Training camps have kicked off across the NFL, as fans look for improvements in their favorite teams. Which NFC teams are making power moves, and which are in for a rough season? Offensive and defensive stats provided by Fox Sports. Unless otherwise noted, individual player stats provided by the NFL.
The Saints averaged under 20 PPG last year and lost their starting quarterback to retirement this offseason. Spencer Rattler highlights their replacement choices, but they are claiming it’s a battle between four inferior talents. Their defense found a way to be even worse, finishing 30th in the NFL. The story to follow includes their new head coach, Kellen Moore. Winning a Super Bowl as the offensive coordinator last season with the Eagles, just how much can he extract from this dry specimen of a roster?
The Panthers put shame on the fierce cat’s name last season, finishing with the worst defense and 29th offense. Fans are so desperate that they are envisioning the future based on quarterback Bryce Young’s final three games. In reality, those were three meaningless games at the end of the 2024 campaign. His progression will be front of mind, as ESPN listed him 20th in QBR last season. Carolina drafted wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan 8th overall in the 2025 draft, and the team hopes he can mesh quickly with Young. If not, the declawed kitties may return.
Fans of the Bears are like fans of iPhones; they get excited for a new version each year, only to continue paying for the same garbage. Their disastrous offense was hard to judge, as both their line and quarterback alternated being at fault. Chicago quarterback Caleb Williams holds on to the ball for far too long, but somehow not enough time to make positive decisions. The team has added to the line this offseason, putting pressure on Williams to progress. Could this be a make-or-break year for the young man, and is this another QB forced to suffer his way into the NFL through this franchise?
America’s team has evolved into America’s sideshow. Outside of quarterback Dak Prescott chunking up yardage through the air in garbage time, the team has nothing going for it. The owner is senile and stubborn, and his team is one-dimensional. The Cowboys will be irrelevant until a new Sheriff comes to town. While the acquisition of wide receiver George Pickens was their flashy move, they need to focus on progressing the run game. Dallas signed running backs Miles Sanders and Javonte Williams to address the issue, while drafting guard Tyler Brooker 12th-overall in the 2025 NFL Draft.
The Cardinals had a pedestrian passing game, and the offense was led by running back James Conner. He is one of the few players omitted from the team’s overall gutless identity. The defense is the thing to watch, as they ranked lower than their offense. They drafted heavily on the defensive side of the ball, and hope to improve on their +1.2 average points differential per game.
The Giants fell off the beanstock last season, but on paper, are the most improved team on this list so far. With the signing of Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, along with choosing Jaxson Dart in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, they won’t find themselves scrambling for a quarterback this year. Their defense will improve with their 3rd overall draft pick, Edge Abdul Carter, along with numerous free agent acquisitions. Fans will be watching that QB room; it could be an entertaining season of Wilson showing Dart the ropes, or it could be a total flop, resulting in the team starting the rookie.
The Seahawks are stuck in the muddy middle of the NFL, finishing 14th in overall offense and defense last year. Sam Darnold, Cooper Kupp, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling replaced quarterback Geno Smith and wide receivers Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf. The names are different, but the ceiling remains the same. After a down year for Kupp, fans will be watching closely to see if he is on a steady decline or if he can lock in to take them into the playoffs.
The Buccaneers are a fun watch. There is the gunslinger quarterback Baker Mayfield, trying to make up for their defense every game. Their third-place offense returns largely intact, so the team has leaned towards defensive acquisitions, which is the main storyline heading into the season. How much of a difference will their key signing of OLB Haason Reddick make? Before last year, when he was holding out, Reddick had no fewer than 11 sacks in the four previous seasons.
After starting Kirk Cousins far too many times, the team finally switched to rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. Their defense needed addressing, especially their 22nd-ranked pass defense. They did so via the 2025 NFL Draft. They started by acquiring Edge Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. in the first round, followed by back-to-back safeties. Can the new Falcons raise the floor of their production enough to make the playoffs in their first professional season?
The Rams were hindered last season in large part by their defense. Things started to click as the season progressed, and the team climbed a few spots in the rankings by the end of the year. Eyes shifted to declining wide receiver Cooper Kupp. Will quarterback Matthew Stafford have an instant connection with Kupp’s replacement, Davante Adams?
Not many teams had the injury troubles the 49ers survived through last season. Even so, despite their disappointing 6-11 record, there were promising underlying stats. Finishing fourth offensively and eighth defensively in the NFL, the team truly missed key pieces at turning points. This team still made it to the Conference Finals, or further, in four of the five years previous. Health and drama are on the minds of fans, who hope the players keep healthy and focused.
The Vikings were steady on both sides of the ball, but lacked the appetite of a true killer. The defense was on both sides of different extremes, finishing 2nd in rush defense, but 28th in passing. The defense will be dominant if they find a way to improve in coverage. The top story features quarterback J.J. McCarthey and head coach Kevin O’Connell. After missing the first year of his contract due to injury, can the coach get the most out of yet another QB? With pieces like Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson, he has plenty of talent to help shoulder the load.
Even the most hopeful Commanders fan would have found it difficult to bet on a playoff win heading into last season, but their rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels catapulted this team ahead of schedule. Embracing the quickened pace, which included plenty of cap space, the team made numerous notable signings. Included are wide receivers Michael Gallup and Deebo Samuels, with the added protection of OT Laremy Tunsil, among others. While the holdout of wide receiver Terry McLaurin is intriguing, the more important story in Washington is the progress of Daniels. Considering the improved line and weapons around him, this offense may be one of the most potent in the NFL.
The Packers never got the recognition they deserved last year. Despite their top-five offense and defense, the team found itself overshadowed by the Vikings and Lions. There is some room for growth in their pass game, and the team was sure to address it by drafting wide receiver Matthew Golden in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Is this the year for Green Bay to overtake the top of the division? Can quarterback Jordan Love find consistency with his weapons? If so, this is a serious Super Bowl contender.
NFL fantasy teams across the nation rejoiced with the top-scoring team of the 2024-25 season. Their defense was fierce heading into the campaign, but fell to the middle of the pack due to numerous injuries. This story doesn’t truly begin until the postseason. The Lions have continued to improve over the last three years, each record more successful than the previous. After not winning a game in the playoffs, can they stay healthy enough to remain a Super Bowl contender?
The defending Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles averaged 27.2 PPG and had the best defense in the NFL. Even with some regression, Philadelphia will be a beast on both sides of the ball. Fans are concerned about the departure of key defensive players, including OLB Josh Sweat and CB Darius Slay.
End Of My NFL Rant
The NFC has plenty of intrigue. The Lions and 49ers will improve due to health, and the Eagles remain the team to beat. Teams like the Giants and Seahawks had a high turnover, leaving fans to ponder which teams made the right moves. Philadelphia’s defense may take a small step back, leaving a crack in the door for Super Bowl hopefuls.
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