Hey guys, I'm going to take a break from the factual training camp reports for a moment and do some baseless predicting. Yeah, this will most likely be way off, but I'm just doing this post for fun, not for informative reasons. So, yeah, I'm going to go through each division, look at each team and try to predict how well they will do this season. I am not going to try and go through and make sure the amount of wins match up with the amount of losses or anything like that, and it is a very basic guess. I will write an analysis per division and then try to predict the playoff match ups all the way to the super bowl, trying to predict the entire season. So, let's get started after the jump.
AFC East
New England Patriots: 12-4
Buffalo Bills: 8-8
Miami Dolphins: 8-8
New York Jets: 3-13
As you probably expected, I started off with our favorite division, the AFC East. Obviously the Patriots are the top dog here, with some added pieces on a very poor defense and some new weapons on a very explosive offense. The additions of Brandon Lloyd and the maturation of Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez should help cover up the lack of a running game and Brady's age. Coming in second are the Bills, who are basically a franchise QB, some defensive backs and a LB away from being super bowl contenders. They added some nice pass rushers and QBs will hate to go up against them. Resigning Steve Johnson gives them a top WR threat, while they have many to choose from as their no. 2. Fred Jackson and CJ Spiller are a dynamite duo, and it's up the Ryan Fitzpatrick to put it all together for them this year on offense. They have some holes on defense, but they are not too big. Coming in third are our favorite Miami Dolphins, who are looking to rebound after a poor year. The Phins defense is already great, and could step into elite if Reshad Jones or any other safety steps up and becomes a playmaker. On offense, we have one of the best rushing attacks in the league and a deep TE group. However, the WR group is barely passable, which should give trouble to whoever starts at QB. Coming in last are the New York Jets. The Jets have a tough schedule, and have little offensive talent outside of Santonio Holmes. They have issues in their O-line, lack a top RB threat, have no good QB, and their defense lost a lot of pieces. Expect them to collapse this year, as they begin a rebuild.
AFC South
Houston Texans: 14-2
Jacksonville Jaguars: 7-9
Tennessee Titans: 7-9
Indianapolis Colts: 4-12
Ahh, the division that has become the Houston Texans and nobody else. The Texans have a very easy divisional schedule and having QB Matt Schaub return should make them legitimate Super Bowl contenders. They have a great offense, passing and running, and a very good defense, which should have them shred this weak division. Coming in second are the Jacksonville Jaguars. For once, the Jaguars actually have some good weapons. They already have a solid TE, and the additions of Justin Blackmon and Laurent Robinson will only help young QB Blaine Gabbert, as will superstar RB Maurice Jones-Drew. Their defense is still suspect and Blaine Gabbert is still Blaine Gabbert, so they won't do much better than this. After them checks in the Titans. The Titans are transitioning from QB Matt Hasselbeck, who led them a game away from the playoffs, to you QB Jake Locker. This will take some time, causing them to take a step backward for the beginning of the season. Once Locker is fully integrated though, they should find some success, but it won't be enough to give them more than a 7-9 finish. The Colts come in last here, and are clearly in a transition year, with most of their pieces gone and a new rookie QB who still has to adjust to the NFL game. Luck will show some flashes, but will struggle with little talent around him.
AFC West
San Diego Chargers: 10-6
Denver Broncos: 9-7
Kansas City Chiefs: 8-8
Oakland Raiders: 7-9
This is really one of those divisions that are really hard to predict. All 4 teams have a legitimate shot at the division, but this is how I see it going down. The Chargers have an elite QB in Rivers, and added a ton of new WR threats, along with improvements on the defense and pass rush. With these new pieces, expect Rivers to go back to his normal dominance as they clinch the division. The Denver Broncos come in 2nd, as they added a huge piece in Peyton Manning. They still need some more pieces in the running game and the WR corps to be super bowl contenders, and this Peyton is not the old Peyton, so expect them to have no more than a 9-7 record. They will make the playoffs, but will face an uphill battle. Coming in third are the Kansas City Chiefs, who have a ton of elite players returning from injury. However, the Chiefs are with the Bills as one of those teams that are a franchise QB away from being a super bowl contender. The Chiefs will only go as far as Matt Cassel can take them, which is not very far. The Chiefs have a ton of talent, I just don't think Cassel has what it takes to bring that team together and contend. Coming in last are the Oakland Raiders, who can be a surprise team. They are entering their second year with Carson Palmer, have a solid WR corps and a good running game. It is just unknown whether their defense is good enough for them to take the next step.
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens: 12-4
Cincinnati Bengals: 10-6
Pittsburgh Steelers: 8-8
Cleveland Browns: 4-12
This division is very talented and can go many ways, but this is how I see it going. The young Ravens offense continues to mature as Joe Flacco gains experience. Their defense will take a hit this year, with Ray Lewis and Ed Reed aging and Terrell Suggs injured, but young pieces like Haloti Ngata and Ladarius Webb will keep that defense elite. Coming in second are the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals were a surprise team last year, as Andy Dalton took the league by storm. Dalton should improve with experience, and I do not see him having a sophomore slump. Usually, QBs have sophomore slumps when they have one strength and the defense learns to stop that strength. Andy Dalton's strength is his intelligence, and it is impossible to gameplan against intelligence, making it tough for teams to stop him. Adding Mohammed Sanu and BenJarvus Green-Ellis should only help that offense. The Bengals already have a good defense, which leads them to this record and a playoff spot. I see the Pittsburgh Steelers being this year's San Diego Chargers, the team with high expectations that struggles to come together. They have a lot to deal with offensively, with 3 new starting O-lineman, uncertainty with Mike Wallace, a new O-coordinator and the complete lack of a running game. Their defense is still good, but isn't as dominant as years past. This team needs youth, but they didn't add much of it. Rounding it out are the Cleveland Browns, who are definitely in a transition year. They have a new rookie QB who came out of a Mickey Mouse offense, a rookie RB, rookie WR and poor defense. They will need some time as a team, and will struggle this year.
AFC Playoffs
1. Houston Texans
2. New England Patriots
3. Baltimore Ravens
4. San Diego Chargers
5. Cincinnati Bengals
6. Denver Broncos
Wild Card Round
Bengals 30 - Chargers 33
Broncos 17 - Ravens 27
The Bengals will head west to San Diego to take on the Chargers. Phillip Rivers and that offense are simply too much for the Bengals to handle as they end up falling out of the playoffs in a very close game. The Broncos head east to take on the Ravens, and end up biting off more than they could chew. Peyton Manning and the Broncos offense is eaten up by the Ravens defense, while the Ravens offense exploits the Broncos defense in a big win.
Divisional Round
Ravens 37 - Patriots 33
Chargers 20 - Texans 37
The Ravens head up to Boston to take on the Patriots looking for revenge after losing last year's AFC championship game. Their defense will step up to the plate, but Joe Flacco will win this game, as he beats Tom Brady in a high-scoring shootout. The Texans, on the other hand, have their way with the Chargers. Rivers and the offense won't be able to do much against the Texans defense as the Texans offense leads them to a blowout victory
AFC Championship
Ravens 24 - Texans 21
This game will be very close, with both the Ravens and Texans offense staying on par with each other as Joe Flacco, Torrey Smith and Ray Rice manage to keep up with Matt Schaub, Andre Johnson and Arian Foster. It will be the defense, however, that decides this one, as the Ravens defense outplays to Texans en route to the super bowl. One interesting fact you may like to know, if my predictions hold up, this will be the first time in 10 years a QB other than Peyton Manning, Ben Roethlisberger or Tom Brady leads the team representing the AFC in the Super Bowl
NFC East
New York Giants: 11-5
Philadelphia Eagles: 10-6
Dallas Cowboys: 9-7
Washington Redskins: 5-11
This division is very tough to predict, since all three of the teams on top are close to each other in terms of talent, but this is how I see it playing out. As much as the media tends to overlook this, the Giants ARE the defending world champs, and are still the throne-holders. The still have an elite QB, a top ranked WR tandem, elite pass rush and added a solid running game and some nice defensive pieces. The Giants are still the best team in the division and their record should show that. Coming in 2nd are the Eagles, the supposed "dream team." The Eagles are a very good team, but they may have too much star power, no to mention the fact that Michael Vick is aging rapidly and can't stay healthy. In fact, I think the Eagles will be looking for a QB to eventually replace Vick in this year's draft. If Vick can stay healthy, the Eagles can be good, but Vick's health is never a sure thing. Coming in 3rd are the Cowboys, who added a ton of defensive pieces this year. Their defense should be good personnel-wise, but Rob Ryan is a very inconsistent defensive coordinator. Offensively, they have a decent group, but it's not enough against teams like the Eagles and the Giants. The Redskins finish out the division, and have a decent crew, but still need some pieces both on offense and defense. RGIII will eventually be a good QB, but he still needs a year or two before he is ready, as does the whole team. This division is really one to watch, and in reality, any of the teams have playoff potential.
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons: 12-4
New Orleans Saints: 9-7
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 7-9
Carolina Panthers: 6-10
This is another tough division, but it's a little easier to predict. The Falcons are rearing up for a title run with the Saints dealing with their issues. The Falcons have a very good QB, a great crew of weapons, a solid O-line and a stout defense. I think this is the year Matt Ryan finally breaks through and delivers a great year, not to mention a playoff win. The Saints come in second, but mostly due to the loss of leadership in Sean Peyton. Without their Head Coach, the Saints will struggle, but have the talent to come away with a winning record. They have an elite QB and offense, but a very poor defense, which should hurt them further. The Bucs come in third, with Josh Freeman trying to go back to his 2010 form, when he had an elite season. They added a load of free agents, had a solid draft, have a new, disciplined head coach, and are looking towards being a winning team. Finally, the Panthers come in last. Unlike Dalton, I expect Cam Newton to have a sophomore slump. This is because it is possible to gameplan against Newton's talents. Andy Dalton relies on intelligence and accuracy, which is hard to gameplan against, while Newton's speed and athleticism is easy to gameplan against. Newton will struggle this year, and the lack of any defense makes the Panthers the bottom dwellers here.
NFC West
San Francisco 49ers: 13-3
Seattle Seahawks: 7-9
Arizona Cardinals: 6-10
St. Louis Rams: 4-12
This division is very similar to the AFC South in that there is really only one top team here. The 49ers have a great defense, and an offense that gets the job done in this weak division. Coming in second are the Seahawks. The Seahawks have a new QB, a great safety group, a good RB, and some really nice pieces overall. The thing is, it's simply not enough. They are mediocre, not good enough to be a contender, but not bad enough to be at the bottom. They have potential to be better, but until Matt Flynn or Russell Wilson get experience with the team, they won't be very good. Coming in third are the Arizona Cardinals. They have a very good core group of players, but the QB controversy, the lack of good defense, the terrible O-line and the lack of a good running game will hurt them. The Rams come in last, as this is a make or break year for Sam Bradford. The lack of a good O-line and WR corps will not help him one bit. They have some decent defensive pieces, but it will not they still need more before that defense is ready.
NFC North
Chicago Bears: 11-5
Green Bay Packers: 10-6
Detroit Lions: 9-7
Minnesota Vikings: 5-11
This is a very tough division, with 3 very good teams. The Chicago Bears come in first, as Jay Cutler finally has a great WR. Brandon Marshall and Cutler already have chemistry, and the addition of Michael Bush gives them one of the best running games in the league. That tough offense is in addition to what is most likely the best defense in the division. If Jay Cutler can stay healthy, this team is a legitimate contender. Coming in second are the Green Bay Packers. Aaron Rodgers is still the best QB in the league, and has a great WR corps, but the lack of any running game and defense will lower their standing from last year. In third place in this stacked division comes the Detroit Lions. I doubt Matthew Stafford, although elite, will be able to match the magical season he had last year. But Calvin Johnson is still there, and Jahvid Best and Mikel Leshoure return from injuries. But the weak defense hurts them as they get edged out and barely miss the playoffs. Coming in last are the Vikings.They have a young QB, a weak WR corps, and a poor defense. Adrian Peterson keeps them competitive, but isn't enough to make them much more than that.
NFC Playoffs
1. San Francisco 49ers
2. Atlanta Falcons
3. New York Giants
4. Chicago Bears
5. Philadelphia Eagles
6. Green Bay Packers
Wildcard Round
Packers 27 - Giants 34
Eagles 37 - Bears 27
Both of these games will be good, as the teams are close in terms of talent. In the first game, the Giants offense and defense is too much for the Packers offense, as the Giants show once again why they won the Super Bowl. Their pass rush starts to get to Rodgers, who has a poor day, while Eli Manning and co. have all day to exploit the terrible Packers defense. In the second game, The Eagles, led by Vick, beat out the Bears. The Eagles have a great pass rush, but the Bears O-line is terrible, leaving Jay Cutler on the ground early and often. The Eagles defense shuts down the Bears offense en route to a big victory.
Divisional Round
Eagles 17 - 49ers 24
Giants 37 - Falcons 43
Another round of great playoff action. In the first game, the 49ers defense completely shuts down the Eagles offense, while their offense, led by Alex Smith, does just enough to clinch the victory. This will be the type of close, low scoring game that the 49ers thrive in. The other game, however, is a completely different story. The Falcons enter this game looking for revenge after being embarrassed last year by the Giants. This game turns into an offensive showdown as Matt Ryan and Eli Manning get into it. Even though Eli is a better QB, the hunger that Ryan will have is too much as the Falcons finally get a playoff win and advance to the next round.
NFC Championship Game
Falcons 20 - 49ers 23
This will be a very close game, as both teams are about even in terms of talent. The 49ers win this close, hard fought game, advancing to the Super Bowl. They have a very good defense, while their offense will get the job done as usual. The Falcons offense will struggle, and their defense won't be able to do enough to stop the 49ers from winning this one
So, I'll end my predictions here. I'll leave it to you to decide ho wins the Harbaugh bowl, AKA Super Bowl. The two Harbaugh brothers will get into it, and it should be a great game between two defensive minded teams. As usual, our training camp reports will continue tomorrow, as today's practice will be nighttime, and I will not be able to report on it.
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