2017-2018 NFC Winner Predictions

2017-2018 NFC Winner Predictions

Jeff Lembo, Staff Writer

Last season was a wild one in the NFC. League MVP Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons cruised to a Super Bowl berth with their high-powered offense, rookies Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott led the Cowboys back to the playoffs, and Aaron Rodgers again showed why he’s one of the NFL’s best signal callers, leading the Packers to multiple thrilling victories. The NFC will be extremely competitive this year, with three or four teams looking like Super Bowl contenders. See if your team will take the division crown in our NFC division winner predictions below!

NFC East: New York Giants

The NFC East is always a tight race, but the Giants are my pick to take the division in 2017. In fact, they are also my pick to reach the Super Bowl out of the NFC. Although he has shown signs of inconsistency lately, quarterback Eli Manning is capable of stepping up to lead the offense in big situations. The Giants boast one of, if not the best, receiving core in the NFL, featuring Odell Beckham, Jr., Sterling Shepard, and Brandon Marshall. Rookie tight end Evan Engram should also make a huge impact on the offense this year. Defensively, the Giants also have a terrific secondary, led by Landon Collins, Eli Apple, and Janoris Jenkins. The Eagles and Redskins shouldn’t give the Giants too much to worry about this year, but the Cowboys will compete for the division title. Despite questions surrounding running back Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas still has the power to knock off the Giants. The two teams will meet in a huge game late in the season on December 10th, a game that will certainly have playoff implications.

NFC North: Green Bay Packers

The Packers are going to win the division yet again. As long as star QB Aaron Rodgers can stay healthy, the Packers will be fine. They’ve shown they can cope in difficult situations in recent years, such as when their secondary became deeply depleted and star receiver Jordy Nelson was lost for the year due to a torn ACL. Rodgers carried them all the way to the conference championship last year, and I expect the same this season. Rodgers, running back Ty Montgomery, new tight end Martellus Bennett, and receiver Jordy Nelson will lead a speedy offense. Defensively, Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix, Clay Matthews, and Quinten Rollins lead a unit that is always solid. The Lions and Bears shouldn’t be too competitive for the division crown this year, and the Vikings are coming off an 8-8 season and are still facing uncertainty at the quarterback position. For these reasons, the Packers will probably win the NFC North.

NFC West: Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks will face little competition in their division this year, as the Rams and 49ers are beginning rebuilding phases. The Cardinals may be the biggest threat, but Seattle is just too strong. They have one of the strongest defenses in the NFL, and added depth to a unit that already included Richard Sherman, Cliff Avril, and Bobby Wagner by drafting Malik McDowell. This is a scary defensive unit, and one that can carry Seattle deep into the postseason. Rounded out by a solid offense that features Russell Wilson, Eddy Lacy, and Jimmy Graham, the Seahawks will capture the division crown of 2017/18.

NFC South: Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons ended their season in a very disappointing way last year, blowing a 25 point lead to lose the Super Bowl. They’ll come back this year hungry to reach the big game again. It’s their offense that will carry them, as it was the top unit in the NFL last year in terms of scoring. Defending MVP Matt Ryan, receivers Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu, and running back Devonta Freeman will lead the high powered offense. The Falcons also feature a solid defense led by Ricardo Allen, Vic Beasley, and Dontari Poe. They may face some pressure in the division from the Panthers, Saints (now featuring Adrian Peterson) and the Buccaneers, but this offense is too powerful. This will lead to another division title for the Atlanta Falcons.