NFL NFC Season Preview – The Road To Superbowl LIX

Last year, the San Francisco 49ers made it all the way to the Superbowl but came up short against the Chiefs. They should be strong again but will they have it all their own way? Find out who Jan Keys thinks will win the conference in his NFL NFC Season Preview below. He has also previewed the AFC, check that out here. Make sure to follow us on X to get all Jan’s picks throughout the season.

NFC EAST

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES – Superbowl 14/1; Division 4/5; Est Season Wins 10.8

Last season the Eagles went from a 10-1 record to a car crash 11-6 in the closing stages of the regular season and carried their poor form into the playoffs with a 32-9 First Round defeat against Tampa Bay.

The Eagles are again expected to be there or thereabouts at the end of the season. The NFC East is a matchup between the Eagles and The Cowboys and the bookies favour the Eagles. They haven’t changed too much of their set up from last season.

DALLAS COWBOYS – Superbowl 16/1; Division 17/10; Est Season Wins 9.2

The Dallas Cowboys finished last season with a 12-5 record and then lost at home to Green Bay in the playoffs. They don’t seem to have improved over the summer, if anything they have gone backwards. Although I’m not an Eagles fan, the Cowboys aren’t making waves in the right direction. I think it will be a tough season for America’s team.

NEW YORK GIANTS – Superbowl 100/1; Division 11/1; Est Season Wins 6.9

The Giants had a tough 6-11 season last year and I’m afraid they don’t seem to have made any major improvements. Another losing season beckons.

WAshington COMMANDERS – Superbowl 100/1; Division 11/1; Est Season Wins 6.9

The Washington Commanders had a terrible season last year with a 4-13 record. I’m not sure how they are going to improve on that this season. They are estimated to get 7 wins and I would be willing to bet they don’t reach that number. Slow progress is the best they can hope for.

NFC EAST Prediction

The Cowboys look like they have gone backwards. The Eagles may be rated the best team but only because it’s a weak division. I can’t see a Superbowl finalist coming from this group of teams.

NFC NORTH

DETROIT LIONS – Superbowl 12/1; Division 13/10; Est Season Wins 10.7

There are a lot of good vibes for another good season for the Lions after Last Season’s 12-5 campaign. They have a sound all-round team with a very good offensive line. They also have a good defensive line against the rush. My only downside is that the NFC North is probably the toughest of the NFC Divisions.

GREEN BAY PACKERS – Superbowl 18/1; Division 2/1; Est Season Wins 9.9

The Packers improved as the season went on last year and ended up in the playoffs where they trounced Dallas when 7.5 point underdogs. Their luck ran out at the 49ers but none the less, it was a positive season. With Jordan Love being a key figure this season, who knows how far they can go.

CHICAGO BEARS – Superbowl 33/1; Division 10/3; Est Season Wins 8.8

These are exciting time for Chicago and their Rookie Bear! Having the number one draft pick and a standout College quarterback that didn’t even need picking, the big question is how good will Caleb Williams be? Last season, The Bears went 7-10 so there is work to be done if they are going to win this tough division. Personally, I can’t wait to see the Bears in Action.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS – Superbowl 80/1; Division 10/1; Est Season Wins 6.7

Although The Vikings are the outsiders for a very competitive NFC North, they are also going in the right direction. However, it just might take a little longer for them to reach their goal. Last season’s 7-10 record will probably be mirrored again here. Two first round draft picks will hopefully help secure the future for this good team.

NFC NORTH Prediction

I think we should be looking at some very good football from this quartet of teams. There is every chance one of these will be in the Conference Final match up, I’m not sure which one but this is a very strong Division.

NFC SOUTH

ATLANTA FALCONS – Superbowl 25/1; Division 4/5; Est Season Wins 9.3

Expectations of making the playoffs are high this season having failed for the last six years. The Falcons went 7-10 last year so they will need to improve a fair bit to secure the divisional win but it’s a very poor division and a 9-8 season would probably secure top spot. The Falcons will be hoping quarterback Kirk Cousins stays fit, if he does then they should win the Division.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS – Superbowl 80/1; Division 7/2; Est Season Wins 7.5

The Saints just missed out on the playoffs last season even with a 9-8 record. The oddsmakers feel they haven’t improved over the summer and with a weak offence led by quarterback Derek Carr (Ranked 31/32), they will need to pull something special out of the hat.

TAMPA BAY BUCANEERS – Superbowl 66/1; Division 3/1; Est Season Wins 7.3

The Bucs had a good season last year, winning the NFC South with a 9-8 season (Third Divisional title in a row). In the Wild Card playoff match they hosted Philadelphia and thrashed them 32-9. However, expectations were brought back down to earth with a defeat in Detroit.  They exceeded expectations last year and there’s no reason why they can’t win the Division again.

CAROLINA PANTHERS – Superbowl 250/1; Division 11/1; Est Season Wins 6.8

The Panthers are the rank outsiders for the Superbowl and last season had a record of 2-15, so things can only get better. They will be hoping their draft picks give their offensive line some improvement. If they can achieve 7 wins this season it will be considered a big step in the right direction.

NFC SOUTH Prediction

Possibly the weakest division in the NFC. I wouldn’t rush out and back Atlanta at odds on to win this division and the value may lie with the Buccaneers. None of these teams are in contention of reaching the Superbowl.

NFC WEST

SAN FRANCISCO 49ers – Superbowl 11/2; Division 1/2; Est Season Wins 11.4 

The 49ers will consider themselves very unlucky not to win the Superbowl last year and with a similar bunch of guys, they will be the ones to beat. Losing last season’s epic final will have hurt them but I’m sure they will have learnt from their mistakes.

With quarterback Brock Purdy (Ranked 2) and Running Back Christian McCaffrey (Ranked 1) they have a lot going for them. I’m sure they won’t have everything their own way all season, but this is a very good team.

LOS ANGELES RAMS – Superbowl 33/1; Division 7/2; Est Season Wins 8.9

The big question is, can the Rams overhaul the 49ers and take the NFC West Division. As we go into the new season the Rams are 5.5 points inferior to the 49ers. Both teams have made few influential changes so it’s hard to make a call for a changing of the guard. Even when the Rams won 21-20 in Week 18 it was against a 49ers “B Team.” However, the Rams are a good side and have every chance of making the playoffs.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS – Superbowl 66/1; Division 7/1; Est Season Wins 7.7

The Seahawks will struggle to reach the playoffs as they have a tough schedule. Also, I’m not sure they are up to the standards of the 49ers and LA Rams. They had a winning season last year, 9-8, but they aren’t really expected to improve on that.

ARIZONA CARDINALS – Superbowl 100/1; Division 12/1; Est Season Wins 6.8

Last season was another flat season for the Cardinals with just 4 wins in their first year under Jonathan Gannon. The positive amongst us (like our very own Cardinals’ nut Dave Stevos) are hoping for a 7-10 season. Small steps yes, but if their quarterback Kyler Murray can stay fit and with their No.3 Draft pick, wide receiver Marvin Harrison getting rave reviews, things could be on the up.

NFC WEST REVIEW

Although the 49ers seem head and shoulders better than the rest, expect the LA Rams to run them close. The Seahawks and Cardinals will be fighting it out for 3rd spot.

NFL NFC Season Preview: The Verdict

As much as I don’t like picking favourites, there isn’t much wrong with this SAN FRANCISCO 49ers team. I’m not a big fan of the Eagles or Cowboys and the NFC South is just a weak Division. Whoever wins the NFC NORTH will be the biggest challenge to the 49ers.

NFL NFC Season Preview Tip: San Francisco 49ers to win the NFC Conference @ 11/4

-JanKeys