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NFL Predictions 2018: NFC Division, Wild Card winners

By Mark Morales-Smith

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 14: Stefon Diggs #14 of the Minnesota Vikings leaps to catch the ball in the fourth quarter of the NFC Divisional Playoff game against the New Orleans Saints on January 14, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Diggs scored a 61-yard touchdown to win the game 29-24. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 14: Stefon Diggs #14 of the Minnesota Vikings leaps to catch the ball in the fourth quarter of the NFC Divisional Playoff game against the New Orleans Saints on January 14, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Diggs scored a 61-yard touchdown to win the game 29-24. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – JANUARY 01: Strong safety Landon Collins #21 of the New York Giants reacts after sacking quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins (not pictured) in the first quarter at FedExField on January 1, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – JANUARY 01: Strong safety Landon Collins #21 of the New York Giants reacts after sacking quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins (not pictured) in the first quarter at FedExField on January 1, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Wild Card 1

Green Bay Packers

When you have Aaron Rodgers, you have shot. He’ll be back this year and I’m giving them the benefit of the doubt that that will be enough to get them into the tournament. I also love what they did in the offseason this year which is something I don’t often say about the Packers. Luckily for them, they finally rid themselves of Ted Thompson who can no longer continue to waste the prime of an elite quarterback with a poorly constructed team.

While I do love what they did this offseason, most notably in the draft with their young corners, I believe they are still a year or two away from being serious Super Bowl contenders. They have a lot of young talent that is going to need time to develop. Still, the arrow is pointing up for this team and that all start with shedding the contracts of guys like Thompson, Jordy Nelson and soon Clay Matthews and Randall Cobb.

Wild Card 2

New York Giants

Of all my predictions, this was the toughest. The Atlanta Falcons are the obvious choice here and I may ultimate regret not slotting them in. Nevertheless, my gut is telling me to roll with the Giants. I was high on them last season and boy did that backfire. However, I think maybe I was just a year off and that was an aberration. They got hit with Murphy’s Law last year and I see them bouncing back in a major way.

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While we’ll all be enamored with the offensive weapons it’s the defense and offensive line that sells me on this team. That line was one of the worst I’ve ever seen last season and even raising their level to slightly below average will have a huge impact. On defense, guys like Olivier Vernon and Janoris Jenkins won’t under-perform again. Alec Ogletree will fill their biggest hole while Damon Harrison and Landon Collins will continue to be great. I just like how this team is built.

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