The NFL Season is Among Us
The first Preseason game of the 2013 NFL season is just a week and a half away, where the Miami Dolphins will face the Dallas Cowboys in the annual Hall of Fame game. First off, let me just say this: Preseason Football sucks. However, if your as much of a fan of the game as I am, after 6 months of no NFL, I'd watch every minute of a Browns Raiders preseason game, and be more glued to the TV than I've been in half a year. There's nothing quite like watching football on a Sunday afternoon, can I get an Amen?
With that being said, I thought I'd put out my predictions for this NFL season. I'll go more in detail after the preseason, but I thought I'd get these out there so there's proof on my picks for later in the year when no one believes who I called making the Superbowl this year. So here we go:
AFC North
This division is a tough one to call because I like Cincinnati's roster but I believe more in Roethlisberger and Flacco than Dalton. I'm not saying he's a bad QB I'm just saying the other two have won Superbowls. Hard to Argue against that. I'm ultimately going with a comeback year for Pittsburgh and I expect them to take the division crown back in 2013. Oh yeah, Cleveland's a mess.
Pittsburgh Steelers 10-6
Baltimore Ravens 9-7
Cincinnati Bengals 9-7
Cleveland Browns 5-11
AFC South
This is one of the relatively easier divisions for me to call. It's obviously going to come down to the Colts and the Texans. I'm taking the Colts to make strides in Luck's second year and take the division from the Texans and also make it to the Super Bowl. I'm not a big believer in Jake Locker although I have seen flashes of miediocoreness. Jacksonville has a long way to go before their considered a threat to anyone who has learned how to zip up their own pants.
Indianapolis Colts 11-5
Houston Texans 10-6
Tennessee Titans 5-11
Jacksonville Jaguars 4-12
AFC East
"Oh No! Tom Brady lost all of his offensive talent!" "Oh No! The Patriots are going to miss the playoffs!" Yeah, and let me guess: the Jets are headed to the Superbowl. I honestly don't know whats wrong with people who say and think these things this year. The Patriots are going to win this division comfortably like they always do. You could take everyone away from Tom Brady and just have him do his QB sneak all game and you'd still probably make the playoffs. The Miami Dolphins are the next closest and though I like what they're doing, it wont be enough this year. Buffalo still hasn't figured out that you have to send people out to play defense when the other team has the ball. I hope Rex Ryan enjoys this season with the Jets, because after they win their 4 games, their seasons over and so is his head coaching job.
New England Patriots 11-5
Miami Dolphins 9-7
Buffalo Bills 6-10
New York Jets 4-12
AFC West
Broncos win it. The End. Kansas City may surprise a few people by being as good as they will be , but they wont be a real threat to teams like New England or Denver. Still give Andy Reid props for trying. San Diego isn't going to be able to do anything with that O-line. Trust me, I'm a Bears fan, I know. Raiders aren't going anywhere. They've found the bottom of the barrel and they like it.
Denver Broncos 12-4
Kansas City Chiefs 9-7
San Diego Chargers 8-8
Oakland Raiders 4-12
NFC North
This is what is in my opinion the toughest division in football. Don't believe me? If you play in this division, you have to face Aaron Rodgers, Calvin Johnson, Adrian Peterson, and Brandon Marshall. And they're all on different teams! Excluding Detroit, I believe that any one of the other 3 teams could potentially take the division title home, but I think the one with the best chance is the current division champs: Green Bay. Rodgers is the best QB in football, and when you have him on your side, you always are a legitimate threat in the regular season and in the playoffs. I really like some of the moves Chicago has done this offseason, specifically getting a new Tight End in Martellus Bennett and a whole crew of new O-linemen, but this is still Marc Trestman's first year with the Bears, so I don't see them winning the division.... yet. I like what Minnesota's been able to do, but I still have questions about their QB situation, and without a good QB, your not winning a Superbowl in todays NFL. I think the Lions are a better team than last year, but with the division getting tougher, I don't think it'll show.
Green Bay Packers 12-4
Chicago Bears 11-5
Minnesota Vikings 8-8
Detroit Lions 7-9
NFC South
The Saints will come marching into the division title once again. No really! Atlanta's schedule is tougher than the Saints. Also, there were several games last season where Atlanta actually should have lost in my opinion. It was usually the other team did something stupid in the 4th quarter that gave the Falcons the win. The Falcons are a good team. They'll make the playoffs, but as a wild card. Carolina is better than their record states, but Cam Newton needs to realize that he has teammates and needs to stop trying to be the hero of every game and actually make smart decisions. I like what Tampa Bay's been doing... I just like all of the other teams better.
New Orleans Saints 11-5
Atlanta Falcons 10-6
Carolina Panthers 8-8
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7-9
NFC East
This is a tough one to call because frankly, I have no idea what to expect from Chip Kelly's Eagles. Will they be good or will they suck (probably suck). Anyway, to me this division honestly comes down to who got a more favorable schedule. It's not the Redskins. They got a BRUTAL schedule, especially in the end of the season. Same thing with the Giants. I'm actually gonna go a little crazy on this one and go with the Cowboys as the 2013 NFC East Champions. Their schedules just more favorable and they got their bye at the right time. Burgundy and I disagree for once. It'll be the only time.
Dallas Cowboys 10-6
Washington Redskins 9-7
New York Giants 9-7
Philadelphia Eagles 6-10
NFC West
The final NFL division comes down to 2 teams: the 49ers and the Seahawks. Both have some of the best defenses in the NFL, but I do see one difference in their offenses: Leadership. Kaepernick isn't a bad team leader, but he's no Russell Wilson. Wilson can take over a game not only physically, but mentally as well by rallying his teammates and putting his team on his back when he has to. Watch some of the Mic'd games and you'll see what I'm talking about. I believe in Russell Wilson, and while the 49ers might have the overall better team, you can't replace team chemistry with having good players. Like Welker with Brady. Yes there are better receivers, but they knew what each other was thinking. That's why I'm picking the Seahawks to win the division this year and make it to the Superbowl. This is a make or break it year for Sam Bradford, and my guess is, we see him take a lot more chances to try to prove himself. The Cardinals better find a decent QB soon or else they'll have to have Fitzgerald throw the ball as high as he can and then run to the endzone and catch it.
Seattle Seahawks 12-4
San Francisco 49ers 11-5
St. Louis Rams 9-7
Arizona Cardinals 6-10
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