Around the NFC WHO’LL MAKE THE PLAYOFFS? WHO’LL FALL?

Predictions for the season’s second half:

1. The chalky conference will have only one new playoff team this year — Chicago, which currently leads the NFC North at 5-3, but will fall behind Minnesota and claim the final wild-card spot. Returning to the postseason will be the Rams, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Carolina and the Vikings.

2. The Rams will sweep the three major individual awards in repeat fashion: Running back Todd Gurley will win offensive player of the year by rushing for 1,450 yards and 25 touchdowns. Aaron Donald will win defensive player of the year after he finishes the season with a league-high 15 sacks, a remarkable total for an interior lineman. And Sean Mcvay will win coach of the year.

3. Washington, 5-3 and the NFC East leader, will slowly fall out of playoff contention because its offensive line injuries will prove too much to overcome.

4. Tampa Bay will finish last in turnover ratio at minus-24 (currently minus-15) in the NFC South cellar, prompting sweeping changes that will include coach Dirk Koetter’s departure and the dealing of quarterback Jameis Winston. The Jags are another team the Broncos will have to be concerned about in Quarterback Draft 2019.

5. Quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay) and Drew Brees (New Orleans) will finish with fewer combined interceptions than their team has combined defeats. They each have one interception and their teams have a combined five defeats.

6. The Saints’ inexcusable 48-40 openingday home loss to Tampa Bay will cost them NFC home-field advantage, and they will lose the conference title game at the Rams.