NFL 2016 Discussion/Predictions

Prepare for a long thread. I want to be an NFL Writer when I'm older, so I tend to ramble on this type of thing : p

Aye, JWD here. Another sports thread that nobody will probably care about... *cough* Anyways, this is my thread for the upcoming NFL season. With the preseason starting tonight, I thought this would be as good as time as any to make this, so lets get started with the AFC

AFC Playoff Teams

#1: Pittsburgh Steelers - If they stay healthy, the Steelers will have the best offense in the NFL this year. The three-headed monster of Big Ben, Antonio Brown, and Leveon Bell will shred opposing defenses. Even though Bell is suspended for the first four games (again...), DeAngelo Williams still has gas left in the tank. He'll be a fine fill-in. As for the defense, there's concerns. James Harrison and Lawrence Timmons are both getting older. The secondary is still subpar. Even so, the Steelers will likely get 11-13 wins this season

#2: New England Patriots - With Tom Brady (Finally) giving up on Deflategate, he'll miss the first four games of the season. I'm not that high on Jimmy Garopollo. He might get a win against the Dolphins or Bills, but I see him losing to the Cardinals and Texans, 100%. 1-3 or 0-4 for him. But when Tom Brady gets back, he'll be hungry. The biggest concern with the Patriots is their offensive line, which showed signs of age last season. As much as I hate the Patriots, I still think they'll grab 10-12 wins this season

#3: Houston Texans - I'm very high on the Texans this year. With the additions of Lamar Miller, who was severely underused in Miami, Brock Osweiler, overpaid, yet still capable, and Braxton Miller, an athletic freak, along with current superstars such as Deandre Hopkins and JJ Watt. Don't forget about former #1 pick Jadaveon Clowney either. There are concerns with the Texans, but I think they'll surprise everyone with a 10-11 win season.

#4: Denver Broncos - Even with a terrible QB situation, the defending Super Bowl champs will return to the playoffs. I see Paxton Lynch taking over the starting QB job as a rookie, and doing solid, but not great. The defense is what will carry this team. Von Miller, Demarcus Ware, Aqib Talib, TJ Ward, Chris Harris, Brandon Marshall, and more, this defense is amazing from top to bottom. With other stars on offense such as Demaryius Thomas, the Broncos will sneak their way into the playoffs this season, with 9-10 wins.

Wild Card teams

#5: Cincinnati Bengals - Any other division, and the Bengals would be the division winner. But they belong in the AFC North, so they'll settle for a Wild Card spot. The whole team is solid, and they're aren't any glaring weaknesses. Except for temper. The Bengals need to stop throwing away games by losing their temper and committing stupid penalties. If they can keep their cool, they'll win 10-12 games this season.

#6: Indianapolis Colts - The Colts are on here for one reason and one reason only. Andrew Luck. Imagine if he had a good defense, and good offensive line to rely on. The guy would be unstoppable. But outside of Frank Gore, TY Hilton, Donte Moncrief, and Vontae Davis, there's not much there. The offensive line is terrible. The defense is bad for the most part. Even so, Andrew Luck will be able to carry this team to a 8-9 win season and barely sneak into the playoffs.

Other AFC teams to watch- Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Cheifs, Oakland Raiders

And now, for the NFC Playoff Teams

#1: Arizona Cardinals - The Cardinals offense is amazing, that's the only way I can put it. With Carson Palmer, David Johson, Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd, John Brown, and a solid o-line, this Cardinals offense could put up 35 points a game this year. But the offense isn't the only thing impressive about this team. Patrick Peterson and Tyrann Mathieu are two of the best defenders in the NFL. Along with Calais Campbell anchoring the d-line, the Cardinals defense is solid as well. I see this team winning 12-14 games this season.

#2: Carolina Panthers - With Kelvin Benjamin back, the Panther offense should be even better than it was last year. As much as I hate to admit it, Cam Newton is the best Quarterback in the NFL. Combine that with a superstar-studded defense that includes Luke Kuechly, Thomas Davis, and Charles Johnson, the Panthers will have a similar season to last year. The only glaring weakness is the secondary. With Josh Norman gone, the Panthers have few options at corner. The passing defense could be the Panthers downfall this season.
Still, the offense will carry them to a 12-13 win season.

#3: Green Bay Packers - I'd love to rank the Packers higher. But with all the talent in the NFC, I can't. With Jordy Nelson back, the offense will be better than ever. Hopefully Davante Adams and Randall Cobb step up after disappointing seasons last year. Eddie Lacy should be better, after losing weight. The defense is average, with Clay Matthews as the anchor. I haven't even mentioned Aaron Rodgers yet. By far, the best passer in the NFL. I know I said Cam Newton is the best QB, but Rodgers is the best passer. Overall, this Packers team is very good. They'll win a solid 11-13 games this year.

#4: Dallas Cowboys - I honestly don't know why everyone thinks the Cowboys suck. Tony Romo is a good QB, like it or not. Ezekiel Elliot hasn't even played a snap yet and everyone thinks he's the best running back in the NFL, which is absurd, but he'll do very good this year. With Dez Bryant back as well, and a tremendous o-line, the Cowboys offense will be deadly. The defense however, has its concerns. They lack a star player. Sean Lee is amazing, if he plays, and that's a big if. Outside of him, there's not much. The offense will have to do most of the work, carrying the Cowboys to a 9-11 win season.

NFC Wild Card teams

#5: Minnesota Vikings - Whats not to like about the Vikings? They have the NFL's best running back in Adrian Peterson, a lot of nice pieces on defense like Anthony Barr, and an up-and-coming Quarterback in Teddy Bridgewater, and a great coach in Mike Zimmer. Bridgewater needs to be more consistent though, and take on a bigger role. AP won't last forever. The Vikes will have another solid season, and hopefully the place-holder won't leave the laces out if Blair Walsh has to kick a game-winning field goal this season. I see 10-11 wins for them this season.

#6: Seattle Seahawks - I'm gonna miss Marshawn Lynch. The guy was so fun to watch. Regardless, Thomas Rawls will be a nice replacement. He did very well last season until he went down with an injury (It was the week I added him to my fantasy team. My luck in a nutshell). The defense is still great, with the Legion of Boom, Michael Bennett, Bobby Wagner, and others. Russel Wilson is still improving, and gradually becoming one of the NFL's best QB's, if he isn't already. The offensive line has concerns though. Wilson was sacked a lot last season, and it'll be tough for him to make plays if he's constantly on his back. The Hawks will win a solid 9-11 games this season.

Other NFC teams to watch- New York Giants, Washington Redskins, Atlanta Falcons

Award predictions

MVP: Antonio Brown
OPOY: Antonio Brown
DPOY: JJ Watt.. again...
OROY: Ezekiel Elliot
DROY: It would be Joey Bosa, but he won't suck it up with his contract, so Deforest Buckner
Comeback Player: Cameron Wake
Coach: Bruce Arians

PLAYOFFS

AFC Wild Card

#5 Bengals def. #4 Broncos 20-13
#3 Texans def. #6 Colts 30-21

NFC Wild Card

#4 Cowboys def. #5 Vikings 24-20
#3 Packers def. #6 Seahawks 27-26

AFC Divisional Round

#1 Steelers def. #5 Bengals 31-17
#2 Patriots def. #3 Texans 38-27

NFC Divisional Round

#1 Cardinals def. #4 Cowboys 35-24
#3 Packers def. #2 Panthers 48-42

AFC Championship

#1 Steelers def. #2 Patriots 31-28

NFC Championship

#1 Cardinals def. #3 Packers 28-24

SUPER BOWL LI

Cardinals def. Steelers 31-30

Thanks for reading this thread, feel free to discuss and leave your predictions down below, have a good day c:

 

Wow! That was a lot. I don't know much about football but this thread gave me some inside! Nice job!

 

I really don't see the visual appeal

 

Texans gonna have a solid year this year so long as they are able to ulitize the weapons they obtained this off season, nice prediction but I think its gonna be Cardinals vs Texans this year ;)

 

I'm not feeling the steelers in the Super Bowl thing. They didn't do great last year. Hard to bounce straight in. Antonio Brown and Big Ben can't do it all tbh. I'm a patriots fan, and I agree with your things on them (no I'm not a bandwagon, I grew up in New England and learned to love them) and I think Garrapolo should beat the Bills. The Dolphins always give us trouble though, even with Brady.


The colts may make it in, but honestly they won't do anything. They never use gore, Andrew luck might be a beast but he can't do it all without some linemen.

I might say more later but I'm not feeling it right now xD

 

I'm actually a Dolphins fan myself, and I'm surprised at what you said, 'They always give us trouble'. It really depends where they are playing. The Pats have owned New England in the Brady era, but the Pats haven't won in Miami since 2012. I think the Dolphins have a legitimate chance to sweep New England this year, with Brady being gone for the home game. I know it's a long shot, but hey, I can dream.

 

Tony Romo? Also Cardinals are going to win the super bowl because Honey Badger is back Baby! And Larry Fitzgerald Got a 15k Contract for a year. and With Palmer and Divine all ok Its going to be Arizona's Time in Houston!

Also Your Prediction is Cardinals vs Steelers? I agree on Cardinals But steelers maybe I would say Either The Giants. But I want it to be Texans Vs Cardinals.