The schedule for the 2024 NFL Season is coming out very soon, so let's put together a way too early NFC playoff picture. Yes, we're thinking playoffs already! The NFC is beginning to turn into quite the lopsided conference, with the 49ers, Cowboys, and Eagles usually rounding out the top three seeds.
Well, the Detroit Lions sprung onto the scene in 2023 and were right on the doorstep of a Super Bowl berth, so that might be a team to keep an eye on. You can probably figure out rather easily which seven teams in the NFC will be playing in the postseason for the upcoming season. Let's put together how we think the seven NFC playoff teams will look for the 2024 NFL Season.
2024 NFL Schedule: Way too early projection of all 7 NFC playoff teams
No. 1 Seed: San Francisco 49ers
I was so close to putting the Detroit Lions at the No. 1 seed, but I just cannot yet. Both the Lions and the San Francisco 49ers have strong arguments to earn the top seed in the NFC, but until the Lions can prove they can get that top spot, I'll continue to put the Niners, who are perhaps the most experienced playoff team in the NFC and one of the most experienced in all of the NFL.
No. 2 Seed: Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a fun team that again got better this offseason. Notably, their secondary got a bit of a makeover, as they traded for Carlton Davis and drafted two CBs in Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw. It's another secondary overhaul for the Lions who also added DJ Reader and Marcus Davenport to their defensive line.
GM Brad Holmes extended both Amon-Ra St. Brown and Penei Sewell as well. It's hard to love what this team has done over the last few seasons.
No. 3 Seed: Philadelphia Eagles
I don't believe Philadelphia is going to return to their 2022 ways, but they do have two very strong coordinators in Vic Fangio and Kellen Moore, so I like their chances to bounce back, win the NFC East, and secure a home playoff game. The biggest factor for me is actually QB Jalen Hurts, who was a pedestrian passer last year.
Hurts will need to show way more as a passer in 2024 if he wants to help the Eagles get back to where they once were.
No. 4 Seed: Atlanta Falcons
This isn't me hyping up the Atlanta Falcons, but rather me recognizing that they easily have the best team in the NFC South, but that isn't saying much of anything. The Falcons signed Kirk Cousins in free agency, so their QB situation got significantly better.
Head coach Raheem Morris is from the Shahanan/McVay tree, and those coaches have typically done quite well in the NFL. Everything is pointing to the Falcons being a respectable team in the 2024 NFL Season, but even though I have them winning the division, I do not think they'd be huge threats in the playoffs.
No. 5 Seed: Los Angeles Rams
The LA Rams are plenty good enough to win the a division title, but they just so happen to be in the division with the 49ers, so for now, they'll earn another Wild Card seed in 2024. The young Rams shockingly won 10 games in 2023, and I do not see how they aren't a little bit better. QB Matthew Stafford might be nearing the end of his NFL career, but the Rams have build a nice core of players to sustain long-term success with.
No. 6 Seed: Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers were playing with their hair on fire toward the end of the 2023 NFL Season and were quite close to a berth in the NFC Championship Game in 2023. I'd expect the Packers to take a step forward in 2024, but I also expect the same for the Lions, so the Packers might again be a strong Wild Card team.
No. 7 Seed: Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys will take a step back in 2024, but they'll still be good enough to squeeze into the NFC playoffs as the seventh and final Wild Card team. This would force them to travel to Detroit to face the Lions in the Wild Card round, which could end up being a shootout. Both Dak Prescott and Mike McCarthy are in the last years of their respective contracts, so it's worth monitoring what could happen there.
The Cowboys are again headed toward another disappointing season that ends with an early playoff exit.