NFC – 5 teams most likely to rebound as playoff squad
Of the nine NFC teams that missed the postseason in 2020, which ones are poised for a playoff return in the 2021 season?
5. New York Giants
The Giants have one of the most underrated rosters in the league. New York has terrific weaponry in receivers Kenny Golladay, Darius Slayton, Kadarius Toney and Sterling Shepard. Then there’s tight ends Kyle Rudolph and Evan Engram, along with star running back Saquon Barkley. Factor in one of the league’s better defenses and Big Blue has a real chance at the playoffs if third-year quarterback Daniel Jones can limit the turnovers and make a few big plays.
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4. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals started off 5-2 last year before falling apart down the stretch with ugly losses to the Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers and New England Patriots. However, this is a team with Kyler Murray under center, throwing to DeAndre Hopkins and Larry Fitzgerald. In free agency, the Cards added All-Pro defensive end J.J. Watt along with receiver A.J. Green. They also traded for center Rodney Hudson. Arizona should have a 10+ win team this fall.
3. San Francisco 49ers
If the 49ers are healthy, they’re going to the playoffs. San Francisco went to the Super Bowl in 2019 before stumbling to a 6-10 campaign last year after watching tight end George Kittle, edge rusher Nick Bosa and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo — among others — miss a majority of the campaign with ailments. All are healthy now, and while the NFC West figures to be the toughest division in the league, the Niners are good enough to win it.
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2. Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys are, unlike the Niners, in the NFL’s worst division. Last year, the Washington Football Team won the NFC East with only seven victories. Before getting hurt, Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott was playing at an elite level. Now with a new contract and ample weapons around him, Prescott should continue to dazzle. If the defense can do much of anything, the Cowboys are a 9-10 win team at the minimum.
1. Minnesota Vikings
How did the Vikings miss the playoffs last year? Some spotty quarterback play and a poor defense. This year, Kirk Cousins returns under center but the defense has been significantly upgraded. Defensive tackle Michael Pierce is coming back after opting out for COVID-19, while Dalvin Tomlinson was signed to play alongside him. In the secondary, Patrick Peterson and Bashaud Breeland give Minnesota two excellent corners. In a turbulent NFC North, this is a playoff team all day long.
