2018 NFL Preview
NFC Predictions

The 2018 NFL Season is nearly upon us, and that means it’s time to make some bold predictions. Over the next two days, I’ll be previewing the AFC and NFC, and looking at how I think each will finish. Today I’m starting with the NFC.
My model was to use a prediction site to run the whole season, and here’s what I got.
NFC North:
1. Green Bay Packers 11–5
2. Minnesota Vikings 10–6
3. Chicago Bears 10–6
4. Detroit Lions 5–11
About: I usually like the Lions and I don’t think they have a bad team, they’re just kind of the odd team out in what’s suddenly a great division.
NFC South:
1. New Orleans Saints 12–4
2 Carolina Panthers 9–7
3. Atlanta Falcons 8–8
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3–13
About: It’s time for a change in Tampa Bay, and I think this season will be the catalyst for the change. I still love New Orleans. I think Carolina and Atlanta are fine, I just think some other teams are better and have a better schedule.
NFC East:
1. Philadelphia Eagles 10–6
2. Washington Redskins 8–8
3. New York Giants 7–9
4. Dallas Cowboys 6–10
About: I think the Eagles will have some speed bumps, but these other three teams all have flaws. And the Cowboys ill health has me thinking they’ll struggle.
NFC West:
1. Los Angeles Rams 12–4
2. San Francisco 49ers 11–5
3. Seattle Seahawks 4–12
4. Arizona Cardinals 2–14
About: I was surprised with the bottom two when I got through projections, but I just don’t think they’re as good as some other teams. The Seahawks have to bottom out and re-build, and the Cardinals will, too.
NFC Playoffs:
1. New Orleans Saints
2. Los Angeles Rams
3. Green Bay Packers
4. Philadelphia Eagles
5. San Francisco 49ers
6. Minnesota Vikings
Wild Card Round: Eagles over 49ers; Vikings over Packers
Divisional Round: Rams over Eagles; Saints over Vikings
NFC Title Game: Saints over Rams
About: This is a strong group of teams and I think the NFC is the better conference. I think the Vikings will get over the Packers, but the Saints will turn the tables on 2017 and win there. I like the Rams to go a step further, but the combo of Drew Brees and Sean Payton will get it done.

