AFC:
NORTH
- Steelers - The Steelers are in a strange time. Big Ben, Antonio Brown, and Le’Veon Bell will lead their high scoring offense. While the usually stout defense is in rebuild mode. But there is a great chance this defense can get it together to win the division. The offense will carry the defense to a division title.
- Bengals - I think if we have learned one thing from the Bengals it’s that they are a great regular team. The offense will score points and the defense will get the big stops to win football games. This is a good football team but not a great one. That can’t contend with the elite teams of the league.
- Ravens - They seem like the boring team for this year. It’s you get what you see. Yeah they will win games but so what. I’m not really inspired by this team. Steve Smith Sr. already announced his retirement tour so there is that. The defense will be good and Terrell Suggs will get a lot of personal foul penalties and possibly fines. We better keep our eye out for that.
- Browns - Lets see there will be a good defense here that will keep the Browns in the game. A really good offensive line to give the RBs and QB a chance. I just don’t see any playmakers in their skill positions. Their best offensive weapon is a rookie RB with a concussion. Get well soon Duke Johnson Jr.
SOUTH
- Colts - Andrew Luck is great and will probably win the MVP this year. The got future Hall of Fame RB Frank Gore to finally give them a running game. So now I think they are unstoppable on offense. The defense will be a good one for the Colts. With a weak division they should cruise.
- Texans - Man, this was a fun team to watch on Hard Knocks this year. J.J. Watt is a beast and can do anything. DeAndre Hopkins will lead a young offense into the season while the team waits for Arian Foster to return from injury. This defense will get a lot of sack, but I’m not sure if the secondary will be able to stop the opposing teams passing game.
- Jaguars - The Jaguars are building a solid foundation on offense through the draft. Blake Bortles, Allen Robinson, and T.J. Yeldon are up and coming stars on the offense. The defense will surprise a lot of people. They are big, they are fast, and they can tackle. They will no longer be the laughing stock of the NFL.
- Titans - Marcus Mariota is a great talent. I hope the Titans don’t waste it. I don’t think there is enough help for Mariota this year to contend. The defense isn't the greatest either. There are going to be a lot of tough weeks, but Mariota should make it a little exciting.
EAST
- Patriots - The Patriots still own this division, for at least one more year. I feel Tom Brady and company are going to be in a straight screw you mode to the NFL and try to blow people out. I don’t think the defense gets enough credit. They did lose both of their corners but some how they always find a way to win.
- Dolphins - If any team can dethrone the champs it will be the Dolphins. This team led by their QB Ryan Tannehill are ready to take the next step. With an underrated RB, Lamar Miller, two wide receiver from the last two drafts, and Jordan Cameron from free agency. Ndamukong Suh was the big signing to fill any gaps the strong defense may have had.
- Bills - The Bills once again will have a good defense but that is never the problem for them. I don’t know who the bigger signing is top RB LeSean McCoy or head coach Rex Ryan. The Bills have a lot of talent on both sides of the ball, except the one position you need to win in this league. The Bill will go with Tyrod Taylor to try to get this offense going. If nothing else they should be fun to watch.
- Jets - The best thing that may have happened to the Jets is have the starting QB Geno Smith get sucker punched. I think Ryan Fitzpatrick is a proven QB who can move the ball and win games. The Jets are not a bad football team. They may not even finish last. But if they do I’m sure they will be the best last place team.
WEST
- Broncos - Peyton Manning is once again being questioned if this is his last year and who knows. He will probably still throw for 30 TDs. WR Demaryius Thomas is a game changer and with some stability at RB in C.J. Anderson this will be another year with a high powered offense. The Broncos defense is getting better too. But the window is closing they need to win now.
- Chiefs - Finally Alex Smith gets a good NFL quality WR. Jeremy Maclin will be bringing the big play for the Chiefs. Travis Kelce and Jamaal Charles will also be big contributors to this offense. The Chiefs have such a stingy defense that they alone will be winning games for the team.
- Chargers - The Chargers have a good team but their record won’t show that. They added some pieces to the offense in Stevie Johnson and rookie RB Melvin Gordon. I don’t know if the defense will be able to stop teams in the fourth quarter. There will be a lot of close games. Hopefully they can get the ball to bounce their way.
- Raiders - Once again I hear ‘The Raiders are a year away!’. And now the new one is “This is the Raiders year!’ Year for what? To finish 3rd? I’m not convinced the Derek Carr is the savior yet. I think its still too early. They think they found their RB in Latavius Murray, but I again think it’s too early. I do believe they have gotten better on both sides of the ball, but in such a strong division I see another 4th place finish.
NFC:
NORTH
- Packers - They may have lost Jordy Nelson, one of the best WRs in the league, for the year but they still have a perennial MVP QB in Aaron Rodgers who can turn another WR in one of the best in the league. The defense will be a good compliment to this dominating offense.
- Vikings - The Vikings get Adrian Peterson back and with second year QB Teddy Bridgwater they should be surprising some teams by putting up some points this year. With their good defense they should be in games with a chance to win all year long.
- Lions - I feel it's time that this once high powered offense to take a step back. The Lions have a really good defense, but will the offense be able to score the points needed to win the games?
- Bears - All new coaches this year. Not a big fan of the head coach, but I love their offensive and defensive hires. But, the players are the still same and they are already battling injuries.
SOUTH
- Panthers - Very unfortunate how this team lost Kelvin Benjamin, their young star WR, and only competent WR some may say. Good news is the Panthers are in the same spot they were in as last season and they won the division. They have one of the leagues strongest defenses and Jonathan Stewart who, if healthy, can be a dominate top 10 back. In a weak division they can come out on top. But with a winning record?…Maybe not.
- Saints - With future Hall of Fame QB Brew Brees in his downward slide this offense will still put up points with their new and young offensive weapons. The only problem will be the defense may be on of the worst in the league.
- Buccaneers - This could be the new up and coming team in the NFL. I don’t think many people are aware of how good this defense is. Hopefully, they finally found their QB with the first pick in last years draft. With talented WRs and a resurgent running game this team could do damage. I just hope the offensive line will keep the rookie QB upright for most of the season.
- Falcons - With Matt Ryan and arguably the best WR in the league, Julio Jones, this team will still struggle during the season. Virtually no running game paired with one of the worst defenses in the league will make for a long season.
EAST
- Eagles - I am a big believer in this offense and I think they are going to pout up a ton of points. If Sam Bradford can stay healthy all year he could be in line for a MVP season. I also think the Eagles defense will be good enough to win this division.
- Cowboys - Tony Romo and Dez Bryant will be a deadly combination for defenses this year. Once the Cowboys figure out the RB situation this offense will roll. But I think this team will show its weakness with a defense the over achieved last year.
- Giants - This may be a sneaky team this year. Eli Manning is poised to have another great year and having Odell Beckham Jr for a full season will help with that. The Giants think they have reloaded on defense but I just don’t see it. They will contend all year but eventually miss the playoffs.
- Redskins - I mean the Washington Football Club. This team is a mess. There is no leadership from management with the owner and head coach already not seeing eye to eye. RG3 has basically been cut but still on the team. Kirk Cousins is probably overrated but the head coach apparently loves him. Oh, and the defense is garbage. Good luck.
WEST
- Seahawks - They have Marshawn Lynch one of the best RBs in the league, they have Russell Wilson a QB that knows how to win football games, they just strengthened a weakness by getting Jimmy Graham a top TE that scores in the red zone, and oh yeah they still got that dominating defense.
- Cardinals - The Cardinals are a team that has been getting better every year. The defense is good enough to get to and advance in the playoffs. If Carson Palmer can stay healthy all year they should contend and maybe win the division.
- 49ers - This team is the biggest question mark in the entire league. Yes, they lost some star players, but they did get some back. Injuries decimated this team last year and they seem pretty healthy for now. And who know what these coaches are capable of. They could be the biggest surprises of the year.
- Rams - There is always hype about this team. Will this be the year? I'm guessing no. They traded talent for health at QB, which is a down grade in my opinion. There is still no one on the offense that will scare a defense, they are waiting for their rookie RB Todd Gurley to get healthy...but it's a rookie. But hey there is still that pretty good defense.
Playoffs
AFC Playoff Teams
- Colts - The Colts dominate a weak division and get a fast pass to the number one seed.
- Broncos - A hot start in the season is enough to lock up the second seed
- Patriots - There will be big wins mixed with head scratching loses. They will miss out on an extra week of rest.
- Steelers - A home playoff game is a good reward for winning a tough division.
- Dolphins - In any other division they may have gotten a home game. But the playoffs are where they want to be.
- Chiefs - The Chiefs get back in the playoffs and don’t want a repeat of two years ago.
NFC Playoff Teams
- Seahawks - The Seahawks are able to handle business and the home field advantage, which they know they will need.
- Eagles - With a tough win on the road in the season finale a much needed first round by bye.
- Packers - Another home playoff game is earned, but miss out on the second seed and a week off.
- Panthers - Sneaking into the playoffs with a 7-9 record is nothing to be proud of, but someone from that division needed to be here.
- Cardinals - Two years in a row making the playoffs, now healthy they want to do damage.
- Cowboys - Last game of the year the Cowboys lose the finale, but so do every other team fighting for the playoffs and they get in by the back door.
Wild Card Round
Chiefs @ Patriots - Even throughout the game an uncharacteristic turnover by Alex Smith stops a late drive to win the game. The Patriots move on.
Dolphins @ Steelers - The high flying Steelers prove to be too much for the young Dolphin team
Cowboys @ Packers - No controversy this time. The Packers win by double digits. Romo has two picks.
Cardinals @ Panthers - A healthy Cardinal teams shows up this time and beats up the Panthers. It’s not close...
Divisional Round
Patriots @ Broncos - The Broncos find a little more Mile High Magic and beat the Patriots at home again in the playoffs. Its the Broncos defense that seals the deal.
Steelers @ Colts - The Colts offense is too much for the Steelers defense in a high scoring game.
Packers @ Eagles - The Packers defense slows down the Eagles offense. Late in a close game there is a 4th & 26, but no Freddie Mitchell this time and the Packers close the game.
Cardinals @ Seahawks - The Cardinals came in not afraid of the 12th man and stop a late drive by the Seahawks to get the win.
Conference Championship
Broncos @ Colts - An emotional game for Peyton as talk of his impending retirement reach an all time high with him coming back to Indy. Andrew Luck is able to figure out the Broncos defense to get a comfortable lead in the second half. Peyton begins his comeback and gets within one score before he tries to fit a pass in a small window and gets picked off. Colts again advance one more round.
Cardinals @ Packers - The road warriors that are the Cardinals have done it all this post season. Travel across country, beat a team that doesn’t lose at home in the playoffs, but now the face an unfamiliar task. The frozen tundra. Packers led by Eddie Lacy dominate the game. The Packers defense, along with the cold, don’t let the Cardinals offense even get started. The Packers are back in the Super Bowl.
Packers vs Colts - It’s kinda fitting with the Super Bowl being in the Bay Area we have two QBs from Bay Area colleges. Aaron Rodgers (Cal Berkley) lead the Packers against Andrew Luck (Stanford) and the Colts. With precision passing, long runs, and big hits this is one of the most entertaining and memorable Super Bowls ever. I mean this is the Super Bowl no one will remember the halftime show. Back and forth they go with each teams defenses making timely stops. Frank Gore, coming back to the city where he made his career, breaks through up the middle for a TD run giving the Colts the lead with a little more than 2 minutes to go. Rodgers starts his 2 minute offense. With the ball inside the 20 yard line and needing a TD to win the game Rodgers (Cal Berkley) finds his rookie WR Ty Montgomery (Stanford) in the back of the end zone. The Packers win the Super Bowl.
The Packers are the fourth team to win five Super Bowls. Aaron Rodgers get the Super Bowl MVP. The Super Bowl fuels the rivalry between Stanford and Cal Berkley. They argue over which school has the Super Bowl hero, the guy that threw it or the guy that caught it.
Ok, that’s what I got. Let me know what you think. I know everyone has an opinion.
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