I know we are more than a month away from opening kickoff of the regular season, but I will make my pre-season playoff predictions. I will list who I think will be the top ten teams in each conference, only six make the playoffs, and see who is in, and who is out, of the playoffs. (My order does not compensate for playoff seeding, only records)
AFC
10) Steelers: I do not see how the Steelers can be good this year. They lost a lot of players on the defensive side, and their star receiver, Mike Wallace. It also does not help when you have to play the Ravens, Bengals, and up and coming Browns twice a year.
Projected Record: 8-8
9) Dolphins: The Dolphins lost some key players through free agency in the forms of Karlos Dansby and Reggie Bush, but they added receiver Mike Wallace from the Steelers which gives an interesting twist to their offense. With Ryan Tannehill getting another year of experience, look for the Dolphins to be a playoff threat, if not this year, in the years ahead.
Projected Record: 8-8
8) Chargers: The Chargers were pitiful last year. I expect them to turn it around this year. They have a new head coach and a key offseason signing in Dwight Freeney. They have some problems on offense though, mainly because their running back, Ryan Matthews, can not stay healthy. Their signing of Danny Woodhead might compensate for that though. The Chargers will make a push, but ultimately they will miss the playoffs.
Projected Record: 8-8
7) Colts: They made the playoffs last year, but they will have a tough time making it again this year. They lost some big defensive weapons mainly in Dwight Freeney, plus Pat Angerer and Fili Moala were placed on the physically unable to perform list. They did sign Ahmad Bradshaw who will help their offense when he is rarely healthy. Andrew Luck will try hard, but I predict they will miss the playoffs by one game at most.
Projected Record: 9-7
6) Patriots: I think the Patriots will`be very lucky to make the playoffs this year. They lost almost all of their offensive weapons this season including Wes Welker, Brandon Lloyd, Deion Branch, and the notorious Aaron Hernandez. Their starting receivers are Danny Amendola and Michael Jenkins. If I were Tom Brady I would be sobbing. They still have Rob Gronkowski, but he is not pprojected to play until late October. They also still have running back Stevan Ridley, who rushed for over 1000 yards last season, but he has a hard time holding onto the ball. On top of that, defenses will not be afraid to stack the box against the Pats. Bill Belichick and Tom Brady will somehow sneak into the playoffs, but the Patriots are definitely on the decline.
Projected Record: 10-6
5) Chiefs: The Chiefs look to start new with Alex Smith like they did with Matt Cassell a few years ago. If you recall, Cassell led the Chiefs to the playoffs in his first season. I think this team can be a threat with offensive weapons like Jamaal Charles and Dwayne Bowe. Historically, the Chiefs also have one of the best home-field advantages ever. They also have a very successful new coach running things. All these factors plus a fairly easy schedule which features games against the Jaguars, Raiders twice, and Browns, will push the Chiefs on the better side of the playoff hunt.
Projected Record: 10-6
4) Ravens: I have to say right now, the Ravens won the Superbowl because of three flukes. The mistimed jump by Bronco’s Safety Rahim Moore, the unusual terrible accuracy of Tom Brady in the conference final, and the no-call on Michael Crabtree in the late minutes of the Superbowl. They have lost the core of their defense, Ray Lewis and Ed Reed. On the offensive side of the ball they lost starting receiver Anquan Boldin. Their only big name signing was Elvis Dumervil, a Defensive End from the Broncos. I think the Ravens will come out overconfident and will not even win the AFC North.
Projected Record 10-6
3) Bengals: The Bengals have shown gradual improvement since Andy Dalton took over as Quarterback, and I do not believe that improvement will stop this year. I really like their core of solid young players in Andy Dalton, A.J Green, Tight End Jermaine Gresham, and BenJarvus Green-Ellis. Their defense was good last year, and it can only get better with the signing of former Steelers star James Harrison. I believe that if they have not had one yet, this will be the breakout year for the Bengals.
Projected Record 11-5
2) Texans: The Texans have not changed almost at all since last season. The only notable move was the signing of Safety Ed Reed. The Texans are not a very young team, but they are not an old one either. I do not see any factors that can change the success of the Texans from last year to this year. I’m sure this is fine with them though, they had a tremendous season last year and I will expect another tremendous season this season.
Projected Record: 12-4
1) Broncos: I think the Broncos will have a great season this year. They acquired Wes Welker from the Patriots, and drafted very promising Running Back Montee Ball from Wisconsin. These additions paired with their 12-4 record last season make the foundation of what looks like a very promising season.
Projected Record 13-3
NFC
10) Saints: I think the Saints lost most of their momentum last year, and it will be hard to regain this season. Sean Payton will come back as head coach, but the skill level on the saints has gone down quite a bit. Even with Drew Brees being arguably the best Quarterback in the league last year, the Saints could not sneak into the playoffs. I think the Saints run is fading fast.
Projected Record: 8-8
9) Vikings: On paper the Vikings should be better than they were in their playoff-run 2012 season, but I think a few things hold them back this year. The first is Christian Ponder. They did acquire Greg Jennings from the Packers, but I’m not sure Ponder can consistently get him the ball. Defenses can also play up on Peterson because of Ponder’s inability to accurately throw the ball. I think it all comes down to this. If Adrian Peterson rushes for 2000 yards again, the Vikings make the playoffs.
Projected Record: 9-7
8) Buccaneers: I think the Buccaneers will be the surprise team of the season. I think Quarterback Josh Freeman will have a breakout year. The signing of Darrelle Revis was huge, it single-handedly made the Buc’s defense Elite. This is huge because now their offense will not have to play from behind as much and can play more conservatively. Look for the Bucs to be right in the thick of the playoff chase by the end of the season.
Projected Record: 9-7
7) Lions: The Lions will deserve to be a playoff team. I think the only thing holding them back is their schedule which makes them play the Packers, Bears, and Vikings twice. Along with the Bengals, Giants, Ravens, and Washington. They have to play ten teams that finished 10-6 or higher last season. This is just a little bit much to overcome for a young team with a new Running Back.
Projected Record: 9-7
6) Redskins: With RG3 looking to be ready to play by week one the Redskins season looks bright. I do not think they will be as good of a team as the Lions, they will just take advantage of an easier schedule. Alfred Morris looked amazing last year, and I’m not sure if defenses will have figured him out by the beginning of next season. Overall I think the Redskins will make the playoffs, but just barely.
Projected record: 10-6
5) Giants: The Giants are just another of those teams that have not changed much since last season. They did lose starting Halfback Ahmad Bradshaw though. They did not improve their defense which was one of the worst last season. Overall I think the Giants will barely sneak into the playoffs, but not do much when they get there.
Projected Record: 10-6
4) Packers: The loss of Greg Jennings will really hurt the Packers. Now they only have Jordy Nelson and the wildly inconsistent James Jones as their receivers. They still do not have a very reliable running back either. Nevertheless, the Packers have Aaron Rodgers as their Quarterback, and with him, anything is possible.
Projected Record: 11-5
3) Seahawks: The Seahawks look primed for a great season. Russell Wilson looked amazing last year, but this year he will actually have a decent receiver to throw to in the form of Percy Harvin. Marshawn Lynch is a big part of their offense, and I think he is fitting the job quite nicely. Their defense is pretty much impenetrable.
Projected Record: 12-4
2) Falcons: The Falcons are better than they were last year. Improving is hard when you go 13-3, but I think the Falcons will do it. They signed perennial all-pro Halfback Steven Jackson who will improve the Falcons rushing attack which ranked 29th in the league last season. Overall I think the Falcons will be a force to be reckoned with.
Projected Record: 14-2
1) 49ers: As long as Colin Kaepernick proves he is no a fluke, I see no one who can stop the 49ers. Their defense is amazing, and their offense is catching up very fast. Anquan Boldin will be a big part in the passing game. Overall I think the 49ers will be a force to be reckoned with.
Projected Record: 14-2
These are my predictions for the 2013-2014 season.
P.S The new pro-bowl format looks tight. The two leading vote-getters will get to draft their own team.
Go Broncos
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