New England Patriots (12-4, 1st in AFC East, Rd. 1 Bye)
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| I love Shane Vereen but what is New England's running attack come January? |
Offseason Additions: CB's Darrelle Revis & Brandon Browner (suspended first 4 games and WR Brandon LaFell
Offseason Losses: RB LeGarrette Blount, MLB Brandon Spikes, CB Aqib Talib
Impact Rookies: DT Dominique Easley & RB James White
Strengths: Rob Gronkowski is healthy, Pass defense
Weaknesses: Defensive Line, Receiving Corps
Darrelle Revis is a game-changer. This Patriot team is 100,000,000% serious about winning one more super bowl while Brady and Belichick are around. With a one-year deal for Revis this offseason, not only did New England shore their defensive backfield's loss of Aqib Talib, they also improved dramatically. Brandon Browner is a nice addition but the question is whether he'll be 2013 Brandon Browner (average, not a starter, disappears often) or 2011 Brandon Browner (Pro Bowl potential and a major force in most games). The Patriots should coast through the regular season (14-2 is certainly within grasp) but the playoffs are a different beast that involves more running (Ex: LeGarrette Blount last season) and defense (Seattle winning the Lombardi Trophy). I'm not sure if Tom Brady has the running attack behind him right now to come through in the clutch during January and February (New England RB's: Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen, James White, Brandon Bolden). Julian Edelman is a poor-man's Wes Welker but unlike Welker, he doesn't get the yards after the catch. Their receiving corps is pretty below-average without frequently-injured TE Rob Gronkowski.
Miami Doplhins (8-8, 2nd in AFC East, #6 seed wildcard)
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| Jason Getz - USA Today Sports Branden Albert is the most important Dolphin this season. |
Offseason Additions: T Brandon Albert, RB Knowshon Moreno, G Daryn Colledge, CB Cortland Finnegan, DT Earl Mitchell, S Louis Delmas
Offseason Losses: G's Richie Incognito & John Jerry, DT Paul Soliai, CB Nolan Carroll, S Chris Clemons
Impact Rookies: T Ja'Wuan James & WR Jarvis Landry
Strengths: Pass Rush
Weaknesses: Rookie Tackle, Too much turnover in pass defense
Ryan Tannehill needs to be able to get the necessary time for correct decisions and throws to be made. Tannehill cannot lead the league in times sacked this season and manage to make the playoffs. They payed Brandon Albert more for what he's done than what he's about to do (5-years, $47 million) but, anything is an improvement over last season's Dolphins O-Line. Albert is a pro-bowl Tackle who has only played one full season out of six which would be a concern if Miami weren't as desperate to sign him. I think Albert stays upright and keeps Tannehill upright while the running game struggles once again. The defense made a bunch of replacements this offseason (Finnegan, Delmas, Mitchell IN) (Soliai, Carroll, Dmitri Patterson, Clemons OUT) and that makes me less confident in their defense than I was at the start of last season. Miami's defense should rank in the top twenty as long as Cortland Finnegan and Delmas aren't both busts. Knowshon Moreno and Lamar Miller will do enough to keep this team in the playoff hunt and as long as Olivier Vernon and Cameron Wake are around, the Dolphins will intimidate opposing Quarterbacks. I like this team but I'm settling my optimism for an average 8-8 season with a wildcard berth.
New York Jets (7-9, 3rd in AFC East, No Playoffs)
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| Robert Deutsch/USA TODAY Sports It's easy to get fired up about the Jets' defense. |
Offseason Additions: QB Michael Vick, RB Chris Johnson, WR Eric Decker, T Breno Giacomini
Offseason Losses: QB Mark Sanchez, WR Santonio Holmes, G Vlad Ducasse, T Austin Howard, CB Antonio Cromartie
Impact Rookies: S Calvin Pryor, TE Jace Amaro, CB Dexter McDougle, G Dakota Dozier
Strengths: Run defense, Mangold & Ferguson on O-Line
Weaknesses: Cornerbacks, Every skill offensive player
Rex Ryan is a genius as a defensive coordinator. We knew this all along but what we didn't realize is that he's a mediocre head coach when given terrible options on offense. Eric Decker and Chris Johnson are nice additions but nowhere near enough to take away from the turnovers of Geno Smith or the fact that this team hasn't had a solid #2 receiver since Jerricho Cotchery. Chris Johnson is not "CJ2K" anymore. He's lucky to be "CJ1K" with the guys behind him who will annoy fantasy owners all season long (Chris Ivory & Bilal Powell). The run defense is looking great with Sheldon Richardson, Muhammad Wilkerson, David Harris, and Damon "Snacks" Harrison returning. One major concern is how the pass defense will play minus Antonio Cromartie. The addition of former-Louisville Safety Calvin Pryor is an uncertainty heading into the season and with Dee Milliner disappointing in his first season along with Kyle Wilson's one-year-away-from-officially-being-a-bust status, nobody's excited about the Jets' pass defense.
Buffalo Bills (3-13, Last in the AFC East, #2 pick in 2015 Draft)
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| AP Photo Along with Rex Ryan, I don't think Doug Marrone will be a head coach in 2015. |
Offseason Additions: RB Bryce Brown, WR Mike Williams, G Chris Williams, OLB Keith Rivers, MLB Brandon Spikes, DB Corey Graham
Offseason Losses: WR Steve Johnson, DE Alex Carrington, S Jairus Byrd
Impact Rookies: WR Sammy Watkins, T Cyrus Kouandjio, OL Cyril Richardson, T Seantrel Henderson, CB Ross Cockrell
Strengths: Running game, Pass rush
Weaknesses: Quarterback, Offensive Tackles, Defensive Backs
2014 will be the season where Buffalo figures out what they're doing with E.J. Manuel. You can't simply bury a player who missed as many games as he did last year. I still think there's some potential there but, without reading too much into the preseason, it looks like his potential is almost all gone already. C.J. Spiller could be on the trading block come week eight if the Bills start out 1-6 or 0-7. Mario Williams has been a major addition to Buffalo's defense and it would be a damn shame if he wasted all of his years in Buffalo with not a single playoff berth. This team needs fixing and I don't think any of it involves Doug Marrone, E.J. Manuel, or the city of Buffalo.
Baltimore Ravens (10-6, 1st in AFC North, #4 seed in playoffs)
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| AP Photo/Gail Burton C.J. Mosley is the beast out East that nobody is talking about... yet. |
Offseason Additions: WR Steve Smith, TE Owen Daniels, C Jeremy Zuttah
Offseason Losses: FB Vonta Leach, TE Ed Dickson, T Michael Oher, DE Arthur Jones, MLB Jameel McClain, CB Corey Graham, S James Ihedigbo
Impact Rookies: MLB C.J. Mosley, DT Timmy Jernigan, S Terrence Brooks, RB Lorenzo Taliaferro
Strengths: The entire defense, an abundance of Smiths
Weaknesses: Running Backs, Right Tackle
Joe Flacco isn't as bad as his stats were last season (19 TD's, 22 INT's) but he's also not as good as his contract (Infinity dollars over 7 years). If he can limit the interceptions this season and at least look competent, Baltimore will challenge Cincinnati for the division title. With the addition of Steve Smith, Flacco has his first trustworthy receiving duo other than the Anquan Boldin/Torrey Smith season in which Baltimore won the Super Bowl. After pulling off some brilliant draft picks (CB Jimmy Smith, S Matt Elam, MLB C.J. Mosley) to replace the core of their defense for a decade (Ray Lewis, Ed Reed), Baltimore's defense could be back to where it was in 2012 by the end of the season. Nobody loves Baltimore right now and I am very much in the minority when I say that this team is a super bowl contender once again. The one thing that really concerns me is whether or not Ray Rice is finished as a productive Running Back and whether or not the offensive line can at least be average this season after a terrible year last season.
Cincinnati Bengals (9-7, 2nd in AFC North, #5 seed wildcard)
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| Huffington Post Giovani Bernard has all the skills of a Ladanian Tomlinson minus 25% of the workload |
Offseason Additions: QB Jason Campbell, T Marshall Newhouse, S Danieal Manning
Offseason Losses: WR Andrew Hawkins, T Anthony Collins, C Kyle Cook, DE Michael Johnson, OLB James Harrison, CB Brandon Ghee
Impact Rookies: CB Darqueze Dennard, RB Jeremy Hill, DE Will Clarke, C Russell Bodine
Strengths: A.J. Green, Running Backs, Pass defense
Weaknesses: No more DC Mike Zimmer, No more OC Jay Gruden, Andy Dalton
The Bengals won the AFC North last year without a healthy Geno Atkins and without any of the extra talent they picked up via the draft this May. How can I be so low on them? I'm not necessarily being low on them by saying that I think Baltimore's going to be a great competitor this year but, I don't think Andy Dalton is going to expand much on his "Throw everything to A.J. and pray" method. What you see is what you get with Andy Dalton, an average Quarterback with average arm strength, average accuracy, and all the signs of a guy who's one mediocre receiving corps away from turning into Matt Schaub. Thankfully for Marvin Lewis and Andy Dalton, they do still have a very talented defense (Vontaze Burfict, Geno Atkins, Darqueze Dennard, and Leon Hall) and they also have Bernard in the backfield (with another 2nd rounder, Jeremy Hill) and Green on the outside. This will be a fun team to watch when they're running the ball but a very boring team when Dalton is forced to throw 33 touchdowns again.
Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8, 3rd in AFC North, No playoffs)
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| Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports Center Maurkice Pouncey and QB Ben Roethlisberger have both had troubles staying on the field for 16 games |
Offseason Additions: RB LeGarrette Blount, WR's Darrius Heyward-Bey & Lance Moore, DT Cam Thomas, MLB Arthur Moats, CB Brice McCain, S Michael Mitchell, P Adam Podlesh
Offseason Losses: RB Jonathan Dwyer, WR's Emmanuel Sanders & Jerricho Cotchery, DT Ziggy Hood, DT Al Woods, OLB LaMarr Woodley, MLB Larry Foote, S Ryan Clark
Impact Rookies: MLB Ryan Shazier, DL Stephon Tuitt, RB Dri Archer, WR Martavis Bryant, CB Shaq Richardson
Strengths: Running Back
Weaknesses: I could poke holes anywhere but this team is pretty average in every way, shape, and form.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are the hardest team to figure out in football this season. They practically released every veteran on defense not named Troy Polamalu, Ike Taylor, or Lawrence Timmons and Markus Wheaton might be the #2 wide receiver behind Antonio Brown. I don't have any idea how badly this team could possibly play but I get the feeling that 10-6 is the best-case scenario for Mike Tomlin as his job security slowly fades. I'm putting them at 8-8 because Arthur Jones and Mike Mitchell were nice defensive additions and I'm expecting Maurkice Pouncey to play all sixteen games. If anything goes wrong injury-wise, expect this team to be bad.
Cleveland Browns (4-12, Last in the AFC North, No Playoffs)
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| John Kuntz, The Plain Dealer A rapidly improving defense is no match for the mess that is Cleveland's offense |
Offseason Additions: RB Ben Tate, WR Andrew Hawkins, WR Miles Austin, S Donte Whitner
Offseason Losses: QB's Brandon Weeden & Jason Campbell, RB Edwin Baker, WR Davone Bess, G's Shaun Lauvao & Oniel Cousins, MLB D'Qwell Jackson, CB Chris Owens, S T.J. Ward
Impact Rookies: CB Justin Gilbert, QB Johnny Manziel, OL Joel Bitonio, RB Terrance West, CB Pierre Desir
Strengths: Defensive Backs, Pass rush
Weaknesses: O-Line (minus Joe Thomas & Alex Mack), Quarterback inexperience, Receivers who should all be nicknamed "Dropula". 2! 2 Drops! Ah Ah Ah!
Three games. Three games until Cleveland gets to sit for a week, during their bye, and ponder what they want to do at Quarterback after an 0-3 start. They will ultimately decide on Johnny Manziel who, despite his best efforts, does not have a good start to his career (4-9 won-loss record for those keeping track at home) thanks to the weakest group of receivers in football. Josh Gordon will be dearly missed. The four wins will be all thanks to another promising season from Cleveland's defense featuring young stars like Corners Joe Haden and Justin Gilbert, Linebacker Barkevious Mingo, and D-Lineman Phil Taylor and Jabaal Sheard. This team is basically the Jets minus any confidence at all and confidence is important in success.
Indianapolis Colts (9-7, 1st in AFC South, #4 Seed)
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| /Getty Images Indy starts off against Denver and we'll figure out pretty quickly whether or not Trent Richardson has anything left |
Offseason Additions: WR Hakeem Nicks, C Phil Costa, DE Arthur Jones, MLB D'Qwell Jackson, S Mike Adams
Offseason Losses: RB Donald Brown, WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, G's Mike McGlynn & Jeff Linkenbach, C Samson Satele, MLB Kavell Conner, CB Cassius Vaughn, S Antoine Bethea
Impact Rookies: OL Jack Mewhort, WR Donte Moncrief
Strengths: Passing Game
Weaknesses: Running Game, Defense
The Colts are not a good team, they're simply a team with Andrew Luck at the helm. Andrew Luck will be worth every win the Colts get this season. Trent Richardson and Ahmad Bradshaw is a pretty awful Running Back combination at this point in their careers and I wouldn't be surprised if Bradshaw managed to lead the team in rushing at the end of the season. The defense is below-average outside of OLB Robert Mathis and CB Vontae Davis. Teams will definitely be able to run through this Colts' defense. Thankfully for QB Andrew Luck, all of his weapons in the receiving game are healthy plus, Indy added a potentially unknown commodity in WR Hakeem Nicks. One major problem is that the Colts' offensive line went from bad to somehow worse by dropping Samson Satele for a less-experienced Center and added a rookie in Jack Mewhort to start at Guard. Luck will need to release the ball quickly and avoid injury in order for the Colts to make their third playoff in three years.
Tennessee Titans (7-9, 2nd in AFC South, No Playoffs)
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| Tennessee has a secret that will be shared this year: Jake Locker is really good. |
Offseason Additions: QB Charlie Whitehurst, RB/WR Dexter McCluster, T Michael Oher, OL Eric Olsen, DT Al Woods, OLB Shaun Phillips, MLB Wesley Woodyard, K Ryan Succop
Offseason Losses: QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, RB Chris Johnson, WR Kenny Britt, T David Stewart, CB Alterraun Verner, K Rob Bironas
Impact Rookies: T Taylor Lewan, RB Bishop Sankey, DT Daequan Jones, S Marqueston Huff, QB Zach Mettenberger
Strengths: Receiving Corps, O-Line, Return game
Weaknesses: Injuries, Pass Defense
Injuries are a part of football and for Tennessee they've been a major deciding factor in how the team's season goes. This year, I don't expect Locker to go all sixteen games but I do expect the fourth-year Quarterback to finally show his full potential while playing a majority of the season. The way Jake Locker plays will make it hard for Tennessee to just dump him in the next offseason despite injuries, meaning we might have a franchise Quarterback in Tennessee. The Titans have definitely gotten enough talent around the QB offensively to help him out. At receiver, the Titans have the most underrated receiving corps in the NFL with quietest-94-catches Kendall Wright, reliable vet Nate Washington, and intriguing deep-threat Justin Hunter. Add that to a rookie RB in Bishop Sankey and a decent Tight End in Delanie Walker and you have yourself a nice offense. The O-Line isn't exactly the best in the league anymore but I still think it could be top ten despite the struggles of Michael Oher. Losing Alterraun Verner was huge but part of the reason Verner succeeded so well last year was Jason McCourty was on the other side of the field and opposing Quarterbacks did not want to throw it in his direction. As long as McCourty and Michael Griffin are still in the backfield on defense, the Titans won't have a dreadful defense. Don't overlook the recently-paid Jurrell Casey on the D-Line either, that guy is a seriously good pass rusher.
Jacksonville Jaguars (6-10, 3rd in AFC South, No Playoffs)
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| (Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP) Chris Clemons has the tendency to do things like this often. |
Offseason Additions: RB Toby Gerhart, G Zane Beadles, DE's Red Bryant & Chris Clemons, DT Ziggy Hood, OLB Dekoda Watson
Offseason Losses: QB Blaine Gabbert, RB Maurice Jones-Drew, G Uche Nwaneri, C Brad Meester, DE Jason Babin, OLB Russell Allen
Impact Rookies: QB Blake Bortles, WR's Marqise Lee & Allen Robinson, G Brandon Linder, OLB Telvin Smith
Strengths: Coaching Staff
Weaknesses: Running Back
All aboard the Gus bus! Head Coach Gus Bradley knows what he's doing in building this defense and giving #3 overall pick Blake Bortles the season off as this team is aiming to win the division next season with another early first-rounder in the lineup and Blake Bortles likely starting the entire 2015 season. Too bad that's a year away. Toby Gerhart is not the answer at Running Back and is more of a temporary solution like Chad Henne at QB and Cecil Shorts III as a #1 Wide Receiver. The Jags defense includes former-Seahawks Red Bryant and Chris Clemons along with improving defensive backs like Dwayne Gratz and Jonathan Cyprien. Neither side of the ball has been fully formed yet for Jacksonville but both are one good offseason away from helping them win the division for the first time since they were in the AFC Central in 1999(!!!).
Houston Texans (5-11, Last in AFC South, No Playoffs)
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| Pictured here: Future Houston Texan, Marcus Mariota??? |
Offseason Additions: QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, MLB Akeem Dent, S's Chris Clemons & Kendrick Lewis
Offseason Losses: QB Matt Schaub, QB Case Keenum, QB T.J. Yates, RB Ben Tate, TE Owen Daniels, DE Antonio Smith, DT Terrell McClain, DT Earl Mitchell, MLB Daryl Sharpton, MLB Joe Mays, CB Brice McCain, S Danieal Manning
Impact Rookies: DE Jadeveon Clowney, G Xavier Su'a-Filo, TE C.J. Fiedorowicz, DT Louis Nix III, QB Tom Savage, RB Alfred Blue
Strengths: Pass rush
Weaknesses: Injuries, Quarterback, Depth
The Clowney-Watt tandem is going to be a disaster for opponents facing Houston. This defense is going to be solid with an excellent pass rush and below-average defensive backfield. The offense is the major question mark in Houston. Ryan Fitzpatrick is not good for making the playoffs but is good for garbage fantasy points when his team is getting blown out. That is the definition of Fitzpatrick's entire career. Arian Foster missed the last two months of last season and the backups for him are Jonathan Grimes, Alfred Blue, and Ronnie Brown. That is not a good backup plan in case Foster gets hurt again. The Texans did trade for Ryan Mallett and my reaction is... whatever. DeAndre Hopkins is another year older and another year wiser which will be a positive, while Andre Johnson is another year older and another year closer to dropping off which sort of cancels out the Hopkins positive. The offensive line shouldn't be as bad as they were last season (Duane Brown is healthy) and the linebackers should be back to playing at a high level (Brian Cushing is healthy). Overall, I just don't see any chance of this team making the leap as most are predicting because they had the entire offseason to find a new Quarterback to send them to playoffs and they shrugged and signed Ryan Fitzpatrick instead.
Denver Broncos (13-3, 1st in AFC West, Rd.1 Bye, #1 seed)
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| (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images North America) The addition of Aqib Talib will keep Denver in the #1 seed |
Offseason Additions: WR Emmanuel Sanders, C Will Montgomery, DE DeMarcus Ware, CB Aqib Talib, S T.J. Ward
Offseason Losses: RB Knowshon Moreno, WR Eric Decker, G Zane Beadles, DE Robert Ayers, DE Shaun Phillips, OLB Wesley Woodyard, CB's Champ Bailey & Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, S's Mike Adams & Duke Ihenacho
Impact Rookies: CB Bradley Roby & WR Cody Latimer
Strengths: Peyton Manning
Weaknesses: Age, Suspensions, Defensive backs not named Talib
Peyton Manning is not going to throw 55 touchdowns again. If Peyton eclipses the touchdown record for a third time in his career this year, I will actually take part in one of those ridiculous social media "challenges". With all of that said, Manning is still the best regular season QB in the NFL and even without Wes Welker for four games, he'll look amazing with Emmanuel Sanders replacing Eric Decker. Last season, Denver had a nice defense. This year, Denver has hyped-up defense with the additions of future HOF-er DeMarcus Ware, Pro bowler T.J. Ward, and all-pro Aqib Talib. The offensive line should be better with everyone healthy and Denver will keep this division boring with their continuous domination.
San Diego Chargers (8-8, 2nd in AFC West, Just miss the playoffs)
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| Is Keenan Allen the new Vincent Jackson? |
Offseason Additions: RB Donald Brown, MLB Kavell Conner, CB Brandon Flowers
Offseason Losses: FB Le'Ron McClain, DT Cam Thomas, CB Derek Cox
Impact Rookies: CB Jason Verrett, DE/OLB Jeremiah Attaochu
Strengths: Running Backs, Surprisingly Cornerbacks as well
Weaknesses: Linebackers, Pass Rush
After Philip Rivers and Ryan Mathews finally got their play together for a full season, San Diego made the playoffs at 8-8 and surprised the Bengals by advancing to the second round of the playoffs. Gone are the days of GM A.J. Davis and Norv Turner, Mike McCoy is a good head coach but he can't avoid the fact that defense is of mega-importance in the American Football Conference. Manti Te'O is still the starting Middle Linebacker and after a bad rookie season, I don't see that situation improving at all. Plenty of people have them competing with Denver while Kansas City slips out of contention when I have them competing with Kansas City and both teams missing the playoffs. One big thing to look forward to is year two of Keenan Allen as the #1 WR. Allen should turn into a pro-bowl receiver this year and that could be the one occurrence that proves my 8-8 prediction wrong depending on how good he really is.
Kansas City Chiefs (7-9, 3rd in AFC West, No playoffs)
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| Will Andy Reid be able to get over last post-season's loss to the Colts? No. |
Offseason Additions: G Jeff Linkenbach, DT Vance Walker, MLB Joe Mays, CB Chris Owens
Offseason Losses: RB/WR Dexter McCluster, T Branden Albert, G's Jon Asamoah & Geoff Schwartz, DE Tyson Jackson, MLB Akeem Jordan, CB Dunta Robinson, S's Kendrick Lewis & Quintin Demps
Impact Rookies: DE/OLB Dee Ford, CB Phillip Gaines, RB De'Anthony Thomas
Strengths: Running Backs, Safeties, Linebackers, Pass rush
Weaknesses: Offensive line, Corners
Injuries caused the momentum shift of last January's loss to the Indianapolis Colts but Andy Reid caused the rest of the incredible comeback by Indy from a blame standpoint. Alex Smith got paid this week and is a slightly above-average Quarterback with barely any receiving help. Look for Tight End Travis Kelce to break through and help SOME but nowhere near enough as Dwayne Bowe isn't a great receiver and Donnie Avery should not be a #2 WR on any NFL roster. Losing Tackle Branden Albert was the worst possible result for Kansas City's O-line this offseason and they will struggle in trying to replace his multiple pro bowls. The defense should experience some regression as well after being the #1 defense in the NFL outside of Seattle for much of the regular season last year. Thankfully for Kansas City fans, all the big pass rushers like Justin Houston and Tamba Hali are healthy.
Oakland Raiders (4-12, Last in AFC West, Top-5 pick in 2015)
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| Derek Carr beat Matt Schaub for Oakland's starting QB job |
Offseason Additions: QB Matt Schaub, RB Maurice Jones-Drew, WR James Jones, T's Austin Howard & Donald Penn, DE Justin Tuck, DE C.J. Wilson, OLB LaMarr Woodley, CB's Carlos Rogers & Tarell Brown
Offseason Losses: RB Rashad Jennings, WR Jacoby Ford, T Jared Veldheer, G Mike Brisiel, DE Lamarr Houston, DT Vance Walker, CB's Mike Adams, Phillip Adams, and Tracy Porter
Impact Rookies: OLB Khalil Mack, QB Derek Carr, G Gabe Jackson, DT Justin Ellis, CB Keith McGill
Strengths: Veteran Leadership
Weaknesses: It's possible that every single player is past his prime (excluding Khalil Mack) including college phenom Derek Carr.
Oh, how badly I wanted to like the Raiders all offseason long. It's too bad they messed up every single nice acquisition (Jones-Drew, Woodley, Tuck, etc.) by signing Matt Schaub to a 2 year/$13 mil. contract. After watching his horrible preseason, Dennis Allen benched Schaub for the love of his life, David Carr's brother. I don't want to say he's going to be a bust (anything out of the 1st round is a crapshoot, just look at WR Stephen Hill) but, I never once saw the potential for him to become a great NFL Quarterback in college nor in the preseason. That last game against Seattle he looked brilliant and should work out better than Matt Schaub but no matter who starts at QB for this team, I don't like their chances of succeeding and keep the won-loss record at 4-12. The O-Line will not be good but the defense should look like an average defense at minimum with the studliest stud Outside Linebacker in rookie Khalil Mack.
Philadelphia Eagles (9-7, 1st in NFC East, #4 seed)
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| Nobody's getting less recognition out of 79 career sacks than Trent Cole. |
Offseason Additions: QB Mark Sanchez, RB Darren Sproles, DL Clifton Geathers, OLB Bryan Braman, CB Nolan Carroll, S Malcolm Jenkins
Offseason Losses: QB Michael Vick, WR's DeSean Jackson & Jason Avant, S Patrick Chung
Impact Rookies: DE/OLB Marcus Smith, WR's Jordan Matthews & Josh Huff, CB Jaylen Watkins, DL Taylor Hart, S Ed Reynolds
Strengths: Offense, Special Teams
Weaknesses: Defense
I know it seems a bit too ambiguous to just say that Philly' offense and special teams are both strengths while the defense is a weakness but, just by looking at the roster everyone can see that this is clearly the current truth. Nick Foles won't have the TD:INT ratio in limited time that he had last season (27:2) but that doesn't mean he can't get pretty close (33:9?). Receiver Jeremy Maclin isn't quite as talented as former-Eagle DeSean Jackson but, he isn't a receiver defenses can just ignore. With incredibly speedy options all around him (Sproles, McCoy, Huff, Matthews), Nick Foles should excel in this offense as long as the offensive line continues to be one of the three best in football. The defense is a bit more questionable with Trent Cole as the only major pass-rusher and no all-star defensive backs but as long as Chip Kelly's running things, the Eagles will pull out all the stops for a winning season.
Dallas Cowboys (8-8, 2nd in NFC East, No playoffs, no hope)
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| Matthew Emmons/USA TODAY Sports Dallas needs former #6 pick overall Morris Claiborne to perform now more than ever before |
Offseason Additions: QB Brandon Weeden, DE Jeremy Mincey, DT's Henry Melton & Terrell McClain, MLB Rolando McClain, S Danny McCray
Offseason Losses: QB Kyle Orton, WR Miles Austin, G Brian Waters, C Phil Costa, DE's DeMarcus Ware & Everette Brown, DT Jason Hatcher, OLB Ernie Sims
Impact Rookies: OL Zack Martin, LB Anthony Hitchens
Strengths: Passing Game
Weaknesses: Entire defense
Jerry Jones has been a general manager for about one decade too long. Dallas's defense is the worst in the league one year after being the worst in NFL history sooo... that's not ideal. Dallas's offense is still majorly impressive and a best-case scenario for Dallas is 8-8. Once again, I think they defy the odds and play awfully yet also good enough to finish at .500 AGAIN and get a late enough draft pick to avoid any chance of serious improvement in 2015. It's just another season of Jerry-ball in Dallas.
New York Giants (8-8, 3rd in NFC East, No playoffs)
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| Believe it or not, Rashad Jennings IS a major improvement over what the Giants had last year |
Offseason Additions: RB Rashad Jennings, T Charles Brown, G's Geoff Schwartz & John Jerry, C J.D. Walton, DE Robert Ayers, MLB Jameel McClain, CB's Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Zackary Bowman & Walter Thurmond, S Quintin Demps
Offseason Losses: RB Andre Brown, WR Hakeem Nicks, TE's Brandon Myers & Bear Pascoe, T David Diehl, G Kevin Boothe, C David Baas, DE Justin Tuck, DT Linval Joseph, OLB Keith Rivers, CB's Terrell Thomas & Aaron Ross, S's Will Hill & Ryan Mundy
Impact Rookies: WR Odell Beckham Jr., C Weston Richburg, DT Jay Bromley, RB Andre Williams
Strengths: No obvious strength other than experience
Weaknesses: Turnovers
Last season was the nightmare season where every bad scenario went horribly wrong. Eli couldn't stop throwing INT's and the Running Backs couldn't stay healthy, the defense was in shambles, and none of the former first-rounders played like they should've been drafted that highly. Tom Coughlin is on the hot seat now for the first time in years and his job depends on making the playoffs this season. New offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo is bringing the west-coast offensive scheme to New York in hopes of salvaging the remainder of Eli Manning's career. Short dump-offs are what the doctor orders from Manning and hopefully his receivers cooperate and don't get injured like Mario Manningham and 1st-rounder Odell Beckham Jr. already have. Much like PIttsburgh, the Giants dumped most of their familiar veterans on defense and the offensive line for newer guys in hopes of reestablishing themselves amongst their respective divisions. Also like the Steelers, it won't work well enough and New York will find themselves at 8-8.
Washington ProfessionalFootballTeam (7-9, last in NFC East)
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| AP Photo/Nick Wass Is Jay Gruden a good head coach or just another failed experiment thanks to Dan Snyder? |
Offseason Additions: WR's DeSean Jackson & Andre Roberts, T Bruce Campbell, G's Shawn Lauvao & Mike McGlynn, DL Clifton Geather, DT Jason Hatcher, MLB's Daryl Sharpton & Akeem Jordan, CB Tracy Porter, S Ryan Clark
Offseason Losses: WR Josh Morgan, C Will Montgomery, DE Adam Carriker, DE Darryl Tapp, MLB London Fletcher, CB Josh Wilson
Impact Rookies: DE/OLB Trent Murphy, T Morgan Moses, G Spencer Long, CB Bashaud Breeland, WR Ryan Grant
Strengths: Receiving, Running Back, D-Line, Linebackers
Weaknesses: RG3's injury history, Defensive backfield, Team Ownership
I don't trust Robert Griffin III and neither should anyone else right now. He has yet to play 16 consecutive games, can't slide like a normal human being with instincts, and looked average in the preseason. The over/under for Kirk Cousins starts I am setting at 2.5 and I'm taking the over. This feels like a Michael Vick in Philadelphia situation where the backup plays well while QB1 is hurt (Kevin Kolb in Philly, Kirk Cousins in Washington) but never well enough to steal the starter's job. Everything else about this team looks fine and looks like a 9-7 or 10-6 team but until Griffin's body is in NFL shape, Washington won't win this division. Jay Gruden is an unproven piece to the puzzle as well and could be great for the team's offense or a complete disaster (think Jim Zorn). There isn't any in-between for anxious Washington fans.
Green Bay Packers (10-6, 1st in NFC North, #3 seed)
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| The Packers' pass defense needs to improve with the additions of Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Julius Peppers |
Offseason Additions: DE/OLB Julius Peppers, DT Letroy Guion
Offseason Losses: WR James Jones, T Marshall Newhouse, C Evan Dietrich-Smith, DE C.J. Wilson, S M.D. Jennings
Impact Rookies: S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, WR Davante Adams, DT Khyri Thornton, TE Richard Rodgers, C Corey Linsley
Strengths: Passing & Rushing games, Linebackers
Weaknesses: Tight End, O-Line, D-Line
In 2012, it was the Linebackers' inability to tackle Colin Kaepernick. In 2013, it was every star's inability to stay healthy and once again, the inability to tackle Colin Kaepernick. In 2014, it will be the story of a new defense with flashier parts (Peppers, Clinton-Dix) and better statistical rankings which will all help them in case of another 49er playoff matchup. Aaron Rodgers is no longer a lock to play 16 games (realistically, nobody is in football) after missing about half the season last year due to a shoulder injury. The good news is he's healthy now, the bad news is they didn't exactly "fix" the backup QB conundrum. Eddie Lacy could be the #1 player in fantasy this year or he could fall off like another certain Alabama Running Back (Trent Richardson). The receiving is deep as always but, Green Bay doesn't have a clear starting Tight End and will likely rely on California rookie Richard Rodgers. The o-line has gotten younger and with that, more inexperienced and there will be moments this season when it's blatantly obvious that Green Bay's o-line is still learning. The defense will be a lot better with Clay Matthews healthy, Julius Peppers involved, and a new defensive back in Clinton-Dix. I can't really see them shocking anybody and having a top ten defense but respectable is probably where they'll fall this season.
Chicago Bears (8-8, 2nd in NFC North, No playoffs)
Offseason Additions: WR's Josh Morgan & Santonio Holmes, C Brian De La Puente, DE's Jared Allen, Lamarr Houston, Willie Young, and Trevor Scott, OLB Jordan Senn, S's Ryan Mundy & Danny McCray
Offseason Losses: QB Josh McCown, RB Michael Bush, WR Earl Bennett, DE's Julius Peppers & Corey Wootton, DT Henry Melton, OLB James Anderson, CB Zackary Bowman, S Major Wright, P Adam Podlesh, KR/PR Devin Hester
Impact Rookies: DB Kyle Fuller, DT's Ego Ferguson & Will Sutton, RB Ka'Deem Carey, S Brock Vereen
Strengths: Receiving options, Interior offensive linemen
Weaknesses: Defense, Running Back depth behind Forte'
Hopefully for Chicago's sake, Jay Cutler can stay upright for all 16 games for the first time since his inaugural season in Chicago. As long as this team has every skill position player healthy on offense, they are contenders. Defensively, the team was a disaster last year and hasn't improved a ton this offseason (at least, not enough). The addition of Jared Allen from Minnesota adds some pass rush to the defense, as does Lamarr Houston but neither of those two are Safeties and since the Bears are one of the three worst teams in the league at that position, they probably could have used more help there than just Ryan Mundy and Danny McCray (who was part of Dallas's 32nd ranked defense). There's too much wrong with this defense and too many question marks still surrounding Jay Cutler for them to avoid disappointment.
Minnesota Vikings (6-10, 3rd in NFC North, No Playoffs)
Offseason Additions: G Vladimir Ducasse, DE Corey Wootton, DT Linval Joseph, MLB Jasper Brinkley, CB's Captain Munnerlyn & Derek Cox
Offseason Losses: RB Toby Gerhart, WR Joe Webb, TE John Carlson, DE Jared Allen, DT's Kevin Williams & Letroy Guion, MLB's Erin Henderson & Desmond Bishop, CB's Chris Cook & A.J. Jefferson
Impact Rookies: OLB Anthony Barr, QB Teddy Bridgewater, DE Scott Crichton, RB Jerick McKinnon, OL David Yankey, DB Antone Exum
Strengths: Adrian Peterson, Youth, Safeties, Outside Linebackers
Weaknesses: Depth behind Adrian Peterson, Pass Rush, Corners
The Vikings will not make the playoffs as long as Teddy Bridgewater isn't starting north of twelve games. As long as Matt Cassel is starting, this team is still in a transition period and transition periods don't win championships. Cordarrelle Patterson is about to emerge as one of the ten best receivers in the NFL while Greg Jennings is still valuable on the other side so, unless Christian Ponder makes a cameo, this team's passing game will be stronger than in year's past. Defensively, Minnesota dumped a great pass-rusher in Jared Allen and replaced him with the average DE Corey Wootton from Chicago. I expect the Vikings defense to surprise some people with how good they are but, my expectations are tempered as long as the Middle Linebacker position is as mediocre for them as it is now.
Detroit Lions (6-10, Last in NFC North, No playoffs)
Offseason Additions: QB Dan Orlovsky, FB Jed Collins, WR Golden Tate, DE Darryl Tapp, CB Cassius Vaughn, S James Ihedigbo
Offseason Losses: QB Shaun Hill, WR Nate Burleson, T Jason Fox, G Leroy Harris, DE Willie Young, CB Chris Houston, S Louis Delmas
Impact Rookies: TE Eric Ebron, OLB Kyle Van Noy, C Travis Swanson, CB Nevin Lawson
Strengths: Running Backs, Wide Receivers, Defensive Line
Weaknesses: Secondary, Depth, Head Coach
The Running Back tandem of Reggie Bush and Joique Bell is awesome and fun to watch but also, probably the only reason I'll tune into any Detroit Lions game this year. This team has added a new target in Super Bowl-winning WR Golden Tate, who should take some targets away from Calvin Johnson but, I get the feeling that this is the same old, predictable Detroit offense we've seen for a few years now. Their basic strategy when in doubt is to chuck it up to Calvin Johnson and pray. The defense barely improved during the offseason and we should all expect teams to be able to throw on Detroit easily.
Carolina Panthers (12-4, 1st in NFC South, Rd.1 Bye, #1 seed)
Offseason Additions: WR's Jerricho Cotchery, Jason Avant & Joe Webb, TE Ed Dickson, CB Antoine Cason, S's Roman Harper & Thomas Decoud
Offseason Losses: WR's Steve Smith, Brandon LaFell, Ted Ginn Jr & Domenik Hixon, T's Jordan Gross & Bruce Campbell, G's Geoff Hangartner & Travelle Wharton, OLB Jordan Senn, CB Captain Munnerlyn, S's Michael Mitchell & Quentin Mikell
Impact Rookies: WR Kelvin Benjamin, DE Kony Ealy, G Trai Turner
Strengths: Running Game, Linebackers, Defensive Line
Weaknesses: Too much turnover in offseason?, Injury risks, Offensive Line
The Panthers could be the team I'm most wrong on. Many experts and Vegas have this team locked in for a regression season, which became pretty believable once Cam Newton missed the entire offseason of training camps and OTA's while recovering from ankle surgery. I'm not too worried about the receiving corps of Carolina but, I believe it could take a couple of weeks for Newton to get on the same page as his receivers. Kelvin Benjamin is going to be a beast. The unfortunate part of the offseason for Carolina was that any key cog in their offensive line decided to retire (Gross, Hangartner, Wharton), leaving them with an inexperienced o-line. On defense Luke Kuechly, Charles Johnson, Thomas Davis, and occasionally Greg Hardy (possible suspension) are returning and as long as those key parts are there, the defense will be very good. Possible weaknesses on defense will be how they replace CB Captain Munnerlyn and whether or not Roman Harper and Thomas Decoud have anything left in the tank.
New Orleans Saints (11-5, 2nd in NFC South, #6 seed wildcard)
Offseason Additions: C Jonathan Goodwin, S Jairus Byrd
Offseason Losses: RB Darren Sproles, FB Jed Collins, WR Lance Moore, T Charles Brown, C Brian De La Puente, DE Will Smith, MLB Will Herring, CB Jabari Greer, S's Roman Harper & Malcolm Jenkins
Impact Rookies: WR Brandin Cooks, C Stanley Jean-Baptiste, S Vinnie Sunseri
Strengths: Best coaching staff in NFL, Passing Game, O-line, Safeties
Weaknesses: Cornerback
Everyone's favorite sleeper team in the NFC, New Orleans, is going to have a great season with only Carolina getting in the way of a first-round bye in the playoffs. Drew Brees has a fun new toy to play with in the Saints' lethal passing attack in rookie Brandin Cooks, who will be the #1 receiver within the next three seasons. Jimmy Graham is still the best Tight End in the game and New Orleans has the best-coached offensive line in all of football. On defense, Kenny Vaccaro is quickly turning into an all-pro and the addition of Jairus Byrd makes this one of the better defenses in the NFL after being so terrible just two years ago. Everything looks great on paper but every year there's one or two games each where New Orleans blows an in-division game or Drew Brees throws multiple picks and this year will be no different as the Saints fail to win the divison but, make the playoffs anyway at 11-5.
Atlanta Falcons (10-6, 3rd in NFC South, No Playoffs)
Offseason Additions: QB T.J. Yates, TE Bear Pascoe, G's Jon Asamoah & Gabe Carimi, DE Tyson Jackson, DT Paul Soliai, CB Josh Wilson, S Dwight Lowery, KR Devin Hester
Offseason Losses: RB Jason Snelling, TE Tony Gonzalez, G Garrett Reynolds, OLB Stephen Nicholas, MLB Akeem Dent, CB Asante Samuel, S Thomas Decoud
Impact Rookies: T Jake Matthews, DT Ra'Shede Hageman, RB Devonta Freeman, OLB Prince Shembo, CB Ricardo Allen
Strengths: Receivers
Weaknesses: Injury risks, O-line, Linebackers
It can't get much worse than 4-12. After a season stacked with injuries to key players like Steven Jackson, Roddy White, and Julio Jones, the Falcons were hoping to go through this offseason without any major injuries and of course, LB Sean Weatherspoon (one of their better defensive players) is out for the season. The Falcons was already pretty average and with the loss of a key player like Weatherspoon, this team will struggle getting to the playoffs or even the 10-6 record I have them miraculously achieving. If this team wants to make it to the playoffs again, they're going to need to improve their offensive line a bit more and drastically alter this defense.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-13, Last in NFC South, #1 pick in 2015 draft)
Offseason Additions: QB Josh McCown, TE Brandon Myers, T's Anthony Collins & Oniel Cousins, C Evan Dietrich-Smith, DE Michael Johnson, DT Clinton McDonald, MLB Dane Fletcher, CB's Alterraun Verner & Mike Jenkins, S Major Wright
Offseason Losses: FB Erik Lorig, WR Mike Williams, T Donald Penn, G's Davin Joseph & Gabe Carimi, C Jeremy Zuttah, OLB's Dekoda Watson & Adam Hayward, CB Darrelle Revis
Impact Rookies: WR Mike Evans, TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins, G Kadeem Edwards
Strengths: Receivers' height, D-line
Weaknesses: Quarterback, Depth
Any team that signs Josh McCown to be their starting Quarterback and releases Darrelle Revis for nothing on the same day deserves to be terrible. This has "Eagles dream team" written all over it.
Seattle Seahawks (12-4, 1st in NFC West, Rd.1 Bye, #2 seed)
Offseason Additions: DT Kevin Williams, CB's A.J. Jefferson & Phillip Adams
Offseason Losses: WR Golden Tate, T Breno Giacomini, DE's Red Bryant & Chris Clemons, DT Clinton McDonald, CB's randon Browner & Walter Thurmond
Impact Rookies: WR Paul Richardson, T Justin Britt, DE Cassius Marsh
Strengths: Everything besides the o-line
Weaknesses: O-line
I have heard countless "experts" say again and again,"I really like the Seahawks but going off of recent history, there's no way they can repeat". Ok. I've also heard more reasonable people state, "Something happens there" which is vague yet, entirely possible and probably correct. My theory is watch out for Earl Thomas: Punt Returner. If something happens to prevent this team from winning the Super Bowl again, it's going to be an Earl Thomas injury. The only other problem I can foresee in Seattle is that the offensive line has played terribly and yet, the offensive skill players continuously pull miracles out of their legs and keep the drives moving. Expect to see Pete Carroll lean a bit heavier on the passing game as Marshawn Lynch's contract is up after the season and rookie receiver Paul Richardson is my favorite sleeper in the NFL right now at his position.
San Francisco 49ers (12-4, 2nd in NFC West, #5 seed wildcard)
Offseason Additions: QB's Josh Johnson & Blaine Gabbert, WR Brandon Lloyd, T Jonathan Martin, CB Chris Cook, S Antoine Bethea
Offseason Losses: RB Anthony Dixon, WR Mario Manningham, C Jonathan Goodwin, CB's Carlos Rogers & Tarell Brown, S Donte Whitner
Impact Rookies: S Jimmie Ward, RB Carlos Hyde, C Marcus Martin, MLB Chris Borland, WR Bruce Ellington, DE/OLB Aaron Lynch
Strengths: Linebackers, Safeties, Running Backs, Receivers, O-line
Weaknesses: Suspensions, Pass rush
Aldon Smith's 9-game suspension sucks for San Fran but is nowhere near a killshot for this team's playoff hopes. I don't think everyone realizes the mad genius Jim Harbaugh and 49ers management have become. This team dominated the draft with multiple trades involving future picks and is becoming stacked on depth (something teams like Carolina, Green Bay, and Indianapolis wish they had). Corey Lemonier isn't a world-beater but should do just fine in Aldon Smith's place while Chris Borland will do exactly the same for the six weeks that Navarro Bowman will miss (ACL injury). The 49ers have depth at every position besides Quarterback. If Colin Kaepernick get injured, this team is dead meat with Blaine Gabbert under Center.
Arizona Cardinals (8-7-1, 3rd in NFC West, No playoffs)
Offseason Additions: RB Jonathan Dwyer, WR/KR Ted Ginn Jr., TE John Carlson, T Jared Veldheer, C Ted Larsen, CB Antonio Cromartie
Offseason Losses: RB Rashard Mendenhall, WR Andre Roberts, T Eric Winston, G Daryn Colledge, MLB's Karlos Dansby & Jasper Brinkley, CB Antoine Cason, S Yeremiah Bell, KR Javier Arenas
Impact Rookies: S Deone Buchanan, TE Troy Niklas, WR John Brown, QB Logan Thomas
Strengths: Pass rush, Secondary
Weaknesses: Quarterback, depth, Tight End
Yes, I predicted a tie (week 10 against St. Louis to be exact). Carson Palmer isn't winning anybody any playoff games as he has yet to do so in his NFL career. Michael Floyd and Larry Fitzgerald can only carry him so far. Arizona got a steal this offseason in signing OT Jared Veldheer away from Oakland and he will help pave the way for 2nd-year RB Andre Ellington. The Cardinals also got a great preseason out of their questionable first-round pick Deone Buchanan. Everything looks bright and sunshine-y for now but with the loss of DT Darnell Docket (IR) and underrated LB Karlos Dansby, Arizona's defense might not be as good as last season despite the returns of Patrick Peterson and John Abraham. This team will have a come back to reality season this year and likely won't even make it to my 8-7-1 prediction with a few more injuries.
St. Louis Rams (4-11-1, Last in NFC West, No playoffs)
Offseason Additions: QB Shaun Hill, WR Kenny Britt, G Davin Joseph, DL Alex Carrington
Offseason Losses: QB Kellen Clemens, G's Harvey Dahl, Shelley Smith & Chris Williams, CB Cortland Finnegan
Impact Rookies: T Greg Robinson, DT Aaron Donald, DB LaMarcus Joyner, RB Tre' Mason
Strengths: Pass rush, D-line
Weaknesses: Receiving corps, Quarterback
When Sam Bradford was announced as out for the season, I'm not sure the Rams got a whole lot worse by naming Shaun Hill the starting Quarterback for 2014. My prediction of the Rams' record did not change at all post-Bradford ACL. That tells you enough about my faith in this team's offense to know that this is not a playoff team. Tavon Austin might be a great receiver but we won't know for sure until A. he gets a Quarterback to throw to him or B. he gets a coach who knows how to use him. Head Coach Jeff Fisher is on his last legs in St.Louis and a 4-11-1 season would put the nail in the coffin that is his NFL coaching career.
MY OFFICIAL SUPER BOWL PREDICTION
San Francisco 27 - New England 21.
One of these years, my New England - San Francisco super bowl matchup is going to happen. I've predicted it twice now.
Super Bowl MVP: S Eric Reid
Best of luck this season to all of your teams! (especially San Francisco and New England)
In 2012, it was the Linebackers' inability to tackle Colin Kaepernick. In 2013, it was every star's inability to stay healthy and once again, the inability to tackle Colin Kaepernick. In 2014, it will be the story of a new defense with flashier parts (Peppers, Clinton-Dix) and better statistical rankings which will all help them in case of another 49er playoff matchup. Aaron Rodgers is no longer a lock to play 16 games (realistically, nobody is in football) after missing about half the season last year due to a shoulder injury. The good news is he's healthy now, the bad news is they didn't exactly "fix" the backup QB conundrum. Eddie Lacy could be the #1 player in fantasy this year or he could fall off like another certain Alabama Running Back (Trent Richardson). The receiving is deep as always but, Green Bay doesn't have a clear starting Tight End and will likely rely on California rookie Richard Rodgers. The o-line has gotten younger and with that, more inexperienced and there will be moments this season when it's blatantly obvious that Green Bay's o-line is still learning. The defense will be a lot better with Clay Matthews healthy, Julius Peppers involved, and a new defensive back in Clinton-Dix. I can't really see them shocking anybody and having a top ten defense but respectable is probably where they'll fall this season.
Chicago Bears (8-8, 2nd in NFC North, No playoffs)
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| Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports After being the most-successful and oldest-looking rookie Guard in a while, Kyle Long needs to keep this offense rolling |
Offseason Additions: WR's Josh Morgan & Santonio Holmes, C Brian De La Puente, DE's Jared Allen, Lamarr Houston, Willie Young, and Trevor Scott, OLB Jordan Senn, S's Ryan Mundy & Danny McCray
Offseason Losses: QB Josh McCown, RB Michael Bush, WR Earl Bennett, DE's Julius Peppers & Corey Wootton, DT Henry Melton, OLB James Anderson, CB Zackary Bowman, S Major Wright, P Adam Podlesh, KR/PR Devin Hester
Impact Rookies: DB Kyle Fuller, DT's Ego Ferguson & Will Sutton, RB Ka'Deem Carey, S Brock Vereen
Strengths: Receiving options, Interior offensive linemen
Weaknesses: Defense, Running Back depth behind Forte'
Hopefully for Chicago's sake, Jay Cutler can stay upright for all 16 games for the first time since his inaugural season in Chicago. As long as this team has every skill position player healthy on offense, they are contenders. Defensively, the team was a disaster last year and hasn't improved a ton this offseason (at least, not enough). The addition of Jared Allen from Minnesota adds some pass rush to the defense, as does Lamarr Houston but neither of those two are Safeties and since the Bears are one of the three worst teams in the league at that position, they probably could have used more help there than just Ryan Mundy and Danny McCray (who was part of Dallas's 32nd ranked defense). There's too much wrong with this defense and too many question marks still surrounding Jay Cutler for them to avoid disappointment.
Minnesota Vikings (6-10, 3rd in NFC North, No Playoffs)
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| Brace Hemmelgarn / USA TODAY Sports Harrison Smith is set to become one of the best Safeties in the NFL |
Offseason Additions: G Vladimir Ducasse, DE Corey Wootton, DT Linval Joseph, MLB Jasper Brinkley, CB's Captain Munnerlyn & Derek Cox
Offseason Losses: RB Toby Gerhart, WR Joe Webb, TE John Carlson, DE Jared Allen, DT's Kevin Williams & Letroy Guion, MLB's Erin Henderson & Desmond Bishop, CB's Chris Cook & A.J. Jefferson
Impact Rookies: OLB Anthony Barr, QB Teddy Bridgewater, DE Scott Crichton, RB Jerick McKinnon, OL David Yankey, DB Antone Exum
Strengths: Adrian Peterson, Youth, Safeties, Outside Linebackers
Weaknesses: Depth behind Adrian Peterson, Pass Rush, Corners
The Vikings will not make the playoffs as long as Teddy Bridgewater isn't starting north of twelve games. As long as Matt Cassel is starting, this team is still in a transition period and transition periods don't win championships. Cordarrelle Patterson is about to emerge as one of the ten best receivers in the NFL while Greg Jennings is still valuable on the other side so, unless Christian Ponder makes a cameo, this team's passing game will be stronger than in year's past. Defensively, Minnesota dumped a great pass-rusher in Jared Allen and replaced him with the average DE Corey Wootton from Chicago. I expect the Vikings defense to surprise some people with how good they are but, my expectations are tempered as long as the Middle Linebacker position is as mediocre for them as it is now.
Detroit Lions (6-10, Last in NFC North, No playoffs)
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| Daniel Mears/Detroit News The only reason Stephen Tulloch was so great last year was that nobody else on Detroit wanted to tackle anybody. |
Offseason Additions: QB Dan Orlovsky, FB Jed Collins, WR Golden Tate, DE Darryl Tapp, CB Cassius Vaughn, S James Ihedigbo
Offseason Losses: QB Shaun Hill, WR Nate Burleson, T Jason Fox, G Leroy Harris, DE Willie Young, CB Chris Houston, S Louis Delmas
Impact Rookies: TE Eric Ebron, OLB Kyle Van Noy, C Travis Swanson, CB Nevin Lawson
Strengths: Running Backs, Wide Receivers, Defensive Line
Weaknesses: Secondary, Depth, Head Coach
The Running Back tandem of Reggie Bush and Joique Bell is awesome and fun to watch but also, probably the only reason I'll tune into any Detroit Lions game this year. This team has added a new target in Super Bowl-winning WR Golden Tate, who should take some targets away from Calvin Johnson but, I get the feeling that this is the same old, predictable Detroit offense we've seen for a few years now. Their basic strategy when in doubt is to chuck it up to Calvin Johnson and pray. The defense barely improved during the offseason and we should all expect teams to be able to throw on Detroit easily.
Carolina Panthers (12-4, 1st in NFC South, Rd.1 Bye, #1 seed)
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| (Photo: Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports) For the first time in four years, health is a concern for Cam Newton. |
Offseason Additions: WR's Jerricho Cotchery, Jason Avant & Joe Webb, TE Ed Dickson, CB Antoine Cason, S's Roman Harper & Thomas Decoud
Offseason Losses: WR's Steve Smith, Brandon LaFell, Ted Ginn Jr & Domenik Hixon, T's Jordan Gross & Bruce Campbell, G's Geoff Hangartner & Travelle Wharton, OLB Jordan Senn, CB Captain Munnerlyn, S's Michael Mitchell & Quentin Mikell
Impact Rookies: WR Kelvin Benjamin, DE Kony Ealy, G Trai Turner
Strengths: Running Game, Linebackers, Defensive Line
Weaknesses: Too much turnover in offseason?, Injury risks, Offensive Line
The Panthers could be the team I'm most wrong on. Many experts and Vegas have this team locked in for a regression season, which became pretty believable once Cam Newton missed the entire offseason of training camps and OTA's while recovering from ankle surgery. I'm not too worried about the receiving corps of Carolina but, I believe it could take a couple of weeks for Newton to get on the same page as his receivers. Kelvin Benjamin is going to be a beast. The unfortunate part of the offseason for Carolina was that any key cog in their offensive line decided to retire (Gross, Hangartner, Wharton), leaving them with an inexperienced o-line. On defense Luke Kuechly, Charles Johnson, Thomas Davis, and occasionally Greg Hardy (possible suspension) are returning and as long as those key parts are there, the defense will be very good. Possible weaknesses on defense will be how they replace CB Captain Munnerlyn and whether or not Roman Harper and Thomas Decoud have anything left in the tank.
New Orleans Saints (11-5, 2nd in NFC South, #6 seed wildcard)
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| Rob Ryan helped turn around this defense and should be in head coaching discussions in 2015 |
Offseason Additions: C Jonathan Goodwin, S Jairus Byrd
Offseason Losses: RB Darren Sproles, FB Jed Collins, WR Lance Moore, T Charles Brown, C Brian De La Puente, DE Will Smith, MLB Will Herring, CB Jabari Greer, S's Roman Harper & Malcolm Jenkins
Impact Rookies: WR Brandin Cooks, C Stanley Jean-Baptiste, S Vinnie Sunseri
Strengths: Best coaching staff in NFL, Passing Game, O-line, Safeties
Weaknesses: Cornerback
Everyone's favorite sleeper team in the NFC, New Orleans, is going to have a great season with only Carolina getting in the way of a first-round bye in the playoffs. Drew Brees has a fun new toy to play with in the Saints' lethal passing attack in rookie Brandin Cooks, who will be the #1 receiver within the next three seasons. Jimmy Graham is still the best Tight End in the game and New Orleans has the best-coached offensive line in all of football. On defense, Kenny Vaccaro is quickly turning into an all-pro and the addition of Jairus Byrd makes this one of the better defenses in the NFL after being so terrible just two years ago. Everything looks great on paper but every year there's one or two games each where New Orleans blows an in-division game or Drew Brees throws multiple picks and this year will be no different as the Saints fail to win the divison but, make the playoffs anyway at 11-5.
Atlanta Falcons (10-6, 3rd in NFC South, No Playoffs)
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| (Daniel Shirey, USA TODAY Sports) Julio Jones is one of the most talented receivers in the NFL... when he can stay on the field. |
Offseason Additions: QB T.J. Yates, TE Bear Pascoe, G's Jon Asamoah & Gabe Carimi, DE Tyson Jackson, DT Paul Soliai, CB Josh Wilson, S Dwight Lowery, KR Devin Hester
Offseason Losses: RB Jason Snelling, TE Tony Gonzalez, G Garrett Reynolds, OLB Stephen Nicholas, MLB Akeem Dent, CB Asante Samuel, S Thomas Decoud
Impact Rookies: T Jake Matthews, DT Ra'Shede Hageman, RB Devonta Freeman, OLB Prince Shembo, CB Ricardo Allen
Strengths: Receivers
Weaknesses: Injury risks, O-line, Linebackers
It can't get much worse than 4-12. After a season stacked with injuries to key players like Steven Jackson, Roddy White, and Julio Jones, the Falcons were hoping to go through this offseason without any major injuries and of course, LB Sean Weatherspoon (one of their better defensive players) is out for the season. The Falcons was already pretty average and with the loss of a key player like Weatherspoon, this team will struggle getting to the playoffs or even the 10-6 record I have them miraculously achieving. If this team wants to make it to the playoffs again, they're going to need to improve their offensive line a bit more and drastically alter this defense.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-13, Last in NFC South, #1 pick in 2015 draft)
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| JOSEPH GARNETT JR. | Times Not even the great defensive signings this offseason nor, the awful jerseys will be enough to distract us from Tampa's terrible play |
Offseason Additions: QB Josh McCown, TE Brandon Myers, T's Anthony Collins & Oniel Cousins, C Evan Dietrich-Smith, DE Michael Johnson, DT Clinton McDonald, MLB Dane Fletcher, CB's Alterraun Verner & Mike Jenkins, S Major Wright
Offseason Losses: FB Erik Lorig, WR Mike Williams, T Donald Penn, G's Davin Joseph & Gabe Carimi, C Jeremy Zuttah, OLB's Dekoda Watson & Adam Hayward, CB Darrelle Revis
Impact Rookies: WR Mike Evans, TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins, G Kadeem Edwards
Strengths: Receivers' height, D-line
Weaknesses: Quarterback, Depth
Any team that signs Josh McCown to be their starting Quarterback and releases Darrelle Revis for nothing on the same day deserves to be terrible. This has "Eagles dream team" written all over it.
Seattle Seahawks (12-4, 1st in NFC West, Rd.1 Bye, #2 seed)
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| For anybody looking for a scapegoat as to how Seattle won't repeat, I have four words for you... Earl Thomas: Punt Returner. |
Offseason Additions: DT Kevin Williams, CB's A.J. Jefferson & Phillip Adams
Offseason Losses: WR Golden Tate, T Breno Giacomini, DE's Red Bryant & Chris Clemons, DT Clinton McDonald, CB's randon Browner & Walter Thurmond
Impact Rookies: WR Paul Richardson, T Justin Britt, DE Cassius Marsh
Strengths: Everything besides the o-line
Weaknesses: O-line
I have heard countless "experts" say again and again,"I really like the Seahawks but going off of recent history, there's no way they can repeat". Ok. I've also heard more reasonable people state, "Something happens there" which is vague yet, entirely possible and probably correct. My theory is watch out for Earl Thomas: Punt Returner. If something happens to prevent this team from winning the Super Bowl again, it's going to be an Earl Thomas injury. The only other problem I can foresee in Seattle is that the offensive line has played terribly and yet, the offensive skill players continuously pull miracles out of their legs and keep the drives moving. Expect to see Pete Carroll lean a bit heavier on the passing game as Marshawn Lynch's contract is up after the season and rookie receiver Paul Richardson is my favorite sleeper in the NFL right now at his position.
San Francisco 49ers (12-4, 2nd in NFC West, #5 seed wildcard)
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| (AP) The best Middle Linebacker in football will have to work even harder without Aldon Smith for nine weeks |
Offseason Additions: QB's Josh Johnson & Blaine Gabbert, WR Brandon Lloyd, T Jonathan Martin, CB Chris Cook, S Antoine Bethea
Offseason Losses: RB Anthony Dixon, WR Mario Manningham, C Jonathan Goodwin, CB's Carlos Rogers & Tarell Brown, S Donte Whitner
Impact Rookies: S Jimmie Ward, RB Carlos Hyde, C Marcus Martin, MLB Chris Borland, WR Bruce Ellington, DE/OLB Aaron Lynch
Strengths: Linebackers, Safeties, Running Backs, Receivers, O-line
Weaknesses: Suspensions, Pass rush
Aldon Smith's 9-game suspension sucks for San Fran but is nowhere near a killshot for this team's playoff hopes. I don't think everyone realizes the mad genius Jim Harbaugh and 49ers management have become. This team dominated the draft with multiple trades involving future picks and is becoming stacked on depth (something teams like Carolina, Green Bay, and Indianapolis wish they had). Corey Lemonier isn't a world-beater but should do just fine in Aldon Smith's place while Chris Borland will do exactly the same for the six weeks that Navarro Bowman will miss (ACL injury). The 49ers have depth at every position besides Quarterback. If Colin Kaepernick get injured, this team is dead meat with Blaine Gabbert under Center.
Arizona Cardinals (8-7-1, 3rd in NFC West, No playoffs)
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| Michael Floyd is about to burst onto the scene in 2014 |
Offseason Additions: RB Jonathan Dwyer, WR/KR Ted Ginn Jr., TE John Carlson, T Jared Veldheer, C Ted Larsen, CB Antonio Cromartie
Offseason Losses: RB Rashard Mendenhall, WR Andre Roberts, T Eric Winston, G Daryn Colledge, MLB's Karlos Dansby & Jasper Brinkley, CB Antoine Cason, S Yeremiah Bell, KR Javier Arenas
Impact Rookies: S Deone Buchanan, TE Troy Niklas, WR John Brown, QB Logan Thomas
Strengths: Pass rush, Secondary
Weaknesses: Quarterback, depth, Tight End
Yes, I predicted a tie (week 10 against St. Louis to be exact). Carson Palmer isn't winning anybody any playoff games as he has yet to do so in his NFL career. Michael Floyd and Larry Fitzgerald can only carry him so far. Arizona got a steal this offseason in signing OT Jared Veldheer away from Oakland and he will help pave the way for 2nd-year RB Andre Ellington. The Cardinals also got a great preseason out of their questionable first-round pick Deone Buchanan. Everything looks bright and sunshine-y for now but with the loss of DT Darnell Docket (IR) and underrated LB Karlos Dansby, Arizona's defense might not be as good as last season despite the returns of Patrick Peterson and John Abraham. This team will have a come back to reality season this year and likely won't even make it to my 8-7-1 prediction with a few more injuries.
St. Louis Rams (4-11-1, Last in NFC West, No playoffs)
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| DPOTY-candidate Robert Quinn recorded 19 sacks last season |
Offseason Additions: QB Shaun Hill, WR Kenny Britt, G Davin Joseph, DL Alex Carrington
Offseason Losses: QB Kellen Clemens, G's Harvey Dahl, Shelley Smith & Chris Williams, CB Cortland Finnegan
Impact Rookies: T Greg Robinson, DT Aaron Donald, DB LaMarcus Joyner, RB Tre' Mason
Strengths: Pass rush, D-line
Weaknesses: Receiving corps, Quarterback
When Sam Bradford was announced as out for the season, I'm not sure the Rams got a whole lot worse by naming Shaun Hill the starting Quarterback for 2014. My prediction of the Rams' record did not change at all post-Bradford ACL. That tells you enough about my faith in this team's offense to know that this is not a playoff team. Tavon Austin might be a great receiver but we won't know for sure until A. he gets a Quarterback to throw to him or B. he gets a coach who knows how to use him. Head Coach Jeff Fisher is on his last legs in St.Louis and a 4-11-1 season would put the nail in the coffin that is his NFL coaching career.
MY OFFICIAL SUPER BOWL PREDICTION
San Francisco 27 - New England 21.
One of these years, my New England - San Francisco super bowl matchup is going to happen. I've predicted it twice now.
Super Bowl MVP: S Eric Reid
Best of luck this season to all of your teams! (especially San Francisco and New England)
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