NFL 2014 Fearless Forecasts
Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2014 4:54 pm
AFC East
1. New York Jets (10-6) - Rex Ryan continues to get solid play out of his defense year in and year out, and in April he added hard-hitting Calvin Pryor from Louisville at safety. There are some unresolved issues at the quarterback position, but whoever is behind center will at least have some trustworthiness with Eric Decker. The x-factor is Chris Johnson, the former 2,000 yard back from the Titans. Though in decline, he has plenty to prove and could have one more big year left in him.
2. Buffalo Bills- (9-7) The Bills sent four defensive players to the Pro Bowl under Mike Pettine, who left to fill the head coaching vacancy in Cleveland. Jarius Byrd is another big loss for Buffalo. But the Bills' rushing attack is one of the best in the league, and they have a good line to protect Manuel/Orton and a pair of up-and-coming receivers in Watkins and Woods, while vet Mike Williams leads the way. Rushing the passer is also a strength in Buffalo, and they had three players with double digit sacks last year and linebacker Kiko Alonso should have won Rookie of the Year. Add Brandon Spikes and Keith Rivers to the linebacking core and this run D should improve. The toughest part of Buffalo's schedule is towards the end, so there is time early to get some momentum and confidence going. In memory of Ralph Wilson and staying Kelly Tough, the Bills reach the playoffs in 2014.
3. New England Patriots (8-8)- They traded their best offensive lineman for some bum tight end. Belichick has fallen in love with that two TE set and has gotten away from defense. Darrelle Revis is finished and won't deliver the coverage the secondary is hoping for. Gronkowski is hurt all the time and all of this adds up to Brady not getting his fourth ring. I'd be surprised if they even made the playoffs this year.
4. Miami Dolphins (6-10) Ry Ry shows continues to show durability and accuracy, but he hasn't found a way to make the offense of the Dolphins roll. It doesn't help that his line is loaded with question marks going into 2014. There is a lot of tension in the front office, which is hovering over head coach Joe Philbin's bald head and looking to pounce if he can't establish some locker room control and win games when a playoff spot is on the line. This could be it for Philbin.
AFC North
1. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5) Great finish last year for Pittsburgh. Though some of the players who helped them to Super Bowl titles have been weeded out, this could be the final year for leaders Troy Polamalu, Heath Miller and Ike Taylor. All took pay cuts and will be motivated to win another championship. Ben Roethlisberger is coming off one of his finest seasons, and even though his targets change, he remains one of the top QBs in the NFL. Look for a big season from Mike Tomlin's Steelers.
2. Baltimore Ravens (10-6) This is going to be a comeback season for Joe Flacco, who has Dennis Pitta back healthy and the Smittys leading the receiving corps. Baltimore also injected some youth into the defense with its top two draft choices, Florida State's Timmy Jernigan and Alabama's C.J. Mosely. Baltimore returns to the postseason.
3. Cincinnati Bengals (7-9) - Considering that the Bengals will return most of their #3 overall defense this season, it would be a huge letdown if the Bengals missed the playoffs. But with both coordinators from last year gone and Marvin Lewis again riding the ship, you almost expect it to happen. I think that the wild card no-show against the Chargers will carry over psychologically, and closing out the season with five of seven games on the road will kill Cincinnati.
4. Cleveland Browns (3-13) This is going to be another horrid year for the Clowns. Josh Gordon's suspension means that new coach Mike Pettine will be scrambling for a replacement while relying heavily on Jordan Cameron. The defense always holds up its end of the bargain, but the Browns lack the offensive firepower to keep up with the rest of the league.
AFC South
1. Houston Texans (10-6)- Despite winning just two games in 2013, the Texans finished third in the NFL in pass defense, and enter 2014 with a wrecking crew up front featuring Cushing, Watt and Clowney. New coach Bill O'Brien is going to turn this team around but needs a full year from Arian Foster to do so.
2. Indianapolis Colts (8-8)- The Colts crippled their future with the ill-advised trade for Trent Richardson during the 2013 season, and their defense got exposed in the playoffs. They will be banking on the improvement of their secondary and the return of the ageless Reggie Wayne, but losing Robert Mathis for four games will be a major blow to the Colts.
3. Tennessee Titans (7-9)- Bud Adams passed away and long time Oiler/Titan Mike Munchak was fired, so an entirely new age in Titans history is beginning. New coach Ken Whisenhunt has a reputation as a quarterback-maker, and this could spell good things for fourth-year signal-caller Jake Locker. This is a potentially good defense that could keep Tennessee in games this year.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12) The Gaine Blabblert experiment is over in J'Ville, and the Blake Bortles era has officially begun. The Jaguars brought in Adrian Peterson's caddy, Toby Gerhart, to be the main back, and they signed a pair of ends (Clemons and Bryant) from Seattle. There is optimism here after a 4-4 finish after starting out 0-8, and back-to-back solid drafts by Gus Bradley and Dave Caldwell, but they are still a year away.
AFC West
1. Denver Broncos (12-4)- The Broncos didn't sit around licking their wounds after getting throttled in the Super Bowl. They dipped into the free agency pool to improve their defense, signing T.J. Ward, Aqib Talib, and DeMarcus Ware. That being said, the defense won't be that great, just good enough. Montee Ball will now be the feature back, and though the offense lost Decker and Welker, they still have a wealth of targets on hand. Broncos should win the West but choke in the playoffs.
2. San Diego Chargers (9-7)- San Diego got on a hot streak last year at the end of the season, and they have what it takes to build upon that success. Ryan Mathews proved the doubters wrong last year with a monster campaign, but how much more does Antonio Gates have left? Donald Brown should fit well into this offense, and the defense will overachieve again.
3. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9)- They lost five of seven down the stretch and then blew that 28 point lead in the playoff game in Indianapolis. The pass rush softened, and Donnie Avery and Dwayne Bowe had trouble finding the end zone. The Chiefs will again rely on Jamaal Charles, but I forsee a crash back to earth this year for Kansas City as they play a first place schedule.
4. Oakland Raiders (3-13) - Year three for Dennis Allen, and likely his last. Justin Tuck and LaMarr Woodley are a couple of good additions, but there are still holes all over the place. The Raiders need to find out soon if Derek Carr can be their franchise signal-caller.
NFC East
1. Dallas Cowboys- (12-4) - The Cowboys' defensive backfield has been a huge disappointment, and they lost DeMarcus Ware in the offseason. They are loaded defensively though and will put it altogether this year. They have the offensive firepower to win shootouts, too. Best offense in the NFC if not the NFL.
2. Philadelphia Eagles (9-7) Their stacked offensive line has contributed to Nick Foles' success, as has the dynamic abilities of LeSean McCoy. However, Malcome Jenkins will be the big addition this year as the Eagles seek to improve their league's-worst pass defense. Now that the defense is in year two of the 3-4 and Marcus Smith is more comfortable in his edge-rushing role, Philadelphia should be able to win the East for the second straight year.
3. New York Giants- (8-8) The Giants have a new offense, they've brought in two veterans to shore up the secondary, and they added a pair of return specialists. But the o-line is even bigger concern especially now with the retirement of Chris Snee. It will be patchwork all year as Manning continues to get sacked and throw interceptions. New York is putting their hopes in Rashad Jennings to carry the workload at running back.
4. Washington Redskins (3-13) - The best players the Redskins have are injury-prone, starting with their top two receivers and their top linebackers. And as we've seen, their second team players couldn't make most NFL rosters. Morris should have another good year, but RGIII sucks balls.
NFC North
1. Chicago Bears (11-5)- I feel like this is going to be one of those years where the Bears' defense comes together and draws inspiration from Jared Allen's leadership. The offense is like nothing they have seen in Chicago in the history of the franchise, especially at the wide receiver positions.
2. Green Bay Packers (11-5)- Green Bay got younger on the D-line, and that was a unit that hampered them last year. They need to stop the run better to be a legit Super Bowl contender, but I don't see them being improved enough on that side of the ball to turn that into a reality. With Rodgers back for a full year, they will be back in the playoffs, though.
3. Detroit Lions (7-9)- I give up. Maybe it was the presence of Schwartz and his ragey attitude that was always the tipping point in Detroit's late-season swoons. Maybe Jim Caldwell's calm demeanor is what the Lions need? It's all offense for Detroit, and outscoring teams doesn't work late in the year when defenses around the league are tightening up. No playoffs for the Lions.
4. Minnesota Vikings (4-12)- They should have traded Peterson a year ago for picks, but they kept him and then signed Greg Jennings to a big contract which wasn't a smart move either. Minnesota drafted their QB of the future, and they have Norv and Scott Turner to bring him along. Why is lame duck Christian Ponder still here?
NFC South
1. New Orleans Saints (13-3)- The Saints have won 17 straight at home, and this gives them a decisive edge over the rest of the NFC South. The addition of Jarrius Byrd should mean more takeaways for the defense, and the defensive line is much-improved at stopping the run than they were two seasons ago
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2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7)- This is going to be an interesting team to watch. You add Lovie Smith and Leslie Frazier to the coaching staff, and you're going to get some great results on defense. I think McCown is a pretty good short-term answer to the QB woes, but Tampa desperately needs a healthy season from Doug Martin to contend.
3. Carolina Panthers (7-9)- It's evident to most observers that the Panthers worked a favorable schedule and some smoke and mirrors to win the division last year. With Greg Hardy's off-the-field issues, Jordan Gross' retirement, and the loss of Steve Smith and Brandon LaFell, Carolina will take a coulpe steps back this year.
4. Atlanta Falcons (6-10)- Don't expect a huge improvement. Sean Merriweather is out for the year, and there is no pass rush, pass protection or a guy to replace Tony Gonzalez. That NFC title game two years ago where Matt Ryan choked in the clutch will go down as the moment that the Falcons began to sink to the bottom.
NFC West
1. Arizona Cardinals (11-5)- I'm high on the Cardinals' defense this year. They are following the Seahawks' recipe for success, drafting a hard-hitting safety in the first round as well as signing Antonio Cromartie. Third round receiver John Brown adds depth to the passing game. Can Carson Palmer get his first playoff win at age 35?
2. Seattle Seahawks (10-6)- The defending champs really made the schedule-makers angry, as the Seahawks will play division games five of the last six weeks of the 2014 season. But keeping most of the defense intact and being so hard to beat at home is enough to at least get them in the playoffs. Last year was a fluke for the Seahawks.
3. St. Louis Rams (9-7) - The Rams already have question marks on the offensive line, which needs to play well to give Shaun Hill any chance of moving this offense. The defensive line is the league's best, and this is still a young team fighting in a competitive division. They will end up doing much better than most are predicting.
4. San Francisco 49ers (6-10)- This is an offense that relies on the run, but Gore is at the end of the line. The secondary is in shambles, and Boldin, Harbaugh, and Vernon Davis are set to implode. And they just lost Aldon Smith for nine games. It's hard to stay at the top for long in this league, and San Francisco is in for a year of finger-pointing and melting down.
AFC wild cards- Bills, Ravens
NFC Wild cards- Seahawks, Packers
AFC title game- Steelers over Jets
NFC title game- Cowboys over Bears
Super Bowl - Cowboys over Steelers Romo MVP
1. New York Jets (10-6) - Rex Ryan continues to get solid play out of his defense year in and year out, and in April he added hard-hitting Calvin Pryor from Louisville at safety. There are some unresolved issues at the quarterback position, but whoever is behind center will at least have some trustworthiness with Eric Decker. The x-factor is Chris Johnson, the former 2,000 yard back from the Titans. Though in decline, he has plenty to prove and could have one more big year left in him.
2. Buffalo Bills- (9-7) The Bills sent four defensive players to the Pro Bowl under Mike Pettine, who left to fill the head coaching vacancy in Cleveland. Jarius Byrd is another big loss for Buffalo. But the Bills' rushing attack is one of the best in the league, and they have a good line to protect Manuel/Orton and a pair of up-and-coming receivers in Watkins and Woods, while vet Mike Williams leads the way. Rushing the passer is also a strength in Buffalo, and they had three players with double digit sacks last year and linebacker Kiko Alonso should have won Rookie of the Year. Add Brandon Spikes and Keith Rivers to the linebacking core and this run D should improve. The toughest part of Buffalo's schedule is towards the end, so there is time early to get some momentum and confidence going. In memory of Ralph Wilson and staying Kelly Tough, the Bills reach the playoffs in 2014.
3. New England Patriots (8-8)- They traded their best offensive lineman for some bum tight end. Belichick has fallen in love with that two TE set and has gotten away from defense. Darrelle Revis is finished and won't deliver the coverage the secondary is hoping for. Gronkowski is hurt all the time and all of this adds up to Brady not getting his fourth ring. I'd be surprised if they even made the playoffs this year.
4. Miami Dolphins (6-10) Ry Ry shows continues to show durability and accuracy, but he hasn't found a way to make the offense of the Dolphins roll. It doesn't help that his line is loaded with question marks going into 2014. There is a lot of tension in the front office, which is hovering over head coach Joe Philbin's bald head and looking to pounce if he can't establish some locker room control and win games when a playoff spot is on the line. This could be it for Philbin.
AFC North
1. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5) Great finish last year for Pittsburgh. Though some of the players who helped them to Super Bowl titles have been weeded out, this could be the final year for leaders Troy Polamalu, Heath Miller and Ike Taylor. All took pay cuts and will be motivated to win another championship. Ben Roethlisberger is coming off one of his finest seasons, and even though his targets change, he remains one of the top QBs in the NFL. Look for a big season from Mike Tomlin's Steelers.
2. Baltimore Ravens (10-6) This is going to be a comeback season for Joe Flacco, who has Dennis Pitta back healthy and the Smittys leading the receiving corps. Baltimore also injected some youth into the defense with its top two draft choices, Florida State's Timmy Jernigan and Alabama's C.J. Mosely. Baltimore returns to the postseason.
3. Cincinnati Bengals (7-9) - Considering that the Bengals will return most of their #3 overall defense this season, it would be a huge letdown if the Bengals missed the playoffs. But with both coordinators from last year gone and Marvin Lewis again riding the ship, you almost expect it to happen. I think that the wild card no-show against the Chargers will carry over psychologically, and closing out the season with five of seven games on the road will kill Cincinnati.
4. Cleveland Browns (3-13) This is going to be another horrid year for the Clowns. Josh Gordon's suspension means that new coach Mike Pettine will be scrambling for a replacement while relying heavily on Jordan Cameron. The defense always holds up its end of the bargain, but the Browns lack the offensive firepower to keep up with the rest of the league.
AFC South
1. Houston Texans (10-6)- Despite winning just two games in 2013, the Texans finished third in the NFL in pass defense, and enter 2014 with a wrecking crew up front featuring Cushing, Watt and Clowney. New coach Bill O'Brien is going to turn this team around but needs a full year from Arian Foster to do so.
2. Indianapolis Colts (8-8)- The Colts crippled their future with the ill-advised trade for Trent Richardson during the 2013 season, and their defense got exposed in the playoffs. They will be banking on the improvement of their secondary and the return of the ageless Reggie Wayne, but losing Robert Mathis for four games will be a major blow to the Colts.
3. Tennessee Titans (7-9)- Bud Adams passed away and long time Oiler/Titan Mike Munchak was fired, so an entirely new age in Titans history is beginning. New coach Ken Whisenhunt has a reputation as a quarterback-maker, and this could spell good things for fourth-year signal-caller Jake Locker. This is a potentially good defense that could keep Tennessee in games this year.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12) The Gaine Blabblert experiment is over in J'Ville, and the Blake Bortles era has officially begun. The Jaguars brought in Adrian Peterson's caddy, Toby Gerhart, to be the main back, and they signed a pair of ends (Clemons and Bryant) from Seattle. There is optimism here after a 4-4 finish after starting out 0-8, and back-to-back solid drafts by Gus Bradley and Dave Caldwell, but they are still a year away.
AFC West
1. Denver Broncos (12-4)- The Broncos didn't sit around licking their wounds after getting throttled in the Super Bowl. They dipped into the free agency pool to improve their defense, signing T.J. Ward, Aqib Talib, and DeMarcus Ware. That being said, the defense won't be that great, just good enough. Montee Ball will now be the feature back, and though the offense lost Decker and Welker, they still have a wealth of targets on hand. Broncos should win the West but choke in the playoffs.
2. San Diego Chargers (9-7)- San Diego got on a hot streak last year at the end of the season, and they have what it takes to build upon that success. Ryan Mathews proved the doubters wrong last year with a monster campaign, but how much more does Antonio Gates have left? Donald Brown should fit well into this offense, and the defense will overachieve again.
3. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9)- They lost five of seven down the stretch and then blew that 28 point lead in the playoff game in Indianapolis. The pass rush softened, and Donnie Avery and Dwayne Bowe had trouble finding the end zone. The Chiefs will again rely on Jamaal Charles, but I forsee a crash back to earth this year for Kansas City as they play a first place schedule.
4. Oakland Raiders (3-13) - Year three for Dennis Allen, and likely his last. Justin Tuck and LaMarr Woodley are a couple of good additions, but there are still holes all over the place. The Raiders need to find out soon if Derek Carr can be their franchise signal-caller.
NFC East
1. Dallas Cowboys- (12-4) - The Cowboys' defensive backfield has been a huge disappointment, and they lost DeMarcus Ware in the offseason. They are loaded defensively though and will put it altogether this year. They have the offensive firepower to win shootouts, too. Best offense in the NFC if not the NFL.
2. Philadelphia Eagles (9-7) Their stacked offensive line has contributed to Nick Foles' success, as has the dynamic abilities of LeSean McCoy. However, Malcome Jenkins will be the big addition this year as the Eagles seek to improve their league's-worst pass defense. Now that the defense is in year two of the 3-4 and Marcus Smith is more comfortable in his edge-rushing role, Philadelphia should be able to win the East for the second straight year.
3. New York Giants- (8-8) The Giants have a new offense, they've brought in two veterans to shore up the secondary, and they added a pair of return specialists. But the o-line is even bigger concern especially now with the retirement of Chris Snee. It will be patchwork all year as Manning continues to get sacked and throw interceptions. New York is putting their hopes in Rashad Jennings to carry the workload at running back.
4. Washington Redskins (3-13) - The best players the Redskins have are injury-prone, starting with their top two receivers and their top linebackers. And as we've seen, their second team players couldn't make most NFL rosters. Morris should have another good year, but RGIII sucks balls.
NFC North
1. Chicago Bears (11-5)- I feel like this is going to be one of those years where the Bears' defense comes together and draws inspiration from Jared Allen's leadership. The offense is like nothing they have seen in Chicago in the history of the franchise, especially at the wide receiver positions.
2. Green Bay Packers (11-5)- Green Bay got younger on the D-line, and that was a unit that hampered them last year. They need to stop the run better to be a legit Super Bowl contender, but I don't see them being improved enough on that side of the ball to turn that into a reality. With Rodgers back for a full year, they will be back in the playoffs, though.
3. Detroit Lions (7-9)- I give up. Maybe it was the presence of Schwartz and his ragey attitude that was always the tipping point in Detroit's late-season swoons. Maybe Jim Caldwell's calm demeanor is what the Lions need? It's all offense for Detroit, and outscoring teams doesn't work late in the year when defenses around the league are tightening up. No playoffs for the Lions.
4. Minnesota Vikings (4-12)- They should have traded Peterson a year ago for picks, but they kept him and then signed Greg Jennings to a big contract which wasn't a smart move either. Minnesota drafted their QB of the future, and they have Norv and Scott Turner to bring him along. Why is lame duck Christian Ponder still here?
NFC South
1. New Orleans Saints (13-3)- The Saints have won 17 straight at home, and this gives them a decisive edge over the rest of the NFC South. The addition of Jarrius Byrd should mean more takeaways for the defense, and the defensive line is much-improved at stopping the run than they were two seasons ago
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2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7)- This is going to be an interesting team to watch. You add Lovie Smith and Leslie Frazier to the coaching staff, and you're going to get some great results on defense. I think McCown is a pretty good short-term answer to the QB woes, but Tampa desperately needs a healthy season from Doug Martin to contend.
3. Carolina Panthers (7-9)- It's evident to most observers that the Panthers worked a favorable schedule and some smoke and mirrors to win the division last year. With Greg Hardy's off-the-field issues, Jordan Gross' retirement, and the loss of Steve Smith and Brandon LaFell, Carolina will take a coulpe steps back this year.
4. Atlanta Falcons (6-10)- Don't expect a huge improvement. Sean Merriweather is out for the year, and there is no pass rush, pass protection or a guy to replace Tony Gonzalez. That NFC title game two years ago where Matt Ryan choked in the clutch will go down as the moment that the Falcons began to sink to the bottom.
NFC West
1. Arizona Cardinals (11-5)- I'm high on the Cardinals' defense this year. They are following the Seahawks' recipe for success, drafting a hard-hitting safety in the first round as well as signing Antonio Cromartie. Third round receiver John Brown adds depth to the passing game. Can Carson Palmer get his first playoff win at age 35?
2. Seattle Seahawks (10-6)- The defending champs really made the schedule-makers angry, as the Seahawks will play division games five of the last six weeks of the 2014 season. But keeping most of the defense intact and being so hard to beat at home is enough to at least get them in the playoffs. Last year was a fluke for the Seahawks.
3. St. Louis Rams (9-7) - The Rams already have question marks on the offensive line, which needs to play well to give Shaun Hill any chance of moving this offense. The defensive line is the league's best, and this is still a young team fighting in a competitive division. They will end up doing much better than most are predicting.
4. San Francisco 49ers (6-10)- This is an offense that relies on the run, but Gore is at the end of the line. The secondary is in shambles, and Boldin, Harbaugh, and Vernon Davis are set to implode. And they just lost Aldon Smith for nine games. It's hard to stay at the top for long in this league, and San Francisco is in for a year of finger-pointing and melting down.
AFC wild cards- Bills, Ravens
NFC Wild cards- Seahawks, Packers
AFC title game- Steelers over Jets
NFC title game- Cowboys over Bears
Super Bowl - Cowboys over Steelers Romo MVP
