First of all I’d like to apologize for the extended absence. I’ve been really busy over the past few weeks and have not had time to get back to writing. Also, I’d like to apologize for these being a bit late, coming after the season’s first game. Nevertheless, I’m still here with my annual NFL Preview, and here are the picks:

AFC:

North:

1. Pittsburgh Steelers(10-6)

2. Cleveland Browns(9-7)

3. Baltimore Ravens(7-9)

4. Cincinnati Bengals(6-10)

South:

1. Jacksonville Jaguars(12-4)

2. Houston Texans(10-6)

3. Tennessee Titans(6-10)

4. Indianapolis Colts(6-10)

East:

1. New England Patriots(13-3)

2. Miami Dolphins(4-12)

3. New York Jets(3-13)

4. Buffalo Bills(2-14)

West:

1. Los Angeles Chargers(12-4)

2. Kansas City Chiefs(8-8)

3. Oakland Raiders(7-9)

4. Denver Broncos(6-10)

Playoff Standings:

1. New England Patriots(13-3)

2. Jacksonville Jaguars(12-4)

3. Los Angeles Chargers(12-4)

4. Pittsburgh Steelers(10-6)

5. Houston Texans(10-6)

6. Cleveland Browns(9-7)

They did it! Cleveland makes the playoffs after 0-16. I feel the lineup is too top-to-bottom talented to miss the dance while the rest of the conference goes according to plan, with the notable exception of the unimpressive Steelers, who miss running back Le’Veon Bell dearly.

NFC:

North

1. Minnesota Vikings(13-3

2. Green Bay Packers(11-5)

3. Detroit Lions(8-8)

4. Chicago Bears(6-10)

South:

1. New Orleans Saints(12-4)

2. Carolina Panthers(11-5)

3. Atlanta Falcons(10-6)

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers(2-14)

East:

1. Philadelphia Eagles(13-3)

2. New York Giants(7-9)

3. Dallas Cowboys(6-10)

4. Washington Redskins(5-11)

West:

1. Los Angeles Rams(12-4)

2. San Francisco 49ers(9-7)

3. Seattle Seahawks(5-11)

4. Arizona Cardinals(5-11)

Playoff Standings:

1. Philadelphia Eagles(13-3)

2. Minnesota Vikings(13-3)

3. New Orleans Saints(12-4)

4. Los Angeles Rams(12-4)

5. Carolina Panthers(11-5)

6. Green Bay Packers(11-5)

Not much surprise here in a stacked conference in which each team wins at least 11 games. I chose to omit the Falcons due to Aaron Rodgers’ return from injury and the belief that Matt Ryan is overrated and was a product of Kyle Shanahan’s offense.

Wildcard Round:

AFC:

(5) Houston over (4) Pittsburgh

(3) LA Chargers over (6) Cleveland

NFC:

(4) LA Rams over (5) Carolina

(3) New Orleans over (6) Green Bay

Divisional Round:

AFC:

(2) Jacksonville over (3) LA Chargers

(1) New England over (5) Houston

NFC:

(3) New Orleans over (2) Minnesota

(1) Philadelphia over (4) LA Rams

Conference Championships:

AFC:

(2) Jacksonville 24-13 (1) New England

The Jags D shuts down New England while Blake Bortles keeps the offense afloat in a game that is not as close as the score suggests.

NFC:

(1) Philadelphia 29-27 (3) New Orleans

After New Orleans hits a field goal to go up by one, Philly drives down the field after converting on third down three times courtesy of Carson Wentz. Jake Elliott then hits a field goal to send the Birds back to the Super Bowl.

Super Bowl:

(1) Philadelphia 29-20 (2) Jacksonville

Down by six in the fourth quarter with under three minutes left in his own territory, Blake Bortles is hit as he throws and is picked off. Philly scores to make it a two-possession game, and can run the clock out after a Jags’ turnover on downs. Philly has the most complete roster in the NFL, and I don’t see how I can pick against the champs who got better. Brandon Graham wins Super Bowl MVP with three sacks and a forced fumble and recovery.

Awards:

NFL MVP: Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers

NFC OPOY: Todd Gurley, RB, Los Angeles Rams

AFC OPOY: Phillip Rivers, QB, Los Angeles Chargers

NFC DPOY: Cameron Jordan, DE, New Orleans Saints

AFC DPOY: Jalen Ramsey, CB, Jacksonville Jaguars

NFC OROY: Saquan Barkley, RB, New York Giants

AFC OROY: Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens

NFC DROY: Roquan Smith, LB, Chicago Bears

AFC DROY: Bradley Chubb, LB, Denver Broncos

Most Improved: Cameron Jordan, DE, New Orleans Saints

Comeback Player: Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers

Coach of the Year: Bill O’Brien, Houston Texans

Super Bowl MVP: Brandon Graham, DE, Philadelphia Eagles

Do you agree or disagree? Let me know in the comments. Let’s hope this is a great season!