10 thoughts on the NFL Schedule Release
We are one week away from the NFL draft. Before we can get there, the NFL released it's schedule tonight and boy, does it look quite good from a first glance. As a glorified Panthers Homer I won't put my specific thoughts on them but here are my 10 thoughts at first glance of the 2017 NFL schedule.
1. Dallas has a brutal month of December and last quarter of the season. At the Giants, at the Raiders, home to Seattle, and then at Philadelphia to end the season. Cowboys fans better hope that they have a playoff position just about locked up by then because they could easily go 1-3 and miss out on the post-season.
2. The Tennessee Titans are going to win the AFC south. This speaks to how poorly I believe in the rest of the division compared to anything else. As of right now Marcus Mariota is the best QB in this division, outside of the first 3 games the schedule is extremely favorable. The last 6 games include the Colts, Texans, Cardinals, 49ers, Rams, and the Jaguars. All winnable.
3. The Seattle Seahawks have the easiest schedule in the league. They start with Green Bay week 1, and after that it's a cake walk until they play the Falcons at home on Monday Night ( more than 2 months after the season starts). If they aren't a top 2 seed in the NFC this year there is something seriously wrong.
4. The AFC West is going to be a beast AGAIN! The toughest division in football is going to be that once again. The Chiefs, Broncos, and Raiders are all going to beat the living hell out of each other... Poor Denver has one of the toughest schedules this year, the Raiders/Pats game in Mexico City is as exciting as it gets, but can anyone say a prayer now for the Los Angeles Chargers?
5. The NFC south will be decided in week 17. This division always ebbs and flows through the whole season, The Bucs are going to be alot better, the Falcons were in the Superbowl last year and should be strong again, the Panthers should rebound from 6-10 depending on Cam Newton's health, and the Saints are always a threat with Drew Brees at the helm. It would not shock me to see a three way tie for first when we hit divisional games in weeks 16 and 17.
6. The Bears, Niners, Browns and Chargers will hold the top 4 picks in next years draft. Between the lack of talent on their rosters, and the divisions they play along with the inter-conference match ups should we expect anything different?
7. Green Bay is going to win 12 games. They start with Seattle at home, and if they can win 3 of the first 4 games the rest of the schedule is manageable, that and the NFC North is really a one horse race. Minnesota will be lucky to go 8-8, The Lions might make the wild card and 9-7 is about as good as you could hope, and as you saw above the Bears are going to be bad....
8. New England is going to win the AFC East... Again. Do I really need to explain why?
9. Expect improvements from the Cardinals. The NFC west crosses over and plays against the AFC south this year, that alone should help the Cardinals with 3 wins, that combined with how bad San Fran will be, a game against the Colts, the dysfunctional Redskins, and a short week game against the hated Seahawks at home should see the Cardinals improve their win total in 2017.
10. Ben Mcadoo will be fired after the Giants fail to make the playoffs in 2017. . After an early playoff exit last year followed with a missed playoff appearance this year will cause panic in Giants land as the front office will scramble to try and make this team a super bowl contender before Eli decides to hang them up. This team will travel the most of any team in the NFL this year and has the 8th hardest schedule in the league, after spending a bunch of money last year on the defense it's time to put up or shut up.
