Another
NFL season is upon us and I make my projections on how the teams finish in each
division.
AFC EAST
Patriots:
Eventually their run as AFC East champions will come to an end, but for now,
they are the favorites to win the division
Dolphins:
Flirt with .500 is their best hope
Bills:
Made the playoffs last year but do not expect a repeat performance
Jets:
Wins will be tough to come by this season
AFC NORTH
Steelers:
Even with Bell holding out, the Steelers are still one of the favorites to
represent the AFC in the Super Bowl
Ravens:
Went defense heavy in the draft as well as drafting Flacco’s successor
Bengals:
Need a lot of things to go their way if they are to win the division
Browns:
Guaranteed better than 0-16 but not by much
AFC SOUTH
Texans:
If this team stays healthy, watch out. They could make a deep playoff run
Colts:
The return of Andrew Luck certainly puts them back in the mix for the AFC South
title
Jaguars:
Team benefited from the Texans injuries of Watson and Watt as well as the absence
of Luck from the Colts. Running game and defense should keep them in playoff
contention
Titans:
Problem is that every team in this division got slightly better in the
offseason
AFC WEST
Chiefs:
Has the makings of a contender but inconsistencies in the playoffs has cost them
a chance at a championship
Chargers:
Missed the playoffs due to a slow start last season and eventually tiebreakers.
It should not happen again this season
Broncos:
Defense should keep them in games, but offensive concerns will keep them out of
the playoffs
Raiders:
Jon Gruden returns to the sideline in nearly 10 years
NFC EAST
Eagles:
Carson Wentz was an MVP candidate before his ACL injury late in the regular
season. For now, Nick Foles is the starter until he is ready to play. Many
pieces from their Super Bowl run still remain
Cowboys:
Health issues at offensive line and LB Sean Lee are a concern if this team is
to challenge the Eagles and fight off the Giants as contenders for the NFC East
crown
Giants:
Saquon Barkley gives the Giants a much-needed running game
Washington:
Alex Smith, short term yes; long term no
NFC NORTH
Vikings:
Winners of the Cousins Sweepstakes. Will need to put NFC Title Game performance
behind them
Packers:
Still a favorite to win the division with Aaron Rodgers return from last season’s
injury but needs more consistent play in order to be taken seriously as a
championship contender
Lions:
Stafford has to do better than his sub-.500 record against teams with a winning
record if the Lions are to win the NFC North
Bears:
Trading for Khalil Mack will give the defense a jolt in this quarterback heavy
division
NFC SOUTH
Saints:
Brees might be at the end of his career, but the impact of their 2017 rookie
class keeps them in championship contention
Falcons:
Came within a touchdown of beating the eventual Super Bowl champions on the
road
Panthers:
Can the Panthers break their even year curse?
Buccaneers:
Winston’s off the field issues will have this team playing catch-up for the rest
of the season
NFC WEST
Rams:
Top-scoring offense was a no-show in their wild card loss to the Falcons
49ers:
Trendy pick to win the division after winning 6 of their final 7 games last
season. Should be in the mix for a wild card spot this season
Seahawks:
Expect the offense to put up some points, but mainly in part due to the Legion
of Boom is a shell of its former self
Cardinals:
Sam Bradford is currently the starter, but expect Josh Rosen to get the nod
sometime during the season
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