NFL power rankings: NFC edition, Week 1

Unlike the AFC, there isn’t a clear favorite to get to the Super Bowl. The NFC has a litany of quality squads who could end up representing the conference in Minneapolis come February.

Which team has the best shot to get there? Let’s count down from worst to best:

16. Chicago Bears

This entire season is about when Mitchell Trubisky plays, and how he looks.

15. San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers aren’t going to be good this year, but the defense has major groundwork laid. This is the beginning of a good era.

14. Los Angeles Rams

If Jared Goff gets his act together, this year is a huge success regardless of record in Los Angeles.

13. Washington Redskins

The Redskins could be higher, but the defense has real issues and the offense looked hapless in the preseason without Sean McCoy.

12. New Orleans Saints

Same story as always in the Big Easy. The offense should score points, and the defense should allow more than that.

11. Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles have a great front seven, but is Carson Went going to improve, and can the secondary hold up?

10. Detroit Lions

The Lions are getting no respect after making the playoffs, mostly because the defense is largely nameless. Can Jim Caldwell rally his troops?

9. Minnesota Vikings

Can the offense do enough with a shaky line and Sam Bradford at the helm? If so, this is a playoff team.

8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers are one of my favorite sleepers, but having to play 16 straight weeks is a challenge. Can Dirk Koetter help his team navigate through?

7. Carolina Panthers

After going 6-10 last year, the Panthers should bounce back following the additions of Christian McCaffrey and Curtis Samuel. The playoffs are a real possibility.

6. Dallas Cowboys

Why is Dallas this low after a 13-3 season? A looming Ezekiel Elliott suspension and a lousy defense. Still, the offense is elite and should only get better if Elliott plays.

5. Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals stuck last year, but this group should bounce back. Arizona could ride an easy schedule to 10-11 wins and a playoff berth.

4. New York Giants

This is a leap of faith, but the defense is stacked and the receiving core is outrageous. Can the offensive line keep Eli Manning upright?

3. Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons aren’t getting the credit they deserve from many. This is a team that could repeat in the NFC, although Matt Ryan will have to keep up his tremendous play.

2. Green Bay Packers

Green Bay is a real threat to reach another Super Bowl, the second in the Aaron Rodgers era. The Packers have issues defensively, but remain a terrific team.

1. Seattle Seahawks

After adding Sheldon Richardson, the Seahawks have the best defense in the NFL. If the offense can do its part, there’s a real chance another Super Bowl appearance is in the cards.