NFL season preview, award predictions and more
By Josh Sanchez
NFC Champion
Patrick Allen: Atlanta Falcons — The Falcons are and awful lot like the great Chiefs teams of the 90s. They’re amazing in the regular season but can’t get over the hump in the playoffs. Unlike those Chiefs teams, however, the Falcons have Matt Ryan, whereas the best QB those Chiefs teams had was an aging Joe Montana, which to be fair, was still a damn good QB. But Montana and the Chiefs ran out of time. Ryan is in his prime so the Falcons have plenty of time left. They’ll get there. And it might be this year.
Josh Sanchez: Atlanta Falcons — With Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, Tony Gonzalez, Roddy White and now Steven Jackson on offense, this team can out point anyone in the league. Add in the fact that the defense has improved this offseason and it is hard to find a weakness on the roster. Seattle could challenge for the NFC crown, but it will be up to Russell Wilson to avoid a sophomore slump. Because of that, the Falcons are the safer pick.
Mike Dyce: Seattle Seahawks — I think there is a lot to like about the Seahawks, a strengthened defense and a dependable running back in Marshawn Lynch. Russell Wilson has also proven to be a capable quarterback in his rookie season. It could be hard to make it out of a tough NFC West Division but that hasn’t held back the San Francisco 49ers.
Bryan Rosa: : Green Bay Packers – My heart tells me to take the 49ers, but to reach the NFC Championship for a third straight year? That’s a pretty tough task. Not to say they can’t do it, but Seattle looks improved as does St. Louis making the NFC West a bit tougher of a challenge this season. That should eat away at home field and/or a bye week. I think both Atlanta and Green Bay should challenge for the NFC title with home field in that situation taking it. Not exactly a huge fan of either of their schedules but I think Green Bay pulls it off.