5 NFL teams primed to clinch the NFC in 2023 season ft. Cowboys

Modified Jul 06, 2023 10:37 GMT

The San Francisco 49ers look to be the only NFC team that can challenge the potential hegemony of the East's Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles

#5. Minnesota Vikings

Dalvin Cook represents a major loss for the Minnesota Vikings

Last year, the Minnesota Vikings clinched the NFC North title at 13-4, but upon closer inspection, that record is arguably not that impressive: as only two of those wins came by more than one score. Furthermore, all their losses were by at least two scores.

They also had to come back from an 0-33 deficit against the normally hapless Indianapolis Colts in Week 15, the biggest overturned lead in NFL history.

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Their roster, especially their offense, has now taken a sizable hit. A pair of former Pro Bowlers in wide receiver Adam Thielen and running back Dalvin Cook are gone, with the former joining Bryce Young and the burgeoning Carolina Panthers.

This leaves an aging Kirk Cousins with only Justin Jefferson and TJ Hockenson as his credible offensive options.