2014 NFL Regular Season and Playoff Predictions

With the preseason underway, it is time for some predictions

AFC

1. Denver Broncos
The defending AFC champions overhauled their defense in their acquisitions of DeMarcus Ware, TJ Ward, and Aqib Talib. Oh yeah- Peyton Manning is still running the show as well.

2. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts added wide receiver Hakeem Nicks to a ball catching core of Reggie Wayne, TY Hilton, Dwayne Allen, and Coby Fleener. Coupled with the easiest schedule in football and the developing Andrew Luck, the Colts will have a great run this season.

3. New England Patriots
The Patriots will win the AFC East as they always do. I do not think that this season will be as easy for the Patriots because of the rising New York Jets, but I think they’ll win a close battle with their division rivals to the south.

4. Baltimore Ravens
I do not think it possible that Joe Flacco plays any worse than he did last season. Also, the installation of Gary Kubiak’s offense, which runs a plethora of two tight end sets, will help Flacco because of the big tight ends he now has in Dennis Pitta and Owen Daniels.

5. San Diego Chargers
Philip Rivers was one of the most underrated quarterbacks last year. While we were talking about Manning, Brees, and the other big names, Rivers quietly had a spectacular season and led the Chargers to a playoff spot and a first round win in Cincinnati. He’ll continue that trend this season.

6. New York Jets
As I mentioned before, I think the Jets will challenge the Patriots for the AFC East crown, and I like the additions of Michael Vick, Eric Decker, and Chris Johnson. However, I think they will fall short of the division quest, but will clinch a playoff spot.

NFC

1. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers were the only team that came even close to beating the Seahawks in the playoffs last season, and I think they will come out hungry and motivated. They’ve improved in the offseason, and I think Colin Kaepernick will have his best season as a professional quarterback.

2. New Orleans Saints
Great quarterback, great offensive minded coach, and strong weapons for Drew Brees. As long as the defense doesn’t allow 30 points a game, this team is in great position to re-take the NFC South.

3. Green Bay Packers
This might be the best division in football, especially if Teddy Bridgewater can bring play well with the Vikings. There could be four very strong teams in this division, but Aaron Rodgers is the only signal caller that I trust in this division, and it’s hard to pick against him.

4. Dallas Cowboys
This might be the biggest coin-flip on this list. I’m not very high on Robert Griffin III like many. Sure, he had a great rookie year, but what about last year? Eli could be superstar Eli or lead the league in interceptions, so I have no confidence in picking the Giants.

There is no way that Nick Foles puts up statistics like he did last season, so I think the Eagles offense will slightly regress. I think that the Cowboys will win the division because of having a lighter schedule than the Eagles, and also because I believe that Tony Romo will have one of his best seasons leading Big D.

5. Seattle Seahawks
They have a great young quarterback and an elite defense. I’m interested to see if Percy Harvin can do more for them this year than in his injury plagued first year with the ‘Hawks. However, I do think that Seattle will regress very slightly, and that will allow San Francisco to take the division.

6. Chicago Bears
I think Jay Cutler will have a great year throwing to his twin tower wide receivers. The Bears defense is suspect at best, but I think that Cutler will lead them to the playoffs.

Wild Card Round:

New England (3) defeats New York Jets (6)
San Diego (5) defeats Baltimore (4)

Green Bay (3) defeats Chicago (6)
Seattle (5) defeats Dallas (4)

Divisional Round:

Denver (1) defeats San Diego (5)
Indianapolis (2) defeats New England (3)

San Francisco (1) defeats Seattle (5)
New Orleans (2) defeats Green Bay (3)

Conference Championships:

Denver (1) defeats Indianapolis (2)
San Francisco (1) defeats New Orleans (2)

Super Bowl:
San Francisco (1) defeats Denver (1)

[Photo Credit: Getty Images]