This season the NFL will look a whole lot different from years past. It will also be under the microscope more so than ever before. From young quarterbacks getting the starting nod, rookie holdouts finally reporting, RG3 trying to resurrect his career, to professional football back in LA. Let’s see how it plays out! Here’s my two cents.

The AFC East may see a shift in power this year. Although I think that the Pats can go 3-1 without Brady this year during his suspension. The Dolphins have weapons, Jets have D, and the Bills have speed, and lots of it.

AFC East:

1. New England Patriots-  11-5

2.   Miami Dolphins- 10-6

3.  New York Jets- 9-7

4.  Buffalo Bills- 8-8

Not that it matters, but Big Ben looked great this preseason. If Bell can stay on the field the Steelers will flip flop this year with the Bengals for first place in the division. The Ravens will be bringing up the rear giving way to the Browns. Will RG3 resurrect his career this year? Sadly, no. But, I believe that they finish third in the AFC North.

AFC North:

1.Pittsburgh Steelers- 12-4

2. Cincinnati Bengals- 10-6

3. Cleveland Browns- 7-9

4. Baltimore Ravens- 7-9

The AFC South will be an incredibly competitive division this season. Andrew Luck will return to form and use weapons like T.Y Hilton to make a playoff run. In Houston I believe Brock Osweiler can relax and not have to play behind Peyton Manning’s shadow. Not having to follow in his massive footsteps, Brock Osweiler will send the Texans to a 500 or better record with the combination of his arm strength, size, and poise in the pocket. The Jaguars will once again improve due to their talented upside on the roster. The Titans are also on the way up, but Marcus Mariota will have to mature a little more to reach the level “Titans Nation” wants him to achieve. Also, wide receivers catching those pesky 50/50 balls would be huge as well. The running back position will not be a problem. The Titans have Demarco Murray, and now Derrick Henry “6’3 rookie” from Alabama. The biggest back field in the league.

AFC South:

1. Indianapolis Colts- 11-5

2. Houston Texans- 9-7

3. Jacksonville Jaguars- 7-9

4. Tennessee Titans-6-10

The Denver Broncos have taken one of the biggest hits in NFL history this year! Going from Peyton Manning and the Super Bowl, to three less than mediocre QB’s. Trevor Siemian who has been named the starter has been consistent in the preseason, but has yet to take a snap in a true meaningful game. Backing him up will be rookie Paxton Lynch, and Mark Sanchez. Let’s hope the Defense leads the way again. The Chiefs will finish first in the division, with the Raiders finishing a close second. The Raiders are another team that can only be on it’s way up. Poised QB in the pocket, good Defense. The receivers need to step up in order for them to succeed. Philip Rivers on the other hand just doesn’t have enough weapons to make a run, especially during the second half of the season.

AFC West:

1. Kansas City Chiefs- 9-7

2. Oakland Raiders- 9-7

3. Denver Broncos- 8-8

4. San Diego Chargers- 6-10

The Dak Prescott era will begin this year in the Big D sooner than expected. With Tony Romo sidelined yet again 6-10 weeks with a broken bone in his back, Prescott will be the man. His numbers looked amazing this preseason, but it is just that “preseason.” Fans seem to think that Prescott can lead the Cowboys to 4-6 wins in his absence. The O-line is still the best in the league. Former rival Redskins player Alfred Morris will share snaps with rookie Ezekiel Elliott in what looks to be a decent offense. Victor Cruz is back on the field for the Giants this year, but which Eli Manning will show up? Kirk Cousins takes the rains under center for the Redskins again this year looking to build upon flashes of greatness from last season. The Eagles went with Carson Wentz in the 1st round of this years NFL draft, but, Sam Bradford has been named the starter. It’s just a matter of time before Wentz sees action. Mediocre receiving core, decent backfield may not be enough to push them to a 500 record or better.

NFC East:

1. Washington Redskins- 9-7

2. Dallas Cowboys- 8-8

3. Philadelphia Eagles- 7-9

4. New York Giants- 7-9

This years NFC North will look the much like it did last year. Green Bay will own the division this year, with Minnesota finishing 2nd. Green Bay is stacked as always, and are a my Super Bowl pick this year. Jordy Nelson is back and healthy in a deep receiving core. Teddy Bridgewater proved his worth last year for the Vikings. Having Adrian Peterson always helps your chances. Will he start to decline this year? The Bears look for ways to keep Jay Cutler consistent, and the Lions try to adapt to life after Calvin Johnson’s abrupt retirement.

NFC North:

1. Green Bay Packers- 12-4

2. Minnesota Vikings- 10-6

3. Chicago Bears- 7-9

4. Detroit Lions- 6-10

These days the NFC South looks to be the worst division. Struggling for someone to take over in the conference. Was last year a fluke for the Panthers? The Falcons are explosive on offense as long as Matt Ryan doesn’t turn the ball over, especially with the signing of Mohamed Sanu from the Bengals which gives them another tall, lanky receiver alongside Julio Jones. There defense is very young and unproven again. Drew Brees and the Saints are hoping for Mark Ingram to have his best season yet, along with speedy Brandin Cooks. Jameis Winston and the Bucs look to improve under a veteran receiving core.

NFC South:

1. Carolina Panthers- 10-6

2. Atlanta Falcons- 7-9

3. New Orleans Saints- 7-9

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- 6-10

The Arizona Cardinals of the NFC West look to build on a dream season that fell short of a Super Bowl appearance. Carson Palmer just continues to make it work with what he has. Will the move to Los Angeles spark an epic season for the Rams? There roster says so, but inexperience at the QB position may say otherwise. The Seattle Seahawks will hope RB Thomas Rawls can tap into his “Beast Mode” to replace Marshawn Lynch who “prematurely” retired according to arm chair quarterbacks. One of the biggest questions in the NFL this year will lie in Seattle and how they’ll finish. The San Francisco 49ers will be on the outside looking in, all the while Colin Kaepernick is sitting on the bench even during the National Anthem while Blaine Gabbert gets the nod.

NFC West:

1. Arizona Cardinals- 11-5

2. Seattle Seahawks- 9-7

3. Los Angeles Rams- 8-8

4. San Francisco 49ers- 5-11

Super Bowl 51– Green Bay Packers VS Pittsburgh Steelers

Super Bowl Champions– Green Bay Packers

Written By: Joshua Petry

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