The NFL Sunday Review: Week 4

NFC North:

Current Standings:

Vikings – (3-1)

Packers – (3-1)

Bears – (2-2)

Lions – (1-3)

This is STILL Aaron Rodgers’ division. Romeo Doubs appears to be what he was advertised to be, and coupled with Allen Lazard, a rejuvenated Randall Cobb and the excellence that Rodgers uses to elevate all around him, the Packers can roll through the 2nd half of the season. The 1-2 punch of Aaron Jones & AJ Dillon will get better and better throughout December and Green Bay end up as the #1 seed in the NFC.

The Vikings’ skill players deserve better than Kirk Cousins, who is just able to negotiate them to a Wildcard berth (largely due to how weak some of the NFC is…), but it’s one-and-done in the playoffs (those games are in primetime after all).

The Bears’ extremely fraudulent 2-1 start is a forgotten thing as they end up as a Top 5 Draft Pick team. Dan Campbell’s Lions get a boost when electrifying rookie Jameson Williams gets going in the second half of the year, but ultimately they fall just short of usurping the Vikings for 2nd in the NFC North. They are, however, clearly moving in the right direction for the future. 

Predicted Final Standings:

Packers – (13-4)

Vikings – (10-7)

Lions – (9-8)

Bears – (3-14)

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NFC East:

Current Standings:

Eagles – (4-0)

Cowboys – (3-1)

Giants – (3-1)

Commanders – (1-3)

The Philadelphia Eagles are the lone undefeated team after one month of the 2022 NFL season. I’m not sure many had that tipped before the season, but as you look down the rest of the Eagles’ schedule, it’s hard to not see them winning this division if they stay healthy. Jalen Hurts might even make a push for NFL MVP. His development for Philly has been absolutely huge

 Dallas were stung by the early Dak injury, but Cooper Rush has more than steadied the ship. Rush’s calm nature in the pocket has helped bring the Cowboys to the point where what was deemed a doomed season after just one game, now has hope for another run to a playoff berth. I love the Cowboys weapons (Lamb, Gallup, Zeke, Pollard), and think they will be back in the postseason.

At the other end of the division, I think the Giants’ injury bug will be too much to overcome, and Daniel Jones might play his way out of the starting role in New York. Brian Daboll is clearly a good coach and is taking the Giants in the right direction, but they’re not yet ready to challenge at the top of the division. It’s great to see Saquon looking like his old self as well. Lastly, the Washington Commanders are a disgrace of a franchise, and Carson Wentz is too inconsistent to rely on. This team limps to a mediocre record as Ron Rivera has to make a decision about a Quarterback again in the offseason.

Predicted Final Standings:

Eagles – (12-5)

Cowboys – (11-6)

Giants – (6-11)

Commanders – (4-13)

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NFC South:

Current Standings:

Buccaneers – (2-2)

Falcons – (2-2)

Panthers – (1-3)

Saints – (1-3)

Tom Brady’s Buccaneers have started the season fairly inconspicuously, but they’ll run away with this division due to the general mediocrity of all those around them. The Saints seem to be snake-bitten with Kamara, Winston, and Michael Thomas all hampered and struggling. Chris Olave seems like a big time player for the future but without the three aforementioned key offensive pieces being available every week, New Orleans can’t find the requisite consistency to be a playoff team.

Carolina get better throughout the season, and Baker does just about enough to remain as their starter next season (if they choose to bring him back). However, Matt Rhule may not survive another losing season. David Tepper’s trigger finger is itchy. The Falcons have been super frisky in the early season, but will be found out by the better teams they face throughout the year. They’re another Top 5 Draft Pick team. And all of this adds up… to give Brady a relatively easy division title and a home playoff game.

Predicted Final Standings:

Buccaneers – (11-6)

Saints – (7-10)

Panthers – (7-10)

Falcons – (3-14)

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NFC West:

Current Standings:

Rams – (2-1)

Cardinals – (2-2)

Seahawks – (2-2)

49ers – (1-2)

Lastly, the NFC West. Just a couple of years ago, this division was the cream of the NFL. Now? We’ve got Geno Smith and Jimmy G starting primetime games every week. Not for me, thanks… The Seahawks have gotten two early season wins, but don’t find it easy to win throughout the rest of the year. The 49ers are stuck with the curse that is Mr. Garoppolo: Good enough to not get a good draft pick, and not good enough to win the big games when they matter. Niners miss out on the playoffs and have to regroup in the offseason, and make ANOTHER decision on Jimmy vs Trey Lance.

That leaves us with Arizona, and LA. The Rams are packed with stars, but have started the season inefficiently, and I’m not convinced Van Jefferson and Allen Robinson are good enough to cause defense scares outside of Cooper Kupp’s production. I have Arizona getting a big lift from the return of Deandre Hopkins in Week 6, and the Hard Knocks: In-Season bounce will help Kyler and Kliff’s merry band of short kings. I think the Cardinals can shock the world and win this division. Sean McVay has a hoo-doo over Kingsbury, but against the Seahawks and 49ers he has struggled. The Rams schedule is slightly tougher than Arizona’s, and the Cardinals will just steal the division crown and the home playoff berth.

Predicted Final Standings:

Cardinals – (11-6)

Rams – (11-6)

49ers – (9-8)

Seahawks – (3-14)

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Based on my predictions, the NFC Playoff Teams will be:

1 Green Bay Packers

2 Philadelphia Eagles

3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

4 Arizona Cardinals

5 Dallas Cowboys

6 Los Angeles Rams

7 Minnesota Vikings