Turf Show Times
NFL playoff predictions: Division winners and wildcard teams in the NFC conference
We’ve walked through every stage of the Los Angeles Rams’ 2025 schedule. I gave my thoughts on the pecking order of the NFC West division.
Now, it’s time to zoom out to the NFC conference at large. Who will be the four division winners, the number one seed, and the three wildcard entrants?
Part 1: The Opening Quarter
Part 2: Litmus Test Before the Bye
Part 3: Clash Against the NFC South
Part 4: A Potentially Tough Close
Part 5: How I see the NFC West shaking out
It’s tough to predict against the reigning Super Bowl champs in the Philadelphia Eagles. Still, I think Philly has some structural challenges for the upcoming season. Their pass rush isn’t as talented as we are used to, Saquon Barkley is due for regression, and the question still remains whether Jalen Hurts can pick up the slack if there is much.
The Washington Commanders seem like a team on the rise with Jayden Daniels; however, just because they made it to the NFC championship game a year ago doesn’t mean they are primed for success again in 2025. Washington was very fortunate to convert fourth downs at a high rate, the defense was below average under Dan Quinn, and I want to see Kliff Kingsbury replicate his success at offensive coordinator before I truly buy in.
I’m going to buck the consensus and pick the Dallas Cowboys to win the east. We go through these cycles all the time with Dak Prescott. He misses time with injury and we simply forget how consistently good he is. Fortunately for Prescott, CeeDee Lamb has help at receiver with George Pickens. This is a great stylistic fit for the Cowboys. The defense is talented enough.
Rams fans know Brian Schottenheimer well. This was far from the sexiest head coaching pick this offseason. Still, Schottenheimer has remained an underrated offensive coach during his time in the NFL. You know the jet sweep that took the league by storm over the last decade? Well, Schottenheimer implemented the motion into the Rams’ offensive during his time with the Rams to deploy Tavon Austin as a gadget player. Sean McVay continued the jet sweeps and it reached new heights with Todd Gurley in the backfield, catching fire across other NFL offenses.
I could honestly see any team in the NFC North emerge as the winner.
It’s hard not to be bullish on the Chicago Bears with Ben Johnson pulling the string for Caleb Williams. He knows his franchise quarterback needs to be protected and the team went to great lengths to rebuild the offensive line. Chicago has collected talent on defense and has given the Detroit Lions tough fits in recent years.
The Green Bay Packers are a little too volatile for my liking. While Jordan Love has had his fair share of...
