Watching the final seconds tick down in the Super Bowl, I legitimately fell into a minor depression. After the Super Bowl graces us with its presence, the rest of February can be described in one word: painful. We are left with the dog days of both the NBA and NHL seasons (Blackhawk fans don’t come out of hibernation until at least May), and our only hope is an exciting end to the college basketball regular season. Regardless, I know I speak for many when I say that I’m going to miss the NFL like a child misses their favorite stuffed animal. I need more football, I just do. And that’s why this article is being written. Do we still have 8 months until regular season kicks off? Yes. Has the NFL draft not even been conducted? Maybe. Has free agency even concluded? These questions are making me sick to my stomach, so let’s begin.
Divisional Predictions
AFC EAST
New England Patriots (13-3): No surprise here. The Patriots have won the AFC East 13 out of the last 15 years. Assuming the Pats can stay healthy this year, they should have no problem being crowned division champ for the eighth year in a row. But don’t be surprised if they falter a little bit, they boast one of the league’s most difficult schedules, playing 6 of the 12 playoff teams from last year.
New York Jets (10-6): Todd Bowles is coming off a widely successful rookie campaign as head coach. Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker combine for one of the most lethal receiver duos in the NFL, look for that to continue as long as Ryan Fitzpatrick can have another solid season. The Jets will return another competitive defense, and will again be in the race for a wild card spot.
Buffalo Bills (8-8): I couldn’t decide whether to write about Bills Mafia, or the actual team itself. Sorry Rex Ryan, but Bills Mafia probably would have been more exciting. After all, the Bills were just as unpredictable as Bills Mafia (maybe more?). But expect them to be right in the middle of the pack again, but this time with more drama now that Rex’s brother, Rob, is on the staff.
Miami Dolphins (5-11): Ryan Tannehill’s fifth NFL season may be his most important yet. After a great 2014 season, Tannehill saw a slight drop in his numbers. I fully expect him to improve in 2016 thanks to two great receiving threats in Jarvis Landry and DeVante Parker, not to mention an improving Lamar Miller. Ndamukong Suh was a huge disappointment and needs to be a more team-oriented player in order to get the Miami defense to be where it wants.
AFC NORTH
Pittsburgh Steelers (13-3): I firmly believe the Steelers could easily have been the AFC representative in the Super Bowl if it hadn’t been for all their injuries. I’m not making excuses for them, but almost every offensive weapon of theirs (even their backups) missed some time due to injury. I cannot predict injuries, so let’s assume they all stay healthy. Big Ben will continue to be great, Le’Veon Bell will be back, and as long as the Steelers can have a top 15 defense, look for them to be a serious contender for another Super Bowl appearance.
Cincinnati Bengals (11-5): I don’t see the Bengals being as good as last year’s team. They don’t lose much in the offseason, but I cannot see them coming back from squandering a playoff loss to their biggest rival in the way they did. Easily the biggest self-destruction I’ve seen out of a professional team in years. If Andy Dalton can return and perform the way he did in 2015, they have a shot, but hopefully they just focus on winning a playoff game this year.
Baltimore Ravens (8-8): One of the most disappointing teams along with the Colts in 2015, I wasn’t expecting a Super Bowl, but 5-11 was a shock considering they’ve gone at least 8-8 every year in the John Harbaugh era. An early draft pick should help this team get back to where they usually are, but if Joe Flacco doesn’t recover from his ACL injury, they can be expecting a lot more of those early picks.
Cleveland Browns (1-15): Let’s look at the bright side first. The Johnny Manziel project is finally over. The worst franchise in sports will only digress next year as another round of rebuilding has commenced in Cleveland. Can someone bring in Kevin Costner and his whole Draft Day cast to Cleveland? Because they’re going to need that and a lot more to get out of the never-ending hole they are in.
AFC SOUTH
Indianapolis Colts (12-4): Yes, Andrew Luck will be back for the Colts this season, but keep in mind, the Colts were just 2-5 with Luck under center in 2015. Jim Irsay pulled a surprising move in early January by bringing back head coach Chuck Pagano on a four-year deal, which I absolutely love. The Colts have to get younger on the offensive side of the ball with Andre Johnson and Frank Gore entering their final years in the league. Look for the Colts to be back in the hunt for an AFC championship.
Jacksonville Jaguars (8-8): Blake Bortles experienced no sophomore slump in his 2015 campaign, finishing tied for second in the league in touchdown passes with 35. Those did come with a league leading 18 interceptions, but he will improve with Allen Hurns, Allen Robinson, and Julius Thomas as his targets. Not to mention the Jags will finally get to utilize Dante Fowler Jr., the third overall pick in the 2015 draft.
Houston Texans (6-10): Not sure how the Texans even made the playoffs last year. They started four different quarterbacks which is never good, and it’s not looking like Arian Foster will be a Texan in 2016. But the Texans do have a great defense and one of the best defensive players this game may ever see, J.J. Watt. Combine him with the talented Jadeveon Clowney, and they could have a real dangerous defense. But then again, how much can they depend on him being healthy?
Tennessee Titans (2-14): Tennessee has the number one overall pick in the 2016 draft. No team gave up more sacks than the Titans in 2015. I would really like to see them take offensive tackle Leremy Tunsil to help protect their quarterback of the future, Marcus Mariota. The Titans are on the right track, but they’re still a long way from being a competitive force in the NFL again.
AFC WEST
Denver Broncos (11-5):The reining Super Bowl champions will obviously not be the same without Peyton Manning in 2016. They'll miss his mental game, but his physical deterioration hurt them multiple times down the stretch when he came back. With their defense, Brock Osweiler will suffice, as long as they can sign him to a contract this off season. Von Miller will be back whether they sign him or slap the franchise tag on him.
Oakland Raiders (11-5): One of my bolder predictions, but a justified one. Derek Carr had a great second year, Khalil Mack was in contention for Defensive Player of the Year, and for the first time in a long time, there was life in Oakland. 2015 had a disappointing ending, but their young team will only get better, maybe better than some people expect.
Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): The Chiefs ended the regular season on a 10 game winning streak, but 2 of those 10 wins were against winning teams. Those 10 teams combined for a record of 67-93 (.418 win percentage). With that being said, that was without Jamaal Charles, one of the best backs in the league. Marcus Peters was a great last year, hopefully they can bring back Eric Berry to compliment Peters.
San Diego Chargers (6-10): Hate to do this to Philip Rivers, but I don’t see San Diego improving much in 2016. They will probably lose Eric Weddle to free agency, and Malcom Floyd will be retired. Not much to look forward to look forward to with the Chargers, except a potential relocation, of course.
AFC PLAYOFF TEAMS:
#1 seed: Steelers
#2 seed: Patriots
#3 seed: Colts
#4 seed: Broncos
#5 seed: Bengals
#6 seed: Raiders
Stay tuned for my NFC predictions next week!
