Back to football! Although the World Cup did help during the off season, I'm so glad to finally be back to some relevant sports in the U.S. So, lets get right to it. The Flex annual Super Bowl prediction of the up coming NFL season.
I will say that I realize I failed to post this before the start of the regular season. However. there was only one game played so it won't bias my predictions. Although it did confirm that Seattle is pretty dominant in the league right now and show no signs of slowing.
Speaking of Seattle, there is a lot of talk of them pulling a repeat this year. My opinion will be shown below, but there is definitely a good chance that can and will happen. However, from my perspective, the NFL is now consisting of 5 or 6 really good teams (Seattle, New Orleans, Green Bay, Denver, New England, and I think Indianapolis this year. Normally San Francisco would be in the mix, but I'm predicting a very down year) who are very strong and well coached and can basically beat ANY other team in the league and go all the way.
From that thinking its pretty hard to do this bracket. Not much will change from last year as far as winners of divisions and playoff teams, with a few exceptions. But the bracket will be interesting because these 5 to 6 will beat each other up. Nonetheless, we'll do it. Here we go!
** = Clinched Wildcard Spot
AFC North
For once, I want to go a whole NFL blog without mentioning that one QB from Cleveland. He's a complete bust anyway just there to generate revenue. But this will end the same as last year. Bengals defense will cruise them into top spot. Baltimore will have a bounce back year but just barely squeak into post season. Pittsburgh is old as hell and will probably break their walkers. Browns suck, per usual.
1) Bengals
2) Ravens**
3) Steelers
4) Browns
AFC West
Denver all day. San Diego actually looks fairly scrappy. I would not be suprised at all if this prediction was wrong and they took the wildcard spot from Kansas City. However, KC is far too well coached and has a system for success under the veteran coach Andy Reid. The just need to figure out who they will throw the ball to...
1) Broncos
2) Chiefs**
3) Chargers
4) Raiders
AFC South
I believe in Andrew Luck and everything that is going on around that Indianapolis squad. No on paper they do not have the best of every position or even on either side of the ball. However, they know what they're doing. Armed with great pieces in every facet and the leagues easiest schedule, I am predicting at least twelve to thirteen wins and a number one seed. This is Indy's year to prove they are among the best in the NFL and they will. The Texans acquiring Ryan Mallet is very interesting. I've always believed Mallet was starting material and after sitting behind Tom Brady for three years, he should have some true potential. We'll see. I'm rooting for Blake Bortles so hard. Everyone laughed when I said he was the best QB in the draft and that taking him third overall was a great move. We'll see who's laughing now.
1) Colts
2) Jaguars
3) Texans
4) Titans
AFC East
No change to last year's prediction. New England will have a down (read "average" for New England standards) year, but no one else in this division is ready to step up and take their crown. I'm waiting for the day when New England doesn't win this division. It will come pretty soon, just not quite yet...
1) Patriots
2) Dolphins
3) Bills
4) Jets
NFC North
I'm putting Green Bay on top here. However, I could see Chicago taking the top spot IF Green Bay truly struggles on the defensive side of the ball AND Aaron Rodgers has even just an average year. However, they will both make playoffs. Vikings have too many new pieces to work out and will be rebuilding.
1) Packers
2) Bears**
3) Lions
4) Vikings
NFC West
Easily the toughest division in the NFL. It got just slightly softer with the news of Sam Bradford being out for the year but nonetheless, it is ruthless. Seattle will dominate the regular season even though they have a top 10 hardest schedule. I've been saying it for a while: Carson Palmer will throw for nearly 5,000 yards this season and squeak Arizona into a playoff spot pushing out San Francisco who will have a very down year.
1) Seahawks
2) Cardinals**
3) 49er's
4) Rams
NFC South
New Orleans is back, for real this time. Carolina has a fairly dominate defense again this year, but offensive struggles will deny them a playoff spot. Buccaneers will pull a Kansas City and be the surprise team of the league. They'll just miss playoffs, however.
1) Saints
2) Buccaneers
3) Panthers
4) Falcons
NFC East
When I watch Nick Foles, I think Tom Brady. I'm not saying my any means that he will be the next Come Back Kid, I'm just saying he will be GREAT. Philly is stacked offensively and has an opportunistic defense that will win them this division outright. Trust me, as a die-hard Giants fan, it pains me to write or even think that. However, the Gmen look terrible. Redskins and RGIII have a bounce back year, nothing like his first year though. Cowboys are about the be the new Browns.
1) Eagles
2) Redskins
3) Giants
4) Cowboys
PLAYOFFS
AFC SEEDS
Bengals will finally get their first playoff win in a millions years. Or not, who knows with the Bungals. Chiefs pull the upset and take out the Patriots in their home field. Bengals get r*ped by the Broncos next round though while a rematch of last year's wildcard round proves the same result, but with much less pain. Broncos take out the Colts in the house that he built.
1) Colts
2) Patriots
3) Bengals
4) Patriots
5) Chiefs
6) Ravens
Bracket
(6) Ravens @ (3) Bengals --> (3) Bengals @ (2) Broncos--> (2) Broncos @ (1) Colts
(5) Chiefs @ (4) Patriots--> (5) Chiefs @ (1) Colts
2014 AFC Champion: Denver Broncos
NFC SEEDS
The NFC is tough. There are so many good teams and this could end up any way. Anyway, here's how it goes down. Bears will be on a late run that will knock off the Packers, but it stops there. Eageles pull off the surprising playoff upset of the decade behind Nick Foles.
1) Saints
2) Seahawks
3) Eagles
4) Packers
5) Bears
6) Cardinals
Bracket
(6) Cardinals @ (3) Eagles --> (3) Eagles @ (2) Seahawks --> (3) Eagles @ (1) Saints
(5) Bears @ (4) Packers --> (5) Bears @ (1) Saints
2014 NFC Champion: New Orleans Saints
SUPER BOWL PREDICTION
Broncos make it back to the Super Bowl. The Saints make it there again. This is very difficult because, unfortunately, I'm not 100% confident about how this turned out! But, I've got to choose only one.......
Super Bowl Winner: Denver Broncos
Same picture from last year. But this time, it will come true.
