RAF Writers’ Roundtable: Will they return to the playoffs? NFC Edition
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Every year, 12 NFL teams punch their ticket to the playoffs. Some of them, we expected to be there. Others are a surprise and raise eyebrows of fans and analysts alike as they foray into that which they do not belong.
We’ll run-down all 12 franchises that secured a playoff berth in the 2016 season, and our writers give their opinions on whether they think they’ll return to the promised land in 2017.
Was your team’s success last season a flash in the pan? Or have your warriors put a team on the gridiron we view as being sustainable?
Here are the teams trying to get back in the NFC bracket:
Detroit Lions (9-7) - NFC Wildcard
Tristan Fitzpatrick: Yes. Just maybe. The Packers will continue to dominate whilst the Vikings and Lions will duke it out for the wildcard. It’s too close to call right now, Matthew Stafford could continue his elite level play but that Vikings defence could be scary, this is probably the hardest to call.
Alex Murray: No. As a Lions fan, it pains me to say this, but I don’t think Jim Caldwell’s men have it in them. The schedule is tough for Detroit this season, which may just put them out of playoff contention.
Alan Cole: No. This was a massive fluke last year. The Lions pulled late win after late win out of the hat. Luck like that always runs out eventually. Detroit’s roster leaves a lot to be desired on both sides of the ball, and they looked badly out of their depth in the playoff game in Seattle last season.
Joe Hulbert: No. The Detroit Lions went 9-7 last year, but in all honesty, a flip of the win and loss numbers was a more reflection of how they played. Taylor Decker’s injury will hurt this team a lot, and they still didn’t address their run game, or their pass rush. They won’t be terrible, but I can’t see them making the playoffs unless they go 5-1 in their divisional games.
David Howell: No. Another team that overachieved in 2016. Matthew Stafford will keep them relevant, but I’m not seeing postseason football here.
Ste Hoare: No. Whilst the Lions should be applauded for finding ways to win close games last season, the fact they were in so many of those games says a lot. The defence worries me and I’m not the sure the offence has the firepower to overcome that.
Sam Brown: No. The 10-6 season last time out could have so easily been 6-10. The Lions will need a whole lot of luck to be playing football come January 2018.
New York Giants (11-5) - NFC Wildcard
TF: Yes. My pick for the NFC East division. Their defence is young and should only get better, and for that reason alone they’re better than the Cowboys. Add in a splash of Odell Beckham Jr, Brandon Marshall and Sterling Sheppard only an absolute implosion from Eli Manning could halt this team.
AM: No. The Giants may have to hope on another wildcard berth this season. Although, I feel they may struggle this season.
AC: Yes. I had some doubts about this with a very deep NFC Wild Card field, but I think their ferocious defense sneaks them in.
JH: No. The New York Giants were a very efficient team last year, but I have them missing the playoffs for a variety of reasons. Their offence is too vanilla to succeed in 2017 as they lineup in the shotgun formation with three wideouts on 93% of their plays, and they are a highly predictable team. The defence is good, but Eli has showed signs of decline, and they have no run game which means they will not be able to control the clock and see games out as well as teams like the Eagles and Cowboys.
DH: No. They overachieved drastically last year and negative regression is due, especially as Eli Manning is entering collapse mode. My sleeper pick to join the Divebomb for Darnold.
SH: Yes. I’m picking the Giants to win their division this year. I love their defence and I think the offence can improve. Eli Manning was poor last year but the additions of Brandon Marshall and Evan Engram should really help. I like the Giants a lot.
SB: Yes. The defense consists of a capable defensive line and superb secondary, and if Eli can put up around 24 points per game, I absolutely back the Giants to return as a wildcard at the very least – but I’d back them to win the division.
Dallas Cowboys (13-3) - First Place in the NFC East
TF: No. While everyone at the NFL offices would love ‘America’s team’ to become a mainstay in the playoffs, the truth is that defence will struggle. Even behind the fantastic O-line Dak Prescott can thrive, but the division is so tight, I can’t envision that weakened defence making it.
AM: Yes. The Cowboys will either hit second season syndrome with Elliot and Prescott, or have another great season. They should do well, and win the NFC East.
AC: Yes. This team went 13-3 with a plethora of rookies last season. I have no issues putting them somewhere in that ballpark again in 2017 for a return to the postseason.
JH: Yes. Many predict the Cowboys to have a down year, but I am not one of those people. The defence no doubt lost some key pieces, but they have the best defensive coordinator in the business in Rod Marinelli, and he will make sure they are at least an average unit. The Ezekiel Elliott injury could be problematic, but Dak Prescott should be able to lead this team to wins in his absence. They will return to the post-season.
DH: Yes.They won’t go 13-3 again or anything, but with Prescott improving and gaining a stronger connection with Bryant, they should be fine even if they have to get in some shootouts. And if they can get Jaylon Smith into action at anything like college form…
SH: Yes. Whilst I’m expecting a bit of a drop off, I still see Dallas getting a wildcard. The offensive line is just so good, it allows them to control games. The defence looks suspect but I think they won’t be on the field a whole lot.
SB: Yes. Not as division champs this time around, but with an offensive line like that, Dak Prescott has every opportunity to progress in his second season.
Green Bay Packers (10-6) - First Place in NFC North
TF: Yes. Much like the Patriots, the Packers are NFL royalty and last missed the playoffs in 2008 during Rodgers’ first year at QB. The division doesn’t look to difficult to navigate either, at worst a wildcard is doable.
AM: Yes. The Packers have dominated the NFC North for years. I don’t see that changing anytime soon (even as a Lions fan…).
AC: Yes. I mean, come on. The NFC North has been a division lacking clear challenger for Green Bay for almost a decade now. 2017 will be another cakewalk for Aaron Rodgers and co.
JH: Yes. The Packers are a shoe-in to make the playoffs as their division is full of mediocrity at this point in time. Just making the playoffs should not be enough for a team with Aaron Rodgers as the signal caller, but the addition of Martellus Bennett makes this a formality.
DH: Yes. Not sold on any of the other NFC North teams, but I am sold on Martellus Bennett in that offense.
SH: Yes. As a Packers fan I’m hugely optimistic about this season. I think the defence will improve (it can’t get worse!) and with Aaron Rodgers under centre behind a solid offensive line, I’d back us to win at least ten games.
SB: Yes. Playoff football in Wisconsin is an institution. Next.
Atlanta Falcons (11-5) - First Place in NFC South
TF: Yes. But only just. Lets not forget 12 months ago it was divisional rivals the Carolina Panthers who lost the Super Bowl with the league MVP. Don’t count out the Saints either. Add that to the loss of Kyle Shannahan, and it doesn’t look so clear cut.
AM: Yes. The Falcons find themselves in the toughest division in 2017 in my opinion. The NFC South is full of legitimate outfits this season, although the Falcons should have the quality to make it to the postseason.
AC: No. This is a major hot take having the defending NFC Champions falling out of the top six in the conference, but the NFC South is the deepest division in football. A brutal schedule plus the loss of Kyle Shanahan as offensive coordinator makes the task very difficult for Atlanta this year. Realistically, Matt Ryan won’t be as good as he was last year. Atlanta blew their shot last year.
JH: Yes. The Atlanta Falcons will be worse offensively than last year due to the departure of Kyle Shanahan, but the improved defence should help make up for this. Steve Sarkisian is no slouch, and he will still have this offence playing at a good level due to the fact they have a variety of weapons who offer different things. They will likely win their division again, although it won’t be easy.
DH: No. 2016 was a fluke, the architect of which is now in California, and a new stadium will bring a corporate crowd that won’t get loud enough. Plus, the Super Bowl hangover effect is real, and could be even worse in this instance. Dan Quinn’s young D should at least ensure they don’t have as bad a time of it as the Panthers last year, though.
SH: Yes. I think their division is so tough that their first place schedule will be their downfall in terms of a divisional win but I think they’ll get a wildcard. I understand that they are super talented but losing Shanahan is a big blow. I see them finishing second and grabbing a wildcard.
SB: Yes. The NFC South is teeming with talent this year, but I know what I saw with my eyes last season- the most destructive offense since the 2013 Broncos. They’ll be back one way or another.
Seattle Seahawks (10-5-1) - First Place in NFC West
TF: Yes. Will the Rams? Nope. Will the 49ers? Nope. Will Arizona? Maybe, but not over the Seahawks. The Seahawks are not quite the impervious team that went to back-to-back Super Bowls two years ago, but they’re still a good team in the weakest division.
AM: Yes. The Seahawks spluttered at times last season. However, they should be able to win their division thanks to the 49ers and Rams recent struggles.
AC: Yes. This team has four free wins in the bank via San Francisco and Los Angeles. The best defense in the NFL should have no issues reaching January.
JH: Yes. The Seattle Seahawks have been dominant in recent years, and they will continue that this year, and win their division. The Arizona Cardinals will be revitalised, but the Seahawks essentially have three or four free wins against the Rams and 49ers. The Seahawks upgraded at running back with the addition of Eddie Lacy, and they added depth in the secondary through the draft, which should help them extend their hold on the NFC West.
DH: Yes. I honestly think they could win more games than the rest of the division put together. The Rams and 49ers are the worst teams in the NFC, and the Cardinals might be that bad too if David Johnson gets hurt and Carson Palmer collapses (and the latter is almost inevitable).
SH: Yes. The pick I am most confident about. Seattle are one of the most talented teams in the league playing in a very weak division.
SB: Yes. Russell Wilson is a top five quarterback, and that defense might be the best in the NFL. That’s all there is to it.