Today is the start of a brand new day for 32 NFL football teams. A new season is officially here and that means everyone is 0-0 to begin the year. 

Facing the unknown of potential outcomes from Week 1 to Week 17 means that each team has a shot at taking home Super Bowl LIV in Miami, however, we all know that some teams face a further uphill climb than others in their chase to secure that. 

Heading into opening night we have put together a preview for the whole NFC. Below you’ll find a division-by-division breakdown of all 16 teams that make up the conference. There’s a short blurb painting the picture of who that team is and what expectations they face this year. Finally, each one has a projected 2019 record. Without further ado, let’s jump into the predictions

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys

We all followed along as Jerry Jones and Ezekiel Elliott were caught in a standoff as the running back sought to be paid at a level equal to his status among his peers at his position. Well, we got the answer on Wednesday, Elliott will play and be paid well for it. This is easily one of the strongest teams in Cowboys history and with the money they’ve given out and will give out in the near future it is Super Bowl or bust for this group.

RECORD PREDICTION: 11-5

New York Giants

The New York Giants punted on Odell Beckham Jr. this offseason and now will put the weight of their successes and failures on the legs of Saquon Barkley. They drafted Eli Manning’s potential successor in Daniel Jones in the 2019 NFL Draft and as a whole, this team looks like it is prepping for future seasons instead of being all hands on deck for 2019. Another season among the bottom dwellers seems in store for this franchise.

RECORD PREDICTION 6-10

Philadelphia Eagles 

This time last year, the Philadelphia Eagles were still riding the high of being Super Bowl champions. They were unable to build off that last year but what they do have now that they didn’t then is a fully healthy Carson Wentz. Nick Foles is in Jacksonville so it is Wentz or nothing for this team now. After sneaking into the playoffs and upsetting the Chicago Bears a season ago this team feels like it is ready to retake its place as one of the top teams in the NFL this year.

RECORD PREDICTION: 10-6

Washington Redskins

Rounding out this division is the Washington Redskins who have fallen flat on their face from the high that was Rober Griffin III’s award-winning rookie year. They have a new first-round quarterback that they are taking a slower approach with, Dwayne Haskins (will sit behind Case Keenum for the team’s opener). They also will get their first look at running back, Derrius Guice who missed all of last year after tearing his ACL in the preseason. The young guys will take their lumps as this isn’t one of the better teams that Washington has fielded.

RECORD PREDICTION: 5-11

NFC North

Chicago Bears

All it took to get the Chicago Bears back to the top of the NFC was a trade for Khalil Mack, who would’ve guessed it? Now, the task at hand for the Bears is to find a way to repeat what they did a year ago. Vic Fangio left to take a head coaching job with the Denver Broncos and will be replaced at defensive coordinator by former Indianapolis head coach Chuck Pagano. If the defense can be as dominant as they were last year then nothing should change for this group. Another season under Matt Nagy should mean improvements across the board for the offense.

RECORD PREDICTION: 10-6

Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions enter the second year of Matt Patricia’s tenure and it doesn’t look like things are going to get much better. The roster is being built to fit the coach’s run-heavy, defense-first philosophy. A big year from Kerryon Johnson could go a long way to making this season less of a disaster. Matthew Stafford still has Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones Jr. on the outside to throw to so all hope isn’t completely lost. The Lions could be ripe for some in-season changes depending on how their first few weeks of gameplay goes.

RECORD PREDICTION: 2-14

Green Bay Packers

Aaron Rodgers will have a coach not named Mike McCarthy for the first time since he was a rookie–Rodgers was stuck behind Brett Favre at the time. Matt LaFleur comes from the Sean McVay coaching tree and could be just the spark that the future Hall of Fame quarterback needs as he enters his 15th NFL season (12th as a starter). The Green Bay Packers will look a lot different this season but their goal remains the same, win the Super Bowl. A re-energized team might be just what the doctor ordered.

RECORD PREDICTION: 12-4

Minnesota Vikings 

The Minnesota Vikings were unable to build off of the “Minneapolis Miracle” from two years ago as their big free agency signing of quarterback Kirk Cousins didn’t go as planned in the first season. This time around, the hope is that Cousins’ familiarity with the offense and his teammates makes it so that this team is back on track to where they were in the recent past. A healthy Dalvin Cook should go a long way towards helping them accomplish that goal. The race to win the NFC North will likely be very tight and if Minnesota is going to come out on top they’ll need their offense to be in top shape.

RECORD PREDICTION: 9-7

NFC South

Atlanta Falcons

Last year the Atlanta Falcons were hit hard by injuries and their season was out of their hands fairly early. They hope a clean bill of health will allow them to get back to the Super Bowl—where they were embarrassed in the second half by the Patriots. Matt Ryan and Julio Jones (who could sit out games if not given a contract extension) are still an elite quarterback-wide receiver tandem in the NFL today. 

RECORD PREDICTION: 8-8

Carolina Panthers

Things almost ended before they started for the Carolina Panthers as Cam Newton suffered a foot injury in the third preseason game (a.k.a. the dress rehearsal) against the New England Patriots. However, it wasn’t as serious as once believed and it looks likely that Newton will be on the field at 100 percent on Sunday. Christian McCaffery is coming off an incredible second season and could potentially get some MVP buzz if the Panthers have a good year 

RECORD PREDICTION: 10-6

New Orleans Saints 

This team feels like a potential shot at a Super Bowl victory was taken away from them last season when a blatant pass interference went uncalled in the NFC Championship game against the Los Angeles Rams. All the major pieces from last year’s team are back and they will be out for revenge during this season. Drew Brees broke records in 2018, in 2019 he will look to collect his second Lombardi trophy. 

RECORD PREDICTION: 11-5

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

One of the most intriguing teams heading into the 2019 NFL season resides in Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers brought Bruce Arians out of retirement and back to the sidelines. His throw-first asks questions last offense could be just what is needed to sure up Jameis Winston as his career hangs in the balance with his contract ending after the season. Mike Evans is still there and his catch radius should help Winston regain his status as a former number one overall pick. 

RECORD PREDICTION: 7-9

NFC West

Arizona Cardinals 

In case Saturday doesn’t give you enough college football, make sure to tune into Arizona Cardinals games this fall. The team brought in Kliff Kingsbury to be their head coach and Kingsbury went out and got Kyler Murray at the top of the 2019 NFL Draft. Together they hope to show and prove that there is a place in the professional league for the Air Raid System that has come to dominate the collegiate game in recent years. 

RECORD PREDICTION: 5-11

Los Angeles Rams

Their offense let them down during Super Bowl LII but they still are led by a supremely talented running back (Todd Gurley), a great offensive mind calling the shots (Sean McVay), and a newly paid young quarterback (Jared Goff). Add that to having Aaron Donald on the other side of the ball and they could easily be back in the big game with a chance to redeem themselves at the end of this season. 

RECORD PREDICTION:10-6

San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers have been waiting for the past couple years to finally see the fully formed version of the Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch Niners. This is another shot at that becoming true and it all starts at quarterback where Jimmy Garoppolo is looking to finally start double-digit games. They’ve stockpiled running backs and defensive linemen over the years and now is the time for their depth to shine through. 

RECORD PREDICTION: 9-7

Seattle Seahawks 

Since he’s been a member of the Seattle Seahawks, Russell Wilson’s team has only won less than 10 games once (2017). The combination of Wilson and Pete Carroll has remained over the last seven years and they hope that they can keep the magic going for another year. The defense just added premier edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney and has Bobby Wagner patrolling the middle of the field. They aren’t happy being in the Rams shadow and are itching for a breakthrough this season. 

RECORD PREDICTION: 8-8