Regular Seasonal Win Totals
Arizona Cardinals- 7.5- OVER- Despite the growing list of injured/suspended defensive players I think the improvements on the offensive side should see this team get to .500.
Atlanta Falcons- 8.5- UNDER- The schedule is not as easy as it should be for a bottom six team. The Falcons will face a lot of good defensive teams and their defense is one of the worst in the league.
Baltimore Ravens- 8.5- OVER- I'm a believer in Gary Kubiaks offensive system. If he can make Joe Flacco an average QB this team can be very good. The run game should be much improved as well. Winner of the AFC North.
Buffalo Bills- 6.5- UNDER- This team has 2013 Texans/Bucs meltdown written all over it. Desperate coach sticking by terrible QB= fired by the end of the season.
Carolina Panthers- 7.5-UNDER- Remember after four weeks last year when Ron Rivera was on the verge of being fired? This team somehow got to 12-4 on the back of 2 division rivals collapsing and a elite defense. This year though the holes are too large on the offense and defense to cover. No Left tackle, no WR outside Kelvin Benjamin, an injured Cam Newton, no secondary and a stronger schedule=massive drop off in wins.
Chicago Bears- 8.5- OVER- The Bears look set for a breakout year with an elite offense but you can never trust Jay Cutler to stay healthy for a whole season. Also the defense still has issues at linebacker and safety. The Bears don't have a hard schedule outside of the division but I can't see them getting more then 10 wins if things go there way.
Cincinaati Bengals- 9.5-UNDER- The Bengals had one of the worst off seasons in my opinion, resigning Andy Dalton to a massive contract and losing def coordinator Mike Zimmer. Add this to the fact that their division rivals all improved I don't see the Bengals making the playoffs this year. Dalton just can't get them past good opposition.
Cleveland Browns- 6.5- UNDER- The Browns offseason was a mixture of good and calamity as only the Browns no how to do. They selected some very good prospects in this years draft but they made two colossal mistakes. The first was not selecting a single WR in what was widely known as one of the deepest WR drafts in NFL history even though they knew Josh Gordon was facing suspension for substance abuse. The second was selecting Johnny Manziel instead of Teddy Bridgewater. This pick smelt of the owner stepping in and making the pick for purely news worthy reasons. Manziel is a character concern who's game will not translate in the NFL if he doesn't change his stripes (highly doubtful). With no competent QB and WR on this roster it's going to be very difficult for this team to score this year. The defense could be a Top-5 unit but it won't matter if the offense can't score.
Dallas Cowboys- 7.5- UNDER- Seriously Jerry Jones has to be one of the worst GM's in the NFL in terms of cap management. He has somehow managed to overspend on the wrong players over and over which has led to a team today which looks Top 5 on one side and the worst unit in football on the other. This defense is devoid of playmakers at any level and will struggle to contain any team. If Tony Romo goes down this team could potentially be vying for the No.1 overall pick next year.
Denver Broncos- 11.5-OVER- The Broncos should be just as good offensively but their defense looks much improved with the additions of Talib, Ward and Ware. The linebacking group looks the weakest part of this team but a team led by P Manning shouldn't worry about conceding a few points.Unless you're facing the Seahawks of course.
Detroit Lions- 8.5- UNDER- I don't understand why the line is so high. The most uninspiring head coach hiring (Jim Caldwell) to somehow lead an overrated QB and a ill disciplined defense in an incredibly competitive division. They did nothing to shore up the weakest part of their team, the secondary, in the draft yet spent their first pick on a TE after resigning Branden Pettigrew to big money. No sense in this organisation. Caldwell is not the answer for this team and I am seeing a meltdown on par with the Falcons, Texans, Bucs occurring.
Green Bay Packers-10.5- UNDER- Every year the Packers are rated as one of the elite teams and every year they disappoint. Injuries always seem to plague the Packers despite being quoted as one of the deepest rosters in the NFL. The O Line especially is over rated and does Aaron Rodgers no favors. This division is going to be a lot tougher this year so I don't think it's a given that they win the division. 10 wins but not sure of that will be enough in the NFC North.
Houston Texans- 7.5- OVER- Things can't get worse can they? Well if Ryan Fitzpatrick is your starting QB then maybe. If Arian Foster can stay healthy this team can ride him on offense while the defense should be vastly improved with JJ Watt and Jadeveon Clowney as your pass rush. A last placed schedule also helps. Could give the Colts a run for the division.
Indianapolis Colts- 9.5- UNDER- The Colts may have the weakest roster in the NFL apart form that all important position at QB. Head coach Chuck Pagano and off coordinator Pep Hamilton are on the hot seat as they have been ineffective in their game planning.They have struggled to fit their schemes to their personnel and this may cost them the division and ultimately their jobs. They have the worst defense and the maybe the worst O Line in the division. That's not a recipe for repeating success. 8-8 or 9-7.
Jacksonville Jaguars-5- OVER- I like how the Jags finished last year, especially the defensive side of the ball. The addition of Chris Clemons and Red Bryant will only help this unit. I am quite bullish on the chances of rookie QB Blake Bortles being the real deal. It's only a matter of time until Chad Henne gets dropped to give the rookie a chance to show what he's got this season. The Jags will surprise a lot of people this year with their competitiveness and could be fighting for the division this year. 7-9.
Kansas City Chiefs- 8- UNDER- The Panthers of the AFC last year, they had an absurdly easy schedule against backup QB's which meant they fluked their way to 11-5 and the playoffs. This year they won't be so lucky with a tougher schedule against the NFC West. Their squad got noticeably worse on offense. Their receiving corp maybe the worst in the NFL and the O Line isn't that much better. The defensive front 7 is very strong but the secondary has major issues as well. This team is going to struggle to make it to .500.
Miami Dolphins-7.5- OVER- I don't trust the Dolphins O Line or QB Ryan Tannehill for that matter but how much worse could it get compared to last year? This team is always talked up as having potential but maybe people have to wake up to the fact that Joe Philbin is not a capable coach and Ryan Tannehill is not a good QB. This team was poorly constructed and with major holes at RB and LB. I just can't see this team getting a wildcard spot let alone beating the New England Patriots.
Minnesota Vikings-6.5- OVER- The Vikings had the best offseason in my opinion. Hiring Mike Zimmer has head coach, Norv Turner as offensive coordinator and selecting QB Teddy Bridgewater. All three of these moves instantly make the Vikings a sleeper team to win the NFC North this year. Zimmer will make this defense very strong while Turner has tons of weapons to use. Despite the tough start of the season this team should be in the run to win 8-10 wins and fighting for a wildcard position if not the division.
New England Patriots- 11-OVER- So this team was decimated by injuries to several key players and they still won 12 games? Taking the over by a lot. With the return of players like Wilfork, Mayo, Gronkowski and the FA signing of Darell Revis this team is going to be tougher to beat this year. Bill Belichick has the best defense he has coached in a decade which only spells trouble for the rest of the league. I have them going at least 14-2 and winning the Super Bowl. They have been so close without a good defense for years, now that they have one they have to be considered big contenders.
New Orlean Saints- 10.5- OVER- The Saints have been a trendy Super Bowl bound team this year but I can't see how they can get past the Seahawks. Their secondary is the very overrated with the additions of Jairus Byrd and Champ Bailey who got cut. Byrd can't stay healthy but they gave him a massive contract. Also the division won't be as easy as last year so I can't see them wining home field playoff advantage they would need to even have a chance against the Seahawks. They are a good team but they still aren't a match for physical teams they will meet in the NFC playoffs.
New York Giants- 8- UNDER- Tom Coughlin and Eli Manning have to be one of the most overrated coach/QB pairs ever. Apart from winning 2 Super Bowls on the back of a playoff hot streak by the defensive unit these two have been average for a long time. Their 7-9 record last year hid the fact they were out of the playoffs halfway through the season. Coughlin should have been fired this offseason but loyalty to him and Eli means the Giants waste another year before they admit they need replacements at both positions. The Giants just don't seem to have the fight to win matches until it's too late in the season.
New York Jets-7- UNDER- This is the year that Rex Ryan finally gets found out for being a terrible head coach. He has a fantastic defensive mind but as shown complete disdain for the offensive side of the ball. He has failed to develop one decent offensive skill position player in his time with the Jets, something which doesn't get enough publicity. Now with a squad lacking talent on both sides the Jets are really going to struggle to be competitive this year. The secondary especially looks atrocious they won't stop anyone throwing. Re Ryan will be looking for another job by the end of the year. 4-6 wins this year.
Oakland Raiders- 5- UNDER- GM Reggie McKenzie and head coach Dennis Allen effectively ended their contracts with the Raiders when they tried to convince the NFL and the fans that Matt Schaub was the answer to the teams QB woes. Any sane person realised that Schaub was done after his meltdown with the Texans last year. Schaub isn't even starting Week 1, instead going with rookie Derek Carr who is nowhere near ready to face NFL defenses. It doesn't help they face the toughest schedule in the NFL either but this team just doesn't have elite talent anywhere on the roster. This team will most likely have the No.1 pick in next years draft along with a new head coach and GM.
Philadelphia Eagles- 9- OVER- Chip Kelly has done a great job quickly turning around this franchise and making it the top of the division. Offensively they are one of the best in the league while the defense should be improved. Despite the tougher schedule this year the fact that the division is so bad should see the Eagles reach ten wins.
Pittsburgh Steelers- 8.5- OVER- A disappointing 8-8 last year highlighted the fact that this team aren't the powerhouses that they are used to being. Mike Tomlin has done an average job since he became head coach and maybe on the hot seat if the team performs as poorly this year. The defensive side got some much needed additions from the draft including linebacker Ryan Shazier who looks like he will contribute immediately. On the offensive side Leveon Bell needs to get as many touches as possible as he is the all purpose RB they have been seeking since Jerome Bettis retired. I think the Steelers will make the playoffs again through a wildcard. 9-10 wins.
San Diego Chargers-8- OVER- Last year I picked the Chargers to make a wildcard spot and was proven correct by the slimmest of margins. Mike McCoy did a remarkable job of turning one of the weakest rosters in the NFL into a team which gave the Denver Broncos a real challenge in the division. With improvements on defense this team has a real chance in contending the Broncos this year with their run first, time consuming offense. 9-10 wins and a wildcard is in their reach.
San Francisco 49ers-10.5- UNDER- I get the feeling that the 49ers on the brink of some major changes by the end of this year. Jim Harbaugh seems to move on from places every 3-5 years and is difficult to get on with. The roster has seen some major hits with injuries and suspensions as well and along with a tough division and schedule I see the 49ers struggling to pick up a wildcard position. 8-9 wins.
Seattle Seahawks- 11- OVER- The reigning Super Bowl champs didn't lose anyone integral in the offseason so the team should carry on their domination of teams with their physical brand of football. The scariest part about this team is the fact Russell Wilson can get better and that Percy Harvin comes back from missing the entire regular season. With homefield advantage in playoffs most likely it's hard to see this team not getting to the Super Bowl. 13 wins.
St Louis Rams-6.5-UNDER- If the Rams could go 7-9 with Kellen Clemons as QB last year they can reach that at least with Shaun Hill. Their defense looks formidable with Gregg Williams dialing up aggressive blitzes this team will be a tough team to beat. However the team will always be limited by the fact that Brian Schottenheimer is still the OC here despite showing the creativity or competency for that job. 8-8
Tampa Bay Buccaneers- 7- OVER- If Greg Schiano wasn't so toxic a coach this teams record would have been far better last year. Thankfully Lovie Smith is far more competent as a HC and should put turn this team around immediately. They have the personal to be an elite defense with the likes of Gerald McCoy, Lavonte David and Mark Barron. The offense has some intriguing pieces but it depends on whether the offensive line can hold up to allow Josh McCown to throw downfield to his tall receivers. I have the Bucs coming second in the division and vying for a wildcard spot.
Tennessee Titans- 7- OVER- I like the move for Ken Whisenhunt and i'm a believer he can turn this team into a playoff contender this year. It all depends on whther Jake Locker can stay healthy. If he can I think this offense has the receiving threats to go against their division rivals. The defense is a work in progress but it can't get much worse. 8-9 wins and fighting for the division.
Washington D.C- 7.5- UNDER- Not a fan of RGIII as a QB, he hasn't developed into a pocket passer, turning into the right handed version of Mike Vick. If Jay Gruden's last name wasn't so he wouldn't get a sniff of a head coaching role. Along with the fact that the defense is terrible this team is looking at another bad season. 6 wins.
AFC North Champ- Baltimore Ravens
AFC East Champ- New England Patriots
AFC South Champ- Indianapolis Colts
AFC West Champ- Denver Broncos
Wildcard spots- San Diego Chargers, Pittsburgh Steelers
NFC North Champ- Minnesota Vikings
NFC East Champ- Philadelphia Eagles
NFC South Champ- New Orleans Saints
NFC West Champ- Seattle Seahawks
Wildcard spots- Tampa Bay Bucs, Green Bay Packers
AFC Championship- New England Patriots over Denver Broncos
NFC Championship- Seattle Seahawks over New Orleans Saints
Super Bowl- New England over the Seattle Seahawks
Bottom 5- Oakland Raiders, Buffalo Bills, NY Jets, Detroit Lions, NY Giants
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