Wow, it’s hard to believe that just passed the two-year mark for Pittsburgh Sporting News. These two years have flown by for us, and we are thankful for the support from the readers. One of the first pieces I put out when the site started up was my NFL predictions for 2012. I continued it last year, and both times, I enjoyed going back to see how wrong I am.
When it comes to the NFL, no other league has as much parity or turnover in the standings. So for the third straight year, here goes nothing.
NFC East
1. Philadelphia Eagles – 11-5: Yes, I’m an Eagles fan, but even those who despise Philadelphia can’t deny that the rest of the division is shaky, at best. All of the defenses in the east are putrid, and the Eagles will look to take another step in the positive direction under second-year head coach Chip Kelly. While Nick Foles is sure to degree, Jeremy Maclin and Jordan Matthews will fill the void in the offense after DeSean Jackson left to make this one of the highest-scoring teams in football once again.
2. Washington – 9-7: I like Washington more than some people do. Robert Griffin, III has looked horrible in the preseason, but I never put much stock into the preseason play. Pierre Garcon will lose targets with the addition of DeSean Jackson and a healthy Jordan Reed, and as long as Griffin can pick up the offense, Washington should rebound after a down 2013 campaign.
3. Dallas Cowboys – 8-8: Once again, a team overrated by name alone fill disappoint. Tony Romo to me is one of the more underrated quarterbacks in the league, and he will put up a good stat line as long as his back holds up. The offense will be just fine, but the defense is the worst in the division, and that’s saying something.
4. New York Giants – 6-10: Man, does Eli Manning look horrible. Sure, the Giants finished the preseason undefeated, but they are in for a long season in New York as the offense is struggling to learn the new system. Andre Williams will emerge as a stud, but a poor defense and poor quarterback play will cost the G-Men once again.
NFC North
1. Chicago Bears – 11-5: I’m all-in on Marc Trestman and the Bears this year. I’ll put their offensive weapons up against any other team’s, and while the defense left much to be desired last year, I expect them to be better this year.
2. Green Bay Packers – 10-6: Speaking of high-powered offenses, it’s hard not to include the Packers as one of the top five units in the game. If Eddie Lacy can avoid a sophomore slump, and if Aaron Rodgers can stay upright, the Packers and Bears will provide an exciting race for the NFC North crown all year long.
3. Detroit Lions – 8-8: Another great offense will be held back by a dreadful defense. The front four of the lines defense is stout, but the secondary has some major issues. Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson will put up their respective numbers, and the addition of Golden Tate will give the Lions a true No. 2 receiving weapon for the first time in recent memory. Unless the defense steps it up, the Lions are going to be on the outside looking in this year.
4. Minnesota Vikings – 6-10: The Vikings should be one of the more exciting bad teams to watch this year, as Adrian Peterson and Cordarrelle Patterson make for a great one-two punch in the Vikings offense. However, the combo of Matt Cassel and Teddy Bridgewater won’t be enough to get the Vikings out of the cellar.
NFC South
1. New Orleans Saints – 11-5: A case can be made for the Falcons to take the top spot, but with 11 indoor games this season, how can you bet against them? The offense will be clicking, and newcomer Brandin Cooks should only add to the dynamic group production.
2. Atlanta Falcons – 10-6: Look, the Falcons had a horrible year last season, but anything that could have went wrong, did go wrong. This year, they have a healthy Julio Jones and a healthy Roddy White, and newcomer Devonta Freeman will surpass Steven Jackson soon enough on the depth chart. This will be on fun team to watch this year.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 9-7: I love the hire of Lovie Smith, and while Tampa is stubborn and won’t start the greatest quarterback in the world, Mike Glennon, Vincent Jackson, Mike Evans and Doug Martin will make Josh McCown look good. Also, their defense will be fierce. The secondary has some questions, but I have faith that Smith will figure it out.
4. Carolina Panthers – 4-12: I have no faith in the reigning NFC South champions. The offensive line is a mess, Cam Newton is coming off of offseason ankle surgery and he already has a fractured rib. Also, any team that has Jerricho Cotchery as its No. 2 receiver is in trouble. Kelvin Benjamin will be fun to watch, but that’s about it for this squad.
NFC West
1. Arizona Cardinals – 10-6: After the hits their defense took during preseason, I was hesitant to put them here. But you know what, I’m sticking with my prediction. I’m all-in on the Cardinals’ offense, and I think they will be knocking on the door for one of the top five defenses in the league this season. While the defense has some holes, they still have a formidable unit against the run and the pass.
2. Seattle Seahawks – 9-7: They were so dominant last year. Call me crazy, but I believe in the Super Bowl hangover, especially with a group this young. I wouldn’t at all be shocked if they ran away with the division, but I’ll let them prove me wrong this year.
3. San Francisco 49ers – 8-8: The defense has major issues this year, and they’ve looked lost in the preseason. I know, I know. For Washington, I said it didn’t matter. But guess what? I’m going to be hypocrite. I’m concerned about the team, but they have all of the potential in the world to win the division and even the conference.
4. St. Louis Rams – 6-10: If it wasn’t for Sam Bradford going down, I would feel much more optimistic about the Rams’ chances this year. The Rams have the best front four in the league, but Shaun Hill won’t be able to do enough with the offense to matter in the league’s toughest division.
AFC East
1. New England Patriots – 12-4: What, you were expecting someone else to win it?
2. Miami Dolphins – 9-7: The Dolphins have the ability to surprise a lot of people. I’m not sold on either Lamar Miller or Knowshon Moreno, but I expect Ryan Tannehill and Mike Wallace to take big steps forward this year in the new offense.
3. New York Jets – 8-8: Geno Smith has looked good thus far in the preseason, and he will have to carry it over if the Jets want to have any pray of doing anything this year. Looking at the Jets’ schedule on paper, they have to go through hell and back early on. Still, Rex Ryan will find a way to bring his team to the .500 mark by the end of the year.
4. Buffalo Bills – 7-9: I had high hopes for the Bills in the offseason, but the possible season-ending injury to Kiko Alonso (Go Ducks!) will be hard to overcome. EJ Manuel looks bad, and the offense in general will stall out a lot this year.
AFC South
1. Indianapolis Colts – 11-5: Read Patriots, New England.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars – 9-7: Actually, yes! The Jaguars could contend with the Colts in this division. I love the job Gus Bradley has done with both the offense and defense, and if the Jags will start Blake Bortles early on, they could have a shot at a wild card spot this year.
3. Tennessee Titans – 9-7: It comes down to Jake Locker staying healthy. He has the weapons in Kendall Wright and Justin Hunter, but his health has been the concern in the past couple of seasons. Expect the defense to take a step back, as well.
4. Houston Texans – 5-11: Well, they got Ryan Mallett at least?
AFC West
1. Denver Broncos – 13-3: They have a tougher schedule this year, but it won’t matter.
2. San Diego Chargers – 10-6: I hate Philip Rivers. Regardless, the Chargers are going to throw a lot, and the defense will make enough splash plays to help the Chargers finish second in the division.
3. Kansas City Chiefs – 8-8: Last year was cute. However, they don’t have the luxury of facing backup quarterback after backup quarterback this season. Alex Smith will be forced to throw more this year behind a new offensive line, and on the defensive side of the ball, expect a lot of receivers to get behind the Chiefs’ secondary.
4. Oakland Raiders – 6-10: They added some veterans, but someone forget to tell the Raiders that the veterans were over the hill. Maurice Jones-Drew, LaMarr Woodley and Justin Tuck would be great additions….if it was 2011.
AFC North
1. Cincinnati Bengals – 10-6: I’ll give the Bengals the benefit of the doubt until they prove that they don’t deserve it. Andy Dalton and A.J. Green will continue to spell trouble for the opposition, and the one-two punch of Gio Bernard and Jeremy Hill will do enough to keep the opposing defense honest. The defense will get a big lift from having a healthy Geno Atkins for a full season, too.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers – 9-7: I don’t think that the Steelers are really that good. They are about on par as far as talent goes as they were last year. I like Ryan Shazier a lot, but the fact that the Steelers have a cupcake schedule on paper will make them contenders for the AFC North crown.
3. Baltimore Ravens – 8-8: Joe Flacco‘s contract is to blame. It will always be to blame.
4. Cleveland Browns – 7-9: I actually think that Cleveland will start the season 7-5, but four tough road games will show their true colors.
NFC Playoffs
Eagles
Bears
Saints
Cardinals
Packers (WC)
Atlanta (WC)
AFC Playoffs
Patriots
Broncos
Colts
Bengals
Chargers (WC)
Jaguars (WC)
Super Bowl
Saints over Patriots
NFL MVP
Drew Brees/Peyton Manning (Co-MVPs)
Offensive Rookie of the Year
Kelvin Benjamin
Defensive Rookie of the Year
Ryan Shazier
Coach of the Year
Gus Bradley
