15. I don’t make picks just to be different from other people. I certainly see where people could see the Seahawks or 49ers making a run at keeping the NFC crown on the West coast for the third year. I just think as the Rams and the Cardinals continue to improve, and teams like the Seahawks face a brutal schedule travel-wise, it’s hard to see a scenario where they make it out of the regular season with home-field advantage or enough left to make a second-straight Superbowl run. Enter, the New Orleans Saints.
<p>The Saints aren’t in the NFC East, but I think the NFC South has been vastly overrated. The Panthers are due for a step back in 2014, because despite a loaded defense, they have left Cam Newton with a bare cupboard. The Falcons are a very good skill position team, but I’m not sure their offensive line or defense are good enough to really compete in the NFC. And the Bucs are improving, and should have a very stout defense, but are unlikely to be a playoff team. I’m not sure there is an easy game in the NFC right now, but I’ll take playing in the NFC South over the NFC West.</p>
<p>The Saints have also added nicely to both sides of the ball this off-season. They signed Jarius Byrd to pair with emerging star Kenny Vaccaro, on a defense that Rob Ryan turned around in his first season on the job in 2013. They also added Brandin Cooks, who I believe will be the offensive rookie of the year, to an offense that is annually one of the best passing attacks in the league.</p>
<p>The key for the Saints is landing homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. The team was 8-0 at home last year, but was just 4-6 (including the playoffs) on the road. I think as the NFC West teams beat each other up, the Saints will land home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, which will propel them to and NFC title. </p>. NFC. Saints. New Orleans Saints. 1. player