The NFL season kicked off last night with the Dallas Cowboys taking on the New York Giants in New Jersey. The rest of the league begins play on Sunday, so I think it’s about time to run through my predictions for the NFL season. I will be wrong a lot.
NFC East
Philadelphia Eagles – The Eagles have made some tweaks this year, rather than wholesale changes, and I have to believe they will rally around Andy Reid, who lost his son during training camp. A more cohesive unit will be dangerous.
Dallas Cowboys WC – I don’t trust Demarco Murray to remain healthy, but I do like the Cowboys defense, and I am coming around on Tony Romo.
New York Giants – The Giants barely snuck into the playoffs last year and got hot late. I don’t think luck will be on their side this ear.
Washington Redskins – No amount of quarterback could help this mess. Sorry, RGIII, you had better WRs at Baylor.
NFC North
Green Bay Packers – A good team that didn’t go deep in the playoffs last year, and is still fresh!
Detroit Lions WC – The Lions need healthy RBs to hold on to the ball a little bit more. I think the Lions will be very streaky and lean heavily on their DBs. If they play well, go Lions, if not, the offensive output goes to waste.
Chicago Bears – I’m not entirely on board with the Bears pinning their hopes on a hold out, disgruntled RB and a crazy wide receiver. They should be better, but not as good as people want them to be.
Minnesota Vikings – Paul Allen says they will be excellent. I say “woof”
NFC South
Carolina Panthers – The Falcons are a constant disappointment, and I think the Saints have lost too many players, especially in the WR corps to really recover from coaching suspensions. So… Here you go. The Panthers addressed their defense, and something or other Cam Newton.
Atlanta Falcons – I think the Falcons will be good, but I’ve been burned too many times before, and will not pick them for the playoffs.
New Orleans Saints – This is a gut feeling. I think losing players like Robert Meachem will be a bigger deal than the Saints think.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Truly unfortunate. The Bucs have a very tough schedule, so their record won’t reflect their skill.
NFC West
San Francisco 49ers – Have the 49ers finally surrounded Alex Smith with enough perennially disappointing wide receivers?
St. Louis Rams – The Rams could surprise a few people this year. “Oh wow, 6-10 got second place in the west!”
Seattle Seahawks – Everyone is all about Russell Wilson, and the assumption that he will be good. He beet out Tarvaris Jackson for the starting job. The bar is low.
Arizona Cardinals – So. Freaking. Bad.
AFC East
New England Patriots – I always want to bump them down in the pecking order, but who beats them? Nobody.
New York Jets – 9-7 just like every year. Might be close to the playoffs, and all the credit will be given to Tim Tebow.
Buffalo Bills – The sleeper team du jour, but how much faith do you really want to put into Ryan Fitzpatrick?
Miami Dolphins – Not as bad as you might think! At chess, I mean. Really bad at football.
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens – Historically about the defense, the Ravens have some skill on the offensive side of the ball now. I like this team.
Cincinnati Bengals WC – The Bengals are trying to scrub the problem athletes, and are getting better along the way. I worry about their running game.
Pittsburgh Steelers – Injuries, age, and a Mike Wallace hold out will disrupt the team this year. More offseason time for Big Ben is not good for anyone.
Cleveland Browns – Brandon Weeden. Oof.
AFC South
Tennessee Titans – The fact that it’s even possible for the Titans to win this division should tell you how bad it is. Expect a recharged Chris Johnson to rack up the yards, and play well with Jake Locker.
Indianapolis Colts – I don’t want to get TOO optimistic, but the Colts are absolutely going to be better because they don’t have Curtis Painter on the roster. It’s not outside the realm of possibility that they win the South.
Houston Texans – Every major skill player is coming off injury, and one of the best defenders in the league just left for BUFFALO. I don’t know why I’m the only one who thinks the Texans are going to be awful this year.
Jacksonville Jaguars – Speaking of awful, really excited to see the Jaguars in person next month.
AFC West
Denver Broncos – As anyone who knows the Peyton Manning era Colts can attest, good ends and a strong secondary are vital on defense, as opponents hit the air to try to take down the quick scoring Colts. Or Broncos in this case. And the Broncos are a well built team for Peyton Manning to win with.
Oakland Raiders WC – Carson Palmer fever! I’ve got it!
San Diego Chargers – Word is, Norv Turner is running routes this year because they are so short on receivers in San Diego.
Kansas City Chiefs – The Chiefs will be the best last place team in the AFC this year, so there’s that.
NFC Playoffs
Wild Card round
Detroit over Philadelphia
Dallas over Carolina
Divisional Round
Dallas over San Francisco
Green Bay over Detroit
NFC Championship
Green Bay over Dallas
AFC Playoffs
Wild Card round
Cincinnati over Tennessee
Baltimore over Oakland
Divisional Round
New England over Cincinnati
Baltimore over Denver
AFC Championship
Baltimore over New England
SUPER BOWL
Baltimore over Green Bay
So there you have it. I’ve got a Baltimore-Green Bay Super Bowl, and I am giving it to the Ravens. Of course, the most enjoyable part of all of this is that I know I will be wrong, and there is only one way to find out what happens: Play the games
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