In 2017, the NFC East and NFC South are stronger overall divisions than the NFC West, which gives Seattle the path of least resistance to home-field advantage and its easiest ticket to a third conference title game in five years.
Here’s a look at how the regular season and postseason will play out for the Seahawks and the rest of the NFC.
MORE: AFC playoff predictions for 2017
2017 NFC playoff predictions
Seeding
- Seahawks (13-3), NFC West champions
Rumors of the Seahawks’ decline have been greatly exaggerated. Russell Wilson will stay healthy for a banner season with help from an improved power running game. The defense will do its usual daunting under coach Pete Carroll.
MORE: NFC West predictions
- Cowboys (12-4), NFC East champions
Dallas will slide back a bit record- and seeding-wise with a tougher schedule, but its offensive stability will keep it among the top NFC contenders.
MORE: NFC East predictions
- Falcons (11-5), NFC South champions
The reigning NFC champions will navigate through a more difficult division to prove they won’t be hung out to dry by a so-called massive hangover.
MORE: NFC South predictions
- Lions (11-5), NFC North champions
Detroit deserves a little more respect for what it has been able to do under coach Jim Caldwell. Sneaking away with the NFC North will earn the Lions just that.
MORE: NFC North predictions
- Packers (11-5), NFC wild card
Green Bay will find a way to get into the playoffs again, complete with Aaron Rodgers’ typical, jaw-dropping heroics late in the season.
- Giants (10-6), NFC wild card
New York will hope to be carried less by its defense. Eli Manning playing just a little bit better should do that.
2017 AFC playoffs: picks by round
— Wild-card playoffs
Giants over Falcons; Packers over Lions
It’s upset city times two. Big Blue’s defense comes through to cool Matt Ryan, and Rodgers comes back to haunt the Lions on their home turf.
— Divisional playoffs
Seahawks over Giants; Cowboys over Packers
Seattle will welcome and thrash the No. 6 seed from the other side of the country. Dallas gets some revenge for last year’s divisional letdown.
— NFC championship game
Seahawks over Cowboys
Dallas won’t be intimidated in this matchup, but Wilson won’t be, either. The Seattle quarterback will out-duel Dak Prescott in a highly-viewed instant classic.
