The Wildcard’s 2015 NFL Team By Team Preview - The NFC
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NFC EAST
Dallas Cowboys
2014 Record: 12-4 (Lost in Divisional Playoffs)
Key Player: Antonio Romo. As long as he’s fit and producing as he has the last couple seasons (2014 especially) then the ‘Boys are competitive. Romo -> Bryant is one of the most exciting combos in the NFL.
What to Watch For: Within one of the flashiest stadiums, beneath one of the most marketable franchises, below one of the most charismatically untrustworthy owners and next to the most fetishized cheerleading squad in the NFL… there’s actually a pretty fascinating team. The only thing louder than their haters are their fans.
Key Question: How about that offensive line? They let DeMarco Murray walk, is the O-line so good that they can block for anyone or will they rue the Darren McFadden trade-off?
2015 Prediction: 12-4
New York Giants
2014 Record: 6-10
Key Player: Odell Beckham Jr. Somehow he’s become the face of the team and the hope for the future.
What to Watch For: Really interesting situation for the Giants. They haven’t made the playoffs the last three seasons and they fluffed on most of their free agency targets. The defence looks under-par and arguably their best defensive player, Jason Pierre-Paul, is in career limbo after blowing up his hand in a fireworks mishap. Pressure is mounting, New Yorkers aren’t the most patient. However there’s no ruling out a team with Eli Manning and with both Beckham and Victor Cruz at WR, there’s still plenty to like.
Key Question: Is this Tom Coughlin’s gig for life or could he face the axe if the Giants can’t make steps forward?
2015 Prediction: 7-9
Philadelphia Eagles
2014 Record: 10-6
Key Player: Is it cheating to say Coach Chip Kelly? Given they’re relying on Sam Bradford and DeMarco Murray, maybe it’s the physio team.
What to Watch For: Well, if you’re one of those people that moans about how little action there is compared to the time in between plays, then this is your team. The Eagles are the team with the quickest turnaround between snaps, and as such they run more offensive plays than anyone else. It’s kind of their thing.
Key Question: Will playing in a system more in tune with his college success be enough to redeem Sam Bradford as an NFL QB? And will he stay fit enough to make it happen?
2015 Prediction: 11-5
Washington R**skins
2014 Record: 4-12
Key Player: Alfred Morris, you reckon you can make 1200+ yards with turnstiles playing as your offensive line? Coz you pretty much have to.
What to Watch For: Every time you see the R**skins name or logo, you can shake your head in silent protest and every time you catch yourself doing that, you can feel better about what a good person you are for condemning it.
Key Question: Anyone reckon maybe that there’s been a Native American curse laid upon the name? Could explain all those instances of R**skins players and staff shooting themselves in the foot. Only metaphorically so to date, but give ‘em time.
2015 Prediction: 2-14
NFC NORTH
Chicago Bears
2014 Record: 5-11
Key Player: Alshon Jeffery is the undisputed target man now that Brandon Marshall’s gone to NYJ and that’s a bit of a burden. But Jeffrey’s a monster if ya chuck the ball in his vicinity. He and RB Matt Forte need to be on-game to keep the heat off the Cutlet. Speaking of which…
What to Watch For: The soap opera that is Jay Cutler’s career. He’s high profile with a big contract but the fans are losing patience and it sounds like a few teammates have too. Occasionally brilliant often frustrating. Always entertaining in one way or another.
Key Question: Only the Raiders (452) gave up more points on defence than the Bears (442) in 2014. Any chance of that improving?
2015 Prediction: 5-11
Detroit Lions
2014 Record: 11-5 (Lost in Wild Card Playoffs)
Key Player: Calvin Johnson is still the best WR in the game.
What to Watch For: Think a full season (*fingers crossed*) of Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate with a quarterback in Matt Stafford who’s not afraid to put one up there for them. Plus rookie RB Ameer Abdullah got plenty of hype in pre-season. He’s still behind Joique Bell on the depth chart but he’ll be pushing him hard.
Key Question: How big of a loss are Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley to a still otherwise brutalising defence?
2015 Prediction: 10-6
Green Bay Packers
2014 Record: 12-4 (Lost in Conference Finals)
Key Player: I mean, when you can call on the best quarterback in the NFL on the back of another MVP season… yeah, probably that guy. Shout out to Aaron Rodgers.
What to Watch For: Rodgers is gonna have to do it without his favourite receiver after Jordy Cattle-Driving Nelson tore an ACL. But, hey, it’s Aaron Rodgers. He’d win games with you and I at WR, let alone the likes of Randall Cobb and Davante Adams. Nothing to worry about here, plenty to watch for.
Key Question: So… Super Bowl or bust?
2015 Prediction: 13-3
Minnesota Vikings
2014 Record: 7-9
Key Player: Adrian Peterson. This is a guy who came back from a torn Achilles to dominate. A year out for disciplinary reasons shouldn’t slow him down a step, not unless the mental side gets to him.
What to Watch For: The return of All Day Peterson and possibly the emergence of Teddy Bridgewater. But it’s Peterson who’ll get the people’s attention, with his genius with a football in hand (helped by the guiding hands of Norv Turner) and his now-divisive public image.
Key Question: Mike Zimmer – Coach of the Year candidate?
2015 Prediction: 8-8
NFC SOUTH
Atlanta Falcons
2014 Record: 6-10
Key Player: Matt Ryan is consistently one of the ten best quarterbacks in America every year. If he can edge into the top five this season then we’ll really be talking.
What to Watch For: On one side of the ball there’s Ryan throwing to Julio Jones with Roddy White hanging around on the other edge. On the other side of the ball there’s a soft defence that leaked more yardage in 2014 than any other team (the Saints were second).
Key Question: Who plays running back, Devonta Freeman or rookie Tevin Coleman? More importantly, will either of them be any good? Because Steven Jackson last year… was not.
2015 Prediction: 9-7
Carolina Panthers
2014 Record: 7-8-1 (Lost in Divisional Playoffs)
Key Player: Cam Newton’s not got much to throw to but he’s gonna have to make it work somehow. Lots of pressure on this fella’s back.
What to Watch For: If you dig a bit of linebacking then the Panthers are gonna be your go. Led by Luke Keuchly, they’ve probably been the best LB group in the league the last couple seasons. It’s the offensive side of things that hold them back.
Key Question: Second rounder Devin Funchess is an absolute gun but with Kelvin Benjamin getting injured will the Panthers regret not picking a WR in the first round?
2015 Prediction: 8-8
New Orleans Saints
2014 Record: 7-9
Key Player: Drew Brees is getting on and he probably isn’t the player he once was. But he’s still better than most of these other mugs.
What to Watch For: The Saints are striving for more balance, overhauling a wonderful offensive group to pad out the defence and strengthen the lines. This might be a big season for Mark Ingram too.
Key Question: Who’s left for Drew Brees to throw to? Jimmy Graham plays for Seattle now (though in exchange they padded that woeful O-Line, which any QB is gonna love, especially a 36 year old one) and Kenny Stills is a Dolphin.
2015 Prediction: 8-8
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2014 Record: 2-14
Key Player: There are a few very talented folks on this Buccs team, despite the overall averageness. Lavonte David would be a superstar linebacker if he played for the Seahawks.
What to Watch For: Gotta give Jameis Winston a look to see what we’ve got there in him. Superb through college, but that’s not always been the best indicator. Look, it ain’t impossible that TB puts up a solid team this season… it’s just more likely that they won’t.
Key Question: Will WRs Vincent Jackson and Mike Adams be enough to spark a proper passing game despite a rookie hurler and a shallow offensive line?
2015 Prediction: 3-13
NFC WEST
Arizona Cardinals
2014 Record: 11-5 (Lost in Wild Card Playoffs)
Key Player: Carson Palmer simply has to stay fit for 16 games (and maybe more) because they’re shot without him.
What to Watch For: Great coaching and the fine art of defence.
Key Question: The won 11 games in 2014 and yet their season points differential was only 11 itself. Carolina saw the close-win-trend level out between 2013 & 14… does the same happen to the Cardies?
2015 Prediction: 8-8
St. Louis Rams
2014 Record: 6-10
Key Player: If Todd Gurley’s a rookie of the year candidate at RB then this team can make major upgrades on that 6 win season last time.
What to Watch For: Nick Foles trying to show that he’s an improvement on Sam Bradford, as well as a ruthlessly good defensive line. Seriously, the best defensive line in football. Robert Quinn and Chris Long at the ends, Aaron Donald and Michael Brockers at the tackles and Nick Fairley on the bench. Former first round picks, every one of them.
Key Question: The youngest team in the league the past two years, still gonna be up there in 2015. Is that lack of experience an issue?
2015 Prediction: 7-9
San Francisco 49ers
2014 Record: 8-8
Key Player: Jarryd Hayne will be absolutely crucial to the… ah, no wait. I meant to say Colin Kaepernick. Big year for him.
What to Watch For: NaVorro Bowman single-handedly trying to run this shockingly depleted defence. It’s pretty much unprecedented that a team’s lost so many major performers all at once. Not to mention their head coach and offensive and defensive coordinators. And they weren’t even that good last year anyway, just middling.
Key Question: If a team with this many changes, firings, retirements and escapees can still make the playoffs then where does that rank in the all-time Winning Despite Huge Adversity rankings?
2015 Prediction: 5-11
Seattle Seahawks
2014 Record: 12-4 (Lost in Super Bowl)
Key Player: We all know he’s gon’ get got, but Marshawn Lynch is gon’ get his more than he gets got, tho’.
What to Watch For: The thing about hitting on clever draft picks is that you can hoard more talent than the salary cap intends but sooner or later those contracts need updating. The Legion of Boom is starting to lose a couple main men as they’ve strengthened the offence and that means Byron Maxwell is an Eagle and Kam Chancellor’s future with the team is in doubt. We’re gonna get to see how good this team is as they integrate a few new blokes into the Legion. Oh, and they have Jimmy Graham at TE now too.
Key Question: What are the odds of a hangover season after that heart breaking Super Bowl loss?
2015 Prediction: 12-4