9/15/2015

One Week Too Late: NFL Predictions That Are Sure To be Wrong

This might be a week late but I didn't see too much after Week 1 to affect these predictions.  Well except Dallas losing their biggest playmaker for at least half the season. Anyways here they are:
(* = Wild Card)

AFC East
1. New England 12-4
2. Buffalo 11-5 *
3. Miami 10-6 *
4. NY Jets 3-13

You could make the argument that the three best teams in the AFC reside on the East Coast.  The Patriots are still the gold standard.  Tyrod Taylor has finally gotten his chance.  I love everything about Miami EXCEPT Ryan Tannehill.  I just don't think he's good enough to take this talented roster deep into January.

AFC North
1. Cincinnati 10-6
2. Baltimore 9-7
3. Pittsburgh 6-10
4. Cleveland 5-11

This division is beyond over-hyped.  Pittsburgh probably has the best "Big Three" in the AFC (Big Ben, Le'Veon Bell, Antonio Brown) and that's about it.  The Bengals are far and away the most talented team.

AFC South
1. Indianapolis 10-6
2. Houston 7-9
3. Tennessee 6-10
4. Jacksonville 4-12

The Colts will win this division because they have the best quarterback on the planet.  Andrew Luck is living up to the hype, if that's possible.  The rest of this division is brutally awful though it will be interesting to see just how good Marcus "Mr. Humble" Mariota will do.  Oregon QB's havent exactly lit up the NFL in recent years.

AFC West
1. Kansas City 11-5
2. San Diego 9-7
3. Denver 7-9
4. Oakland 4-12

With Peyton Manning entering his "Dan Marino '99" phase of his career this division is up for grabs.  My money is on the team with the best coach (Andy Reid) and the best pass rusher (Justin Houston).  Plus you have to figure Alex Smith will be able to connect with Pro-Bowler Jeremy Maclin for at least ONE touchdown this year.

AFC Playoffs

Wild Card Round
Buffalo over Indianapolis
Cincinnati over Miami

Divisional Round
New England over Buffalo
Kansas City over Cincinnati

Super Bowl Representative = New England

NFC East
1. NY Giants 11-5
2. Philadelphia 10-6*
3. Dallas 9-7
4. Washington 2-14

This just feels like one of those years where Eli puts it all together. ODB is without a doubt a superstar and once Victor Cruz gets reacclimated into the offense following last year's BRUTAL knee injury this team looks the part.  The Eagles have way too many "If he can stay healthy" guys on the roster to be taken serious.  The Cowboys will severely miss Dez Bryant.  The D.C. Racial Slurs are a complete dumpster fire at this point.

NFC North
1. Green Bay 13-3
2. Detroit 11-5*
3. Minnesota 7-9
4. Chicago 5-11

It's not too complicated, the Packers have Aaron Rogers and Clay Matthews and the rest of the division does not.  Mike Zimmer will coach the hell out of the Vikings though.  Cutler gonna Cutler.

NFC South
1. Carolina 8-8
2. Atlanta 7-9
3. New Orleans 6-10
4. Tampa Bay 3-13

No debate needed for this.  Without question the worst division in the league.  The Panthers have the best QB (Cam Newton) and the best LB (Luke Kuechly) so they get my vote.  Drew Brees isn't nearly as good as you remember him to be and will really miss Jimmy Graham.  Jameis Winston will do something he never dealt with in college, losing on a weekly basis.

NFC West
1. Arizona 12-4
2. Seattle 10-6
3. St. Louis 7-9
4. San Francisco 6-10

The Cardinals are so good.  They have the best coach in the NFC and as long as they aren't relying on Logan Thomas in December they should run away with this division.  The Seahawks I just don't see recovering from last years Super Bowl disaster.  Jeff Fisher will finish where he always seems to finish, around .500.

NFC Playoffs

Wild Card Round
Detroit over Carolina
Philadelphia over NY Giants

Divisional Round
Green Bay over Philadelphia
Arizona over Detroit

Super Bowl Representative = Arizona

Super Bowl 50: New England 28, Arizona 14

Tom Brady officially becomes the greatest quarterback in NFL history.  And the internet will explode because of it.