The NFC is getting very top heavy, especially 1-5. Other than that it’s a battle of survival to see who gets the final 2 spots. Through 9 weeks it has been interesting and crazy at the same time. How is everyone stacking up?
Dallas Cowboys (The Mike McCarthy Special): I’m still amazed that the Cowboys went from mediocrity to being a dark horse Super Bowl Contender in one season. Most of that transformation has been due to one man. Dak Prescott. Other than an injured calf and a bad game against the Broncos, he has been the driving force on this team and should be a lock for Comeback Player of the Year. Not to mention the defense led by 2 game changing talents in Micah Parsons and Trevon Diggs have made the Dallas defense once again unconscious. There is one flaw that concerns me with this team. That is Mike McCarthy, there have been too many times this year where they have to be bailed out by talent because of some knee jerk decisions. Fortunately they are a lock for the NFC East Title since the rest of the division is stuck in quicksand. JerryBoy is going to get cocky from all of this thinking he can finally get to an NFC Championship game without Jimmy Johnson or his players.
New York Giants (Another 1 year wonder from the Hoodie): Just like last year the Giants have dug themselves a deep whole in September and October and to dig out of it any way they can. I get that they had a brutal schedule and injuries to key players on offense but they should be much better than 3-6. Kenny Golladay hasn’t been a gamechanger yet but that might be coming. If they didn’t blow those games to the Hogs and Falcons then we would be talking a different story. This team is going to need to be carried by defense if they have any chance of making the playoffs and they are only a game back of the 7th seed. If Daniel Jones and Saquan are still burnt toast it looks like Dave Gettleman may be out of a job. Why am I saying this, because the G-Men like most teams that struggle in the NFL don’t care about an Offensive Line since they are so focused on skill positions.
Philadelphia Eagles (Diet Lamar): There is one thing with this team that confuses me. How can they play well on the road yet struggle when at the Linc. That answer is simple, the Philadelphia fans not only boo the opponents but their own players too. (Ask the other 3 teams in the area that question) Yes there have been some bright spots. Jalen Hurts being one of them, he has played well especially late in games but can we expect more out of him? I don’t know. His good buddy from Alabama in Devonta Smith has put together a solid Rookie Campaign with a few 100 yard games. The major concerns about this team are penalties, the analytical decisions that they have made during games that have failed miserably. That is what is holding them back from their potential. They have an easy schedule coming up, and if they can win some of those games they should have hope for the future. As long as Jeffery Lorie is still there they will still have ego in the way of what they want to accomplish. Thus is life in Philly.
Washington Hogs (Never trust Daniel Snyder): I love roasting the Washington Hogs and that organization for being who they are. Yes I’m a fan of their Beltway Rivals but it’s true. Not only have they gone from NFC East Favorites to being in the basement of their division again, they have made more headlines off the field. One of them getting Jon Gruden run out of Las Vegas because of racist comments from him, Snyder, and Bruce Allen a decade ago. As for their team on the field they have been VERY BAAAAAAD! Ryan Fitzpatrick got injured in Week 1 and hasn’t returned since. Even during the games they have won they still mess things up only to be saved by Terry McLaurin and Taylor Heinicke. They have hit rock bottom since they gave up the Hail Mary at the end of the 1st Half of their Week 5 game against the Saints. Looks like they are going to need to find yet another franchise QB in the draft if things continue. Is it me or ever since they drafted Heath Suller in 1994 that they haven’t developed QB’s through the draft? I don’t know?
Chicago Bears (Matt Nagy = Newest Victim to the Curse of the Honey Bears): Bears fans I hear you, I get that you want Matt Nagy fired and allow Justin Fields to play up to his potential. But here is the real problem. As long as the McCaskey’s are still running team operations they will struggle to build an Offensive Line, and find a real coach who isn’t a dinosaur or not ready for the big time. I will be clear you did get robbed against the Steelers thanks to the Renegade Handicap, but other than that it has been total mediocrity. Even when Khalil Mack and Eddie Jackson are at 100% the defense can leave people confused at times. Like I said Bears fans want Nagy sent to ides.illinois.gov, you know why? BECAUSE THEY DON’T WANT HIM ANYWHERE NEAR SOLDIER FIELD! Speaking of Soldier Field, the Bears may be moving out of the city into a Chicago suburb which is where they are trying to build a new stadium. As long as Virginia McCaskey is alive Bears fans will have no hope because that’s how everything works.
Detroit Lions (Oh No WE SUCK AGAIN!): This may be an All Time Low for Lions fans. I once thought 2008 was the year they had no hope, but this season just took the cake and ate it too. Look at some of their losses. Nearly coming back to beat the 49ers while being down by 24 in the 4th Quarter, leading the Packers at Lambeau in the 3rd Quarter only to give up 21 unanswered points, and getting beat by a Vikings team in the final seconds thanks to a terrible secondary missing Jeff Okudah. And I didn’t even include the Baltimore game and 66 yard field goal from Justin Tucker to go along with the 4th and 19. This season for the Lions can be described by one word. TORTURE! Jared Goff still hasn’t won a game without Sean McVay as his coach, and Dan Campbell is looking like the next Freddie Kitchens even though the team is playing with heart. Can you please win at least 1 game so you don’t have the 2 worst seasons in NFL History. Please.
Green Bay Packers (When did Aaron Rodgers become likable): There are 2 types of teams in the NFL this season. The Green Bay Packers, and everyone else. Besides that disaster against the Saints that no one wants to talk about, the Green Bay Packers once again have taken control as perhaps the team to beat in the NFC. Aaron Rodgers other than that dreaded COVID scandal has been excellent. With the weapons he has on offense rival the crew he had in 2010-11. Davante Adams, Randall Cobb, Allen Lazard, Aaron Jones, and AJ Dillion. Even if Robert Tunyan is out for the season they still are running away with the NFC North. Despite having perhaps the biggest soap opera in the NFL since the 2018 Steelers, they have been able to tune out the rumors and still dominate their foes. If they get home field advantage it could be a guaranteed trip to the Super Bowl because other than Tampa Bay (Because of Brady) no team wants to play at Lambeau in January.
Minnesota Vikings (Close BUT NEVER CLOSE ENOUGH): Any time you think the Minnesota Vikings will become contenders you are wrong. This is a team that should easily be better than their record. Look at this: Fumbling opportunities against the Bengals and Cardinals. Blowing a 14 point lead against the Ravens, and losing to the Cowboys with a Backup QB. I get that Kirk Cousins has had the best year of his career, and their offense has been unstoppable at times, the main reason for the Vikings struggles is the guy behind the bench. Mike Zimmer is well past his expiration date, and it shows. How can things get worse? (YoYo Sound) Dalvin Cook pulled off an act that rivals AP in 2014, that should do it. They still have a shot at the playoffs because of how weak the NFC is at the bottom. They will have to be dragged into the playoffs kicking and screaming thanks to the talent on display.
Atlanta Falcons (A culture change for the better): The Falcons aren’t as bad as I thought they would be. There has been promise but they are still a year or 2 from really competing. Matt Ryan has been good other than a couple games early in the season. Kyle Pitts like Matty Ice struggled early to make an impact but since the Miami game he has flashed his potential. There is one thing that concerns me about Atlanta, their defense. They have been mediocrity defined except for Deion Jones. At least they beat New Orleans and are thinking about making the playoffs. It will be hard for them considering their schedule is going to be difficult.
Carolina Panthers (Desperation Time): I don’t understand why Carolina has struggled as of late. I get that CMC has been out for a while but what happened to Sam Darnold? That answer is simple, you can take him out of the Jets, but you can’t take the Jets out of him. This is what happens when you play for a bad organization. The Panthers should be a much better team than 4-5. They lost heartbreakers at home against the Eagles and Vikings because the defense folded. Now that they have Stephon Gilmore that should change. There is still plenty of time for a push towards the playoffs, but this organization needs a spark. What song do I hear playing? (Look at my Dab) Oh my goodness! They are bringing back Cam Newton to save their season and perhaps his legacy. The greatest player that this franchise has ever had is back and his shoulder isn’t banged up. Let me guess they are going to be on the phone for Luke Kuechly as well in the next week aren’t they. They are only a half game back of the 7th seed and Newton is out for redemption. Let’s see how this works?
New Orleans Saints (How is this team 5-3): The Saints game to game are so confusing to watch. There are times that they beat contenders only to lose to a bad team the following week. Oh you beat Green Bay, too bad because you lost to the Panthers and Giants shortly after. You beat the Buccaneers and Tom Brady, tough luck because you lost to the Falcons the next week. The real question surrounding Bourbon Street is how will they fare without Jameis Winston, even with a downgrade in Trevor Siemian, and Taysom Hill they should be able to make it to the playoffs if they don’t frustrate their fans. Luckily for Sean Payton he was able to bring back his hype man Mark Ingram thanks to Houston being BAAAAAD! (I wanted him back in Bmore) Now with extra leadership along with talent on both sides they should have enough to make it far. How will they mess it up again?
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (The GOAT is still dominating): Once again the Tampa Bay Bucs have massive expectations of another Super Bowl run but there have been hurdles in the way of this daunting heavyweight. Injuries to AB and Gronk have taken its toll, the defense has been a mystery from the start of the season, and the running game is non-existent. There is one reason for their success. Tom Brady! He is once again defeating Father Time and making every defensive coordinator extra prepared to no avail. Even at age 44 he is still in the running for his 4th NFL MVP. Despite a challenge or 2 in their division it should be smooth sailing into the playoffs barring anything stupid to happen. All I can say is you better be prepared for everyone coming for you Arians. The way these teams wanted to beat Belichick when Brady was there, they are now coming for you.
Arizona Cardinals (An AirRaid Revolution): If you didn’t look at their moves this offseason then you saw a team that was once again bound for mediocrity. Instead, they have paid off. Other than a season ending JJ Watt (AGAIN) the Cardinals like their brothers at Talking Stick have been the talk of the league in the 1st Half. Kyler Murray has been outstanding, DeAndre Hopkins is in his prime, and the defense has improved despite injuries. Who would have thought that Kliff Kingsbury would succeed at the NFL level after his tenure at Texas Tech. Turns out an AirRaid offense can work in this league. There is still a long way to go for these guys to make it deep in the postseason and they still have to play the Rams again. If you somehow beat them it should be smooth sailing to the NFC West Title. If there is any year to break the Pottsville Curse this is the year. If they don’t the Football Gods will laugh at them again.
Los Angeles Rams (The Next LA Superteam): Behold Ladies and Gentlemen the Most Hyped Team in NFL History! Just like the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA, the state of Wisconsin wants nothing more to see a team with this amount of hype and bandwagons fail. Sean McVay is literally playing Pokemon. He chooses whatever weapon/card he wants and executes it to perfection. You thought getting Matthew Stafford was insane, wait until you see what Kroenke and the front office did. 1st off they traded 2 mid round picks to the Broncos for Von Miller, a good trade that adds more value to a defense loaded with talent. You may think they are set but they wanted another celebrity in LA, I wonder who that is? (Odell Beckham signs with Rams) OBJ! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Just like the Buccaneers last year they are trying to build a superteam and win a Super Bowl in their own stadium. Even with all of this talent on paper, the rest of the NFC is out to get them, in particular the Defending Champs and the Cheeseheads. If Stafford is going to get the monkey off his back this is the year to do it. Please flex their Week 17 game against the Ravens to Sunday Night!
San Francisco 49ers (Injuries aren’t the problem): Now we have to ask the question. Did injuries ruin the 49ers a year ago? In some cases yes but now with a basically healthy squad there is one conclusion. The issue was and currently is Kyle Shanahan. Can this guy manage a game clock if his life depended on it? Will he stop getting bailed out by talent when everything is lost. Ever since their Week 3 loss to the Packers it has been rough sledding and the team has lost 4 of 5. Jimmy G and Trey Lance might be entering a QB controversy for the ages. San Fran invested that much draft capital in Lance and yet he is injured because you guessed it, his O-Line can’t pass block as much as they can run block. There is still time for a comeback and they aren’t that far away from the 7th seed. If they make the playoffs, the media will hype them only to get smacked by one of the superpowers in the conference.
Seattle Seahawks (Where’s Russell Wilson): Do you understand how much Russell Wilson means to this organization? Ever since his injury it has been a roller coaster that has been never ending. To be fair Geno Smith has played ok, but he isn’t Wilson. At least they get to see Alex Collins return to 2017 form, plus the return of Chris Carson in the near future. The defense has improved but it’s mostly due to the lack of an elite offense. Luckily for Hawks fans, Chef Russ’ recovery has ended sooner than we thought. He will be back to save the Seahawks season. If they don’t make the playoffs especially with how weak the NFC is, Ken Norton Jr, and or Pete Carroll will be chucked into the Pacific Northwest by the 12th man. The only way to do that is with Mr 1-2 Step back to being 100%. Plus your division is stacked as well. GOOD LUCK! PAUSE.
Unlike the AFC, the NFC is stacked at the top, but there will be plenty of action towards the final 2 spots. Lets see who the predictors have as the playoff teams?
NFC East: Cowboys
NFC North: Packers
NFC South: Buccaneers
NFC West: Cardinals
Wildcard #1: Rams
Wildcard #2: Saints
Wildcard #3: Panthers
Bragging Rights Sports 
I would hardly say the Cowboys are dark horse super bowl contenders. Clearly they’re front runners
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