The X-Factor For Every NFL Division In 2015
By Erik Lambert
Dec 14, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) rushes against the San Francisco 49ers during the third quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
NFC East
X-factor: Steve Spagnuolo
The New York Giants offense has the look of a powerhouse with Victor Cruz returning to join Odell Beckham Jr. around Eli Manning. What will make or break the team is whether or not they can get the defense playing well again, which it hasn’t the past few year. That job will be left to Steve Spagnuolo, who came home after a long hiatus around the NFL since he left after the 2007 championship run.
NFC North
X-factor: Ndamukong Suh
What made the Detroit Lions a playoff team in 2014 was their defense, and what drove their defense was the defensive front and what drove the defensive front was Ndamukong Suh. The defensive tackle is at the peak of his powers and now a free agent who will command huge money. Detroit must try to retain him because if they can’t it’s hard seeing them get back to January out of the NFC North.
NFC South
X-factor: Dan Quinn
There is no more mercurial division in the NFL than the NFC South, whose champion was a 7-8-1 Panthers team. Looking ahead to 2015, the team to watch though is the Atlanta Falcons. They still have an effective offense led by Matt Ryan but now have a head coach in Dan Quinn who just finished two years as defensive coordinator in Seattle, both of which ended with his unit being ranked best in the league. If he can fix what has ailed the Falcons defense for years, this team will prove dangerous.
NFC West
X-factor: Marshawn Lynch
The Super Bowl proved once and for all that the Seattle Seahawks have their success because of defense and Marshawn Lynch. Now the Pro Bowl running back is considering retirement. This could prove decisive for the rest of the talented NFC West, who have three teams all capable of making the playoffs. Take Beast Mode off the board and suddenly the Seahawks could prove vulnerable.