A look at how the NFC shapes up in 2014. Teams listed in predicted order of finish:
NFC EAST
1. Philadelphia
Coach: Chip Kelly (2d year, 10-6)
Last year: 10-6, first
Outlook: The Eagles started 3-5 last year before hitting their stride, winning seven of their last eight before succumbing to the Saints in the playoffs. Kelly figured out NFL defenses as quickly as he figured out the NCAA, finishing fourth in points and second in total offense. Expect the Eagles to fly even higher in Kelly’s second season.
Will make playoffs if . . . : Nick Foles continues his progress from last year. If he can limit his turnovers, the Eagles will be dangerous.
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STARTING OFFENSE | STARTING DEFENSE | ||
---|---|---|---|
QB | Nick Foles | DE | Fletcher Cox |
RB | LeSean McCoy | NT | Bennie Logan |
WR | Riley Cooper | DE | Cedric Thornton |
WR | Jeremy Maclin | OLB | Connor Barwin |
TE | Brent Celek | ILB | DeMeco Ryans |
TE | Zach Ertz | ILB | Mychal Kendricks |
LT | Jason Peters | OLB | Trent Cole |
LG | Evan Mathis | CB | Bradley Fletcher |
C | Jason Kelce | CB | Cary Williams |
RG | Todd Herremans | SS | Nate Allen |
RT | Lane Johnson* | FS | Malcolm Jenkins |
K | Cody Parkey | P | Donnie Jones |
2. Washington
Coach: Jay Gruden (1st year)
Last year: 3-13, fourth
Outlook: Robert Griffin III struggled mightily last year coming off his torn ACL, and the defense finished 30th in points allowed. The defense doesn’t look like it improved much, but Griffin is now in his second year following surgery. If he can regain his electric scrambling ability, he will enhance a ton of playmakers on offense.
Will make playoffs if . . . : The defense doesn’t allow 30 points per game again. If they can keep it to, say, 25 points, that may be enough.
STARTING OFFENSE | STARTING DEFENSE | ||
---|---|---|---|
QB | Robert Griffin III | DE | Chris Baker |
RB | Alfred Morris | NT | Barry Cofield |
FB | Darrel Young | DE | Jason Hatcher |
WR | Pierre Garcon | OLB | Ryan Kerrigan |
WR | DeSean Jackson | ILB | Keenan Robinson |
TE | Jordan Reed | ILB | Perry Riley |
LT | Trent Williams | OLB | Brian Orakpo |
LG | Shawn Lauvao | CB | DeAngelo Hall |
C | Kory Lichtensteiger | CB | David Amerson |
RG | Chris Chester | SS | Brandon Meriweather* |
RT | Tyler Polumbus | FS | Ryan Clark |
K | Kai Forbath | P | Tress Way |
3. NY Giants
Coach: Tom Coughlin (11th year, 90-70)
Last year: 7-9, third
Outlook: The Giants have arguably the best defense in the division (not saying much), but the offense fell apart last year, with Eli Manning throwing 27 interceptions and just 18 touchdowns. Can new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo turn him around with his West Coast offense? The Giants’ fate depends on it.
Will make playoffs if . . . : Manning can pick up the new quick-passing offense. He looked terrible in the preseason, so it won’t be easy.
STARTING OFFENSE | STARTING DEFENSE | ||
---|---|---|---|
QB | Eli Manning | DE | Mathias Kiwanuka |
RB | Rashad Jennings | DT | Cullen Jenkins |
FB | Henry Hynoski | DT | Mike Patterson |
WR | Victor Cruz | DE | Jason Pierre-Paul |
WR | Rueben Randle | OLB | Jameel McClain |
TE | Larry Donnell | MLB | Jon Beason |
LT | Will Beatty | OLB | Jacquian Williams |
LG | Weston Richburg | CB | D. Rodgers-Cromartie |
C | J.D. Walton | CB | Prince Amukamara |
RG | Brandon Mosley | SS | Antrel Rolle |
RT | Justin Pugh | FS | Stevie Brown |
K | Josh Brown | P | Steve Weatherford |
4. Dallas
Coach: Jason Garrett (5th year, 29-27)
Last year: 8-8, second
Outlook: If nothing else, the Cowboys’ games should be fun this year. Tony Romo and Dez Bryant will keep the ball moving and put up points, although there should be concern about Romo returning from back surgery. But Dallas’s league-worst defense might be even worse after losing DeMarcus Ware.
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Will make playoffs if . . . : The offense can average about 60 points per game. The defense can’t stop anybody, and it won’t be long until Garrett is on the hot seat.
STARTING OFFENSE | STARTING DEFENSE | ||
---|---|---|---|
QB | Tony Romo | DE | George Selvie |
RB | DeMarco Murray | DT | Nick Hayden |
WR | Dez Bryant | DT | Henry Melton |
WR | Terrance Williams | DE | Jeremy Mincey |
TE | Jason Witten | OLB | Kyle Wilber |
TE | Gavin Escobar | MLB | Justin Durant |
LT | Tyron Smith | OLB | Bruce Carter |
LG | Mackenzy Bernadeau | CB | Brandon Carr |
C | Travis Frederick | CB | Orlando Scandrick* |
RG | Zack Martin | SS | J.J. Wilcox |
RT | Doug Free | FS | Barry Church |
K | Dan Bailey | P | Chris Jones |
NFC NORTH
1. Chicago
Coach: Marc Trestman (2d year, 8-8)
Last year: 8-8, second
Outlook: A lot to like about the Bears this year as they enter Year 2 under Trestman. Offense isn’t a problem, with Jay Cutler, Brandon Marshall, and Alshon Jeffery leading the Bears to the No. 2 scoring offense last year. The defense finished 30th, but shored up the line with Jared Allen and Lamarr Houston.
Will make playoffs if . . . : They get better defensive line play. The Bears had the league’s worst rushing defense last year, and finished tied for last with just 31 sacks.
STARTING OFFENSE | STARTING DEFENSE | ||
---|---|---|---|
QB | Jay Cutler | DE | Lamarr Houston |
RB | Matt Forte | DT | Jeremiah Ratliff |
FB | Tony Fiammetta | DT | Stephen Paea |
WR | Brandon Marshall | DE | Jared Allen |
WR | Alshon Jeffery | OLB | Lance Briggs |
TE | Martellus Bennett | MLB | D.J. Williams |
LT | Jermon Bushrod | OLB | Shea McClellin |
LG | Matt Slauson | CB | Tim Jennings |
C | Roberto Garza | CB | Charles Tillman |
RG | Kyle Long | SS | Ryan Mundy |
RT | Jordan Mills | FS | Danny McCray |
K | Robbie Gould | P | Patrick O'Donnell |
2. Green Bay
Coach: Mike McCarthy (9th year, 82-45-1)
Last year: 8-7-1, first
Outlook: The Packers were rolling at 5-2 last year before Aaron Rodgers got hurt. They still made the playoffs, but the injury derailed their season. Rodgers is back with his buddies Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, and Eddie Lacy. Now they have to figure out how to beat the 49ers in the playoffs.
Will make playoffs if . . . : Rodgers can stay healthy. The secondary isn’t great, the offensive line is a work in progress, but as long as Rodgers is in the lineup the team is dangerous.
STARTING OFFENSE | STARTING DEFENSE | ||
---|---|---|---|
QB | Aaron Rodgers | DE | Datone Jones |
RB | Eddie Lacy | DT | Letroy Guion |
FB | John Kuhn | DE | Mike Daniels |
WR | Jordy Nelson | OLB | Clay Matthews |
WR | Randall Cobb | ILB | A.J. Hawk |
TE | Richard Rodgers | ILB | Brad Jones |
LT | David Bakhtiari | OLB | Julius Peppers |
LG | Josh Sitton | CB | Tramon Williams |
C | JC Tretter | CB | Sam Shields |
RG | T.J. Lang | SS | Morgan Burnett |
RT | Bryan Bulaga | FS | Micah Hyde |
K | Mason Crosby | P | Tim Masthay |
3. Minnesota
Coach: Mike Zimmer (1st year)
Last year: 5-10-1, fourth
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Outlook: They still have the best running back in the league in Adrian Peterson, and the defense should be much improved with Zimmer now running the show. It all comes down to whether Matt Cassel or Teddy Bridgewater can play better than Christian Ponder did last year.
Will make playoffs if . . . : They stick to the tried-and-true NFL formula — run the ball, play defense, don’t turn the ball over. Don’t be surprised if the Vikings are this year’s surprise playoff team.
STARTING OFFENSE | STARTING DEFENSE | ||
---|---|---|---|
QB | Matt Cassel | DE | Brian Robison |
RB | Adrian Peterson | DT | Sharrif Floyd |
FB | Jerome Felton | DT | Linval Joseph |
WR | Cordarrelle Patterson | DE | Everson Griffen |
WR | Greg Jennings | OLB | Anthony Barr |
TE | Kyle Rudolph | MLB | Jasper Brinkley |
LT | Matt Kalil | OLB | Chad Greenway |
LG | Charlie Johnson | CB | Captain Munnerlyn |
C | John Sullivan | CB | Xavier Rhodes |
RG | Brandon Fusco | SS | Robert Blanton |
RT | Phil Loadholt | FS | Harrison Smith |
K | Blair Walsh | P | Jeff Locke |
4. Detroit
Coach: Jim Caldwell (1st year)
Last year: 7-9, third
Outlook: The Lions still have a lot of pieces to like, including newcomers Golden Tate and Eric Ebron. They just happen to play in the toughest division in the NFL, with a secondary that looks like it will get torched. by Aaron Rodgers and Jay Cutler.
Will make playoffs if . . . : Caldwell can fix Stafford’s mechanics and rein him in. Stafford hasn’t completed 60 percent of his passes in either of his last two seasons, and has thrown 36 interceptions over that span.
STARTING OFFENSE | STARTING DEFENSE | ||
---|---|---|---|
QB | Matthew Stafford | DE | Ziggy Ansah |
RB | Reggie Bush | DT | C.J. Mosley |
FB | Jed Collins | DT | Ndamukong Suh |
WR | Calvin Johnson | DE | Jason Jones |
WR | Golden Tate | OLB | Ashlee Palmer |
TE | Brandon Pettigrew | MLB | Stephen Tulloch |
LT | Riley Reiff | OLB | DeAndre Levy |
LG | Rob Sims | CB | Rashean Mathis |
C | Dominic Raiola | CB | Darius Slay |
RG | Larry Warford | SS | James Ihedigbo |
RT | LaAdrian Waddle | FS | Glover Quin |
K | Nate Freese | P | Sam Martin |
NFC SOUTH
1. New Orleans
Coach: Sean Payton (8th year, 73-39)
Last year: 11-5, second
Outlook: The Saints are always great on offense and shouldn’t miss a beat with Jimmy Graham back and Brandin Cooks replacing Darren Sproles. Their defense, No. 4 in the league last year, should be even better with the addition of S Jairus Byrd. The Saints should contend for a spot in the Super Bowl.
Will make playoffs if . . . : They can win at least three games on the road. The Saints are dominant at home; if they win four or five road games, they’ll get a first-round bye.
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STARTING OFFENSE | STARTING DEFENSE | ||
---|---|---|---|
QB | Drew Brees | DE | Akiem Hicks |
RB | Mark Ingram | NT | Brodrick Bunkley |
WR | Marques Colston | DE | Cameron Jordan |
WR | Kenny Stills | OLB | Junior Galette |
WR | Brandin Cooks | ILB | David Hawthorne |
TE | Jimmy Graham | ILB | Curtis Lofton |
LT | Terron Armstead | OLB | Parys Haralson |
LG | Ben Grubbs | CB | Keenan Lewis |
C | Tim Lelito | CB | Patrick Robinson |
RG | Jahri Evans | SS | Kenny Vaccaro |
RT | Zach Strief | FS | Jairus Byrd |
K | Shayne Graham | P | Thomas Morstead |
2. Tampa Bay
Coach: Lovie Smith (1st year)
Last year: 4-12, fourth
Outlook: The Bucs have a lot of talent, and a refreshed attitude with Smith replacing Greg Schiano. Their league-worst offense should be a lot better — the left side of the line was bolstered by Anthony Collins and Logan Mankins, they still can run the ball, and they have tall receivers in Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans.
Will make playoffs if . . . : Their quarterback — either Josh McCown or Mike Glennon — can avoid turnovers. If the Bucs win the turnover battle, they can contend.
STARTING OFFENSE | STARTING DEFENSE | ||
---|---|---|---|
QB | Josh McCown | DE | Adrian Clayborn |
RB | Doug Martin | DT | Gerald McCoy |
FB | Jorvorskie Lane | DT | Clinton McDonald |
WR | Vincent Jackson | DE | Michael Johnson |
WR | Mike Evans | OLB | Jonathan Casillas |
TE | Brandon Myers | MLB | Mason Foster |
LT | Anthony Collins | OLB | Lavonte David |
LG | Logan Mankins | CB | Alterraun Verner |
C | Evan Dietrich-Smith | CB | Mike Jenkins |
RG | Patrick Omameh | SS | Mark Barron |
RT | Demar Dotson | FS | Dashon Goldson |
K | Patrick Murray | P | Michael Koenen |
3. Carolina
Coach: Ron Rivera (4th year, 25-23)
Last year: 12-4, first
Outlook: The Panthers return their entire front seven from last year’s No. 2-ranked defense, but here’s thinking the Panthers will take a step back this year. They have a new left tackle, the running backs are a year older, they have three new receivers, the secondary lost Captain Munnerlyn, and Cam Newton is coming back from ankle surgery.
Will make playoffs if . . . : Newton can build a quick connection with his new receivers. History says that the offense will take a step back.
STARTING OFFENSE | STARTING DEFENSE | ||
---|---|---|---|
QB | Cam Newton | DE | Charles Johnson |
RB | DeAngelo Williams | DT | Colin Cole |
FB | Mike Tolbert | DT | Star Lotulelei |
WR | Jerricho Cotchery | DE | Greg Hardy* |
WR | Kelvin Benjamin | OLB | Chase Blackburn |
TE | Greg Olsen | MLB | Luke Kuechly |
LT | Byron Bell | OLB | Thomas Davis |
LG | Amini Silatolu | CB | Antoine Cason |
C | Ryan Kalil | CB | Melvin White |
RG | Trai Turner | SS | Roman Harper |
RT | Nate Chandler | FS | Thomas DeCoud |
K | Graham Gano | P | Brad Nortman |
4. Atlanta
Coach: Mike Smith (7th year, 60-36)
Last year: 4-12, third
Outlook: The Falcons get Julio Jones back from a broken foot, which certainly will help Matt Ryan and the offense. And the defensive line is now a strength. But they didn’t do much to replace Tony Gonzalez, the offensive line is a mess, and the back seven on D is young and inconsistent.
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Will make playoffs if . . . : They have good luck with injuries and put up about 40 points per game on offense. Ryan, Jones, and Roddy White can keep the chains moving.
STARTING OFFENSE | STARTING DEFENSE | ||
---|---|---|---|
QB | Matt Ryan | DE | Kroy Biermann |
RB | Steven Jackson | DT | Tyson Jackson |
WR | Roddy White | DT | Paul Soliai |
WR | Julio Jones | DE | Jonathan Babineaux |
WR | Harry Douglas | OLB | Prince Shembo |
TE | Levine Toilolo | MLB | Paul Worrilow |
LT | Jake Matthews | OLB | Joplo Bartu |
LG | Justin Blalock | CB | Robert Alford |
C | Joe Hawley | CB | Desmond Trufant |
RG | Jon Asamoah | SS | William Moore |
RT | Lamar Holmes | FS | Dwight Lowery |
K | Matt Bryant | P | Matt Bosher |
NFC WEST
1. Seattle
Coach: Pete Carroll (5th year, 38-26)
Last year: 13-3, first
Outlook: No team has repeated as champs since the 2004-05 Patriots, but there’s reason to think the Seahawks could pull it off. Russell Wilson is as steady as they come, Percy Harvin is back, and the Legion of Boom will still be the best secondary in football despite the new rules.
Will make playoffs if . . . : They aren’t decimated by injuries. Still, the Seahawks are deep enough that they could still make the playoffs even with terrible injury luck. The Seahawks are stacked.
STARTING OFFENSE | STARTING DEFENSE | ||
---|---|---|---|
QB | Russell Wilson | DE | Michael Bennett |
RB | Marshawn Lynch | DT | Tony McDaniel |
FB | Derrick Coleman | DT | Brandon Mebane |
WR | Doug Baldwin | DE | Cliff Avril |
WR | Percy Harvin | OLB | Bruce Irvin |
TE | Zach Miller | MLB | Bobby Wagner |
LT | Russell Okung | OLB | K.J. Wright |
LG | James Carpenter | CB | Richard Sherman |
C | Max Unger | CB | Byron Maxwell |
RG | J.R. Sweezy | SS | Kam Chancellor |
RT | Justin Britt | FS | Earl Thomas |
K | Steven Hauschka | P | Jon Ryan |
2. Arizona
Coach: Bruce Arians (2d year, 10-6)
Last year: 10-6, third
Outlook: The Cardinals are a sexy playoff pick after finishing on a 7-2 stretch and barely missing the postseason. It’s a lot to ask of Carson Palmer to have another season of 16 starts and 4,274 passing yards, and they lost LBs Karlos Dansby, Daryl Washington, and Darnell Dockett, but the Cardinals still have a fantastic secondary and stout D-line.
Will make playoffs if . . . : They find more balance on offense. The 23d-ranked run game needs to improve to help take the burden off Palmer.
STARTING OFFENSE | STARTING DEFENSE | ||
---|---|---|---|
QB | Carson Palmer | DE | Calais Campbell |
RB | Andre Ellington | NT | Dan Williams |
WR | Larry Fitzgerald | DT | Frostee Rucker |
WR | Michael Floyd | DE | John Abraham |
TE | John Carlson | OLB | Larry Foote |
TE | Troy Niklas | ILB | Kevin Minter |
LT | Jared Veldheer | OLB | Matt Shaughnessy |
LG | Ted Larsen | CB | Patrick Peterson |
C | Lyle Sendlein | CB | Antonio Cromartie |
RG | Paul Fanaika | SS | Deone Bucannon |
RT | Bobby Massie | FS | Tyrann Mathieu |
K | Chandler Catanzaro | P | Dave Zastudil |
3. San Francisco
Coach: Jim Harbaugh (4th year, 36-11-1)
Last year: 12-4, second
Outlook: The 49ers have had a rough offseason and might take a big step back this year after three straight NFC Championship games. They won’t have NaVorro Bowman or Aldon Smith for the first half of the season, Ray McDonald was arrested, and they didn’t do much to improve their aging offense.
Will make playoffs if . . . : They can piece their defense together in the early weeks. Unless Harbaugh can pull a little offensive magic out of his hat, this looks like a fallback year.
STARTING OFFENSE | STARTING DEFENSE | ||
---|---|---|---|
QB | Colin Kaepernick | DE | Ray McDonald* |
RB | Frank Gore | NT | Quinton Dial |
FB | Bruce Miller | DE | Justin Smith |
WR | Anquan Boldin | OLB | Ahmad Brooks |
WR | Michael Crabtree | ILB | Michael Wilhoite |
TE | Vernon Davis | ILB | Patrick Willis |
LT | Joe Staley | OLB | Dan Skuta |
LG | Mike Iupati | CB | Tramaine Brock |
C | Daniel Kilgore | CB | Chris Culliver |
RG | Alex Boone | SS | Antoine Bethea* |
RT | Anthony Davis | S | Eric Reid |
K | Phil Dawson | P | Andy Lee |
4. St. Louis
Coach: Jeff Fisher (3d year, 14-17-1)
Last year: 7-9, fourth
Outlook: This was supposed to be a big year for the Rams, but those plans were thrown for a loop when Sam Bradford tore his ACL again. They have an underrated defense and a good offensive line, but are counting on journeyman QB Shaun Hill (34 starts in 12 NFL seasons).
Will make playoffs if . . . : Hill turns into the second coming of Kurt Warner. The Rams just don’t have enough on offense to compete in a tough NFC.
STARTING OFFENSE | STARTING DEFENSE | ||
---|---|---|---|
QB | Shaun Hill | DE | Chris Long |
RB | Zac Stacy | DT | Kendall Langford |
WR | Kenny Britt | DT | Michael Brockers |
WR | Tavon Austin | DE | Robert Quinn |
WR | Brian Quick | OLB | Jo-Lonn Dunbar |
TE | Jared Cook | MLB | James Laurinaitis |
LT | Jake Long | OLB | Alec Ogletree |
LG | Greg Robinson | CB | Trumaine Johnson |
C | Scott Wells | CB | Janoris Jenkins |
RG | Rodger Saffold | SS | T.J. McDonald |
RT | Joe Barksdale | FS | Rodney McLeod |
K | Greg Zuerlein | P | Johnny Hekker |
Ben Volin can be reached at ben.volin@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @BenVolin