Your 2020 NFL Team Guide... NFC (National Football Conference)

Are you finally looking to take the leap into full football fandom? While it wouldn't be right for us to pick your team for you, we can give you some basic information to serve as a foundation for your new found football passion. From stadiums and head coaches to the need to know vocabulary for each team, we are ready to help! Here is a brief look into each team on the most basic and need to know level.

First up, the NFC North....

Green Bay Packers

Lambeau Field aka “The Frozen Tundra”

Head Coach: Matt LeFleur

Quarterback: Aaron Rodgers

Team Nickname: The Pack

Fanbase Name: Cheese Heads, Go Pack Go

Names to Know

Offense:

Aaron Rodgers- QB

Davonte Adams- WR

Aaron Jones- RB

Devin Funchess- WR

Defense:

Za’Darious Smith-OLB

Jaire Alexander- CB

Storylines: While the Packers did make it all the way to the NFC Title game, they promptly had their Super Bowl dreams stomped out by the San Francisco 49ers. While Aaron Rodgers is nearing the end half of his career, the Pack is hoping to make another run at a possible title this season.

Chicago Bears

Soldier Field

Head Coach: Matt Nagy

Quarterback: Mitch Trubisky

Team Nickname: Da Bears

Names to Know

Offense:

Mitch Trubisky- QB

Jimmy Graham- TE

Allen Robinson II- WR

Cordarelle Patterson-WR

Defense:

Akiem Hicks- DE

Khalil Mack- OLB

Roquan Smith-ILB

Storylines: After struggling the last few years, the Bears are hoping that quarterback Mitch Trubisky can show a bit more consistency this season and help get the Chicago Bears back on the map. After being named the starter over former Super Bowl MVP and veteran quarterback Nick Foles, this is a season where Trubisky needs to step up and prove himself to keep the starting job.

Minnesota Vikings

U. S. Bank Stadium

Head Coach: Mike Zimmer

Quarterback: Kirk Cousins

Team Nickname: Vikes

Fan Chant: SKOL

Names to Know

Offense:

Kirk Cousins-QB

Dalvin Cook- RB

Kyle Rudolph- TE

Adam Thielen- WR

Defense:

Danielle Hunter- DE

Anthony Barr- OLB

Anthony Harris- SS

Dan Bailey- K

Storylines: After a promising season last year and a glimpse of hope in the playoffs, the Vikings crumbled in round two of the playoffs. Losing wide receiver Stefan Diggs to the Bills this offseason, the Vikings need to start this season off strong in order to make another post season run.

Detroit Lions

Ford Field

Head Coach: Matt Patricia

Quarterback: Matthew Stafford

Team Nickname: The Leos

Names to Know

Offense:

Matthew Stafford- QB

Adrian Peterson-RB

Kenny Golladay- WR

Danny Amendola- WR

Defense:

Trey Flowers- DE

Jeff Okuadah- CB

Desmon Trufant-CB

Storylines: Since Matt Patricia took over as the head coach 3 years ago, he hasn’t had much luck. With an off season pick up of veteran RB Adrian Peterson, Patricia and the Lions are hoping to make this season a winning one. If quarterback Matthew Stafford can stay healthy, they have a great shot at turning the division upside down.

Next up, the NFC South...

New Orleans Saints

Mercedes-Benz Superdome aka “The Dome”

Head Coach: Sean Payton

Quarterback: Drew Brees

Team Nickname: NOLA

Fanbase Name: Who Dat Nation

Names to Know

Offense:

Drew Brees- QB

Michael Thomas- WR

Alvin Kamara- RB

Emmanuel Sanders- WR

Defense:

Cameron Jordan- DE

Demario Davis- OLB

Malcom Jenkins- FS

Storylines: After missing out on a shot at the Super Bowl last year in a heartbreaking fashion for the second year in a row, the Saints have done all they can to make a run at the Super Bowl before Drew Brees retires. With Brees signing a 2 year deal in the offseason, the window for the Saints to win a championship is closing, but this year they are one of the top favorites to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Raymond James Stadium

Head Coach: Bruce Arians

Quarterback: Tom Brady

Team Nicknames: TB, Bucs

Names to Know

Offense:

Tom Brady- QB

Rob “Gronk” Gronkowski- TE

Leonard Fournette- RB

Mike Evans- WR

Chris Godwin- WR

Defense:

Ndamukong Suh- DT

Jason “JPP” Pierre-Paul- OLB

Shaquil Barrett-OLB

Storylines: Perhaps making the most waves in their off season, the Bucs picked up both Tom Brady and Gronk. After ending last season with 7 wins and 9 losses, the Bucs are poised to shake up the NFC South and fight for that division title.

Atlanta Falcons

Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Head Coach: Dan Quinn

Quarterback: Matt Ryan

Team Nicknames: ATL, Dirty Birds

Fan Lingo: Rise Up, In Brotherhood

Names to know

Offense:

Matt Ryan- QB

Julio Jones- WR

Todd Gurley-RB

Calvin Ridley- WR

Defense:

Dante Fowler Jr.-DE

Isaiah Oliver-CB

Storylines: With a huge pick up of Todd Gurley in the offseason after he was released by the Los Angeles Rams, the Falcons are trying to see the playoffs for the first time in 3 seasons. With Matt Ryan and Julio Jones getting older, Atlanta needs to capitalize on their talent this season and make a run for the division title.

Carolina Panthers

Bank of America Stadium aka “The Vault”

Head Coach: Matt Rhule

Quarterback: Teddy Bridgewater

Team Nicknames: Cats

Fanbase Vocab: Panther Nation, Keep Pounding

Names to Know

Offense:

Teddy Bridgewater- QB

Christian McCaffrey- RB

Russell Okung- LT

Curtis Samuel- WR

Defense:

Tre Boston-FS

Donte Jackson-CB

Storylines: While some might consider this a rebuilding year for the Panthers, All Star running back Christian McCaffrey is the cornerstone of this team. Perhaps the top running back in the league, McCaffrey is young and extremely talented. With first year head coach Matt Rhule at the helms and Teddy Bridgewater as their new quarterback after releasing long time QB Cam Newton, the Panthers hope to prove everyone wrong this season.

Next, we have the NFC East...

Dallas Cowboys

AT & T Stadium aka “Jerry World”

Head Coach: Mike McCarthy

Quarterback: Dak Prescott

Team Nickname: The Boys, America’s Team

Fan Vocab: Silver and Blue

Names to Know

Offense:

Dak Prescott- QB

Ezekiel “Zeke” Elliott- RB

CeeDee Lamb- WR

Amari Cooper- WR

Defense:

Gerald McCoy- DT

DeMarcus Lawrence- DE

Xavier Woods- FS

Leighton Vander Esch- OLB

Storylines: The Cowboys broke even last season with an 8-8 record, but after a good draft and some offseason pick ups, Dallas is ready to get back to their winning ways of the past. They also have a brand new head coach in Mike McCarthy who is hoping to bring a fresh start and get the team back to the playoffs.

Philadelphia Eagles

Lincoln Financial Field

Head Coach: Dough Pederson

Quarterback: Carson Wentz

Team Nickname: The Birds, Philly

Fan Vocab: Philly Special, Fly Eagles Fly, E-A-G-L-E-S

Names to Know

Offense:

Carson Wentz- QB

Miles Sanders- RB

Jason Kelce- C

Zach Ertz- TE

DeSean Jackson-WR

Defense:

Fletcher Cox- DT

Darius Slay- CB

N. Robey-Coleman-NB

Storylines: After big time struggles with injuries last season, the Eagles are looking to bounce back this season with a younger and more dynamic receiving core. Aiming for a 4th straight year of playoff action, the Eagles are determined to maintain and healthy roster and be able to perform this season.

New York Giants

MetLife Stadium aka “The Meadowlands”

Head Coach: Joe Judge

Quarterback: Daniel Jones

Team Nickname: The Big G

Fan Vocab: Giants Pride

Names to Know

Offense:

Daniel Jones- QB

Saquon Barkley-RB

Evan Engram-TE

Sterling Shepard- WR

Golden Tate-WR

Darius Slayton- WR

Defense:

DeAndre Baker-CB

Xavier McKinney-FS

Jabrill Peppers- SS

Storylines: After a few years of struggle, the Giants are looking to second year quarterback Daniel Jones to take the reins and take charge this season. With a core of veteran receivers and super star running back Saquon Barkley, the NYG are hoping they can capitalize on their current talent.

The Washington Football Team

FedExField

Head Coach: Ron Rivera

Quarterback: Dwayne Haskins

Fan Lingo: HTTR

Names to Know

Offense:

Dwayne Haskins- QB

Alex Smith- QB

Terry McLaurin-WR

Kelvin Harmon-WR

Defense:

Chase Young- DE

Jon Bostic-MLB

Kendall Fuller- CB

Landon Collins- SS

Storylines: With a new head coach and a new team name pending, The Washington Football Team is looking to rebuild their image and their play. While some see this year as a rebuilding year, Ron Rivera is optimistic that we will help guid them to more wins that ever. With the draft pick of Chase Young this year, a very promising pass rusher, they are hoping he can jump start a defensive transformation as well.

Last, but not least, the NFC West...

San Francisco 49ers

Levi’s Stadium aka “The Home of the Faithful”

Head Coach: Kyle Shanahan

Quarterback: Jimmy Garoppolo

Team Nicknames: The Niners

Fanbase Name: The Faithful, Niner Empire, The Bay

Names to Know

Offense:

Jimmy Garoppolo- QB

George Kittle- TE

Raheem Mostert- RB

Trent Williams- LT

Defense:

Nick Bosa- DE

Arik Armstead- DE

Fred Warner- MLB

Richard Sherman- CB

Storylines: After a gut-wrenching loss in the Super Bowl at the hands of the Kansas City Chiefs, the Niners are back with a vengeance. With their sights set on a repeat appearance in the big game, the team was not only able to keep their main players in the Bay, but they made some key additions, adding veteran tackle Trent Williams and some promising draft picks.

Seattle Seahawks

CenturyLink Field aka “The Clink”

Head Coach: Pete Carroll

Quarterback: Russell Wilson

Team Nicknames: The Hawks

Team Lingo: 12th Man

Names to Know

Offense:

Russell Wilson- QB

Chris Carson- RB

Greg Olsen- TE

Tyler Lockett- WR

DK Metcalf- WR

Defense:

Jamal Adams- S

Quandre Diggs- SS

Bobby Wagner- MLB

Storylines: After a great season last year, the Seahawks still manager to just miss a spot in the NFC title game. With the huge addition of Jamal Adams to their defense, Seattle is trying to build a defense that matches their powerhouse offense. They also managed to pick up veteran tight end Greg Olsen to give Russell Wilson another reliable target on the other side of the ball.

Arizona Cardinals

State Farm Stadium

Head Coach: Kliff Kingsbury

Quarterback: Kyler Murray

Team Nickname: The Birds, Cards

Team Lingo: The Red Zone

Names to Know

Offense:

Kyler Murray-QB

DeAndre Hopkins- WR

Larry Fitzgerald- WR

Christian Kirk- WR

Kenyan Drake- RB

Defense:

Corey Peters- DE

Chandler Jones- OLB

Budda Baker- FS

Storylines: With Kyler Murray, the reining Offensive Rookie of the Year at quarterback and the lineup of veteran wide receivers, the Cardinals are looking to have a break through season. The huge addition of DeAndre Hopkins at WR will be a game changer for the Cards. Along with veteran WR Larry Fitzgerald and a stellar group of guys on defense, the Cardinals are hoping to shake up the NFC West this season and make it to the post season.

Los Angeles Rams

SoFI Stadium

Head Coach: Sean McVay

Quarterback: Jared Goff

Team Lingo: Whose House?

Names to Know

Offense:

Jared Goff- QB

Cam Akers- RB

Cooper Kupp- WR

Robert Woods-WR

Defense:

Aaron Donald- DT

Jalen Ramsey- CB

Storylines: Despite a 9-7 record last season, the Rams failed to reach the playoffs in such a competitive division. With the release of former #1 running back Todd Gurley in the offseason, the Rams will need their offense to step up this season if they want to see a playoff berth. Despite offensive struggles, the Rams have both Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey on the defensive side of the ball, both major playmakers who are able to turn any game into a close one.