NFC East
1.
Dallas Cowboys
2.
Philadelphia Eagles
3.
New York Giants
4.
Washington Redskins
Analysis: Last year's last season and postseason run by the
Dallas Cowboys showed us that this team can compete and I feel like they're a shoe-in for the division title this year. I do have to give some credit to the
Philadelphia Eagles however, who are playing the players they should to win now, although the window is growing closed. Third place feels like it could either be the
New York Giants or
Washington Redskins, but the Giants are more motivated to win this year while the Redskins seem to be preparing for the future.
NFC North
1.
Chicago Bears
2.
Detroit Lions
3.
Green Bay Packers
4.
Minnesota Vikings
Analysis: A lot of my pick in this division is purely based on gut instinct. For example, the
Chicago Bears had a down year last season and I don't think GM Brent Lachapelle is going to settle for two in a row. The Bears return to glory, with the
Detroit Lions trying to secure their first division title but coming up short. I do think the
Green Bay Packers will win a few games, but it may not be enough to make the playoffs and save their GM's job. In last place...and this is shocking I know -- I have the
Minnesota Vikings. Their team is solid, but I think they overperformed in 2016.
NFC South
1.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2.
Atlanta Falcons
3.
Carolina Panthers
4.
New Orleans Saints
Analysis: The
Tampa Bay Buccaneers are going to be back with a vengeance next season with the goal to make it to and win the Super Bowl. GM Bryan Mellon will sell all of our souls to make it happen as well. But he's got a competitor in the
Atlanta Falcons and GM Garth Pearce, whom has shown that he can go toe to toe with anyone. The Falcons roster is solid and has remaining largely the same. I do like the
Carolina Panthers as well, but I think they hit their ceiling in 2016. Last place should be the
New Orleans Saints who will struggle with a rookie quarterback even if he is the future of the league.
NFC West
1.
Seattle Seahawks
2.
San Francisco 49ers
3.
St. Louis Rams
4.
Arizona Cardinals
Analysis: It's hard to look at this division any other way -- both the
Seattle Seahawks and
San Francisco 49ers are NFC powerhouses and one of them will come out on top. My money is on Seattle, but I'm usually wrong. I also think the
St. Louis Rams have a chance to surprise quite a few people this season, but they're in the NFC West unfortunately. Last place is a good
Arizona Cardinals team that looks like it needs a bit of luck in a very tough division.
NFC Playoff Seedings
1.
Chicago Bears
2.
Seattle Seahawks
3.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
4.
Dallas Cowboys
5.
San Francisco 49ers
6.
Detroit Lions
