Here is the second edition of our updated win-loss NFL betting predictions for the 2016 season. With the AFC teams already addressed in an earlier article, let’s take a look at what the NFC division teams have to offer.
A Closer Look At The Latest Win-Loss Predictions For Every NFC Division Team
NFC EAST
Dallas Cowboys, Prediction: 11-5
In two preseason games, Dak Prescott has answered all the questions about what would happen if Tony Romo gets injured. In other words, Dallas Cowboys‘ offense should do just fine even if Romo somehow suffers an injury. Combine that with the Cowboys’ stellar running game and a defense that has been the best in the NFC East since… forever, Dallas will definitely be bouncing back in the double-digit win column this year.
New York Giants, Prediction: 9-7
By now, we all know that as long as the durable Eli Manning and big-talking Odell Beckham Jr. are in New York, the Giants’ offense will never run out of scoring the options. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said of New York’s defense. The offseason has seen a lot of money spent to improve the team’s defense, and that could very well work, but it is one thing to spend money and get the players and it’s another for these investments to pay out immediately.
Philadelphia Eagles, Prediction: 6-10
Sam Bradford is looking like his old self, judging from his decent preseason performances, and that is good news for Philly fans ahead of the new season. But this team barely has an offensive running game and both the O and D lines have a couple of glaring holes that will surely limit the Philly rebuilding agenda from taking that big a flight.
Washington Redskins, Prediction: 8-8
Let’s set ourselves free with this truth; Kirk Cousins and the Redskins rode on a lot of luck to win the NFC East title, something that is hard to guarantee now that the Giants are flashily loaded with talent and “America’s Team” is looking stacked up than ever before. But Cousins is looking for a big paycheck in 2017 and Washington’s defense showed plenty of positives in 2015, so the Redskins may just surprise us with another solid season
NFC WEST
Arizona Cardinals, Prediction: 12-4
It’s hard not to like what Bruce Arians has done with the Cards this offseason. The secondary is better (see the addition of Chandler Jones, Evan Mathis and Co.), Carson Palmer and ALL the players who caught his TD passes in 2015 are back in the fold, and the team is very motivated after a solid 2015 campaign. As long as Palmer and his fellow starters can stay healthy, Zona could easily be the team to beat, not just in the NFC West, but the entire NFL.
Seattle Seahawks, Prediction: 11-6
Seattle is a nearly perfect team with a top-5 quarterback, a top-5 defensive unit and a top-5 coach. But the Seahawks seemingly can’t protect their QB; their pass rush was troubled a lot last season and coach Pete Carroll will need to get things in order real quick in that department, or else Russell Wilson’s efficiency will start to drop real fast at the team’s costly expense.
Los Angeles Rams, Prediction: 6-10
2016 NFL No. 1 overall pick Jared Goff hasn’t particularly lived up to his bill so far in the preseason and the Rams reportedly feel that he may not be immediate-impact QB they thought he would be for the franchise. With Case Keenum and Sean Mannion remaining as the other viable starting options, the Rams will most likely be struggling in offense, as has been the case for the last many seasons, meaning another below-average performance in the season win totals.
San Francisco 49ers, Prediction: 5-10
Don’t look now, but the 49ers apparently beat the Broncos 31-24–AT MILE HIGH–in Week 2 of the NFL preseason, a week after the Broncos delivered a road shutout win over Chicago. Now, I don’t want to overreact, but scoring 31 damn points against Denver is impressive, whether it was against third-stringers or starters, given that defense always comes first for Denver. Not to forget, this victory came in Denver’s own backyards, so maybe San Francisco may not be an all-mediocre unit in 2016. Don’t get me wrong, Chip Kelly has a lot of things to clean up in the team–both in offense and defense–and the unforgiving NFC West will demoralize the Niners’ rebuilding agenda; but if this team plays heartedly like it did against Denver, a handful of victories should be forthcoming for this San Francisco that hasn’t been favored in any of its 2016 games.
NFC NORTH
Green Bay Packers, Prediction: 12-4
Aaron Rodgers, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Richard Rodgers and Eddie Lacy… That’s an all-star offense right there for Green Bay. Defensively, there are a few questions, but moving up the draft to nab Jason Spriggs was a smart move for the O-line and the free-agent offseason additions will keep Green Bay’s defense okay. Though from the look of things, the defense will probably not need to be that good, as the excellent offense will almost definitely take care of everything.
Minnesota Vikings, Prediction: 11-5
The Vikings have the ever-improving Teddy Bridgewater at QB, the ever-productive Adrian Peterson at QB and big draft steal in WR Laquon Treadwell. Combine that with Minny’s defense that could easily be the best in the NFL this season, the defending NFC North champs will certainly reach the double-digit win mark and push Green Bay for the title all the way to Week 17.
Detroit Lions, Prediction: 8-8
No Calvin Johnson and no Isa Addul-Qudduse means a lot of rebuilding in Detroit; something that will limit Matthew Stafford’s potential to lead the team efficiently. Even so, the coaching changes in Detroit have done the team some good and the Lions should be competitive enough to at least make the .500 mark.
Chicago Bears, Prediction: 6-10
The Bears invested heavily in the offseason, but we are yet to see those changes have a solid effect on the team, with their preseason campaign leaving a lot to be desired. Add an increasingly futile Jay Cutler at QB and a mess of an offensive line, this is bound to struggle mightily in 2016.
NFC SOUTH
Atlanta Falcons, Prediction: 8-8
The combination of Matt Ryan and Julio Jones in full health means another productive year for Atlanta’s passing game, while Devonta Freeman should lead the Atlanta’s runners in the offensive backfield. The biggest problem, however, is that Atlanta’s defense is work-in-progress group with as many upsides as downsides. Should this defense make a leap, Atlanta will be finishing at 9-7 or better. But if the D continues to struggle as it has done so often, then it will be 7-9 or lower. My verdict? Am standing right in the middle at the .500 mark.
Carolina Panthers, Prediction 12-4
In case you are asking, there was nothing fluke about the Panthers’ splendid run to National Championship game. Dual-threat QB Cam Newton, the No. 1 player in the NFL Top 100 Players of 2016, is for real, and so is his defensive teammate LB Luke Kuechly, the No. 7 player in the same top 100 list. And with star WR Kelvin Benjamin easing back into shape after missing the entire 2015 season, the Panther should be primed for another big season in the NFL.
New Orleans Saints, Prediction: 8-8
As always, Drew Brees should finish the season among the top-5 leaders in NFL passing yards. Meanwhile, he Saints will be better in defense in 2016, at least going by their defensive play so far in preseason, so we could see a bump in New Orleans’s win total from 2015. But then again, with no dependable running game to support Brees and a why-hasn’t-he-been-fired-coach in Sean Payton, another average season looks very likely for New Orleans.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Prediction: 7-9
Like nearly every member of the NFC South division, Tampa Bay now has the talent to get at you offensively, thanks to the presence of 2015 standout rookie and former Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston at quarterback. Defensively, I wouldn’t call Tampa Bay a mess just yet, but improvements must be made–like in the Bucs’ soft pass defense that gave up the second highest passer rating to opposing quarterbacks in 2015–if the Bucs are to outsmart the high-octane Southerner flamethrowers in Ryan, Newton and Brees.
