NFL 2015-16 Team Previews - The NFC

NFC East:

Dallas Cowboys - Expect the Cowboys to start slow, finish strong as their schedule is front loaded, and end up in a third straight division-title fight with Philadelphia. The already-great Cowboys offensive line is likely to get even better this season. There defence is still not very good. Playoffs at worse. Projection(11-5)

New York Giants - Badly plagued by injuries already this season the Giants looked stable on the offensive line and are poised to have one of the best passing attacks in the NFL when everybody’s fit, I see explosive receivers, a versatile running back, an up-tempo offense and an established quarterback. Excluding two contests against the Cowboys, the Giants play just two teams that qualified for the playoffs last season: the Patriots at home in Week 10, and the Panthers at home in Week 15. It's safe to say that they have an easy schedule.  Projection(9-7)

Philadelphia Eagles - The Eagles might be in for a rough 2015 season. Their quarterback is already hurt, their running back is injury-prone, and their defence might not be any better than it was last year. Projection(8-8)

Washington Redskins – With no QB and injuries to the offense and incompetence in the secondary, there's a chance the Redskins will completely bottom out and own the worst record in the NFL this season, it’s going to be tough. Projection(3-13)

NFC North:

Chicago Bears - Chicago have a underachieving offense and a dismal defence and seem to have a fractured and fractious locker room. New Head Coach does not like QB. Frankly, it is difficult to be too optimistic about the Bears’ 2015 prospects. Average play can sneak you into the playoffs in some divisions, but not in the NFC North, where Green Bay sets the tone, Detroit is coming off a playoff appearance, and Minnesota is a young team on the rise. Projection (5-11)

Detroit Lions - It’s hard to overstate the value of Suh to this team but there most important defender has migrated south to Miami, this leaves a big hole and a possible regression in defence. In response they have targeted improvements in their running game this offseason as they were really poor on the ground last year. Despite last year’s play-off run this team is not guaranteed to kick on as it’s so different to last seasons and I can see them just missing out on the playoffs this time around. Projection (8-8)

Green Bay Packers - They have the best quarterback in the league and a decent offense. The problem is that pesky defense but despite that the Packers are the second-best team in the NFC, behind only Seattle and unless Rodgers suffers a major injury, they are going to be playing in the postseason. Projection(12-4)

Minnesota Vikings - This teams core is young and highly talented with a strong defensive foundation. One of the best RB in the game is returning to help so things look good for them. Last season though the Vikings struggled in late-and-close game situations and this needs to be rectified as they have a really tough schedule this time around. Projection(9-7)

NFC South:

Atlanta Falcons - They look like they might be able to steal what looks to be a vulnerable NFC South, there defence has improved but its still not great and their offense led by Matt Ryan is good and consistent. There schedule is the easiest projected schedule this year and that is a really big help in the worse division in the NFL. They look a team on the up. (Projection 9-7)

Carolina Panthers - It’s not hard to see this franchise improving on last season and making another run to the playoffs. They have a run-heavy offense with a quarterback who can effectively run the ball. Their best Wide Receiver Kelvin Benjamin tore his ACL in training camp and is done for the year which hurts their prospects no end and because of this I’m downgrading them. (Projection 8-8)

New Orleans Saints - They have a easy schedule and are a better team than last year despite all the departures, put that together with a dominant home record & a future hall of fame QB and I expect 9 wins at least. (Projection 9-7)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers - The Buccaneers hit rock bottom in 2014 but there is some reason for optimism, although not this year. (Projection 5-11)

NFC West:

Arizona Cardinals - They could be overrated after last season due to reaching playoffs with an injury ravaged squad, they have a very tough projected schedule, there main QB looks to be in decline as he’s now 35 with a dodgy knee so there isn't a lot of room for error. They've lost most of their decent defence but should still be solid in that area just not as good & there offense doesn't look like it will improve. No Playoffs this time round I'm afraid. (Projection 7-9)

San Francisco 49ers - The 49ers have fell into a massive hole of their own making, they have an owner who can’t be trusted, a GM who can’t draft good players, a head coach with almost no experience, and coordinators who have never successfully coordinated anything on either side of the ball. Maybe that’s why many of their good players are deciding to retire rather than show up for work. (Projection 5-11)

Seattle Seahawks - They clearly enter the season as the best team in football. Their schedule strength is reasonable, and their NFC West rivals look to have taken a collective step backwards, which should clear the way to a division crown and a third consecutive top seed. (Projection 12-4)

St Louis Rams - The Rams have gone all-in as a running-and-defence team, pairing a dominant front seven with an electrifying rookie running back and hoping that will be enough to get back to the postseason. With SF & Arizona in decline they could get the job done. (Projection 8-8)

NFC Thoughts

No surprises here with Seattle or Green Bay projected to win the conference but there’s no value there at all. Divisional winners I like the look of Dallas, Atlanta, Green Bay & Seattle. Wildcards – New York Giants & New Orleans Saints.

After looking through the prices I recommend a bet on Atlanta Falcons to win the NFC South @ 3.25