RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) – While New England Patriot fans were celebrating on Feb. 1 after the Pats stunned the Seattle Seahawks 28-24 in Super Bowl XLIX, most football fans were lamenting the fact that the NFL season was over.
Sure, hardcore fans get a couple of bones thrown at them in the form of free agency, the draft combine, the draft, OTA’s, training camps, and the dreadful pre-season games (where you hope that your favorite players escape injury free).
But on Thursday, the wait is over. There is optimism for fans of every team and every player has a clean slate.
This year 8News is going out on a limb. We have put together a crack team of pigskin prognosticators (OK, the fact is that they all really love football) and we are letting you in on our picks to win it all this year.
Mitch Carr, 8News Sports Director:
NFC
East: This division is full of mediocrity, and then you get to the putrid Redskins, who just can’t get out of their own way. I think Sam Bradford will get hurt, because he did multiple times when the Rams were actually trying to protect him. The Eagles’ offense will have him taking more hits. I think the Cowboys will go back to wondering if Tony Romo is their guy and wondering why they got rid of Demarco Murray. Giants: you win by default.
Predicted order of finish: New York Giants*, Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins
North: Green Bay is the class of the division because the Packers have the best quarterback in football in his prime, and they can also run the ball. The defense isn’t half-bad either. Losing Jordy Nelson hurts, though, so I don’t expect Green Bay to run away with it. Teddy Bridgewater will improve drastically with Adrian Peterson behind him for a full season. The Lions will be good, too, because Matthew Stafford has it in him and they should be able to run the ball better this season. Chicago…quit now.
Predicted order of finish: Green Bay Packers*, Minnesota Vikings*, Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears
South: 2014 was an absolute fluke of a year for this division. The Buccaneers and Falcons were shockingly bad, and the Saints and Panthers were not much better. New Orleans found a replacement for Darren Sproles in C.J. Spiller for 2015, and Drew Brees is still good enough to lead Sean Payton’s offense. Cam Newton took a step back in 2014 more due to injury than anything else, but he lost his top target Kelvin Benjamin in the preseason and now will rely heavily on Ted Ginn, Jr., who no one really wants. Jonathan Stewart has never been healthy, and he’s now RB1 in Carolina. Yikes. Jameis Winston will be a good NFL QB, but not this season. Atlanta has the 2013 Redskins’ roster (They were bad that year.) and a rookie running back. Give me the team with the best QB.
Predicted order of finish: New Orleans Saints*, Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Falcons, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
West: Bruce Arians is improving the Cardinals bit by bit, but the Rams’ front office is improving that team at a much quicker rate. The Seahawks are still the best team in the division, but St. Louis will challenge them. St. Louis will challenge everyone, and when the Cardinals and Rams play head to head Arizona will be no match for St. Louis up front. Meanwhile in San Francisco, Jim Harbaugh burnt out every player who was any good and his replacement Jim Tomsula only makes grunting noises during interviews, so it’s tough to have any faith in the Niners. It’ll be fun watching Colin Kaepernick try to throw the ball out of Levis Stadium, though. Heck of an arm, but NO touch.
Predicted order of finish: Seattle Seahawks*, St. Louis Rams*, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers
NFC Playoffs:
St. Louis defeats the New York Giants by keeping Eli Manning on his back and keeping Odell Beckham, Jr. and Victor Cruz out of the game. Minnesota keeps giving the ball to Adrian Peterson, and it works as they eliminate New Orleans, despite a great atmosphere in the Super Dome.
Green Bay edges St. Louis at Lambeau Field thanks to a balanced attack with Eddie Lacey running the ball and picking up blitzes. Seattle easily takes out Minnesota at the C-Link, because the young Bridgewater stands no chance in the face of the 12s.
In a 2014 NFC Championship Game rematch, Green Bay defeats Seattle thanks to home field advantage earned during the regular season. Playing at Lambeau isn’t foolproof, but it’s better than playing in Seattle. Aaron Rodgers and company move on to Super Bowl 50.
AFC
East: Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are going to be in total “*bleep* you” mode all this season. They are two guys you don’t want to get mad, because they will find a way to cheat that allows them to rise to the top. I know people (read: Chip Brierre) who think Ryan Tannehill will be good, and I wonder what he has shown them that makes think he is capable of making the Dolphins more than 8-8. Rex Ryan should run for president when he gets fired, because he’s really good at riling people up and then completely missing their expectations. The Jets are the AFC version of the Redskins, but they actually made the correct 2015 first round pick. I just don’t see how New England doesn’t win this division, and I have no hope for anyone else in it.
Predicted order of finish: New England Patriots*, Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, New York Jets
North: This is the year Mike Tomlin either cements himself as the Steelers’ coach for years to come or officially hits hot seat status. Big Ben is getting older, but he was incredible in stretches in 2014 and LeVeon Bell will be solid once he serves his two-game suspension. Cincinnati will make the playoffs again and lose in the first round again because Andy Dalton (Side note: I wish he would dye his hair black in stripes so that the facemask would be the only way we would be able to tell if his helmet is on or off. I think this would be hysterical.). Cleveland gonna Cleveland. Now Baltimore is the interesting one. I don’t think Justin Forsett can carry the load the way Ray Rice did. They’re a playoff team, but not a good one.
Predicted order of finish: Pittsburgh Steelers*, Cincinnati Bengals*, Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns
South: Andrew Luck will make a mockery of this division unless J.J. Watt rips him apart with his bare hands, which looks like a possibility after watching Hard Knocks. After Luck, your AFC South QBs are Marcus Mariota (rookie), Blake Bortles (bust in waiting) and Brian Hoyer (couldn’t outplay a guy who needed alcohol rehab, replaced by a guy who played one good game in 2013). You need a quarterback to be good most of the time, and the Colts are the only ones who have one. Indianapolis attempted to reassemble the 2001 Miami Hurricanes in the offseason, and that should help enough for one year for them to win this terrible division.
Predicted order of finish: Indianapolis Colts*, Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans, Jacksonville Jaguars
West: The fact that Alex Smith went an entire season without throwing a touchdown pass to a wide receiver is just an embarrassment. It’s why I believe the Raiders will overtake the Chiefs in the division. Derek Carr always looks like he’s wearing guy-liner, but he’s vastly superior to the previous quarterbacks in Oakland, and now he has Amari Cooper to throw to. I’m just not sure Latavius Murray is a feature back. That leaves us with Philip Rivers and Peyton Manning, and Manning has the better team around him.
Predicted order of finish: Denver Broncos*, San Diego Charges*, Oakland Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs
AFC Playoffs:
The Patriots eliminate the Bengals, because Andy Dalton. San Diego surprises Pittsburgh on the road behind a strong performance from rookie Melvin Gordon.
Indianapolis makes easy work of San Diego behind a fine performance from Andrew Luck, who gets better every year. Brady and the Patriots once again show their mastery over a withering Peyton Manning.
Away from Foxborough and being watched closely because everyone knows thinks they cheat, the Patriots cannot stop the Colts’ offense, and Indy finally gets revenge since the NFL couldn’t do it for them to move on to Super Bowl 50.
Super Bowl 50:
Crown him: Andrew Luck surpasses Aaron Rodgers as the league’s best quarterback. Indianapolis defeats Green Bay in a shootout, 42-38.
Chip Brierre, 8News Weekend Sports Anchor, That Miami Sports fan:
The only other word or words uttered more times than “Deflategate” in the 8Sports office has been “RG III”. One of those is going to lose some steam in the coming days… My money is on “RG III”.
Yes it’s that time of year when we second guess our Fantasy Football decisions (drafting Doug Martin, WHAT WAS I THINKING), pray sermon ends soon so we can catch kickoff and dream of gridiron glory.
Its football season, and this year will be just as good, if not better, than last year.
Before we overlook the handoff to Lynch to lose a Super Bowl, let’s dig into my predictions for the upcoming NFL Season by division.
NFC
East: Well Burgundy and Gold nation you can go ahead and fast forward to the 2016 NFL Draft. The Redskins benching RG III in favor of Cousins means 2015 is a rebuild year; unfortunate, but necessary. I’m currently sipping on the OBJ kool-aid in this division. The Giants offense has the potential to be “scary” good. Eli Manning throwing to Beckham Jr., Victor Cruz, Larry Donnell and Rashad Jennings means trouble for Dallas and Philly, both breaking in new running backs and dealing with key injuries.
Predicted order of finish: New York Giants*, Dallas Cowboys*, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins
North: Is this even a question? It’s the Packers, case closed…. Wait I need to elaborate? Fine. I’ll take a page out of Drake’s rap: Bears defense is tissue soft with Cutler throwing more picks than he picks his nose; Lions lost Suh, meaning their D lost a top 4 player in the NFL; Vikings return Peterson, add Mike Wallace and Bridgewater has year under his belt, problem is… can their defense keep them in games? Aaron Rodgers is the baddest man in the NFL and he’s going to cruise to the playoffs.
Predicted order of finish: Green Bay Packers*, Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears
South: The division that encourages mediocrity. Carolina Panthers were sub .500 on the season no thanks to their O-Line that pretty much left Cam Newton to fend for himself, still won the NFC South. Welcome to the absurd rules of NFL playoff standing. Despite the fact, I think New Orleans is the winner here. Sean Payton and Drew Brees won’t let last year’s debacle of a season repeat itself. Say it with me, “Sean Payton and Drew Brees won’t let last year’s debacle repeat itself.” Add in Atlanta’s O-line is mystery meat and the Bucs are breaking in ole’ crab legs, Jameis Winston, easy pick to go with the Saints.
Predicted order of finish: New Orleans Saints*, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
West: Oh how the mighty have fallen. Well sort of, just San Francisco. Arizona is still there! But they’re the Cardinals, sorry Zona fans y’all are cursed almost as badly as DC. This is Seattle’s division to lose. Competition is those same Cardinals who return a healthy Carson Palmer and the best pound-for-pound defense in the NFL buoyed by Patrick Peterson. The problem: Russell Wilson is better, he’s paid, he’s got Jimmy Graham, Marshawn Lynch and the 2nd best defense in the NFL behind him.
Predicted order of finish: Seattle Seahawks*, Arizona Cardinals*, St. Louis Rams, San Francisco 49ers
NFC Playoffs:
Saints hold off Cardinals in the dome, Giants ruins Cowboys hopes again in the Wild Card round
Seahawks will beat the Giants while Saints whilt in the frozen cold of Lambeau Field in Green Bay in the Divisional Round.
Sorry Russell Wilson, Jordy Nelson or not, Aaron Rodgers is overdue for a Super Bowl Appearance and I’m sure Packers get home-field in NFC Conference game. Packers go to the Super Bowl.
AFC
East: What’s worse: a pissed off Tom Brady or a pissed off Bill Belichick? With Brady’s suspension lifted, the pretty boy will unleash his fury on the rest of the League and the AFC East. And as a Dolphins fan, it kills me to the core. BUT GOOD NEWS! I do believe this is the Dolphins year (both biased and unbiased reasoning). Here’s why: Ryan Tannehill is primed for a breaththrough season, Ndamakoung Suh joins Cameron Wake and Brent Grimes for Phins D, schedule is a breeze to begin (@ Redskins, @ Jaguars, vs. Bills, vs. Jets). If Dolphins can take care of Patriots and Bills, Miami will FINALLY be back in the playoffs.
Predicted order of finish: Miami Dolphins*, New England Patriots*, Buffalo Bills, New York Jets
North: Somewhere Amanda Malkowski is waving her terrible towel as she reads this prediction. The AFC North is the hardest division in the NFL by a mile. All four teams are playoff teams, yes, even the Cleveland Browns. What separates the competition is the quarterbacks. Pittsburgh has Ben Roethlisberger, Baltimore has Joe Flacco, both have Super Bowl MVPs. Andy Dalton? Hasn’t won a playoff game, let alone thrown a touchdown pass in the postseason. Not even touching Johnny Manziel.
Predicted order of finish: Pittsburgh Steelers*, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns
South: AFC South has my pick to represent the conference in the Super Bowl, the Indianapolis Colts, or as I am proudly donning them these days, the U of the NFL. Andrew Luck’s upward trend is breaking through the stratosphere. Now he has one of the NFL’s great running backs in Frank Gore (age an issue), and Andre Johnson who is a tall, red-zone threat to go alongside T.Y. Hilton. Head Coach Chuck Pagano’s defense will stifle when it needs to. Know who used that formula to win? Jimmie Johnson at Dallas, and he, like Pagano, Johnson, and Gore, did it in South Florida. Colts all the way.
Predicted order of finish: Indianapolis Colts*, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans
West: A fistful of dollars, a few dollars more. Ennio Morricone needs to make a new theme song for this division. It comes down to Peyton Manning vs. Phillip Rivers, both at the tail end of their careers looking to walk off into the sunset as winners. Something is going to give and I’m leaning towards San Diego. BLASPHEMY! Closet Colts fans pulling for Peyton, cool it. Rivers actually has a defense to help him out, has a rookie running back, Melvin Gordon, who may actually stay healthy and flying under the radar, Stevie Johnson in the receiving corp. Don’t forget he had two back to back 1,000 yard seasons in Buffalo before a bad engagement in San Fran. Don’t sleep on the Chiefs either, defense is best in the division. Just need a spark offensively, Jeremy Maclin figures to be that after signing away from Philly.
Predicted order of finish: San Diego Chargers*, Denver Broncos*, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders
AFC Playoffs:
Dolphins beat the Broncos in Miami (it’s actually pretty hot in South Florida in December), Patriots beat the Chargers in San Diego for Wild Card round.
Luck out duels Tannehill in Lucas Oil Stadium while the Steelers lock up Brady in the Steel City for the Divisional Round.
Andrew Luck vs. Ben Roethlisberger, I’m taking the still rising Luck. Indianapolis Colts go playoffs, AFC conference game, Super Bowl in 3 years of the Andrew Luck Era.
Super Bowl 50:
Aaron Rodgers is money in the clutch. 2nd Super Bowl appearance will be his 2nd Super Bowl and 2nd Super Bowl MVP as he tears apart the Colts defense. Andrew Luck will have his chance, despite incredible progression both individually and leading his team, he’s still got a ways to go to reach his peak.
Packers 31 – Colts 17
Amanda Malkowski, Good Morning Richmond Anchor:
NFC:
East: Eli Manning still isn’t good enough. The Cowboys look great preseason. The Redskins… well, we know what’s going on there.
Predicted order of finish: Dallas Cowboys*, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants, Washington Redskins
North: Packers are still solid. Aaron Rogers is one of the leagues best still. I have enjoyed watching the Lions, after living in Michigan, so I have high hopes for them.
Predicted order of finish: Green Bay*, Detroit, Minnesota, Chicago
South: Still not sold on New Orleans… not the best defense, but I think their offense will pull through. The rest of the division looks weak.
Predicted order of finish: New Orleans Saints*, Atlanta Falcons*, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
West: Seahawks still look good… huge gap between them and the rest of the division.
Predicted order of finish: Seattle Seahawks*, Arizona Cardinals*, St. Louis Rams, San Francisco 49ers
NFC Playoffs:
Seattle will come out on top; I think they’re come out over Green Bay.
AFC
East: If I read one more script about Tom Brady I’m going to gauge my eyes out, but let’s be honest… the rest of the division is mediocre at best. I’m putting Buffalo for second.
Predicted order of finish: New England Patriots*, Miami Dolphins*, New York Jets, Buffalo Bills
North: Oh, my beloved Steelers. I hope and pray and wish they will come out on top, and I’ll pick them for the spot, but they make me nervous. A couple bad sacs for Ben and he’s down for the count. Bell will be a big star, as well. The Ravens look solid, but so does Cincinnati. It’s a tough call. Cleveland may surprise us this year.
Predicted order of finish: Pittsburgh Steelers*, Baltimore Ravens*, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns
South: Andrew Luck will most likely lead the Colts to victory here. Unless he gets injured, and even if he does, I think they have a great shot. Houston looks decent with JJ Watt, who may still be the best defensive player in the league. Jacksonville… um no. And I don’t think the Titans are much better.
Predicted order of finish: Indianapolis Colts*, Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans, Jacksonville Jaguars
West:
Predicted order of finish: Denver Broncos*, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Oakland Raiders
AFC Playoffs:
This is a tight, tight, conference. They are all good. Chiefs may surprise us and come out on top, but I’m going to go with the Broncos.
I think it’s going to Pittsburgh and Indianapolis in the finals. I’ve lived in both cities. Back in the day, the Colts were terrible, so it’s nice to see them doing well. But I love my Steelers, so I’m just going to have to go with them. Our offense is dynamite. Please don’’t break my heart.
Super Bowl 50:
Steelers vs. Seahawks… I think my heart will be broken again. I think the Seahawks will win and I will cry in a pool of black and gold tears.
Robb Crocker, 8News Digital Content Manager:
NFC
East: Philadelphia and Dallas will be the class of the division, but the New York Giants will be better than most think with a healthy Victor Cruz and Odell Beckham, Jr. Redskins fans should brace themselves for a long season – their future starting QB is not on the 2015 roster.
Predicted order of finish: Philadelphia Eagles*, Dallas Cowboys*, New York Giants, Washington Redskins
North: Jordy Nelson’s injury would hurt most teams and while he will be missed, the Packers should be OK. To quote Aaron Rodgers – R-E-L-A-X Packers fans. Detroit’s defense will feel the sting of losing Ndamukong Suh in free agency and the Bears are married to Jay Cutler for at least one more season. I will side with other prognosticators’ trendy pick of an improved Minnesota Vikings squad.
Predicted order of finish: Green Bay Packers*, Minnesota Vikings*, Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears
South: What a mess of a division. Eight wins should be sufficient enough to capture this division’s title. I had Carolina at the top of the class until Kelvin Benjamin went down for the year (can someone please explain to me why the Panthers let go of Steve Smith, Jr.?). New Orleans lost their best offensive weapon in Jimmy Graham, Tampa Bay is in the second year of a rebuild and starting a rookie at QB, and Atlanta has a new regime in place.
Predicted order of finish: Atlanta Falcons*, New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
West: St. Louis and Arizona will give Seattle some fits this season but the Seahawks will continue their stranglehold on this division.
Predicted order of finish: Seattle Seahawks*, Arizona Cardinals, St. Louis Rams, San Francisco 49ers
NFC Playoffs:
Minnesota will upset Philadelphia and Atlanta will fall to Dallas in the Wild Card round.
Green Bay will drop divisional foes Minnesota and Seattle will end Dallas’ season.
Green Bay will get their revenge on the Seahawks from last year’s NFC Championship game and represent the NFC in Super Bowl 50.
AFC
East: This might be the most interesting division in the NFL this year. The Dolphins reloaded on defense with the addition of Ndamukong Suh, the Jets brought in an up-and-coming coach in Todd Bowles who has familiarity with this division from his days on Miami’s coaching staff and the Patriots will be the Patriots regardless of a possible Brady suspension. The biggest splash in the division came from the additions of Rex Ryan, LeSean “Shady” McCoy, Tyrod Taylor, and Percy Harvin to the Buffalo Bills. Is it enough to overtake the Patriots – no – but it is good enough for a spot in the playoffs.
Predicted order of finish: New England Patriots*, Buffalo Bills*, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets
North: I know this much – Cleveland will be the worst team in this hard-nosed, beat each other up division. After that, it is anyone’s ball game. It will be a rough year for the Ohio teams.
Predicted order of finish: Pittsburgh Steelers*, Baltimore Ravens*, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns
South: No disrespect to all of the other teams in this division, but two words – Andrew Luck. There are too many questions and/or inexperience for the rest of the division at the QB.
Predicted order of finish: Indianapolis Colts*, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans
West: The West should be known as the “goodbye division” with the possible relocation to L.A. of both San Diego and Oakland, and the possibility that 39-year-old Peyton Manning could decide to hang it up at year’s end. With an improved Oakland, this should be a more competitive division top-to-bottom, meaning no easy wins. Don’t be surprised to see a lot of season splits, which means teams will have to play up to their out of division competition. Expect a couple of 9-7 teams from this division.
Predicted order of finish: Denver Broncos*, San Diego Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders
AFC Playoffs:
Buffalo sneaks past Pittsburgh, while Denver tops Baltimore.
Buffalo’s run will end in Indianapolis and Manning vs. Brady the Patriots vs. the Broncos will leave Denver fans with the Mile-High Blues.
In the rematch of Deflategate, we’ll see more security around the game balls than the President gets. Andrew Luck will lead a balanced Indianapolis team over the Patriots in the championship.
Deflategate update: Now that Tom Brady will be under center for the Patriots for the entire season, I predict that he and the rest of the Patriots will have an over-inflated football size chip on their shoulders. The Deflategate rematch isn’t even close.
Super Bowl 50:
It won’t be the offensive shootout that many will expect: New England 27 – Green Bay 21.
Will Armbruster, 8News Digital Content Producer:
NFC
East: Is this Philly’s year? The Eagles lost speedster LeSean McCoy, but scooped up last year’s top back, DeMarco Murray, from the reigning divisional champs in Dallas. The Giants are healthy and should improve upon last year’s 6-10 mark, but labeling them contenders is a stretch. And the Redskins are, well, the Redskins (hold on tight Washington fans, it could be a long and bumpy ride to Week 17).
Predicted order of finish: Philadelphia Eagles*, Dallas Cowboys*, New York Giants, Washington Redskins
North: Losing a player like Jordy Nelson would be a devastating blow to most teams. But these are the Packers we’re talking about, armed with the league’s top QB in Aaron Rodgers, who still has a bevy of weapons at his disposal. The Lions went 11-5 last year without a healthy Calvin Johnson, so I expect Detroit to contend for another playoff berth. And with Adrian Peterson returning to an improved Minnesota team, this division could be the most competitive in the NFC (even if Chicago endures another tumultuous 5-11 campaign).
Predicted order of finish: Green Bay Packers*, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears
South: Seven wins is all it took for Carolina to squeak into the playoffs last year, and the Panthers will be without their best receiver for the entire 2015 season. So will either Atlanta or New Orleans, both playoff teams in 2013 who finished with sub-.500 records last year, bounce back? I think one of them will. Or maybe Jameis Winston will do his best RGIII impression and lead Tampa Bay to the playoffs as a rookie?
Predicted order of finish: Atlanta Falcons*, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers
West: No disrespect to Arizona, a team that may very well content for a wild card berth, but I don’t see anyone challenging Seattle for the divisional crown this season. San Francisco is rebuilding, and there don’t seem to be enough weapons for new QB Nick Foles to throw (or hand off) to in St. Louis.
Predicted order of finish: Seattle Seahawks*, Arizona Cardinals*, St. Louis Rams, San Francisco 49ers
NFC Playoffs:
After securing a playoff bid with a Week 16 victory, Arizona carries the momentum into a first-round upset of Atlanta. Philly edges division rival Dallas in a thriller.
Green Bay handles Arizona in the divisional round. Seattle gets all it can handle from Philadelphia, but holds on to force a rematch for the NFC title.
This time, however, Green Bay doesn’t squander a double-digit fourth-quarter lead and moves on to the Super Bowl.
AFC
East: I see Miami as one of the most improved teams in the NFL and a possible sleeper to make the playoffs. But I just can’t see the Dolphins dethroning New England, especially now that TB12 has deflated #DeflateGate and avoided suspension. Buffalo added some nice pieces in the offseason and could challenge Miami for runner-up and a possible Wild Card berth. The Jets remain a tier below their divisional peers.
Predicted order of finish: New England Patriots*, Miami Dolphins*, Buffalo Bills, New York Jets
North: This division is always one of the most competitive and should be again with defending champ Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and Baltimore battling for a playoff spot. I think Pittsburgh packs the most firepower, though, with two of the league’s most explosive skill players in WR Antonio Brown and RB Le’Veon Bell. Meanwhile the Browns, despite boasting one of the league’s top defenses, don’t have enough offensive talent to support whoever ends up starting under center.
Predicted order of finish: Pittsburgh Steelers*, Baltimore Ravens*, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns
South: The Colts have improved each year under fourth-year QB Andrew Luck and enter 2015 as heavy favorites to repeat as division champs. Houston, Tennessee and Jacksonsville will each struggle to finish above .500.
Predicted order of finish: Indianapolis Colts*, Tennessee Titans, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars
West: It’s unfair to expect 39-year-old Peyton Manning to put up the same ridiculous numbers he’s posted the past two regular seasons in Denver, right? Perhaps. But he has his two favorites target back from last year in Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, and the Broncos’ defensive core that ranked No. 3 overall in the NFL remains strong. San Diego QB Phillip Rivers is one of the perennial league leaders in passing yards, but with a rookie RB and a questionable receiving core, it remains to be seen how effective the Chargers’ will be offensively. After an impressive 9-7 finish last year, I see Kansas City taking a step back this year. But they won’t be as bad as the Raiders, who could struggle to match last year’s win total (3).
Predicted order of finish: Denver Broncos*, San Diego Chargers, Kansas City Chief, Oakland Raiders
AFC Playoffs:
Pittsburgh edges Baltimore and Denver holds off Miami in the Wild Card round.
Indianapolis over Pittsburgh and New England over Denver in the divisional round, although both games will be close.
#Deflategate rematch: Indianapolis reaches its first Super Bowl under Luck, but not without scrutiny from New Englanders who claim head Super Bowl official Ed Hochuli was seen partying with the Colts two days before. #Partygate
Super Bowl 50:
The league’s two best QBs put on a show, with Green Bay coming away on top, 31-27.
Super Bowl 50:
The league’s two best QBs put on a show, with Green Bay coming away on top, 31-27.
Kerri O’Brien, 8News Investigative Reporter:
NFC
East: Coach Chip Kelly’s bizarre off season moves somehow seem to be working. The Eagles looked good in preseason and the team seems to be gelling with new QB Sam Bradford.
With Demarco Murray now an Eagle and as long as Bradford stays healthy the Eagles could be the team to beat in the NFC East. Dallas will challenge them hard but I predict Romo will pull a Romo and intercept his way into the #2 spot.
Sorry Skins fans, this team needs to rebuild. Giants too.
Predicted order of finish: Philadelphia Eagles*, Dallas Cowboys*, New York Giants, Washington Redskins
North: Too many injuries for the Packers to not feel it on the field. Rogers will still be a stud QB. However, with ADP back, the Vikings look strong.
Detroit hangs in the middle of the pack.
The Bears are rebuilding.
Predicted order of finish: Minnesota Vikings*, Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears
South: Yikes, what to pick here? The division with the worst record last season.
I do like the Saints pick up of Max Unger. He can help protect Drew Brees. Jimmy Graham was a bum last year (I know, I had him on my fantasy team) so I don’t believe that is a huge loss for the Saints.
Atlanta is changing some things up, a new young offensive line that will be helpful.
In Carolina, Cam is missing his target Kelvin Benjamin who is out with an injury.
And Tampa, hmm…that Pirate ship is cool.
Predicted order of finish: New Orleans Saints*, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
West: Seattle is just so strong. The key players are back and Seattle wants to correct that Super Bowl mistake this year. Arizona will give them a run for the end zone but Seattle leads the pack.
Predicted order of finish: Seattle Seahawks*, Arizona Cardinals*, St. Louis Rams, San Francisco 49ers
AFC:
East: With Brady back in play the Patriots will definitely be a force on the field.
Buffalo will be stronger; this Eagles fan knows LeSean McCoy is a stud with a lot still in the tank.
But I also think the Jets have made some new moves for the better. New coach, new excitement and well let’s face it Geno getting punched in the face maybe the best thing that ever happened to the team. Ryan Fitzpatrick is a better QB.
I like Tannehill for Miami but not enough to win the division.
Predicted order of finish: New England Patriots*, (torn on #2 and #3 but) New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins
North: Big Ben is not as young as he used to be and this year I think it shows.
I like Baltimore over Pittsburg.
Unfortunately, we all know the Browns will be once again at the bottom of the bottom.
Predicted order of finish: Baltimore Ravens*, Pittsburgh Steelers*, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns
South: Andrew Luck is going to have an amazing year. The rest of this division, not much to note.
Predicted order of finish: Indianapolis Colts*, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans
West: Peyton Manning is looking for a Super Bowl win so he can retire on a high.
I predict a big year for him and the Denver Broncos.
Andy Reed will continue to upset me and do well now away from the Eagles.
The Chargers brought in some protection for Rivers but I think the sacks will still keep coming.
I just don’t feel there is much to say about Oakland.
Predicted order of finish: Denver Broncos*, Kansas City Chiefs*, San Diego Chargers, Oakland Raiders
Playoffs:
My beloved Eagles will get knocked out in the first round of the playoffs.
Seattle is a beast.
Peyton Manning will put up of fight but Luck will win out.
Super Bowl 50:
The Seahawks beat Indy 35-21
