These 5 NFC teams are the top Super Bowl contenders
The NFC is packed with potential Super Bowl participants. We look at the 5 teams in the division most likely to compete for the prize.
5. Green Bay Packers
It’s a deep conference when teams like the Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles aren’t making the list. However, we start with the Packers, who won 13 games last year and came within one victory of the Super Bowl. So why is Green Bay so low? Because it did nothing to improve during the offseason. The Packers failed to nab a single impact receiver to pair with Davante Adams, while the defense largely stayed stagnant.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers are the most fascinating team in the NFL. Tampa Bay added Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski this offseason, to an offense already loaded up with receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, and tight end Cameron Brate. The Bucs should be able to score at will, even with a 42-year-old Brady trying to keep the magic going.
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If the defense can continue its improvement under coordinator Todd Bowles, Tampa Bay could be the first city to host a Super Bowl with its hometown team in it.
3. San Francisco 49ers
Yes, the defending NFC champions fall to third on the list. The demotion in the rankings is fueled by the losses of Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and the defection of Emmanuel Sanders — more on him in a second — to the New Orleans Saints. Then there’s the foot injury to Deebo Samuel, which could cost him some time come the regular season. Factor in Raheem Mostert wanting a trade, and it’s a tough time for San Francisco.
All of this adds up to more pressure on Jimmy Garoppolo, and increased urgency to get immediate production from rookies Javon Kinlaw and Brandon Aiyuk.
2. Seattle Seahawks
This is purely a vote for Russell Wilson and his skill-position players. Pete Carroll is a terrific coach, but each year, Seattle plays far too conservatively despite having the best deep-ball thrower in football with Wilson. Still, though, the Seahawks are an annual threat to reach the Super Bowl, and this is no different.
Read: 49ers Star George Kittle ‘Ready To Be A Captain;
Seattle is blessed with D.K. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and Greg Olsen as pas-catching targets, while Chris Carson provides thump in the backfield. If the defense can do its job, this is a major contender.
1. New Orleans Saints
Simply put, the Saints have the best roster led by a first-ballot Hall of Famer at quarterback in Drew Brees. New Orleans stole Sanders from the 49ers, giving them a real second option opposite Michael Thomas. Factor in Lviv Kamara and Jared Cook, and the offense is stacked.
If the defense holds in NOLA, the Saints should finally be headed back to the Super Bowl.
