With the first NFL game set to kick off tonight, what better way then to start the season by setting some predictions for the season. After an offseason filled with change it feels like there is more parity coming into this season. With any NFL season there is always some unpredictability that we didn’t see coming. What can we expect heading into the brand new NFL season?
NFC EAST:
Yes I know Tony Romo is hurt again. Yes I know the Cowboy defense is far from dominant. The thing that matters is Dallas has the most dominant offensive line and maybe best defensive line in the division. Rookie Dak Prescott will be just fine for the first however many games that Romo misses. This team will burn the clock and rely on that power run game. The defense will be good enough as Rod Marinelli will dial up some blitzes to set DeMarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory loose. Byron Jones also looks like an all pro safety in the making
Washington won the division a year ago but let’s face it their ceiling isn’t much higher. The division was a dumpster fire a year ago and should at least be a tad improved this year. I have the Skins just missing the final wild card spot in the end. Washington will return much of the same team from a year ago and will probably end up with 8-10 wins.
This is a team that may end up actually shocking some people despite pulling off a bunch of trades in order to rebuild the franchise. Carson Wentz looks like the real deal but the adjustment to the pros could take time. The defense should also be better under Jim Scwartz. The Eagles are moving in the right direction but it will take some time to be playoff worthy again.
I actually tend to think the Giants may actually end up being a disaster this year. I am not a believer in the new head coaching hire of Ben McAdoo. New York was busy in free agency but their defense is still a mess. It is possible Eli Manning could right the ship but I just don’t have a good feeling about this team.
NFC NORTH:
Originally before the Teddy Bridgewater injury I had the Vikings picked the win the NFC North. Now it looks pretty clear that Green Bay could run away with it. Green Bay easily has the best offense in the division. Guys like Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Clay Mathews will keep the Packers defense above average. This one seems pretty easy.
The Vikings probably have the best roster in the league. The problem is now they have undergone a huge quarterback change. Sam Bradford probably takes at least 2 wins away from this team. Mike Zimmer is a bright head coach and has a great offensive coordinator to help. I just worry about Bradford. No playoffs for Minnesota this year.
The Lions are not a great football team and will probably have around 4-7 wins. This roster is not great talent wise. The offense will likely have good offensive numbers with Stafford airing it out but they will likely be behind in a ton of games.
No team has looked worse this preseason. The Bears offense looks completely lost and their defense is not great. There isn’t much more to say the bottom of this division isn’t great.
NFC South:
The Panthers went 15-1 last year and probably have the best odds of any division winner to repeat. The rest of the division simply isn’t on this level.
The Falcons get the 2nd wildcard in my predictions. It’s been a long time since Matt Ryan has played in the postseason and it just feels like it is his time to shine again. Julio Jones finally gets some help with Mohamed Sanu and others. The defense should also be better in year two with Dan Quinn.
I think Tampa Bay is a sleeper team to watch with Jameis Winston continuing to improve. I am wary of the new coaching change but Tampa should be better. The defense also added a very nice draft class with Vernon Hargreaves and Noah Spence.
I like what the Saints did this offseason but their defense is still terrible. Michael Thomas will be a nice piece in the offense. The Saints do still have Drew Brees but this roster is still horrendous.
NFC West:
Seattle looks like they will be playing with an edge this season. They underachieved a year ago and will bounce back strong. This Seahawk team will look to throw the ball more. Seattle’s defense is still always good with a helpful home field.
This Cardinal team is loaded but I still have trust issues with Carson Palmer. Head coach Bruce Arians always has a great offense but I still don’t think Palmer will be able to top the the Seahawks momentum. It will be interesting to see who will have the better defense between these top two teams.
The Rams have a great defense but their new home in LA still is a mystery to me. Will they be a worse home team now that they are away from the dome. Case Keenum isn’t a bad option to get this team to .500. The defense also has some big time talent with Aaron Donald and Alec Ogletree.
This team is a mess. The Kaepernick thing has become a big distraction for the team. Regardless this team is starting Blaine Gabbert and general manager Trent Baalke has built a bad roster.
AFC EAST:
The Patriots will still win the division despite missing Brady for a few games. Don’t buy into the hype of the other teams in the division. There isn’t much more to say, they are the classiest organization in the league.
The Jets have a great defense that will carry them the way to a possible playoff spot. I have them missing the playoffs however I can’t trust another Fitz magic season. The Jets old core of Brandon Marshall, Matt Forte, and Eric Decker need to stay productive.
Originally I was not an Adam Gase believer but quarterback Ryan Tannehill looks a lot more better this preseason. They also should be much improved on offense with a nice core of Jarvis Landry, DeVante Parker, Jay Ajayi, and a better offensive line. The defense on the other hand appears average and will limit their ceiling.
I think the fire Rex Ryan campaign will start to come in this season. Tyrod Taylor just got paid and the rest of their team has some problems (Marcel Dareus suspended, Reggie Ragland out for season). They also had some cap problems this offseason and didn’t improve their roster at all.
AFC North:
The Steelers are the most trust worthy team in the division. They have good leadership with Mike Tomlin and did some nice things in the draft. Once Le’Veon Bell comes back, I think the team will take off. Regardless this team is probably a lock for the playoffs.
The Bengals have a great roster but the story is always the same with this team. A great regular season team that chokes come playoff time. Cincy gets a wild card here.
Yes I am taking the Browns for 3rd. I think RG3 is in for a resurgent year. Hue Jackson appears to be a perfect fit for him. The Browns defense isn’t the best but they still have a pretty good offensive line and nice weapon out of the backfield in Duke Johnson.
This Raven team is bad. Forget the sleeper mantra, This team is down right terrible. Having Terrell Suggs and Joe Flacco back helps but there isn’t a whole lot of talent on this team. The Ravens are banking on 38 year old Steve Smith to be their savior. That is all you need to know.
AFC South:
The Jags are my sleeper team to win the division. I am a believer in Blake Bortles and think he could really take off with more talent on the roster. The best draft class in football also belongs to Jacksonville. I have a big gut feeling on this one especially with the rest of the division being below average.
Andrew Luck is back and he is going to carry this team. I have the Colts pegged at around 9 wins or so just missing the playoffs. Indy’s offense should be good while their defense will be just as bad.
The Texans have a one of the best head coaches in the league with Bill O’Brien. It is remarkable what that team did a year ago with Brandon Weeden. This year they have Brock Osweiler but I don’t think it will be enough. The Texans defense is probably the best in the division but will be missing their leader J.J. Watt for a period of time.
The only positive about the Titans this year is Derrick Henry’s fantasy outlook. Teams started to figure out Marcus Mariota towards the end of last year and isn’t a franchise quarterback. Head man Mike Mularkey also has a terrifying record as a head coach and seems destined to get fired midway through the season.
AFC WEST:
I am all over the Raiders bandwagon this season. This roster is packed with talent and could become an offensive powerhouse with Derrick Carr and Amari Cooper. They also have the best defensive player in football with Khalil Mack (YES I SAID IT). No team improved more especially during free agency.
KC gets the last wildcard spot to return to the playoffs. One can never bet against an Andy Reid coached team. Jamaal Charles is back who has never averaged under 5 yards per carry in any season. KC also has some nice play-makers on defense including Marcus Peters and Dontari Poe. Trust Andy Reid they will be back.
This team will probably end up with around 6 wins this season. Sure the defense is very good, but their offense could be extremely bad. At least Peyton Manning last year good read the defense and make proper play calls. Trevor Siemian was a nobody in college and probably will not play well in the pros either. It could be Paxton Lynch time sooner than later.
This is probably the worst team in the NFL. The only thing that will keep them afloat is the play from Philip Rivers. Mike McCoy is probably a good bet for the first coach to be fired. They also whiffed big time on draft day selecting Joey Bosa as he looks like a bust in the making just as I predicted back in March.
Super Bowl Prediction:
New England Patriots defeat Green Bay Packers
I have the Packers defeating the Cardinals to advance to the Super Bowl while the Pats beat the Steelers to advance. It is a Rodgers vs. Brady show down where Tom gets his 5th and record Super Bowl ring cementing himself as one of the greatest ever. I just tend to think he will be awfully motivated and fresh getting 4 games off. Green Bay looks to have a challenge ahead of them however as Seattle and Carolina are also championship contenders.
