2014 NFC West Predictions

This is one of the best divisions in football, and I love watching these teams battle it out with each other.  This is a difficult division to predict, and I know some fans will be very disappointed with my predictions.

1st - Seattle Seahawks (12-4): This team has a real shot at repeating this year.  They have not lost a whole lot from last year, and they kept their coaching staff.  They will make yet another run.

Will do better than predicted record if: They sweep the division, and play really well on the road. They have a great home-field advantage, and I see them winning at least half their games on the road. Wilson needs to continue to play well, and play with confidence.

Will do worse than predicted record if:  They suffer a lot of injuries, and the defense doesn't adjust to the new rules.  They have two options, complain about the new rules, or learn to adapt...which will they do???

2nd - Arizona Cardinals (9-7): This team just lives in the shadow of the Seahawks and 49ers...this team will finally get some decent notice around the league

Will do better than predicted record if: Palmer can have a huge season.  I think that they have a great defense, it all depends on the Palmer situation.  He has the tools around him to play well, it is just a question on whether he will come through or not.

Will do worse than predicted record if:  They have the Palmer that loves to give points away to the other team.  One of Palmer's problems has always been the Pick 6.  He had a pretty good year last year, and if he plays any worse than last year, it could be a long year.

3rd - San Francisco 49ers (8-8): The reason I have them at 8-8 is because there is only so much that a team can go through and still win.  They have a number of injuries already, and the suspension to Smith will hurt them.  I have a huge concern about their offense.

Will do better than predicted record if: They can have a record of at least 4-5 when they get Smith back.  If Kap can figure out a way to get the ball to the play-makers that are around him, this team could be dangerous.

Will do worse than predicted record if:  Kap and the offense look as bad as they did during the pre-season.  This offense could not score on anyone.  They didn't even look like they were on the same page during any game.  We shall see if these starters can get their act together.

4th - St. Louis Rams (6-10): I feel so bad for Rams fans.  Every year they get their hopes up that Sammy B will play for them, and every year he gets hurt.  They need a healthy QB and this team could be dangerous.

Will do better than predicted record if: They find a QB that can play somewhat reasonable football.  They have a defense that is a force to be reckoned with.  If their defense can score a lot of points for them this year, something good could happen. They just need a QB that can be a game-manager that will stay on the field for them.

Will do worse than predicted record if:  They have to pass the ball a lot this year.  If they can find a way to hand the ball off, and use the screen game they might be ok.  The last thing this team needs to do is put ANY football game in the hands of a QB.

2014 NFC South Predictions

This division could be a very strong division.  I see there being 3 teams with winning records.  This division will battle each other, and expect a lot of points to be scored from this division.

1st - New Orleans Saints (11-5):  This team will be solid this year.  I think that their defense will be even better than last year, and they have an elite QB.  They have one of the best home-field advantages on their side as well.

Will do better than predicted record if: They can sweep the division.  I think that will be really hard to do in a division like this, but stranger things have happened.  I think that 11 wins is a fair guess, but sometimes you can get away with a couple extra wins.

Will do worse than predicted record if:  They collapse on defense.  This team could be competing for a Super Bowl, but it all comes down to their defense.  I think that they have a defense that is good enough to win the division, but they might find that come deep play-off time, the defense might let them down.

2nd - Tampa Bay Bucs (10-6): I like this team as a play-off team, however I don't like the money they spent in the off-season.  As a Bengals fan, I can tell you, that Johnson is only as good as those around him.  I like the Collins signing, but not for that much.

Will do better than predicted record if: They have a top 7 defense, and can win 5 of 6 divisional game this year.  I am not sure how their QB situation will play out, but I like the targets they have to throw to.  This offense has the potential to be something special this year.

Will do worse than predicted record if:  They lack a pass rush.  This might sound crazy, but like I said, Johnson is only as good as those around him.  When Geno went down last year, he disappeared...he needs help, and so does the seconday.  They better get teams into third and longs, if not, it could be a long season.

3rd - Atlanta Falcons (9-7): I think that last year was just a weird year for the falcons.  They have way too much skill to be a sub .500 team.  I like them to compete for the division, but in the end, fall just short of it.

Will do better/worse than predicted record if: They find some defense.  This team has a lot of questions on defense, and I think that the record will reflect how well the defense plays.  That is why I put both of these categories under one point.  It all comes down to defense.

4th - Carolina Panthers (7-9): I know that fans will have an issue with this record, but I just don't trust Cam.  He lost his best WR and he looked horrible in the pre-season.  If there is one team I could be dead wrong on, this is probably them.

Will do better/worse than predicted record if: They can come together as a unit on offense.  The defense will be good, it will come down to the play of Cam.  If he plays as nervous as he did during the pre-season, then it could be a long season down in Carolina.

2014 NFC North Predictions

This should be an interesting division this year...if they Packers can stay even remotely healthy, I like them a lot this year...the other teams...I honestly have no idea what to make of them.

1st - Green Bay Packers (13-3): If there is one team that will give the Seahawks a run for their money, it will be the Packers.  I love my dopple-ganger as a QB in the NFL.  He is one of those players that just makes those around him better.  This team will be tough to stop this year.

Will do better than predicted record if: They can find a defense and a running game.  I really thought when they obtained Richardson in the trade with the Browns that they would find themselves deeper in the play-offs.  But, as it turns out, the Browns may have had a miracle happen...a good football move.  This team could win 14 or 15 games if their opponets suffer big injuries.

Will do worse than predicted record if:  They continue to get hit with the injury bug worse than any other team in the NFL like they have the last few years....It is so frustrating when this happens to your team, and I feel for Packers fans

2nd - Chicago Bears (10-6): I like their offense, and I think that Mr. Jay plays well in this system.  I have some concerns with the defense, but I like their defense enough to think they are a double-digit win team.

Will do better than predicted record if: They have a good defense.  To me, this team comes down to how the defense plays out.  I know that the offense will put up over 21 points a game, its just a matter of how many points that defense gives up.

Will do worse than predicted record if:  They have a non-existent defense, and Mr. Jay struggles in the offense.  I don't see them being any worse than an 8-8 team with the receivers they have.  I think that, like for most teams, injuries could really hurt this team.

3rd - Detroit Lions (9-7): I am one of the few people that have the Lions with a winning record, but it is time for them to cash in on the talent they have.  One of the biggest issues they have had over the last few years has been the lack of discipline.  I hope that will be fixed.

Will do better than predicted record if: They find a really good defense this year.  I think that the defense has a shot at being defense, and I like a number of different parts.  They just have A LOT of question marks.  Normally question marks play out in one of two ways: good or bad...that is what the season comes down to, question marks.

Will do worse than predicted record if:  They lack discipline again, and the question marks go the wrong way.  Like I said, I really like this team, but they need to play smart football as a whole, and RUN THE BALL.

4th - Minnesota Vikings (5-11):  Vikings fans I do have one bit of good news...you have the Head Coach that almost all Bengals fans actually want....we will trade you...I have bad news, you have no QB...like its scary when you all look at the Vikings roster under the QB column.

Will do better than predicted record if: They run the ball all day, and Zimmer takes over play calling on the defensive side.  The one thing this team has going for them is that teams will probably look past them, and they might get a few extra wins that way.

Will do worse than predicted record if:  They pass the ball any where near 50% of any game they play.  The need to just hand the ball off to AP, and let him go to town.  If they decide to put the game in the hands of any of their QB's...run for the hills Vikings fans...I'm serious....

2014 AFC West Predictions

Both of the West's are stacked this year...I love watching the 4:00 games because my Bengals have played already and I can just enjoy the games...and what great games they are to enjoy too!  Let's get down to the predictions:

1st - Denver Broncos (14-2): This team was good up until the Super Bowl, and this team only got better this off-season.  I really like Manning, and I like who he is throwing the ball to.  This team got much tougher on defense, which needed to happen.

Will do better than predicted record if: They go undefeated, and other teams just stop showing up for the games.  Okay, that is not likely, and I don't see them winning more than 14 games this season.

Will do worse than predicted record if:  They have a number of let-down games.  If the division is not all that good, they could look past a few teams, and land at around 11 wins...I can't see them winning any fewer games than that.

2nd - San Diego Chargers (9-7):  For some reason this team just feels like a 9 win ball club.  There are times where I have no other thoughts than going with my gut feeling.  This is a gut feeling win number.

Will do better than predicted record if: They can upset a few teams on the schedule, and play well when they are coming east.  I see them winning at least 3 divisional games.  If Rivers can have a crazy good season, this team could win 11 games.

Will do worse than predicted record if:  They struggle coming to play in the Eastern time zones.  I am still not sold on their defense, and Rivers better not slide back from his season last year.  They need to run the ball really well in the beginning of games in order to set-up the play action passes.  If they have a hard time establishing the run, well it could be a rough season.

3rd - Kansas City Chiefs (9-7): I do not see this team winning as many games as they did last year.  I think the defense had a season for the ages, and I doubt that they will repeat that success again.  I think this team battles for a play-off spot all year, and might just fall short.

Will do better than predicted record if: They can prove me wrong on defense.  This team will need stellar defense again this year in order to be back in the play-offs.  If Alex Smith can become a regular play-maker then this team will have a shot at 11 wins.

Will do worse than predicted record if:  They have a mediocre defense and Alex Smith continues to be just a game manager.  There is nothing wrong with having a game manager as a QB, but with their schedule, I don't think it will be good enough for them to get into the play-offs.  

4th - Oakland Raiders (4-12): I think if people see my 4 win prediction they will think that I am being kind, and I am...this team is bad.  They signed a number of free agents in the off-season, and normally that's great...except when they are almost all washed up and have very little left to offer.  Maybe one day Oakland will learn....someday, somehow, just maybe....

Will do better than predicted record if: They have found their franchise QB in Carr (I doubt it because he has a pretty bad o-line protecting for him...kinda reminds me of his brother in that regard). They need these "veterans" they have signed to come up big, oh and they need a number of other players that nobody really knows to become super-stars....

Will do worse than predicted record if:  They really have no shot at winning more than 4 games this year...see what they need to happen above, and well, they are the Raiders....so we all know that isn't going to happen...good luck Raiders fans for the next number of years....I still love that Palmer trade though :)

2014 AFC South Predictions

If the Colts find a way to lose this division it would be impressive.  It is them and three other teams that will all be under .500 for the season.  Maybe one of the Jaguars, Titans, or Texans can somehow find a way to hit .500, but I doubt it.

1st - Indianapolis Colts (13-3): I am predicting this record because they get an automatic 6 wins because of the division they play in, they will probably take 3 of 4 from the AFC North, and they will probaby take 3 of 4 from the NFC East. 

Will do better than predicted record if: They can find a defense and a running game.  I really thought when they obtained Richardson in the trade with the Browns that they would find themselves deeper in the play-offs.  But, as it turns out, the Browns may have had a miracle happen...a good football move.  This team could win 14 or 15 games if their opponets suffer big injuries.

Will do worse than predicted record if:  They have no running game or defense for the whole season, Luck gets hurt, and their division is better than expected.  I don't see this team loosing more than 5 games for the whole year.  This team is a lock for the play-offs.

2nd - Tennessee Titans (7-9): I am not even sure they can realistically hit the seven win mark.  I like the youth they have on this team, and their defense is getting there.  They just seem to be missing a whole lot.  In two years, Titan's fans, you will be happy.

Will do better than predicted record if: They can come together as a team and play out of their minds for a whole year.  If they can win 4 of 6 from the division, you never know what could possibly happen.  They play the games for a reason, and this team might prove why that is.

Will do worse than predicted record if:  They play at all like they did last year.  I really don't know what to think of this team because they have the potential to gel and play well, but they also have the potential to be playing for a top 3 pick next year.   If they loose 4 games in their division, it will be a long season down in Tennessee.

3rd - Houston Texans (6-10): I don't think I have ever been so wrong about a team as I was last year with the Texans.  Normally I am pretty accurate with my picks, but I had them going to the Super Bowl.  Well, don't worry, I am not picking them to be any where near that this year.

Will do better than predicted record if: They have the best defense in the league and they find a QB anywhere (who knows, maybe they will be asking folks in the stands to try out).  I like their D-line....it is staked, but they are weak at a number of other places.  They could win 7 or maybe even 8 games if some different plays fall their way.

Will do worse than predicted record if:  They continue to turn the ball over.  I have never in my life seen so many pick 6's.  If the defense is anything other than a top half of the league, it will be a long season down in Texas.

4th - Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12):  Here is the thing about the Jags...I love their coach...he is an intense guy, but he has no players....like at all.  I am picking more wins than most are for the Jags this season, and that should say something...plus they get to open against the Eagles...have fun with that...

Will do better than predicted record if: They have a number of plays, penalities, and games go their way...Honestly, I don't really see them having a remote shot of winning more than 4 games.

Will do worse than predicted record if:  They play like they have for the last few years.  Even when they have had players on their team, they find a way for it all to go wrong.  This team is still 3 years away from doing anything relevant in the NFL...and man I hope I'm wrong on this...

2014 AFC North Predictions

I am partial to this division since my beloved Bengals play in this division.  The teams in this division just beat the crap out of each other year after year.  The one thing I love about this division is that all the teams can never take any game for granted...if they do, they loose.  Let's get down to the predictions:

1st - Baltimore Ravens (9-7): This seems like a low number of wins to clinch a division, but like I said this division just beats the crap out of each other.  I like the fact that the offense is concentrating more on the run this year, and the defense year after year is always good.  Ray Rice will have a better year than last year (which is hard to do considering he was not his normal player last year).

Will do better than the predicted record if:  Their o-line can learn to protect Joe this year and open up holes for the run.  I love the Steve Smith signing, and I think that he will fit in very well with this team, and will lead the team in receptions.

Will do worse than the predicted record if:  The o-line plays anything like they did in the pre-season.  The o-line was getting thrown around like rag dolls during the pre-season.  As a Bengals fan, I am looking very forward to their d-line go up against these guys.  If their offense cannot stay on the field, and they cannot run the ball...it could spell a long season in Baltimore.

2nd - Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8): If there was a team that looked mediocre last year it was the Steelers.  Their team in the beginning of the season was terrible, but looked so different during the second half of the season.  I just can't look past that, honestly.  I can't stand the Steelers, but I have to give it to them, they seem to have a decent team year after year.

Will do better than the predicted record if:  The can sweep two of the three divison rivals.  It sounds simple, but as any fan in the AFC North will tell you...it's not.  IF their o-line can come together and stay healthy, they have a shot to be a 10 win team.  But in all honesty, it comes down to a defense that looks like it needs work.

Will do worse than the predicted record if:  Their defense continues to play like it did in the pre-season.  When a bunch of second stringers is moving the ball up and down on the majority of your defensive starters you might be in for a long season.  They also have been loosing some serious WR depth the last few years, but someone seems to always step up...let's see what happens.

3rd - Cincinnati Bengals (7-9): This may surprise people that I have them down here with a losing record.  I think that this season will say A LOT about Andy and Marvin.  I have them here because their schedule is tough and they play a lot of prime-time games.  The Bengals have struggled in both prime-time games and games against good teams.  Andy has been miserable in those games.

Will do better than the predicted record if:  They can prove their history wrong under the Marvin Lewis and Andy era.  Plain and simple, if they beat good teams, and win games in prime-time...they will be a team that will be a force in the play-offs.  I am trying not to let my fandom get in the way, and I need to see my Bengals break their past history.

Will do worse than the predicted record if:  They suffer a ton of injuries like they did last year.  I know they are a part of the game, but the Bengals had numerous practice squad people playing on defense last year by the end of the season.  If Andy does not step up, and Marvin continues to have his team prepared poorly for big games then it could be worse then the 7 wins I predicted.

4th - Cleveland Browns (5-11): Some how the Browns seem to win a few games every year that they have no business winning.  I feel bad for the fans in Cleveland, and then I remember that they have won a play-off game more recently than the Bengals...then my sympathy disapears.  Folks, it will probably be a long season, but hey, you have LeBron back right????

Will do better than the predicted record if:  The defense can score about 21 points a game.  The offense will need a lot of help this season.  If they can stay healthier than the other teams in the division, then they have a shot at a couple of upsets.

Will do worse than the predicted record if:  The QB's play the way the did in the pre-season.  WOW, you want to talk about a franchise that needs QB stability, look no further than the Browns.  If their defense has injuries left and right, you might be looking at a 1-15 team.

2014 AFC East Predictions

This divison overall continues year after year to have one really good team...an above average team...a bad team...and a terrible team.  Once again I am predicting that you can pencil the Pats into the play-offs before the season even begins (forget the pencil, use a pen...its a lock).

1st - New England Patriots (13-3):  This team is good, and improved their defense from a year ago.  Brady will be Brady and Vereen will have a huge year this year, just watch.  I love the Revis addition, and the fact that they get their big DT back from injury this year is huge as well.

Will do better than the predicted record if:  They beat any one of the Packers, Colts, Bengals, or Broncos.  I don't see good old Billy B letting them play a game where they get upset, it's just not the "patriot way".

Will do worse than the predicted record if:  They suffer a huge injury like Brady or Revis.  I just don't see them loosing more than 3 games with their schedule.  It is probably the easiest (because of their division) schedule of any 1st place team from last year.

2nd - Miami Dolphins (8-8): I have seen some predictions of them being a 10 win team, I just don't see it.  Thier O-line is going to be a disaster.  Tannehill will be hitting the ground hard a lot this season.  I think that their receiving core is extremely over-rated.  Wallace is not worth the money he signed, and they don't have a true #2 WR.  They have a number of great slot WR's, but no true #2.

Will do better than the predicted record if:  I am totally wrong and the o-line is actually even decent.  They play the AFC West, and I just don't see them matching up well against them, and they also have to face KC and BAL as their two additional games, plus the NFC North.  They also need to develop a run game (so its not a repeat of last season).

Will do worse than the predicted record if:  They choke like they did last year at the end of the year.  Don't get me wrong, I like Tannehill, but you have to have a line in front of you in order to have time to pass.  If their run game is the same as last year, they could really be in trouble with some of the defenses they will be facing.

3rd - Buffalo Bills (6-10):  If there is one fanbase I feel really bad for it has to be these guys.  They have struck out on QB after QB.  Their defense is getting better, I like Sammy, but I am not sold at all on Manuel (I hope he proves me wrong).  This team just faces a very challenging schedule, sorry Bills fans.

Will do better than the predicted record if:  Manuel can stay healthy and have a crazy good season.  They have a running game, decent o-line, good WR's, and a decent defense.  We will see how good the defense can play this season, and what the QB can do.

Will do worse than the predicted record if:  They suffer A LOT of injuries.  I was very conservative with my pick of 6 wins.  I hope that they don't do worse than this, but I guess their is always a chance.

4th - NY Jets (4-12):  All you need to know is that Geno had a rough pre-season and that Rex left their starters in against the Bengals 3rd stringers to get "revenge" from last years beating.  When your "revenge" game is in the pre-season your team might have a long season ahead.

Will do better than the predicted record if:  A miracle happens for the second straight year?  I don't know how Rex got them to play .500 football last year, but he did.  They could get more than 4 wins, but again, its a tough schedule.

Will do worse than the predicted record if:  They are the J-E-T-S, JETS, JETS, JETS?  I mean let's be honest, they signed a number of old washed-up players in the off-season, they have no o-line, and their starters only won by 8 points against 3rd stringers...do I need to say more??????