NFL Season Division Winner Predictions

Mathew Huff

8/3/16

With training camps opening this past week, an intriguing NFL season is quickly approaching. There are many interesting story-lines that pose more questions than answers such as the Dallas Cowboys, the AFC North, and the Broncos’ quarterback battle. So, without further ado, here is who I think will win each division this year, which may shed some light on some of these situations.

AFC North- Cincinnati Bengals

With Martavis Bryant out for the year, and Le’Veon Bell suspended for the first four games, the Steelers are giving the Bengals a head start. The Bengals have been a great regular season team the past two years, field a top 10 defense, and possess a great wide receiver quarterback duo in Andy Dalton and A.J. Green. Cleveland won’t pose any threat at all, and Baltimore despite having Flacco back, will have a hard time clawing back up to the top trying to compete with Pittsburgh and Cincinnati.

AFC South- Indianapolis Colts

Coming off a handsome new contract, quarterback Andrew Luck should be back to full health this year. I am not sold on the Houston Texans being a threat with Brock Osweiler at the helm. The Texans barely won the division last season even with Andrew Luck being hurt and then were demolished by Kansas City in the Wild Card round. Also, don’t sleep on the Colts defense either.

AFC East- New England Patriots

I know, I know Tom Brady is going to be suspended the first four games. However, Bill Belicheck is the best coach in the league for a reason. The man is a mastermind of the game (Spy Gate aside), and makes a no name scrub look like a decent player with his offensive schemes. If the man can make Matt Cassel look like a good quarterback, then imagine how well Jimmy Garrapolo might pan out at the beginning of the year. Besides, despite the Jets improving along with the Dolphins and Bills, something just always throws them off at the beginning of the year it seems like whereas the Patriots know how to get off to a hot start.

AFC West- Denver Broncos

Before you crucify me for being “biased,” let me explain my reasoning. Every damn year, it’s the same narrative, “It’s Oakland’s year, Kansas City is going all the way this year, don’t sleep on Rivers in San Diego,” Really? Because last I checked Denver always overcomes these ridiculous expectations. Think about it, it gets old and quite frankly, annoying after a while. The only question Denver needs to answer is the quarterback situation, who will be handing the ball off more often than passing anyway. The Broncos number 1 defense is still intact with Miller and Ware returning and still fielding the No Fly Zone secondary which consists of Aqib Talib, Chris Harris Jr., and Darian Stewart and T.J. Ward manning the safety positions. Oh, and did I mention the Broncos have two top 10 wide outs in Thomas and Sanders returning. The Chargers don’t have that much talent, the Chiefs always choke in the playoffs, and outside of Cooper, Carr, Crabtree, and Mack, who does Oakland have? Exactly, and don’t say Malcolm Smith because he is not his Super Bowl MVP self anymore, and Aldon Smith as Stephen A. Smith would say can’t seem to stay off the weed!  Enough said.

NFC South- Carolina Panthers

Yes, losing Josh Norman, Jared Allen, and a couple of key players from that defense hurts. However, after a disappointing end to last year, Cam Newton will be looking to bounce back. Plus, with a healthy Kelvin Benjamin back, their offense should be back to where it was last season. You combine a good defense and a potentially top 2 offense with the fact the Panthers are in a relatively weak division, they should be a lock to win it.

NFC North- Green Bay Packers

Make no mistake, the Vikings will give the Pack a run for their money like last year. However, a returning Jordy Nelson who will hopefully be healthy, will be huge for this Aaron Rodgers led offense. If Eddie Lacey begins the year in better shape than this past year, then there is no telling what this offense can do. On the defensive side, they should be finally be healthy, and Clay Matthews should be finally getting comfortable in whatever position they will use him in despite the team moving him around the last couple of years.

NFC East- Washington Redskins

I’m still not totally sold on Kirk Cousins, but he did boast the best quarterback rating last season and I can’t overlook that. What is also overlooked is the Redskins receiving core. DeSean Jackson, Jordan Reed, and Pierre Garcon are no joke! Granted, the defense still has some holes, but Josh Norman is a good step towards improving this defense. Besides this division is probably the weakest in football right now.  The Cowboys are, let’s face it, an absolute joke right now, (Jerry Jones thought bringing in Greg Hardy last year was a good idea, case closed) the Giants will miss Tom Coughlin in my opinion which will be an adjustment for them, and the Eagles are rebuilding.    

NFC West- Arizona Cardinals

Don’t get me wrong, I still think the Seahawks will make the postseason. But losing Marshawn Lynch will really hurt them. The Seahawks have beaten up on the Cardinals the last few years, but this year I think will be the year where the Cardinals finally break through and sweep the Seahawks. Patrick Peterson is a top 5 corner in the league and Tyron Mathieu seems to continue to improve year after year. Let’s not forget Carson Palmer was actually an MVP candidate last year and Larry Fitzgerald is no one to be messed with as a wide receiver.

There you have it, my predictions on who will win each division this coming season. Granted, injuries can always paint a different picture, but as of right now I feel these are the teams to beat this year.