Things were looking a little murky for the Patriots regarding Brady's previous suspension over "deflategate", but after it got overturned by the courts, the Pats are looking better than ever. The Bills should also be a team to watch, as Rex Ryan takes the reigns. They may still have QB issues, as Tyrod Taylor is now taking over, but they were able to get RB Lesean McCoy from the Eagles. The Dolphins could be a surprise team, as Ryan Tannehill is finally starting to step into his own, and the Jets...well....they're the Jets. At the very least their defense should be improved under new coach Todd Bowles.
1) Patriots (13-3)
2) Bills (10-6)
3) Dolphins (7-9)
4) Jets (5-11)
No surprise here, the Pats should be motivated with all of the offseason noise, but don't count out the Bills for a wildcard slot.
The Chiefs will be looking for avast improvement from their WRs when it comes to the Redzone this year. The up and down Chargers will be interesting to watch, however for the start Philip Rivers will be without TE Antonio Gates. Jack Del Rio is back in the coaching ranks with the Raiders, who are slowly but surely starting to build up a base with young QB Derek Carr. Carr should be helped out by a WR corps including Michael Crabtree and rookie Amari Cooper. What more can be said about the Broncos? When it comes to the regular season, Peyton Manning is among the best in the game....but its when the postseason comes around that he runs into problems.
1) Broncos (12-4)
2) Chiefs (10-6)
3) Chargers (9-7)
4) Raiders (4-12)
Like in years past, the Chiefs should make for a tough opponent, but I see the Broncos again being division champs.
The Bengals are a great, but inconsistent team at times. They should be a fairly solid defensive team, but the wildcard, as always is QB Andy Dalton. The Ravens are very much the same. How good is Joe Flacco? At times he's an aerial threat...and at others he looks absolutely lost. The Steelers' problems come from one side of the ball...defense,defense,defense. With LeBeau out and Butler in as coordinator, how will they look? The offense of Big Ben, Brown, and Bell (who will miss the first couple of games due to suspension) can carry the load, but they'll need support. And what can be said about the Browns? In just his sophomore year, it'll be a make or break season for Johnny Manziel.
1) Steelers (11-5)
2) Bengals (10-6)
3) Ravens (8-8)
4) Browns (3-13)
This should be a 3-horse race, much like last year, but I think the Steelers offense puts them a little bit over the top.
This division is fairly top heavy with the Colts and Texans. With the additions of WR Andre Johnson and RB Frank Gore, QB Andrew Luck has more weapons than ever. Could now be the time? The Texans will look to build on last year's rebound, however they're still looking for that franchise QB. The Titans will enter the Marcus Mariota era, and Blake Bortles will enter his 2nd year with the Jaguars. The Jaguars could be better than they appear.
1) Colts (12-4)
2) Texans (8-8)
3) Jaguars (6-10)
4) Titans (5-11)
This would be different if the Texans had a reliable QB, but I just can't see a way how the Colts don't win this division.
Playoff Teams:
1) Patriots
2) Colts
3) Broncos
4) Steelers
5) Bills
6) Bengals
AFC Wildcard Rd:
Bengals vs. Broncos
Once again, Andy Dalton makes it to the playoffs, however much like before, I think its a 1 and done deal. Broncos.
Bills vs. Steelers
The Bills playoff drought finally ends, as their defense is able to do enough to get that wildcard slot. However, the lack of a franchise QB gives this to the Steel City. Steelers.
AFC Divisional Rd:
Steelers vs. Patriots
When it comes to the playoffs, the Steelers and Patriots have a pretty long history, dating back to the Kordell Stewart-era. This time in Foxborough, New England comes out on top. Patriots
Broncos vs. Colts
This will make for a storyline, with Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck meeting in the playoffs. They seem fairly even teams, but the homefield edge gives this to Indy. Colts.
AFC Championship:
Colts vs. Patriots
Normally, a playoff game, especially one of this magnitude in New England would mean a certain win for the Pats. However, I think last year's playoff loss will leave a bitter taste in the Colts' mouth, and they'll be looking for revenge. Colts
It always seems like its going to be the Cowboys' year, and this season its no different. Their defense has gradually improved, however on the other side they'll be missing RB DeMarco Murray. The Eagles will look radically different after a lot of players shuffling in and out, including at RB as Murray will be taking over for McCoy. Besides the Jason-Pierre Paul saga, you never know what you're getting from the Giants. They seem to always be wildly inconsistent recently. As for Washington, it looks like Kirk Cousins will get his chance again at the starter role, as RG3 will be the back-up. How big of a mess will this team be?
1) Cowboys (11-5)
2) Eagles (10-6)
3) Giants (8-8)
4) Washington (5-11)
With a committee like style at RB, I think Tony Romo will have one of his best seasons yet.
The Seahawks seem like a safe bet to make the playoffs now, and they recently added RB Fred Jackson to go along with 'Beast Mode'. The X-factor for the Cardinals will be the health of QB Carson Palmer. If he can have a healthy season, then the Cardinals could be sure-fire contenders. The 49ers had a mass-exodus of players leave, on-top of Coach John Harbaugh. The Rams could be a dark-horse playoff team, considering they added QB Nick Foles. He may be the QB to finally provide the Rams with what they need.
1) Seahawks (11-5)
2) Rams (9-7)
3) Cardinals (9-7)
4) 49ers (6-10)
It may be a safe pick, but with last year's super bowl loss still on their mind, I think the Seahawks will come out motivated to start the season.
The Packers look like a force as always, especially with how RB Eddie Lacy started to turn it on last year. The Bears look like a potential mess, as their defense is still in re-build mode, and they have serious questions at the QB position with Jay Cutler. The Lions can also be a dangerous team with QB Matthew Stafford and WR Calvin Johnson, along with RBs Ameer Abdullah and Joique Bell. But can the Lions be as good on the field as they are on paper? And the Vikings running game should be energized with Adrian Peterson returning, which should help out 2nd year QB Teddy Bridgewater
1) Packers (11-5)
2) Lions (10-6)
3) Vikings (10-6)
4) Bears (5-11)
Another fairly safe pick, but I like the Packers to take the division, although they'll have more competition than most believe.
The clock is ticking on Falcons' QB Matt Ryan to show he's a top-tier player. For the Panthers, while QB Cam Newton is a natural talent, he lacked offensive targets and protection last year. Will things be different this season? Time may be running out on Saints' QB Drew Brees, and their defense is already suffering from injuries before the season begins. The Bucs could be a dangerous team as they enter the Jameis Winston era, but that offense is still incredibly young.
1) Falcons (9-7)
2) Panthers (8-8)
3) Saints (7-9)
4) Buccaneers (6-10)
The NFC South has been tough to predict these past few years, being a mediocre division. I think Matt Ryan gets it together a bit and the Falcons win it.
Playoff Teams:
1) Cowboys
2) Seahawks
3) Packers
4) Falcons
5) Lions
6) Vikings
NFC Wildcard Rd:
Vikings vs. Packers
I think Bridgewater has a big 2nd year and takes the Vikings to the playoffs, but it ends on a road trip to Green Bay. Packers
Lions vs. Falcons
The Lions could be a dangerous team as a wildcard. I just can't see the Falcons winning this match-up. Lions
NFC Divisional Rd:
Lions vs. Cowboys
Two teams who feel they were wronged last year in the playoffs. At home, Dallas takes this. Cowboys
Packers vs. Seahawks
That comeback last year by the Seahawks is probably still in Green Bay's head. I think they'll be motivated here. Packers
NFC Championship:
Packers vs. Cowboys
These predicted playoffs seem to have a common theme here, redemption. After "the catch", or lack thereof last year with Dez, I think the Cowboys take this in "Jerry Land". Cowboys
The young QB vs. The QB who's had so much expected of him. You can laugh at this all you want, but I think Romo finally gets his ring. Cowboys
