The Bucs may finally have a leg up in their division, but who could ultimately stand in their way of reaching a second straight Super Bowl? We size up the NFC.
NFC South
Bucs
![Linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka appears NFL ready ahead of his first season in the league.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 3771 2514"/%3E "Linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka appears NFL ready ahead of his first season in the league.")
Coach: Bruce Arians (third season with Bucs, 18-14; ninth season overall, 76-47-1)
2020 record: 11-5 (second in NFC South, won Super Bowl 55)
Notable departure: None
Key acquisition: RB Giovani Bernard (Signed as free agent from Bengals)
Key re-signing: OLB Shaquil Barrett
Impact rookie: OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (Washington). Appears more than ready for edge-rush rotation, keeping Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul fresh in fourth quarter
Three questions
1. Can 44-year-old Tom Brady remain healthy?
2. How will a defensive line rotation with three guys 30 or older hold up?
3. Can the team again navigate a full season with limited coronavirus issues?
Prediction: 12-5
Falcons
![The Falcons may lean more on rookie tight end Kyle Pitts (8) now that Julio Jones isn't with the team.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 4642 3095"/%3E "The Falcons may lean more on rookie tight end Kyle Pitts (8) now that Julio Jones isn't with the team.")
Coach: Arthur Smith (first season)
2020 record: 4-12 (4th in NFC South)
Notable departure: WR Julio Jones (traded to Titans)
Key acquisition: RB Mike Davis (signed as free agent from Panthers)
Key re-signing: DE Steven Means
Impact rookie: TE Kyle Pitts (Florida). Arguably best athlete in 2020 draft, the former Gator will partially offset loss of Jones (now in Tennessee)
Three questions
1. Can Pitts help offset the departure of a seven-time Pro Bowler (Jones)?
2. Will a run game that ranked 31st in the NFL in yards per attempt (3.7) improve?
3. How much does 36-year-old QB Matt Ryan have remaining in the figurative tank?
Prediction: 6-11
Panthers
![Rookie Panthers wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. reunites with his former offensive coordinator.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 4663 3109"/%3E "Rookie Panthers wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. reunites with his former offensive coordinator.")
Coach: Matt Rhule (second season, 5-11)
2020 record: 5-11 (third in NFC South)
Notable departure: QB Teddy Bridgewater (traded to Broncos)
Key acquisition: QB Sam Darnold (acquired via trade with Jets)
Key re-signing: OT Taylor Moton
Impact rookie: WR Terrace Marshall Jr. (LSU). Former Tiger, who totaled 1,402 receiving yards the last two years, appears in line to win No. 3 receiver spot
Stay updated on the Super Bowl champs
Subscribe to our free Bucs RedZone newsletter
You’re all signed up!
Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started.
Explore all your optionsThree questions
1. Can Rhule, who oversaw stunning Year Two turnarounds at Temple and Baylor, pull it off at the pro level?
2. Will Darnold find prosperity outside the New York fishbowl?
3. Can Marshall flourish as a rookie under the same coordinator (Joe Brady) he had at LSU?
Prediction: 7-10
Saints
![Former Buccaneer Jameis Winston will start under center for the Saints this season.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 5472 3648"/%3E "Former Buccaneer Jameis Winston will start under center for the Saints this season.")
Coach: Sean Payton (15th season, 143-81)
2020 record: 12-4 (first in NFC South, reached NFC division playoffs)
Notable departure: QB Drew Brees (retired)
Key acquisition: TE Nick Vannett (signed as free agent from Broncos)
Key re-signing: OT Ryan Ramczyk
Impact rookie: CB Paulson Adebo (Stanford). This 2020 opt-out’s lofty football IQ has impressed Saints, who might have immediate plans for him.
Three questions
1. Will Jameis Winston embrace the concept of ball security in his second crack as an NFL starter?
2. Can the team survive an offseason roster purge necessitated by an awful salary cap situation?
3. Can versatile force of nature Alvin Kamara still flourish with fewer weapons around him?
Prediction: 10-7
NFC East
Cowboys
![Texans quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) throws a pass in the first half of a preseason game under pressure from Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 3824 2549"/%3E "Texans quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) throws a pass in the first half of a preseason game under pressure from Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons.")
Coach: Mike McCarthy (second season with Cowboys, 6-10; 15th season overall, 131-87-2)
2020 record: 6-10 (third in NFC East)
Notable departure: CB Chidobe Awuzie (signed as free agent with Bengals)
Key acquisitions: S Keanu Neal (signed as free agent from Falcons)
Key re-signing: CB Jourdan Lewis
Impact rookie: LB Micah Parsons (Penn State). A 2020 opt-out, this first-rounder was a consensus All-American in 2019 (five sacks, 26 quarterback hurries)
Three questions
1. Will QB Dak Prescott’s strained shoulder hold up for a 17-game regular season?
2. Can new coordinator Dan Quinn resuscitate a defense that allowed nearly 6 yards a play in 2020?
3. Can running back Ezekiel Elliott rebound from a mediocre 2020 season (979 rushing yards, five fumbles)?
Prediction: 10-7
Eagles
![Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts in action during a preseason game against the Patriots.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 4000 2661"/%3E "Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts in action during a preseason game against the Patriots.")
Coach: Nick Sirianni (first season)
2020 record: 4-11-1 (fourth in NFC East)
Notable departure: OT Jason Peters (signed as free agent with Bears)
Key acquisitions: CB Steven Nelson (signed as free agent from Steelers)
Key re-signing: WR Greg Ward
Impact rookie: WR DeVonta Smith (first round). Reigning Heisman Trophy winner reunited with one-time college quarterback Jalen Hurts
Three questions
1. Is Hurts the long-term answer at quarterback?
2. Will Hurts get better protection than Carson Wentz did in 2020, when he was sacked 50 times?
3. Will disgruntled tight end Zach Ertz remain an Eagle the entire season?
Prediction: 5-12
Giants
![Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) steps on the field at the start of a joint NFL practice with the Patriots.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 3624 2416"/%3E "Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) steps on the field at the start of a joint NFL practice with the Patriots.")
Coach: Joe Judge (second season, 6-10)
2020 record: 6-10 (second in NFC East)
Notable departure: OG Kevin Zeitler (signed as free agent with Ravens)
Key acquisition: WR Kenny Golladay (signed as free agent from Lions)
Key re-signing: DE Leonard Williams
Impact rookie: LB Azeez Ojulari (Georgia). Pro Football Focus predicts this second-rounder will be the only rookie edge defender with a 70.0-plus pass rush grade
Three questions
1. When will tailback Saquon Barkley (torn ACL in 2020) return to action, and can he remain healthy?
2. Can third-year quarterback Daniel Jones and his mediocre offensive line improve concurrently?
3. Can offensive coordinator Jason Garrett maximize an upgraded corps of offensive skill guys?
Prediction: 8-9
Washington
![Montez Sweat is part of a promising defense for Washington, which made the wild-card round a year ago.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 2508 3000"/%3E "Montez Sweat is part of a promising defense for Washington, which made the wild-card round a year ago.")
Coach: Ron Rivera (second season with Washington, 7-9; 11th season overall, 83-72-1)
2020 record: 7-9 (first in NFC East; reached wild-card game)
Notable departure: CB Ronald Darby (signed as free agent with Broncos)
Key acquisition: CB William Jackson III (signed as free agent from Bengals)
Impact rookie: LB Jamin Davis (Kentucky). Rivera’s counting on this first-rounder to build on his one breakout season (102 tackles, three INTs) at Kentucky
Three questions
1. Does 38-year-old quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick have any “Fitzmagic” dust left to sprinkle?
2. Can a young, promising defense continue trending upward?
3. How will a 7-9 playoff team cope with a first-place schedule?
Prediction: 7-10
NFC North
Bears
![Bears quarterback Justin Fields throws in the third quarter of a preseason game against the Dolphins.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 2048 1290"/%3E "Bears quarterback Justin Fields throws in the third quarter of a preseason game against the Dolphins.")
Coach: Matt Nagy (fourth season, 28-20)
2020 record: 8-8 (second in NFC North)
Notable departure: CB Kyle Fuller (signed with Broncos after being released)
Key acquisition: QB Andy Dalton (signed as free agent from Cowboys)
Key re-signing: WR Allen Robinson
Impact rookie: QB Justin Fields (Ohio State). Toughness he displayed in college postseason fits in ideally with this franchise’s blue-collar mentality
Three questions.
1. Will a fan base rabid for the Fields era to begin put its support behind Dalton (the Game One starter)?
2. How will new defensive coordinator Sean Desai, a first-time play-caller, fare?
3. With the release of veteran cornerback Desmond Trufant, will the secondary find stability?
Prediction: 8-9
Lions
![Lions quarterback Jared Goff celebrates a first down against the Bills during a preseason game.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 2400 1600"/%3E "Lions quarterback Jared Goff celebrates a first down against the Bills during a preseason game.")
Coach: Dan Campbell (first season)
2020 record: 5-11 (fourth in NFC North)
Notable departure: QB Matthew Stafford (traded to Rams)
Key acquisition: QB Jared Goff (acquired via trade with Rams)
Key re-signing: OG Frank Ragnow
Impact rookie: OT Penei Sewell (Oregon). A likely opening-day starter, the No. 7 overall pick won the 2019 Outland Trophy before opting out last fall
Three questions
1. Is Goff, a two-time Pro Bowler, a long-term answer or stop-gap solution at quarterback?
2. Who emerges as reliable targets from a rebuilt receiver depth chart?
3. Can new defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn improve a unit that gave up 6.3 yards per play in 2020?
Prediction: 5-12
Packers
![Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) shares a laugh with wide receivers Davante Adams (17) and Randall Cobb (18) during training camp.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 7382 5206"/%3E "Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) shares a laugh with wide receivers Davante Adams (17) and Randall Cobb (18) during training camp.")
Coach: Matt LaFleur (third season, 26-6)
2020 record: 13-3 (first in NFC North, reached NFC title game)
Notable departure: RB Jamaal Williams (signed as free agent with Lions)
Key acquisition: WR Randall Cobb (acquired via trade with Texans)
Key re-signing: RB Aaron Jones
Impact rookie: WR Amari Rodgers (Clemson). This 5-foot-9 speedster, coming off a 1,000-yard senior year, provides another sleek target for Aaron Rodgers
Three questions
1. Will the reunion of Aaron Rodgers and Cobb provide Packers fans with a football version of The Last Dance?”
2. Will the salary demands of receiver Davante Adams (115 catches in 2020) become a distraction?
2. Does too much drama exist in Green Bay for the season to be a success?
Prediction: 13-4
Vikings
![Vikings running back Dalvin Cook runs in drills during a joint training camp with the Broncos.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 3715 2477"/%3E "Vikings running back Dalvin Cook runs in drills during a joint training camp with the Broncos.")
Coach: Mike Zimmer (eighth season, 64-47-1)
2020 record: 7-9 (third in NFC North)
Notable departure: TE Kyle Rudolph (signed as free agent with Giants)
Key acquisition: DT Dalvin Tomlinson (signed as free agent from Giants)
Key re-signing: WR Chad Beebe
Impact rookie: LT Christian Darrisaw (Virginia Tech). Vikings’ first-rounder was projected to start on opening day until a recent groin injury
Three questions
1. After taking the second-most handoffs in the NFL (312) in 2020, can 1,500-yard rusher Dalvin Cook deliver a sequel?
2. How will quarterback Kirk Cousins fare with his fourth coordinator (Klint Kubiak) in as many seasons?
3. Can Zimmer find stability at place-kicker?
Prediction: 10-7
NFC West
49ers
![Defensive end Nick Bosa runs a drill during training camp.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 4783 3188"/%3E "Defensive end Nick Bosa runs a drill during training camp.")
Coach: Kyle Shanahan (fifth season, 29-35)
2020 record: 6-10 (fourth in NFC West)
Notable departure: WR Kendrick Bourne (signed as free agent with Patriots)
Key acquisitions: C Alex Mack (signed as free agent from Falcons)
Key re-signing: LT Trent Williams
Impact rookie: G Aaron Banks (Notre Dame). Second-rounder, who allowed two sacks in last three college seasons, has been sidelined by shoulder injury.
Three questions
1. Though it drafted QB Trey Lance No. 3 overall, does Jimmy Garoppolo still give the 49ers the best chance of winning?
2. Can defensive lineman Nick Bosa make a successful return from a torn ACL?
3. Who emerges as the No. 3 receiver behind Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel?
Prediction: 8-9
Cardinals
![Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt watches from the sidelines during the first half of a preseason game against the Cowboys.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 4525 3017"/%3E "Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt watches from the sidelines during the first half of a preseason game against the Cowboys.")
Coach: Kliff Kingsbury (third season, 13-18-1)
2020 record: 8-8 (third in NFC West)
Notable departures: CB Patrick Peterson (signed as free agent with Vikings)
Key acquisition: DE J.J. Watt (signed as free agent from Texans)
Key re-signing: C Rodney Hudson
Impact rookie: WR Rondale Moore (Purdue). Second-round pick won Paul Hornung Award in 2018 as most versatile player in college football
Three questions
1. Is this a playoffs-or-pink slip year for Kingsbury?
2. Can Watt’s presence propel this franchise to a postseason level?
3. Can QB Kyler Murray make the jump from electric to elite?
Prediction: 8-9
Rams
![Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford looks for a receiver while Cowboys defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa rushes during a joint practice.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 3104 2176"/%3E "Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford looks for a receiver while Cowboys defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa rushes during a joint practice.")
Coach: Sean McVay (fifth season, 43-21)
2020 record: 10-6 (second in NFC West; reached NFC division playoffs)
Notable departure: QB Jared Goff (traded to Lions)
Key acquisition: QB Matthew Stafford (acquired via trade with Lions)
Key re-signing: OLB Leonard Floyd
Impact rookie: WR Tutu Atwell (Louisville). In final full college season (2019), this speedster from Miami led ACC with 1,276 receiving yards
Three questions
1. Can new arrival Sony Michel (from Patriots) salvage an injury-depleted Rams rushing attack?
2. Can Stafford’s moxie and mesmerizing arm propel the Rams into February?
3. At 30, can three-time NFL defensive player of the year Aaron Donald remain a force of nature?
Prediction: 11-6
Seahawks
![Seahawks safety Jamal Adams on the field before a preseason football game against the Broncos.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 8640 5760"/%3E "Seahawks safety Jamal Adams on the field before a preseason football game against the Broncos.")
Coach: Pete Carroll (12th season with Seahawks, 112-63-1; 16th season overall, 145-94-1)
2020 record: 12-4 (first in NFC West; lost in wild card game)
Notable departure: CB Shaquill Griffin (signed as free agent with Jaguars)
Key acquisitions: TE Gerald Everett (signed as free agent from Rams)
Key re-signing: DE Carlos Dunlap
Impact rookie: WR D’Wayne Eskridge (Western Michigan). Reigning MAC Special Teams Player of the Year could make noise in kick-return game
Three questions
1. What kind of wrinkles will new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, the former Rams pass-game coordinator, install?
2. Can veteran guard Gabe Jackson, acquired from the Raiders, help fortify Russell Wilson’s protection?
3. His holdout over, can safety Jamal Adams live up to his four-year, $70 million contract extension?
Prediction: 11-6
• • •
Sign up for the Bucs RedZone newsletter to get updates and analysis on the latest team and NFL news from Bucs beat writer Joey Knight.
Never miss out on the latest with the Bucs, Rays, Lightning, Florida college sports and more. Follow our Tampa Bay Times sports team on Twitter and Facebook.
![Joey Knight - Bucs Reporter](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 50 50"/%3E "Joey Knight - Bucs Reporter")
![It’s a Rams-Bucs rematch in Sunday’s NFC division playoffs](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 16 9"/%3E "It’s a Rams-Bucs rematch in Sunday’s NFC division playoffs")