As the off-season comes to a close, the NFL is split into two categories. There are contenders and there are pretenders. Nobody knows which teams are which yet, but we have an idea. Here are the best and worst teams in each division, starting with the NFC.
The Best and Worst Team in All NFC Divisions
The NFC West
The Best: Arizona Cardinals
The NFC West is a two-horse race. Only the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks have any real chance of winning a championship in 2016. The Seahawks easily could’ve been the best team in the NFC West, but an interesting off-season leaves them attached to too many unanswered questions. The departures of Bruce Irvin and Marshawn Lynch are certain to hurt the Hawks in 2016. Meanwhile in Arizona, the likes of Carson Palmer, Larry Fitzgerald, Tyrann Mathieu, and Patrick Peterson are still around. The Seahawks might win the important games and show up when it counts, but on paper, the Cardinals are easily the best team in the division.
The Worst: San Francisco 49ers
If you asked the average NFL fan to name a superstar on the San Francisco 49ers, it’s unlikely that they would be able to. Vernon Davis, Patrick Willis, Frank Gore, and Alex Smith are all gone. The offensive line isn’t what it used to be and Colin Kaepernick has been inconsistent at best. The addition of head coach Chip Kelly could mean feast or famine for the 49ers, but the latter is far more likely.
The NFC North
The Best: Green Bay Packers
Much like the NFC West, the NFC North was a two horse race. The Green Bay Packers barely edged out the Minnesota Vikings for this spot. The difference? Teddy Bridgewater and Aaron Rodgers aren’t in the same league. Rodgers, the two-time league MVP, gets a healthier Eddie Lacy, a returning Jordy Nelson, a developing Jeff Janis, and Randall Cobb in 2016. His defense still features Clay Matthews, and paired with a dynamic offense, the Packers will be fun to watch yet again this season.
The Worst: The Detroit Lions
The loss of Calvin Johnson is devastating for the Detriot Lions. Much like Barry Sanders decades earlier, Johnson simply got tired of carrying this snakebitten franchise and retired early. Quarterback Matthew Stafford might be able to carry the team, but with a shaky offensive line, run game, and defense, it’s unlikely.
The NFC South
The Best: Carolina Panthers
This is a piece of cake. The Carolina Panthers are the defending NFC Champions. Cam Newton, Luke Kuechly, Greg Olsen, and even Kelvin Benjamin are returning to Carolina, and they should be a powerhouse yet again. The loss of cornerback Josh Norman certainly hurts, but not badly enough to prevent them from repeating as NFC South champions.
The Worst: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers suffer from being in a decent division. With youngsters Jameis Winston and Mike Evans on offense, and stud running back Doug Martin returning to form, the future is bright for Tampa Bay. Unfortunately, the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons are still just better teams.
The NFC East
The Best: New York Giants
Honestly, you could put any team but the Philadelphia Eagles in this position and you wouldn’t be wrong. The Dallas Cowboys have an offense featuring Tony Romo, Dez Bryant, and explosive rookie Ezekiel Elliott. The Washington Redskins are the defending NFC East champions and recently signed Josh Norman away from the Panthers. Frankly, it’s the uncertainty of Washington’s players and the off the field issues in Dallas that earn the New York Giants this spot. Eli Manning will have Victor Cruz, Odell Beckham Jr., and rookie Sterling Shepard catching his passes, and they’ve certainly spent a ton of money on their defense.
The Worst: Philadelphia Eagles
What is there to say about the Philadelphia Eagles that hasn’t been said? They made Fletcher Cox, a very good, but not incredible talent, the highest paid non-quarterback in the league. They also traded two first round, a second round, a third round, and a fourth round pick to the Cleveland Browns for the second overall pick to draft raw quarterback prospect Carson Wentz. There are a ton of things going right in Philadelphia, but don’t be surprised if they have the worst record in the NFC East this year.
Make sure you also check out the AFC version of this article!
