The NFC is highly competitive and features several legit contenders. In playing out the full season, there were a few surprises in coming up with the season records.

Here is how each team’s season played out, as well as the All NFC team. For the AFC edition, click here.

NFC East:

Philadelphia is an obvious choice to repeat in this division. While it’s unrealistic to expect Nick Foles to throw 27 TDs and just 2 INTs again, this offense will still be potent. LeSean McCoy could lead the league in rushing behind a very strong OL, and the receiving cast is deep and diverse. The attacking defense is built to play with leads, though they are vulnerable on the back end. They could win as many as 13.

Washington in the playoffs?!? You bet. Every year there’s a surprise party crasher and in 2014 it’s Jay Gruden’s team. A healthy Robert Griffin III, the dynamic DeSean Jackson and emerging star TE Jordan Reed give this offense newfound punch. They still have questions in the secondary and inside linebacker, but the front line and edge rushers are underappreciated. An advantageous schedule makes them a legit threat.

The Giants have the best secondary in the division, and a healthy Jason Pierre-Paul can still wreak havoc as a pass rusher. But the rest of this team is full of questions. Who will catch passes other than Victor Cruz? Can Eli Manning stop throwing interceptions? Will the rebuilt, young OL be an improvement? Will the second-year defenders (Moore, Hankins) step up? Too many questions drag down Tom Coughlin’s unit; I’m not sure they can outscore many opponents.

Dallas has the opposite problem. They could (should?) lead the league in scoring with a healthy Tony Romo throwing to Dez Bryant, Terrance Williams et al and a very skilled offensive line. But this defense…oh the humanity! They have no pass rush, no linebackers who would start on any other team, and a limited secondary. They will threaten the NFL record for most points and yards allowed. Expectations, not to mention an abysmal lack of depth, conspire against them too. Hire a GM, Mr. Jones.

NFC North:

The Bears added just enough on defense to nudge ahead of the Packers and Lions. I think Lamar Houston will be great, and Jared Allen is a major upgrade over Julius Peppers. Their safeties remain a major liability, but I think one of the young linebackers will prove competent. Offensively, as long as Jay Cutler plays 16 games--which he hasn’t done in years--these Bears will put up serious points. Marshall, Jeffery, Forte and Bennett are as scary as any foursome of weaponry in the league. I’m a big believer in Marc Trestman, too.

Green Bay has one of the weakest rosters in the league from top to bottom, but three guys at the top will keep them firmly in the playoff chase. On offense, Aaron Rodgers is the best all-around QB in the league and Jordy Nelson is a legit #1 wideout. Together they are capable of greatness. Clay Matthews on defense is fantastic, a real game changer too. Their corners are solid and the OL will be better, but they took big hits at WR and TE and their defensive front seven outside of Matthews might be the worst in football. Too many negatives for me to be sold this is a playoff team. If they are it’s because Rodgers is MVP…and that can absolutely happen.

The Lions are the most talent-laden roster in the division, but that doesn’t mean they’re ready to take the next step. The new coaching staff has to prove they can manage games better than Jim Schwartz. The offense is absolutely loaded, including the OL, but can Matthew Stafford consistently play his best? I need to see it before I buy that stock. The defensive front 7 can dominate, and DeAndre Levy is the best cover LB in the league. Outside of safety Glover Quin, however, this secondary is highly vulnerable. They could very well go 12-4, but it’s hard to have faith in that.

Minnesota could be a surprise team, with seven first-round picks in the last three years providing a major influx of top-shelf talent to go with Adrian Peterson. I expect breakout seasons from WR Cordarrelle Patterson and DT Sharrif Floyd, and the pass rush should be strong. The price of all those first-rounders is truly awful depth; the starting 22 here is a playoff team but pretty much any injury makes a big impact. Can’t count on that variable panning out, though I really do like the new coaching staff.

NFC South:

I’ll admit to being surprised the Saints only wound up with 10 wins, because on paper they have enough to be the #1 seed in the conference. Drew Brees remains great, Jimmy Graham is unmatched and the young receivers (Cooks, Stills) bring juice. They have some strong players on defense in Junior Gallette, Kenny Vaccaro and Cam Jordan. The schedule is rough and they’re always good (bad) for a clunker or two every season. New Orleans can win the whole thing.

Tampa Bay is a toughie. With impact players at all three levels of the defense (McCoy, David and Verner) and improved role players, they should take to Lovie Smith’s system like a duck to water. Don’t discount the value of Doug Martin returning at RB. The offense sorely missed his multi-dimensional skills. I have questions about the McCown/Glennon QB tandem. The Logan Mankins trade shored up the weakest point and sent a message that this team is expected to compete. They will, but they’re likely a year and a better QB away from that.

I’m not nearly as down on the Panthers as most are for a couple of reasons. First, their defensive front remains one of the best in the league and matches up quite well within the division. Second, I’m a Cam Newton believer. The overhauled OL and secondary and complete upheaval at WR are major concerns, but Carolina is not without talent at any of those spots. They fall back from last year’s division title but not too far.

Atlanta will be improved. I love adding Jake Matthews to help shore up the offensive line, and getting Roddy White back helps Matt Ryan too. Yet just as they add talent, they subtract Tony Gonzalez (retirement) and Sean Weatherspoon (injury). The secondary is paper thin, and the pass rush remains a question mark. They won’t win a game Ryan doesn’t start, either. Crossroads season for the Falcons, and I’m not sure they make it out of the cellar.

NFC West:

It’s hard to not love the defending champion Seahawks. Most of the key components are back, though they will miss Golden Tate as both their leading receiver and explosive return man. The defense is big, physical, deep and skilled. Pete Carroll knows all the right buttons to push. Having a poised leader like Russell Wilson running the offense helps ensure they’ll be solid on offense, though they could struggle to score at times. Seattle remains the favorite for valid reasons.

Arizona caught folks by surprise last year. This year expectations are higher now that everyone knows about guys like Calais Campbell, Andre Ellington and the emerging Michael Floyd. The defensive losses (D. Washington, D. Dockett) to suspension and injury hurt, but the secondary has a chance to be very good. They’ve got playmakers. Carson Palmer should notch 4000+ yards and 30+ TDs with his bevy of weapons and getting more comfortable behind an upgraded OL. I think these Cardinals are game for a playoff berth.

The 49ers have made three straight NFC Championship games. They will not make a fourth. They just don’t have enough to cover for losing linebackers Aldon Smith and NaVorro Bowman each for at least half the year. All the arrests, all the injuries, all the drama will be crippling. They’re still talented enough to beat any team, and they could get a bounce from the new stadium. I believe Jim Harbaugh fatigue is a very real problem with his team, and it drags them down far from their lofty expectations.

I had the Rams as the last-place team even before the Sam Bradford injury. The defensive line is phenomenal, and the linebackers and offensive line are soild. Not one unit on the rest of the team belongs in any top 20 rankings league-wide. It’s not a good sign that the #2 overall pick, Greg Robinson, cannot crack the starting lineup. If the young wideouts step up and they keep Shaun Hill cozy in the pocket, St. Louis could sneak up to 6 or 7 wins. That’s their absolute ceiling even with Robert Quinn, Chris Long and that truly awesome front four.

All NFC Team
Offense

QB: Drew Brees, New Orleans

RB: Matt Forte, Chicago

RB: Adrian Peterson, Minnesota

WR: Dez Bryant, Dallas

WR: Calvin Johnson, Detroit

OT: Trent Williams, Washington

OT: Tyron Smith, Dallas

OG: Larry Warford, Detroit

OG: Evan Mathis, Philadelphia

OC: Travis Frederick, Dallas

TE: Jimmy Graham, New Orleans

Defense

DT: Gerald McCoy, Tampa Bay

DT: Ndamukong Suh, Detroit

DE: Calais Campbell, Arizona

DE/Edge: Robert Quinn, St. Louis

OLB: Lavonte David, Tampa Bay

ILB: Patrick Willis, San Francisco

OLB/Edge: Trent Cole, Philadelphia

CB: Richard Sherman, Seattle

CB: Alterraun Verner, Tampa Bay

S: Kenny Vaccaro, New Orleans

S: Earl Thomas, Seattle

K: Robbie Gould, Chicago

P: Sam Martin, Detroit

Offensive Rookie: Kelvin Benjamin, Carolina and Brandin Cooks, New Orleans

Defensive Rookie: Kyle Fuller, Chicago 

NFC Championship: New Orleans over Seattle