The NFC playing field coming into this season looks to be one of the most competitive we have seen in a long time. There are only three teams – Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Rams – that are realistically not going to come close to contending in the NFC this season. Even then, the Rams and Bears could manage a few upsets this season with the young talent they have developing. With that being said, only six of the NFC’s sixteen teams can make the playoffs; so with higher competition than ever, who are the 2017 NFC Playoff Teams?
Who are the 2017 NFC Playoff Teams?
Sixth seed: Carolina Panthers
It’s easy to forget that the Panthers are just two seasons removed from a 15-1 season and a Super Bowl appearance. It’s also easy to forget that quarterback Cam Newton was the NFL MVP that season as well. Last season, the Panthers stumbled to a 6-10 record amid injuries and bad luck. The Panthers may be playing in a tough NFC South division, but they are too talented to repeat last season’s collapse. They will not be as good as they were in 2015, but they’ll rebound nicely this season and make the playoffs.
Fifth seed: Dallas Cowboys
A reasonable expectation might be to expect a slight drop off for the Dallas Cowboys this season. Almost miraculously, the Cowboys managed to go 13-3 and earn the NFC’s number one seed last season playing with rookie quarterback Dak Prescott and the NFL’s 26th-ranked pass defense. While the Dallas offensive line and running game remain very strong, there are a lot of question marks surrounding the secondary. Additionally, heading into his second year, Prescott will have a lot of pressure to replicate last season’s performance and prove that he was not just a one-year wonder. Regardless, the Cowboys will still be good enough to earn a wild card spot.
Division Winners
Fourth seed: Atlanta Falcons (NFC South)
The Atlanta Falcons boasted one of the best offenses in NFL history last season, and they will return much of that talent this season. Reigning NFL MVP quarterback Matt Ryan will once again be an MVP candidate, throwing to one of the NFL’s best wide receiver in Julio Jones. The defense, save for the second half meltdown in the Super Bowl, emerged as a championship-caliber unit in the playoffs last season. Even though a major drop off will not occur, the Falcons will have a hard time securing a first-round bye this time around with the increasing competitiveness of the NFC.
Third seed: New York Giants (NFC East)
The New York Giants are poised for a breakout season with the addition of wide receiver Brandon Marshall to an already dominant receiving corps led by Odell Beckham Jr. Quarterback Eli Manning may be getting old, but he will not be short of weapons on offense by any means. The secondary will be one of the best in the NFL again, returning faces such as Landon Collins and Janoris Jenkins. This is a very well-rounded team that has most of the pieces in place to make a Super Bowl run as early as this year. Watch out for the Giants this season.
First-Round Byes
Second seed: Green Bay Packers (NFC North)
An offense that was one of the NFL’s best will be even stronger with the addition of tight ends Martellus Bennett and Lance Kendricks. Two-time NFL MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers will have the best offensive supporting cast he has had since the Packers won the Super Bowl back in the 2010 season; it would not be surprising if the Packers broke offensive records this season. The defense is still shaky, but will be much improved over the injury-riddled unit observed towards the end of last season. Barring any significant injury bug, the Packers will have a great chance at reaching the Super Bowl for the first time in seven years.
First seed: Seattle Seahawks (NFC West)
Without a doubt, the Seattle Seahawks are the most well-rounded team in the NFL this season. Their defense is still fearsome, quarterback Russell Wilson has gotten better by the year, and the running game got a boost with the signing of former Packer Eddie Lacy. The list goes on. The only real weakness is the offensive line, but even they have improved since last season. This is easily the best Seahawks team since winning the Super Bowl in 2013, and it would be no surprise to see them back there again for the third time in five years.
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