2017 NFL Predictions

Here are my predictions for the 2017 NFL season.

- AFC East
1. New England Patriots (14-2)
2. Miami Dolphins (7-9)
3. Buffalo Bills (5-11)
4. New York Jets (1-15)

As we all know, as long as Bill Belichick and Tom Brady are in Foxboro, the Patriots are the team to beat in this division and in the conference. Despite season ending injuries to wideout Julian Edelman and cornerback Cyrus Jones, the Pats will still be the best in the league. It doesn't matter who starts for running back because they always have a decent run game and offensive line. Brandin Cooks and Phillip Dorestt were key acquisitions now that Edelman is injured and you also have Danny Amendola to throw to and of course Rob Gronkowski coming back from injury. Sans the Jones injury, the secondary is still very good with Malcolm Butler, Stephon Gilmore, Patrick Chung, and Devin McCourty. Weak areas of the Pats defense are the defensive line and linebacking core and Rob Ninkovich will be sorely missed. The Dolphins lost Ryan Tannehill for the season with a torn ACL and now comes in Jay Cutler. To me, the Tannehill vs Cutler debate is a toss up. The offensive line improved last season as well as the running game with Jay Ajayi coming off a breakout season. Jarvis Landry, DeVante Parker, and Julius Thomas are good weapons for Cutler. The defensive line should be good with Cameron Wake, Ndamukong Suh, and rookie Charles Harris. The linebacking core isn't bad with guys like Kiko Alonso and Lawrence Timmons. The secondary is the weakest unit of the defense although they have Byron Maxwell. The Bills made a ton of changes this past offseason and have a new coach in Sean McDermott. Tyrod Taylor should be the starting quarterback despite possibly not playing week one due to concussion. Taylor has nice weapons around him with LeSean McCoy in the backfield and a revamped receiving core led by Jordan Matthews, who replaces Sammy Watkins, who was traded to the Rams last month. The defense should keep them in games with a defensive line headlined by Marcell Darius, Kyle Williams, and Shaq Lawson. The linebacking core is decent with Lorenzo Alexander leading the way. The secondary will be worse with Stephon Gilmore departing to the Patriots. The Jets clearly look like their tanking due to all the trades or releases they made of really good players and they'll miss those players and it's fitting that some players they have are injured too. Josh McCown will be their starting quarterback (at least to start the season) and they will run the football a ton with Matt Forte (who probably won't finish the season on the team) and Bilal Powell. All you need to know is that if Jermaine Kearse is your number one receiving target, you're not going anywhere. Despite the trade of Sheldon Richardson, the defensive line isn't bad with guys like Muhammad Wilkerson and Leonard Williams and neither is the linebacking core led by Darron Lee. The secondary might not be that terrible either with rookie Jamal Adams, Morris Claiborne, and Buster Skrine.

- AFC North
1. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5)
2. Baltimore Ravens (10-6) (Wild Card)
3. Cincinnati Bengals (8-8)
4. Cleveland Browns (5-11)

The Steelers are still the team to beat in this division. The dynamic offense is finally all together with Ben Rothlisberger handing it (or passing it) to Le'Veon Bell, and passing it to Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant. The offensive line play has always been solid too. The defense is pretty underrated in most aspects with Cameron Hayward leading the way on the defensive line, a very good linebacking core featuring James Harrison, Ryan Shazier, and Bud Dupree, and a decent secondary with Artie Burns and new acquisition Joe Haden. The Ravens will surprise some folks this season thanks to Joe Flacco coming back from injury in time with a nice receiving core of Mike Wallace and Jeremy Maclin and Danny Woodhead running the ball. The offensive line may not be that great, though. The defensive line should be a better with Brandon Williams returning to the team. The linebacking core should still be decent headlined by Terrell Suggs and CJ Mosley. The secondary is probably the weakest area of the defense although you got Jimmy Smith, Ladarius Webb, and new acquisition Brandon Carr. The Bengals are looking to bounce back from a disappointing 6-9-1 season from a season ago, but the schedule is difficult for them. The offense should be very good with a good offensive line protecting Andy Dalton, who will have a good running game with Jeremy Hill, Giovanni Bernard, and rookie Joe Mixon. The receiving core outside of AJ Green isn't great although rookie John Ross will have an impact and Tyler Eifert is a decent tight end. The defense should still be the teams strength with a great defensive line headlined by Geno Atkins, Carlos Dunlap, and Michael Johnson. The linebacking core gets a boost with rookie Carl Lawson joining Vontaze Burfict. The secondary should still be good with Adam Jones, Dre Kirkpatrick, and Darqueze Dennard. The Browns might be improved this season, but that should be remained to be seen. DeShone Kizer won the quarterback job out of camp and he has a decent offensive line protecting him. Isaiah Crowell will get most carries and Kenny Britt and Corey Coleman will be catching most passes. The defensive line should be better with the addition of number one overall pick Myles Garrett. The linebacking corps aren't in great shakes but a full season of Jamie Collins should help. Despite getting rid of Joe Haden, he secondary isn't that terrible with Jason McCourty, Calvin Pryor, and rookie Jabrill Peppers.

- AFC South
1. Houston Texans (10-6)
2. Tennessee Titans (9-7)
3. Indianapolis Colts (6-10)
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12)

The Texans are the team to beat in this division. Tom Savage may start week one, but DeShaun Watson will probably end up starting games for them later in the season. Lamar Miller is a decent running back and Alfred Blue isn't a bad reserve. DeAndre Hopkins, Jaelen Strong, and Will Fuller is a nice receiving core. The defense should be among the leagues best overall and the defensive line gets the return of JJ Watt from injury. The linebacking corps are decent too led by Jadeveon Clowney and Brian Cushing. The secondary isn't bad either with the likes of Kevin Johnson and Kareem Jackson. Expectations are high for the Titans this season after going 9-7 last season in large due to the development of Marcus Mariota. The running game should be great with DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry. The receiving core is revamped with Eric Decker and rookie Corey Davis and Delanie Walker is a decent tight end too. The defense should be better than it was a season ago. Free agent acquisition Sylvester Williams will help the defensive line. The linebacking core is very good with Brian Orakpo, Derrick Morgan, and Wesley Woodyard. The secondary will be improved with acquisition Logan Ryan and rookie Adoree Jackson. The injury of Andrew Luck will cost the Colts a few games as Scott Tolzien is likely gonna start the first few weeks. The running game will be heavily relied on in Luck's absence with Matt Jones and Frank Gore with an improved offensive line. The receiving core is weak outside of T.Y. Hilton. Jonathan Hankins improves the defensive line. The linebacking core isn't good outside of Barkevious Mingo. The secondary should be improved with Malik Hooker joining Vontae Davis. The Jaguars might be better, but the record may not show it. Blake Bortles is in a make or break season and the drafting of Leonard Fournette should help take pressure off of him. The receiving core is actually pretty good with Allen Robinson, Allen Hurns, Marquise Lee, and rookie Dede Westbrook. The defensive line should be better with Michael Bennett joining Dante Fowler and Malik Jackson. The linebacking corps should be better with Myles Jack fully healthy. The secondary should be better with Jalen Ramsey and acquisition Barry Church.

- AFC West
1. Oakland Raiders (11-5)
2. Denver Broncos (10-6) (Wild Card)
3. Kansas City Chiefs (9-7)
4. Los Angeles Chargers (9-7)

This is the leagues best division and all four of these teams are capable of making the playoffs and making a deep run in January. The Raiders are the clear favorite in this division and if Derek Carr didn't get injured at the end of last season, the Raiders would have probably made it further in the playoffs. Carr has a ton of talent around him with Marshawn Lynch to give carries to and Amare Cooper and Michael Crabtree to throw to. The defense needs improvement if they want to defeat the likes of the Pats and Steelers down the road. Defensive Player of the Year candidate Khalil Mack leads a decent defensive line. The linebacking core must improve although Bruce Irvin is a decent player. The secondary should be improve with rookie Gareon Conley coming along to join Karl Joseph and Reggie Nelson. The Broncos are looking to rebound from missing the postseason last season for the first time in a long time. Trevor Semian will start again and I wouldn't rule out Brock Osweiler starting eventually. The running game should be good with new acquisition Jamal Charles with CJ Anderson and Devontae Booker. The receiving corps are good with Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders leading the way. The defensive line lost a lot but still have Derek Wolfe and Jared Crick. The strength of this defense is the linebacking corps led by Von Miller and Brandon Marshall. The secondary is still good with Will Harris and Aqib Talib. The Chiefs have a very hard schedule and have had a strange offseason so that screams a step back for this team. Alex Smith is still the man behind center and Spencer Ware will be missed for the season with a PCL injury. CJ Spiller and Charchandrick West will get the carries. The receiving core saw turnover and now Smith will be throwing to guys like Tyreek Hill and Chris Conley and Travis Kelce is a very good tight end. The defensive line saw change too but it's still decent with guys like Allen Bailey and Chris Jones. The linebacking core is still strong with Justin Houston, Dee Ford, and Derrick Johnson leading the way. The secondary is very strong led by Marcus Peters and Eric Berry. The Chargers should be better with better health luck. Phillip Rivers is still a very good quarterback and he's gonna have a good running game with Melvin Gordon and a really good receiving core with Keenan Allen, rookie Mike Williams, and Antonio Gates is still a very good tight end. The defensive line should be good with Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram leading the way. The linebacking core is a weakness on this defense so someone has to emerge on this unit. The secondary should be good with Casey Hayward, Jason Verett, and rookie Desmond King.

- NFC East
1. New York Giants (11-5)
2. Dallas Cowboys (10-6) (Wild Card)
3. Philadelphia Eagles (7-9)
4. Washington Redskins (5-11)

The Giants are the most balanced team in division, which makes them the team to beat here. Eli Manning should have a better season than last season thanks to the additions of Brandon Marshall and rookie tight end Evan Ingram to pair up with Odell Beckham Jr. The running game should be better with Paul Perkins being the new lead back, but if the offensive line doesn't improve this team could be in trouble. The defense could be the best in the league with a dominant defensive line led by Jason Pierre-Paul, Olivier Vernon, and Damon Harrison. The linebacking core is better thanks to the improved play of Jonathan Casillas. The secondary is perhaps the leagues best led by Landon Collins, Dominique Rogers-Cromartie, Janoris Jenkins, and Eli Apple. The Cowboys may not be as good record wise as a year ago, but they should still be a threat in the NFC thanks to a dominate offensive line led by Travis Fredrick, Zach Martin, and Tyron Smith and a great running game sans a possible Ezekiel Elliott suspension. Dak Prescott looks to build on his strong rookie season and he has great weapons around him in Dez Bryant, Terrence Williams, Cole Beasley, and Jason Witten. The defense as a whole isn't great, but rookie Taco Charlton will help the defensive line, the linebacking core should be better with Jaylon Smith healthy to join Sean Lee, and the secondary saw some turnover but Byron Jones and Orlando Scnadrick are still around. The Eagles should be improved thanks to expected improvement from Carson Wentz. Wentz has a good offensive line protecting him and a solid running game led by Darren Sproles and Wendell Smallwood. The receiving core saw some turnover with Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith coming in to join Nelson Agholor, Brent Celek, and Zach Ertz. The defensive line is sneaky good with Brandon Graham, Fletcher Cox, and rookie Derek Barnett. The linebacking core isn't great, but Mychal Kendricks will have an impact on that unit. The secondary isn't great either but Malcolm Jenkins and new acquisition Ronald Darby will make in impact. The Redskins will be a better team than their record indicates, but a hard schedule will doom them. Despite playing on a franchise tag again, Kirk Cousins is a decent quarterback and has a solid offensive line protecting him and a solid running game led by Robert Kelley and rookie Samaje Perine. The receiving core is solid with Josh Docston and tight ends Vernon Davis and Jordan Reed. The defensive line should improve with rookie Jonathan Allen joining Terrell McLain. The same could be said about the linebacking core with rookie Ryan Anderson joining Ryan Kerrigan. The secondary isn't terrible either featuring Josh Norman and Kendall Fuller.

- NFC North
1. Green Bay Packers (12-4)
2. Minnesota Vikings (9-7)
3. Detroit Lions (6-10)
4. Chicago Bears (3-13)

As long as Aaron Rodgers resides in Green Bay, the Packers are the team to best in this division. The offensive line is good when healthy and Ty Montgomery converted to running back last season and was very good. The receiving core is great with Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Davante Adams, and tight ends Richard Rodgers and free agent acquisition Martellus Bennett. The defensive line should be better with rookie Montravius Adams joining Kenny Clark and Mike Daniels. Clay Matthews is still around and he'll lead the linebacking core. The secondary should be better too with rookie Kevin King joining Ha-Ha Clinton Dix and Morgan Brunett. The Vikings might actually have the best roster in the division, although Sam Bradford and Teddy Bridgewater aren't bad quarterbacks, they're no where as good as Rodgers. Bridgewater is expected to be back later this season, though. Despite the loss of Adrian Peterson, the running game should still be good with rookie Dalvin Cook, Latavius Murray and Jerick McKinnon. The receiving core is decent with Laquon Treadwell, Stefon Diggs, and tight end Kyle Rudolph. The defense as a whole is this teams strength with a defensive line led by Linval Joseph, a linebacking core led by Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks, and a great secondary led by Xavier Rhodes, Harrison Smith, and Terrance Williams. The Lions made the playoffs last season, but their poised for a step back this season. They just paid Matthew Stafford to become the highest paid player in league history and he has a solid running game with Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick, a solid receiving core with Marvin Jones, Golden Tate, and tight end Eric Ebron. The defensive line should be solid led by Ezekiel Anash, the linebacking core should be improved thanks to the drafting of Jarrad Davis, the secondary is the weak link of the defense, but Glover Quinn will have an impact. The Bears are clearly rebuilding, but Mitch Trubisky was really good in the preseason and he should start over Mike Glennon, who the Bears overpaid. The running game will be relied on a ton led by Jordan Howard. The receiving core isn't terrible with Markus Wheaton, Kendall Wright, and Kevin White, who will finally see the field thanks to so many injuries holding him back. The defense has a ton of building blocks such as defensive end Eddie Goldman, linebacker Leonard Floyd, and rookie safety Eddie Jackson, who would have been drafted higher had he not gotten injured last season.

- NFC South
1. Atlanta Falcons (11-5)
2. Carolina Panthers (10-6) (Wild Card)
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8)
4. New Orleans Saints (7-9)

The reigning NFC champion Falcons should be the favorites in this division thanks to an explosive offense led by Matt Ryan with Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu to throw to and Devonta Freeman to hand the ball off to. The defensive line should be better thanks to the acquisition of Dontari Poe and the drafting of Takkarist McKinley. The linebacking core should be good led by Deion Jones and and Vic Beasley. Despite the suspension of Jalen Collins for the first ten games of the season, the secondary is still decent with Desmond Turfant and Keanu Neal leading the way. The Panthers are poised to have a bounce back year after going 6-10 a season ago. Rookie Christian McCaffrey will put pressure off of Cam Newton and McCaffrey will mean so much to this team in terms of what he can do. McCaffrey will be heavily involved in the passing game as well as well as Kelvin Benjamin and Greg Olsen. The defensive line will be very good led by Vernon Butler, Charles Johnson, Kawann Short, Julius Peppers, and Star Lotulelei. Luke Kuechly leads a good linebacking core that also features Thomas Davis and Shaq Thompson. The secondary wasn't good last season and new acquisition Captain Munnerlyn should help. Many people expect the Buccaneers to have a breakthrough this season and I think it's a distinct possibility although there's a ton of competition in a good NFC. Jameis Winston should be better in his third pro season and the run game is decent when Doug Martin is at his best. The receiving core is better with the acquisition of DeSean Jackson to pair with Mike Evans and they got a steal with rookie tight end OJ Howard. The defensive line is decent with guys like Robert Ayers and Gerald McCoy. The linebacking core is also pretty decent with guys like Kwon Alexander and Lavonte David. The secondary should be better with new acquisition TJ Ward coming in to join Vernon Hargreaves and Chris Conte. The Saints have been mediocre the last few season and expect pretty much the same this season. Drew Brees is still a very good quarterback and he has Adrian Peterson now to hand the ball off to. Despite the trading of Brandin Cooks, the receiving core is still decent with Michael Thomas, Brandon Coleman, and tight end Coby Fleener. The defense has been the weakness of this team for the past few seasons and they did make some acquisitions to try to improve it. The defensive line has Cameron Jordan and Sheldon Rankins on it. Manti Te'o was brought in to improve the linebacking core. The secondary you have rookie Marshon Lattimore and Kenny Vaccaro and no one really else that's impactful.

- NFC West
1. Seattle Seahawks (11-5)
2. Arizona Cardinals (10-6)
3. Los Angeles Rams (5-11)
4. San Francisco 49ers (3-13)

The Seahawks are the clear team to beat in this division. Russell Wilson is coming off an injury plagued season and he looks healthy now. Eddy Lacy essentially replaces Marshawn Lynch and you have Lacy and Thomas Rawls as your running backs. The receiving core is really good with Doug Baldwin, Paul Richardson, Tyler Lockett, and Jimmy Graham. New acquisition Sheldon Richardson joins an already dominant defensive line featuring Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril. The linebacking core is really good with Bobby Wagner and KJ Wright. The secondary is still very good with Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, and Kam Chancellor. The Cardinals look to rebound from a disappointing 7-8-1 season from a year ago. Carson Palmer is another year older but David Johnson should take pressure off of him in both the running and passing game. Along with Johnson, Palmer has Larry Fitzgerald, John Brown, and Jermaine Gresham to throw to. The defensive line has lost some key guys, but Robert Nkemdiche and Frostee Rucker are still around. The linebacking core is still good with Chandler Jones, Karlos Dansby, and rookie Haason Reddick. The secondary is still decent with guys like Tyrann Matthew and Patrick Peterson. The Rams look to improve after going 4-12 a season ago and that starts with the expected improvement of Jared Goff in his second season. Todd Gurley needs go rebound from a disappointing season from a year ago and I believe he will and that will help take pressure off of Goff. The acquisition of Sammy Watkins makes the receiving core better and Tavon Austin should benefit from it. The Rams need Aaron Donald to end his holdout ASAP or else not only the defensive line but the defense as a whole is in trouble. The linebacking core should be decent led by Robert Quinn and Alec Ogletree. The secondary isn't great outside of Trumaine Johnson. The 49ers are clearly rebuilding, but I believe this franchise is heading in the right direction with the hiring of Kyle Shannahan as head coach and John Lynch as GM. Brian Hoyer isn't a terrible quarterback and the running game will be heavily relied on with Carlos Hyde because the receiving core is very weak and it looks like Pierre Garçon is there number one option. The defensive line isn't that bad with guys like DeForest Buckner, Elvis Dumervil, and rookie Solomon Thomas. The linebacking core is improved with rookie Reuben Foster joining NaVarro Bowman. The secondary isn't great but Eric Reid and Jimmie Ward will make an impact.

2018 NFL Playoffs
- Wild Card
(A6) Baltimore Ravens vs (A3) Oakland Raiders: This should be an entertaining game with a ton of points. The Raiders have more talent so Derek Carr wins his first playoff game.
Prediction: Raiders

(A5) Denver Broncos vs (A4) Houston Texans: This has the makings of a low scoring game. DeShaun Watson should be starting by January and he'll lead the way for the Texans.
Prediction: Texans

(N6) Carolina Panthers vs (N3) Seattle Seahawks: We've seen these teams hook up in playoff games before. This time around, I say the the Seahawks defense with help from Twelfth Man get it done.
Prediction: Seahawks

(N5) Dallas Cowboys vs (N4) Atlanta Falcons: This should be a good one with a ton of points scored. I'm going to say the Boys pull out the upset as the Falcons defense can't stop Ezekiel Elliott although I don't think the Boys can stop Julio Jones, either.
Prediction: Cowboys

- Division Round
(A3) Oakland Raiders vs (A2) Pittsburgh Steelers: This should be a good one with a ton of points. I don't think the Raiders can stop the dominant Steelers offense enough.
Prediction: Steelers

(A4) Houston Texans vs (A1) New England Patriots: Here's a rematch of last years division round game. I believe it will be the same outcome as last time.
Prediction: Patriots

(N3) Seattle Seahawks vs (N2) New York Giants: This will be a low scoring game. The Giants defense will make the big stops down the stretch to lead the way.
Prediction: Giants

(N5) Dallas Cowboys vs (N1) Green Bay Packers: Here's another rematch from last season. I say the Packers take it again thanks to the brilliance of Aaron Rodgers.
Prediction: Packers

- Conference Championships
(A2) Pittsburgh Steelers vs (A1) New England Patriots: This should be a closer game than last seasons AFC championship game between these two teams. The Patriots will win a classic high scoring game to go to their fourth Super Bowl in seven seasons.
Prediction: Patriots

(N2) New York Giants vs (N1) Green Bay Packers: Here we have a rematch from last seasons Wild Card round. Something tells me that Odell Beckham Jr has revenge on his mind and the Giants get the stops on defense en route to their first Super Bowl since the 2011 season to set up an epic "three-match" with the Patriots.
Prediction: Giants

- Super Bowl LI
(N2) New York Giants vs (A1) New England Patriots: Here we have a "three-match" between what is arguably the best inter-conference rivalry in the league considering that they had the epic Super Bowl XLII and XLVI games. I think it will be the same outcome as the first two and the Pats will miss Julian Edelman in this game.
Prediction: Giants 24, Patriots 20.