Fansided
Fansided

NFC Playoff Predictions Before the Preseason

By Sam Weaver

Jan 10, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) hands the ball off to running back Eddie Lacy (27) to score a touchdown against the Washington Redskins during the second half in a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) hands the ball off to running back Eddie Lacy (27) to score a touchdown against the Washington Redskins during the second half in a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
Jan 24, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter against the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Championship football game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter against the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Championship football game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

NFC South: Carolina Panthers

The Panthers were nearly undefeated last season, falling once to their division opponents the Atlanta Falcons.  An NFC Championship led them to the Super Bowl, where they fell to the Denver Broncos in Peyton Manning’s final season.  Many predicted a Carolina Super Bowl victory, and the Panthers should be back with a vengeance.

Carolina focused on defensive talent in the first few rounds of the draft, adding DT Vernon Butler among others.  Their defense ranked in the top of the NFL last season, and should be even better in 2016.  The Panthers will also get WR Kelvin Benjamin back after he missed much of last season due to injury.

At 15-1, the Panthers were already a force to be reckoned with.  In 2016, they will have even more talent thanks to the draft and due to the return of injured playmakers.  With a division that isn’t overly difficult right now, Carolina should get an easy division title this season, and look to make another deep playoff run.

Next: NFC Wildcards

Home/NFL Hot Takes