged football team.
God bless Jim Tomsula.
Listed below is the seeding for all 6 NFC playoff teams.
You can find the AFC predictions here.
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