From last to first in ranking…
NFC WEST
Arizona Cardinals
Quinn Harris | Credit: Getty Images
The Cardinals just haven’t found success in their past couple of years. After releasing their best receiver DeAndre Hopkins, we all knew that they were going to tank. Caleb Williams obviously went to the Chicago Bears, but the Cardinals still got the best receiver in the class in Marvin Harrison Jr. I think if Arizona would have gotten the 1st overall pick and selected Williams, they could have traded Murray to either the Minnesota Vikings or the Denver Broncos, both teams in need of a QB. The Bears would have either selected Maye or Daniels, and McCarthy and Nix wouldn’t currently be with their respective franchises.
Now back to Arizona’s roster, they can clearly use some help. Their roster is getting older as Murray is no rookie now and the Cardinals not selecting Nick Bosa over Murray is now looking like a huge mistake. Bosa is now one of the San Fransisco 49ers best players and has already been to the Super Bowl twice where Murray hasn’t even made it past the Wild Card round with a lackluster offense and bad defense around him.
After next season, James Connor will hopefully be shipped to a better team because he is getting 1,000 yards as an older back and shouldn’t have to waste his talent in the Desert. Same thing with Budda Baker, a younger safety is one of the best in the league and has wanted to be traded for the past couple of seasons now. Hopefully they can trade him away and really have a rebuild starting 2026.
The rebuilding team in the division, I have the Cardinals finishing last in the NFC West.
Record: 5-12
If health issues become a problem: 2-15
Seattle Seahawks
Creator: Steph Chambers | Credit: Getty Images
An exciting team, Seattle has a bright future ahead, though that isn’t right now. They have starts like wide receivers, DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Jaxson Smith-Njigba, running back Kenneth Walker, and more importantly, their two QBs, old guy and the leader, Geno Smith, and the young backup-future starter, Sam Howell. For the next two years, they will be below the middle in their division and won’t be as good as they will be in lets say three years when I think their offense will get better and they will have better QBs. Howell needs to learn to not throw all the time and have it intercepted, and Geno is just old. He was a good replacement in that one season where Russell Wilson injured, and then when they traded him and he played well, they handed him the bag and he just hasn’t earned that money since being the replacement for Wilson.
Now for their defense, it’s not bad. Certainly not at their “Leigon of Boom” defense from the 2010s, but it has potential to be a top five defense. Led by second year corner, Devon Witherspoon, and defensive lineman Leonard Williams, this defense it not bad at all.
Neck and neck with the Rams but I think the Seahawks have some ways to go.
Record: 9-8
If health issues become a problem: 6-11
Los Angeles Rams
Creator: Jayne Kamin-Oncea | Credit: Getty Images
After a surprisingly good season, the Rams are back hoping to have the same season they did last year. With a second year Puka Nacua, older Cooper Kupp, Kyren Williams, and some younger players on the defense like Kobie Turner, I think this team which is my favorite can easily get to the playoffs if they stay healthy. Most importantly, if QB, Matthew Stafford is healthier, this team can easily win 11+ games and hopefully be a playoff team once again.
Record: 11-6
If health issues become a problem: 7-10
San Fransisco 49ers
Creator: Kelley L Cox | Credit: USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
Easily the best team in the division, not much needs to be said about the 49ers. San Fransisco is coming off a season where they were an overtime away from winning the Super Bowl. They just signed receiver Brandon Aiyuk to a massive extension and with a better, more healthy Deebo Samuel, star tight end, George Kittle, Brock Purdy, a great offensive line and defense, San Fran can win it all.
Record: 12-5
If health issues become a problem: 9-8
NFC North
Minnesota Vikings
Creator: Bruce Kluckhohn | Credit: AP
With a healthy Justin Jefferson, Minnesota can do a lot. Without Kirk Cousins as he is now an Atlanta Falcon and without their rookie quarterback for the season, J.J. McCarthy, I have some doubts about if the Vikings will be good this year. Starting tight end TJ Hockenson will be out for some games to start 2025 and their second receiver, Jordan Addison has been hurt as well.
On defense, second year corner, Mekhi Blackmon, was ready to show why he really is Minnesota’s best on defense, however he’ll have to wait another year… ACL.
Not a good defense or offense other than Jefferson, Hockenson (out for sometime) and Addison (out for some time.) So, don’t expect the Vikings to do much because the injury bug has really hit them hard.
Record: 6-11
If health issues become a problem: 4-13
Chicago Bears
Creator: Mark Konezny | Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
With a new quarterback and a lot of new impactful players, the Bears are ready to be a top team once again.
After drafting Caleb Williams with the 1st overall pick and trading Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers, trading for wide out Keenan Allen, signing running back D’Andre Swift, drafting receiver Rome Odunze, and another year of receiver D.J. Moore, they are ready to be a playoff caliber team. I think in the Windy City, all of these guys will play great and will hopefully for Bears fans, go to the playoffs.
It’s a new season and a new era in Chicago, and I think this new team can finally win football games.
Record: 10-7
If health issues become a problem: 8-9
Green Bay Packers
Creator: Jeff Hanisch | Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
A great season last year, it wasn’t always like that for the Packers last season. Sure it ended up being great, but at the start of the season, Green Bay and Jordan Love weren’t looking like a perfect match. In the first fourteen games, the Packers were 7-7 and didn’t look like a real threat in their division and conference. They finished 10-7 and barely missed the NFC Championship game after losing to the 49ers by three.
Another great season will hopefully be under the belt of Jordan Love and the Packers as you’d hate to see them fall back next season.
With a healthy Christian Watson and new signing Josh Jacobs, Green Bay can even make it to the NFC Championship if everything goes well.
Record: 12-5
If health issues become a problem: 8-9
Detroit Lions
Creator: Junfu Han | Credit: Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK
Now one of the best rosters in the league, Detroit is coming off an NFC championship appearance where they lost to the 49ers after blowing a lead. They could’ve made it to the Super Bowl last year… but that was last year. This is a whole new year and the Lions have arguably gotten better.
Their offense is great as usual with Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jared Goff, Gibbs, Montgomery, you get it. But on defense is where they got better. Aidan Hutchinson obviously their star, well, they drafted a rookie corner back in Terrion Arnold. Arnold has great potential and I think Detroit’s DB depth is much better now with Arnold and new signing, Carlton Davis, joining the team.
They can easily win it all, but they may choke again. Which one will it be this season? Well, I think they will play in the Super Bowl as well as winning the NFC North.
Record: 13-4
If health issues become a problem: 8-9
Half way through… share?
NFC EAST
New York Giants
Creator: Seth Wenig | Credit: AP
The New York Giants are once again last. The Giants lost their best player, Saquon Barkley, to a division rival. Barkley is now with the Philadelphia Eagles as he hopes to find success and win a Super Bowl.
Back to New York, the Giants did get linebacker, Brian Burns, as well as drafting receiver Malik Nabers who is shown above. The Giants definitely made many moves and did improve their offense and defense with many signings, draft picks, and extensions.
However, I still have the Giants in their 100th season being last in their division and their season will play out similar to last year.
Record: 5-12
If health issues become a problem: 2-15
Creator: Gregory Shamus | Credit: Getty Images
With a new quarterback, Washington hopes that he can lead them to success one day. However, it’s his rookie season and Jayden Daniels doesn’t have many weapons to throw to. Outside of Terry McLaurin, this lackluster offense doesn’t have a single “really good” player. That’s why their third in their division.
Washington still has ways to go but they have some hope. After bringing in head coach, Dan Quinn, and stealing him from the division rival Cowboys, the Commanders hope that their defense won’t be so bad this year.
Stars like Johnathan Allen and an underrated player, Dorance Armstrong, are two good players of defense.
So, some hope is in DC, however many ways to go and it’s not going to be a great year for the franchise.
Record: 6-11
If health issues become a problem: 3-14
Dallas Cowboys
Creator: Ian Maule | Credit: Getty Images
The Dallas Cowboys go through the same process every year. First, it’s the fans. Their “die-hard” fans not even from Dallas all say, “It’s out year!” when it never is. From losing in the wild card and divisional round each and every season, no one now expects them to go far. Take last season, a wild card loss to the underdog Green Bay Packers, Dallas lost in a blowout. Not much to expect from this team other than their great regular season and horrible playoffs.
They have some stars though. Many. Led by quarterback, Dak Prescott, Dallas has super star receiver, CeeDee Lamb. With a washed up running back room with Ezekiel Elliott, Rico Dowdle, and Dalvin Cook, don’t expect much from that area. Moving on to defense, the Cowboys have Micah Parsons who is a top two linebacker in the league, DeMarcus Lawrence, a star defensive end, and the best DB duo in the league. Trevon Diggs is finally healthy after missing 98% of last season and though DaRon Bland will be out for some time due to an injury that will be 6-8 weeks, once he comes back, don’t expect your favorite team to catch a ball.
11-6
If health issues become a problem: 9-8
Philadelphia Eagles
Creator: Mitchell Leff | Credit: Getty Images
After the addition of Saquon Barkley, the Eagles have gotten much better. Though they lost star center, Jason Kelce, to retirement, Philadelphia doesn’t have any worries about their O-Line coming into Week 1 in Brazil vs the Packers.
On offense, QB Jalen Hurts leads the way with star running back, Saquon Barkley. The receivers are two great players in A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. With a great offensive line, the Eagles also have an underrated tight end in Dallas Goedert.
On defense, defensive backs Darius Slay, James Bradberry and Reed Blankenship, Phladelphia also has Brandon Graham, and Josh Sweat just to name a few of their great D-Linemen.
So clearly, this team is great, but can they make it all the way? Well, two years ago they did and I think they may be able to do it again after the Barkley signing.
Record: 12-5
If health issues become a problem: 10-7
NFC SOUTH
Carolina Panthers
Creator: Grant Halverson | Credit: Getty Images
This is Bryce Young’s year. He now has more weapons and has learned from his mistakes last season. I would be careful labeling him a bust because I think he still has the potential of a good player. However, I do think he will be labeled as a bust just because Stroud and other talents were drafted after him. Under a new head coach and a better offense, Young will slowly emerge into a decent quarterback. However, Carolina will still be bad and it won’t be all his fault.
Defense isn’t great. The Panthers traded away their star player, Brian Burns, to the New York Giants and a bad defense has gotten worse.
There’s not too much to be said about this team, they aren’t ready and need a few years to be good.
Record: 4-13
If health issues become a problem: 1-16
New Orleans Saints
Creator: Chris Graythen | Credit: Getty Images
Not the best team in their division, the Saints haven’t gotten better similar to the Panthers and a lot of other teams. Carr is older and Olave like I said before, won’t be as good as the past two seasons because of Carr’s older age and his injuries. This will likely be Alvin Kamara’s last season in New Orleans because the running back is getting worse and if he doesn’t have a good season, the Saints will may have to cut him.
On defense, nothing special. The other teams in the NFC South’s defense other than Carolina’s is just better and the Saints have a lot of older guys. DeMario Davis won’t be exactly the same as he is clearly aging, and so is safety, Tyrann Matheiu.
Not much to be excited about for the Saints this season, however they of course will win football games. I just don’t see them as a playoff team in 2025.
Record: 9-8
If health issues become a problem: 4-13
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Creator: Icon Sportswire | Credit: Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Another year of Baker Mayfield… it won’t be the same as last year. I predict Mayfield will still play well and win football games, but just won’t play as well as last season. We’ll see, maybe I’m wrong, but I bet Tampa Bay won’t win their division. A good team, sure, still isn’t as good is this next team.
On offense, Baker at QB, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin and receiver, this team seems good, and is, however they won’t be the team to go deep in the playoffs while being an underdog.
On defense, they just extended Antoine Winfield Jr. However, a 34 year old Lavonte David won’t do much and the Bucs just lost his linebacker partner, Devin White, to the Eagles.
So, a better team than New Orleans and Carolina, but Tampa Bay isn’t the same and just not as good as they once were.
Record: 10-7
If health issues become a problem: 6-11
Atlanta Falcons
Creator: Todd Kirkland | Credit: Getty Images
The last team i’ll be discussing about in this article, the Falcons have gotten so much better it isn’t fair. They got their QB(s) in Kirk Cousins and his future replacement, Michael Penix Jr., as well as a new head coach in Raheem Morris from the Rams. They didn’t stay quiet either, another year of Drake London, Kyle Pitts, and Bijan, this team is much better.
It’s the defense that’s incredible. Sure, they lost old Calais Campbell, but they got Matthew Judon from a trade with the New England Patriots, signed Justin Simmons, and paired Simmons with the best safety in the NFL who Atlanta got last year, Jessie Bates. Great acquisitions by GM, Terry Fontenot.
This team has improved and it will show this season.
Record: 11-6
If health issues become a problem: 8-9
Nice work Jack!!!