NFL 2015
That's right. After months of waiting, grueling anticipation, and just when you thought that all hope was lost it finally returns. I'm talking of course about my blog posts. Haha you thought I meant the NFL didn't you? ......pause for halfway chuckle for bad joke...... Alright, enough small talk. Here are my picks for the 2015 NFL season.
The NFC
First of all, let me say this: I view
the NFC as much easier than the AFC on picking good and bad teams.
I'm not saying the AFC is better, but it's a lot more clear cut in
the NFC who the elite teams will be and who will leave their fans sad
and depressed for the millionth time. I'm confident all of my NFC
division winners are correct, so let's get started.
NFC North
Packers - This is the easiest division to pick in
the NFC. The Packers have ruled this division for what seems like an
eternity (at least to Bears, Vikings, and Lions fans), and I don't
see that changing any time soon. The Packers should have been in the
Super Bowl last year had they not committed some of the dumbest
mistakes I've ever seen on an NFL field. The loss of Jordy Nelson
hurts Green Bay bad, but I still see this team running away with the
division yet again.
Vikings - I actually see the Vikings as the next
best team in this division. They've been moving in the right
direction the past few years and I like what I've seen out of Teddy
Bridgewater so far. With Adrian Peterson back, they should take
another step in becoming a contending team, but they're still at
least a year out from really competing.
Lions - The Lions on the other hand, are
starting to move in the wrong direction. They lost they're best
player on defense in Suh and I believe they will be a team that takes
a major step back this year. I expect Calvin Johnson to rebound
somewhat on his mediocre-at-best season, but with a brutal schedule,
it won't be enough to get close to sniffing out a playoff spot.
Bears - As for the Bears... what can I say that
I haven't said in the past? I could say that they're defense can't
POSSIBLY be as bad as last year. But if you recall, I said that at
the beginning of last season and they found a way to prove me wrong.
A winning coaching staff is all there now, but the players simply are
not. At least John Fox is one coach that Cutler can't get fired.
Green Bay Packers 12-4
Minnesota Vikings 7-9
Detroit Lions 6-10
Chicago Bears 5-11
NFC South
Ahh which sub .500 team should I pick
to make the playoffs this year? The team who lost their biggest
offensive weapon in Jimmy Graham to another NFC team? The team who
allowed almost 400yds per game last year (the worst in the NFL)? The
team who lost their number one receiver in the Preseason in Kelvin
Benjamin? Or the team who was the worst in the NFL last year
starting over with a rookie quarterback? Yes, the Super Bowl
champion is clearly coming from the NFC South this year... Hahaha
Saints - No, actually the Saints were in a
no-win situation with Jimmy Graham because of their salary cap. They
had to get rid of him, so they figured they may as well try to get a
piece to help sure up one of the worst O-lines in football. While
it's still an unpopular thought for some reason, the most important
position to develop after the quarterback is the offensive line.
Falcons - The
Falcons seem to be trying to sure up their atrocious defense from
last season, but just like the Bears problem: getting a good defense
is a 3+ year process. Expect an above average offense with a below
average defense yet again.
Panthers - Defensively, I'd feel the best picking
the Panthers to win this division for the second year in a row, but
the Panthers just don't have anyone who can even remotely replicate
the kind of production that Kelvin Benjamin brought to that offense.
Buccaneers - And the Buccaneers? Look, I like Jameis Winston. I think he has
potential to be a good quarterback in this league (Although I
would've taken Mariota because of his ability to throw on the run),
but he's still a rookie and the Buccaneers had a lot more problems
than just quarterback play last year. They're run game was almost
non-existent all year (I remember distinctly because I drafted Doug
Martin in Fantasy for the second straight year... bleh) and their
defense still has major holes in the secondary. Winston is a step in
the right direction, but it'll take him a few years to bring the
Buccaneers back to the playoffs. If it's any consolation, they do
play in footballs worst division, so they don't have to worry about
dethroning an NFL juggernaut like the Patriots or Packers.
New Orleans Saints 9-7
Atlanta Falcons 8-8
Carolina Panthers 5-11
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3-13
NFC West
49ers - In the NFL there are always some teams
that go from an exciting Super Bowl contender to a lowly
last-place-in-the-division team because of things like injuries, weak
drafts, and sometimes just bad luck. This is not the case with the
San Francisco 49ers. I have NEVER seen a team shoot themselves in
the foot in one off-season as much as I watched the 49ers destroy any
chance of seeing a Super Bowl again in the near future. I mean
seriously, you have one of the best coaches in the NFL in Jim
Harbaugh and you decide to get rid of him because you “didn't get
along”?!? Seriously, if I was a fan of a team that did that, I
would seriously consider rooting for someone else since the team
owners have clearly never watched football a day in their lives. At
any rate, they also got destroyed personnel-wise, so the early look
would say that they are destined to finish last in that division.
Rams - The Rams finally decided it was time to pull the plug on Sam Bradford
(a quarterback with a lot of potential but constant injuries) and
move to Nick Foles (a quarterback with little potential but he will
probably make it past week 4). It's already not looking great since
Chip Kelly seems to have Sam Bradford looking like a Pro-Bowl QB in
the pre-season. Although, to put things in perspective, Cutler
looked pretty good in the pre-season and we all know where that story
ends... Either way, I like the way St.Louis looks on defense, so
that'll win them a decent amount of games in itself.
Cardinals - In my opinion,
Arizona was the best team in football before Carson Palmer went down.
I have my doubts that he will survive the season, but if he does,
look out for the Cardinals in the playoffs. They have the balance
needed on both sides of the ball to make a deep run into the
post-season. Unfortunatly for them, they play in the NFC and will
have to face the Seahawks at some point during the post-season. A
task that no team in the NFL would like to try.
Seahawks - Seattle lost their
center which will hurt them in pass protection, but it won't matter
much since they run the ball so well. Jimmy Graham is a nice
addition to the passing game and look out for Tyler Lockett as a
potential fantasy football sleeper this year, especially for leagues
that give points for return yardage.
Seattle Seahawks 12-4
Arizona Cardinals 10-6
St.Louis Rams 7-9
San Francisco 49ers 4-12
NFC East
Eagles - This is possibly the most interesting
division to watch in football this year. Early on during
free-agency, I was scratching my head trying to figure out what
exactly Chip Kelly was thinking. I may have even doubted his methods
a time or two in the long 6 months. However, after I've seen
everything come together in Philadelphia this off-season, I can tell
you one thing for sure: This team is going to be VERY good. They
essentially traded LeSean McCoy for DeMarco Murray and got a free
Pro-Bowl caliber linebacker in the trade as well. If Sam Bradford
can stay healthy, he is the ideal quarterback for Chip Kelly's
offense. They are going to put up plenty-o-points this season, the
only question is if they can stop the other top offenses in the
league.
Cowboys - The Cowboys did the right thing giving Dez Bryant attention
over DeMarco Murray, but even so, that may come back to bite them.
Don't get me wrong, Dallas has a GREAT O-line that gives Tony Romo an
average of 6 seconds per pass play. You may not realize this when
you're watching, but in the NFL, 6 seconds is a TON of time. I don't
care how good you are, no cornerback can cover a top wide-receiver
like Dez for 6 seconds. Their defense concerns me especially after
losing their starting corner for the year, but their running game may
be what I'm the most concerned with. I think you can plug just about
any back in the league behind that awesome line and they will do ok,
but the Cowboys need better than ok. Their running game is what
allowed them to beat so many teams last season by controlling the
clock and they need it to be close to (if not THE) best running game
in the NFL if they want to return to the playoffs.
Giants - The Giants are in
a perpetual rebuilding mode in some aspect, but they still have the
firepower on offense and the strength on defense to make some noise
if they can just get into the playoffs. Although, they'll need
everyone on board and Jason Pierre-Paul clearly doesn't have his
finger on the winning formula ;).
Redskins - I think the Redskins will be the worst team in the league this season. They're defense has
been atrocious for a couple of years now and their offense is made up
of outcast players lacks talent. The Redskins have now benched RG3
and honestly, they need to cut him before they're owed his salary for
next season. He's not worth the 16 million dollar price tag to ride
the bench.
Philadelphia Eagles 12-4
Dallas Cowboys 11-5
New York Giants 8-8
Washington Redskins 2-14
The AFC
Yes, I am less confident about my AFC
division winners, but only because of the AFC North. If it weren't
for them, I would say I'm about 99% confident with my picks. I see
quite a few AFC teams fighting for those wild card spots, so it
should be a ultra competitive season for a lot of teams unlike the
NFC.
AFC North
I believe that this is the hardest
division to pick in the NFL this year. Mainly because I'm stuck
between the Steelers and the Ravens. Both have fantastic head
coaches and organizations, but they bring different things to the
table this season.
Steelers - The Steelers should have one of the NFL's most
explosive offenses once Martavis Bryant and Le'Veon Bell get back
from their suspensions (Hint hint: pick up Martavis Bryant in Fantasy
while you can), but should be lacking on defense with such a young
group starting.
Ravens - The Ravens on the other hand should once again be
the epitimy of what a balanced NFL team should look like. Solid
defense and running game, with just enough passing to win. It's hard
to pick against a team like that, but for the regular season anyway,
I gotta go with Roethlisberger and the Steelers to win this division.
If this were the playoffs, I may be picking the other way, since
Flacco is a playoffs monster.
Bengals - On another note, I think this is the
end of the line for the Bengals. I ihave them missing the playoffs
for the first time in 4 years and honestly, even if they made the
playoffs, would you pick them over any other AFC playoff team? I
sure wouldn't. I believe the Bengals will take a step back this year
and that will be the end of the Lewis-Dalton Era.
Browns - I don't know where
to begin with the Browns. Apparently, they saw all of the great
things that Josh McCown did in Tampa Bay last year and they decided
that he was the right person for the job to lead them to the number
one overall pick in the 2016 draft. Hey, he did it in Tampa, why not
in Cleveland? Some teams just refuse to learn.
Pittsburgh Steelers 10-6
Baltimore Ravens 10-6
Cincinnati Bengals 9-7
Cleveland Browns 3-13
AFC South
Colts - The Colts continue to own this division
and this year won't be any different. If you've been paying
attention to them since Andrew Luck got in the NFL, you'll notice a
pattern to where they end their season. His first year they were out
the first round of the playoffs. The second year they won their
first playoff game and were out the next round. Then last year, they
won their 1st and 2nd playoff games and were
beat in the AFC Championship game. What does this all mean? It
means that the Colts are destined to make the Super Bowl this year!
My math teacher would be so proud that I just solved my first word
problem! In all seriousness though, the Colts do have the easiest
schedule of the AFC powerhouse teams and are in a good position to
advance this year past the Patriots with the off-season additions of
Frank Gore and Andre Johnson.
Texans - The Texans are a quarterback away from
making some noise in the AFC, but unfortunately, they've been about a
quarterback away for years now. I love their defense, but their
offense is going to struggle once again.
Jaguars - Jaxonville should feel
pretty good about Blake Bortles, but he still has a lot of
development needed especially when he's under pressure. Teams will
learn quickly that they can just do the old “46 Bear” defense and
make Bortles throw picks. Well... not the actual Bears defense,
because they're awful, but a different defense running the scheme.
You get the idea.
Titans - Mariota on the other hand, has looked exceptional
in the Pre-season. The Titans are looking pretty smart right about
now for not trading away that 2nd overall pick. He
possesses that rare combination of being able to throw from the
pocket AND on the run. Something only a few quarterbacks can do
effectively (Rodgers and Wilson come to mind). He's still a rookie
though and will need plenty of time to develop, but I believe the
Titans have found their quarterback to reunite that franchise.
Indianapolis Colts 13-3
Houston Texans 7-9
Jacksonville Jaguars 4-12
Tennessee Titans 3-13
AFC West
Broncos - Honestly, this division will come down
to one thing: Does Peyton Manning have anything left in the tank. I
say yes, at least in the Regular Season. We can debate all we want,
but in the end the only thing that's going to prove this one way or
the other is if he goes out there and plays. He still has a great
supporting cast and an above average defense backing him up. I think
the Broncos will be just fine for another year.
Chargers - I like the Chargers,
but I'll be honest, I'm having a hard time putting them in the
playoffs. I believe they'll be fighting for that last spot, much
like Miami and it's just going to come down to who's playing better
at the end of the year. Or maybe, “who's healthier at the end of
the year” is a more accurate statement. That means you have to
predict injuries, which I don't like to do but luckily for me the way
things turned out, the Dolphins and the Chargers ended with the same
record in my standings, so we'll just say whoever you want to make
the playoffs does. But it's actually the Dolphins.
Chiefs - On a lighter
note, I would bet that the Chiefs actually score a touchdown with a
wide-receiver this year. This may sound like an obvious bet, but
they've now gone a full 2 seasons without having a wide-receiver
score a touchdown. Heck, you'd think just once one would get lucky
and accidentally run in. Either way, they're a good team, but not
quite as good as the playoff teams above them, so I see them just
missing the cut yet again.
Raiders - The Raiders have been slowly trending in
the right direction as of late, which inspired me to have them win
more games than they did last year. Only one more, mind you. I'm
not that crazy.
Denver Broncos 12-4
San Diego Chargers 10-6
Kansas City Chiefs 9-7
Oakland Raiders 4-12
AFC East
Patriots - Tom Brady did it, but the crime
warrants a fine, not a suspension as all other cases of tampering
with equipment has been handled in the NFL's past. Case closed.
There. I just figured out what took the NFL 9 months to figure out
in about 10 seconds. Honestly, the NFL players deserve to have clear
punishments stated for their actions. This per case nonsense is not
working and it's the reason the NFL loses every time they go to
court. Regardless of Tom Brady starting, the Patriots will be worse
than last year after losing their 2 starting cornerbacks in the
off-season. Revis and Browner were one of the best duo's in the
league, and their presence made a whole lot more difference than a
few footballs being a little deflated.
Dolphins - Everyone likes the Dolphins
this season, and honestly why shouldn't they? I mean, even I the
master of pessimism can't find much wrong with this team... Oh wait
there is the small matter of playing in the AFC East with the
Patriots which means you're basically fighting for one of the 2 wild
card spots. One of which is destined to be filled by the Ravens as I
believe they're one of the NFL's most complete teams. You've got 1
spot to get. It's doable, but it won't be easy.
Bills - The Bills should
get a breath of fresh air with new head coach Rex Ryan, but again
they have a muddled QB situation that is the downfall of a lot of
good teams in the NFL. The team with the better QB rarely loses,
which makes their schedule look very difficult. However, at least
their QB isn't being punched by his own teammate like some teams that
I know...
Jets - Only on the Jets could this happen. They look good all
off-season and find some way to ruin their season before it's even
started. Maybe next year.
New England Patriots 13-3
Miami Dolphins 10-6
Buffalo Bills 9-7
New York Jets 5-11
Super Bowl Prediction
I'll say this: I'm always happy I wait
as long as I do to post my picks. Why, you may ask? Because of
things like Jordy Nelson going down with an ACL tear, or the Steelers
losing their Pro-Bowl Center. These kind of injuries can change a
Super Bowl pick and they did exactly that to me this year. I wanted
to pick the Packers to hoist the Lombardi Trophy, but with how close
these teams are, they can't lose their number one wideout and expect
to be there over these other contenders. Therefore, I believe Super
Bowl 50 will have the...
Seattle Seahawks defeat the
Indianapolis Colts 27 – 24
Onward, to the season!
