NFL Season Preview Day 2: NFC Preview

Welcome to The Truda Report everybody. Just like yesterday I'll be going over every team (this time in the NFC) giving my outlook on them for this season, their goods and bads, and then my record prediction. Make sure to check out yesterdays article and share this with a friend. Every new reader helps grow TTR.

NFC:
NFC East:
Dallas Cowboys:​ Just last night the Dallas Cowboys got news that Ezekiel Elliot will be missing six games this season due to a domestic violence indecent. He will be able to play week one against the division rival Giants though, and that's huge because of the significance of the game. With Zeke on the field, the Cowboys are one of the best in the NFC. The Cowboys offense is obviously loaded with Elliot, Witten, Bryant, and Prescott. I think Dak is going to take a step back this year, but that's only because he had what most quarterbacks consider a career year last season. He should be fine, but not as good as last season. Although their offense looks great the Dallas defense is what is going to hold this team back this year. Last year they were suspect, and now they are even weaker due to the departure of multiple starting players last year. The Cowboys should be good, but as Stephen A. Smith always says, their defense is, "an accident waiting to happen."
My Prediction: 9-7

New York Giants: The Giants are an interesting team entering this season. I believe there defense is going to be top five, and their receiving core is definitely top 5. The only questions are about their offensive line and the running game. Paul Perkins is currently their lead back and he isn't much to write home about. If the offensive line can help make his job easier though, the Giants offense could be elite. Something that I think is going way under the radar though is the long term effects Odell's ankle injury is going to have. He only returned to practice a couple days ago, and these injuries are known for reoccurring throughout the season. If Odell is hurt, this team is going to struggle.
My Prediction: 9-7

​Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles are a team that are stuck in a tight spot. They seem to be the third best team in the NFC East, but in most divisions they could be competing for the top spot. I think that their revamped offense led by Carson Wentz should definitely be potent, but the defense is concerning. Of the pre season action I've seen them play, their secondary doesn't look great, even after the trade for Ronald Darby. I think the Eagles will be good, with possibly a great offense (credit to the offensive line) but they won't have enough to make the playoffs this year.
My Prediction: 8-8

Washington Redskins: If you read yesterdays article, you know what I mean when I say the Redskins are like the Bengals. They bore me. Once again they are the worst team in their division talent wise, but they have enough to win some games. They can't commit to their quarterback which will one year come back to bite them in the butt. Kirk Cousins isn't incredible but he is above average, and that's hard to find in today's NFL. The Redskins defense should be solid, especially with an improved linebacker core. The offense will stay afloat although the running game is questionable. We'll see how they pan out this year.
My Prediction: 6-10

NFC South:
Atlanta Falcons: 28-3.
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All they had to do was run the ball...
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So the Falcons look like the next Panthers to me. They had a great run last season, lost the Super Bowl, and now I think they are going to have a down year. I'm not saying they are going to be terrible (which the Panther were last year) but I don't think they will match last years production. The loss of offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan is huge, because he was a big part of Matt Ryan's MVP season. On the other hand, the Atlanta defense got better, and the talent on the roster is one of the best in the league. I expect this team to play well this season, just not as great as last year. 
My Prediction: 11-5

Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton is poised for a bounce back season due to his upgraded offense. Christian McCaffery is enamoring and I think he is going to do wonders for this offense. Defensively this team still isn't great, but that's what you get for not paying Josh Norman last year. I've heard that Cam is going to stop getting designed runs called for him, so I think a lot of this season hinges as his ability to be a pocket passer. They will be an interesting team to follow.
My Prediction: 8-8

New Orleans Saints: The Saints are going to be a fun team to watch this season. Just like always, the front office has failed to give Drew Brees any semblance of a defense so almost all of their games will be high scoring. And guess what... the Saints can score with the best of them. The loss of deep threat Brandin Cooks is going to hurt but they still have so much firepower they'll be alright. I don't see them as a playoff team due to the lack of defense, but I'll enjoy watching their games this year.
My Prediction: 8-8

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tampa Bay has officially been screwed over along with my Miami Dolphins. Their week one match up has been moved to the two teams bye week so they don't have to play during hurricane Irma. That means the Bucs have to play 16 straight games with a difficult schedule. I had them making the playoffs this year as a surprisingly successful team, but this is going to hurt them. I love Tampa's offense with Evans, Jackson, Winston, and Martin, and I think the defense will be solid too. Due to missing their bye week, though, I think they'll lose an extra game or two this year.
My Prediction: 8-8

NFC North:
Chicago Bears: I really don't want to write about this team. They paid a huge sum of money to a backup quarterback in free agency, and then traded away their future for Mitch Trubisky. I just don't understand. This teams defense is atrocious, as is their offense (excluding Jordan Howard). They also just lost Cameron Meredith for the season with a torn ACL, and he was supposed to be there best receiver. The Bears are going to stink.
My Prediction: 2-14

Detroit Lions: Matthew Stafford is making bank. He just signed the largest contract in NFL history, and I think he deserves the money. He has done nothing but ball despite having suspect offensive weapons around him (excluding the few years with Calvin Johnson). This teams defense is solid, and if Stafford can continue making those around him better, this team could be great. I think they could be a playoff team this year, but in a crowded NFC only time will tell.
My Prediction: 10-6

Green Bay Packers: No matter how terrible this teams defense is, Aaron Rodgers gives you a chance to win. He is the most talented quarterback of all time, and he is going to once again carry this team to a division title. I think that is Green Bay's defense shows up in a couple big games this year, this team could end up in the Super Bowl, but everything hinges on that reality. Otherwise the Packers will remain one of the best in the business, just without a ring.
My Prediction: 12-4

​Minnesota Vikings: The Vikings are an interesting team this season. Sam Bradford was respectable last year, and I think he will continue that trend this year. Rookie running back Dalvin Cook is going to be very fun to watch, and I think he could do great things for this offense. The Minnesota defense remains one of the best in the league, so I think this team is going to win some close games. They, just like the Eagles, are in a tough position due to them being in a very competitive division, but they definitely have a chance to make the playoffs.
My Prediction: 9-7

NFC West:
Arizona Cardinals: The Cardinals flopped last year, plain and simple. They had one of the best rosters in football, and yet they found a way to completely miss last years playoffs. I expect different results this year though. I'm not in love with Carson Palmer, but David Johnson is incredible, as well as Larry Fitzgerald. This teams defense is also top of the line. They have talent at every position, so I expect good things from this team this year.
My Prediction: 9-7

​Los Angeles Rams: This teams roster looks the way throwing up in your mouth tastes. I don't care that they acquired an overrated, injury prone wide receiver. Jared Goff has yet to show any justification for the number one pick, and this teams defense continues to look pathetic. I will give them credit for upgrading the offensive line which should give Todd Gurley a solid season, but otherwise I don't see many bright spots on this team. I keep hearing Rams fan talking about Aaron Donald, but I don't think they realize that a defensive tackle doesn't solely make you a great team. A quarterback can (ex. Green Bay Packers) but the Rams don't have one of those.
My Prediction: 5-11

San Francisco 49ers: The Niners look like they'll show some improvement this year on both sides of the ball. They did a great job in the draft this year boosting up the defense, and their offense should improve now that Kyle Shanahan is head coach. I think that this team may surprise us in a couple of games this year because they should be a solid running team, and the defense should be able to force a couple turnovers. San Fran, your Niners are back!...to being a halfway decent team. (Quick explanation because I know people are going to bring this up: Decent is 8-8, and the Niners are halfway there, which is four wins.)
My Prediction: 4-12

Seattle Seahawks: The Seahawks are a team that is going to either be the best or second best in the NFC this year. Mark my words. Their trade for Sheldon Richardson just made their defense even more ridiculous, and it barely affected their offense. Russell Wilson will be fully healthy entering this season, and I think for the first time in a while it'll stay that way. This teams one weakness seems to come in the running game, but with Thomas Rawls and Eddie Lacy to choose from the Seahawks should find someone to work with.
My Prediction: 11-5

NFC Playoff Prediction:
1) Green Bay Packers
2) Seattle Seahawks
3)Atlanta Falcons
4)New York Giants
5)Detroit Lions
6) Dallas Cowboys

NFC Championship Prediction:
Green Bay Packers vs. Seattle Seahawks