With the 2024 NFL season set to start soon. Here is a look at from The Inscriber Magazine takes a look at the rankings of each NFC team and a prediction of where each one will finish. Also, feel free to check out the predictions for the AFC as well.
No.16 Arizona Cardinals:
If there was a franchise that is directionless it is the Cardinals. Quarterback Kyler Murray cannot seem to stay healthy, there is not much there talent wise when it comes to their running backs or at wide receiver even after taking Marvin Harrison Jr with the fourth overall selection. Tight end Trey McBride did come on strong.
No.15 Carolina Panthers:
During the 2024 NFL Draft did their best to add more talent on offense to help quarterback Bryce Young. Notably with the additions of running back Jonathon Brooks, wide receiver Xavier Leggette, and tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders.
Carolina should have a better record from the 2023 season and are trending in the right direction.
No.14 Washington Commanders:
The Commanders are another team that has a lack of talent on offense. Wide receiver Terry McLaurin will have another solid season and Austin Ekeler will have a much better 2024 season than he did in 2023, yet rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels is the key as he has the ability to escape pressure with his ability to run with the football.
At this point Washington’s lacking a no.2 receiver and a legitimate running back to take pressure off Daniels.
No.13 New York Giants:
Quarterback Daniel Jones is coming back from a torn ACL. He signed that large contract extension in 2023 though the Giants can get out of it after the 2024 season.
Unfortunately for Jones, running back Saquon Barkley signed elsewhere and Devin Singletary is now the starting running back. That’s a downgrade for New York. Wide receiver Malik Nabers offers the most intrigue.
No.12 New Orleans Saints:
With the aging Derek Carr at quarterback and running back Alvin Kamara, there is not a lot going on offensively for the Saints.
There are whispers that if Carr starts the season slowly or is not impressive, rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler who was taken in fifth-round, will likely take over. He impressed in his last preseason outing and finished overall with 202 yards passing and a touchdown.
Expect wide receiver Chris Olave to have another 1,000 yard season regardless of who is at quarterback.
No.11 Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
Last season with nine wins, the Buccaneers made the playoffs with Baker Mayfield at quarterback.
This season it seems like the harder task. Running back is still a need, Chris Godwin is getting older and Mike Evans is still putting up 1,000 yard seasons at wide receiver. Yet there was no big splash signing or acquisition. So no playoff this season.
No.10 Minnesota Vikings:
In 2023 the Vikings struggled to find a consistent running back. Aaron Jones addresses that. Wide receiver Justin Jefferson is back from a hamstring injury, unfortunately for quarterback Sam Darnold, his no.2 receiver Jordan Addison will miss six games due to suspension.
While Darnold will likely win the Most Improved Player Award.
No.9 Atlanta Falcons:
Kirk Cousins may start the year as the starting quarterback, rookie Michael Penix Jr will take over though. He will help the Falcons win the division.
Atlanta made one of the bigger splashes of late too, acquiring one of the better pass rushers in the NFL, Matthew Judon. Adding to an already improved defense makes this the easiest selection for a division winner.
No.8 Chicago Bears:
It is time to temper down the expectations of Bears fans. There have been many unrealistic expectations placed on rookie quarterback Caleb Williams since being taken no.1 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Chicago has definitely improved on both sides of the football.
Now does Williams have the ability to lead the Bears to the playoffs? Not this year. Now a season over .500 is not out of the question though.
No.7 Seattle Seahawks:
Expect the Seahawks running game to have a better 2024 season. Wide receiver DK Metcalf got his contract extension and Tyler Lockett still a solid no.2 receiver for quarterback Geno Smith. Also, would expect that Kenneth Walker III to have a better year than he did in 2023.
Only question mark for Seattle is the secondary.
No.6 Los Angeles Rams:
Kyren Williams came on strong starting in week 12. In those six games he ran for 688 yards on 131 carries, averaged 5.25 yards per carry, and ran for six touchdowns. He also added 19 receptions for 101 yards.
Add that with second year wide receiver Puka Nacua, a healthy Cooper Kupp, and rookie Jordan Whittington, defenses will have a hard time stopping the Rams’ offense. Defensively though, future hall of fame defensive tackle Aaron Donald retired.
No.5 Dallas Cowboys:
Wide receiver Cee-Dee Lamb re-signed. Dak Prescott’s favorite target is back. The only question mark is at running back even with Ezekiel Elliott returning.
Defensively Daron Bland who led the NFL in interceptions with nine including five returned for touchdowns, is out six-to-eight weeks due to a stress fracture in his foot.
No.4 Detroit Lions:
The Lions almost did the unthinkable and made the Super Bowl.
There is a solid quarterback and wide receiver tandem in Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown. Pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson is fun to watch unless he is playing against your favorite team.
No.3 Green Bay Packers:
What is it about the Packers? They are able to stash away their young quarterbacks for several seasons and then somehow said quarterbacks become immediate MVP candidates.
Jordan Love is the likely MVP in 2024. He also got a nice raise with his contract extension. Green Bay also added a legitimate workhorse running back in Josh Jacobs. Only question at this point is there a legitimate no.1 receiver on the roster?
With that being said, it did not matter in 2023 who Love was throwing the football to as Jayden Reed and Romeo Doubs each had eight touchdown receptions and Christian Watson though he missed eight games, had five touchdown receptions.
No.2 Philadelphia Eagles:
There is no doubt that the Eagles will runaway with the NFC East division. Signing free agent running back Saquon Barkley definitely helps quarterback Jalen Hurts. A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith still one of the better 1-2 tandems at wide receiver in the NFL.
Also, their pass rush can still get after the quarterback even with Hassan Reddick getting traded.
No.1 San Francisco 49ers:
At this point this only questions that remain for the 49ers are: When will Trent Williams get his contract reworked? When will Brandon Aiyuk sign his contract extension?
San Francisco arguably has the best running back in the NFL in Christian McCaffrey, one of the top quarterbacks with Brock Purdy, best 1-2 tandem at receiver with Deebo Samuel and Aiyuk, and tight end in George Kittle.
Unfortunately there are two areas of concerns at the moment which is the offensive line and how to generate a pass rush on the opposite side of Nick Bosa. Even with those questions, the 49ers remain the no.1 team in the NFC.