2017 NFL Division Winners and Bold Predictions

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY SportsTroy Taormina-USA TODAY SportsTroy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

AFC EAST - Same old, same old in the East

1) New England Patriots - QB Tom Brady turned 40 during the offseason and beleives he can play until he's 50-years old. Maybe he can, but even if he plays like he did in the Super Bowl or starts to show signs of his age, the Patriots should have no issues coming out on top of the division.

2) Miami Dolphins - The 'phins don't skip much of a beat with QB Jay Cutler under center and continue to build off the back of sophomore head coach Adam Gase. In a weak division Miami finishes second easily and is a borderline playoff contender with RB Jay Ajayi.

3) Buffalo Bills - The Bills Mafia takes on a new identity under head coach Sean Mcdermott. There's simply nothing exciting to look forward too about this team and I don't see any 'Boom' potential anywhere. The Bills finish third simply because of the tanking J-E-T-S JET! JETS! JETS!

4) New York Jets - BOLD PREDICTION: The Jets are so bad they don't win a single game, going 0-16. I can't remember an offense with less talent on it than this Jets team. The tank works and we can safely put the New York Jets on the clock for the 2018 NFL Draft. Hey, at least they drafted SS Jamaal Adams!

Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Aaron Doster-USA TODAY SportsAaron Doster-USA TODAY SportsAaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

AFC North - A down year in the North

1) Cincinnati Bengals - Despite a lack of red zone efficiency in the preseason, QB Andy Dalton has some shiny new toys to play with on offense. The run game opens back up with rookie RB Joe in the Mix-on, and the 2015 Andy Dalton returns to form before he went down with a season ending injury. Look for the Bengals to capitalize on a down year from the Steelers and win the division. Unfortunately for Bengals fans, head coach Marvin Lewis signs a 20-year contract extension with an option till death.

2) Pittsburgh Steelers - The Killer Bee's are due for a down year. Is Big Ben's heart in football after a near-retirement during the offseason? Can Big Ben play an entire 16 games? Is RB Le'Veon Bell in football shape, or an injury concern after a preseason holdout? Can WR Martavis Bryant pickup where he left off after a one-year suspension? This isn't exactly the 'Steele Curtain' defense either. Too many concerns for me, something's bound to go wrong.

3) Baltimore Ravens - We all know by now that QB Joe Flacco is elite, but is he really healthy? I like the addition of WR Jeremy Maclin but Baltimore lacks a run game and will continue to have a hard time moving the ball. Due to a lack of fire power and weak rushing attack, I don't see them overtaking the Bengals or Steelers. John Harbaugh is one of the first coaches signed by a new team after Black Monday. Is Joe Flacco elite?

4) Cleveland Browns - The addition of DE Myles Garrett will certainly help the Browns' newly-bolstered defense but they still have a long way to go in this division to make any significant progress. Look for the Browns to finish with a respectable losing record as they're finally heading in the right direction and making smart offseason decisions.

Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY SportsChristopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY SportsChristopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

AFC South - A division that will ultimately come down to quarterback play

1) Tennessee Titans - Everyone's favorite young team is back and improved. The run-heavy offense becomes more balanced as head coach Mike Mularkey takes the training wheels off QB Marcus Mariota to unleash hell through the air. Severely underrated WR Eric Decker and rookie WR Corey Davis are a deadly one-two punch and Tennessee's offense becomes an absolute juggernaut and nightmare for defensive coordinators.

3) Houston Texans - Unless rookie QB Deshaun Watson takes over and carries his college-mojo into the NFL, I don't see the Texans being much of a force. Yes, they had the number one defense in the league last year, but how good can they be if they're constantly on the field. If QB Tom Savage and the Texans' offense is anything like that horrid 12-10 game against the Bengals last season, there's not much hope. Keep your fingers crossed for the former Heisman-winning quarterback.

3) Jacksonville Jaguars - QB Blake Bortle just had to go throw a wrench into the Jags' plans. The pieces are in place for Jacksonville to succeed, they just need a driver. I like the players former head coach Gus Bradley brought in, now let's see if new head coach Doug Marrone and Tom Coughlin can get these guys to play. Look for the Jags to pound the rock with rookie Leonard Fournette and limit Bortles' pass attempts. Jalen Ramsey solidifies himself as a premier cornerback in this league and the Jaguars defense becomes the strength of the team in true Tom Coughlin fashion.

4) Indianapolis Colts - BOLD PREDICTION: Andrew Luck's shoulder issue is a lot worse than the organization is leading on. Once/if some knucklehead gives him clearance to play, the quarterback re-aggravates his damaged shoulder and sits the ENTIRE 2017 NFL season. Scott Tolzien and the poorly-run Colts organization gets the second overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Chuck Pagano seems like a nice guy but he's overstayed is welcome for far too long. The Colts begin their search for a new head coach, when in reality they need a new owner.

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Denny Medley-USA TODAY SportsDenny Medley-USA TODAY SportsDenny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

AFC West - A shootout in the Wild Wild West

1) Kansas City Chiefs - Everyone wants to talk about the Raiders but you should never bet against Andy Reid. Head coach Reid is one of the most consistent head coaches in the game. He made a bold move in the 2017 NFL Draft to go up and get Texas Tech QB Patrick Mahomes. Don't be surprised (even if they say otherwise) if dink-and-dunk Alex Smith is on short leash. It could be a 49ers/Colin Kaepernick deja vu moment all over again for the quarterback. Look for Mahomes to be inserted at some point during the season and open up this offense to it's full potential, making it much more dynamic. We already know what this defense is capable of, and with game changers like Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce on the offensive side, I like their chances to win the West.

2) Oakland Raiders - The Raiders are everyone's favorite to challenge the New England Patriots for the AFC title. While I agree that the Las Vegas Raiders are extremely talented, I'm not so sure last year's magical season will carry over. Look for Las Vegas to get shredded through the air week in, and week out. On offense, RB Marshawn Lynch becomes an afterthought since QB Derek Carr is putting up MVP-type numbers to keep his team in games. I believe in Derek Carr and believe he is on his way to becoming the next top-tier quarterback in this league (Aaron Rodgers-esque). The battle for the division comes down to the wire again, but Andy Reid sends Las Vegas to the playoffs as a wild-card team again.

4) Denver Broncos - General Manager John Elway and the Denver Broncos are too smart and savvy to finish last in this extremely competitive division. And, the hiring of new head coach Vance Joseph seems like a smart move and great fit. Joseph, a defensive-minded coach, who's last three jobs where with Dolphins, Bengals, and Texans fits the bill. Look for the coach to keep this stout-Denver defense playing at the elite level it was made to be. Former San Diego Chargers head coach Mike McCoy returns to the Broncos as the new offensive coordinator. Look for the offensive to improve under McCoy, but ultimately poor quarterback play will be their Achilles heel. I wouldn't count Denver out of the playoffs necessarily. It's possible both wild-card teams could emerge from the West.

4) Los Angeles Chargers - Poor, poor Charger fans. Not only was their team relocated to L.A. after 55 years in San Diego, but now ticket and parking prices are higher than ever at the tiny Stub Hub Center. But hey, at least the Chargers are coming into this season relatively healthy, minus their first round pick Mike Williams. What a disaster! Even with the black cloud surrounding the Chargers, I still think they can be a highly competitive team, just not good enough to compete in this division. The hiring of head coach Anthony Lynn is still a bit of a head-scratcher for me. He's an offensive-minded coach who's last three jobs were with the Bills, Jets and Browns. Not exactly the best track record. DE Joey Bosa and CB Jason Verrette are two of my favorite defensive players but it won't be enough to win in the West. Look for WR Keenan Allen to finally stay healthy and put up elite numbers with QB Philip Rivers.

Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY SportsMatthew Emmons-USA TODAY SportsMatthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

NFC East - No Zeke, no problem

1) Dallas Cowboys - Even with RB Ezekiel Elliott suspended for 6 games, Dallas will still be a force on offense. This offensive line is still too dominate and will give QB Dak Prescott a clean pocket to work with. Even if the Cowboys lose three games without their star RB, they get a fresh Zeke back just in time for the harder part of their schedule. While I don't think Dak keeps his impressive 104.9 QBR, look for him to continue to wow and impress the naysayers. How 'bout them Cowyboys?

2) Washington Redskins - Don't sleep on Captain Kirk and the Washington Redskins. I believe the 'Skins have the most complete roster in the NFC East and just may shock a few of the naysayers. Just because they lost WR's DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garçon, doesn't mean they're chop liver. The verdict's still out on newly acquired WR Terrelle Pryor, but the rest of the WR group, along with a healthy TE Jordan Reed should get the job done. Kirk Cousins has quietly put together two very good back-to-back seasons with Washington, and is primed to show us his best stuff. Washington got a steal in the draft by adding former Alabama DE Jonathan Allen to an already pretty good defense. Look for Captain Kirk to put on a show and (hopefully) stick it to Redskins after he signs a multi-year deal with another team that will actually respect him.

3) Philadelphia Eagles - The coach. The front office. I know it. You know it. I beat it like a dead horse. Although a bit harsh, I agree 100% with Mike Lombardi's stance on head coach Doug Pederson. It's just something you know in your gut, and the Eagles are wasting valuable time in the development of QB Carson Wentz. Something about this team feels like it was put together with Elmer's Glue and Scotch tape, and in the past that hasn't worked out too well for the birds. Unless Wentz plays at an elite level, look for the Eagles to finish as nothing more than an 8-8 team.

4) New York Giants - The Giants play four teams coming off a bye this season. Of those teams, three of them are consecutive. Up first are the Broncos in Denver, followed by the Seahawks, and Rams. The last team coming off their bye is the Kansas City Chiefs! Unfortunately, each of these teams have outstanding defenses. With this brutal schedule, poor offensive line, QB Eli Manning in decline, a hobbled WR Odell Beckham, and virtually no run game; look for the G-Men to quit after being punched in the mouth, and finishing last in the division.

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY SportsRon Chenoy-USA TODAY SportsRon Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

NFC North - There's only one true King in the North

1) Green Bay Packers - QB Aaron Rodgers is easily the most talented quarterback in the league, it's not a debate. As long as A-Rod is in town, the Cheese Heads will continue to dominate the North. Everyone wants to talk about the Cowboys' offensive line, but Green Bay has to have the best pass-blocking line in the game. Look for the Packers to arise with the best record in the NFC and possibly make a Super Bowl appearance.

2) Minnesota Vikings - The Vikings came out with a bang last season, starting with an impressive 5-0 record. The defense was dominate and many experts were sending them off to the Super Bowl. Unfortunately, things took a drastic turn when teams realized their offense was limited with check-down QB Sam Bradford and virtually no run game. With no first round draft pick, the Vikings went up in the second round to get their rookie running back they so drastically needed. Look for head coach Mike Zimmer to run RB Dalvin Cook into the ground, which should open up this offense a bit more. If Sammy Sleeves and this dominate defense can stay healthy, look for the Vikings to make a late playoff push.

3) Detroit Lions - Not too much has changed for these roaring Lions since last season, except QB Matt Stafford's paychecks. The Lions went out and made Stafford the highest paid quarterback in NFL history and I have no problem with it. Since the arrive of offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter (hehe), Stafford has put up two of his best seasons since his rookie year. With a vanilla head coach in Jim Caldwell, look for much of the same from last year's Lions, with a better rushing attack if RB Ameer Abdullah can stay healthy.

4) Chicago Bears - Speaking of vanilla coaches, John Fox enters his third year as Chicago's head coach. Say what you will about Fox, but he's always been a relativity good coach with a 128-112 overall record, who tends to get the most out of his RBs. Defensively, the Bears are a mess, but look for Chicago to be a fun team to watch on offense once the rookie QB Mitch Trubisky from UNC takes over. We all scoffed at the Bears for trading up to nab Trubisky, but looked to me like he belonged after a couple preseason games, and the Bears just may have the last laugh. Da Bears! Da Bears! Da Bears!

Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY SportsChristopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY SportsChristopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

NFC South - Superman Returns

1) Carolina Panthers - The Panthers were punched in the mouth on Kickoff last season by the reigning Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos and the mood all changed. QB Cam Newton took one hell of a beating and it was all down hill from there. The smiles were gone, the dancing was gone, and the swagger of this team evaporated. With the Super Bowl hangover behind them, Look for a slimmer Cam Newton to return at an elite level, and the Panthers to be as fierce as they were in the 2015 season. Panthers pound on the South.

2) Atlanta Falcons - Speaking of Super Bowl hangovers... Steve Sarkisian, the former college offensive coordinator at Alabama was hired to fill the loss of former OC Kyle Shannahan. If there's one thing I know about the Crimson Tide's offense, it's not very pass happy. While that's great news for RB's Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman, I wouldn't bank on this offense being the juggernaut they were a season ago. Look for QB Matty Ice to return to his normal high-80's/ low-90's QBR. The reason the Dirty Birds don't fall any further than second in the South is because of their young and ferocious defense. Head coach Dan Quinn is trying his best to replicate that Seattle defense he once had and he's doing a pretty good job. #KeanuNeal

3) Tampa Bay Buccaneers - The Bucco's are the sparkly fun team everyone has taking their game to the next level. They're young and exploding at the seems with potential. It seems like there's one of these teams each year, and it never pans out the way it should have. This is that team. On paper this team should do well, but I'm going to drop the anchor before this ship goes shipwrecked. Tampa sadly has one of the worse offensive lines in football, which will leave QB Jameis Winston running for his life again. That doesn't bode well for a quarterback that threw 18 interceptions last season. I admire Winston's 'rah-rah' personality, but if the Buccs don't win, the locker room may get tired of that real quick. Look for the Buccs defense to continue to be a force as second-year CB Vernon Hargreaves begins to blossom into a top-tier CB.

4) New Orleans Saints - Who Dat?! I don't know you tell me. It seems like the Saints have been stuck in neutral since their Super Bowl win, when Brett Favre was still playing football! I'm not sure what the signing of RB Adrian Peterson means anything (probably nothing) and this defense is still going to be sliced up FedEx Air & Ground style. Look for QB Drew Brees to put up his usual elite numbers and Who Dat Nation to find themselves in the cellar of the South once again.

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY SportsKirby Lee-USA TODAY SportsKirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

NFC West - The tides begin to shift power

1) Seattle Seahawks - In the 2016 NFC Playoffs, Atlanta Falcons QB Matt Ryan made the Legion of Boom, look like the Legion of Gloom. Something gives me the feeling that this Seahawk's defense won't be as dominate as it has been in the past. CB Richard Sherman and SS Kam Chancellor, although still playing at an elite level, are almost 30-years old. Is Earl Thomas really still hungry after a near-retirement? So what keeps the Seahawks in first place? The Russell Wilson factor. Russell Wilson is a straight baller and proven winner. Even with a terrible offensive line last season, this guy is always able to turn something out of nothing. As long as Russ is playing quarterback, the Seahawks have a shot.

2) Arizona Cardinals - The Desert Bird's window of opportunity is closing and closing fast. And, it's a shame because head coach Bruce Arians is one of my favorite coaches in the NFL. I saw this coming last year as the team finished with a 7-8-1 record, and I don't see much changing this season. QB Carson Palmer is clearly in decline, so look for the Red Birds to feed their horse, RB David Johnson all day. With injury concerns at WR and an aging Larry Fitzgerald, I fear Johnson may get the 'Todd Gurley' treatment. Might not matter, but the Cards finish second due to a weak, but rising division.

3) San Francisco 49ers - I absolutely love what the 49ers did during the offseason. Bringing in John Lynch as their new GM and elite offensive coordinator Kyle Shannahan as their new head coach. A perfect storm of high-end offense and defense teaming up. Shannahan was left with the scraps from another Chip Kelly-wrecked team, but he's made due through free agency and the Draft. The Niners were able to score two defensive college stars in DE Solomon Thomas and LB Reuben Foster. I expect this defense to shock the casual NFL fan and make a statement within their division. Look for journeyman QB Brian Hoyer to move the ball under Shannahan's scheme and lead the Niners to a respectable 7-9 record, as Shannahan begins to turn the tables on the West.

4) Los Angeles Rams - Goff or Wentz? We may finally find out the answer to this question! I really like the hiring of head coach Sean McVay. Now that one of the most overrated coaches in Jeff Fisher is out of Los Angeles, we might finally get to see what QB Jared Goff is capable of. The eye test tells me not much, as he kind of reminds of Sam Bradford when I watch him play. But, McVay spent his last two season in Washington grooming QB Kirk Cousins into what he is today. Is it possible that McVay can turn Goff into a 4,000-yard passer with a mid/high-90's QBR? Look for the defense to be just as stingy as they were a season ago, and McVay to open up the offense with a heavy does of a productive RB Todd Gurley. The Rams also finish 7-9 in West as they head in the right direction.