2016 NFL predictions: Super Bowl XLXI and more
JJ: Packers, Buccaneers. This new Vikings vs Packers North rivalry has the feel of something that could go back and forth for a while. The Vikings will be impressive next year again and win the division, but the Packers will once again not be shut out of the playoffs altogether. And the Buccaneers showed vast improvement this season with Jameis Winston at the helm, and with Lovie Smith gone now, they’ll take another nice step forward next year and inch themselves into the playoffs.
MV: Seahawks, Buccaneers. Seattle is one of the best teams in football, and while it won’t win the NFC West, it will be in the playoffs for a fifth straight year. Tampa Bay might surprise people, but this is a team with a good coach and a terrific offense. Look for Lovie Smith to get just enough out of that side of the ball to make it into the postseason.
MD: Panthers, Cardinals. The Packers will return to the top of the NFC North, but the Minnesota Viking should still be talented enough to contend for the postseason, but they won’t be good enough to knock the Cardinals out of playoff contention. Cam Newton and the Panthers might not be able to replicate the kind of success they had in 2015 next year, but they’ll still be winning and in a position to contend. The drop off shouldn’t be too far.
JH: Packers, Buccaneers. The Packers losing Jordy Nelson not only set the Packers back but it opened up the Vikings to taste top of the division. That doesn’t mean Green Bay is hitting the skids, but they’re in the same conversation at Jameis Winston and the upstart Buccaneers as a wild card team. The talent levels may be different but the Packers aren’t the same team they were in recent years and that’s going to become apparent even more so in 2016.
JB: Packers, Panthers. Cam and Co. barely miss out on the division, but end up in the playoffs nonetheless. After a sluggish start they recalibrate and get things moving. Green Bay does the same. We have half a season of people wondering what’s wrong with Aaron Rodgers until he goes on a tear for the final eight weeks.
PA: Cardinals and Falcons. It will be revenge of the birds in 2016 in the NFC. The Falcons are still very talented on offense and I think the team will get enough of their defensive woes sorted out figured out to make a playoff run. As for the Cardinals, as long as Carson Palmer doesn’t break down, they should be back in the mix as well and could even win the West again if Seattle continues its tradition of faltering out fo the gate.
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