AFC East: New England Patriots
This pick cannot be any more clear. Quarterback Tom Brady adds more weapons to his repertoire this season like Rob Gronkowski, Danny Amendola, and Shane Vereen. All three of these players missed a significant chunk of the season last year. The defense looks similar to the 04-05 Super Bowl Pats teams. Vince Wilfork is back and ready to clog holes with a rejuvenated linebacking crew featuring the return of Jerod Mayo. We can't forget Bill Belichick's most shiny toy of them all, Darrelle Revis. This division is too much of a cakewalk with the Jets, Dolphins, and Bills.
Projection: 12-4
AFC North: Cincinnati Bengals
Andy Dalton just earned himself a substantial paycheck in the offseason. As long as Dalton has a healthy Marvin Jones and A.J. Green (caught total 21 TDs total) combination, this team should be able to survive this division. Throw in the speedy running back Giovanni Bernard and this is a complete offensive threat. The defense brings back defensive lineman Robert Geathers and Geno Atkins who both missed the second half of the season. The cornerbacks look deeper than ever with Terrance Newman, Leon Hall, Adam "Pacman" Jones, and rookie Darqueze Dennard which Head Coach Marvin Lewis called, "the best corner I've seen." A tough road schedule has the Bengals visiting Indianapolis, New England, and New Orleans.
Projection: 9-7
AFC South: Indianapolis Colts
This division seems like a lock for the Colts. When a team faces Jake Locker, Ryan Fitzpatrick, and Chad Henne a total six times in a year, it's going to be a nice season. I'm expecting Andrew Luck to have a breakout season, especially after the acquisition of Hakeem Nicks and the return of Reggie Wayne. The defense added D'Qwell Jackson from Cleveland to the linebacker mix and Arthur Jones from Baltimore to the defensive line. Both can help fix the 26th ranked rushing defense from last season.
Projection: 11-5
AFC West: Denver Broncos
Peyton Manning is ready for payback against Seattle in February. He lost Eric Decker to the Jets, but added Emmanuel Sanders. Lost Knowshon Moreno to Miami, but has Montee Ball now. Then throw in Demaryius Thomas, Julius Thomas, suspended Wes Welker and you have yourself a day Mr. Manning. Peyton will no longer have to get into shootouts like last season. The defense added linebacker DeMarcus Ware from Dallas to go along with Von Miller, which will be a nightmare for opposing running backs. Arguably the best cornerback in the league Aqib Talib and hard-hitting saftey T.J. Ward were both added for secondary purposes.
Projection: 13-3
AFC Wild Card: San Diego Chargers
Phillip Rivers is another quarterback with many tools to work with. Chargers have a three-headed monster in the backfield consisting of Danny Woodhead, Ryan Matthews, and Donald Brown. Then throw in the tight end tandem of Ladarius Green and Antonio Gates. If Dwight Freeney is healthy and the Brandon Flowers addition succeeds, this team can compete for an AFC West title.
Projection: 10-6
AFC Wild Card: Pittsburgh Steelers
Big Ben will return to old form this season. The Emmanuel Sanders loss at wide receiver hurt a little, but Antonio Brown, Darius Heyward-Bey, and Lance Moore should be enough for Ben. Le'Veon Bell and LeGarrette Blount are an underrated running back core as well. The defense did lose some valuable pieces in the past. Lawrence Timmons should be able to anchor the linebackers along with rookie Ryan Shazier.
Projection: 9-7
NFC East: New York Giants
Yes, you read that correctly. No, you are not suffering from visual impairment. The Giants, Redskins, Eagles, and Cowboys all have strong offenses and we know that. Furthermore, Giants have the best defense out of the four, which will allow them to win by default. Eli Manning struggled with the new West Coast offense in the preseason, however he should be able to put it all together for the regular season. The secondary is what stood out for me on defense. Cornerback Walter Thurmond III of the champion Seahawks and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie from the runner-up Broncos were both added to strengthen the Giants' secondary. If Jason Pierre-Paul can be the 2011 JPP where he had 16.5 sacks, this defense can be a threat again.
Projection: 9-7
NFC North: Green Bay Packers
The Packers won the division last season with Seneca Wallace and Scott Tolzien performing as quarterbacks. Notice how I said, "performing as quarterbacks" because both looked like a carcass on the field. Aaron Rodgers is back with a healthy collarbone and ready to sling it to Jordy Nelson and a healthy Randall Cobb. Eddie Lacy is ready to be a top tier running back this season. The defense is where it becomes a tad questionable. They did add Julius Peppers who I'm not overly confident in anymore.
Projection: 11-5
NFC South: New Orleans Saints
Another year indoors at the Superdome means another 8-0 home record for the Saints. The Panthers lost too many key pieces, the Falcons are a mess, the Bucs are still recovering, that sums up the rest of the NFC South division. The Saints did lose the explosive Darren Sproles in a trade to Philadelphia, but that should not effect them too much since they added rookie speed demon Brandin Cooks. The offense averaged a deadly 25.8 points per game last season, which shouldn't change this year. Longtime maniac Rob Ryan still runs the defensive side of the ball. Jarius Byrd was a big addition to the secondary from the Bills.
Projection: 13-3
NFC West: Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks play in the hardest division in football and definitely have a target on their back from last season. I can't see the offense being as dominant as they were last year, but I can a stout defense coming back again. The defense gave up more than 20 points in a game only 3 times last season and gave up an average 13.3 points per game in the postseason. Plus, when you play in front of that ear-piercing 12th Man they'll guarantee victories at home for Seattle.
Projection: 10-6
NFC Wild Card: Chicago Bears
The Monsters of the Midway should have a monster year. Opposing corners have to match up against Alshon Jeffery and Brandon Marshall and worry about Matt Forte in the back. The defense lost Julius Peppers and grabbed pro bowler Jared Allen. The Bears are dangerous at all positions this year.
Projection: 10-6
NFC Wild Card: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers had a big offseason to steer their team back to the playoffs. Love Smith was assigned as the new Head Coach, which I love. Josh McCown tore it up for Chicago last season and now joins Tampa. He has three 6'5 targets to throw to: Mike Evans, Vincent Jackson, Austin Seferian-Jenkins (man would they make a mean basketball team). Doug Martin should be back to old "muscle hamster" form. The defense looks nasty under Lovie Smith. Alterraun Verner came over from the Titans and Mike Jenkins from Oakland at corner. Throw in Mark Barron, Major Wright, and Dashon Goldson at safety and you got yourself a secondary.
Projection: 9-7
Both quarterbacks Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers will carry their teams to the Super Bowl. Tom Brady will get through Andrew Luck and the Colts and Peyton Manning and the Broncos in the AFC. Aaron Rodgers will be healthy and take down New Orleans in the Superdome to lead Green Bay to the Super Bowl.
