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| The Seattle Seahawks Win Their First Super Bowl In Franchise History. Image: TotallyCoolPix.com |
Last years NFL season was filled with surprises, upsets, and breathtaking moments. This year, I expect it to be even better.
With the season just round the corner, here is your complete guide to all that shall happen and what to look out for in the National Football League.
This article includes news, breakdowns for every division and predictions for every team this is the perfect read to get you geared up for the new NFL season.
NFC East
This division was filled with drama for the past three years.
The Dallas Cowboys went 8-8 in the last three years with losing the final game to a divisional opponent with the winner to make the playoffs and win the division. With "Americas Team' in the balance to have the worst defense ever in franchise history this year, they had the worst defense last year in the season with the opponent averaging 432 total yard per game. The offense wasn't the issue but the play calling was, they consistently keep throwing the ball when they're up by at least two scores and didn't give it to one of the most underrated running back in the league. I see another 8-8 season for the Cowboys because of the defense and the strength of their schedule.
The Washington Redskins had a disappointing 3-13 season with their QB RG3 coming back for his knee injury and eyeing a playoff run for his team last year, unfortunately that didn't quite happen. RG3 had a bad year coming off a great rookie year to some of us. But, he had a low 82.2 QB rating. Their defense couldn't hold or neither keep up with neither of the teams they lost to. I don't see them making the playoffs and I have them going 6-10. I just don't think he has the capability to win the division or get a wild card spot.
The New York Giants had a 7-9 season last year that started off on the wrong note. They started off 0-5 and almost made a run back to the playoffs. The defense lost a couple of players on defense this year and Eli Manning had the most INT last year and lost Hakeem Nicks this year who went to the Colts. RB David Wilson had to retire with to many concussions in his career. I just think that it's time for the Giants to start rebuilding.
NFC East winners, the Philadelphia Eagles went 10-6 last year with QB Nick Foles having the best QB rating at 133.8! They survived a scare from the Cowboys in the win or go home situation. They had a strong performance against the Saints in the playoffs by a last second field goal. With the addition of Darren Sproles, they can use more trick plays in that brilliant offense behind Chip Kelly. A key loss for them is Dean Jackson who went to divisional rival Washington Redskins. I see them going 10-6 with winning the division again.
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| Image: B/R |
NFC North
This division has one of the best offenses in football.
The Detroit Lions added another star receiver in Golden Tate after the Seattle Seahawks failed to resign him as the Lions acquired off free agency. The Lions drafted TE Eric Ebron in the 10th pick in the NFL draft this year. I think that this pick wasn't needed and the Lions needed to add another defensive back that would've helped that weak secondary. I think the Lions have the third best defense in the division this year. Having said that, I think they will make the playoffs by grabbing one of the wild card spots and going 10-6.
The Minnesota Vikings drafted Teddy Bridgewater in the draft this year with lacking talent at the position. They announced that Matt Cassel will start week one with Bridgewater backing him up and Christian Ponder at the third string spot. With running back Adrian Peterson in the back field, I still don't think that's enough to make the playoffs because of their weak defensive line and lack of talent at the WR position. That secondary of theirs is underrated and I think that's key for them this year.
The Chicago Bears have one of the most talented offensives in professional football today. With Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery aside each other, that duo is dangerous on the field and they will give defensive troubles to a lot of teams. Don't forget they have a top 5 RB in Matt Forte who can kill you on the run and on the receiving side of the ball. The question is, can QB Jay Cutler have a breakout year? I think the answer to that is no. He doesn't have the leadership in him nor the consistency a QB needs to win games in the NFL. He makes the wrong mistakes at the wrong times and I think that will kill them. The defense did lose a key player in Julius Peppers and Henry Melton. They haven't required the talent that those guys have. Secondary is pretty good to say the least, I see them not going to the playoffs for another year.
The Green Bay Packers are the team to beat in the division as well as in the NFC this year. Having the best QB in the NFL, IMO, and a top 5 running back in Eddie Lacy this offense will be in the top 5 in terms of scoring and yards per game. The dangerous Randal Cobb is predicted to have his best year yet and Jordy Nelson is expectations are high this season. The defense added Haa-Clinton Dix and Julius Peppers, the secondary and LB are looking good as of now. A key signing is Sam Shields who was a key factor in their playoff run last year. I see them going on to win the division and having the record of 12-4 this season.
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| Image: TheRunnerSports.com |
NFC South
In my mind, this is one of the best divisions in football.
The Atlanta Falcons went 4-12 last year because of big injuries as Julio Jones was out for the year, Roddy White nursed an injury last year and he played through it as well. Their key Left Tackle was out for 5 games last year also. I think the Falcons improved on defense this year adding key defensive tackles to help their pass rush. Their LB are looking good and I think they don't need help at that spot. Their secondary is a little bit weak but they'll adjust, I predict them to go 10-6 with the big games played at home. Matt Ryan will have a breakout year this season, and they will win the division IMO.
The New Orleans Saints are coming off an 11-5 season last year and went all the way to the divisional playoffs to lose to the defending Super Bowl champions. This year, they didn't make any big off season moves except picking up Brandon Cook as another weapon for Drew Brees to work with. Their offense is looking sharp as the best tight end league Jimmy Graham signed a new contract to be a Saint for another four years. The defense is looking alright so far, the defensive line isn't so great and the secondary needs to be good for them to succeed and win the division. I think it'll be a 9-7 year and miss the playoffs. Without a pass rush I think they can't win football games and their schedule is a tough one.
The Tampa bay Buccaneers added a new coach in Lovie Smith who wants that defense to be great this year. They added new QB Josh McCown from the Bears and drafted former Texas A&M WR, Mike Evans. Along side Vincent Jackson, this offense could be very good with RB Doug Martin in the backfield. That defense lost Darrel Revis and the secondary looks weak but the pass rush is improving, their schedule is pretty tough and I see them going 6-12.
The Carolina Panthers won the division last year and went 12-4. They lost Ted Ginn at WR and that position is lacking talent for Carolina. Cam Newton is coming off an ankle surgery and have RB Johnathan Stewart in the backfield. The LB position is very good but John Beason is nursing a knee injury and so is Dockery and Edwards. Three key defensive players that won't be ready for weak 1 is a killer. I don't think they'll make the playoffs because of their tough road games and the lack of talent on offense. I see them going 8-8 and missing out on the playoffs.
NFC West
With last years NFC Championship coming down to one play, the 49ers and Seahawks look to get back where they were last year to get to Super Bowl 49 this year.
The best division in football looks really good this year, but the 49ers are in trouble as of now. They lost Aldon Smith for 9 games, their defensive tackle is suspended indefinitely. Their pass rush isn't looking so good right now and that secondary is good to say the least and they could get lazy here and there I think a 9-7 record is what I'm looking at for them, it's because of their tough schedule and that there's to many chaos going on with that team right now. Their WR are pretty old and Kapernick gets another weapon added to his offense with adding Brandon Lyod. Frank Gore is looking to have a great season but I think he won't because of their offensive line.
The Seahawks are on a quest for another repeat as Super Bowl champions. They lost a couple of guys on defense but they're still the best in the league on that side of the ball. Their secondary is stacked and I wouldn't want to throw against them. Defensive line added some depth and they'll add more pressure to the QB they face as well. I have them going 13-3 and running away with the division. That offense will be explosive this year.
The Arizona Cardinals are running away with one of the wild cards this year and I think they'll go 10-6. That offensive line looks real good especially with their TE, Rob Housler. I'm telling you, Andre Elighton is gonna have a good year this season with that offensive line. Carson Palmer is great while protected. Micheal Floyd, Fitzgerald, and Ted Gin Jr. are the star power receivers for Arizona this year and I think they will do just well. The defense lost Darenal Docket and Washington, but that secondary is great. Patrick Peterson, Tyern Matheiu, and Antonio Cromarti. That's what's going to help them get in the playoffs this year.
The St.Louis Rams have a very good defensive line but their secondary is weak and they lost QB Sam Bradford for the season and have Shaun Hill starting now. I don't think that's enough and they'll fall to 5-11.
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| Richard Sherman deflects a great thrown ball from Kapernick to get picked off and send the Seahawks to the Super Bowl. Image: blog.seattlepi.com |
The New England Patriots have dominated this division in the past decade by winning the title for 5 straight division titles. They will win another one this year, that's because that duo of Tom Brady and Bill Belicheck is simply amazing. They have a tremendous offensive line and the second best TE in the league in Gronk. That defense added Darrel Revis and that secondary got much better. They'll sweep the division and go 14-2 this year.
The Buffalo Bills don't impress me at all because they don't have a good offense and that secondary is bad. The defensive line is pretty good but they just can't carry that team to the playoffs.
The Miami Dolphins are somewhere in la la land as of now because we don't know how they are. Not so good in the preseason and that offense isn't consist enough to make the playoffs. The defense is weak and I don't have faith in them.
The New York Jets have a good defensive line but not a good secondary. They didn't add anyone to that secondary which was dumb on that part. On offense, they added Erick Decker and I really don't see Geno doing good at all this season. I would have Vick starting instead.
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| Image: FantasySportsFans.com |
AFC North
This division was won by the Cincinnati Bengals last year and it won't be won by them this year.
The problem is their coach, Marvin Lewis has not won one playoff game in the pas 11 years he's been there. That defense has a lot of talent but Andy Dalton is a QB who I think isn't good enough to win the division. AJ Green is someone a defense needs to watch out for, but can Any Dalton be a factor? Nope. I have them missing the playoffs this year.
The Baltimore Ravens will win the division this year because of the addition of Steve Smith and getting Dennis Pita back. Ray Rice is on a mission to prove everyone wrong this year once he comes back from his two week suspension. Joe Flacco needs to have a good year for them to succeed though, strength of schedule is a key factor as well. That defense is improving, with the addition of C.J. Mosley, that LB position for Baltimore is looking real good and their secondary is strong this year. I have them going 12-4 and winning the division.
The Cleveland Browns will miss the playoffs for another year because of the lack of the WR talent and their QB isn't that good either. RB Ben Tate will have a good year this season and he could be a top 10 RB in this league. That defensive line isn't to good but the secondary is pretty good. Their schedule is to tough for them to win games and their coach isn't anything special.
The Pittsburgh Steelers will go 11-5 this season and make the playoffs as a wild card. They have a great WR in Antonio Brown and have two powerhouses at the RB spot who will dominate you up the middle and can kill you from bouncing to the outside. The secondary for the Steelers isn't so strong or to weak. They added much needed defensive linemen and I think they will be strong this year. Their schedule is very easy considering the teams they vs, they should be getting back to the playoffs.
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| Image: CDN.com |
AFC South
The Indianapolis Colts will run away with this division simply because they have the duo of Luck and T.Y. Hilton. He's going to be a stud this year and I think Richardson will have a better year this year than last year. Reggie Wayne is a deep threat down field as well and their defense is good to say the least. Chuck Pagno has them going in the right direction and they will go 12-4 this year.
The Houston Texans don't have a good QB and their lack of WR hurts them and as well as their secondary. They won't do anything this year.
The Jaguars can't make a run at the playoffs with or without Blake Bortles starting for them. Their WR are either suspended or hurt all the time and RB Toby Gerheat won't be as good because of their weak offensive line and their defense doesn't look good either.
The Titans don't have great talent on defense or on offense for them to grab a spot in the playoffs, think they should start rebuilding.
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| Image: GetMoreSports.com |
AFC West
The Denver Broncos will win this division and go 12-4 this year despite loosing Moreno and Decker. Don't forget that Welker is suspended for four games. Can't forget they have Julius Thomas, Demaruis Thomas, and Emmanuel Sanders. You have a top three QB in Peyton Manning and Monte Ball who can run the ball efficiently on the outside. They added Aquib Talib and Demarcus Ware to that defense which will help them out. The secondary will be better than the D line though, it's improved.
The San Diego Chargers will grab a wild card spot and go 11-5 this season. That offense has added a couple of good running backs who can run to the outside and play good on the receiving end as well. The offensive line has gotten better and a top 10 QB in Phillip Rivers will do as well. Secondary is strong and the defensive line isn't so weak.
The Kanas City Chiefs and Oakland Raiders will both go 6-10. KC don't have the talent at the WR spot and their QB is average. Jamal Charles is a beast and will do everything to carry his team to the playoffs but will fail because of the tough schedule they have and the defense is lacking talent.
The Raiders will start rookie QB Derrick Carr and have added MJW to their depth at RB. Inexperienced QB and defense isn't to good with problems at the the secondary position will hurt them and such injuries. Schedule is tough as well.
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| Peyton Manning in shock after a dominant performance from the Seattle Seahwaks as they defeat the Denver Broncos 43-8 in Super Bowl 48. Image: ESPN |
I see the New England Patriots beating the Green Bay Packers in the Superbowl this year by the score of 31-25.
Stick by with us for plenty of coverage as football returns to the grand stage.
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