While the Kansas City Chiefs are the clear-cut favorites in the AFC, the NFC is a bit different.
Yes, the San Francisco 49ers absolutely look like the best team on paper, and they did just represent the conference in the Super Bowl. However, the Super Bowl hangover is a real thing, and the 49ers didn’t really improve much on either side of the ball this offseason.
After San Francisco, you have clubs like the Detroit Lions (who lost to the Niners in the NFC Championship Game this past January) and the Philadelphia Eagles, who are in most people’s top three at this point. Then, you have trendy picks like the Green Bay Packers and Los Angeles Rams, and sometimes, the Dallas Cowboys sneak into the top five.
But are there any potential NFC contenders we are missing?
During a recent mailbag, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated was asked to name the top five teams in the NFC. He rattled off the usual suspects, but then gave honorable mention to a shocking ballclub.
The New York Giants.
Breer specifically mentioned the Giants’ strength in the trenches as a reason why they could potentially make some noise next season.
New York went just 6-10 in a disastrous 2023 campaign in which Daniel Jones tore his ACL. Not only that, but the Giants’ offensive line was horrendous, and while their defense looked good at times, particularly in the second half of the season, it was statistically very poor.
Plus, Big Blue lacked legitimate weapons offensively.
However, the Giants have made some notable improvements this offseason, patching up their offensive line and swinging a trade for star edge rusher Brian Burns. Additionally, New York took wide receiver Malik Nabers in the first round of the NFL Draft, providing the franchise with what will hopefully be its first legitimate No. 1 receiver since Odell Beckham Jr.
It should also be noted that the Giants are just two years removed from a playoff appearance in which they upset the Minnesota Vikings on the road in the Wild Card Round.
At the time, New York looked like an up and coming team in the NFC, only to regress significantly in 2023.
Could the Giants shock everyone and vault up the standings this coming season?
It remains to be seen, but they will have to contend with the Eagles and the Cowboys in what should be a tough NFC East division.
A lot of this also depends on the health of Jones, who has experienced a myriad of injury issues over the years.
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