NFC Standings Predictions (Start of Camp Edition)

 Training camps have begun around the league. We are inching so close to the start of the pre-season and then before we know it the beginning of the regular season! With training camps just beginning, I thought I'd make my first standings predictions from what we know so far and then at the end of the pre-season heading into the regular season I will make a final predictions.

NFC

1st Seed Prediction: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (13-4)
After looking through the schedule, the defending Super Bowl champs get the one seed as they will look to defend their title. They brought back every starter from their run last season along with adding some decent new depth pieces to the team. With Tom Brady at the helm and the defense looking better than ever, the Bucs are easily going to roll through the regular season with the best record in the NFC. Losses: vs Dolphins, @ Saints, vs Giants, vs Panthers

2nd Seed Prediction: Green Bay Packers (12-5)
The Packers are the wildcard in all of this. As of now, Aaron Rodgers is still on the team. However, he could be gone by the start of the reason which would change everything for the NFC playoff picture. If he plays though, the Packers should be as dangerous as ever. They are only improving on D and the offense lights it up with Rodgers. Losses: @ 49ers, vs Washington, @ Chiefs, vs Bears, @ Ravens

3rd Seed Prediction: Los Angeles Rams (12-5)
The winner of the NFC West is going to come down to the wire. In my predictions, the Rams and Seahawks battle it out all the way until week 18 in which the Rams actually lose giving Seattle a chance to win the division but I have them losing as well in week 18 giving the Rams the division win and a major leg up in the playoffs. The Rams could have the most complete roster outside of the Bucs in football. With Matt Stafford now at QB, the sky is the limit for the Rams who also boast the top defense in the NFL. Losses: vs Buccaneers, @ Seahawks, @ Packers, @ Vikings, vs 49ers

4th Seed Prediction: Washington Football Team (11-6)
After a surprise return to the playoffs last season, the Football Team really looks like it has something going for them and they get even better in 2021 in which I have them going 11-6. What an accomplishment this would be for a team considered the joke of the league just a year ago. With that defense, they can hang with anyone. The story for them now is the offense that will be led by ageless wonder Ryan Fitzpatrick who has rising stars Terry McLaurin and Antonio Gibson to work with along with new addition Curtis Samuel and big bodied TE Logan Thomas. The Football Team will be a tough out come playoff time. Losses: vs Chargers, vs Saints, vs Buccaneers, vs Seahawks, vs Cowboys, @ Giants

5th Seed Prediction: Seattle Seahawks (12-5)
As I said earlier, the race for the NFC West will come down to week 18 and in my current projections, I have the Hawks narrowly losing the race to LA. The Seahawks quietly had one of the best off-seasons in the league. They added a ton of proven vets to an already stacked roster that will make Russell Wilson happy. The story no one seems to realize is that the Hawks offense is elite but their defense was actually best in the league throughout the final half of last year. The Hawks could really be a top Super Bowl contender if we can get their offense from the first half of 2020 and their defense of the second half at the same time in 2021. Whoever the top wildcard team is this coming season is going to be a major Super Bowl contender due to how the seeding works and cannot be overlooked. That is exactly the case with the Hawks here as the 5 seed, they could easily wind up in the big game. Losses: vs Titans, @ 49ers, @ Packers, @ Rams, @ Cardinals

6th Seed Prediction: San Fransisco 49ers (12-5)
The Niners become the 3rd NFC West team projected in my playoffs. They could win the division with how stacked they are healthy, but I don't see them coming ahead of the Rams or Hawks in a three way tie because of their QB play. Jimmy G is unreliable at best and Trey Lance could be the future but I think he needs at least this full year learning the NFL offense before being ready to win them games. The Niners may be a year away from their full potential but nonetheless are so stacked. 
Losses: @ Cardinals, vs Colts, vs Rams, vs Vikings, @ Seahawks

7th Seed Prediction: New Orleans Saints (10-7)
The final wildcard spot was so close. If I wasn't doing it off of the actual schedule and predicted records I probably wouldn't have had the Saints in, but with the way I have the schedule going, the cards fall into place for the Saints to make it to the playoffs without Drew Brees for the first time in years. With Jameis Winston and/or Taysom Hill at QB, the Saints can still be an elite offense. Winston looks like he can be good with the right foundation around him and Hill is probably the most versatile player in the league, he thrives anywhere. The Saints D is still the real deal and with Alvin Kamara also on the offense, the Saints can run up the score on any D. They barely sneak into the final wild card spot. Losses: vs Packers, @ Seahawks, vs Falcons, @ Titans, @ Eagles, vs Bills, @ Buccaneers

The Rest of the NFC (Outside the Playoffs)
8. Cardinals (9-8)
9. Cowboys (9-8)
10. Vikings (9-8)
11. Panthers (8-9)
12. Giants (8-9)
13. Bears (5-12)
14. Eagles (5-12)
15. Falcons (3-14)
16. Lions (1-16)

Early Playoff Predictions (if these were the standings)

Wildcard: Packers over Saints, Rams over 49ers, Seahawks over Washington
Divisional: Buccaneers over Seahawks, Rams over Packers
NFC Championship: BUCCANEERS over Rams

If the season were to start today with my current knowledge of each team, this is what I think the season would look like and we would see the Bucs heading back to the Super Bowl for a second straight year. They are just too stacked and healthy right now to say anyone else.