Editor’s note: This is one of a series of NFL previews by The Dallas Express.
NFC
The Philadelphia Eagles won the National Football Conference (NFC) with a victory over the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game and represented the conference in Super Bowl LVII against the Kansas City Chiefs.
While Philadelphia showed it could go toe-to-toe with Kansas City, the Chiefs ultimately came out on top 38-35, scoring three touchdowns in the second half and driving for the game-winning field goal.
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STORYLINES
1. Can the Philadelphia Eagles repeat?
2. How many playoff teams come from the NFC East?
3. Does San Francisco have enough at quarterback?
4. Can the Detroit Lions live up to the preseason media hype?
5. How will Green Bay’s offense look without Aaron Rodgers?
6. Does Derek Carr make the Saints the favorite in the NFC South?
7. Can Carolina and/or Atlanta compete in the NFC South?
8. Can Geno Smith lead Seattle back to the playoffs?
9. Is a healthy Rams team still a contender?
10. Will an NFC team win the Super Bowl?
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DIVISIONS
EAST
The Eagles remain the team to beat in the NFC, entering the season with a good nucleus of young stars and veterans. Other teams have closed the gap, but it is still their conference until proven otherwise. Dallas will challenge Philadelphia for the top spot in the division yet remains more likely to become the NFC’s best wild card team. The Giants could regress even after making the playoffs last season, while Washington exceeded expectations and likes what it has on the roster entering the season.
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NORTH
The Detroit Lions enter the season as the favorites to win the NFC North after winning eight of their last 10 games in 2022 and delivering the final blow to Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers’ playoff hopes on the final day of the regular season. If the defense can show progress, Detroit becomes the best team in the division following Rodgers’ departure. However, Green Bay and Minnesota will not go quietly. Chicago is still behind the other three clubs in this division.
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SOUTH
The New Orleans Saints are the best team in a bad NFC South now that Derek Carr has seemingly solidified the quarterback position. In recent seasons, the Saints have not had the offensive firepower they once had, but Carr believes they can turn that around. Tampa Bay is replacing twice-retired Tom Brady with Baker Mayfield, while Carolina and Atlanta start inexperienced quarterbacks. No team will run away with this division, but it likely comes down to New Orleans and Tampa Bay.
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WEST
The 49ers defense keeps it on top in the West. While Brock Purdy impressed as a rookie, the quarterback situation could be better. Luckily, Kyle Shanahan has displayed plenty of competence as a head coach. Seattle shocked people with a playoff run last season, but can Geno Smith lead them there again? Health issues derailed the Los Angeles Rams as they tried to defend their Super Bowl title, and the team will be better if it can stay healthy this season. The Arizona Cardinals, on the other hand, seem to be entering a rebuild, with Jonathan Gannon replacing Kliff Kingsbury as head coach.
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PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS
1. Philadelphia Eagles (NFC East Champ – first-round bye)
2. San Francisco 49ers (NFC West Champ)
3. Detroit Lions (NFC North Champ)
4. New Orleans Saints (NFC South Champ)
5. Dallas Cowboys (Wild Card)
6. Minnesota Vikings (Wild Card)
7. Seattle Seahawks (Wild Card)