Another season of football is here and that means time to
make predictions that are bound to be
wrong again. Here is how I see each
division shaking out in 2016.
*Numbers next to division winner and two wild cards in each
conference denote playoff seed.
NFC East:
(4) DAL: 9-7
WSH: 8-8
NYG: 8-8
PHI: 6-10
Analysis: This is arguably the most mediocre division in
football. Dallas will be without Tony Romo for most of the first half of the
season. But, Dak Prescott, though a rookie, is better than the replacements the
Cowboys had last year for Romo and will be able to keep the team afloat in Romo’s
absence. Riding a heavy dose of Ezekiel Elliott behind their offensive line,
Dallas should be able to get to nine wins which will be enough. Dallas,
Washington and the Giants all have question marks on defense, but capable
offenses, so this could shape up to be a three-team race. The Eagles will
struggle to score enough and while their defense could be above average, it
likely won’t make a difference in a season that will be all about the
development of rookie quarterback Carson Wentz.
NFC North:
(1) GB: 13-3
MIN: 9-7
CHI: 7-9
DET:
6-10
Analysis: In a surprise move earlier this week, the Packers
released guard Josh Sitton, who stayed in the division and joined the Bears.
However, Green Bay’s offense figures to be among the best in the NFL with the
return of Jordy Nelson after the wide receiver missed all of last season with a
torn ACL. Aaron Rodgers played the whole season and finished 17th in
passing yards last year and Nelson’s absence made it difficult to take more
shots downfield. Yet, the Packers still won 10 games last year. Green Bay’s
offense will be more explosive and that will result in three more wins this
season. Minnesota got to 11 wins in 2015 behind a respectable defense and good
running attack. With Teddy Bridgewater out of the picture this season, that
formula will only be more important, but even more predictable. The Vikings
could compete for a wild card, but Green Bay will win the division while
Chicago and Detroit both could put up good numbers on offense, but struggle to
stop many opponents on defense.
NFC South
(2) CAR: 12-4
(6) TB: 9-7
NO: 8-8
ATL: 6-10
Analysis: Much like the NFC North is Green Bay’s to lose,
the defending NFC champion Carolina Panthers should again run away with the NFC
South. Behind a strong offensive line and the return of Kelvin Benjamin,
Carolina will score plenty to go with one of the NFL’s best defenses. Tampa Bay’s
youth movement, specifically on offense, should result in a playoff berth
behind Jameis Winston, Mike Evans and Doug Martin. Nothing excites me much
about New Orleans and Atlanta as both teams will likely have capable offenses
and lackluster defenses much like Chicago and Detroit in the North.
NFC West
(3) ARZ: 12-4
(5) SEA: 11-5
LA: 7-9
SF:
4-12
Analysis: Arizona returns one of the league’s better
defenses from a year ago and should only improve on that side of the ball with
the addition of Chandler Jones in a trade with New England and drafting Robert
Nkemdiche to aid its defensive line. The Cardinals’ offense will likely be very
explosive again with lots of weapons on the outside to go with a good power
running game with their big back David Johnson. Seattle will compete with
Arizona all year for the division title like it did last season, but Arizona’s
offense figures to be more dynamic and should give the Cards a slight edge in
the division race. The Rams will be mediocre the way almost every Jeff Fisher team
is and the 49ers just don’t have the talent needed to compete.
AFC East
(2) NE:
11-5
NYJ: 9-7
BUF: 7-9
MIA: 6-10
Analysis: Everyone and their mother knows by now Tom Brady
is suspended for the first four games. However, with the exception of an opener
in Phoenix against the Cardinals, the Patriots should be able to weather the
storm as their other three opponents without Brady are Miami, Houston and
Buffalo and all three games are at home. Once Brady returns, there’s little
doubt as to who is the class of the AFC East and the Patriots will claim
another division title. The Jets will be right in the mix for a wild card in
the AFC while Buffalo and Miami both aren’t much improved from last season.
AFC North
(1) PIT: 12-4
(5) CIN: 11-5
BAL: 9-7
CLE:
5-11
Analysis: Though Martavis Bryant is suspended for the
season, Pittsburgh’s offense will still be extremely potent. Le’Veon Bell
returns by week four from his suspension and DeAngelo Williams figures to be a
capable fill in in the first three games. Considering Pittsburgh won 10 games
last season and Ben Roethlisberger missed four in the regular season, the
Steelers should see their win total increase as long as Roethlisberger stays
healthy. Cincinnati has enough talent on its roster to return to the playoffs,
but once it gets there, the questions will arise again about Marvin Lewis and
his inability to win in January. Baltimore will be more competitive this season
as the Ravens were decimated by injuries a year ago and Cleveland figures to
improve as Hue Jackson should get things going offensively for the Browns
calling the plays.
AFC South
(4) HOU:
10-6
IND:
9-7
JAX:
8-8
TEN: 5-11
Analysis: The Texans are generating a lot of buzz in this
division after winning it in 2015 and adding Lamar Miller and Brock Osweiler in
free agency to stabilize their offense. I’m not sure the Texans can do much
besides winning the AFC South again, but Houston has the most talent in a
mediocre division. Indianapolis should challenge Houston if Andrew Luck stays
healthy, but there are too many holes elsewhere for the Colts. Jacksonville will
be improved but isn’t ready for a playoff berth and Tennessee still has a way
to go before contending.
AFC West
(3) OAK: 10-6
(6) DEN: 10-6
KC: 9-7
SD: 5-11
Analysis: I’m all in on the Oakland hype train. The Raiders
offensive line is legit and the young quarterback to wide receiver hook up of
Derek Carr to Amari Cooper will be lethal in 2016. Oakland’s defense is only
going up as well with an infusion of talent in the offseason with notable free
agents Sean Smith and Bruce Irvin joining Khalil Mack and company. But don’t
forget about the defending champs whose defense everyone already knows about.
Quarterback play was a problem for Denver last season and the Broncos won the
Super Bowl so this year they should at least make the playoffs. Kansas City
will be left on the outside looking in while San Diego just isn’t as good as
the rest of the division.
Playoffs:
NFC Wild Card Round: (3) Arizona over (6) Tampa Bay
(5) Seattle over (4) Dallas
NFC Divisional Round: (1) Green Bay over (5) Seattle
(3) Arizona over (2) Carolina
NFC Championship: (1) Green Bay over (3) Arizona
AFC Wild Card: (6) Denver over (3) Oakland
(5) Cincinnati over (4) Houston
AFC Divisional: (1) Pittsburgh over (6) Denver
(2) New England over (5) Cincinnati
AFC Championship: (2) New England over (1) Pittsburgh
Super Bowl LI: (1) Green Bay over (2) New England
No comments:
Post a Comment