The Post’s Steve Serby breaks down the NFC, division-by-divison:
NFC East
1. New York Giants
Serby Says: 10-6. Help arrives for Eli Manning.
Coach: Ben McAdoo
2016 Record: 11-5
Over/Under wins: 9
Odds to win Super Bowl: 12-1
First-and-goal: Meet Manning’s Score Four: WRs Odell Beckham Jr., Brandon Marshall and Sterling Shepard and first-round TE Evan Engram. DC Steve Spagnuolo’s defense is filled with playmakers: Jason Pierre-Paul, Olivier Vernon, Snacks Harrison, Landon Collins, Janoris Jenkins and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. New MLB B.J. Goodson has earned respect. FS Darian Thompson is a ballhawk. CB Eli Apple must stay on the field to fulfill his great promise. TE Rhett Ellison can help the offensive tackles. G Justin Pugh and C Weston Richburg anchor the offensive line. Brad Wing is a weapon. So is Dwayne Harris on special teams. McAdoo will be a more imaginative play-caller with better personnel.
Fourth-and-long: Giants fans live in perennial fear of the offensive line, particularly LT Ereck Flowers. He and RT Bobby Hart better be better. Will Brett Jones supplant John Jerry at RG? What about D.J. Fluker? RB Paul Perkins should be a 1,000-yard rusher, but behind that OL, who knows? Rookie DT Dalvin Tomlinson and Jay Bromley replace Johnathan Hankins. The kicker won’t remind anyone of Adam Vinatieri.
2. Dallas Cowboys
Serby Says: 9-7. Don’t underestimate how much Ezekiel Elliott’s suspension will hurt.
Coach: Jason Garrett
2016 Record: 13-3
Over/Under wins: 9.5
Odds to win Super Bowl: 12-1
First-and-goal: The offensive line is still elite, as La’el Collins moves to RT to replace Doug Free. Precocious QB Dak Prescott was a rookie phenom, though no one should expect a 23:4 TD:INT ratio again. Dez Bryant heads a receiving corps that includes clutch Cole Beasley (75 catches). MLB Sean Lee is a tackling machine as long as the injury bug doesn’t bite him. Youth has been infused into a secondary led by FS Byron Jones. Kicker Dan Bailey (89.5 percent) is money.
Fourth-and-long: The Ezekiel Elliott suspension, for however long it will be and when, hovers over Jerry World, with RBs Darren McFadden and Alfred Morris ready to fill in. The pass rush won’t scare anyone, at least until DE David Irving returns from a four-game suspension. Underrated MLB Anthony Hitchens (knee) and his 104 tackles will be gone until October. Rookie WR Ryan Switzer tries to juice the return game as he replaces Unlucky Whitehead. Old Reliable TE Jason Witten will be a HOFer, but he’s 36. Go ahead and root for OLB Jaylon Smith, whose return from a devastating knee injury that cost him his rookie season would be inspiring.
3. Philadelphia Eagles
Serby Says: 8-8. Carson Wentz has new aerial weapons, but where’s the balance?
Coach: Doug Pederson
2016 Record: 7-9
Over/Under wins: 8.5
Odds to win Super Bowl: 40-1
First-and-long: QB Carson Wentz has the arm, swagger, toughness and ideal temperament for Philly. WR Alshon Jeffery is his new, one-year $14 million Go-To Guy. LT Jason Peters is a future HOFer, though he’s a 35-year-old bookend for athletic RT Lane Johnson. RG Brandon Brooks is a stud. RB LeGarrette Blount will move the short-yardage and goal-line piles if he isn’t too heavy and slow. TE Zach Ertz (78 catches) is a weapon. DC Jim Schwartz has pass-rushers for his Wide Nine: Chris Long, Brandon Graham and first-rounder Derek Barnett. And DT Fletcher Cox has 16 sacks in the last two seasons. Safeties Malcolm Jenkins and Rodney McLeod anchor a secondary that welcomes athletic former Bills CB Ronald Darby in a division loaded with playmaking wide receivers. The kicking game and special teams (returner Darren Sproles) are solid.
Fourth-and-long: WR Torrey Smith will stretch the field and catch some bombs, but he can disappear. DT Bennie Logan took his run-stuffing prowess to Kansas City. Second-rounder Sidney Jones (Achilles) will upgrade the corner position if and when he returns this season.
4. Washington Redskins
Serby Says: 8-8. Kirk Cousins for president, for what it’s worth.
Coach: Jay Gruden
2016 Record: 8-7-1
Over/Under wins: 7.5
Odds to win Super Bowl: 100-1
First-and-goal: Kirk Cousins is the $24 million man thanks to a 54:23 TD:INT ratio the last two seasons. And now he has towering red-zone target WR Terrelle Pryor joining TE Jordan Reed, shifty WR Jamison Crowder and 2016 first-rounder Josh Doctson. Pro Bowlers LT Trent Williams and RG Brandon Scherff lead an offensive line that does honor to the Hogs. OLB Ryan Kerrigan has 20.5 sacks over the last two seasons. CB Josh Norman plans on being Odell Beckham Jr.’s worst nightmare again. Rookies DE Jonathan Allen and LB Ryan Anderson and speedy ex-Bill Zach Brown should upgrade new DC Greg Manusky’s run defense. Crowder is a dangerous punt returner.
Fourth-and-long: RB Rob Kelley has lost weight, which can only help. But rookie RB Samaje Perine will challenge. CB Bashaud Breeland wears a bull’s-eye opposite Norman. OLB Trent Murphy (torn ACL) is out for the year. The 24th-ranked run defense has suffered from the lack of a Sam Huff type at MLB.
NFC North
1. Green Bay Packers
Serby Says: 11-5. J.Lo would appreciate this A-Rod, too.
Coach: Mike McCarthy
2016 Record: 10-6
Over/Under wins: 10.5
Odds to win Super Bowl: 8-1
First-and-goal: QB Aaron Rodgers has a 71:15 TD:INT ratio over the last two seasons. He’ll get over Olivia Munn. WR Jordy Nelson is 32, but was comeback player of the year last season with 97 receptions and 14 TDs. WR Davante Adams (75 catches, 12 TDs) had a breakout sophomore season. WR Randall Cobb’s receptions have dropped from 91 to 79 to 60 the past three years, but McCarthy wants to get him more touches. Imagine what Vince Lombardi would have thought of TE Martellus Bennett. RB Ty Montgomery is a dual threat. Eli Manning can only wish about having tackles like David Bakhtiari and Bryan Bulaga. PK Mason Crosby is clutch. Rex Ryan wanted an enforcer but S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix should have been his 2014 first-round pick instead of Calvin Pryor. LB Clay Matthews is the heart and soul on defense. OLB Nick Perry (11 sacks) keys the pass rush. DE Mike Daniels is No. 84 on the Top 100 list as voted by the players. DE Kenny Clark will step up, replacing Letroy Guion.
Fourth-and-long: GM Ted Thompson made tall CB Kevin King and S Josh Jones his first two draft picks after Matt Ryan abused his secondary in the NFC title game, and CB Sam Shields and Micah Hyde are gone. Matthews and Perry need outside pass rush help. Is there a reliable punter in the house?
2. Minnesota Vikings
Serby Says: 8-8. The Purple People Eaters don’t have enough help to host the Super Bowl.
Coach: Mike Zimmer
2016 Record: 8-8
Over/Under wins: 8.5
Odds to win Super Bowl: 40-1
First-and-goal: QB Sam Bradford (71.6 completion pct., 20 TDs, five INTs) stayed healthy and thrived in a quick-passing offense. Rookie RB Dalvin Cook is a dynamic game-breaker who could soon reduce Latavius Murray to a situational back. WRs Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen are classic overachievers, and no TE was targeted more (132) than Kyle Rudolph. Rookie C Pat Elflein looks like the real deal. The defense is loaded with playmakers: DEs Everson Griffen and Danielle Hunter, DT Linval Joseph, OLB Anthony Barr, ILB Eric Kendricks, S Harrison Smith and CB Xavier Rhodes. Marcus Sherels has five career PR touchdowns.
Fourth-and-long: The OL has been revamped with LT Riley Reiff, RT Mike Remmers and Elflein. CB Terence Newman is 39. Nickel CB Captain Munnerlyn and KR Cordarrelle Patterson need to be replaced. The best thing about PK Kai Forbath for Vikings fans is the fact he isn’t Blair Walsh.
3. Detroit Lions
Serby Says: 8-8. You need more than a franchise quarterback to win a Super Bowl.
Coach: Jim Caldwell
2016 Record: 9-7
Over/Under wins: 7.5
Odds to win Super Bowl: 100-1
First-and-goal: $26 million QB Matthew Stafford (eight fourth-quarter comebacks in 2016) is the NFL’s highest-paid player, certainly a good public relations move in the wake of Calvin Johnson’s public complaints about the franchise. GM Bob Quinn upgraded the offensive line with RG T.J. Lang and RT Ricky Wagner. DT A’Shawn Robinson looks ready to make an impact. CB Darius “Big Play” Slay is legit. Second-round rookie CB Teez Tabor should challenge Nevin Lawson. The safety position is in good hands with Glover Quin, Tavon Wilson and Miles Killebrew. WR Golden Tate can be penciled in for his usual 90 catches and could do his damage in the slot if 6-foot-4 rookie WR Kenny Golladay emerges. TE Eric Ebron needs to improve on seven drops and one TD. RB Ameer Abdullah is over his foot woes and looks like a 1,000-yard back. The kicking game is in good feet with PK Matt Prater and P Sam Martin.
Fourth-and-long: The pass rush has been ailing, and a bounce-back season from DE Ziggy Ansah (two sacks last season) is imperative. Anthony Zettel steps in for DE Kerry Hyder (Achilles). 2016 first-round LT Taylor Decker (shoulder surgery) won’t be back until Halloween at the earliest, and former Rams bust Greg Robinson is a downgrade. The rushing attack ranked 30th last season. WR Marvin Jones has his moments, but not nearly enough to make anyone forget Megatron. Returner Andre Roberts is now a Falcon.
4. Chicago Bears
Serby Says: 5-11. John Fox has a shot to save his job if rookie QB Mitchell Trubisky is lights out when he steals the starting job.
Coach: John Fox
2016 Record: 3-13
Over/Under wins: 5.5
Odds to win Super Bowl: 100-1
First-and-goal: RB Jordan Howard is a 1,300-yard bellcow. TE is loaded with Zach Miller, Dion Sims and rookie Adam Shaheen. DE Akiem Hicks and ILB Jerrell Freeman have a chance to be Monsters of the Midway and OLB Leonard Floyd should be a double-digit sacker if he can stay on the field. Guards Josh Sitton and Kyle Long and C Cody Whitehair make for a pugnacious a rookie interior.
Fourth-and-long: Mike Glennon will be looking over his shoulder at No. 2 overall pick Mitchell Trubisky. WR Cameron Meredith (torn ACL) was a big target coming off a 66-catch season. This means more targets for Kendall Wright and maybe Markus Wheaton. And injury-plagued 2015 first-round WR Kevin White. Tougher sledding for Howard. The secondary has been upgraded (CBs Prince Amukamara and Marcus Cooper and S Quintin Demps), but it will be no match for Rodgers’ Air Force. Maybe CB Kyle Fuller can rebound and rookie S Eddie Jackson can develop quickly. Kicker Connor Barth isn’t a younger Robbie Gould.
NFC South
1. New Orleans Saints
Serby Says: 10-6. One last run for Sean Payton and Drew Brees.
Coach: Sean Payton
2016 Record: 7-9
Over/Under wins: 8
Odds to win Super Bowl: 40-1
First-and-goal: QB Drew Brees is the Tom Brady of the NFC. WR Michael Thomas is the young Marques Colston. RBs Mark Ingram and 32-year-old Adrian Peterson are a nice 1-2 punch. The offensive line is talented and deep, especially if C Max Unger (foot surgery) is all the way back. DE Cameron Jordan had the same number of pressures (79) as Von Miller. DT Sheldon Rankins recorded four sacks in nine games after recovering from a fractured fibula. Rookie OLB Alex Anzalone can cover. First-round CB Marshon Lattimore should fill in for Delvin Breaux. Safeties Kenny Vaccaro and Vonn Bell are a good tandem. DC Dennis Allen enters his second season. Returner Ted Ginn is dangerous. P Thomas Morstead has a leg. One game against the Jets.
Fourth-and-long: Ginn, 32, replaces WR Brandin Cooks. He’s the second option until WR Willie Snead returns from his three-game suspension. Peterson is no longer All Day. A pass-rusher opposite Jordan has yet to be found. DT Nick Fairley (heart) may never play again. New special teams coach Bradford Banta tries to plug a major leak.
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Serby Says: 9-7. The young gunslinger takes the next step.
Coach: Dirk Koetter
2016 Record: 9-7
Over/Under wins: 8.5
Odds to win Super Bowl: 40-1
First-and-goal: QB Jameis Winston has all the weapons he needs now with WRs Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson and TEs Cameron Brate and first-rounder O.J. Howard. Now he’ll cut down on his 18 INTs. If RB Doug Martin returns to form following his three-game suspension, look out. DT Chris Baker adds imposing beef alongside Gerald McCoy, and DE Noah Spence has the look of a double-digit sack artist. Ex-Giant DE Robert Ayers has 15.5 sacks in his past 24 games. OLB Lavonte David and MLB Kwon Alexander do it all, and rookie OLB Kendell Beckwith has flashed potential. CB Brent Grimes is a young 34, and 2016 first-round CB Vernon Hargreaves will snare more than one pick this season. One game against the Jets.
Fourth-and-long: Ali Marpet moves from guard to center and J. R. Sweezy is the new RG, but the rest of the OL remains suspect. Former Jet Nick Folk is the place-kicker.
3. Atlanta Falcons
Serby Says: 9-7. It’s the inevitable Super Bowl hangover.
Coach: Dan Quinn
2016 Record: 11-5
Over/Under wins: 9.5
Odds to win Super Bowl: 14-1
First-and-goal: Matt Ryan pitching and Julio Jones catching and RBs Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman running and catching. WR Mohamed Sanu (59 catches) has sure hands. TE Austin Hooper can be a red-zone weapon. Center Alex Mack anchors a solid offensive line. DE Vic Beasley (15.5 sacks) was the league’s best pass-rusher. New NT Dontari Poe could be their Snacks Harrison. Desmond Trufant is a $68.75 million cornerback. S Keanu Neal is an intimidator. Deion Jones provides speed at linebacker. Matt Bryant is still kicking at 42. Dan Quinn has fostered a brotherhood. One game against the Jets.
Fourth-and-long: OC Steve Sarkisian replaces Kyle Shanahan. Marquand Manuel is the new DC. First-round DE Takk McKinley needs to be Beasley’s partner in crime. Robert Alford steps in for CB Jalen Collins, who will serve a 10-game suspension. RG Chris Chester retired. Returner Andre Roberts replaces Eric Weems.
4. Carolina Panthers
Serby Says: 7-9. Cam Newton needs more help than Christian McCaffrey will be able to provide.
Coach: Ron Rivera
2016 Record: 6-10
Over/Under wins: 9
Odds to win Super Bowl: 30-1
First-and-goal: Cam Newton is Superman when healthy and is looking for a bounce-back season. Greg Olsen is a top-five TE. First-round RB Christian McCaffrey is an elusive game-changer who needs 15 touches a game. Speedy rookie slot receiver Curtis Samuel helps replace Ted Ginn. New LT Matt Kalil joins brother Ryan, a center, and firebrand LG Andrew Norwell. Tackling machine Luke Kuechly and heart-and-soul leader Thomas Davis still anchor new DC Steve Wilks’ defense. DT Kawann Short is an $80 million man for a reason. DE Mario Addison (9.5 sacks) leads the pass rush. CB Captain Munnerlyn returns as the nickel. CB James Bradberry has star potential. One game against the Jets.
Fourth-and-long: Newton had rotator cuff surgery. RB Jonathan Stewart is 30. WR Kelvin Benjamin has battled weight woes and WR Devin Funchess has been a disappointment. OLB/DE Julius Peppers, DE Charles Johnson and S Mike Adams are long in the tooth. GM Dave Gettleman was fired.
NFC West
1. Seattle Seahawks
Serby Says: 10-6. Only if Russell Wilson had the Cowboys’ offensive line.
Coach: Pete Carroll
2016 Record: 10-5-1
Over/Under wins: 10.5
Odds to win Super Bowl: 8-1
First-and-goal: QB Russell Wilson is a gamer, though his passer rating dropped from 110.1 to 92.6 running too often for his life. WR Doug Baldwin has that Steve Smith attitude and TE Jimmy Graham is a red-zone menace. RB Eddie Lacy (yes, Feast Mode) will help if he can keep his weight from ballooning. C Justin Britt has found a home. Safety Earl Thomas’ return from a broken leg means the Legion of Boom returns. DE Michael Bennett is disruptive, DE Cliff Avril a pass-rush threat and the trade for DE Sheldon Richardson gives them an elite defensive line. LB Bobby Wagner is a tackling machine. The 12th Man is loud.
Fourth-and-long: The offensive line remains the Achilles’ heel. Lacy’s waistline remains the same. LT Rees Odhiambo replaces George Fant (knee). Germain Ifedi moves from RG to RT. Rookie nickel CB Shaquill Griffin will be targeted. Kicker Blair Walsh is a downgrade from Steven Hauschka. Returner Tyler Lockett comes back from knee surgery after missing preseason.
2. Arizona Cardinals
Serby Says: 8-8. Last Call for Carson Palmer.
Coach: Bruce Arians
2016 Record: 7-8-1
Over/Under wins: 8.5
Odds to win Super Bowl: 40-1
First-and-goal: RB David Johnson (2,118 all-purpose yards) is the NFC version of Le’Veon Bell. WR Larry Fitzgerald is a 34-year-old marvel. The pass rush looks formidable with Chandler Jones, Markus Golden and first-round pick Haason Reddick. No one throws in CB Patrick Peterson’s direction. Safety Tyrann Mathieu is healthy and ready to be the Honey Badger, and second-round S Budda Baker and S Antoine Bethea can replace Tony Jefferson. ILB Karlos Dansby supplies leadership lost with the free-agent defection of Calais Campbell.
Fourth-and-long: QB Carson Palmer regressed last season and is 37. WR John Brown is a deep threat but he’s been plagued by sickle cell trait. Arians failed to address the cornerback position opposite Peterson. The interior of the offensive line is suspect. Kicker Phil Dawson is an upgrade over Chandler Catanzaro, but that doesn’t mean the kicking game and special-teams woes have been solved.
3. Los Angeles Rams
Serby Says: 5-11. Can Sean McVay be the quarterback whisperer?
Coach: Sean McVay
2016 Record: 4-12
Over/Under wins: 6
Odds to win Super Bowl: 100-1
First-and-goal: DC Wade Phillips is elite. Not to mention DE Aaron Donald, who moves outside in the new 3-4 once he knocks the holdout rust off. OLB Robert Quinn should flourish as the edge rusher. McVay is the youngest head coach in NFL history at 31 and will try to fix QB Jared Goff and RB Todd Gurley. WR Sammy Watkins was drafted ahead of Odell Beckham Jr., now only if he can stay on the field. LT Andrew Whitworth is still a blindside protector at 35. TE Tyler Higbee is a 6-foot-6 target and rookie TE Gerald Everett is athletic and confident Jordan Reed and Vernon Davis have nothing on him. MLB Alec Ogletree recorded a career-high 137 tackles last season. Punter Johnny Hekker is a weapon.
Fourth-and-long: Goff resembled nothing close to the first overall pick of the 2016 draft, not to mention No. 2 pick Carson Wentz. Diminutive WR Tavon Austin has been little more than a gimmick. CB Trumaine Johnson is the class of an iffy secondary. He had the only interception in the defensive backfield last season. CB Lamarcus Joyner has been moved to safety.
4. San Francisco 49ers
Serby Says: 4-12. Boy, would they welcome Kirk Cousins with open arms!
Coach: Kyle Shanahan
2016 Record: 2-14
Over/Under wins: 5
Odds to win Super Bowl: 300-1
First-and-goal: Shanahan can coordinate an offense. WR Pierre Garcon could catch 100 balls. FB Kyle Juszczyk is the $21 million safety valve. LT Joe Staley and LG Zane Beadles anchor the offensive line. The defensive line has talent: first-round picks Arik Armstead, DeForest Buckner and Solomon Thomas, and war-horse pass rusher Elvis Dumervil and slimmer Tank Carradine. Aaron Lynch can rush the passer. A healthy NaVorro Bowman and first-round pick Reuben Foster would be a boon to the run defense. Eric Reid moves from FS to SS.
Fourth-and-long: Brian Hoyer is a journeyman quarterback. RB Carlos Hyde has had durability issues and may not be a fit in Shanahan’s zone blocking scheme. The receivers are mostly munchkins. The tight-end group has no Brent Jones. RG Joshua Garnett (knee) was lost for the season. New DC Robert Saleh has so many moving parts for his attacking 4-3. The cornerback position should make him nervous. He inherits the worst total defense and worst rushing defense in the league.