NFC power rankings
1. PHILADELPHIA
Last season’s record: 13-3
There hasn’t been a repeat Super Bowl champion in 14 years. Coincidentally, the NFC East hasn’t had a repeat champion in 14 years, either. Winning a championship while undergoing a late-season quarterback change speaks to the quality of the roster and the level of coaching. Bottom line: If you finish at No. 1, you start here the following year.
2. L.A. RAMS
Last season’s record: 11-5
The NFL’s surprise team in 2017 is out to prove it’s not a one-year wonder and went all in with the defensive acquisitions of Ndamukong Suh, Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib. In theory, they’ll be joined by defensive player of the year (and holdout) Aaron Donald. Coach Sean McVay put in a system that made Jared Goff an instant success after a difficult rookie year and revived running back Todd Gurley.
3. MINNESOTA
Last season’s record: 13-3
Kirk Cousins takes over for Case Keenum, who came out of nowhere to lead the Vikings to an unexpected division title. But where Minnesota is concerned, it’s all about defense under Mike Zimmer after having finished first in total defense, second in passing defense and first in fewest points allowed. Most everyone returns from that unit. The Vikings will need to recover from the 38-7 gut punch loss to Philly in the NFC title game.
4. GREEN BAY
Last season’s record: 7-9
Will go as far as the right arm of Aaron Rodgers can carry them. Joe Philbin returns as offensive coordinator, and the Packers were very good under his watch from 2007-11. Free-agent signing Jimmy Graham could be at his explosive best with Rodgers. Mike Pettine arrives as defensive coordinator for a team that had gradually regressed each year under defensive coordinator Dom Capers.
5. ATLANTA
Last season’s record: 10-6
The Falcons felt the loss of offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan early on, but Steve Sarkisian seemed to hit his stride as Atlanta made it back to the playoffs with Matt Ryan passing for 4,095 yards. The offense should remain explosive. Ten defensive starters return from an active, wide-ranging unit led by middle linebacker Deion Jones.
6. CAROLINA
Last season’s record: 11-5
The Panthers simply can’t continue with Cam Newton (139 carries, 754 yards) as their leading rusher despite their record last season. Getting Christian McCaffrey on track as a ball carrier would help. Defensive losses from the NFL’s seventh-ranked unit (third against the run) included defensive tackle Star Lotuleilei, end Charles Johnson and cornerback Daryl Worley.
7. NEW ORLEANS
Last season’s record: 11-5
The ability of coach Sean Payton to balance the offense with the running of Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara did wonders for quarterback Drew Brees, whose 536 passing attempts were his fewest for a 16-game season since he played for the Chargers. The defense under Dennis Allen was much better as well, and in the off-season the Saints added cornerback Patrick Robinson from the Eagles.
8. SEATTLE
Last season’s record: 9-7
The Seahawks don’t play defense like they used to and are putting way too much on the right arm and legs of quarterback Russell Wilson (34 TD passes, team-leading 586 yards rushing). Seattle needs first-round pick Rashaad Penny to give the running game some juice and protect Wilson. Ken Norton Jr. was an in-season firing by the Raiders because their defense was so poor. Now he’s running Seattle’s defense under Pete Carroll.
9. DALLAS
Last season’s record: 9-7
A six-game suspension to Ezekiel Elliott hurt the Cowboys. Quarterback Dak Prescott wasn’t the same without him and didn’t play as well as he did as a rookie even when Elliott returned. Guard Connor Williams adds another top offensive lineman, but nine starters return from a mediocre defense. A huge year from end DeMarcus Lawrence (he had 14.5 sacks) would help immensely.
10. ARIZONA
Last season’s record: 8-8
Steve Wilks takes over for Bruce Arians, and it remains to be seen if the offensive creativity under Arians is out the window. It’s complicated from the get-go, with Sam Bradford and first-round draft pick Josh Rosen at quarterback, replacing the retired Carson Palmer. A bounce-back year from David Johnson is crucial. Lots of defensive turnover.
11. 49ERS
Last season’s record: 6-10
Went from hopeless to hopeful in the first year of coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch after the arrival of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo from New England. If Garoppolo really is Tom Brady reincarnated, it’s a potential playoff team. The 49ers are counting on Richard Sherman’s repaired Achilles to allow the defender to impart a Seattle swagger to the defense. A more grounded Reuben Foster would mean a lot.
12. DETROIT
Last season’s record: 9-7
Will the Lions ever give quarterback Matt Stafford some help? Coach Matt Patricia arrives from New England, where the Patriots have managed to run the ball effectively enough to help get the best out of Tom Brady despite a constantly changing supporting cast. Detroit’s top defensive free-agent signing, Devon Kennard, came from the Giants, who couldn’t stop anybody. Uh, oh.
13. WASHINGTON
Last season’s record: 7-9
Alex Smith showed he could strike downfield with Kansas City when he had the targets outside. He doesn’t have them in Washington, so he’ll be back to being an effective “game manager.” That’s a tough task when your defense ranked rock bottom in the NFL in rushing defense and did little to upgrade that issue in terms of personnel.
14. TAMPA BAY
Last season’s record: 5-11
For an offensive-minded coach, Dirk Koetter sure didn’t seem to exploit Mike Evans (five touchdowns) in the red zone despite being a mismatch. Evans and DeSean Jackson figured to be an explosive duo for Jameis Winston, but it never materialized. A defense that had only 22 sacks added five new faces to go along with Gerald McCoy up front.
15. N.Y. GIANTS
Last season’s record: 3-13
The Giants under new coach Pat Shurmur doubled down on starting quarterback Eli Manning, who could find his game revitalized now that he’s got No. 2 overall pick Saquon Barkley to shoulder much of the load. The problem is a truly awful defense that dumped five starters but appeared to tread water in terms of quality personnel.
16. CHICAGO
Last season’s record: 5-11
Matt Nagy, who ran the Chiefs offense last season, takes over as head coach and is tasked with getting 2017 first-round pick Mitchell Trubisky up to that standard and turn around the NFL’s No. 32-ranked passing attack. Nagy was wise to retain Vic Fangio, whose defense ranked 10th despite not having many big names or stars. But there’s a long way to go.