NFC East
1) Philadelphia Eagles:
What I Like: The Eagles were 3-0 last year, and Carson Wentz was the talk of the NFL early in the season, but ultimately the team stumbled to a 7-9 finish. There is a lot to build off with this roster, and it starts with Wentz. There is optimism that Wentz could be a big-time QB in this league, and he should continue to work towards that this year. They added WRs Alshon Jeffrey and Torrey Smith to go along with Brent Celek and Zach Ertz. They also added LaGarrette Blount to go with Darren Sproles, so there is some firepower there on offense. On defense, they still have a nice corps of young players like Brandon Graham, Fletcher Cox, Mychal Kendricks, and Malcolm Jenkins. The Eagles added to that young unit by drafting pass rusher Derek Barnett in the first round of the draft in April. They have a three-game homestand Weeks 7-9 (Wash, SF, and Denver). They also traded Jordan Matthews for CB Ronald Darby, who could add something to their secondary. They also finish with back-to-back home games in Weeks 16 and 17 with Oakland and Dallas respectively visiting Philly. You can make the case that they are not that far away from making the playoffs, and they could be one of the surprise teams in 2017.
What I Don't Like: Some head coaches look like they are the right guy for the job, and some head coaches just don't seem like they are a fit for that position in the NFL. Doug Pederson looks like a guy who isn't head coaching material. He might be someone that holds the Eagles back next year. I'm just not sold on Pederson at this point. Also, if Wentz doesn't develop the way they want him to, then this team is toast this year. I still think that their secondary is very suspect as well-even with the addition of Darby. They still play in one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL and there is no reason to think that the NFC East won't be a minefield this year once again. Plus, their schedule is very challenging at points. Four of their first six games are on the road (Washington, KC, LAC, Carolina), and the Panthers game is on a short week on a Thursday night. They also have a brutal stretch in December to finish the season. At Seattle, at Rams, at Giants, and home against Oakland and Dallas. That is a brutal way to end the season.
Prediction: 9-7 and winners of the NFC East
2) Dallas Cowboys:
What I Like: How can you not be excited as a Cowboys fan after what you saw from rookies Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliot last year? It was a great year not only for them but for the Cowboys and although it ended in a brutal loss to the Packers, there is a lot of excitement for this franchise going forward. If you can get the same success out of Prescott and Elliot again, combined with the offensive weapons like Dez Bryant, Terrance Williams, Cole Beasley, and the dependable Jason Witten. What separates the Cowboys from everyone else is that they have the best offensive line in the NFL. That will carry them as well next season. The Cowboys offense can score points. The schedule helps them in this regard: A lot of their tough out of division home games are against their toughest opponents: Green Bay, Kansas City, and Seattle. They also get a three game homestand in November when they host Philly, the Chargers on Thanksgiving, and Washington on a Thursday night in Weeks 11-13. Plus, they will have 10 days to rest after the Redskins game before they head to the Giants in Week 14. You have to put the Cowboys as one of the top contenders in the NFC, and they should be in the discussion of the top teams heading into 2017.
What I Don't Like: Anytime a young team exceeds expectations one year in the NFL, they almost always have trouble continuing that the next season. With all the success the Cowboys had with Prescott and Elliot last year, I kind of expect them to take a step back this year. The upcoming six-game suspension of Elliot will be a factor to the team and it will affect this offense. Also, the defense still just scares the hell out of me. I know it worked out last year for them, but the defense killed them in the playoff loss to the Packers, and I worry about that being their downfall this year. They even spent their first three draft picks on defensive players (Taco Charlton, Chidobe Awuzie, and Jourdan Lewis). You know that the NFC East is going to be tough because everyone is always gunning for the Cowboys and this year will be tough because the Cowboys are the defending division champs. The schedule is very tough to start: vs. the Giants, at Denver and at Arizona. Their December schedule is also difficult with road games at the Giants and at Oakland, home vs. Seattle in Week 16 and at Philly in Week 17. The Cowboys have the look of the team that inexplicably takes a step back after a great season the year before.
Prediction: 8-8 and second place in the NFC East
3) New York Giants:
What I Like: When you add a WR like Brandon Marshall to an offense that includes Odell Beckham Jr and Sterling Shepard, then you have a nice set of weapons for Eli Manning to work with. They added TE Evan Engram in the 1st round of the draft to give them a real threat at the TE position. Also, I like the addition of RB Wayne Gallman in the fourth round of the draft. You have to love how their defense played last year. They re-signed Jason Pierre-Paul in the offseason, and the defense still includes the likes of Damon Harrison, Olivier Vernon, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Landon Collins, Janoris Jenkins, and Eli Apple. There defense carried them at times down the stretch, and you have to like the talent on both sides of the ball to give this team a chance to make the playoffs again. The one thing that helps them as far as their schedule is the fact they play the NFC West as a non-division foe. They also get to host each of their division rivals in three of their last four games. The Giants expectations are higher than just getting into the playoffs once again.
What I Don't Like: Here is the problem with the Giants: They are another team with a major question mark at head coach. Ben McAdoo did a nice job last year and he gambled a lot in games and was successful, but the way he handled his team and specifically Odell Beckham was pretty poor. Plus, the Giants won a lot of close games last year, and you have to figure that they are due to lose some of those types of games this year. I am a little worried about Eli Manning and the way he played at times last year down the stretch. Also, we know they play in the NFC East, so that is going to be a war every time, but their schedule doesn't help them in other spots. They open with three out of the first four on the road (Dallas, Philly, Tampa Bay). They have road trips to Denver in Week 6 and Oakland in Week 13. They also have tough home games against Seattle in Week 7 and KC in Week 11. They could be better than last year and not win more than 8 games this season.
Prediction: 8-8 and third place in the NFC East
4) Washington Redskins:
What I Like: In a league where the QB is so important to success, the Redskins are in a pretty good position as opposed to the other teams that don't have that prototypical franchise QB. Kirk Cousins has been very solid for the Redskins the last two seasons, and if he continues to play well, then the Skins will be a very tough out in 2017. I like the addition of WR Terrelle Pryor to go along with WR Jamison Crowder and TE Jordan Reed continues to be a big-time player. Overall, the Redskins have a talented unit on defense as well. The roster is in better shape than a lot of people think. I really liked their draft with the additions of Jonathan Allen in Round 1, Ryan Anderson in Round 2, and Samaje Perine in Round 4. They are also the sleeper in their division. I like the start of their schedule. They host the Philly in Week 1, head to the Rams in Week 2, host Oakland, go to KC, and host SF. You can make a case for a 4-1 start. If they get off to a good start, they can make some noise. A lot of people are looking at the Cowboys and the Giants, and no one is expecting much from the Redskins this year. The Redskins could be the team that surprises a lot of people and grabs a playoff spot.
What I Don't Like: As good as Kirk Cousins has been for them the past two seasons, the two things that hang over his head are the fact that Cousins did not play well at all the last few games in 2016 and his contract situation. Is that contract situation going to be an issue hanging over the team this year? How will it affect Cousins' play this year? Is Cousins good, but not good enough to really be the man for this franchise in big spots? I don't think there is a tremendous amount of talent on offense in certain spots, and I don't like their running back situation at all. We know about the NFC East, but the Redskins schedule is going to be tough for them to overcome. They only have one back-to-back set of home games during the season. They have three out of their four primetime games on the road (KC and Philly on MNF, and Dallas on TNF). How about this stretch from Weeks 8-13: Dallas, at Seattle, Minnesota, at New Orleans, NYG, at Dallas. That is a very tricky slate of games. I think if they get off to a rough start, then they are really in trouble the rest of the way. It looks like they will be competitive, but ultimately, I don't see the Redskins doing enough to make it to the playoffs in 2017.
Prediction: 6-10 and last place in the NFC East.
NFC NORTH
1) Green Bay Packers:
What I Like: There is nothing that suggests that Aaron Rodgers is slowing down, and he is still one of the 2-3 best QBs on the plant. Just look at last year's 4,428 yard and 40 TD performance to will the Packers into the playoffs. At 4-6, the Packers looked like they were dead in the water, but Rodgers will them back into contention the last six weeks and got them all the way to the NFC Championship Game. As long as the Packers have Rodgers, they are a threat in the NFC. I love the addition of TE Martellus Bennett. I think he will fit right in with this offense, and give Rodgers another threat to go along Jordy Nelson and Davante Adams. I like what the Packers did in the draft, and they added CB Kevin King early in the second Round, and he might be able to start right away. The Packers have five out of their first eight games in Lambeau including a Week 1 showdown with the Seahawks. Their December is also very friendly with Tampa Bay, at Cleveland, at Carolina, Minnesota, and at Detroit. I think they will start fast and could end very strong.
What I Don't Like: After watching the Packers get annihilated by the Falcons in the NFC Championship Game, it wasn't hard to see that the Packers defense needed an upgrade to get this team over the hump. Did they do enough in the offseason to accomplish that? They added DT Ricky Jean Francois for depth and their first four draft picks were on the defensive side of the ball, but they have enough pass rush and playmakers on that side of the ball. I just worry about that for the Pack. Their defense could be their downfall in 2017. As much as I like their schedule, they do have three very tough non-division road games: Atlanta in Week 2, Dallas in Week 5, Pittsburgh in Week 12, and the entire AFC North to deal with.
Prediction: 11-5 and winners of the NFC North
2) Minnesota Vikings
What I Like: This was a team 5-0 and looked like the class of the NFC last year, until the floor collapsed and they finished 8-8. There is still a lot to like about this team, and look like the classic bounce back team in 2017. Sam Bradford is now in his second year in Minnesota after coming over right before the start of last year. I LOVE the pick of RB Dalvin Cook to add to this offense. Cook should bring instant impact to this group. The defense is still the strength of this group and there is a nice corps of players on this unit. Xavier Rhodes, Danielle Hunter, Everson Griffin, Eric Kendricks, Anthony Barr, and Harrison Smith are all guys that could lead this group to another level this year. I like the start to their schedule: New Orleans on MNF, at Pitt, TB, Detroit, at Chicago. That could very easily be 4-1. They also have five out of their first seven games at home, and that building was rocking last year when the Vikes were good. Throw in the whole "SKOL" chant, and I like what I see in Minnesota for 2017.
What I Don't Like: Can this offensive line improve enough to protect Sam Bradford and help this offense? They added Riley Reiff and Mike Remmers at OT and drafted Pat Elflein in the 3rd Round. I don't know if that is enough to salvage that group. I am worried about their weapons outside of Stephon Diggs and Kyle Rudolph. The defense might get worn down by all the pressure to perform each week. I am a little worried about head coach Mike Zimmer's eye situation, and if he has to miss anymore time this year, that could certainly hurt them. The tricky part of their schedule is a three-game roadtrip at Detroit on Thanksgiving Day, at Atlanta, and at Carolina in Weeks 12-14. They also have to not only play the AFC North, but they draw the NFC South this year as well. I still think they are behind the Packers in the division as well.
Prediction: 10-6 and a Wild Card berth.
3) Detroit Lions:
What I Like: You have to like the Lions chances at being a wild card contender with Matt Stafford behind center. He is not Brady, Rodgers, or Brees, but he is in that next tier of QBs that can lead his team to the playoffs without a lot of help. Stafford did that to an extent last year, and he certainly can do it again. You have to like how they reshuffled their offensive line with the additions of RG T.J. Lang and RT Ricky Wagner. They have to build around Stafford and perhaps they have done that. Their offensive weapons revolve around Golden Tate, Eric Ebron, and Marvin Jones. There is enough there to give Stafford some support. I do like their secondary and they added Teez Tabor in the second round to give them another young piece in the secondary. You would think that Ziggy Ansah will have a bounce back season at DE and help out that pass rush. If there is a team in the NFC that is due for a division title and a playoff win, the Lions are certainly that team. Maybe 2017 is the year they finally break through.
What I Don't Like: Head coach Jim Caldwell has actually done a decent job in Detroit. He made the playoffs in two of the last three seasons, and they narrowly missed the one season they didn't make it. He IS STILL Jim Caldwell, and you have to worry about him leading the troops going forward. Outside of Matt Stafford, do the Lions really scare you? I didn't think so. They are always in so many close games and it seems like their luck might run out this season. They were 9-4 last year, and then the bottom fell out. They lost their last three games and got bounced in the Wild Card round at Seattle. I don't see too much talent on defense either. I don't see the defense being able to hold up week to week. For a middle of the road team, their schedule has enough tough matchups to lead to their demise. They host Arizona in Week 1, go to the Giants in Week 2, host Atlanta, head to Minnesota, host Carolina and head to New Orleans during the first six weeks. They get Pittsburgh and at Green Bay back-to-back in Weeks 8 and 9. They have trips to Baltimore and Tampa Bay in Weeks 13 and 14 and finish with at Cincy and Green Bay at home. There are just too many tough patches in that schedule to see them finishing anywhere near 8-8. I think the Lions take a big step back in 2017.
Prediction: 5-11 and third place in the NFC North.
4) Chicago Bears:
What I Like: The Bears are team that could be the ultimate sleeper in 2017 because NO ONE thinks they will do anything this year. John Fox could use that to his advantage to motivate his team each week. They might have something brewing on defense with the combo of Leonard Floyd and Pernell McPhee. On offense, RB Jordan Howard looks like a breakout star and people might forget he had over 1,300 yards and 6 TDs as a rookie last year. QB Mitch Trubisky looked really good in the preseason, and there is still a chance that he could start by Week 1, which would be a positive for the Bears at this point for their franchise. The biggest thing the Bears have going for them is the idea that the Bears are the ultimate underdog in 2017.
What I Don't Like: Let's be honest: John Fox has been a failure in Chicago. There were rumblings that he wasn't getting along with the front office, and he is certainly on the hot seat going into the season. If they get off to a bad start, Fox will be gone by Halloween. Also, there is just not enough talent on this team. Their big offseason move on defense: CB Prince Amukamara. They lost Alshon Jeffrey to free agency, Jay Cutler retired, and there are just not enough weapons on offense to get them by. They made the move to sign Mike Glennon in free agency, and then they traded up to get Mitchell Trubisky. That puts Glennon and the coaching staff in a rough spot, and as soon as he falters, then they will have to go to Trubisky, so that will be hanging over their head all year long. It looks like it will be a mess for them all season. Their schedule is tough because they have the NFC South and the AFC North. Here are their first eight weeks of the season: Atlanta, at TB, Pitt, at GB, Minnesota, at Balt, Carolina, and at New Orleans. That could be 2-6 or 1-7 right off the bat. They host GB in Week 10, and head to Philly, Cincy, and Minnesota in the last six weeks. It looks like another long season for the Bears in 2017 and the focus should be on 2018.
Prediction: 4-12 and last place in the NFC North.
NFC SOUTH
1) Carolina Panthers:
What I Like: The Panthers suffered from a Super Bowl loss hangover in 2016, and they just never got it going. Injuries, lackluster play, and some bad luck sunk the Panthers chances to get back to the playoffs. This year, it seems like the Panthers will be back and get back into the mix with a bounce back season. It starts with Cam Newton, and if he is healthy from shoulder surgery, then Cam should be back to being Cam. Their biggest offseason move was the selection of Christian McCaffrey in the 1st round of the NFL Draft. McCaffrey and Newton could be a very fun tandem in this offense. I like the other weapons on offense: Kelvin Benjamin, Greg Olsen, Devin Funchess, and RB Jonathan Stewart. Luke Keuchly still mans the middle of the defense, and Kawann Short and Thomas Davis are still there in the front seven, and maybe the return of Julius Peppers can help the pass rush. Their schedule gives them a chance to get off to a good start (At SF, Buff, and New Orleans). They also have a three-game home stand in Weeks 14-16 (Minne, GB, TB). They have a chance to start fast and finish strong. I think the Panthers are poised for a rebound in 2017.
What I Don't Like: If Cam Newton doesn't come back fully from shoulder surgery, then the Panthers have no chance to finish over .500. Cam is the centerpiece of that franchise, and the uncertainty about him staying healthy is what could prevent them from making the playoffs again. They did lose key players like Ted Ginn Jr., and Kony Ealy in the offseason. Those guys were components to their Super Bowl run two years ago. Can their pass rush step up in key spots? Can their secondary be good enough to compete in a division with Matt Ryan, Jameis Winston, and Drew Brees. I'm not sure they are good enough on defense and the loss of defensive coordinator Sean McDermott could be very detrimental. There are enough questions surrounding this team and they have to answer a lot of questions before they are guaranteed a return to the playoffs this season.
Prediction: 10-6 and winners of the NFC South
2) Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
What I Like: If you are looking for young and promising talent in the NFC, the Bucs might fit that bill. Jameis Winston is on his way to being a big-time player and he has some weapons in this offense: Mike Evans, free agent signee Desean Jackson, Cameron Brate, and TE O.J. Howard, who was drafted in the 1st round of the draft. If Doug Martin can get back on track, then the Bucs might have a very explosive offense. On defense, they have Gerald McCoy on the defensive line with the newly acquired Chris Baker. Kwon Alexander and Lavonte David are a top tandem in the LB corps, and combination of Brent Grimes and Vernon Hargreaves at cornerback. I love the addition of T.J. Ward at safety after Denver cut him late in the preseason. He could bring a lot of leadership to this locker room. There is a lot of young talent on the roster, and it feels like they are ready to breakout. Their schedule is very fair both ways, but they have the advantage of hosting three of the first five games at home, including hosting the Pats on a Thursday night game in Week 5. They also finish with three out of their last four games at home as well. The get the AFC East as their conference crossover, so that will help them. This team finished 9-7 and just missed the playoffs last year, and they are not very far from breaking through and getting into the playoffs in 2017.
What I Don't Like: Can head coach Dirk Koetter guide this team into the playoffs and back into contention in the NFC South? I'm still not sold on Koetter as a head coach. The Bucs offensive line is their biggest weakness on offense and if they struggle to protect Winston, then they are in trouble. Anything that negatively affects Winston will hurt the Bucs chances. Also, you wonder if the Bucs are just not mature enough or ready to take the next step. They still have work to do to catch the Falcons, and they are basically equal with the Panthers. I just don't know if they have enough to make the leap this year. The difficult parts of the schedule could lead to their demise. They have a tough four game stretch from Weeks 3-6 with games at Minnesota, the Giants, the Pats (on TNF), and at Arizona. They have a very tough back-to-back with at Atlanta and at Green Bay in Weeks 12 and 13, and a trip to Carolina on Christmas Eve in Week 16. A lot of people are ready to put the Bucs in the playoffs this year, but I'm not sure they are there yet.
Prediction: 9-7 and a Wild Card berth
3) Atlanta Falcons:
What I Like: The Falcons are virtually returning their entire offense from 2016 and that means a lot of yards and a lot of points. At the controls is Matt Ryan, and he elevated himself to another level last year. With Ryan at QB, you have to like the Falcons chances in the NFC. Devonta Freeman, Tevin Coleman, Julio Jones, Mohammed Sanu, and Austin Hooper all return as weapons for Ryan. On defense, the Falcons have a pass rush with Vic Beasley, the emerging Grady Jarrett, young Deion Jones, Desmond Trufant, and newly acquired free agent Dontari Poe. They also drafted DE Takkarist McKinely in the 1st round of the draft. They have one of the best and most talented, young rosters in the entire NFL. Four of their last six games are at home, and it features a three-game homestand in Weeks 12-14 (TB, Minne, and New Orleans). The Falcons certainly have enough talent to go on another deep run in the NFC this season.
What I Don't Like: If there ever was a team that could suffer from a Super Bowl loser hangover, then the 2017 Falcons are the ultimate candidate. How will they get over and rebound from their 34-28 Super Bowl LI loss to the Pats after blowing a 28-3 lead in the second half. A lot of teams struggle after losing a Super Bowl the year before, but no one has ever lost a Super Bowl in that fashion like the Falcons did last year. You have to worry about their mentality to bounce back from that defeat. I like what Dan Quinn built last year in the locker room, but after watching him botch the Super Bowl, there are major questions about his in-game coaching ability-especially in big games. They also lost offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, and you have to worry about how that will affect the offense, and most importantly, Matt Ryan. If the Falcons flounder in 2017, it will have nothing to do with their on field ability. It will come down to their mental capacity and how they handle one of the worst losses in NFL history.
Prediction: 8-8 and third place in the NFC South
4) New Orleans Saints:
What I Like: When you have Drew Brees, you know you are going to get 5,000 yards, a bunch of TDs and big passing numbers. Brees had another big year in 2016, and there is no reason to think he won't do it again in 2017. He keeps this franchise afloat. The addition of RB Adrian Peterson could really help their ground game, and he doesn't have to be the AP of a few years ago to help this team. Peterson and Mark Ingram should be a good 1-2 punch for them. People forget WR Michael Thomas had 92 catches, 1,137 yards and 9 TDs last year. He is a legitimate receiving threat to go with Willie Snead, and the addition of Ted Ginn should help them in the passing game and in the return game. I like the pick of OT Ryan Ramczyk in the 1st Round of the draft to go along with C Max Unger. The Saints had to address their defense and they got CB Marshon Lattimore with the 11th overall pick in the draft, and he could come in and start right away. They added Mante Te'o at LB, and Cameron Jordan will anchor the defensive line once again. They haven't made the playoffs since 2013, so it feels like they could be due for a postseason berth.
What I Don't Like: Sean Payton made his mark by leading the Saints to the Super Bowl XLIV, but what has he done ever since? He might be one of the most overrated coaches in the league. If they get off to a bad start, I would think that Payton would be fired before the halfway mark. The Saints have had trouble stopping people the last few seasons, and I don't know if they have enough talent on defense to be a good unit this year. They are relying on a lot of young players, and that might not be enough. Their schedule is pretty tough and challenging in different spots. They head to Minnesota on Monday Night Football in the season opener. They host NE in Week 2, and head to Carolina in Week 3 and have to go to London to face the Dolphins. That is a very rough way to star the year. A trip to Green Bay, Atlanta, and Tampa Bay are all on the docket the rest of the year. I just don't see the Saints having enough to get back to the playoffs this season.
Prediction: 6-10 and last place in the NFC South
NFC WEST
1) Seattle Seahawks:
What I Like: They have a very talented roster, quality coaching, top flight organizational structure and a crummy division. That all adds up to another big year for the Seahawks. Russell Wilson, Jimmy Graham, Doug Baldwin, Tyler Lockett, and Thomas Rawls are all back for this offense this year. Even with the trade of Jermaine Kearse, the Seahawks should have enough weapons to be a better offense than last year. They added RB Eddie Lacy in free agency and if he is in shape, then he can be a very effective piece in this offense. On defense, they still have DEs Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril, LBs Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright, and the three-headed monster in the secondary Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, and Kam Chancellor. The late trade with the Jets to acquire Sheldon Richardson could really put this defense over the top. Put it this way: The Seahawks are loaded. With a division featuring the likes of the 49ers and the Rams, that should equate to four wins right there. Their schedule gives them a chance to get off to a good start. After heading to Green Bay in Week 1, they host SF, go to Tenn, host Indy and visit the Rams. They also finish with a very favorable stretch to end the season with their last six games featuring: at SF, Philly, at Jax, Rams, at Dallas, Arizona. That looks like 5-1 to finish the season. I think when it is all said and done, the Seahawks will be a team that will be in line for a big-time run in 2017.
What I Don't Like: You can't be happy with the internal strife that has reportedly surfaced in Seattle in the offseason with the defense and the offense. The defense features a lot of strong personalities, Richard Sherman and Michael Bennett first and foremost, and if there is a divide in the locker room between the two units, then that could be a problem. As much as I like Sheldon Richardson as a player, is he is too much of a head case? Have they addressed all of their offensive line issues? I'm not sure they have done enough in that department. I think the other thing to watch out for in Seattle is that there is always a top team that just falls apart and everything goes wrong and the season ends in disaster. I'm not saying that is going to happen to the Seahawks, but there is always a chance that they could be a team that deals with the nightmare season that sinks their chances.
Prediction: 12-4 and winners of the NFC West
2) Arizona Cardinals
What I Like: The Cards finished 7-8-1 last year, and they were a few plays away from winning 10 games again. The bottom line is that this team is not very far off from getting back into the playoffs. I still think that Bruce Arians is a good head coach, and I have confidence in him leading this team. David Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald are both legitimate All-Pro weapons for Carson Palmer on this offensive unit. Did you realize that Johnson produced over 2,000 yards in receiving and rushing yardage last year with a 20 total TDs? That is about the quietest offensive season that I can ever recall in recent NFL history. Defensively, Chandler Jones anchors the pass rush, and they have young playmakers and stars in the secondary with Patrick Peterson and Tyrann Mathieu. Also, the Cardinals have no fear of the Seahawks. While the other teams in the division are lightyears away from competing with Seattle, the Cards are not afraid of them and will fight them tooth and nail. Last year, they won again in Seattle and tied them in the other game. That is an encouraging sign for this team going into this year. Their schedule is favorable at the back end. They have four of the last six games at home (Jax, Rams, Tenn, at Wash, NYG, at Seattle) and a three-game homestand in Weeks 12-14 as the backbone. There is a very good chance the Cardinals will get back into the playoff mix in 2017.
What I Don't Like: They did lose quite a number of players from last year's team. The biggest offseason loss was DE Calais Campbell. That will hurt their pass rush. There are questions on their offensive line, and there are questions about other receiving options to help out Larry Fitzgerald. You have to wonder about Carson Palmer. What are you going to get every week? Some weeks he is great, and other weeks he kills them. I am worried about the defense having enough in the front seven to hold up each week, and they are banking on rookie 1st Round pick Haason Reddick to help in that area. Their schedule is tricky to start the year. They start with two games on the road in Weeks 1 and 2 (at Det and at Indy), then they host Dallas in Week 3, and host SF, but then go to Philly, host TB, and have to go to London to take on the Rams, and then travel to SF after a bye. That seems like a lot of travel in the beginning of the season. The Cards are very tough team to predict this year. I could see them winning 11 games or finishing .500 and missing the playoffs.
Prediction: 8-8 and second place in the NFC West
3) Los Angeles Rams:
What I Like: I like the idea that they moved on from Jeff Fisher last year when they realized he just wasn't getting the job done. That was a move that had to be made and they pulled the trigger on it. Also, they spent big money in free agency and signed OT Andrew Whitworth to help with that offensive line. Can WR Sammy Watkins resurrect his career and add some explosion to the Rams offense?They should get a bounce back year from RB Todd Gurley, and their defense still features DLs Aaron Donald and Michael Brockers, LB Robert Quinn, and ILB Alec Ogletree. The best move the team made the entire offseason was the addition of Wade Phillips as Defensive Coordinator. Phillips should be able to help take this talented, young defense to another level. Lastly, I love the Rams going to a retro, white horned helmet and white facemask to bring back the glory days of the old Los Angeles Rams.
What I Don't Like: I have a hard time thinking that 31-year-old head coach Sean McVay will be successful in his first year as the youngest head coach in NFL history. I just think that McVay will have a tough time, and it could be a long year for him, and I don't see him turning this offense around overnight. Jared Goff's debut last year was a disaster, and there is a lot of talk about how he might be a bust as a former #1 overall pick. If Goff tanks, then the Rams are going to have a difficult time overcoming that. They have no real home field advantage playing in the LA Coliseum, and their schedule is brutal at times. From Week 3 (Sept 21st) to Week 10 (November 12th), the Rams will play at home only once (Seattle Week 5). That include a trip to London to play Arizona in Week 7, a bye week, then a trip to NY to take on the Giants. Trips to Dallas, Minnesota and Tennessee along with dealing with Arizona and Seattle four times a year, puts this team behind the eight ball. I see another long year in LA for the Rams in 2017
Prediction: 5-11 and third place in the NFC West
4) San Francisco 49ers:
What I Like: Like the Rams, they cut the cord with Chip Kelly as head coach, and went in a completely different direction. They hired John Lynch away from the broadcast booth, got Kyle Shanahan to come in as their new head coach, and started to upgrade their roster. They added WR Pierre Garcon, FB Kyle Juszczyk, and will have veterans Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley compete for the QB job, with Hoyer most likely winning the job. They still have Carlos Hyde at RB. Their draft was widely applauded for getting DE Soloman Thomas at #3 and then getting LB Reuben Foster at pick #31. The 49ers might be a few years from competing for a playoff spot, but they definitely made some strides to improve this team this season.
What I Don't Like: Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkely are probably an upgrade from Blaine Gabbert and Colin Kaepernick, but it's not like we are talking about Montana and Young here. It will be interesting to see how Shanahan handles his first year as a head coach-especially with a young team and a rebuilding situation. Also, you wonder just how much can a new GM like John Lynch do in one year. There is holes still on this roster, especially on defense, and their schedule is very tough for them. Five out of their first eight games are on the road (Carolina, at Seattle, Rams, at Ariz, at Indy, at Wash, Dallas, at Philly). That is a brutal way to start the year. That feels like 1-7 with Arizona, the Giants, and Seattle on deck the next three weeks. I think the Niners will be out of early in the year, and they will be playing a lot of young guys the last month just to see what they have for the future.
Prediction: 4-12 and last place in the NFC West
NFC EAST
1-Philly 9-7
2-Dallas 8-8
3-NY Giants 8-8
4-Washington 6-10
NFC NORTH
1-GB 11-5
2-Minnesota 10-6*Wild Card
2-Dallas 8-8
3-NY Giants 8-8
4-Washington 6-10
NFC NORTH
1-GB 11-5
2-Minnesota 10-6*Wild Card
3-Detroit 5-11
4-Chicago 4-12
NFC SOUTH
1-Carolina 10-6
2-Tampa Bay 9-7*Wild Card
3-Atlanta 8-8
4-New Orleans 6-10
4-Chicago 4-12
NFC SOUTH
1-Carolina 10-6
2-Tampa Bay 9-7*Wild Card
3-Atlanta 8-8
4-New Orleans 6-10
NFC WEST
1-Seattle 12-4
2-Arizona 8-8
3-LA Rams 5-11
4-SF 4-12
NFC Playoff Seeds:
1) Seattle (12-4) West
2) Green Bay (11-5) North
3) Carolina (10-6) South
4) Philly (9-7) East
5) Minnesota (10-6) Wild Card
6) Tampa Bay (9-7) Wild Card
Wild Card Weekend
6) Tampa Bay over 3) Carolina: The Panthers get back into the playoffs after missing out last year. The Bucs make the playoffs for the first time since 2007, and Jameis Winston outduels Cam Newton to give the Bucs their first playoff win since their Super Bowl win in 2002.
5) Minnesota over 4) Philly: The Vikings defense is too much for the Eagles, and Minnesota wins their first playoff game since 2009.
Divisional Playoffs
1) Seattle over 6)Tampa Bay: The Seahawks advance to the NFC Championship Game for the third time in the last five years by dispatching the Bucs in Seattle.
5) Minnesota over 2) Green Bay: The Vikings go into Lambeau Field, and they shock the Packers to advance to the NFC Championship Game for the first time since 2009.
NFC Championship Game
1) Seattle over 5) Minnesota: The Seahawks end the Vikings dream run to advance to the Super Bowl for the third time in five years.
No comments:
Post a Comment