NFL Team Capsules – NFC

As this year’s NFL season begins to heat up, the fans of the league have once again been whipped into a frenzy, eager to see how their favorite team will do. Here are the preseason previews of each team in the league:

NFC West

Seattle Seahawks:

            2014-2015 Record/Season Result: 14-5 / lost in Super bowl to Patriots

            Head Coach: Pete Carroll

            Preview: Seattle found success last season with their stout defense leading the way, but several losses in the defense have made it less formidable. Quarterback Russell Wilson received the big contract he wanted in the offense, so his level of play will be expected to rise. The Seahawks should be a good team, but any team could struggle in the NFC West, which is widely regarded as the toughest division in the league.

St. Louis Rams:

2014-2015 Record/Season Result: 6-10 / did not qualify for playoffs

            Head Coach: Jeff Fisher

            Preview: Last year was a sub-par year for the Rams, largely due to the difficulty of their division. Not many changes have occurred for the Rams in the offseason, so it should be a similar year for the Rams.

Arizona Cardinals:

2014-2015 Record/Season Result: 11-6 / lost in Wild Card round of playoffs to Panthers

Head Coach: Bruce Arians

Preview: After a solid outing for the Cardinals last season, things are looking up even more. Quarterback Carson Palmer returns after missing most of last season due to injury, and the defense should prove to be one of the strongest in the league. Even in the tough NFC West, the Cardinals should be looking to take first in the division and go deep in the playoffs.

San Francisco 49ers:

2014-2015 Record/Season Result: 8-8 / did not qualify for playoffs

Head Coach: Jim Tomsula

Preview: With a new head coach and many losses on the defensive side of the ball, the 49ers may be in for a rough year. Transitioning head coaches is never easy, but losing a well-established coach like Jim Harbaugh makes the transition for the team even harder. It may be tough for the team to find any traction in the division this year, and making the playoffs may be a struggle.

NFC North

Green Bay Packers:

2014-2015 Record/Season Result: 13-5 / lost in NFC Championship to Seahawks

Head Coach: Mike McCarthy

Preview: As the season heats up, the Packers will be looking to dominate. In a division that isn’t expected to be as competitive as usual, there should be little opposition for them in the division, and the Packers will be setting their sights on a deep playoff run.

Chicago Bears:

2014-2015 Record/Season Result: 5-11 / did not qualify for playoffs

Head Coach: John Fox

Preview: A coaching change from the offensive-minded Marc Trestman to the defensive-minded John Fox should make the defense more successful, but a new system could have quarterback Jay Cutler and the offense struggling.

Detroit Lions:

2014-2015 Record/Season Result: 11-6 / lost in Wild Card round of playoffs to Cowboys

Head Coach: Jim Caldwell

Preview: With plenty of firepower on the offensive side and a ferocious defensive line, the Lions should look to compete for the division title. Success will be a matter of getting the ball in the hands of playmakers like Calvin Johnson, and if the Lions can do so, they should be fairly successful.

Minnesota Vikings:

2014-2015 Record/Season Result: 7-9 / did not qualify for playoffs

Head Coach: Mike Zimmer

Preview: Not much has changed for the Vikings in the offseason, but quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has and extra year of experience, so he should be able to run the offense more smoothly. The Vikings will rely on their home field advantage, but it may be difficult for them to find success in the division.

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys:

2014-2015 Record/Season Result: 13-5 / Lost in Divisional round of playoffs to Packers

Head Coach: Jason Garrett

Preview: The Cowboys are projected to have a stingy defense, and Tony Romo should have yet another productive year. With weapons like Dez Bryant, the offense should be high powered and productive. Going into the season, the Cowboys will be looking to make a deep playoff run.

New York Giants:

2014-2015 Record/Season Result: 6-10 / did not qualify for playoffs

Head Coach: Tom Coughlin

Preview: In a fairly tough NFC East, the Giants may find improving on last season tough. With a mediocre offense and a sub-par defense, the Giants may be in position to win many games, but will ultimately fail. Making the playoffs may be a long shot, but anything can happen with Tom Coughlin as the head coach.

Philadelphia Eagles:

2014-2015 Record/Season Result: 10-6 / did not qualify for playoffs

Head Coach: Chip Kelly

Preview: Chip Kelly’s high-powered offense should put numbers up on the board again this year, even with Sam Bradford taking over at quarterback. The defense will be in question, and much of the season’s success will depend on if they can get stops. If they can, playoffs may be a realistic goal.

Washington Redskins:

2014-2015 Record/Season Result: 4-12 / did not qualify for playoffs

Head Coach: Jay Gruden

Preview: It may be another tough season for the Redskins. Questions have been circulating about the capability of Robert Griffin III to be an NFL quarterback, as well as questions about Jay Gruden’s leadership ability. The defense is nothing special, so a lack of leadership should make it tough for the Redskins to succeed.

NFC South

Atlanta Falcons:

2014-2015 Record/Season Result: 6-10 / did not qualify for playoffs

Head Coach: Mike Smith

Preview: Although the Falcons fell short of success last year, they are looking up this year. With an explosive offense led by Matt Ryan and Julio Jones and a capable defense, the Falcons should be looking to win the division and look for wins in the playoffs.

New Orleans Saints:

2014-2015 Record/Season Result: 7-9 / did not qualify for playoffs

Head Coach: Sean Payton

Preview: The Saints have a veteran core of leaders that know how to win. However, the loss of offensive star Jimmy Graham will hurt, and the Saints will need someone to step up on defense if they want to improve on last year.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers:

2014-2015 Record/Season Result: 2-14 / did not qualify for playoffs

Head Coach: Lovie Smith

Preview: Last year’s dismal record earned the Buccaneers the first overall pick in the draft. With it, they took quarterback Jameis Winston, who should help the offense improve, and with Lovie Smith as the coach, the defense should be adequate. The Bucs should improve, but makings playoffs is still a long shot.

Indianapolis Colts:

2014-2015 Record/Season Result: 8-9-1/ lost in Divisional Round of playoffs to Seahawks

Head Coach: Ron Rivera

Preview: Coming off of a successful year, the Panthers are hoping for more of the same. Cam Newton will still produce at quarterback, and linebacker Luke Kuechly will have the defense doing their job. The preseason loss of wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin hurts, but the Panthers should still have their goals set on taking the division.