With the draft in the books,we’re ready for my second annual NFL Preview.
AFC:

East:

1.Buffalo Bills(11-5,seed 4)

2.New England Patriots(11-5,seed 5)

3.New York Jets(9-7,missed playoffs)

4.Miami Dolphins(5-11,missed playoffs)

Division Rundown:The New England Patriots lose the AFC East crown for the first time since 2009,and it’s the Bills’ first since 1995!The four-game suspension of Tom Brady opens the door for Buffalo to win the division after New England starts 1-3.The Jets narrowly miss because of a tough schedule,and the Dolphins…um…are the Dolphins.

North:

1.Pittsburgh Steelers(15-1,seed 2)

2.Cincinatti Bengals(11-5,seed 6)

3.Baltimore Ravens(10-6,missed playoffs)

4.Cleveland Browns(3-13,missed playoffs)

Rundown:The Steelers tear through the season,losing only to the equally hot Colts on the road.Cincy is sent back to the dreaded wildcard,Baltimore just misses,and Cleveland does what they do best.

South:

1.Indianapolis Colts(15-1,seed 1)

2.Jacksonville Jaguars(9-7,missed playoffs)

3.Houston Texans(9-7, missed playoffs)

4.Tennessee Titans(6-10,missed playoffs)

Rundown:The Colts get injured players(and a little Luck)back to win the conference.League MVP candidate Andrew Luck storms with TD after TD,and the Colts win 15.The Jags and Titans show hope for the future too.Houston falls after a tough schedule.

West:

1.Denver Broncos(13-3,seed 3)

2.Kansas City Chiefs(11-5,missed playoffs)

3.Oakland Raiders(8-8,missed playoffs)

4.San Diego Chargers(4-12,missed playoffs)

Rundown:The Broncos are still dominant,and go 5-1 within the division.KC loses to Oakland on the road,as the Raiders do well.The Chargers still can’t get off the ground.

NFC:

East:

1.Dallas Cowboys(13-3, seed 3)

2.Philadelphia Eagles(7-9,missed playoffs)

3.New York Giants(6-10,missed playoffs)

4.Washington Redskins(5-11,missed playoffs)

Rundown:Without the Cowboys to walk over,the ‘Skins can’t do much.Same results from Philly and Big Blue,as Dallas does brilliantly.

North:

1.Detroit Lions(12-4,seed 4)

.2.Green Bay Packers(12-4,seed 6)

3.Minnessota Vikings(9-7,missed playoffs)

4.Chicago Bears(5-11,missed playoffs) 

Rundown:The Lions overcome a 1-2 start to take control of an easy schedule for 10 straight wins before losing to Dallas in Week 16.The Pack’s tough schedule kills ’em,and they lose to the always-feisty Vikes on the road.The Bears still manage to beat the Pack.

South:

1.Carolina Panthers(14-2,seed 2)

2.New Orleans Saints(9-7,missed playoffs)

3.Tampa Bay Buccaneers(8-8,missed playoffs)

4.Atlanta Falcons(3-13,missed playoffs)

Rundown:The Falcons fail to win a single divisional game,as tough schedules kill every team west of Charlotte.The Saints and Bucs are still decent however.

West:

1.Arizona Cardinals(15-1,seed 1)

2.Seattle Seahawks(14-2,seed 5)

3.Los Angeles Rams(5-11,missed playoffs)

4.San Francisco 49ers(2-14,missed playoffs)

We find both the one team worse than Cleveland and the best team to lose the division in the West.The Cards sweep Seattle for their only losses of the year.The Rams are still a riddle at QB,and the Niners get the No.1 pick.

Playoffs:

AFC:

Wildcard:Bengals @ Broncos,Patriots @ Bills.

Divisional:Highest winning seed @ Steelers,lowest winning seed @ Colts.

Results:

 Wildcard:Bengals 14-17 Broncos,Patriots 30-20 Bills.

Divisional:Broncos 31-35 Steelers,Patriots 28-31 Colts.

Championship:Steelers 41-38 Colts.

NFC:

Wildcard:Packers @ Cowboys,Seahawks @ Lions.

Divisional:Highest winning seed @ Panthers,lowest winning seed @ Cardinals.

Results:

Wildcard:Packers 20-24 Cowboys,Seahawks 24-28 Lions.

Divisional:Lions 13-21 Panthers,Cowboys 27-31 Cardinals.

Championship:Panthers 17-31 Cardinals.

Super Bowl LI:Steelers 38-35 Cardinals

Super Bowl Champion:Pittsburgh Steelers(7th title)

Playoffs Rundown:As you can see, the playoffs are full of close games and payback,as the Pats get revenge on Buffalo but comes up short against Indy.The Super Bowl sees Arizona jump out to a 28-10 lead by halftime to surrender it,as it’s tied 28-28.The Cards score and Pittsburgh settles for a FG to cut the lead to 35-31.The onside fails with 2:00 to go,and Arizona gets in control with the lead in Pittsburgh territory.Carson Palmer takes a snap with 1:30 to go and Cameron Heyward forces a fumble which Ryan Shazier recovers.The scene is set for a dèja vù of SB XLIII.On the game’s final play,Ben Roethlisberger finds Antonio Brown for a TD,putting Pittsburgh in seventh heaven.

Awards:

NFL MVP:Carson Palmer,QB,Cardinals

Offensive Player of the Year:Carson Palmer,QB,Cardinals

Defensive Player of the Year:J.J.Watt,DE,Texans

Rookie of the Year:Myles Jack,LB,Jaguars 

Offensive Rookie of the Year:LaQuon Treadwell,WR,Vikings

Defensive Rookie of the Year:Myles Jack,LB,Jaguars 

Comeback Player of the Year:Andrew Luck,QB,Colts 

Coach of the Year:Mike Tomlin,Steelers

Super Bowl MVP:Ben Roethlisberger,QB,Steelers

Well,those are my predictions for this season.Even if they’re completely wrong(like last year)This is sure to be a great NFL season.