With coaching camps set to start in earnest on the finish of July, NFL groups will begin to hyperfocus on the season forward.
Some groups face far larger expectations — and subsequently strain — than others. The white-hot highlight is on you, Dallas Cowboys and Atlanta Falcons. What different groups face pressure-packed seasons?
We requested Yardbarker NFL writers to rank which groups face probably the most strain in every division within the NFC, from most to least. (Season information from final season are in parentheses.)
NFC East
1. DALLAS COWBOYS (12-5) | Cowboys proprietor Jerry Jones hasn’t hoisted the Vince Lombardi Trophy since 1996. Now, star huge receiver CeeDee Lamb, who desires a brand new contract, is prone to skip the group’s coaching camp. Like Lamb, quarterback Dak Prescott stays unsigned past subsequent season, placing much more strain on “America’s Crew” to win this season.
2. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (11-6) | One yr faraway from an look in Tremendous Bowl LVII, Philadelphia stumbled by means of a 1-5 end to the 2023 common season earlier than dropping 32-9 to the Buccaneers within the NFC wild-card recreation. In contrast to the group’s offensive and defensive coordinators, head coach Nick Sirianni saved his job, however and not using a quick begin, the win-now Eagles gained’t hesitate to make massive adjustments.
3. NEW YORK GIANTS (6-11) | The Giants are tied with Carolina with the second-worst odds to win Tremendous Bowl LIX, per ESPN Guess, so their followers could be joyful if their group merely protects its quarterback and rookie WR Malik Nabers performs nicely. New York allowed 85 sacks final season, second most in NFL historical past, and the sixth decide within the 2024 NFL Draft has an opportunity to develop into the group’s first 1,000-yard receiver since Odell Beckham in 2018.
4. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (4-13) | With a brand new basic supervisor (Adam Peters), a brand new head coach (Dan Quinn) and a Heisman Trophy-winning rookie quarterback (Jayden Daniels) operating the offense, the Commanders have little strain to do something however get higher in 2024. No group had a worse level differential (-189) than Washington final season, leaving it nowhere to go however up. — Bruce Ewing
NFC West
1. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (12-5) | It feels prefer it could be now or by no means with regards to HC Kyle Shanahan and this 49ers group successful all of it. It’s actually troublesome to maintain getting so shut with out truly successful a title, and the wage cap goes to start out inflicting issues in conserving the expertise on this group collectively, particularly when QB Brock Purdy will get his new (and extremely profitable) contract.
2. LOS ANGELES RAMS (10-7) | The Rams have a restricted window to win as beginning quarterback Matthew Stafford, a 15-year veteran, will get nearer to the top of his profession. They’ve the skill-position gamers on offense to contend, however the Rams should hope their secondary additions had been the appropriate ones and that they’ll adequately exchange future Corridor of Fame defensive deal with Aaron Donald.
3. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (9-8) | After three straight years of mediocrity, the Seahawks hit the reset button this offseason, changing Pete Carroll (137-89-1 with Seattle) with rookie HC Mike Macdonald. There’s some strain to interrupt the cycle of mediocrity and repair a protection that has been one of many worst within the league, however rising pains for a first-year coach needs to be anticipated.
4. ARIZONA CARDINALS (4-13) | A number of Arizona gamers, particularly QB Kyler Murray (3-5 as starter final season), face strain. However few count on this rebuilding group to contend this season, particularly not on this division and after back-to-back 4-13 seasons. — Adam Gretz
NFC North
1. DETROIT LIONS (12-5) | Per ESPN Guess, the Lions enter the season as the favourite to repeat as division champion and are among the many brief listing of Tremendous Bowl contenders. The strain to reside as much as these expectations is hard to prime, particularly contemplating how shortly the title window can slam shut, even for a group as well-equipped as Detroit.
2. CHICAGO BEARS (7-10) | It is arduous to place excessive expectations on a group beginning this yr’s No. 1 decide, Caleb Williams, at quarterback. However the Bears are seemingly in win-now mode after considerably bolstering the solid round him. Contemplating the group’s offseason enhancements and the hype surrounding Williams and others, Chicago might face adjustments on the prime, beginning with head coach Matt Eberflus, and not using a vital soar from final season’s end.
3. GREEN BAY PACKERS (9-8) | Following a disappointing 8-9 end in 2022, the Packers returned to the NFC North dialogue forward of schedule following quarterback Jordan Love’s breakout marketing campaign (4,159 yards passing, 32 TD passes in 2023) and a run to the divisional spherical of the playoffs final season. Now, 2024 shall be extra pivotal than beforehand thought for Inexperienced Bay because it seems to be to show that final season wasn’t a mirage.
4. MINNESOTA VIKINGS (7-10) | The Vikings added former Packers star operating again Aaron Jones to one of many stronger offenses, however they apparently will begin journeyman Sam Darnold at QB, which is hardly thrilling. If something, that ought to take strain off Minnesota, particularly whereas the franchise appears content material to play the ready recreation with its first-round decide, QB J.J. McCarthy. — Mike Santa Barbara
NFC South
1. ATLANTA FALCONS (7-10) | Over the previous two offseasons, the Falcons have spent massive in free company, signing security Jessie Bates III in 2023 and, extra not too long ago, quarterback Kirk Cousins. With ascending offensive weapons, together with huge receiver Drake London, tight finish Kyle Pitts and operating again Bijan Robinson, Atlanta should finish its six-year playoff drought.
2. CAROLINA PANTHERS (2-15) | Regardless of solely getting into his second yr within the league, Bryce Younger (59.8 completion share, 2,877 yards in 2023) has arguably extra strain on him than any quarterback this season. If the Panthers repeat their 2023 season and are on the prime of the draft order in 2025, it’s troublesome imagining them not deciding on his alternative.
3. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (9-8) | Can Dennis Allen survive a 3rd consecutive season with out main the Saints to the playoffs? Per Motion Community, New Orleans (+350) is simply forward of the Panthers (+1100) in odds to win the NFC South this season.
4. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (9-8) | Whereas the Bucs are going through the least strain getting into 2024, they need to nonetheless have a way of urgency. One of the best group within the NFC South for the previous 4 seasons, Tampa Bay should reap the benefits of the division whereas it is the worst within the NFL. — Eric Smithling
