December is approaching and it’s time for teams to either make a playoff push or tank for a better draft pick. Here’s a look at every team’s biggest need heading into the final month of the regular season.
NFC West
San Francisco 49ers (10-1)
This is the Niners’ year to win it all. With loads of young talent, a star emerging in Jimmy Garoppolo, and excellent coaching from Kyle Shanahan. It would be a shame to only get a wild card spot in the playoffs with such a good record. They need to stay healthy and continue to dominate teams on defense to secure a bye in the playoffs. Niners fans should feel very confident this season.
Need: Stay healthy
Seattle Seahawks (9-2)
The Seahawks aren’t in a bad position especially with the tiebreaker win over the 49ers. Russell Wilson has slowed down after a hot start to the year, but remember that he is the King of December. The Seahawks are 21-4 in the month of December since drafting Wilson. They need their defense to step up late in the season and win in Week 17 against the 49ers once again. If they can do both of these, they will be a favorite to win the Super Bowl.
Need: Beat the Niners in week 17
Los Angeles Rams (6-5)
The Rams’ loss to the Ravens this past Monday has squashed their chances at the playoffs. The acquisition of Jalen Ramsey may come back to hurt them because they will be paying most of their cap space to Todd Gurley, Aaron Donald, and Ramsey. For this reason, the Rams need to draft well and sign some better role players. More importantly, Sean McVay needs to find a way to make Jared Goff work as the franchise quarterback, since they have already paid him a huge contract.
Need: Make Jared Goff work in the Rams’ system
Arizona Cardinals (3-7-1)
The Cardinals found a quarterback in Kyler Murray. They have just struggled to get anything going on offense and have been carved up by every opponent they’ve faced. Another high draft pick and a solid free agency could go along way, however, they are in the toughest division in the NFC, so another year or two of rebuilding is the best call.
Need: Acquire more talent this offseason
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys (6-5)
Dak Prescott leads the NFL in passing yards through 11 weeks and Ezekiel Elliott and Amari Cooper are both heading towards 1,000-yard seasons. They have all of the weapons on both sides of the football. The one problem is the coaching. Jason Garrett should have been fired years ago. The Cowboys need to let him go and find someone else who can use the young stars more effectively.
Need: Fire Jason Garrett
Philadelphia Eagles (5-6)
The Eagles are once again the most banged-up team in the league, losing defensive backs and wide receivers left and right. Carson Wentz has looked awful, but that may be due to the struggling offensive line. Without any injuries, their offense is one of the best in the NFC, but their defense needs some work. They should look to sign some key defensive players this offseason.
Need: Sign some defensive studs
New York Giants (2-9)
The Giants’ hot start to the year has been squandered with seven straight losses. Daniel Jones seems to be a good fit for the franchise and they have young stars in Saquon Barkley and Evan Engram. With a bunch of high draft picks this upcoming offseason, they need to win the draft and build around their weapons.
Need: Win the upcoming draft
Washington Redskins (2-9)
This is not the Redskins’ year as many people already know, but they aren’t in the worst position. They have a lot of young talent and the chance at a very high draft pick. They need to strengthen their two rookies, Dwayne Haskins and Terry McLaurin, because the two have a lot of potential going forward.
Need: Build around Dwayne Haskins and Terry McLaurin
NFC North
Green Bay Packers (8-3)
Aaron Rodgers is putting together another phenomenal year and star running back Aaron Jones has been sensational so far. With a much-improved defense from last season and the weapons on both sides of the ball needed to make a deep playoff run, the Packers will be a Super Bowl favorite this year. All they need to do is protect Rodgers better to avoid drive-killing sacks and potential injuries to one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history.
Need: Protect Aaron Rodgers
Minnesota Vikings (8-3)
The Vikings are finally getting what they paid for in Kirk Cousins. Their offense is extremely hard to stop thanks to key players Adam Thielen, Stefon Diggs, and Dalvin Cook. To make it far in the playoffs, however, they need to keep Cook healthy, as he is injury prone. They are most effective when running play-action and opening up big chunk play opportunities.
Need: Keep Dalvin Cook healthy
Chicago Bears (5-6)
After an exciting playoff appearance last season and an elite defensive showing week in and week out, the Bears have fallen apart in 2019. It is beginning to look like the Raiders won the Khalil Mack trade and Mitchell Trubisky is the worst passer I have ever seen. They have the defense to win a championship but they need to improve on the offensive end.
Need: Move on from Mitch Trubisky
Detroit Lions (3-7-1)
The Lions had some hope heading into the season, especially after the near-upset over the Chiefs. But, it isn’t the right time for a Super Bowl push due to the lack of defense and the strength of the NFC North division. Similar to other teams on this list, they need to improve their defense as it is one of the worst in the league.
Need: Improve defensively
NFC South
New Orleans Saints (9-2)
The Saints have the best quarterback duo in Drew Brees and Teddy Bridgewater. It is unfortunate that this will leave them with a tricky decision next season. Do they re-sign Bridgewater and let potential Hall of Famer, Drew Brees, slide or do they keep Brees and lose one of the best up and coming quarterbacks in the league? I know Sean Payton won’t have the guts, but the Saints need to keep Teddy Bridgewater. He’s the future in New Orleans and will give them the best shot at a Super Bowl in the coming years.
Need: Re-sign Teddy Bridgewater
Carolina Panthers (5-6)
Christian McCaffrey has single-handedly carried the Panthers to a decent record this season. He is a once-in-a-decade player and must be paid this offseason. With that being said, the Panthers need to decide between Kyle Allen and Cam Newton for the starting quarterback spot. In my opinion, the Panthers should deal Newton for a high draft pick and roll out Allen in 2020. They are not in total rebuild mode, but it is not the right time to make a Super Bowl push.
Need: Trade Cam Newton
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7)
For the Bucs, Jameis Winston’s 20 interceptions lead the NFL, they have a messy backfield as Bruce Arians changes the starter each and every week, and their defense is atrocious. While they won’t get a super good draft pick, they need to improve on the defensive end. A better defense and coaching staff could go a long way for next season, especially in a weaker division. They need to fire Bruce Arians and find some good talent in the draft.
Need: Fire Bruce Arians
Atlanta Falcons (3-8)
The Falcons have looked terrible on the defensive end. However, at the same time, Matt Ryan is getting old. They need to have an excellent draft to get some younger stars for their struggling defense. If they can find a new face of the franchise at quarterback, they should go for it, even though Matt Ryan has a few good years left in his tank. Falcons fans, it’s officially rebuilding time.
Need: Rebuild defensively
