Football is back! After months of waiting, football is finally back. Now that the seemingly interminable wait is over, we can finally preview the season. So without further ado, let's get started on this preview. We'll look at everything from playoffs to awards.
NFC North:
This is Green Bay's division to lose. They are one of the best teams in the league and filled with loads of talent, including Aaron Rodgers, Eddie Lacy, and Clay Matthews. Even the injury to Jordy Nelson should not derail their title aspirations. The Lions should finish second and will contend for a wild-card spot. The Vikings will finish third, as Adrian Peterson is back. The Bears, sans Kevin White and Brandon Marshall, will have a hard time getting anywhere other than fourth.
NFC East:
This is a two-horse race between Philadelphia and Dallas. The Eagles sport a very different team than last year. They lost guys like Nick Foles, LeSean McCoy, and Jeremy Maclin, but gained players like Byron Maxwell, Sam Bradford, and DeMarco Murray. The 'Boys meanwhile, lost Murray, last year's Offensive Player of the Year. They do have the trio of Joseph Randle, Lance Dunbar, and Darren McFadden, but it won't be the same. I give the edge to the Eagles, who have a better team overall. Neither the Giants nor the Redskins have a real shot at contending for a playoff spot, but Washington should be slightly better.
NFC South:
Last year, this was the worst division in the NFL. Things could get better this year, as three of the four teams (Tampa Bay, Atlanta, and Carolina) got markedly better. The Saints on the other hand, lost their biggest offensive weapon in Jimmy Graham. Carolina has been the best team in the division the last couple of years, but I'm going with the surprise pick of the Falcons. The Panthers lost D'Angelo Williams while the Falcons hired Seattle DC Dan Quinn as their new coach. The Saints will finish third, as they still have Drew Brees and Sean Payton.
NFC West:
This is Seattle's division to lose. Their offense is better than last year's (thanks to the addition of Graham) and they are hungry. The 49ers are in a rebuilding year following the departure of Jim Harbaugh. If Carson Palmer is able to stay healthy, the Cards will contend for a playoff spot. The Rams have a very talented team (with guys like Nick Foles, Todd Gurley, Aaron Donald, Robert Quinn, and Stedman Bailey), but they still have trouble matching up with Seattle and Arizona. Look for them to finish third, ahead of only San Francisco.
AFC North:
Last season, this was the best division in football, as they had three teams in the playoffs. Unfortunately for Cleveland, they just don't have what it takes to match up with the other three teams. Pittsburgh will contend for a playoff spot, but suspensions to Le'Veon Bell and Martavis Bryant don't really bode well. Cincinnati should get stud Vontaze Burfict back, but Baltimore is the favorite here. Justin Forsett had a breakout year last season and the Ravens are full of talent. Losing Haloti Ngata will sting a little bit, but they have enough talent to make the playoffs. Cincinnati should finish second and contend for a wild-card spot.
AFC East:
The defending Super Bowl champs, New England, is the favorite here. Now that Tom Brady's suspension has been lifted, there is nothing holding them back. The Dolphins are the only other team in the division who have a very good chance of getting a playoff spot. Ryan Tannehill has been getting better every single year and the addition of Ndamkong Suh will really help their defense. Rex Ryan and the Bills should finish third, but it really depends on how well QB Tyrod Taylor does. As for the Jets, losing starting QB Geno Smith for a number of weeks will hurt.
AFC South:
The Indianapolis Colts are the obvious pick, thanks to Andrew Luck's stellar play. However, the Houston Texans will be contending for a playoff spot. Hard-hitter Jadeveon Clowney is back and new QB Brian Hoyer has a lethal weapon in DeAndre Hopkins. It's a toss-up for the third spot between Tennesse and Jacksonville, but I'm going with the Titans, who will be sparked by rookie QB Marcus Mariota.
AFC West:
I'm going with the Broncos to win the division here, as Denver is too loaded (with guys like Peyton Manning, Emmanuel Sanders, and Chris Harris Jr.) to not make the playoffs. Both the Chiefs and Chargers will contend for a playoff spot, but it will be tough. Adding Melvin Gordon will spice up San Diego's offense and I think they will take second in the division. The unfortunate Raiders will have to settle for last place.
Projected NFC Seeding: 1) Seattle, 2) Green Bay, 3) Philadelphia, 4) Atlanta, 5) Arizona, 6) Detroit
Projected AFC Seeding: 1) New England, 2) Indianapolis, 3) Denver, 4) Baltimore, 5) Houston, 6) Miami
Playoff Predictions:
In the NFC Wild-Card Round, I am picking Detroit to beat Philly. The Lions have a great run-defense and will be able to prevent Murray from breaking out. In the other game, Arizona should take Atlanta. The Cards' defense should stop Atlanta's offense. In the next round, Seattle will take care of Detroit while Green Bay handles Arizona. In the NFC title game, the Seahawks beat the Packers to advance to the Super Bowl.
In the AFC Wild-Card Round, we have Miami at Denver and Houston at Baltimore. Denver will handily take care of Miami, but I predict Baltimore will fall to Houston. The Texans have a great defense that could totally shut down Baltimore's O. In the next round, New England takes down Houston while the Colts handle the Broncos. In the AFC title game, I am going with the upset and taking the Colts, who will somehow find a way to handle Touchdown Tommy.
In the Super Bowl, Seattle's D will make Andrew Luck miserable and secure the 'Hawks' second title in three years. The MVP will be Marshawn Lynch, who will run circles around Indy.
Regular Season Awards:
MVP: Andrew Luck, Colts
Offensive Player of the Year: Eddie Lacy, Packers
Defensive Player of the Year: J.J. Watt, Texans
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Amari Cooper, Raiders
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Leonard Williams, Jets
Coach of the Year: Bill O'Brien, Texans
Thanks for reading everyone.
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