NFL division predictions - NFC
By: Will Aimette
(Photo Credit: Fox)
The NFL arrives Thursday with the Cowboys and Eagles kicking off the 2025-26 season. So before the start, I figured I should make an article predicting how the season will go. And if you want to see how I did? Check back in 18 weeks.
NFC North:
Detroit Lions - y
minnesota Vikings - x
green bay Packers - x
chicago Bears
Explanation: The Lions and Vikings have the two toughest schedules in this division. But they both can handle it. It doesn’t matter who is at quarterback for either of these teams, whether it’s Jared Goff, J.J McCarthy, or even Daniel Jones. The Lions have guys like Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Penei Sewell, and plus one of the best defenses in the NFL featuring Aidan Hutchinson, Terrion Arnold, and Brian Branch. Meanwhile, their main competitors, the Vikings, have Justin Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson, and a three-game suspended Jordan Addison. Not bad targets for rookie QB J.J. McCarthy to throw to. Then there’s the Packers. After getting a steal by trading for Micah Parsons, their defense is now stacked. Jaire Alexander, Xavier McKinney, Micah Parsons, and a young Edgerrin Cooper lead the way for an also talented offense. I feel that Jordan Love will break out, especially with rookie receiver Matthew Golden to throw to. So while the Packers will come third in their division, I’m not worried about their ability to make the playoffs. Lastly, the Bears. I’m not sure what to think of this team. If Caleb Williams doesn’t have a good season this year, I’m worried he might be a bust. To be fair, his offensive lineman gave up 59 sacks last year. This year, however, I feel much better about his situation. While they didn’t add any linemen, they got an elite rookie tight end with a high ceiling in Colston Loveland. And who is the perfect target to throw to while getting blitzed? Your tight end, of course. I think the Bears will improve this year and just miss the playoffs, but still will be good enough to give teams a run for their money.
NFC east:
Philadelphia eagles - z
Washington commanders - x
Dallas cowboys
New york giants
Explanation: I feel like this was a much easier division to predict than many others. Each team is in a tier above the next. Coming off of a Super Bowl victory, the Eagles don’t look much worse, in fact they look better. They solidified themselves as the best team in the NFL and will easily win this division. Next, the Commanders. I think Jayden Daniels will experience a sophomore slump, as even with better protection and better targets he will slow down. The defense looks mediocre, but still can lock down any offense on a good day. They are still much better than the Cowboys. Now what is going on with this team? They just traded away the face of their franchise for a pretty good defensive tackle and two first round picks. First of all, the fact that this team would trade away their best player is crazy, and second of all, they got barely half his value back. Their running back room stinks, their young O-line needs work, and their defense is now below league average. At least they have a bright spot in CeeDee Lamb. Lastly, the Giants. Their QB room is confusing. They traded up to get Jaxson Dart, but aren’t even starting him. Instead, Russell Wilson will start the season at QB. Malik Nabers will be great again, but that’s about it for the offense. Their defense also looks mediocre besides Abdul Carter, Dexter Lawrence, and Kayvon Thibodeaux.
NFC south:
atlanta Falcons - y
tampa bay Buccaneers
carolina panthers
new orleans saints
Explanation: The Falcons are my dark horse first place team this season. Bijan Robinson is poised to have a breakout year, Drake London looks as good as ever, and QB Michael Penix Jr is set to breakout. The Falcons could be really good this season, as long as their defense plays well. After that are the Buccaneers, who have won this division in each of the last three seasons. The reason I have them at two is because they haven’t improved. They are just using the same team each year, while other teams are starting to surpass them in talent. Baker Mayfield will only last you so long. As for the Panthers, they look better and better each year, as Teterioia McMillan looks great coming into the season to join Xavier Legette in a talented wide receiver core. Bryce Young is coming off of an improvement player of the year award, and will only improve more from here. The Panthers look much better than the team below them, the Saints. They have a serious problem. Even with this terrible team, the Saints still are 40 million dollars above their cap space. They have to release a ton of players on their roster to even be able to get a high first round draft pick next year. Their QB situation is terrible and frankly, even if it wasn’t, all their decent players get injured anyways.
NFC West:
san francisco 49ers - y
los angeles rams - x
seattle seahawks
arizona cardinals
Explanation: The 49ers are set up for a great year this year. Their star running back, Christian McCaffery is back, they have multiple wide receiver threats now that Jauan Jennings is back. Not to mention their defense looks better than ever, and their star youngster, Ricky Pearsall, is back from injury. It’s always a good sign that they are hosting the super bowl too. As for the Rams, they have Puka Nacua and Davante Adams now, making one of the most stacked wide receiver rooms in the NFL. Don’t get me wrong, the Rams are good, they just aren’t set up for anything great. As for the Seahawks, Sam Darnold is a definite downgrade from Geno Smith. With good receivers Darnold can be successful, but he’s not right for this program. There’s a reason he was good in Minnesota, and it was because of Justin Jefferson. Lastly, the Cardinals. Kyler Murray is good, and I believe Marvin Harrison Jr. will be much better, but in the end, there is a clear lack of talent in Arizona.
NFC SUPer bowl team:
Detroit lions
Explanation: Again, this team is too good to lose again. They lost a tough battle last year to the Commanders, who were partially lucky and partially hot. If the Eagles had played the Lions, the Super Bowl result could have been much different. I feel like this year there will be a change. Amon Ra St. Brown will go crazy, Jahmyr Gibbs is only getting better, and if Jared Goff doesn’t throw as many interceptions, I don’t even know if the Eagles can stop this team.
