2021 NFL season: 5 NFC sleepers for the playoffs
Here are five NFC teams that could go from afterthought to playoff contender in the 2021 NFL season this autumn.
5. New York Giants
The Giants have one of the more intriguing offenses in the NFL. Running back Saquon Barkley, receivers Darius Slayton, Kenny Golladay and Sterling Shepard, and tight ends Kyle Rudolph and Evan Engram give New York some of the best weapons in the league. If third-year quarterback Daniel Jones can handle business and cut down on his turnovers, why shouldn’t the Giants compete in the middling NFC East?
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4. Atlanta Falcons
The New Orleans Saints are without a quarterback, and until Sam Darnold proves otherwise, so are the Carolina Panthers. While the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the clear class of the NFC South, Atlanta has a chance to jump a few spots in the division and cause some problems. The offense is one of the league’s most powerful with rookie tight end Kyle Pitts joining quarterback Matt Ryan and receivers Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley. If Jones gets traded, this is another conversation, but for now, Atlanta is a playoff contender.
3. Minnesota Vikings
Few teams disappointed more than the Vikings last year. After reaching the NFC Divisionals, the Vikings fell back and missed the postseason despite the new, enlarged format, finishing third in the NFC North. While the Green Bay Packers — assuming they have Aaron Rodgers come Week 1 — are the clear divisional favorite, the Vikings have a good defense on paper and an offense featuring running back Dalvin Cook, and receivers Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen. That should be enough.
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2. Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys were a mess last year, ranging from the poor coaching and horrid defense to the injury in early October to Dak Prescott. Now, with Prescott coming back and looking to be full strength by Week 1, the offense is going to be very potent. Can that overcome the defense, which is relying heavily on some positive regression and rookie play? It’s possible if only because the division is absolutely terrible.
1. San Francisco 49ers
This is clearly the top choice in the NFC. The 49ers were in the Super Bowl less than 18 months ago and return a stacked roster. The Niners didn’t get the job done in 2020 largely because of injuries, with Nick Bosa, George Kittle, Jimmy Garoppolo and others missing most of the campaign. Although the NFC West is tough, the 49ers have enough juice to make a title run, let alone reach the playoffs.
