NFL Division Predictions

With Training Camps opening this past week, and the Pre-Season just around the corner, it's time for Divisional Predictions. I'll list the teams in order of how I think they'll finish in their respective divisions, as well as overall in their Conference. 
Here is the gold you've been waiting for:


AFC East:
*New England Patriots
^New York Jets
Miami Dolphins
Buffalo Bills

This division is probably the easiest to predict, as the Patriots win year after year, and are even better this season. They are finally healthy and have a strong, young defense to go along with their powerful offense. The Jets will be a vastly improved team this year, and their defense will be one of the best in the league under Rex Ryan this season. Expect them to grab a Wild Card spot with improved QB play. The Dolphins and Bills are still rebuilding, but Miami will be no easy win each week, as they have added some solid pieces. Buffalo will be in for a long season, as they are still extremely young, pand already hurt hard on defense with injuries. I predict the Patriots take this division easily, and finish 14-2 and 1st in the AFC.

AFC North:
*Baltimore Ravens
^Cincinnati Bengals
Pittsburgh Steelers
Cleveland Browns

This is the most wide open division. Expect bounce-back years from both the Ravens and the Steelers, and their Quarterbacks. The Bengals will most likely regress a little, after losing both their Offensive and Defensive Coordinators to Head Coaching jobs. The Browns could be the most interesting team to follow in this division, based on their QB battle, and all the talent on both sides on the ball. My prediction is for Flacco to have a strong year, and the Ravens to take this division at 11-5. 


AFC South:
*Indianapolis Colts
Houston Texans
Tennessee Titans
Jacksonville Jaguars

This division again, is a pretty easy pick. Just look at the Quarterbacks. Andrew Luck will be a stud this season and carry the Colts once again. Their defense is still shaky, but will be solid enough to make some noise in the playoffs. The other 3 teams in this division are all rebuilding, but watch out for Houston. Their defense is loaded, and their offense could surprise. I expect them to battle for a Wild-Card spot and just miss. The Titans and Jags are both going to be bottom-feeders, but their future is bright with some great young pieces. 

I predict the Colts to win this division with a record of 12-4. 


AFC West:
*Denver Broncos
San Diego Chargers
Kansas City Chiefs
Oakland Raiders

The AFC West is going to be interesting. No team is bad, but there is one that is substancially better than the rest. Which is of course, Denver. Their offense will continue to roll, but not at last season's pace, with losses of Moreno and Decker. Their defense is much improved though, and will be scary every week. The Chargers, Chiefs and Raiders could all push for a Wild Card spot, but all will eventually fall out of the race and miss the playoffs. Kansas City lost some pieces and had a very easy schedule last season. San Diego will be solid, but just don't have the overall talent to get it done again this year. Oakland will be an interesting team to follow, as they've added many good players and their offense in improved. I predict the Broncos to win this division at 13-3.

The AFC is pretty predictable for the most part. The Patriots, Broncos and Colts are all locks to make it to the Playoffs based on the quality of their divisions. The AFC North will be the most wide open, with all 4 teams being talented enough to win it. Expect big years from Brady, Manning and Luck, and it's pretty much between them to decide who takes the AFC Crown. 

1) Patriots (14-2)

2) Broncos (13-3)

3) Colts (12-4)

4) Ravens (11-5)

5) Jets (10-6)

6) Bengals (10-6)

NFC East:

*Philadelphia Eagles
Dallas Cowboys
New York Giants
Washington Redskins

This has been the worst division in football for a couple years, and the trend will continue this season. Really, anyone can win, so don't be surprised with any outcome. The Giants are re-tooling, and the Cowboys are rebuilding their terrible defense. The Redskins are getting there, but their defense is still a year away. The Eagles are the favourite, but don't be so sure about Nick Foles just yet. I believe he over achieved, and losing Desean Jackson won't help. In saying that, having Chip Kelly's brilliant offensive mind is an asset no other team has. I believe the Eagles will simply be the best overall team in this division, with their offense carrying them, and having a great year. Philly wins this division at 9-7.


NFC North:
*Green Day Packers
^Chicago Bears
Detroit Lions
Minnesota Vikings

The NFC North is going to be one exciting battle. The Packers and Bears are both Super Bowl worthy teams, but the Packers have Aaron Rodgers, and when healthy, he's amongst the best in the game at QB. Chicago will be improved, adding Jared Allen on defense, and if they can stay healthy, will be a force. The Lions will be improved as well, but don't have the pieces on defense to compete. Their offense could easily be the best in the NFC though, if it plays out like it looks on paper. The Vikings are rebuilding and are still a few years away, but still have Adrian Peterson to watch. This division is really a toss-up between Green Bay and Chicago, but i'm going with the Packers to take it at 11-5. 


NFC South:
*New Orleans Saints
Atlanta Falcons
Carolina Panthers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Saints are a lock for this division, for many reasons. They have Brees, Sean Peyton, unreal depth at WR and RB, a solid defense under Rob Ryan, and a rock-solid offensive line. Their defense will be their only flaw in my opinion. The Falcons and Panthers could both compete for the division, but Atlanta's defense is still awful, and Carolina lost all of their WR's, and many big pieces on their offensive line. Cam Newton not being 100% coming off surgery won't go well. I expect the Falcons' offense to carry them, and the Panthers' defense to do the same for Carolina, but both will fall short of a Wild Card berth. The Bucs are rebuilding, but will be a battle for everyone each week. Don't expect much over .500 from Tampa though. I predict the Saints win this division at 11-5.  

NFC West:
*San Fancisco 49ers
^Seattle Seahawks
Arizona Cardinals
St. Louis Rams

This is the best division in football. The Seahawks and 49ers are two power-houses in the NFC, and either one could take this division. Both are stacked on defense, and both have young, mobile Quarterbacks leading the charge. Receiving core edge would probably go to San Francisco, but defense edge to Seattle. The Rams got a lot better this off-season, and everyone in St. Louis is waiting to see if Sam Bradford is the real deal and can get it done, without injury. It will be interesting to see if Michael Sam will be a distraction, if he even makes the roster. The Cardinals have an awesome defense, and Larry Fitzgerald at WR, but their running game isn't great This might be Carson Palmer's last go as a starter, so it will be interesting to see if he can get something done with this young roster. I think the Rams will take a step forward, but aren't quite there. Where as the Cardinals will take a step back, but still finish with a solid record. As i said earlier, this division is between two teams, and i'm going with the 49ers to win it and finish 12-4.

The NFC is wide open, and what a season it's going to be. Realistically there are about 5 or 6 teams that could make it to the Super Bowl, but it will all come down to San Francisco, Seattle, Green Bay, and New Orleans. All four teams have great offenses, with great QB's leading the way, but the NFC West teams far and away have the best defenses in the NFC. 

It will be a toss up, but some awesome football is ahead, and expect someone from the NFC West to be in the Super Bowl. 

1) 49ers (12-4)

2) Packers (11-5)

3) Saints (11-5)

4) Eagles (9-7)

5) Seahawks (11-5)

6) Bears (10-6) 


AFC Championship:
Denver Broncos over New England Patriots


NFC Championship:
Green Bay Packers over San Francisco 49ers


SuperBowl: 
Denver Broncos over Green Bay Packers

* = Division Winner

^ = Wild Card