Thursday, September 12, 2013

2013 NFL Preview

I know this is more than a week late, but I'm gonna do it anyway. I came up with these predictions about two or three weeks before the season started. I am always wrong, and am certain that will be the case again. I'm gonna rush through some blurbage, instead of ramble and rant. Anyway, here we go!

DIVISION PREDICTIONS

AFC East
1. New England Patriots (11-5)
2. Buffalo Bills (5-11)
3. Miami Dolphins (5-11)
4. New York Jets (3-13)

Sure, Tom Brady has lost some weapons, but the Patriots are still the class of the AFC East, if not the entire AFC. Remember when they won three Super Bowls with great defense on little talent but Brady on offense? Not that that's what things are like this year (defense-wise), but I'm just saying. The only other things worth mentioning here are: C.J. SPILLER! And, the Jets are doomed.

AFC North
1. Cincinnati Bengals (11-5)
2. Baltimore Ravens (9-7)
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7)
4. Cleveland Browns (4-12)

Now is the time for the Bengals to take over this division. It will probably be short lived, but I feel like they're on this upward trajectory thanks to A.J. Green, and that will move them beyond the grasp of Baltimore and Pittsburgh, who will both be decent, but definitely have a lot of work to do after all their turnover. The Browns are the Browns.

AFC South
1. Houston Texans (11-5)
2. Indianapolis Colts (10-6)
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12)
4. Tennessee Titans (4-12)

Between what I consider their underrated passing attack, Arian Foster, and that nasty D, the Texans will legitimately compete for the AFC championship. I think Andrew Luck and the Colts are the real deal who made some moves to get even better. And, the Jaguars and Titans are both terrible.

AFC West
1. Denver Broncos (13-3)
2. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9)
3. San Diego Chargers (5-11)
4. Oakland Raiders (4-12)

Even before that seven touchdown performance in week one, and in spite of the suspension of defensive super stud Von Miller, Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos are far and away the best team in the AFC, possibly in the entire NFL. The Chiefs, under Andy Reid and Alex Smith, will be much better, and may even compete for a playoff spot NEXT YEAR. The Chargers should be bad, and the Raiders even worse.

NFC East
1. New York Giants (10-6)
2. Washington Redskins (9-7)
3. Dallas Cowboys (8-8)
4. Philadelphia Eagles (6-10)

The NFC East is a pure clusterfuck. Anyone can win it, but that's not because it's this great division or anything. It is just a mess. My odds are on the Giants or Redskins. Weirdly, I'm sort of rooting for the Cowboys because so many people hate them and Tony Romo. I would also be happy if the Eagles took it. I don't care that much though, this is just the way I think it's going to play out based on the talent these times have. What a vague preview!

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

Despite their defensive woes and losing Greg Jennings, the Packers are still by far the best team in the North, and second best in the NFC. The Bears are going to be just about as good as they've been the last three years, and still somehow miss the playoffs. Will their offense finally be as good as it should be? Probably not. My Lions. They're going to be way better, and I am pleasantly surprised by their week one performance. Still, mediocre at best. They need a lot of help. Adrian Peterson is an awesome super human, but even he is not enough for the Vikings to make a repeat performance of last year.

NFC South
1. Atlanta Falcons (12-4)
2. New Orleans Saints (11-5)
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8)
4. Carolina Panthers (8-8)

This has got to be the best division in all of football, right? The Falcons' defense is just a little better than the Saints', and that's why they barely pull out the division title. That will be such a fun race to watch. And, I truly believe that both the Buccs and the Panthers are on the cusp of becoming playoff teams. The NFC is just too deep in talent right now.

NFC West
1. San Francisco 49ers (12-4)
2. Seattle Seahawks (11-5)
3. St. Louis Rams (7-9)
4. Arizona Cardinals (4-12)

I felt a little guilty of jumping on the 49er bandwagon, until discovering the true depth of Colin Kaepernick's talent in week one. Take away the run game from him, and he will throw the ball all over you and kick your ass. I love this guy, and he makes the 49ers the best team in the NFC. Believe it. The Seahawks will compete big time, but I think the 49ers have the edge. The Rams could be considered in that same tier with the Panthers and Buccs, but not quite yet. Larry Fitzgerald will have a return to fantasy glory, but that is the only good thing coming to this Cardinals team.

POSTSEASON AWARDS

Coach of the Year: Bill Belichick (New England)
Comeback Player of the Year: Maurice Jones-Drew (RB, Jacksonville)
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Eric Reid (SS, San Francisco)
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Montee Ball (RB, Denver)
Defensive Player of the Year: Aldon Smith (OLB, San Francisco)
Offensive Player of the Year: Adrian Peterson (RB, Minnesota)
Most Valuable Player: Peyton Manning (QB, Denver)

PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS

AFC
1. Denver Broncos
2. New England Patriots
3. Cincinnati Bengals
4. Houston Texans
5. Indianapolis Colts
6. Baltimore Ravens

NFC
1. Green Bay Packers
2. San Francisco 49ers
3. Atlanta Falcons
4. New York Giants
5. New Orleans Saints
6. Seattle Seahawks

AFC Wild Card Round
Baltimore Ravens over Cincinnati Bengals
Houston Texans over Indianapolis Colts

NFC Wild Card Round
Atlanta Falcons over Seattle Seahawks
New Orleans Saints over New York Giants

AFC Divisional Round
Denver Broncos over Baltimore Ravens
Houston Texans over New England Patriots

NFC Divisional Round
San Francisco 49ers over Atlanta Falcons
Green Bay Packers over New Orleans Saints

AFC Championship
Denver Broncos over Houston Texans

NFC Championship
San Francisco 49ers over Green Bay Packers

Super Bowl XLVIII
Denver Broncos over San Francisco 49ers

Super Bowl XLVIII MVP
Peyton Manning (QB, Denver)

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