NFC 2013 Record Predictions
By: Matt Harmon
NFC East:
1) Washington Redskins (9-7)
2) New York Giants (8-8)
3) Dallas Cowboys (7-9)
4) Philadelphia Eagles (6-10)
NFC West:
1) San Francisco 49ers (12-4)*
2) Seattle Seahawks (12-4)*
3) St. Louis Rams (9-7)
4) Arizona Cardinals (7-9)
NFC South:
1) New Orleans Saints (10-6)*
2) Atlanta Falcons (9-7)
3) Carolina Panthers (8-8)
4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-10)
NFC North:
1) Green Bay Packers (11-5)*
2) Chicago Bears (10-6)*
3) Detroit Lions (7-9)
4) Minnesota Vikings (6-10)
NFC East:
1) Washington Redskins (9-7)
- I think the Redskins are clearly the best team in the NFC East, provided that Robert Griffin stays healthy. Their offense should be healthier and more explosive this year, and their defensive front seven is one of the strongest in the league. The problem is they play in a very competitive division and have tough games outside of the division against the NFC North and the 49ers and Falcons. Those games will be good litmus tests for the Redskins progress as a true contender. In the end, I think the Redskins will pull away with this division, but I do not think they are strong enough to make a deep playoff run just yet.
2) New York Giants (8-8)
- For the first year in many a years I am quitting the Giants. I almost always predict them to be an elite team and win this division and too often they let me down. For this season I think they will float around .500 as they can probably score points with anyone, but they have the makings of an atrocious defense. The fact that their schedule is no cakewalk only reinforces my belief they will be an average squad in 2013.
3) Dallas Cowboys (7-9)
- There are simply too many questions surrounding the Cowboys right now for me to fully embrace them as a true contender. I hate their move to a 4-3 defense and I am still not sure I can totally trust and embrace that rushing offense to improve upon its 31st league ranking. Other than some games against the AFC West there do not appear to be many gimme games on the schedule this year either. I fail to see how the Cowboys are much better than the team they fielded last year, and consequently, I have no faith they can beat upper echelon teams consistently.
4) Philadelphia Eagles (6-10)
- The Eagles are at the beginning of a massive rebuilding phase. However, I think the talent that still exists on this roster and the innovations of new Head Coach Chip Kelly will allow this team to sneak up on a few people this year. Obviously with only six projected wins I do not see playoff or anything, but still their offense should at least make them a tough out each week. So many new parts, and a dreadful defense will likely prevent them from beating good teams on their schedule like Green Bay, Denver, or the other teams in their division on a consistent basis, but by years end, this team could be much more dangerous.
NFC West:
1) San Francisco 49ers (12-4)*
- San Francisco edges out Seattle as the NFC West winner just barely by the virtue of a head to head tie breaker late in the season. The defense is as good as ever, and even with the loss of Michael Crabtree, you have to trust Jim Harbaugh to always manufacture offense. This division certainly does not allow for any easy games, nor do they draw many favors in their other NFC match ups. However, games against the AFC South should be mostly winnable. It is too hard not to love this team that is just oozing with so much young talent.
2) Seattle Seahawks (12-4)*
- It is well known that I have developed something of a man crush on this Seahawks team, but I still see them as just a step behind the 49ers. Their offense would have looked nice with a healthy Percy Harvin all year, but lets not forget they were pretty dynamic last in 2012 without him in town. Their defense is still fully loaded with a bunch of bullies and their running game could be even better than last year. I can see them winning a few games less than what I have projected just because they play in such a brutal division, but I still love this team, and expect great things out of them yet again.
3) St. Louis Rams (9-7)
- This Rams group is young and ascending. I think they can be a top tier team very soon, but this is probably one last “in-between” type of season to put it all together. With an aggressive defense and a variety of talented skill position players, this team could push for a division title, if they did not play in the NFC West. They are just a few pegs below the elite 49ers and Seahawks, but are very talented in their own right. I am looking forward to watching this team in the 2013 season.
4) Arizona Cardinals (7-9)
- The Cardinals are another team that could be a bit better if they did not play in the NFC West. I really like Bruce Arians as a head coach and even those his best days are well behind him, Carson Palmer presents such a massive upgrade over what this team trotted onto the field last year. I would bet they collect a good amount of their wins from outside of their divisions, but struggle when playing the Niners, Seahawks, and Rams. Arizona is a team to watch even if they do not compete for a playoff berth this year.
NFC South:
1) New Orleans Saints (10-6)*
- Clearly I think having Sean Payton back makes a huge difference for this team. Not only will he be able to have the offense firing on cylinders, but he will likely keep a much more controlled atmosphere about this team. I know their defense was terrible last year, and they have already been wrought with injuries in their new scheme, but I still think we see a small bit of improvement. In the end, I really like the Saints to win a bunch of shootouts this year, and for Drew Brees to have a banner season. I think that will be enough to win the NFC South, which I think is a touch overrated as a premier division.
2) Atlanta Falcons (9-7)
- I see a step back for Atlanta this year. I do not doubt they are motivated, but I do not see where they are much better than they were last year. Steven Jackson is an upgrade over the decrepit Michael Turner, but how much does he realistically have left? I have real concerns about this defense, and the offensive line is dreadful. Matt Ryan and his receivers will have to carry this team, and they are certainly capable of accomplishing that.
3) Carolina Panthers (8-8)
- Carolina is a bit of an enigma to me. Looking at their schedule, I can see them coming in anywhere from 5-11 to 10-6. After going through their games, they ended up somewhere in the middle of that. The defensive front seven could be amongst the best in the league, but their secondary is a mess. I am a Cam Newton believer, but I can see this offense struggling with poor play on the line and lack of weaponry. With all those mixed feelings being tossed around, I would bet Carolina is a pretty average team in 2013.
4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-10)
- New faces, same old Tampa. The Secondary is certainly much better than last season, but I don’t see where the pass rush will come from. On offense I officially do not believe Josh Freeman will get it done in Tampa Bay. In a division filled with good teams, I still see Tampa Bay firmly behind the top three teams. There is talent here, but this still has the feel of a team that is in the midst of transition.
NFC North:
1) Green Bay Packers (11-5)*
- I really think that the Packers could be the best team in the NFC. I think their defense is improving, and I love the addition of Datone Jones. On offense, we know Aaron Rodgers will be on point, but I am really excited about the addition of Eddie Lacy, and I feel he could be the missing piece on offense. The only reason I am keeping them just a touch below the 49ers and the Seahawks is their offensive line. I am not sure this group is equipped to keep Aaron Rodgers clean for 16 games.
2) Chicago Bears (10-6)*
- I am buying the Bears this year. I like Marc Trestman as a head coach and I am betting he can get Jay Culter and the offense going. With Martellus Bennett and the emerging Alshon Jeffery, it look like Cutler will have the options he needs to not just huck the ball to Brandon Marshall every play (it just remains to be seen if he has the ability). The offensive line should be better, and I trust Mel Tucker as a defensive coordinator. All the pieces are here for the Bears to grab the final NFC Wildcard spot.
3) Detroit Lions (7-9)
- The Lions will be better this year, but how much better is the question. Their strengths are still the pass offense and the defensive line, but I am not sure they improved their weaknesses enough to get back in to the playoffs. Reggie Bush is a great fit in this offense and he should catch a ton of passes for Stafford. Will he have room to run behind the offensive line? That group remains low on talent. The NFC North should be a tough division again, and that will likely keep the Lions under .500.
4) Minnesota Vikings (6-10)
- We have a big step back for Minnesota this season. I do not see leaps and bounds improvement from Christian Ponder and I just cannot see Adrian Peterson, great as he is, carrying this team two seasons in a row. This is a solid all around roster, but I feel like last year was a “best case scenario” year, and I do not trust that everything breaks right for the Vikings again in 2013.
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