NFC East Winner:
Dallas Cowboys
After Tony Romo went down with a preseason back injury, Dak Prescott took over the starting job for the Cowboys and never looked back. Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliot shined in their rookie seasons and established an identity for the offense. Thanks to the best offensive line in the NFL, Prescott was able to stay poised in the pocket, and Elliot led the league in rushing.
This season, Dallas will be without Elliot for the first six games due to suspension, but the Cowboys have enough offensive talent to get by without him. Prescott should be able to build on his phenomenal rookie year by having an improved connection with receiver Dez Bryant. The quarterback also has his reliable slot-receiver Cole Beasley and tight end Jason Witten to lean on as well. If the defense can remain healthy, the Boys will definitely find themselves back in the playoffs.
NFC South Winner:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Those who watched HBOs Hard Knocks this year saw a very talented Buccaneers squad that is led by quarterback Jameis Winston. The Bucs had a great offseason, drafting tight end O.J. Howard and signing receiver DeSean Jackson. Howard and Jackson join an already-loaded offense that includes Mike Evans and Doug Martin.
In his short career, one area of Winstons game in which he has struggled is throwing the deep ball. The addition of Jackson will definitely help the quarterback improve, though, as his speed allows him to get downfield and to create separation from defenders.
Tampa Bay is just as good on the other side of the ball, too. Gerald McCoy is an outright stud, and the Broncos gifted the Bucs T.J. Ward when they cut him this past weekend. Special teams should be better too as the team realized drafting a kicker in the second round was a bad idea and cut Roberto Aguayo.
NFC North Winner:
Chicago Bears
Hey, crazier things have happened, right? If the Bears are going to win the division, second overall pick Mitchell Trubisky has to take the field sooner rather than later. While General Manager Ryan Pace obviously has confidence in Mike Glennon, Trubisky is far more talented and gives the team more of an opportunity to win. Along with Trubisky taking the reins, wide receiver Kevin White needs to have a breakout year, and Jordan Howard has to build off his impressive rookie campaign.
Defensively, the Bears are better than many give them credit for. The one area they need to improve on, however, is generating turnovers. Last year, the Bears had a league-low 11 takeaways.
NFC West Winner:
Seattle Seahawks
After being banged up for much of last season, Russell Wilson is healthy again and has the best receiving corps of his career. Doug Baldwin is primed for another big season, and Jimmy Graham returned to his New Orleans form towards the end of last year. After struggling in Green Bays pass-first offense, Eddie Lacy will thrive as a consistent running threat in Seattle.
While their offense is solid, the Seahawks are known for their defense. Cornerback Richard Sherman and safety Earl Thomas are the elite of their positions and will continue to give opposing quarterbacks nightmares.
