2018 NFC Preview

By: Scott Edwards

Twitter: @scott_edwards18

For the first time since 2014, the NFC took home the Super Bowl trophy. The reigning Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, will lead the NFC as the favorite this season. And while I could talk about the Eagles a bit more in this, you can instead click here to view what I think of the Eagles this season. So, with the Eagles as the top dog in the NFC, it definitely is not a one team race there. The NFC brings some serious contenders to the table, beginning with the Minnesota Vikings.

 Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings were one game away from the Super Bowl last season, losing to the Champion Eagles in the NFC Conference Championship. The Vikings were a powerhouse last season, even with QB problems at the beginning of the year. Case Keenum was a phenomenal find for the Vikings last season as he was able to be a game manager and win games for the team. However, they managed to better that position by signing Pro Bowl QB Kirk Cousins to a 3-year, $84 million dollar contract to be the face of that team for years to come and get them to the Super Bowl. And it is believable to consider them the 1B to the Eagles’ 1A in terms of favorite in the NFC, considering the Vikings defense is among the tops in the NFL. The Minnesota Vikings have fought there way back to being an elite team, as they should be viewed as one of the elite in the NFC and NFL this season.

Los Angeles Rams

Power Moves Only. The Los Angeles Rams had a bounce back season last year under the new regime of 2017-18 Coach of the Year Sean McVay, finishing 11-5 and first in the NFC West. QB Jared Goff showed signs of why he was drafted as the first overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, and Todd Gurley was in the MVP talks throughout the season. With an upsetting Wild Card Round loss to the Falcons, the Rams vowed to comeback this season even better. They added ex-Pro Bowlers CB Aqib Talib, CB Marcus Peters, WR Brandin Cooks, and DT Ndamukong Suh. That is an absolutely amazing offseason for any team, being able to add the likes of those four to a team that was in the playoffs a year previous. Possibly name wise on paper they have become one of the favorites in the NFC, maybe even THE favorite.

New Orleans Saints

And the last top contender to represent the NFC are the New Orleans Saints. Led by Drew Brees, the Saints were legitimately one play away from the Super Bowl, a play known as “The Minnesota Miracle”. The Saints had an absolute resurgence on both sides of the ball. Sure, you may do the offense has been solid ever since Brees became a Saint, but they really did become better than they have been since they won the Super Bowl in 2010. Alvin Kamara became the main weapon on the offense with Michael Thomas and Mark Ingram being pro bowlers themselves, and the defense finally became a unit where it wasn’t all on Drew Brees. The NFC’s Defensive Rookie of the Year Marshon Lattimore was a top corner in the league already, while players like Cameron Jordan locked down the front seven. While they may not have the names like the Rams or Eagles do, this team will be a force and my low key favorite to take the NFC Championship this season.

Other teams to lookout for in the NFC: Panthers, Falcons, 49ers, Packers

So who do you think has a chance to take the NFC this season?

Let me know!!!