There seems to be a consensus among NFL experts and fans that the Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks, Carolina Panthers and Green Bay Packers are the NFC's four best teams heading into the 2016 season.
But in an interview with ABC15's Craig Fouhy, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald said the list of NFC teams with a legitimate chance to reach Super Bowl LI in Houston goes beyond those four, including the team for which he was once a ball boy.
"I really like the Minnesota Vikings. Coach Zimmer has done a great job with that group up there," the nine-time Pro Bowler said. "That's gonna be a tough, full, contested NFC North."
Fitz also listed three NFC East teams that could be in the running to represent the conference at the Super Bowl.
"If Tony Romo is able to stay healthy in Dallas, I like the Cowboys," he said. "The Cowboys have a lot of talent. That offensive line is unbelievable.
"With the Giants drafting the young kid out of Oklahoma (wide receiver Sterling Shepard), bringing back Victor Cruz, and Odell Beckham, that's going to be a really good team coming out of there.
"The Washington Redskins are good. They'll be solid, too."
The Cardinals had a franchise-best 13-3 regular-season record in 2015 and advanced to their second NFC Championship game in franchise history before being routed by the Panthers with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line.
But before the Cards earn a shot at redemption, they'll have to contend with the Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams in the NFC West. The Cards won the division last season, but Fitz said repeating won't be easy.
"Obviously the Seahawks are going to be right there," he said. "I think San Francisco's going to be in the mix, and obviously (Los Angeles) with that first-round draft pick (quarterback Jared Goff) and that outstanding defense is going to be very tough."
