The NFL season is right around the corner. In fact, we are now less than a week away from the first games of the 2020 regular season. With that in mind, it's probably past due to be thinking about our preseason favorites, duds and more. How is the NFC playoff picture looking? There are some heavy favorites in certain spots. But at the same time, it is anyone's game to find their way to the postseason.
With that in mind, we will likely see some of the usual suspects and a lot of teams that people are predicting to dominate the 2020 season. What about those classic dark horse candidates though?
What about those teams that people aren't exactly counting out, but many aren't viewing as top tier teams?
Who are the three teams in the NFC that should be considered some of the top dark horse playoff contenders? Let's take a look at the conference and try to figure that out.
3. Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are definitely in the perfect position to surprise a lot of people. There's a simple reason for that too, they are really good.
The funny thing is, people know they are good. There's an issue though. Atlanta is in one of the tougher divisions in the entire league.
No disrespect to the Carolina Panthers, but they are sort of the team that is just “there”. Sure, they could surprise people (as could any other team in the NFL) but for argument's sake, we're putting them at the bottom of the division here.
That leaves the Falcons fighting with the New Orleans Saints and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
New Orleans went 13-3 and were the number three seed in the NFC when it came time for the playoffs.
Meanwhile, Tampa Bay did not have the same success. Their offense has been absurd though. First they got legendary quarterback Tom Brady. Then tight end Rob Gronkowski came out of retirement and was traded to the team.
After a number of other moves to bolster certain areas, the Buccaneers proved it was never too late to make even more moves. Just a few days ago they signed running back Leonard Fournette. And even if you aren't the biggest fan or don't believe he'll get much of a workload, that's someone who can bolster an offense.
So with all that firepower in the division, there is nowhere for Atlanta to go. They are a really good team but have some massive roadblocks in the way.
That means despite many seeing them as a good team, it's hard to envision them in the playoffs.
Don't count out Matt Ryan and Julio Jones and company though. Ryan is still a star quarterback. Jones is one of the best receivers in football and has rising superstar Calvin Ridley by his side.
Oh, and they added running back Todd Gurley this offseason.
Yes, there are a lot of issues with that defense. But the offense should be lighting up the scoreboard. And there are some really nice pieces on defense that if they can put it all together could help create a stable unit.
Atlanta has an uphill battle. But 11-plus wins is not impossible. And a playoff appearance would follow.
2. Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are in a similar boat to the Falcons. Except, their boat is facing more dangerous waves and could sink much faster.
The Cardinals are in the NFC West. That means they have the San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams to compete with.
The 49ers made it to the Super Bowl last year. Meanwhile, the Seahawks were a playoff team.
Los Angeles was “disappointing” at 9-7 and missed the playoffs. They were in the Super Bowl the year prior though.
That's a scary combination right there. All three teams could be seen as legitimate Super Bowl contenders by a large group of people.
But don't completely count out the Cardinals. Kyler Murray was an absolute stud in his rookie year at quarterback in 2019. He has legend Larry Fitzgerald at receiver, as well as rising star Christian Kirk. Meanwhile, Kenyan Drake came over to the team midway through last season and found his footing at running back.
Oh, and they made a big move like the Falcons this offseason. Arizona traded for DeAndre Hopkins, the receiver that many tout as the very best in the entire league.
Arizona has some defensive problems, but they also have some extremely talented defensive players that can anchor the defense and make sure things stay on the right side.
If Murray makes the leap in year two and Hopkins remains a star, this offense could be scary. A 10-win season is not impossible. And if the Rams falter more or the 49ers or Seahawks drop off, the Cardinals could swoop in.
1. Washington Football Team
The Washington Football Team is definitely the team that most people will be the most surprised to see on this list. They have a lot of talent though.
Not only do they have a lot of talent, but Washington is in the worst division in the league. The NFC East produced one team over .500 last year, the 9-7 Philadelphia Eagles.
Next were the 8-8 Dallas Cowboys, followed by the 4-12 New York Giants. Washington brought up the rear with a 3-13 record.
That 3-13 record was the second-worst in football though, so even in a weak division (although to be fair everyone improved nicely this offseason) why would anyone pick Washington to make the playoffs?
Well, look at the adjustments they made. Washington got a new head coach in Ron Rivera. You have to absolutely love the culture changes he has brought to the team.
Then there's the roster. They added Chase Young on defense. And that tandem of Young and Montez Sweat is stupid scary.
That same pass rush features Ryan Kerrigan, Jonathan Allen, Da'Ron Payne and the criminally underrated Matthew Ioannidis. Tim Settle is great depth and don't sleep on veteran Thomas Davis Sr. to make a solid impact.
The secondary added a few nice pieces (Kendall Fuller specifically) and should be improved slightly as well.
Meanwhile, Dwayne Haskins was a lot better in his rookie season than many believe. And he has looked incredible this offseason. Antonio Gibson and Bryce Love are an exciting duo at running back and Terry McLaurin and Steven Sims Jr. look to improve on great rookie years at wide receiver.
Antonio Gandy-Golden joins them at receiver too in his rookie year and should make an impact.
Washington's offense is not great. But they have a lot of young and exciting pieces that could breakout in 2020. Meanwhile, the defense has top-5 potential.
Definitely not the best team in the NFL. But in the NFC East, they absolutely have a chance to sneak into the playoffs. That certainly makes Washington a “Dark Horse playoff contender” in the NFC.
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