A look at how the teams in the NFC shape up this season (Teams listed in predicted order of finish; new players in bold; *denotes injured players expected to start when healthy):
NFC EAST
1. NY Giants
Coach: Tom Coughlin (10th year, 83-61)
Last year: 9-7, second
Outlook: Big Blue missed the playoffs after starting 6-2 thanks to a defense that imploded. Victor Cruz is happy with his new contract, and Hakeem Nicks will be motivated to earn one next offseason. Expect a bounce-back year by Eli Manning and the gang, as long as Jason Pierre-Paul’s back is healthy.
WR impact rank: 3rd. Nicks and Cruz are one of the best tandems in the NFL.
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STARTING OFFENSE | STARTING DEFENSE | ||
---|---|---|---|
QB | Eli Manning | DE | Justin Tuck |
RB | David Wilson | DT | Linval Joseph |
FB | Henry Hynoski | DT | Cullen Jenkins |
WR | Victor Cruz | DE | *Jason Pierre-Paul |
WR | Hakeem Nicks | OLB | Keith Rivers |
TE | Brandon Myers | MLB | Dan Connor |
LT | Will Beatty | OLB | Spencer Paysinger |
LG | Kevin Boothe | CB | Corey Webster |
C | David Baas | CB | Prince Amukamara |
RG | Chris Snee | S | Ryan Mundy |
RT | David Diehl | S | Antrel Rolle |
K | Josh Brown | P | Steve Weatherford |
2. Washington
Coach: Mike Shanahan (4th year, 21-27)
Last year: 10-6, first
Outlook: Kirk Cousins has proven to be a more-than-capable backup, but the Redskins’ Super Bowl hopes ride on the healthy knee of Robert Griffin III, who helped the ’Skins finish the NFL’s best running game and fewest turnovers last year.
WR impact rank: 29th. Need Pierre Garcon healthy for 16 games, because there’s not much else there with Josh Morgan, Aldrick Robinson, and an aging Santana Moss.
STARTING OFFENSE | STARTING DEFENSE | ||
---|---|---|---|
QB | Robert Griffin III | DE | Chris Baker |
RB | Alfred Morris | NT | Barry Cofield |
FB | Darrel Young | DE | Stephen Bowen |
WR | Pierre Garcon | OLB | Ryan Kerrigan |
WR | Josh Morgan | ILB | London Fletcher |
TE | Fred Davis | ILB | Perry Riley |
LT | Trent Williams | OLB | Brian Orakpo |
LG | Kory Lichtensteiger | CB | DeAngelo Hall |
C | Will Montgomery | CB | Josh Wilson |
RG | Chris Chester | S | Brandon Meriweather |
RT | Tyler Polumbus | S | Bacarri Rambo |
K | Kai Forbath | P | Sav Rocca |
3. Dallas
Coach: Jason Garrett (4th year, 21-19)
Last year: 8-8, third
Outlook: Tony Romo finally got paid, and now the Cowboys expect him to cut down on his 19 interceptions and lead Dallas back to the playoffs for the first time since 2009. Dez Bryant is coming into his own as an elite receiver and DeMarcus Ware has plenty of burst left.
WR impact rank: 10th. Bryant is a stud, but Miles Austin is aging fast, and there’s not much behind him on the depth chart.
STARTING OFFENSE | STARTING DEFENSE | ||
---|---|---|---|
QB | Tony Romo | DE | Anthony Spencer |
RB | DeMarco Murray | DT | Jason Hatcher |
WR | Dez Bryant | DT | Nick Hayden |
WR | Miles Austin | DE | DeMarcus Ware |
WR | Dwayne Harris | OLB | Sean Lee |
TE | Jason Witten | MLB | Bruce Carter |
LT | Tyron Smith | OLB | Justin Durant |
LG | Ronald Leary | CB | Brandon Carr |
C | Travis Frederick | CB | Morris Claiborne |
RG | Mackenzy Bernadeau | S | Barry Church |
RT | Doug Free | S | Will Allen |
K | Dan Bailey | P | Chris Jones |
4. Philadelphia
Coach: Chip Kelly (1st year)
Last year: 4-12, fourth
Outlook: The Eagles may be a team no one likes playing at the end of the year, with Kelly bringing an exciting, up-tempo offense that could be unlike anything seen in the NFL. But the defense, transitioning to a 3-4, is devoid of talent.
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WR impact rank: 16th. DeSean Jackson is still the best home run hitter in the NFL, but behind him are journeymen and unproven youngsters.
STARTING OFFENSE | STARTING DEFENSE | ||
---|---|---|---|
QB | Michael Vick | DE | Cedric Thornton |
RB | LeSean McCoy | DT | Isaac Sopoaga |
WR | DeSean Jackson | DE | Fletcher Cox |
WR | Riley Cooper | OLB | Connor Barwin |
TE | Brent Celek | ILB | Mychal Kendricks |
TE | James Casey | ILB | DeMeco Ryans |
LT | Jason Peters | OLB | Trent Cole |
LG | Evan Mathis | CB | Bradley Fletcher |
C | Jason Kelce | CB | Cary Williams |
RG | Todd Herremans | S | Nate Allen |
RT | Lane Johnson | S | Patrick Chung |
K | Alex Henery | P | Donnie Jones |
NFC NORTH
1. Green Bay
Coach: Mike McCarthy (8th year, 74-38)
Last year: 11-5, first
Outlook: As long as Aaron Rodgers, 29, is running the show, the Packers are going to be a Super Bowl contender and have one of the league’s best offenses. The defense finished 11th in points allowed but was badly exposed by Colin Kaepernick in the playoffs.
WR impact rank: 6th. Jordy Nelson (when healthy) and Randall Cobb are studs, and Rodgers will make the rest look good, as well.
STARTING OFFENSE | STARTING DEFENSE | ||
---|---|---|---|
QB | Aaron Rodgers | DE | Datone Jones |
RB | James Starks | NT | Ryan Pickett |
FB | John Kuhn | DE | B.J. Raji |
WR | Jordy Nelson | OLB | Nick Perry |
WR | Randall Cobb | ILB | A.J. Hawk |
TE | Jermichael Finley | ILB | Brad Jones |
LT | David Bakhtiari | OLB | Clay Matthews |
LG | Josh Sitton | CB | Tramon Williams |
C | Evan Dietrich-Smith | CB | Sam Shields |
RG | T.J. Lang | S | M.D. Jennings |
RT | Marshall Newhouse | S | Morgan Burnett |
K | Mason Crosby | P | Tim Masthay |
2. Detroit
Coach: Jim Schwartz (5th year, 22-42)
Last year: 4-12, fourth
Outlook: Last year was a disaster, but the Lions have enough talent on both sides to make a big jump. Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson might be the best QB-WR duo in the game, Reggie Bush is a nice addition, and the defense has one of the toughest fronts around.
WR impact rank: 4th. Johnson is the best in the game, but the unit is lacking with Nate Burleson, Patrick Edwards, and Ryan Broyles.
STARTING OFFENSE | STARTING DEFENSE | ||
---|---|---|---|
QB | Matthew Stafford | DE | Jason Jones |
RB | Reggie Bush | DT | Nick Fairley |
WR | Calvin Johnson | DT | Ndamukong Suh |
WR | Nate Burleson | DE | Ziggy Ansah |
TE | Brandon Pettigrew | OLB | Ashlee Palmer |
TE | Tony Scheffler | MLB | Stephen Tulloch |
LT | Riley Reiff | OLB | DeAndre Levy |
LG | Rob Sims | CB | Chris Houston |
C | Dominic Raiola | CB | Darius Slay |
RG | Dylan Gandy | S | Glover Quin |
RT | Jason Fox | S | Louis Delmas |
K | David Akers | P | Sam Martin |
3. Chicago
Coach: Marc Trestman (1st year)
Last year: 10-6, third
Outlook: Jay Cutler is playing for a new contract and Trestman was brought in to fix Lovie Smith’s mistakes and get this team back to the playoffs. Matt Forte looks great, and if Cutler can cut down on his interceptions, the Bears’ offense should be dynamic.
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WR impact rank: 5th. Brandon Marshall is dominant at times but has a bad hip. Alshon Jeffery is a potential star in the making.
STARTING OFFENSE | STARTING DEFENSE | ||
---|---|---|---|
QB | Jay Cutler | DE | Corey Wootton |
RB | Matt Forte | DT | Henry Melton |
FB | Tony Fiammetta | DT | Stephen Paea |
WR | Brandon Marshall | DE | Julius Peppers |
WR | Alshon Jeffery | OLB | James Anderson |
TE | Martellus Bennett | MLB | D.J. Williams |
LT | Jermon Bushrod | OLB | Lance Briggs |
LG | Matt Slauson | CB | Tim Jennings |
C | Roberto Garza | CB | Charles Tillman |
RG | Kyle Long | S | Major Wright |
RT | Eben Britton | S | Chris Conte |
K | Robbie Gould | P | Adam Podlesh |
4. Minnesota
Coach: Leslie Frazier (4th year, 16-22)
Last year: 10-6, second
Outlook: Adrian Peterson literally carried the Vikings to the playoffs last year, and might need another heroic effort to get his team there again. Christian Ponder is in a make-or-break year. The defense has a budding star in Harrison Smith.
WR impact rank: 28th. Cordarrelle Patterson could develop into a star, but otherwise this unit is castoffs and unproven youngsters.
STARTING OFFENSE | STARTING DEFENSE | ||
---|---|---|---|
QB | Christian Ponder | DE | Brian Robison |
RB | Adrian Peterson | DT | Letroy Guion |
FB | Zach Line | DT | *Kevin Williams |
WR | Greg Jennings | DE | Jared Allen |
WR | Jerome Simpson | OLB | Chad Greenway |
TE | Kyle Rudolph | MLB | Erin Henderson |
LT | Matt Kalil | OLB | Marvin Mitchell |
LG | Charlie Johnson | CB | Josh Robinson |
C | John Sullivan | CB | Chris Cook |
RG | Brandon Fusco | S | Jamarca Sanford |
RT | Phil Loadholt | S | Harrison Smith |
K | Blair Walsh | P | Jeff Locke |
NFC SOUTH
1. Atlanta
Coach: Mike Smith (6th year, 56-24)
Last year: 13-3, first
Outlook: The Falcons have made steady progress under Smith and Matt Ryan, and should contend for a Super Bowl berth again. Steven Jackson is the new running back, and a solid defense adds Osi Umenyiora and first-round pick Desmond Trufant.
WR impact rank: 2d. Julio Jones and Roddy White are among the NFL’s top 10 receivers, and Harry Douglas is a solid No. 3.
STARTING OFFENSE | STARTING DEFENSE | ||
---|---|---|---|
QB | Matt Ryan | DE | Kroy Biermann |
RB | Steven Jackson | DT | Jonathan Babineaux |
FB | Bradie Ewing | DT | Corey Peters |
WR | Julio Jones | DE | Osi Umenyiora |
WR | Roddy White | OLB | Stephen Nicholas |
TE | Tony Gonzalez | MLB | Akeem Dent |
LT | Sam Baker | OLB | Sean Weatherspoon |
LG | Justin Blalock | CB | Asante Samuel |
C | Peter Konz | CB | Desmond Trufant |
RG | Garrett Reynolds | S | William Moore |
RT | Lamar Holmes | S | Thomas DeCoud |
K | Matt Bryant | P | Matt Bosher |
2. New Orleans
Coach: Sean Payton (7th year, 62-34)
Last year: 7-9, third
Outlook: The best offseason addition in the NFL wasn’t a player — it was Payton coming back from his one-year suspension. Now Drew Brees can focus on what he does best — leading the NFL’s most potent offense. The defense will likely hold the team back again.
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WR impact rank: 15th. Marques Colston and Lance Moore are a nice 1-2 punch, but there’s not much depth behind them.
STARTING OFFENSE | STARTING DEFENSE | ||
---|---|---|---|
QB | Drew Brees | DE | Akiem Hicks |
RB | Pierre Thomas | NT | Brodrick Bunkley |
FB | Jed Collins | DE | Cameron Jordan |
WR | Marques Colston | OLB | Junior Galette |
WR | Lance Moore | ILB | Jonathan Vilma |
TE | Jimmy Graham | ILB | Curtis Lofton |
LT | Charles Brown | OLB | Martez Wilson |
LG | Ben Grubbs | CB | Jabari Greer |
C | Brian De La Puente | CB | Keenan Lewis |
RG | Jahri Evans | S | Roman Harper |
RT | Zach Strief | S | Malcolm Jenkins |
K | Garrett Hartley | P | Thomas Morstead |
3. Tampa Bay
Coach: Greg Schiano (2nd year, 7-9)
Last year: 7-9, fourth
Outlook: The Bucs are well-coached and play tough under Schiano, and have a lot of good talent on the roster, between Doug Martin, Vincent Jackson, Lavonte David, and Darrelle Revis. But it’s all going to come down to Josh Freeman, who completed 54.8 percent of his passes last year and is wildly inconsistent.
WR impact rank: 13th. Vincent Jackson is a monster and Mike Williams is a nice No. 2.
STARTING OFFENSE | STARTING DEFENSE | ||
---|---|---|---|
QB | Josh Freeman | DE | Da'Quan Bowers |
RB | Doug Martin | DT | Gerald McCoy |
FB | Erik Lorig | DT | Akeem Spence |
WR | Vincent Jackson | DE | Adrian Clayborn |
WR | Mike Williams | OLB | Dekoda Watson |
TE | Luke Stocker | MLB | Mason Foster |
LT | Donald Penn | OLB | Lavonte David |
LG | Carl Nicks | CB | Darrelle Revis |
C | Jeremy Zuttah | CB | Leonard Johnson |
RG | Davin Joseph | S | Dashon Goldson |
RT | Demar Dotson | S | Mark Barron |
K | Rian Lindell | P | Michael Koenen |
4. Carolina
Coach: Ron Rivera (3rd year, 13-19)
Last year: 7-9, second
Outlook: No more excuses for the Panthers in Year 3 of Rivera and Cam Newton, who has put up flashy stats but hasn’t won a lot of ballgames. An improving defense should be even better with rookie Star Lotulelei, but the Panthers don’t have the offensive firepower to compete in the toughest division.
WR impact rank: 23rd. Steve Smith still has talent at age 34, but he doesn’t have much help.
STARTING OFFENSE | STARTING DEFENSE | ||
---|---|---|---|
QB | Cam Newton | DE | Charles Johnson |
RB | DeAngelo Williams | DT | Dwan Edwards |
FB | Mike Tolbert | DT | Star Lotuleilei |
WR | Steve Smith | DE | Greg Hardy |
WR | Brandon LaFell | OLB | Thomas Davis |
TE | Greg Olsen | MLB | Luke Kuechly |
LT | Jordan Gross | OLB | Jon Beason |
LG | Amini Silatolu | CB | Josh Thomas |
C | Ryan Kalil | CB | Captain Munnerlyn |
RG | Garry Williams | S | Mike Mitchell |
RT | Byron Bell | S | Charles Godfrey |
K | Graham Gano | P | Brad Nortman |
NFC WEST
1. San Francisco
Coach: Jim Harbaugh (3rd year, 24-7-1)
Last year: 11-4-1, first
Outlook: The 49ers were one play away from winning the Super Bowl, and there’s little reason to think Harbaugh won’t have his team competing for back-to-back trips. Colin Kaepernick now gets 16 games to unleash the Pistol offense, and a dominant defense adds Nnamdi Asomugha for good depth.
WR impact rank: 27th. They better hope Anquan Boldin has enough left in the tank.
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STARTING OFFENSE | STARTING DEFENSE | ||
---|---|---|---|
QB | Colin Kaepernick | DE | Ray McDonald |
RB | Frank Gore | NT | Ian Williams |
FB | Bruce Miller | DE | Justin Smith |
WR | Anquan Boldin | OLB | Ahmad Brooks |
WR | Kyle Williams | ILB | NaVorro Bowman |
TE | Vernon Davis | ILB | Patrick Willis |
LT | Joe Staley | OLB | Aldon Smith |
LG | Mike Iupati | CB | Carlos Rogers |
C | Jonathan Goodwin | CB | Tarell Brown |
RG | Alex Boone | S | Donte Whitner |
RT | Anthony Davis | S | C.J. Spillman |
K | Phil Dawson | P | Andy Lee |
2. Seattle
Coach: Pete Carroll (5th year, 25-23)
Last year: 11-5, second
Outlook: The Seahawks might be the second-best team in the NFC, behind the 49ers. Russell Wilson was a huge revelation at QB, and the Seahawks are loaded on both sides of the ball, although losing Percy Harvin (hip) for the season and DE Bruce Irvin for four games (suspension) will hurt.
WR impact rank: 11th. Nice unit would have been spectacular with Harvin.
STARTING OFFENSE | STARTING DEFENSE | ||
---|---|---|---|
QB | Russell Wilson | DE | Red Bryant |
RB | Marshawn Lynch | DT | Tony McDaniel |
FB | Derrick Coleman | DT | Brandon Mebane |
WR | Sidney Rice | DE | *Chris Clemons |
WR | Golden Tate | OLB | K.J. Wright |
TE | Zach Miller | MLB | Bobby Wagner |
LT | Russell Okung | OLB | Malcolm Smith |
LG | Paul McQuistan | CB | Richard Sherman |
C | Max Unger | CB | Brandon Browner |
RG | J.R. Sweezy | S | Kam Chancellor |
RT | Breno Giacomini | S | Earl Thomas |
K | Steven Hauschka | P | Jon Ryan |
3. St. Louis
Coach: Jeff Fisher (2nd year, 7-8-1)
Last year: 7-8-1, third
Outlook: The Rams were a tough team last year and figure to be even tougher in Fisher’s second year, especially on defense. Sam Bradford has shown flashes in his first three seasons, but now needs to take a big step forward with his new targets: Chris Givens, Tavon Austin, and Brian Quick.
WR impact rank: 18th. Givens, Austin, and Quick have a lot of potential, but are unproven.
STARTING OFFENSE | STARTING DEFENSE | ||
---|---|---|---|
QB | Sam Bradford | DE | Chris Long |
RB | Daryl Richardson | DT | Kendall Langford |
WR | Chris Givens | DT | Michael Brockers |
WR | Tavon Austin | DE | Robert Quinn |
WR | Brian Quick | OLB | Will Witherspoon |
TE | Jared Cook | MLB | James Laurinaitis |
LT | Jake Long | OLB | Alec Ogletree |
LG | Shelley Smith | CB | Cortland Finnegan |
C | Scott Wells | CB | Janoris Jenkins |
RG | Harvey Dahl | S | T.J. McDonald |
RT | Rodger Saffold | S | Darian Stewart |
K | Greg Zuerlein | P | Johnny Hekker |
4. Arizona
Coach: Bruce Arians (1st year)
Last year: 5-11, fourth
Outlook: The Cardinals are starting over under Arians, but still expect to win after signing Carson Palmer to get the ball to Larry Fitzgerald. If Arizona can find a semblance of a running game it could be a surprise team, but a brutal division will ultimately keep the Cardinals down.
WR impact rank: 7th. Fitzgerald is still one of the best in the game. Michael Floyd wasn’t great as a rookie but has potential.
STARTING OFFENSE | STARTING DEFENSE | ||
---|---|---|---|
QB | Carson Palmer | DE | Calais Campbell |
RB | Rashard Mendenhall | NT | Dan Williams |
WR | Larry Fitzgerald | DE | Darnell Dockett |
WR | Michael Floyd | OLB | Lorenzo Alexander |
TE | Kory Sperry | ILB | Jasper Brinkley |
TE | Rob Housler | ILB | Karlos Dansby |
LT | Levi Brown | OLB | Sam Acho |
LG | Daryn Colledge | CB | Patrick Peterson |
C | Lyle Sendlein | CB | Jerraud Powers |
RG | Paul Fanaika | S | Yeremiah Bell |
RT | Eric Winston | S | Rashad Johnson |
K | Jay Feely | P | Dave Zastudil |