It's finally that time of year again and I'm very excited to get into this post so I'm going to go ahead and cut the intro short this time. These predictions will simply consist of final division standings and reasonings, playoff teams, and my Super Bowl prediction.
AFC EAST
There isn't much to explain here. The Patriots runaway with this division and might have it locked up around Thanksgiving. EJ Manuel outplays Mark Sanchez and despite Geno Smith taking over, Rex Ryan and Mark Sanchez will no longer be Jets after this season.
AFC NORTH
Call me bias or don't, but for as much as the Ravens lost this offseason, they gained some solid players as well. I'm a firm believer in to be the champ, you have to beat the champ and while the Bengals will make this division race in late December, I don't think they're ready to get over the hump. The Steelers went 8-8 last season and I simply didn't see much this offseason from them to convince me they'll do too much better this season.
AFC SOUTH
I actually had to debate myself on the top 2 teams in this division and the make my explanation simple, Andrew Luck won't hit a sophomore slump and will in fact improve this season, while Matt Schaub will once again prove that he can not perform under pressure, in fact, I would not be surprised if CJ2K ran his Titans into second place in this division. Schaub and coach Gary Kubiak could be on the hot seat come midseason.
AFC WEST
I fully expect Denver to runaway with this division in the same manner as the Patriots will in the East. With a new coach, a solid new quarterback (in my opinion), a beast of a running back, and a top 10 receiver, I see the Chiefs finishing 2nd here. Now.......FOR YEARS, I've tried my best to defend Phillip Rivers no matter how poor he has performed, but I've run out of things to say to defend him. If he finishes this season with more touchdowns than turnovers, I will be surprised. Rivers is on his way out in San Diego. You guys aren't gonna make me address the Raiders right?
NFC EAST
As much as I'm cringing at giving this satisfaction to Redskins fans, I'm a huge RGIII fan and he's proven he can get it done, health pending. Now for number 2, while I DO BELIEVE IN ELI, I also believe in Chip Kelly and his high paced offense, and as long as his offensive line keeps him upright, Michael Vick is the perfect quarterback to run the offense. Riley Cooper has to step up to replace Maclin, but Shady McCoy will also help pick up some of the slack. The Giants pick up the 3rd seed by default, because once again Tony Romo will drive "America's Team" into the ground. I will continue to say this until he proves me wrong.
NFC NORTH
Maybe the most underrated division in the league. Any of the teams under Green Bay can finish anywhere between 2-4 here. Jay Cutler is in the same boat as Phillip Rivers in my eyes, I'm simply running out of excuses to make for him. Their biggest difference, Rivers doesn't have a Brandon Marshall to throw to or a Matt Forte to hand the ball off to. AD, All Day, Adrian Peterson, MVP. I'm sure he has a couple more nicknames I could throw out, and they picked up a number 1 receiver in Greg Jennings, but I don't exactly believe in that Christian Ponder guy under center throwing the ball, maybe he proves me wrong, but I doubt it. I feel bad for putting Megatron in the basement but someone has to be there and the North is too tough.
NFC SOUTH
I know I got some Falcons fans reading this and are sick to their stomachs right now but allow me to explain even though I still don't expect you to agree. Before I get into it, if the NFC North isn't the most underrated division in the NFL then this division takes the cake. Now, maybe the best duo in the NFL is back together. I'm talking about Sean Payton and Drew Brees. Points will be scored and that offense will be explosive again. I understand their defense is questionable, and rightly so, but if you're scoring 35-50 points a game, I think you can afford to have a somewhat shaky defense. Okay Falcons fans, I love your team, I really do. White, Jackson, and I'd give up almost anyone for Julio Jones. I think we can agree that your defense shows up on a week to week basis. And now for the name you've been waiting on me to mention, the $58 million man, Matty Ice Cold Ryan. I'll make it simple, he was picked ahead of Joe Flacco in the same draft, it's time for him to get it done. I really want better for Cam Newton in Carolina but he's in the same position as Megatron in Detroit, the division is simply too tough.
NFC WEST
For every move that Seattle made this offseason, San Francisco made one to match and stay up top. The top 2 teams here have gotten alot of conversation this summer for all the moves they made, but the simple reasoning I gave above is why I have the teams ranked where they are, exactly where they were last season. However, I would like to add that I am one of the biggest Russell Wilson fans you will know. The only other thing I have to say about this division is, I'm interested to watch Honey Badger and Patrick Peterson in the Cardinals secondary.
AFC PLAYOFF TEAMS
NFC PLAYOFF TEAMS
SUPER BOWL
San Francisco 49ers over Denver Broncos
AFC EAST
- New England Patriots
- Miami Dolphins
- Buffalo Bills
- New York Jets
There isn't much to explain here. The Patriots runaway with this division and might have it locked up around Thanksgiving. EJ Manuel outplays Mark Sanchez and despite Geno Smith taking over, Rex Ryan and Mark Sanchez will no longer be Jets after this season.
AFC NORTH
- Baltimore Ravens
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Cleveland Browns
Call me bias or don't, but for as much as the Ravens lost this offseason, they gained some solid players as well. I'm a firm believer in to be the champ, you have to beat the champ and while the Bengals will make this division race in late December, I don't think they're ready to get over the hump. The Steelers went 8-8 last season and I simply didn't see much this offseason from them to convince me they'll do too much better this season.
AFC SOUTH
- Indianapolis Colts
- Houston Texans
- Tennessee Titans
- Jacksonville Jaguars
I actually had to debate myself on the top 2 teams in this division and the make my explanation simple, Andrew Luck won't hit a sophomore slump and will in fact improve this season, while Matt Schaub will once again prove that he can not perform under pressure, in fact, I would not be surprised if CJ2K ran his Titans into second place in this division. Schaub and coach Gary Kubiak could be on the hot seat come midseason.
AFC WEST
- Denver Broncos
- Kansas City Chiefs
- San Diego Chargers
- Oakland Raiders
I fully expect Denver to runaway with this division in the same manner as the Patriots will in the East. With a new coach, a solid new quarterback (in my opinion), a beast of a running back, and a top 10 receiver, I see the Chiefs finishing 2nd here. Now.......FOR YEARS, I've tried my best to defend Phillip Rivers no matter how poor he has performed, but I've run out of things to say to defend him. If he finishes this season with more touchdowns than turnovers, I will be surprised. Rivers is on his way out in San Diego. You guys aren't gonna make me address the Raiders right?
NFC EAST
- Washington Redskins
- Philadelphia Eagles
- New York Giants
- Dallas Cowboys
As much as I'm cringing at giving this satisfaction to Redskins fans, I'm a huge RGIII fan and he's proven he can get it done, health pending. Now for number 2, while I DO BELIEVE IN ELI, I also believe in Chip Kelly and his high paced offense, and as long as his offensive line keeps him upright, Michael Vick is the perfect quarterback to run the offense. Riley Cooper has to step up to replace Maclin, but Shady McCoy will also help pick up some of the slack. The Giants pick up the 3rd seed by default, because once again Tony Romo will drive "America's Team" into the ground. I will continue to say this until he proves me wrong.
NFC NORTH
- Green Bay Packers
- Chicago Bears
- Minnesota Vikings
- Detroit Lions
Maybe the most underrated division in the league. Any of the teams under Green Bay can finish anywhere between 2-4 here. Jay Cutler is in the same boat as Phillip Rivers in my eyes, I'm simply running out of excuses to make for him. Their biggest difference, Rivers doesn't have a Brandon Marshall to throw to or a Matt Forte to hand the ball off to. AD, All Day, Adrian Peterson, MVP. I'm sure he has a couple more nicknames I could throw out, and they picked up a number 1 receiver in Greg Jennings, but I don't exactly believe in that Christian Ponder guy under center throwing the ball, maybe he proves me wrong, but I doubt it. I feel bad for putting Megatron in the basement but someone has to be there and the North is too tough.
NFC SOUTH
- New Orleans Saints
- Atlanta Falcons
- Carolina Panthers
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I know I got some Falcons fans reading this and are sick to their stomachs right now but allow me to explain even though I still don't expect you to agree. Before I get into it, if the NFC North isn't the most underrated division in the NFL then this division takes the cake. Now, maybe the best duo in the NFL is back together. I'm talking about Sean Payton and Drew Brees. Points will be scored and that offense will be explosive again. I understand their defense is questionable, and rightly so, but if you're scoring 35-50 points a game, I think you can afford to have a somewhat shaky defense. Okay Falcons fans, I love your team, I really do. White, Jackson, and I'd give up almost anyone for Julio Jones. I think we can agree that your defense shows up on a week to week basis. And now for the name you've been waiting on me to mention, the $58 million man, Matty Ice Cold Ryan. I'll make it simple, he was picked ahead of Joe Flacco in the same draft, it's time for him to get it done. I really want better for Cam Newton in Carolina but he's in the same position as Megatron in Detroit, the division is simply too tough.
NFC WEST
- San Francisco 49ers
- Seattle Seahawks
- Arizona Cardinals
- St. Louis Rams
For every move that Seattle made this offseason, San Francisco made one to match and stay up top. The top 2 teams here have gotten alot of conversation this summer for all the moves they made, but the simple reasoning I gave above is why I have the teams ranked where they are, exactly where they were last season. However, I would like to add that I am one of the biggest Russell Wilson fans you will know. The only other thing I have to say about this division is, I'm interested to watch Honey Badger and Patrick Peterson in the Cardinals secondary.
AFC PLAYOFF TEAMS
- Denver Broncos
- New England Patriots
- Baltimore Ravens
- Indianapolis Colts
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Houston Texans
NFC PLAYOFF TEAMS
- San Francisco 49ers
- Green Bay Packers
- New Orleans Saints
- Washington Redskins
- Atlanta Falcons
- Seattle Seahawks
SUPER BOWL
San Francisco 49ers over Denver Broncos
