Well everyone, it is almost that time, football season is just around the corner. Just can't wait huh? Well, it is now time for my NFL predictions. I will split up each conference into two different posts and then do a third for my playoff predictions, starting with the AFC in this post. I will break down each division and tell why each team will make or miss the playoffs and give playoff seeding to the six spots.
AFC North:
1. Baltimore Ravens: Even though the Ravens will miss star pass-rusher Terrell Suggs for a significant amount of time, along with inconsistencies in the offense, I still pick the Ravens to win the North and make another run at a title. Baltimore is probably the most talented team in the AFC, but have underachieved greatly the last four years. Record: 13-3
2. Pittsburgh Steelers*: The Steelers could easily overtake the Ravens with improvements along their offensive line with guard David Decastro and tackle Mike Adams with their first two draft picks. But question marks with an older defense with key veterans release in the offseason along with a question mark on whether Ben Roethlisberger and new offensive coordinator Todd Haley can get on the same page puts Pittsburgh in question for the division title. Record: 11-5
3. Cincinnati Bengals: The Bengals were the surprise team last year when they made the playoffs with a rookie quarterback in Andy Dalton and rookie wide receiver A.J. Green. Now they come in more experienced and with a very good draft, but it is still a tough job to win in a division with Baltimore and Pittsburgh in it, but this is still a young team that will be very good. Record: 10-6
4. Cleveland Browns: The Browns have new faces of the franchise with their first round picks running back Trent Richardson and quarterback Brandon Weeden. How they perform will be what the Browns season will be like, and it is going to be tough when the Browns are a very weak team in a tough division.
Record: 4-12
AFC East:
1. New England Patriots: This is probably one of the last chances for veterans such as Tom Brady and Wes Welker win their Super Bowl, but it shouldn't be very hard to win the division with weak teams. Plus there is a better chance with significant improvements on defense through the draft with first round picks defensive end Chandler Jones and linebacker Donta Hightower. Record: 12-4
2. Buffalo Bills: The Bills spent money in the offseason, grabbing pass rushers Mario Williams and Mark Anderson. Things to watch out for with the Bills are the health of running back Fred Jackson, the consistency of quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and the rest of the offense, and the development of first round draft pick cornerback Stephon Gilmore. I felt Gilmore was a reach for a first round pick, let alone the tenth overall pick, so it shall be interesting to see his impact in Orchard Park. Record: 8-8
3. New York Jets: The Jets are a bad team. They proved how overrated they are last season. Now they are messing around with the thought of making packages for Tim Tebow on offense, playing cornerback Antonio Cromartie at wide receiver, and trying to make a pass rush with guys that they hope can succeed. No running game and an over arrogant defense and coach puts them in a battle for third place with the Dolphins. Record: 6-10
4. Miami Dolphins: Somehow, the Dolphins find a way to lose that race with the Jets. But a new head coach, new offense, new defensive scheme, and a stopgap at quarterback to develop eighth overall pick Ryan Tannehill put the Dolphins way down in the cellar in 2012. Record: 5-11
AFC South:
1. Houston Texans: The time is now on the up and coming Texans who made their first playoff appearance in their franchise's ten year history. Even though the early parts of training camp has brought upon many early injuries to key players, along with other players coming off injuries, the Texans play in a weak division and should win it easily. The talent on the team should along with a good running game and good defense may help Houston make a run. Record: 12-4
2. Tennessee Titans*: The Titans have many young weapons on both sides of the ball, it all just matters if they can coincide. Another point that could hold the Titans back is the current quarterback battle between incumbent veteran Matt Hasselbeck and former eighth overall pick Jake Locker. Even though the starter should be Locker, it should be an interesting battle. How that competition play out along with Chris Johnson getting back to the 2009 form along with the utilizing of young weapons in tight end Jared Cook and first round pick wide receiver Kendall Wright will be the difference for the Titans in their hunt for the playoffs.
Record: 10-6
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jaguars have gone through many changes with a new owner, new head coach and a new draft strategy. The Jags didn't try and make a diamond in the rough type of draft by taking small school players high, and instead traded up to get the best receiver in the draft in Justin Blackmon to hopefully help second year quarterback Blaine Gabbert, who struggled in his rookie year. However, the Jaguars still need to keep building before they have a legitimate chance of making the playoffs. Record: 4-12
4. Indianapolis Colts: The Colts are in massive rebuild mode. A new head coach in Chuck Pagano, a new quaterback and face of the franchise in Andrew Luck, and a new scheme on defense switching from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defense. Luck is very hyped as the sure thing at quarterback, and the Colts have begun building around him. However, he may struggle during the season. As could the defense where star defensive ends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis are now outside linebackers in the new scheme. The Colts will probably end up in the basement for the second year in a row, but I expect them to be more competitive in this regime than the old. Record: 3-13
AFC West:
1. Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs did have a surprising draft, taking nose tackle Dontari Poe, who was very underachieving in college but is very athletic for a big man, 11th overall. However, Poe will help the defense greatly by taking on blockers and giving their pass rushers more one-on-ones and give more of a rush. There are two keys for Kansas City to win the west: the health and consistency of quarterback Matt Cassel, and the health of stars Jamaal Charles and Eric Berry, who both suffered torn ACLs early last season. Record: 11-5
2. San Diego Chargers: The Chargers window continues closing, and the pressure is on head coach Norv Turner and quarterback Phillip Rivers to win. San Diego did greatly improve their pass rush in the draft with Melvin Ingram, but there are still question marks on the offensive line with the losses of left tackle Marcus McNeil and guard Kris Deilman. Also, the loss of star wide receiver Vincent Jackson could be key as well.
Record: 9-7
3. Denver Broncos: The Broncos made a huge splash by signing star quarterback Peyton Manning in the offseason. Manning should still Manning, but their are still questions to his health that will put the team in question. The Broncos also didn't help themselves in the draft very much, and that could affect the team even more because Denver shouldn't be like Indianapolis and have everything depend on Manning. Record: 9-7
4. Oakland Raiders: The Raiders are still a good team, but having essentially no draft to improve on along a new philosphy and new head coach puts the Raiders back in the basement. Oakland will also need to depend heavily on running back Darren McFadden and his health to have a chance at the division. Record: 9-7
*denotes wildcard winners
Playoff Seedings:
1. Ravens
2. Texans
3. Patriots
4. Chiefs
5. Steelers
6. Titans
Up Next: NFC Predictions coming soon.
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