NFL power rankings: Which NFC team is the Super Bowl favorite?
By Mark Powell
Despite the Kansas City Chiefs’ dynasty in the making, the NFC is arguably a deeper conference than the AFC. But who reigns supreme?
The NFC’s parity is unrivaled, and in the midst of an offseason that could sway the tide, a shake-up could be in order. The 49ers, Eagles, Saints, Packers, Vikings and Seahawks all made the playoffs last season, and it’s tough to argue about that bunch as the top-6 at this point in the offseason.
The 49ers, for one, faced their own drama at the moment with Raheem Mostert having demanded a trade out of the Bay area due to his contract situation. After an impressive postseason, the Niners are forced to raise his pay or go into the season with Trevin Coleman as the prime back. With the Seahawks and the rapidly-rising Cardinals chasing down Kyle Shanahan’s group, the NFC West won’t be a cake walk.
The NFC South factors to be arguably the most entertaining division in football next season thanks to the improvement of the Tom Brady-led Tampa Bay Buccaneers. TB12’s decision to sign with the Bucs sets up a battle for the division which could come down to the season’s final weeks.
In the North, Green Bay still enters the year as the prohibitive favorite, with the Vikings right behind them. Minnesota’s season could be derailed depending on how they handle Dalvin Cook’s contract, however.
Meanwhile, despite the NFC East’s rather embarrassing 2019 season, the Eagles and Cowboys still possess two of the more talented rosters in football. Assuming injuries don’t get in the way again, both should be able to contend week after week with just about anyone.
NFC Power Rankings: 16-11
16: Washington Football Team
Without a team name and much else to look forward to next season, Washington is embracing the culture change with Ron Rivera and Dwayne Haskins at the helm. The bumps in the road will not end this season, however, and that youth will serve as a problem despite showing some flashes.
15. Carolina Panthers
Matt Rhule’s transition to the professional game is unlikely to go on without a hitch, and while we love Teddy Bridgewater as a QB prospect the Panthers lack much else despite he and Christian McCaffrey, which is good enough to snatch a few wins here and there.
14. New York Giants
Give Danny Dimes credit, he stepped in and looked decent at times, but by no means are the Giants ready to take the next step in their rebuild just yet. Dave Gettlemen is drunk at the wheel, and we can only hope Joe Judge was the right hire.
13. Detroit Lions
The Lions could easily rise out of the depths with Matthew Stafford coming back, but they also traded Darius Slay in a puzzling move for a team trying to contend to save Matt Patricia’s job. The Bill Belichick coaching tree isn’t always kind, and Patricia looks like a man better serve for a coordinator job.
12. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons have the upside to make a Super Bowl run, but they continue to disappoint year-over-year with Kyle Shanahan around to run their offense. A couple of timely additions — specifically hometown kid Todd Gurley to their backfield — could help them take another leap forward, but in a tough division featuring the Saints and Bucs that’ll be easier said than done.
11. Los Angeles Rams
The Rams’ fall from grace has been stunning, and in just two offseasons they’ve gone from division favorites to potentially favored for a last place finish. No Todd Gurley or Brandin Cooks suddenly puts Jared Goff on an island, and despite how much we love Sean McVay’s play-calling, there’s only so much he can do.