NFL AFC Season Preview: Ben O’Shea shares his conference championships, Super Bowl predictions

In Part 2 of our NFL season preview, Ben O’Shea turns the spotlight on the NFC before giving you a prediction for the conference championships and the winner of Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans.

NFC EAST

COWBOYS

Additions: Ezekiel Elliott (RB), Eric Kendricks (LB), Tyler Guyton (rookie OT), Cooper Beebe (rookie OG), Mike Zimmer (DC)

Subtractions: Tyler Biadasz (C), Michael Gallup (WR), Tony Pollard (RB), Tyron Smith (OT), Dan Quinn (DC)

Outlook: After winning 12 games last year and, once again, coming up short in the postseason, owner Jerry Jones declared the Cowboys were “all in” for a Super Bowl. Everything the team has done since then says otherwise. An underwhelming free agency has left the team worse, and replacing Quinn with Zimmer might see the defence take a step back. They need their rookies on the O-line to make an immediate contribution. Another postseason stumble and there could be a hard reset in Dallas.

Prediction: 10-7, NFC East Champions

EAGLES

Additions: Saquon Barkley (RB), Bryce Huff (DE), DeVante Parker (WR), Quinyon Mitchell (rookie WR), Cooper DeJean (rookie CB), Kellen Moore (OC), Vic Fangio (DC)

Subtractions: Fletcher Cox (DT), Jason Kelce (C), Haason Reddick (DE), D’Andre Swift (RB)

Outlook: Philly were a disappointment last year, there’s no other way to slice it. And it looks like the blame was laid at the coaching stuff, prompting new coordinators on both sides of the ball. With so much change, the Eagles could be slow out of the gate, but this is still a stacked roster. After years wasting away in New York, Barkley could be reborn in the City of Brotherly Love. On defence, the team must see a step forward from its many Georgia draft picks in recent years.

Aussie in action: Jordan Mailata (OT)

Prediction: 10-7

GIANTS

Additions: Brian Burns (DE), John Runyan (G), Jermaine Eluemunor (OT), Malik Nabers (rookie WR), Tyler Nubin (rookie S)

Subtractions: Saquon Barkley (RB), Xavier McKinney (S), Tyrod Taylor (QB)

Outlook: It’s hard to properly assess what we saw last season from the G-Men, because the O-line was catastrophic and starting QB Daniel Jones was injured. Danny Dimes (now an ironic nickname) is back, and rookie wideout Nabers looks like the real deal. This team will be better than a year ago, thanks to an improved defensive front, but not by much.

Prediction: 6-11

COMMANDERS

Additions: Nick Allegretti (OG), Tyler Biadasz (C), Austin Ekeler (RB), Dante Fowler Jr (DE), Bobby Wagner (LB), Jayden Daniels (rookie QB), Mike Sainristil (rookie CB), Dan Quinn (HC), Kliff Kingsbury (OC)

Subtractions: Cody Barton (LB), Jacoby Brissett (QB), Kendall Fuller (CB), Antonio Gibson (RB), Ron Rivera (HC)

Outlook: It’s hard not to be excited about the potential of Daniels, the rookie passer out of LSU, taken at No.2 overall in this year’s draft. Bringing in a veteran centre in Biadasz and a security blanket back like Ekeler will go a long way to easing his transition to the league. A bigger question is what new coach Quinn can do with a defence that has a lot of holes.

Prediction: 6-11

NFC WEST

49ERS

Additions: De’Vondre Campbell (LB), Yetur Gross-Matos (DE), Leonard Floyd (DE), Ricky Pearsall (rookie WR)

Subtractions: Arik Armstead (DT), Sam Darnold (QB), Javon Kinlaw (DT), Randy Gregory (DE), Matt Pryor (OG), Chase Young (DE)

Aussie in action: Mitch Wishnowsky (P)

Outlook: Losing to the Chiefs in overtime in the Super Bowl still stings, but offseason drama has been a bigger source of pain in San Francisco. Contract fights with star wideout Brandon Aiyuk and All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams have dominated training camp. Aiyuk just re-signed for US$120 million, but Williams is still disgruntled. Without the superstar tackle, this O-line is a liability. That said, this is a loaded roster and you’d expect them to make a deep playoff run.

Prediction: 11-6

CARDINALS

Additions: Jonah Williams (OT), Marvin Harrison Jr (rookie WR), Sean Murphy-Bunting (CB)

Subtractions: Marquise Brown (WR), Leki Fotu (DT), DJ Humphries (OT), Rondale Moore (WR)

Outlook: Arizona are very much still rebuilding, but the offence has a chance to be interesting at the very least. Drafting the consensus top receiver in the draft, Marvin Harrison Jr, gives QB Kyler Murray a true No.1. The diminutive passer has endured a rough couple of years, although began to show glimpses last season that he can be a Top 10 quarterback with the right surrounding cast.

Prediction: 6-11

RAMS

Additions: Tre’Davious White (CB), Jonah Jackson (OG), Kamren Curl (S), Jared Verse (rookie DE), Braden Fiske (rookie DT), Blake Corum (rookie RB)

Subtractions: Aaron Donald (DT), Jordan Fuller (S), Carson Wentz (QB), Jonah Williams (DT)

Outlook: Let’s get one thing straight – it’s impossible to replace a player like Aaron Donald, arguably the best player (regardless of positional value) in the NFL over the past few years. But the Rams have done an intriguing job at trying to replace his production with multiple players. Let’s see if it works. On offence, if QB Matthew Stafford stays healthy, and with Year 2 of WR Puka Nacua, this group could be exciting.

Prediction: 10-7

SEAHAWKS

Additions: Sam Howell (QB), Johnathan Hankins (DT), Laken Tomlinson (OG), Jerome Baker (LB), Byron Murphy II (rookie DT), Mike McDonald (HC)

Subtractions: Drew Lock (QB), Bobby Wagner (LB), Devin Bush (LB), Will Dissly (TE), Pete Carrol (HC)

Outlook: The biggest change in Seattle is the conscious uncoupling with talismanic head coach Pete Carroll. The franchise won a Super Bowl under Carroll, but have replaced him with a bloke half his age in Mike McDonald. It’s unusual to have a defensively minded head coach in the modern NFL, but McDonald’s job as defensive coordinator of the Ravens elite D makes him a worthy exception. Signs point to a slight regression this season.

Aussie in action: Michael Dickson (P)

Prediction: 8-9

NFC NORTH

BEARS

Additions: Calen Williams (rookie QB), Keenan Allen (WR), Gerald Everett (TE), D’Andre Swift (RB), Rome Adunze (rookie WR), Shane Waldron (OC)

Subtractions: Justin Fields (QB), Dan Feeney (G), D’Onta Foreman (RB), Darnell Mooney (WR)

Outlook: Dual-threat QB Justin Fields produced plenty of highlight reel plays, but never really turned into the player the Bears hoped when they drafted him. Luckily, this year they had the Panthers’ No.1 overall pick and drafter Fields’ replacement, the generational talent, Caleb Williams. Chicago has already given Williams a better supporting cast than anything Fields had during his tenure, so the arrow is firmly pointed upwards in the Windy City.

Prediction: 8-9

LIONS

Additions: Marcus Davenport (DE), Carlton Davis (CB), DJ Reader (DT), Kevin Zeitler (OG), Terrion Arnold (rookie CB), Ennis Rakestraw (CB)

Subtractions: CJ Gardner-Johnson (S), Jonah Jackson (OG), Josh Reynolds (WR)

Outlook: There’s a new feeling in the Motor City – optimism. After falling just short in the NFC Championship last year against the 49ers, Detroit invested heavily in improving its defence. Reader and Davis are the kind of hard-hitting players head coach Dan Campbell loves, and the team added arguably the best cornerback in the draft in Arnold. On the other side of the ball, if WR Jameson Williams takes a leap forward, this could be a Top 3 offence.

Prediction: 12-5, NFC North Champions

PACKERS

Additions: Josh Jacobs (RB), Xavier McKinney (S), Jordan Morgan (rookie OT), Jeff Hafley (DC)

Subtractions: David Bakhtiari (OT), De’Vondre Campbell (LB), Aaron Jones (RB), Jon Runyan (OG), Darnell Savage (S)

Outlook: After a rough start to last season, Green Bay came home with a wet sail, with QB Jordan Love doing enough in his first full season to convince the franchise to give him a monster contract. They reached the postseason as the youngest team in the league, so the future looks bright. The big question is whether Love truly is worth the big bucks. We’ll know by December.

Prediction: 10-7

VIKINGS

Additions: Sam Darnold (QB), Jonathan Greenard (DE), Shaquill Griffin (CB), Jonah Williams (DT), Andrew Van Ginkel (LB), JJ McCarthy (rookie QB), Dallas Turner (rookie DE)

Subtractions: Kirk Cousins (QB), Danielle Hunter (DE), Marcus Davenport (DE), Jordan Hicks (LB)

Outlook: The Kirk Cousins era came to an end in Minnesota, and it’ll be remembered for moderate success and a heckuva lot of guaranteed money in Cousins’ bank account. The Vikes hope they have the QB of the future in McCarthy, but the rookie has already suffered a season-ending knee injury. Signing journeyman Sam Darnold gives them a solid option under centre, but this year is a write-off.

Prediction: 6-11

NFC SOUTH

BUCCANEERS

Additions: Bryce Hall (CB), Jordan Whitehead (S), Graham Barton (C)

Subtractions: Shaquill Barrett (DE), Carlton Davis (CB), Devin White (LB)

Outlook: The biggest move for the Bucs this offseason was committing to Baker Mayfield as the franchise QB. After flaming out at previous stops, Mayfield arrived in Tampa on a one-year deal and led the team on an unlikely run to the postseason. Now he’s been handed the keys, let’s see if last year was real or if Mayfield’s rebirth was the result of offensive coordinator Dave Canales, who has since departed for a head coaching gig elsewhere.

Prediction: 8-9

FALCONS

Additions: Kirk Cousins (QB), Darnell Mooney (WR), Rondale Moore (WR), Michael Penix Jr. (rookie QB), Bralen Trice (rookie EDGE)

Subtractions: Bud Dupree (EDGE), Cordarrelle Patterson (WR), Desmond Ridder (QB), Jonnu Smith (TE), Arthur Smith (HC)

Outlook: No team in the NFL had a weirder offseason than Atlanta. They added Kirk Cousins on a four-year, $180 million deal, then drafted a QB, Michael Penix, at No. 8 overall. Usually you only do ONE of those things, not both. Only time will tell if it was the right strategy. Time will also tell if hiring Raheem Morris over the GOAT Bill Belichick as head coach was smart. Either way, the Falcons have big holes on defence, but the potential to be fun on offence with an easy schedule.

Prediction: 10-7, NFC South Champions

PANTHERS

Additions: Jadeveon Clowney (EDGE), Jordan Fuller (S), Diontae Johnson (WR), Robert Hunt (G), Damien Lewis (G), Xavier Legette (rookie WR), Dave Canales (HC)

Subtractions: Vonn Bell (S), Bradley Bozeman (C), Brian Burns (EDGE), Donte Jackson (CB), Hayden Hurst (TE)

Outlook: Let’s be real, this season couldn’t be much worse than the last one in Carolina. Last year’s No.1 overall draft pick, Bryce Young, looked like one of the worst quarterbacks in football, and the coach got fired. In comes QB guru Canales, who is credited with salvaging Baker Mayfield and Geno Smith. The Panthers hope he’ll do the same with Young. At least this year the tiny QB will have some help, with an upgraded O-line and pass-catchers.

Prediction: 5-12

SAINTS

Additions: Willie Gay (LB), Chase Young (DE), Cedrick Wilson Jr. (WR), Taliese Fuaga (rookie OT), Kool-Aid McKinstry (rookie CB), Spencer Rattler (rookie QB), Klint Kubiak (OC)

Subtractions: Zack Braun (LB), Lonnie Johnson (CB), Michael Thomas (WR), Jameis Winston (QB)

Outlook: Once consider must-see TV, the Saints might now be the least interesting team in the NFL. A lot of that has to do with QB Derek Carr, who is the very definition of average. Can he be above average in new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak’s system? Don’t hold your breath.

Aussies in action: Matthew Hayball (P)

Prediction: 6-11

POSTSEASON PREDICTIONS

AFC Championship: Chiefs 27 – Bengals 24

NFC Championship: Lions 34 – 49ers 30

SUPER BOWL LIX: Chiefs 28 – Lions 24

Super Bowl MVP: Patrick Mahomes

KEY

QB (quarterback)

WR (wide-receiver)

RB (running back)

OT (offensive tackle)

OG (offensive guard)

C (centre)

TE (tight-end)

DE (defensive end)

DT (defensive tackle)

CB (cornerback)

S (safety)

LB (linebacker)

P (punter)

HC (head coach)

OC (offensive coordinator)

DC (defensive coordinator)