I have never claimed to be an expert on NFL football. But this is how I see the upcoming NFL season playing out. Check back in February to see how I did ...
NFC East
1. Washington Redskins
2. Philadelphia Eagles
3. Dallas Cowboys
4. New York Giants
When I make these predictions, I never assume injuries to anyone. Injuries are so random in the NFL, that it doesn't make sense to say things like, "I think RGIII could injure himself again". Yes, he could, and so could any other QB, or any other player at any position for that matter. I think the Redskins have enough playmakers on the offensive side of the ball to take this division. I am intrigued with how the Eagles will look in Chip Kelly's offense, but I'm not ready to appoint them as the team to beat yet. Dallas will continue to show flashes of brilliance, but will also continue to be a circus. It's a shame that I have the Giants taking last, as they are co-hosting the Super Bowl this year with the Jets, and we all know the Jets will stink.
NFC North
1. Green Bay Packers
2. Chicago Bears
3. Minnesota Vikings
4. Detroit Lions
The Packers didn't really do enough in the offseason on the defensive side of the ball to show me that they can go deep in the playoffs, but I still think they are the class of the division. The Bears, just like the Eagles, will be interesting to see on offense, with a whole new scheme coming in. The Vikings will be one dimensional on offense, and the Lions will be playing from behind a lot.
NFC South
1. New Orleans Saints
2. Atlanta Falcons
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
4. Carolina Panthers
Drew Brees gets his coach back. That can't be good for NFC South defenses. The Falcons, and I 've been saying this for a few years now, don't have that it factor to make a deep run. They are a nice team, but that's about it. Tampa Bay and Carolina won't be relevant in 2013.
NFC West
1. Seattle Seahawks
2. Arizona Cardinals
3. San Francisco 49ers
4. St Louis Rams
This is a fascinating division. The Seahawks are strong up and down the roster, great balance, they hit hard. I'm shocking the world by saying the Cardinals will finish ahead of the Niners. Bruce Arians is the reigning NFL Coach of the Year, and I think he'll have these guys ready for the season. We've seen the Super Bowl loser from the previous season take a step back a lot in the past, and I think that's what we see here. Kaepernick's sample size was too small from 2012 to assume he'll be as great as he was. Gore's getting up there, they have some injuries on the offensive side of the ball. I have the Rams taking last, but they are a good team. There's a chance that all 4 teams in this division play .500 ball or better.
NFC Playoff Predictions
Wild Card Games
Green Bay Packers over Chicago Bears
Washington Redskins over Atlanta Falcons
Divisional Playoff Games
New Orleans Saints over Washington Redskins
Seattle Seahawks over Green Bay Packers
NFC Championship Game
Seattle Seahawks over New Orleans Saints
AFC East
1. New England Patriots
2. Miami Dolphins
3. Buffalo Bills
4. New York Jets
This is a weak division, maybe the weakest in the whole league. I don't think the Patriots will be great this season. They may end up being benefactors of getting 6 games against the Dolphins, Bills and Jets. The Jets are my pick as the worst team in the league this year.
AFC North
1. Cincinnati Bengals
2. Cleveland Browns
3. Baltimore Ravens
4. Pittsburgh Steelers
This is another fascinating division. To me, and I'm not just saying this as a Browns fan, but it feels like there will be a shift in power in the AFC North soon. The Bengals seem ready to take a step forward and claim this division. Yes, yes, I'm taking the Browns for 2nd place, but they could very easily take 4th. The Ravens won't be the same team they were last year. They are missing a lot of on the field leadership from last year's Super Bowl winning squad. The Steelers seem old to me. They are well coached, and they've been a model franchise, so again, they could end up being 1st or 2nd in this division as well. Should be a fun season to follow the AFC North.
AFC South
1. Houston Texans
2. Indianapolis Colts
3. Tennessee Titans
4. Jacksonville Jaguars
If I could put money down on one division prediction I'm making, 1 through 4, it would be this one. I think Houston is by far the class of this division. The Colts will be solid. The Titans will be irrelevant, and the Jaguars will be awful.
AFC West
1. Denver Broncos
2. Kansas City Chiefs
3. San Diego Chargers
4. Oakland Raiders
The Broncos, despite losing some key pieces this offseason on the defensive side of the ball, will simply outscore every other team in this division. The Chiefs will be improved with a new coach and QB, and because of the lack of depth in the AFC, will sneak in as a #6 seed. The Chargers made some changes to their coaching staff, but didn't really do much to improve the roster. The Raiders are, well, the Raiders and will take 4th because they can't take 5th.
AFC Playoff Predictions
Wild Card Games
New England Patriots over Kansas City Chiefs
Indianapolis Colts over Cincinnati Bengals
Divisional Playoff Games
Houston Texans over Indianapolis Colts
Denver Broncos over New England Patriots
AFC Championship Game
Houston Texans over Denver Broncos
Super Bowl Prediction
Seattle Seahawks 27 Houston Texans 23
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