2017 NFL Preview and Predictions Thread
Alright, I know we still have 1 week of preseason left but the meaningful preseason games are done. Who do you like this year? Here's what I have:
AFC East:
NE 12-4
BUF 9-7
MIA 7-9
NYJ 3-13
Analysis: Pats are obviously the cream of the crop in an extremely weak division. I think the Bills were better than their record last year and should be an all-around better team without Rex coaching them. Dolphins are the prime regression candidates in this division and the Jets are absolutely atrocious. I'm not sure how they'll get 3 wins but they'll find a way.
AFC North:
CIN 10-6
PIT 9-7
BAL 8-8
CLE 4-12
Analysis: Both Cincy and Baltimore were plagued by injuries last year but I think Cincy did more in the offseason to get better as a team and has the slightly better defense to nip Pittsburgh for the division title. The Browns show signs of improvement but are still rebuilding.
AFC South:
TEN 10-6
IND 8-8
HOU 6-10
JAX 6-10
Analysis: The Titans narrowly take the division due to Andrew Luck missing a couple of games this year. Houston, who really had no business being the playoffs last year, regress hard and O'Brien is fired to end the season. Jacksonville's defensive improvements get them to 6 wins despite Bortles still being terrible.
AFC West:
KC 11-5
DEN 9-7
OAK 8-8
LAC 7-9
Analysis: According to the numbers, the Raiders are the biggest regression candidates in the league. We'll see if they buck the numbers but they'd be one of the few teams to do so. The Chiefs will probably also drop a couple of wins this season but I think they have enough talent to take the division again. The Broncos defense keeps them at 9-7, which is probably their ceiling until they improve at QB. The Chargers are improved but still not good.
Wildcards: Pittsburgh and Denver
NFC East:
DAL 10-6
PHI 10-6
NYG 8-8
WSH 7-9
Analysis: I think the Cowboys will miss Zeke and Dak will come down to Earth a bit. Their defense is also a question mark, especially the secondary but they might still have the overall talent to retain the division. The Eagles get improved play from Wentz with his new improved supporting cast. If the secondary is better with the addition of Darby, then their elite offensive and defensive line play could snag the division title. The Giants offensive line is horrible and Eli isn't getting any younger. While they have a plethora of receiving weapons and a solid D, the lack of a run game and protection problems will cost them a few wins. Washington continues to be Washington.
NFC North:
GB 10-6
MIN 9-7
DET 7-9
CHI 5-11
Analysis: Green Bay and Minnesota are neck and neck for me but Green Bay gets the nod due to Aaron Rodgers. If he misses any time though, I think the Vikings walk away with division. The Lions didn't really get better in the offseason and they were already overperforming last year. Chicago gets a little better but not enough to save John Fox's job.
NFC South:
ATL 11-5
NO 8-8
CAR 7-9
TB 6-10
Analysis: Atlanta's offense is for real and the defense improves enough for them to hold serve in the division. The Saints got better enough on both sides of the ball that I think they can challenge for a WC spot but ultimately come up just short. TB upgraded Winston's weapons but they still look poised to regress. Carolina improves slightly with the additions on offense but I'm not sure they've done enough on D to snag a playoff spot.
NFC West:
ARI 11-5
SEA 8-8
SF 5-11
LA Rams 2-14
Analysis: We'll see if Carson Palmer can make it through one more season but I like the Cards chances this year, especially with the Seahawks still having offensive line questions. San Francisco looks improved just by getting away from Chip Kelly. The Rams might be the worst team in football and have by far the worst owner and FO.
Wildcards: Philadelphia and Minnesota
PLAYOFFS:
I really hate predicting playoffs at the beginning of the season but here goes:
Wildcard
PIT over TEN
CIN over DEN
GB over PHI
MIN over DAL
Divisional round:
NE over PIT
KC over CIN
GB over ARI
ATL over MIN
Conference championship
NE over KC
GB over ATL
Super Bowl
GB over NE
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