2014 NFL Preview - NFC

NFC East

Philadelphia: There was a lot of doubt surrounding the Eagles heading into 2013. Would Chip Kelly’s offense translate into success in the NFL? Who was their quarterback? How would the team respond to the Riley Cooper incident? All of those questions were answered in a big way last year, so there’s really only one question for the 2014 Eagles: how much can this team improve? The loss of DeSean Jackson is substantial, but Jeremy Maclin will be back. Additionally, the newly acquired Darren Sproles seems like an ideal fit for Kelly’s up-tempo, spread offense. The team also added receivers Jordan Matthews and Josh Huff in the draft, and recently traded for running back Kenjon Barner, so Kelly will have plenty of speed again on the offense side of the ball. Not to mention the return of the NFL’s leading rusher and highest rated passer, LeSean McCoy and Nick Foles. On the defensive side of the ball, Philly added safety Malcolm Jenkins in free agency and drafted defensive end Marcus Smith from Louisville. Smith is expected to play outside linebacker in the Eagles 3-4 defense.

Prediction: Let’s not dismiss the reality that the NFC East was uncharacteristically poor in 2013 and the Eagles took advantage. While the rest of the division should be better than they were last year, none of them seem to be in a position to challenge Philadelphia for the division crown. I think the defensive additions will help, and with another year in Chip Kelly’s offense, the Eagles will make it back-to-back division championships.

New York: It felt like the Giants were among the league’s worst teams last year, because they got off to such a terrible start (0-6). They definitely weren’t a good team, but the perception around New York was worse than their actual performance on the field. Despite being the coordinator for two offenses that won the Super Bowl, it was finally time to move on from Kevin Gilbride. Ben McAdoo is the latest offensive mind poached from Green Bay. He’ll be tasked with getting Eli Manning back on track, as well as putting together a competitive offensive line to support Manning and the running game. Rashad Jennings was signed away from Oakland and should become the feature back in McAdoo’s offense. First round draft pick Odell Beckham Jr. has the talent to contribute immediately at wide receiver. He and fellow former LSU receiver Rueben Randle will have to replace Hakeem Nicks production. Perry Fewell is an excellent defensive coordinator and should be able to improve an already strong defensive core with the additions of Robert Ayers, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, and Walter Thurmond.

Prediction: The Giants were much better than they looked last year, and they should be even better this season. They won 7 of their last 10, so they’re certainly capable of consistently winning games. I think all the improvements and new faces will give them two more wins, landing the G-Men at 9-7 come season’s end.

Dallas: America’s team seems to have the same story year after year. Weeks of dominance, weeks of utter incompetence, and ultimately an early end to their season. Throughout the season, they compete for the division, but seemingly never claim the top spot after week 17. And with all the other strong NFC divisions, wild card sports are hard to come by in recent years. To sum up the Cowboys in a word with which their fans are all too familiar, mediocrity. Tony Romo takes too much of the blame for a team with an awful defense. Rod Marinelli will be the latest big name coach to take over this struggling unit. There weren’t many big name offensive or defensive additions. Henry Melton is coming off an ACL tear, but was having a great year for the Bears last year before the injury. Zack Martin, the man taken instead of Johnny Manziel, looks like a day 1 starter at guard. At some point this offensive line has to be good again with all the draft picks they’ve invested in it. Demarcus Ware left for greener pastures in Denver, while another season ending injury for Sean Lee is a massive blow. The secondary has some big names (Claiborne, Carr), but they have been a disappointment so far.

Prediction: The Cowboys have had an uncharacteristically quiet offseason, because they haven’t brought in many big names on either side of the ball. With so little turnover, it’s hard to predict significant improvement for America’s team in 2014. The offensive line should be good, and they still have weapons on offense (Witten, Bryant, Murray) and Tony Romo; a great quarterback will always keep you competitive in this league. Unfortunately I just don’t think it’ll be competitive enough to win the division. Dallas goes 9-7.

Washington: There has been a lot of Redskins talk this offseason, but most of it has been about the team name, not on field projections. Washington played so poorly last season that it’s hard to believe they were an overriding favorite to win the division following an amazing rookie season from Robert Griffin III. Expectations are much lower this year, but they made a splash hiring Jay Gruden from Cincinnati. Most know him because he is John Gruden’s brother, but anyone who watched Hard Knocks last August is probably a believer in Jay Gruden and new Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer. The good news for Redskins fans is that if RGIII can become a franchise QB, Gruden will get it out of him. If he’s not, well that’s bad news for Gruden and the fans, and neither of them are to blame. The team’s biggest offseason signing was easily DeSean Jackson, who reminded the NFL he’s a top 15 wide receiver with his amazing season last year. If Ryan Clark has anything left in the tank, he could help out a secondary that struggled mightily in 2013. He’ll also have to help compensate for the triple digit tackles London Fletcher put up seemingly every year in Washington. Fletcher’s leadership and production will be greatly missed.

Prediction: Like most NFL teams, this Redskins team will go as far as their QB can take them. RGIII led them to a division title his rookie year, but took a big step backwards last year. There are reports that he has been dividing the locker room with both his personality and poor play. I don’t know how true those rumors are, but Griffin has to bounce back in a big way in 2014. Personally, I don’t see it happening. I like Gruden and the weapons on offense, but the defense is still bad and I just don’t see RGIII getting back to elite. Washington will be better than 3-13 this year, but not much.

Predicted Division Standings:

1) Philadelphia (10-6)

2) New York (9-7)

3) Dallas (9-7)

4) Washington (5-11)

NFC North

Green Bay: It’s hard to believe the Packers found a way to make the playoffs last year despite being without Aaron Rodgers and Clay Matthews for much of the season. They did so with an unimpressive (depending on how you look at it) 8-7-1 record. Eddie Lacy was the breakout player of 2013 as he gave the Pack a physical running game for the first time in years. Combining Lacy with Rodgers and the always-prolific passing game should give Green Bay an unstoppable offense. But that’s never been the problem with the Packers. Since winning the Super Bowl, the defense has been what’s kept them from winning another one. That, and the San Francisco 49ers. Julius Peppers was their big name acquisition in free agency, but it remains to be seen how much he can bring to the table at 34. A healthy Clay Matthews will be the biggest help to this defense, while rookie safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix could play early. If the defense can hold up and keep Rogers on the field, this team can compete with the NFC’s best.

Prediction: In the NFL, anytime you have an elite quarterback, you have the potential to be an elite team. It’s not a guarantee, you have to give him help and have a good coach, but the QB changes everything. That’s why I see Green Bay winning the division again. I love Cutler and Stafford, but they’re not on the Aaron Rodgers level. With a balanced offense and a solid defense, the Packers finish 12-4 and claim the #2 seed behind Seattle.

Chicago: The Bears are almost a carbon copy of the Packers, possessing the same strengths yet bearing the same weaknesses. Chicago has a terrifying offense. Jay Cutler has his flaws, but his new contract goes to show you he’s no scrub. He also has arguably the most talent around him of any quarterback in the league. Last offseason the Bears rebuilt his offensive line in a big way, while he’s still handing off to Matt Forte and throwing to Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery, and Martellus Bennett. This offseason, the rebuilding focus has been on the Chicago defense. The team signed defensive ends Lamarr Houston and Jared Allen and drafted Virginia Tech cornerback Kyle Fuller with their first round pick. All three players should be instant upgrades, but unfortunately there are still holes at linebacker and safety. Marc Trestman seems like a good head coach, but he’ll need to prove it this year by finishing better than 8-8.

Prediction: First place in the NFC North might come down to which team has the best defense (excluding Minnesota), because Detroit, Green Bay, and Chicago all have high-powered offenses. Like Tony Romo, Cutler gets a lot of flak for his team’s shortcomings, but the Bears did not field a playoff caliber defense in 2013. They made some nice additions, but the middle of the unit is still below average. Even with 10 wins, it will be hard for Chicago to lock up a wild card spot in the loaded NFC. They win the tie breaker with Atlanta and land the #6 seed.

Detroit: The Jim Schwartz era finally came to its inevitably disappointing end, after the Lions missed the playoffs yet again. While the jury is still out on how good of a coach Jim Caldwell really is, Detroit should at least look like a different team in 2014. Fans have to hope Caldwell can get the best out of the still promising, yet unceasingly frustrating, Matthew Stafford. Calvin Johnson is still the best wide receiver in football and Reggie Bush is still a dynamic running back, but the Lions added even more playmakers this offseason. Rather than addressing the secondary, the Lions signed wide receiver Golden Tate away from the Seahawks and drafted North Carolina tight end Eric Ebron in the first round of the draft. Building around your franchise quarterback is a good idea, but neglecting the glaring defensive needs is not. The front four remains the Lions’ defensive calling card, but a weak secondary doesn’t bode well when Jay Cutler and Aaron Rodgers are in your division.

Prediction: I think the Lions will be a more disciplined, much-improved team in 2014. Stafford will be better with more weapons and an offensive-minded coach. Unfortunately, I don’t see quite enough improvement to warrant a playoff prediction. They’re in a tough division and a tough conference, so I think both the division and wild card will be out of reach for Detroit. As they have been in recent years, the Lions will be fun to watch, but not quite strong enough to win more than 9 games.

Minnesota: After 3 disappointing years, the Vikings are finally closing the book on the Christian Ponder era. Entering his third season as GM, Rick Spielman spent a first round pick on quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. The team also fired head coach Leslie Frazier and replaced him with another established defensive coordinator, Mike Zimmer. To run the offense, Zimmer hired quarterback guru Norv Turner. Journeyman Matt Cassel will begin the season as the Vikings starter, but Bridgewater is expected to take over whenever the coaches realize Cassel isn’t taking this team to the playoffs. Regardless of who starts for Minnesota, he’ll be handing the ball off to the NFL’s best running back, Adrian Peterson. Before Bridgewater, the Vikings took UCLA linebacker Anthony Barr with the 11^th overall pick. He’ll be a part of a young nucleus on defense that includes Harrison Smith, Sharif Floyd, Xavier Rhodes, Josh Robinson, and Everson Griffin. The Vikings have developing talent on offense as well, including second year receiver Cordarelle Patterson, it all just depends on how quickly Mike Zimmer and his staff can turn that talent into a winning football team.

Prediction: I love the Zimmer hire for Minnesota, but this team’s success rests on their second first round pick. Teddy Bridgewater was supposed to be a top five pick, but lots of questions arose during his draft evaluation. However, there’s no question Matt Cassel isn’t taking the Vikings to the playoffs, so the rookie will get a chance to prove himself this season. Since Bridgewater couldn’t win the job in training camp, I don’t see him having an Andrew Luck type of rookie season. There’s rising talent on the roster, but Minnesota is in rebuild mode and it will be obvious in the win column.

Predicted Division Standings:

1) Green Bay (12-4)

2) Chicago (10-6)

3) Detroit (9-7)

4) Minnesota (3-13)

NFC South

New Orleans: Other than the Broncos, no team in the NFL had a louder offseason than the Saints. Jimmy Graham finally agreed to a contract extension, after he being told he’s not a receiver. While the team lost key contributors Darren Sproles, Malcolm Jenkins, Roman Harper, and Lance Moore, their replacements are all expected to be upgrades. Free safety Jairus Byrd was one of the biggest free agent acquisitions. He’ll start alongside promising second year strong safety Kenny Vaccaro. The two should be a dynamic pair, as they’ll headline a secondary that is thin at cornerback. Sproles’ release was surprising, but first round pick Brandin Cooks looks like a perfect fit for Sean Peyton’s offense. Mark Ingram, Pierre Thomas, and Khiry Robinson will rotate at running back, and Drew Brees remains the lynchpin in Saints’ high-powered passing game. The real test for New Orleans will be proving they can win on the road, or winning enough games to ensure they don’t have to, come January.

Prediction: The Saints added some big names on both sides of the ball, and I think they’ll yield immediate results. Rob Ryan had a great first year as defensive coordinator and he’ll get the most out of a unit that lacks strength at cornerback and linebacker. Offensively, they’ll be right up there with Denver for best in the league. The NFC East always provides stiff competition, and this year will be no different, but the Saints will still find themselves back on top when the regular season ends.

Atlanta: Last year was a disaster for the Falcons. Seemingly, everything that could go wrong did go wrong. The end result was a 4-12 record, just one year removed from a trip to the NFC championship. While they were plummeting, the Carolina Panthers rose up to claim first place in the division. Once the season ended, however, GM Thomas Dimitroff went right to work plugging holes across the offensive and defensive lines. In free agency, Atlanta signed defensive tackle Paul Solai, defensive end Tyson Jackson, and guard Jon Asamoah. With their first round pick the dirty birds took offensive tackle Jake Matthews, who looks the part of a franchise left tackle. He’ll start there week 1, following Sam Baker’s injury. Kroy Biermann’s return should bring a much-needed boost in both pass rush and leadership, while Matt Ryan will be happy to see Julio Jones back in the starting lineup. Steven Jackson has had injury issues since he signed with the Falcons, but Jaquizz Rodgers and Devonta Freeman are ready to step in if he’s not able to stay on the field.

Prediction: The only reason I think Atlanta finishes ahead of the Panthers is because of Matt Ryan and his dynamic wideouts. Cam Newton might have a higher ceiling than Matty Ice, but there’s no question his receivers are worse. I don’t believe this defense is elite, but with the promising rookie seasons from cornerbacks Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford, I think they’ll do enough to help the Falcons win 10 games. That may or may not be enough to make the playoffs in the NFC (see Arizona last year), as it is I have them losing a tiebreaker to the Bears.

Carolina: The most important position on offense is quarterback and the most important position on defense is middle linebacker. Once Carolina found franchise players for both spots, it was easy to fall in love with this team’s potential. However, no one expected them to put it together last year. With Cam Newton and Luke Keuchly, the Panthers should have a very high ceiling going forward. While the defense should be great again, 2014 presents several major challenges for Newton and Offensive Coordinator Mike Shula. There are question marks all across the offensive line and even fewer answers at receiver. First round pick Kelvin Benjamin will need to have a big rookie season, because no other receiver on the roster has big play capability. Greg Olsen will probably become Cam’s new top target, with Steve Smith’s departure. The defensive front seven is among the best in the league, but the secondary will miss Captain Munnerlyn. Roman Harper has had some good years in New Orleans, but it remains to be seen what he’ll bring to the Panthers.

Prediction: This team quietly finished 12-4 last year, so improvement will be near impossible within such a difficult division. With a franchise quarterback and a strong defense, there’s always reason for playoff expectations. Carolina was no fraud last year, but I do think they overachieved. If they can continue to win close games, they’ll contend for the division again, but I see them finishing 9-7 in 2014.

 

Tampa Bay: All three teams in the NFC East that finished behind Carolina were not content to stand pat this offseason. As previously discussed, New Orleans and Atlanta both made a splash in free agency and the draft. Division bottom feeders (lately) Tampa Bay also made major changes. They cleaned house at the top, firing GM Mark Dominik and head coach Greg Schiano. Jason Licht and Lovie Smith will replace them, respectively. They went to work right away bringing in upgrades on offense and defense that fit in with the new regime. Josh McCown is a game manager and should protect the football. He’ll have the luxury of throwing to Vincent Jackson and rookie wide receiver Mike Evans. The offensive line added Evan Dietrich-Smith, Anthony Collins, and Logan Mankins to provide McCown some time to throw and running lanes for Doug Martin. Though the team cut Darelle Revis, they signed Alterraun Verner and defensive end Michael Johnson. Under Lovie and new coordinator Leslie Frazier, this defense can be special. The Bucs playoff hopes rest on McCown and the offense.

Prediction: That last sentence is why it’s hard to buy the Bucs as a playoff team in 2014. They will be much better— a balanced, physical team. No team will want to play Tampa Bay this year, but in a loaded division, I can’t see McCown leading this team to double digit wins, which will be necessary for making the playoffs in the NFC. Despite the losing record, the Bucs will be a strong 7-9 team.

Predicted Division Standings:

1) New Orleans (12-4)

2) Atlanta (10-6)

3) Carolina (9-7)

4) Tampa Bay (7-9)

NFC West

Seattle: Has there been a Super Bowl team in recent memory to get more love from the media than this Seahawks team?  I suppose that’s warranted when you shut down Peyton Manning and the Broncos in dominant fashion. Seattle certainly has all the makings of a great franchise going forward. General Manager John Schneider is able to find valuable depth in later rounds of the draft and press all the right buttons in free agency. Head coach Pete Carroll has always been a great leader and knows how to build a dominant team. They have a franchise quarterback, a strong running game and dominant defense. Not to mention the best home field advantage in the NFL. While the Seahawks didn’t add any immediate contributors through the draft or free agency, they didn’t lose too much either. Golden Tate, Chris Clemons, and Red Bryant are gone, but the front office is making sure they keep their core intact. Pro Bowlers Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas recently got long term extensions, while Russell Wilson has a big one waiting for him after this season. Most teams look forward to all the changes an offseason brings, but Seattle fans shouldn’t expect a much different team in 2014. That’s great news for the champs.

Prediction: I feel like this team is overhyped, so I keep trying to find a reason why they will disappoint and I just can’t do it. The hype is a little over the top, but Seattle has no holes on their roster. They’re not perfect, but they’re the most complete team in the NFL. While I’m not drinking the Kool-Aid, I do agree with the people pouring it. It’s hard to picture them being anything less than a 10-win team. I see them winning 14 games.

San Francisco: Expect to see the 49ers and the Seahawks at the top of this division for the foreseeable future. It’ll be tough to keep either team out of the playoffs each year with great quarterback play, a strong running game, and a dominant defense. The 49ers may have been doing it a few years longer than the ‘hawks, but Seattle is showing they might be doing it just a little bit better. After all they won the ring that has been so elusive for Jim Harbaugh’s squad. San Francisco has had a lot of negative storylines this offseason, but don’t expect this team to drop off on the field. Stevie Johnson is yet another weapon for Colin Kaepernick, while Carlos Hyde could be the next Frank Gore. They’ll miss Aldon Smith (9 game suspension) and Navarro Bowman (injury), but Antoine Bethea shouldn’t be much of a drop off from Donte Whitner. With the losses on defense, young players Jimmie Ward, Tank Carradine, and Ian Williams could have opportunities to establish themselves on an elite defense.

Prediction: There has been a lot of speculation about Jim Harbaugh’s future in San Francisco, and the reports sound pretty serious, but the front office seems pretty smart. They have to know how essential Harbaugh is to this team’s success. I don’t think they’ll let him go anywhere. That being said, I think this team will be good again in 2014. They’re probably finishing second to Seattle again, but they’re significantly better than St. Louis and Arizona. 11-5 will get them a wild card spot and back to the playoffs, where they are always dangerous.

Arizona: It’s too bad the Cardinals have to play in the same division as the defending Super Bowl champs and the team that could’ve won the Super Bowl two years ago. This was a talented, well-coached team in 2013. Patrick Peterson is a top 5 cornerback and got rewarded for his production with a lucrative extension this offseason. Fellow LSU cornerback Tyrann Mathieu played very well at free safety last year, but he’s coming off a knee injury. Deone Bucannon was the Cards’ first round pick and he’ll likely start immediately at strong safety. Antonio Cromartie is a big name signing at cornerback, but it’s unclear if he’s still a reliable cornerback at 30. The front seven will greatly miss Darnell Dockett (injury), Daryl Washington (suspension), and Karlos Dansby (free agency). Offensively, Carson Palmer showed he’s still got some juice left in his arm, but 10 wins wasn’t enough to get him and the Cards back into the playoffs. Jared Veldheer comes over from Oakland to protect Palmer’s blind side, and 2013 first round pick Jonathan Cooper should start at guard after missing last year with a broken leg. Larry Fitzgerald is still playing at a high level and now that Michael Floyd is playing like a first round pick, this offense could be dangerous.

Prediction: It’s hard to ignore what the Cardinals were able to do last year, but I’m just not a Carson Palmer believer. The story of his career is disappointing, but solid. Even if he stays healthy I just can’t see this team winning 10 games again. They made some improvements this offseason, but it won’t be enough in the loaded NFC west.

St. Louis: There were whispers of the Rams being a dark horse Super Bowl candidate this year. Those whispers have been silenced after Sam Bradford’s ACL surgery was announced. If any of the quarterback in this draft class pan out, it’s going to be brutal year for Rams fans. This team is loaded with talent. They upgraded the offensive and defensive line and most of their team is getting better. Kenny Britt looked poised for a comeback season, and Tavon Austin will probably get more touches in year two, but all for naught. Without a quarterback, none of it works, as the Rams found out last season. The good news for St. Louis is that they’re a good quarterback away from being a contender. The bad news is that quarterback may not be on their roster. More frustration awaits the Rams in 2014.

Prediction: I feel bad for Jeff Fisher. He came to St. Louis because of Sam Bradford, and he’s basically hasn’t had Bradford. I feel even worse for Bradford. The guy has paid his injury dues and can’t catch a break. He’s the new Chad Pennington and the opposite of Brett Favre. With him, I think this team competes for the division. Without him, they’ll repeat last season. You gotta feel for Rams fans. We’ll see what the future holds for both Bradford and Fisher as they’ll both watch their team finish under .500.

Predicted Division Standings:

1) Seattle (14-2)

2) San Francisco (11-5)

3) Arizona (8-8)

4) St. Louis (4-12)

2014 NFL Preview - AFC

AFC East

New England: The Patriots are just about a lock to win the division every year, having claimed the top spot 10 of the last 11 seasons. The lone exception in that remarkable run came when Tom Brady suffered a season ending knee injury in week one (2008). So as long as Brady is healthy, don’t expect anything different in 2014. The front office did little to improve his weapons, but there’s enough for the 9-time Pro Bowler to do what he always does: win. Defensively, they essentially swapped Aqib Talib for Darrelle Revis, so, at worst, that’s a wash. Brandon Browner should also help the secondary once he returns from a 4 game suspension. It’ll be interesting to see if Dominique Easley contributes much in his first year, because he was a monster when healthy at Florida. Additionally, Jerod Mayo and Vince Wilfork will be back after suffering season ending injuries last year.

Prediction: I think the Pats will be slightly better than they were in 2013. Their number one concern this season is still the Denver Broncos. I see them winning the division with an 11-12 win season. They’ll probably have to play in Mile High again, but it wouldn’t shock me if they won this time. We’ll see.

Miami: The Dolphins should have fallen apart last season. They also should have made the playoffs. It was a rollercoaster type of season for Miami fans. Ryan Tannehill made progress, but not enough for Dolphins fans to sleep well at night. Priority #1 was improving the league’s worst offensive line, and they’ve made some upgrades. Branden Albert will protect Tannehill’s blindside and the team’s first round pick Ja’wuan James will start immediately at right tackle. But the interior of the line is a concern with Mike Pouncey recovering from hip surgery and no proven commodities at either guard spot. New Offensive coordinator Bill Lazor brings over an up-tempo style of play from Philadelphia that should put more points on the board each week. The defense was stout again last year, and could improve slightly with the additions of Louis Delmas and Courtland Finnegan, but the team’s linebacker play must get better.

Prediction: The Dolphins really should have made the playoffs last year with a pretty low scoring offense. I think Bill Lazor will improve Tannehill’s production like he did with Nick Foles. If the running game can improve and the offensive line finds a way to hold up, this team wins 10 games and claims a wild card spot.

New York: Unlike the Dolphins, the Jets exceeded expectations last year. They ended up 8-8 and it felt like a successful season. Geno Smith looked good at times, but overall he was pretty terrible. Rex Ryan knows how to draft, scheme, and develop defensive players like no one else and the unit should be even better this year. Muhammad Wilkerson and last year’s defensive rookie of the year, Sheldon Richardson, will give opposing offenses fits all season. Erik Decker and Chris Johnson will definitely help the offense, but it’s just hard to see Gang Green winning more than 8 games with Geno starting. Unless Michael Vick has some magical season in relief, it’s going to be difficult for the Jets to score enough points to make the playoffs.

Prediction: Like I said, Geno Smith was so bad last year it’s hard to see him turning into a playoff caliber quarterback just because he’s throwing to Erik Decker. If they do find a way to win 9-10 wins, it’ll be with an unstoppable running game and an elite defense. I think Rex’s squad is talented and will battle each week, but it’s a quarterback driven league and nobody on the Jets’ roster leads me to believe they’ll do enough to make it to the playoffs.

Buffalo: The Bills have quietly assembled an impressive amount of young talent the past 3-4 years. They have one of the most underrated defenses in the NFL and weapons on offense. The D-Line will be the best unit on the team again, but the losses of Kiko Alonso and Jairus Byrd will hurt the back seven. A healthy C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson should keep the running game strong despite questions along the offensive line. The biggest name of the Bills’ offseason has undoubtedly been Sammy Watkins and all reports suggest he is the real deal. The rookie from Clemson looks NFL ready, but can he possibly be a dominant number one wide out in his first season? Not likely. E.J. Manuel has to improve on his injury plagued rookie year. I think he will, but, like Geno Smith, I didn’t see enough to believe he can take his team to the playoffs. The upside is higher with Manuel, but patience is sparse in this league.

Prediction: Buffalo has too much talent to be a 6-win team two years in a row. Any prediction of their record this season will be based on E.J. Manuel’s development. If he can cut back on interceptions and get the ball to his playmakers this team could challenge for a wild card spot. More likely, though, inconsistent play will leave them closer to a .500 record.

Predicted Division Standings:

1) New England (12-4)

2) Miami (10-6)

3) New York (7-9)

4) Buffalo (7-9)

AFC North

Cincinnati: Year after year, Marvin Lewis produces a physical, balanced, and competitive Bengals team. If you don’t count the playoffs, Andy Dalton’s contract extension is a no brainer. There would be no reason for speculation on Marvin Lewis future with the team. While that talk is still limited thanks to a loyal owner, Cincy has to start winning in the playoffs to be taken seriously in this league. They have playmakers everywhere on offense and depth all over a consistently stingy defense. There’s understandably concern after losing two outstanding coordinators in Mike Zimmer and Jay Gruden, but both were replaced through internal promotions, so production shouldn’t dip significantly in 2014. Michael Johnson’s departure will be felt on the defensive line, but Geno Adkins and Leon Hall return from season ending injuries in 2013. The team’s first two picks last year, Tyler Eifert and Giovanni Bernard, are likely to breakout this year after their promising rookie season. Additionally, Darqueze Dennard and Jeremy Hill could contribute as rookies.

Prediction: Last year was an uncharacteristically down year for the AFC north, so the path to another division title will probably prove more difficult in 2014. It’s hard to imagine the Bengals improving on an 11-5 record with virtually the same team, but many of their best players are still young and trending upward. Perhaps the sustained continuity gets them to 12 wins, but I see them going 10-6 and claiming the North over a 10-6 Ravens team by way of a better division record.

Baltimore: It was far from a valiant Super Bowl defense for the Ravens in 2013. Joe Flacco played like a guy who just got an outrageously lucrative contract that he couldn’t possibly outperform. Amazingly, it was the first year in John Harbaugh’s tenure as head coach that the team failed to make the playoffs. That kind of consistency, and a Lombardi trophy, warrants the benefit of the doubt after a down year. The defense wasn’t ready to overcome losing Ed Reed and Ray Lewis, but they should be this year. Mixing Pro Bowl veterans like Terrell Suggs, Haloti Ngata, and Elvis Dumervil with promising young players Matt Elam, C.J. Mosley, Timmy Jernigan, Arthur Brown, and Terrance Brooks, should lead to a much stronger unit in 2014. Gary Kubiak takes over as offensive coordinator, a definite upgrade from Jim Caldwell. The return of Dennis Pitta and arrival of Steve Smith will help Flacco regain form.

Prediction: While John Harbaugh’s Ravens have always made the playoffs (before last year), they’ve never put up dominant regular season win totals. That’s probably due to the division they play in, but regardless, I see Baltimore returning to form this year. C.J. Mosley is a franchise middle linebacker and will make an impact right away. Kubiak will help Flacco right the ship on offense and the Ravens win 10 games and make it back into the playoffs via a wild card spot.

Pittsburgh: Things got off to a rocky start for Pittsburgh in 2013 as the team began 0-4. On the one hand, it’s hard to imagine a similar record for the Steelers when October rolls around this year. At the same time, this team looked old and limited last season. Losing Mike Wallace really hurt the offense, and the big names on defense are well past their prime. Lance Moore is a solid addition, but he’ll have to replace Emmanuel Sanders’ production. There’s been a lot of buzz surrounding third round pick Dri Archer because of his 40 time, but he’s a poor man’s Tavon Austin and Austin struggled to consistently make plays for the Rams last year. Fans have reason for optimism with young names on defense like Jarvis Jones, Stephon Tuitt and Ryan Shazier, but they are probably still too young to make major contributions to a team that needs help now. Le’Veon Bell and an oft-injured O-Line will need to be stellar for the Steel city to see their team in the playoffs in 2014.

Prediction: Although I like the Ravens roster much more, Pittsburgh and Baltimore have always been similar teams. They hang their hat on having a physical defense, a strong running game, good quarterback play, and great coaching. Steelers fans have to hope the offensive line finally stays healthy and that the young players on defense contribute right away, because they still have Big Ben and Mike Tomlin. I just don’t see that happening, so I have them going 9-7 and missing the playoffs again.

Cleveland: It seems like any preview of Cleveland sports has to begin with “poor Cleveland.” That’s not the case this year with LeBron James returning to the Cavaliers, but I still feel bad for Browns fans. Despite all the media attention and optimism surrounding Johnny Manziel, I can’t see him ever winning a Super Bowl. Perhaps that’s too harsh of a criticism to put on a rookie, but I see Johnny Football becoming a slightly better version of Michael Vick. And shouldn’t that be your mindset when trying to draft a franchise quarterback? Regardless of if Manziel plays this year, I think the Browns QB play will be average at best. That’s a shame because the rest of their team- excluding wide receiver- is pretty good. Josh Gordon will be missed and I still think passing on Sammy Watkins was a mistake because those two could’ve replicated what Fitzgerald and Boldin did in Arizona. With that duo I would’ve bought the Browns as a playoff team no matter who started at quarterback. Speculation aside, the team will definitely be better in 2014. Ben Tate gets his chance to be a feature back behind a solid offensive line. Donte Whitner and Karlos Dansby can still play at a high level and drafting Justin Gilbert gives Joe Haden a dynamic partner in crime.

Prediction: It’s easy to say the Browns will be better this year because they only won 4 games last year. I see big improvements because Mike Pettine will have that defense firing on all cylinders, and Brandon Weeden is gone. Cleveland still finishes last in the division, but they should be able to scratch out 7 or 8 wins.

Predicted Division Standings:

1) Cincinnati (10-6)

2) Baltimore (10-6)

3) Pittsburgh (9-7)

4) Cleveland (7-9)

AFC South

Indianapolis: The Colts were able to consistently stay atop the AFC South through the first decade of the 2000’s because they had an elite quarterback. Well things are shaping up quite similarly these days as Andrew Luck continues to climb up the quarterback rakings. Until another franchise QB rises in the division (Blake Bortles?), the Colts shouldn’t have much trouble making the playoffs in the foreseeable future. Making some noise in the playoffs, however, will be a much taller order for this Indy team. At some point, Chuck Pagano’s squad needs to start playing defense like the one he helped develop in Baltimore. D’Qwell Jackson could be a nice addition, but 2013 first round pick Bjoern Werner will be a much bigger factor in the development of this defense. Werner struggled to transition from defensive end to outside linebacker last year, but he has the pass rushing potential to complement Robert Mathis once he returns and help fill the void in his absence. Luck should have another great season, but this offense could be special if Hakeem Nicks can regain the dominant form he once had with the Giants, or if Trent Richardson and the offensive line give their quarterback any help at all.

Prediction: People in the media love this team, almost entirely because of Luck. They definitely have some big names on offense, but most of them have proven to be bigger than their on-field production. They won’t have any trouble claiming the AFC South, but I see a 10-win team that has some work to do before they’re a Super Bowl contender.

Tennessee: The Titans might be the hardest team to predict because they rarely ever receive national media attention of any kind. They don’t have any household names on offense or defense now that Chris Johnson is gone. Still, they managed to finish 7-9 last season without their starting quarterback for most of the season. This has to be Jake Locker’s year. He was drafted in 2011 and the jury is somehow still out on him. If he can’t stay on the field this year, the Titans will be moving on. The good news for him is that Ken Wisenhunt has had success with several different quarterbacks in his coaching career. The defense is solid, but unspectacular. Linebackers Wesley Woodyard and Shaun Phillips are both nice additions. Perhaps with a talented offensive line and good running game, Locker will finally show some promise.

Prediction: Assuming Jake Locker stays healthy all season, the Titans should progress in 2014. How much they progress depends upon how well Locker plays. If he can stretch the field to Kendall Wright and Justin Hunter, the running game will carry them to a winning season. Unfortunately, from what I’ve seen up to this point, I can’t see Tennessee winning more than 9 games.

Jacksonville: I know it’s hard to see on a team that picked third in the most recent draft, but the Jaguars have gotten quite a makeover the past two years. Head Coach Gus Bradley and GM Dave Caldwell have been steadily building momentum after taking over a roster nearly void of NFL talent. And slowly but surely the media has been catching on and trying to be the first to predict future “Seattle-like success.” Some rash predictions have been made, but it is hard to ignore the young talent they’ve assembled in Jacksonville. To be certain, any real believer in the Jaguars future must be a believer in Blake Bortles. The Big Ben comparisons make sense to me, but I think Bortles has more potential. Time will tell, but I do think Bortles will be starting mid-season, if not earlier. Quarterback talk aside, it will be interesting to see what Toby Gerhart is capable of as a feature back. Also, can any of the Jags’ young wideouts become a playmaker with Justin Blackmon likely out for the season? Defensively, Gus Bradley brought in some familiar veterans from Seattle Chris Clemons and Red Bryant, as well as Ziggy Hood from Pittsburgh, to help sure up the defensive line.

Prediction: This team is still not ready to compete for the playoffs, but I’d be shocked if there’s not marked improvement. Watching their games should be bearable this season, and I think Bortles will play well whenever he takes the reigns. It won’t be a memorable season, but a 6-10 record could bring some promise to a franchise that hasn’t had any in a long time.

Houston: The 2013 Texans have to be one of the most talented teams to finish with the league’s worst record in recent memory. They absolutely collapsed and, as a result, Gary Kubiak lost his job. In comes Bill O’Brien, who seems to have all the makings of a successful NFL head coach. The team’s 14 game losing streak did allow them to take the best defensive prospect in years, Jadeveon Clowney. However, the biggest problem Houston had last year was poor quarterback play from Matt Schaub, and his eventual replacements. Their solution must have been to tank another season and draft one next year, because they brought in Ryan Fitzpatrick and drafted Tom Savage. Yikes. Brian Cushing returns from yet another devastating knee injury to help lead what should be a good defense, but they’ll be on the field a lot with a one-dimensional offense.

Prediction: Arian Foster will need to produce an Adrian Peterson 2012-type season for the Texans to stay competitive this year. There are studs all over this roster, so improvement is certain, but the ceiling is always low without a good quarterback. Opponents won’t enjoy playing the physical Texans defense, but they also won’t need to score many points to win. I see 5 ugly wins and some close losses in a rebuilding 2014 for Houston.

Predicted Division Standings:

1) Indianapolis (10-6)

2) Tennessee (8-8)

3) Jacksonville (6-10)

3) Houston (5-11)

AFC West

Denver: The rich get richer. After one of the most shocking Super Bowl performances in NFL history, Denver’s front office went to work fixing the very few deficiencies on their roster. They brought in Aqib Talib, T.J. Ward, and DeMarcus Ware on defense and Emmanuel Sanders to replace Eric Decker. First round pick Bradley Roby will probably contribute in his first season as well. Jack Del Rio will get the most out of the new defensive additions and the unit should be much better in 2014. Peyton Manning is still the best quarterback in the NFL and as long as he stays healthy this team will be dominant on offense. Montee Ball will handle the bulk of the carries with Knowshon Moreno in Miami, but don’t expect a huge dropoff. This team is even better than they were last year, and that’s a scary thought for anyone in the AFC.

Prediction: It’s hard to get much better than 13-3, so it’s fair to expect a 12-4 or 11-5 season from the reigning AFC Champs. But even with a tough schedule, I think they’ll go 14-2. Who is going to stop them? This is one of the best teams Peyton Manning has ever been on and it will be a disappointment if Denver doesn’t make it back to the Super Bowl in 2014 (2015, technically).

San Diego: East Coast bias always leaves the Chargers flying under the radar, both during the offseason and regular season. That seems to be fine with Phillip Rivers and second year head coach Mike McCoy. Rivers quietly had a bounce-back season in 2013, throwing for just under 4,500 yards, 32 TD’s and only 11 INT’s. Keenan Allen had a breakout rookie season hauling in 8 touchdowns and more than 1,000 yards receiving. If Malcom Floyd can stay healthy he could be another big target for Rivers. Ryan Matthews finally stayed on the field 16 games and ran for over 1,200 yards. Melvin Ingram returns from another injury, but last year he proved he was worth the first round pick San Diego spent on him in 2012. The Chargers went defense again in the first round of the 2014 draft selecting CB Jason Verrett from TCU. They also added Brandon Flowers in free agency, so the defense should take another step forward this season.

Prediction: Despite having a mediocre 9-7 record, the Chargers found a way into the playoffs last year. Once they made it in, they made some noise beating the Bengals in Cincinnati and giving Denver a scare in Mile High. They did beat Denver in week 15, so this team certainly has potential to beat anyone, anywhere. I think they’ll be more consistent during the regular season and finish 10-6. Unfortunately being in the AFC West, they’ll have to fight for a Wild Card spot. Between Baltimore and Miami, they could be on the outside looking in this postseason.

Kansas City: Andy Reid showed why he gets so much love from the national media last season when he took over the lowly Chiefs and turned them into an 11-5 playoff team. He made it look so easy, too. Just have Alex Smith manage the game, get Jamaal Charles the ball any way possible, and play great defense. Unfortunately, as the season finished Kansas City came back to earth in horrendous fashion surrendering a 28-point lead to the Colts. After the season, they got even worse. Without putting up much of a noticeable fight, the Chiefs watched Branden Albert, Jon Asamoah, Geoff Schwartz, Brandon Flowers, Tyson Jackson, and Dexter McCluster walk out the door. They drafted Dee Ford and De’Anthony Thomas, but that’s about it. The defense will still be strong and Jamaal Charles is still on the roster, so they won’t be terrible in 2014, but they have a lot to overcome to make it back to the playoffs.

Prediction: Everyone knew the Chiefs weren’t the worst team in football two years ago, and it felt like they overachieved last year, so how good is this team? Probably somewhere in between 1-15 and 11-5. There’s no denying Kansas City had a good team last year, but I think they lost too much to reach the playoffs again in a strong division. Andy Reid is a great coach, but his squad will fight for a .500 record in 2014.

Oakland: Optimism just doesn’t look the same for Raiders fans as it does for the rest of the league. Last year they were excited to have Terrelle Pryor lead their team (hindsight is a funny thing sometimes). This year, their hope is in Maurice Jones-Drew and Matt Schaub. Any and all Matt Schaub believers were silenced last season, but perhaps a change in scenery will lead to better things for the two-time Pro Bowler. That being said, Schaub’s best-case scenario probably looks more like 2013 Carson Palmer than 2013 Alex Smith. And the Cardinals have a much better team, quarterbacks aside. Even still, MJD and James Jones should make significant contributions to an offense that ranked 24^th in scoring last year. Defensively, the front office made some substantial additions including Justin Tuck, Lamar Woodley, and Antonio Smith. You’d be hard pressed to find a football fan that doesn’t think Kalil Mack will be a star in this league, but last year’s first round pick, D.J. Hayden, needs to have a better sophomore campaign. If those two can contribute this season, the Raiders could be a much better team in 2014.

Prediction: It shouldn’t be hard to improve after finishing 4-12 last year, but it’s hard to believe in the Raiders these days. I think they’ll be much better in 2014, but winning even 2 out of 6 against division opponents San Diego, Kansas City, and Denver would be impressive. The new additions could bring this team 7 or 8 wins, but if I were a Raiders fan I’d just want to see Derek Carr get out there and find out if he has any chance to become a franchise quarterback. Even with the improvements, Oakland finishes 6-10.

Predicted Division Standings

1) Denver (14-2)

2) San Diego (10-6)

3) Kansas City (8-8)

4) Oakland (6-10)