The National Football League season is a little more than
one week away, so it is time for me to preview the upcoming year by predicting
which teams will compete for the Vince Lombardi Trophy on February 2nd,
2014.
NFC North
The Green Bay Packers have won this division the past two
years, and they should be considered the favorite once again with Aaron Rodgers
at quarterback. If their offensive line can protect him more than they have
recently, then Rodgers will be in store for another big year. The other three
teams in the North have a chance to challenge Green Bay, but they all have some
question marks. The Chicago Bears have a new Head Coach in Marc Trestman, but they
are expected to have a much improved offense. The Detroit Lions had a breakout
year in 2011, but regressed to a 4-12 season last year. The talent seems to be
there, but a lack of discipline is apparent in the Motor City. The Minnesota
Vikings made a surprise playoff run last season led by Adrian Peterson, but
with Christian Ponder still under center, the Vikings will be hard pressed to
repeat last season’s success.
Division Winner: Green Bay Packers
NFC East
The NFC East is wide open. Outside of the Philadelphia
Eagles, who are a huge question mark with Chip Kelly’s offense coming to the
NFL, a case can be made for three teams winning this division. The New York
Giants have been a playoff contender for several years now, but their defense
has taken a few steps back. The Washington Redskins came on very strong by
winning their final seven regular season games to win the East last season.
Quarterback Robert Griffin III is coming off of surgery to repair a torn ACL
that he suffered in last year’s playoff game. If he is fully recovered, the
Redskins will contend for playoff spot. The Dallas Cowboys have been America’s
most overrated team the past several seasons, but this could the year they
actually make some noise. Wide receiver Dez Bryant emerged as an elite player
last year, giving quarterback Tony Romo plenty to work with in him, Jason
Witten, and Miles Austin.
Division Winner: Dallas Cowboys
NFC South
In 2012, the South was dominated by the Atlanta Falcons as
the other three teams each finished 7-9. The Falcons are still the favorites to
win the division with Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, Roddy White, and Tony Gonzalez leading
their offense. Although the Falcons are the favorites, I don’t think they will
win the division as easily as they did last season because the other three
teams should be improved. The New Orleans Saints will have their Head Coach
Sean Payton back on the sidelines following his one-year suspension for his
role in Bounty Gate. With Payton and Drew Brees reunited, the Saints offense should
be as potent as always. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers started last season 6-5, but
they dropped 4 out of their last 5 games to fall to 7-9. Doug Martin had a
standout rookie season and emerged as one of the premier running backs in the
NFL. The Carolina Panthers won their final four games of the season, and with
Cam Newton at quarterback, the Panthers have a chance to win in just about
every game they play.
Division Winner: Atlanta Falcons
NFC West
The West figures to be another two team race between the San
Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks, but the other two teams figure to be
improved as well. The St. Louis Rams are my sleeper team this season, but they
might be a year away still. Their defense was much improved last season and should
be even better with rookie Alec Olgetree looking like a future All-Pro
linebacker. The offense needs work, but they appear to be heading in the right
direction. I am a believer in Sam Bradford, and the additions of Jake Long,
Jared Cook, Tavon Austin, Stedman Bailey, and Barrett Jones should improve their
offense immensely. The Arizona Cardinals welcome new Head Coach Bruce Arians
and quarterback Carson Palmer. Those two should help the passing attack become
potent once again with Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd at receiver.
Division Winner: Seattle Seahawks
NFC Wildcards: San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears
AFC North
With my apologies to the people of Cleveland, the North is a
three team race. I think the Browns will be improved offensively with another
year of growth from Brandon Weeden and Trent Richardson, but it won’t be
enough. The Pittsburgh Steelers had a down year last season, but I expect them
to be contenders once again behind a solid defense and with Ben Roethlisberger now
healthy. The Baltimore Ravens are the defending Super Bowl champions, but they
have lost some key contributors. Joe Flacco, Ray Rice, and Torrey Smith will
have to do a lot to make up for the losses of Ray Lewis and Ed Reed to the
defense. The Cincinnati Bengals have made the playoffs the past two seasons,
but they could be in store for a breakthrough year. Andy Dalton is a very solid
quarterback, A.J. Green is a stud wide receiver, and rookies Giovanni Bernard
and Tyler Eifert should provide them with some versatile weapons on offense to
go along with a very good defense.
Division Winner: Cincinnati Bengals
AFC East
This division has been dominated by the New England Patriots
over recent years, and this season appears to be no different. Yes, the
Patriots have their question marks and have lost some key players; most notably
Wes Welker and Aaron Hernandez. But, they still have Tom Brady and until
another quarterback emerges in the East, the Patriots will always be the
favorites. The Miami Dolphins might be the next best team in the division. Ryan
Tannehill looks like he has a future at quarterback, but they might be a year
or two away from challenging the Patriots. The Buffalo Bills and New York Jets
are both at least a few years away and have serious quarterback issues. The
Bills drafted E.J. Manuel, but he is injured and Jeff Tuel is slated to start
the opener versus New England. The Jets are a mess. Geno Smith was drafted to
be their future quarterback, but he has been battling an injury as well. At
least Mark Sanchez is still there, right?
Division Winner: New England Patriots
AFC South
With Peyton Manning not under center for the Indianapolis
Colts, the Houston Texans have won the South the past two seasons. The Texans
should be in line for another great season with Matt Schaub, Arian Foster, and
Andre Johnson providing enough offense for a very stout defense led by J.J.
Watt. Rookie Andrew Luck led the Colts to a surprising 11-5 record last season,
but that success might be hard to repeat without the added motivation of playing
for Head Coach Chuck Pagano’s fight with cancer. Neither the Tennessee Titans nor
Jacksonville Jaguars appear ready to challenge the Texans and the Colts for the
division with very poor defenses and quarterback play.
Division Winner: Houston Texans
AFC West
The Denver Broncos won the West by six games last season,
and I’d be shocked if they didn’t do that again in 2013. Outside of the
Broncos, the West is awful. Peyton Manning, Demaryius Thomas, Wes Welker, and
Eric Decker lead a very explosive offensive attack. The San Diego Chargers seem
to underachieve every year, but no one is really expecting them to be good this
season. Phillip Rivers’ stock has fallen drastically and Antonio Gates isn’t
getting any younger. The Kansas City Chiefs look slightly improved, but they
still are likely a year or two away. New Head Coach Andy Reid should help Alex
Smith, Jamaal Charles, and Dwayne Bowe put some points on the scoreboard. The
Oakland Raiders might be the worst team in football. Honestly, I have nothing
else to say about them.
Division Winner: Denver Broncos
AFC Wildcards: Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers
Playoff Predictions
NFC Wildcard Weekend
(6) Chicago Bears over (3) Dallas Cowboys
(5) San Francisco 49ers over (4) Green Bay Packers
NFC Division Round
(1) Seattle Seahawks over (6) Chicago Bears
(5) San Francisco 49ers over (2) Atlanta Falcons
NFC Championship
(1) Seattle Seahawks over (5) San Francisco 49ers
AFC Wildcard Weekend
(6) Baltimore Ravens over (3) Houston Texans
(4) Cincinnati Bengals over (5) Pittsburgh Steelers
AFC Divisional Round
(1) Denver Broncos over (6) Baltimore Ravens
(4) Cincinnati Bengals over (2) New England Patriots
AFC Championship
(1) Denver Broncos over (4) Cincinnati Bengals
Super Bowl XLVIII
Denver Broncos over Seattle Seahawks
-Eric Tichelbaut
Follow me on Twitter @etichel07
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