Why Each NFC Team Will/Will Not Win The Super Bowl
Photo from NBC Sports
No disrespect to the bottom four seeds in the AFC, but it feels like Kansas City, Buffalo, and Baltimore are heavy favorites in that conference.
In the NFC, it really, truly is up for grabs.
Every team has a shot.
So let’s dive into it.
Detroit Lions
Why They Will
It’s so lame to just sit here and talk about the culture of a team as if that means something.
But man, the Lions culture under Dan Campbell is so good.
It’s that type of culture that has the Lions at 15-2 despite an absolutely insane amount of injuries to crucial pieces.
That’s not normal at all, and it shows that even with how banged up they are, they won’t feel sorry for themselves.
Dan Campbell won’t let them.
They’ve made it this far already. What’s three more wins?
Why They Won’t
I know I just went on and on about how the Lions don’t care about the injuries they face, but, unfortunately for them, I do.
They’re just way too beat up.
I know it hasn’t killed them yet, but it might just be a matter of time.
Philadelphia Eagles
Why They Will
This is the best team in the NFC.
Passing game, run game, offensive line, defense.
They’re stacked.
This team is better than the one that went to the Super Bowl two years ago and lost to the Chiefs by 3.
That’s all that needs to be said.
Why They Won’t
There’s something just so weird and off-putting about the Eagles.
And not in the “nobody likes us because we’re Philly” kind of way, but in a “what are you guys doing?” kind of way.
The vibes were great, and then after a win it’s revealed Jalen Hurts and AJ Brown don’t like each other?
But then they blamed the media for that? Even though it was their own teammate who said it?
And then they ruin their new star running back’s mood by not letting him go for the rushing record in week 18?
It just feels like they constantly do things to ruin the vibes around the locker room.
Last year, it led to them flat out quitting in a playoff game.
The vibes aren’t that bad yet, but they can get there easily.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Why They Will
When Baker is cooking, this team is borderline unstoppable.
They have dominating wins over the Commanders, Chargers, and Eagles. All playoff teams.
They took the Chiefs to overtime, and hung around against the Ravens too!
When he’s on, they always have a chance.
Why They Won’t
Baker’s not always on.
And when he’s not, this team isn’t good.
Losses to the Cowboys, the 49ers, the Broncos.
There’s too many inconsistencies.
Los Angeles Rams
Why They Will
The Rams offense, when healthy, can be absolutely lethal.
In fact, the Rams may not even be in the playoffs this year if not for an absolutely dominating performance against the Buffalo Bills. That win gave them the extra victory to win the division overall.
Matt Stafford, Cooper Kupp, and Puka Nakua were unreal.
It was flat out unstoppable.
Why They Won’t
Go look at the Rams schedule real fast. See if you notice something. I’ll wait for you to come back.
Did you notice it?
That Bills game was basically the only game in two months the Rams offense looked like that.
That offense is still in there, which makes them a threat, but it is a complete and total outlier considering what they’ve been this year.
So sure, they can get hot.
They probably won’t, though.
Minnesota Vikings
Why They Will
Great coach. Great weapons. Revitalized quarterback. Excellent defense.
They might be a five seed, but this team was still 14-3 and one game away from being a 1 seed.
They’re extremely good.
Why They Won’t
NFL fans like to complain about their teams, but nobody can complain like Vikings fans.
Not even Browns fans, and I mean that.
The Browns just suck.
The Vikings are good, and then smash their fans hearts into a million pieces.
Take week 18, for example.
14-2. Facing an extremely depleted Lions team. A win gives you the 1 seed, a bye, and homefield advantage.
They had their worst performance of the season.
It sucks because I really like the Vikings, but they’re just one of those teams that will just find a way to screw it up at the end.
Washington Commanders
Why They Will
Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels is very dynamic, as are Brian Robinson and Terry McLaurin.
Add in Dan Quinn’s defense, (and the horseshoe they have up their behind considering their two last second wins this year), and they’ve got a great chance.
Why They Won’t
They just aren’t good enough yet.
The roster still isn’t what it can be in year one of this new regime, and their starting quarterback is not only a rookie, but one that has been banged up a couple of times this year.
That’s ok, though.
Some teams can look at a playoff appearance as a great season.
The Commanders are one of them.
Green Bay Packers
Why They Will
Green Bay does a lot of things right.
Most of all is coaching and offensive line play.
Matt LaFleur is a smart coach who knows how to find opponents weaknesses, and the offensive line will give Jordan Love and Josh Jacobs chances to shine.
Hell, they were one drive away from an NFC Championship game appearance last year as a 7 seed.
The seed means nothing to them.
Why They Won’t
Two reasons, mainly.
First, they lost 6 games.
Those 6 losses were to the Lions twice, Vikings twice, Eagles, and Bears in the last week of the year but Jordan Love wasn’t playing so take that as you will.
Aka, they don’t beat the elite of the division.
Second, Jordan Love is a fearless gunslinger.
Don’t get me wrong, I love it. It’s very fun.
But it didn’t win Brett Favre more than one Super Bowl in the gunslinger era, and it certainly won’t work in this era of football.
I’m not saying Love needs to go full on conservative mode with the football, but he needs to do a much better job taking care of the ball.
If he doesn’t these opponents will make him pay.
