As of February 2, 2014, the Seattle Seahawks have had a target on their backs. Every team in the NFL is gunning for the place they hold as Super Bowl Champions. But to do that it means each team has to find success in the playoffs. For Seattle it means defending the NFC title first. For every other team in the NFC, it means finding a way to take it from them. The NFC arms race has begun.
Last year Seattle and their bitter division rival, the San Francisco 49ers, were locked in an epic arms race with each other. They worked hard to bring in talent on both sides of the ball. They even signed the leftovers cut by each other to try to gain an edge on one another. The result was one of the greatest games in recent memory in the NFC championship game.
Now they are locked in a new arms race. Seattle has become the rival of everyone in the conference. They have done a great job of retaining players from their talented roster, which includes the re-signing of pass rushing end, Michael Bennett. The Seahawks are obviously still in the race to repeat but who stands in their way and has plans to crush their dreams of a second straight NFC championship?
Obviously the 49ers are the first in line. This has become one of the best rivalries in the game today. Both teams match each other as tough, physical defensive teams with smash-mouth ground games on offense. The 49ers had a similar approach to free agency as Seattle, holding onto their immense talent. Re-signing Anquan Boldin, a receiver every quarterback would love to throw to, was a big step for them. They also brought in play-making safety Antoine Bethea to replace hard-hitting Donte Whitner, who left for the Cleveland Browns. Overall, it seems the 49ers are loaded up for another Super Bowl run.
Of course it’s hard to forget the Green Bay Packers. Aaron Rodgers is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, which means they always have a shot at going all the way. A mess of a defense and various injuries hindered them last year but Green Bay is back and ready for another run. The defense helped its pass rush by signing the aging Julius Peppers away from the division rival Chicago Bears. They also brought back cornerback Sam Shields and defensive lineman B.J. Raji. A healthy Packers team is one to watch out for this year.
A dark horse candidate to keep an eye on is the Atlanta Falcons. An uninspiring defense and a host of injuries on offense sent the Falcons tumbling from their successful season a year before when they went to the NFC championship game. The signings of Tyson Jackson and Paul Soliai bring two very solid players to a defensive line that desperately needed help. A year ago Julio Jones and Roddy White, arguably the best receiving duo in the league, were plagued by injuries. If they both come back healthy they should help bring back the terrifying scoring power the offense once had. With the draft around the corner, they can add more help on the offensive line to pair with the recent signing of guard Jon Asamoah, as well has continue to add pieces on defense. The Atlanta Falcons have the potential to win the NFC crown.
Much like last year, the NFC looks like a battleground of teams with Super Bowl caliber rosters. Who might come out on top is anyone’s guess. It’s just too bad the season is more than five long months away.
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