Fearful Forecast 2017: NFC

NFC EAST

(2) Dallas: Everything about the Ezekiel Elliott suspension -- when it is, how long it is, if it is -- looms largest over this franchise. They did well to focus on defense in the draft, and if the kids can get on the field and produce, they might (gulp) actually be a Super Bowl contender.

Philadelphia: It's Year Two for everybody. Well, almost. A revamped WR corps puts this year's focus on one thing: making sure Carson Wentz gets better. But a tough schedule and questions at cornerback may make a playoff appearance unlikely from this chair.

Washington: I don't believe in Kirk Cousins. There, I said it. It won't help that the offense will probably take a step back (losing two 1,000-yard receivers will have that effect) and they dumped the one guy Dan Snyder's hired who seemed to be doing a good job with player acquisition. They should be at least decent defensively, though.

N.Y. Giants: I'm... not sure the Giants actually improved in any area this offseason. They added Brandon Marshall, who they didn't need, and didn't add any offensive line or linebacker help, which they did need. If you're not going forward in this league, you're going backwards.

NFC NORTH

(1) Green Bay: Aaron Rodgers is peaking, and he can't even get Randall Cobb and Davante Adams to be good at the same time. A battered and overmatched secondary ruined the Packers' season last year. As usual, the biggest thing holding them back is their coaching staff.

Detroit: Matthew Stafford just got PAID, yo. He's statistically the best quarterback the Lions have ever had, but it feels like he and his team have reached its ceiling. They shuffled their offensive line, but it doesn't feel like there's enough here to make them a true threat.

Minnesota: So we're going with Sam Bradford again, are we? OK. On the other hand, it's going to be weird not seeing Adrian Peterson back there. This defense might still be underrated, but Bradford's proven he's not a guy who can take a team to that next level.

Chicago: To recap: The Bears signed Mike Glennon off of Tampa Bay's bench, then traded three draft picks to move up one spot to draft Mitchell Trubisky (really?), who then outperformed Glennon in the preseason, but is not starting at quarterback. Their leading receiver last year was someone named Cameron Meredith, who's already out for all of this year. Things are bad at Halas Hall, guys.

NFC SOUTH

(3) Atlanta: Coming off the worst chokeout in Atlanta pro sports history (and that's a long list), the Falcons would seem like an obvious regression candidate. But the offense is still loaded and they keep adding pass rushers on defense.

(5) Carolina: I see the Panthers bouncing back as long as Cam Newton doesn't have to carry the offense by himself again. Rookie Christian McCaffery should help, but they could really use Kelvin Benjamin returning from the side of the milk carton.

(6) Tampa Bay: If not, the Buccaneers could emerge. Jameis Winston looks like he's turning into the real thing at quarterback, and Year Three is generally when the good ones start to become good. The might still be a little too inexperienced in some key spots, however.

New Orleans: This has to end at some point, right? I'm not sure why Adrian Peterson decided to sign here -- I didn't think they had money for free agents. Getting their alleged defense some reinforcements may have been a better use of resources. Expect a lot more 51-48 games this year.

NFC WEST

(4) Seattle: After a weird offseason of trade speculations and rumors of internal strife, the Seahawks are pretty much running it back this year. Sheldon Richardson is an interesting addition from the Jets. It's just a shame he's a defensive lineman and not an offensive lineman.

Arizona: The Cardinals may regret not grabbing a quarterback early in this draft, as Carson Palmer began to look old last season and is nearing the end. Running back David Johnson is an emerging star, and a full season of Chandler Jones will greatly benefit the defense, but this is a team at a crossroads.

L.A. Rams: Not having Aaron Donald to start the season is a problem. (He's holding out.) Not having Jeff Fisher is an obvious upgrade, though new head coach Sean McVay is younger than at least one of his players. Can he do what Fisher couldn't and develop quarterback Jared Goff and this offense?

San Francisco: A rookie head coach and general manager have to take on this rebuild. The 49ers did well to steal some extra picks from the Bears and still draft the player they wanted in Solomon Thomas, but Brian Hoyer isn't the answer to any quarterback question worth asking. (Turns out I was wrong and Sam Darnold is draft-eligible. The 49ers are likely tanking for him, too.)