Trell's AFC Prediction
AFC East
1. Patriots (13-3)
Easily the best team in the division and arguably the NFL, the Patriots will have nothing but Super Bowl aspirations entering this season. Tom Brady still can play at a MVP caliber with a host of "plug and play" players on offense, including his favorite target Rob Gronkowski. The biggest splash made this offseason maybe on the defensive side of the ball with the signings of Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner. The much improved defense will be key in getting Brady his elusive 4th championship.
2. Jets (8-8)
Rex Ryan is back as the Jets look to improve on last years surprising 8-8 season with a revamped receiving group with Eric Decker and Jacoby Ford. More importantly, the Jets signed speedster Chris Johnson to improve a backfield that was quietly top 10 in the NFL last season. Health has been an issue for the Jets defense in recent years, if they can improve on the 22nd ranked pass defense maybe Rex Ryan can sneak his team into the last playoff spot.
3. Dolphins (7-9)
The Dolphins are not as far from contention as some may think. Ryan Tannehill has taking the first step in his naturalization but in order to take the next the O-Line has to keep him upright. Tannehill lend the NFL in times sacked with 58. Signing Branden Albert and drafting Ja'Wuan James should be enough to bring that total down. Defensively Miami is solid and well improved in the secondary with Cortland Finnegan and Brent Grimes. Expect the Dolphins to make a push for the 2 spot in the division.
4. Bills (5-11)
Stephon Gilmore is emerging as one of the best young corners in the league as the Bills host one of the top pass defenses in the league. Run defense on the other hand is a weakness but bringing over Brandon Spikes from division rival New England should give it a boost. Offensively we are waiting to see what E.J. Manuel can do. Surrounded by young weapons in Watkins, Woods and Spiller, in order for the bills to stay afloat they must find a way to score points.
AFC North
1.Bengals (10-6)
Andy Dalton's new contract is well deserved as he leads a high powered offense into the 2014 season. A.J. Green is a top 3 NFL receiver and with two tight ends in the middle, Green will have a lot of one-on-one opportunities to make more big plays. The Bengals ranked 7th last season in defensive yards per game and I don't see any reason that would change.Come playoff time Dalton will have to prove with worth and at least make an AFC Championship game.
2. Ravens (9-7)
Off the field distractions have plagued the Ravens this offseason but it nothing a Harbaugh can't handle. Joe Flacco is back but will miss Ray Rice for the first 2 games due to suspension. Hopefully the Ravens can split those first 2 games vs divisional foes, if not, expect the Ravens to miss the playoffs for the 2nd year in a row since winning the Super Bowl
3. Steelers (8-8)
Pittsburgh is trapped in mediocrity. The team as a whole is aging and previously drafted talent hasn't turned into a win profit for the Steelers. Ben Roethlisbueger will be consistent with a "b-list" cast. Don't expect a playoff appearance from this group.
4. Browns (3-13)
Johnny Manziel not starting is still mind-boggling but an NFL playbook maybe more difficult to master than we think. Brian Hoyer will be at the helm for the Browns who will be without NFL leading receiver Josh Gordon due to a season long suspension. Two young cornerbacks in Haden and Gilbert will be tested early and often. I see another top 5 pick in the Browns future.
AFC South
1. Colts (12-4)
The Colts are coming into this season looking for more than a playoff appearance. Andrew Luck is ready to show his elite status with an offensive cast that can score points fast. Defensively the Colts are in the bottom half of the league as far as yards giving up per game but in the top half in scoring defense. Indy is good but not good enough to crack into the top two in the AFC
2. Titans (6-10)
Nothing really favoring Tennessee this season except for the fact that this is the weakest division in the NFL. Jake Locker sets out to prove doubters wrong in his contract year. Expect the Titans to fight for a pick outside the top 10.
3. Texans (5-11)
Houston selected Jadeveon Clowney with the first selection and created a two headed pass rush with J.J. Watt. Besides that, Houston will have inconsistent quarterback play from Ryan Fitzpatrick and will struggle to score points after being 2nd to last in the NFL in that category. I expect for the Texans to make a move by trading Andre Johnson at some point in the season and continue on a downward spiral with two bright spots on the d-line.
4. Jaguars (3-13)
Nothing is telling me that this will be even close to a successful season in Jacksonville. Losing Maurice Jones-Drew and Justin Blackmon killed any chance of being competitive. Jacksonville was 5th in points allowed per game and no much will change on that side of the ball. I'm picking them to win the Jameis Winston sweepstakes
AFC West
1. Broncos (14-2)
If you are looking for a perfect football team this is as close as it gets. Wes Welker is out due to suspension but that won't slow down Peyton Manning at all. After that blowout defeat in the Super Bowl, the Broncos revamped their secondary by adding Aqib Talib to replace the aging Champ Bailey. Another run away division championship and deep run in the playoffs.
2. Chiefs (10-6)
Andy Reid looks to try to make a deeper run into the playoffs with a roster full of Pro Bowlers. Dwayne Bowe's suspension may take an edge off the offense for the first quarter of the season but the steller front 7 on defense can make up for the loss. The Chiefs just don't have enough to match up with the Broncos this season but can definitely provide a scare.
1. Patriots (13-3)
Easily the best team in the division and arguably the NFL, the Patriots will have nothing but Super Bowl aspirations entering this season. Tom Brady still can play at a MVP caliber with a host of "plug and play" players on offense, including his favorite target Rob Gronkowski. The biggest splash made this offseason maybe on the defensive side of the ball with the signings of Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner. The much improved defense will be key in getting Brady his elusive 4th championship.
2. Jets (8-8)
Rex Ryan is back as the Jets look to improve on last years surprising 8-8 season with a revamped receiving group with Eric Decker and Jacoby Ford. More importantly, the Jets signed speedster Chris Johnson to improve a backfield that was quietly top 10 in the NFL last season. Health has been an issue for the Jets defense in recent years, if they can improve on the 22nd ranked pass defense maybe Rex Ryan can sneak his team into the last playoff spot.
3. Dolphins (7-9)
The Dolphins are not as far from contention as some may think. Ryan Tannehill has taking the first step in his naturalization but in order to take the next the O-Line has to keep him upright. Tannehill lend the NFL in times sacked with 58. Signing Branden Albert and drafting Ja'Wuan James should be enough to bring that total down. Defensively Miami is solid and well improved in the secondary with Cortland Finnegan and Brent Grimes. Expect the Dolphins to make a push for the 2 spot in the division.
4. Bills (5-11)
Stephon Gilmore is emerging as one of the best young corners in the league as the Bills host one of the top pass defenses in the league. Run defense on the other hand is a weakness but bringing over Brandon Spikes from division rival New England should give it a boost. Offensively we are waiting to see what E.J. Manuel can do. Surrounded by young weapons in Watkins, Woods and Spiller, in order for the bills to stay afloat they must find a way to score points.
AFC North
1.Bengals (10-6)
Andy Dalton's new contract is well deserved as he leads a high powered offense into the 2014 season. A.J. Green is a top 3 NFL receiver and with two tight ends in the middle, Green will have a lot of one-on-one opportunities to make more big plays. The Bengals ranked 7th last season in defensive yards per game and I don't see any reason that would change.Come playoff time Dalton will have to prove with worth and at least make an AFC Championship game.
2. Ravens (9-7)
Off the field distractions have plagued the Ravens this offseason but it nothing a Harbaugh can't handle. Joe Flacco is back but will miss Ray Rice for the first 2 games due to suspension. Hopefully the Ravens can split those first 2 games vs divisional foes, if not, expect the Ravens to miss the playoffs for the 2nd year in a row since winning the Super Bowl
3. Steelers (8-8)
Pittsburgh is trapped in mediocrity. The team as a whole is aging and previously drafted talent hasn't turned into a win profit for the Steelers. Ben Roethlisbueger will be consistent with a "b-list" cast. Don't expect a playoff appearance from this group.
4. Browns (3-13)
Johnny Manziel not starting is still mind-boggling but an NFL playbook maybe more difficult to master than we think. Brian Hoyer will be at the helm for the Browns who will be without NFL leading receiver Josh Gordon due to a season long suspension. Two young cornerbacks in Haden and Gilbert will be tested early and often. I see another top 5 pick in the Browns future.
AFC South
1. Colts (12-4)
The Colts are coming into this season looking for more than a playoff appearance. Andrew Luck is ready to show his elite status with an offensive cast that can score points fast. Defensively the Colts are in the bottom half of the league as far as yards giving up per game but in the top half in scoring defense. Indy is good but not good enough to crack into the top two in the AFC
2. Titans (6-10)
Nothing really favoring Tennessee this season except for the fact that this is the weakest division in the NFL. Jake Locker sets out to prove doubters wrong in his contract year. Expect the Titans to fight for a pick outside the top 10.
3. Texans (5-11)
Houston selected Jadeveon Clowney with the first selection and created a two headed pass rush with J.J. Watt. Besides that, Houston will have inconsistent quarterback play from Ryan Fitzpatrick and will struggle to score points after being 2nd to last in the NFL in that category. I expect for the Texans to make a move by trading Andre Johnson at some point in the season and continue on a downward spiral with two bright spots on the d-line.
4. Jaguars (3-13)
Nothing is telling me that this will be even close to a successful season in Jacksonville. Losing Maurice Jones-Drew and Justin Blackmon killed any chance of being competitive. Jacksonville was 5th in points allowed per game and no much will change on that side of the ball. I'm picking them to win the Jameis Winston sweepstakes
AFC West
1. Broncos (14-2)
If you are looking for a perfect football team this is as close as it gets. Wes Welker is out due to suspension but that won't slow down Peyton Manning at all. After that blowout defeat in the Super Bowl, the Broncos revamped their secondary by adding Aqib Talib to replace the aging Champ Bailey. Another run away division championship and deep run in the playoffs.
2. Chiefs (10-6)
Andy Reid looks to try to make a deeper run into the playoffs with a roster full of Pro Bowlers. Dwayne Bowe's suspension may take an edge off the offense for the first quarter of the season but the steller front 7 on defense can make up for the loss. The Chiefs just don't have enough to match up with the Broncos this season but can definitely provide a scare.
3. Chargers (8-8)
Philip Rivers is coming off an outstanding season numbers wise which turned into a playoff season. The Chargers must improve on their defensive scoring because giving up roughly 22 points a game will get you beat up on in this division.
4. Raiders (4-12)
Derek Carr winning the job over Matt Schaub is a positive sign for the future of the Raisers franchise...not now though. Oakland has a few years to go until they will be in contention for a playoff spot but that won't stop them from playing Raider brand football.
Comments
Post a Comment