Can Anyone in the N.F.C. Stop Tom Brady and the Bucs From Repeating?

They should have a solid defense and an elite receiver in Allen Robinson, who will be catching passes from Dalton to begin the season — but, probably, for not much longer than that.

Detroit Lions (5-11)

Key additions: QB Jared Goff, RB Jamaal Williams, WR Tyrell Williams, DE Charles Harris, DT Michael Brockers, OT Penei Sewell

Key departures: QB Matthew Stafford, WR Kenny Golladay, WR Marvin Jones, DT Danny Shelton

First-year coach Dan Campbell has said he begins each day by ordering at Starbucks two venti coffees, each with two espresso shots. All that caffeine might not be good for his heart, but then again, neither is watching the Lions. Brad Holmes, the first-year general manager, traded Stafford, the franchise’s career passing leader, to the Rams for Goff, and gutted the roster.

But the Lions are building from the offensive and defensive lines out — a sound strategy — and though that might not help them much in 2021, it could a few years from now, when they have a new quarterback.

Green Bay Packers (13-3)

Key additions: WR Randall Cobb, WR Amari Rodgers, OT Dennis Kelly, LB De’Vondre Campbell

Key departures: RB Jamaal Williams, C Corey Linsley, LB Christian Kirksey

The next 18 weeks (and beyond) are going to be captivating theater in Wisconsin, where Aaron Rodgers may or may not be playing his final games with teammates he loves, but for a front office he doesn’t. There’s no reason to doubt this could be, as Rodgers and Davante Adams suggested in dual Instagram posts before training camp started, a fruitful “Last Dance”-y kind of season for the Packers, who have more talent than any team in the conference that doesn’t have “Bay” in its name. Where Rodgers plays next season will be fascinating, clearly. But not as much as how he and his team handle this one.

Minnesota Vikings (7-9)

Key additions: DT Sheldon Richardson, DT Dalvin Tomlinson, CB Bashaud Breeland, S Xavier Woods

Key departures: RB Mike Boone, TE Kyle Rudolph, OT Riley Reiff, LB Eric Wilson

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/06/sports/football/nfl-preview-nfc-predictions.html