September 3rd: 2014 NFL Preview

Not that it ever left Sportscenter, but now, NOW is the time that it is appropriate to get the excitement started for the NFL to return.

One of the best parts about the NFL is that, any given Sunday, any team can beat any other. That makes it especially hard to see exactly how things will shape up as the year goes on. That being said, it’s up to someone to predict what will happen. The Zoot Perspective: Left Fielder is up to the task.

NFC North:

1. Packers: The Aaron Rogers bandwagon is already full. Everyone thinks he’s going to win the MVP. I think the Packers make the playoffs, but get ousted in the first round. It’s a strong team overall, but nothing to hang your Super Bowl on.

2. Bears: Another high-flying offense in the NFC North. More so than any other, though, the Bears will go as far as their defense can take them.

3. Lions: This team couldn’t get out of it’s own way last year. This year doesn’t look like it will be any different.

4. Vikings: Oh, poor Vikings. Adrian Peterson is already trying on other jerseys. It won’t take four weeks for this team to resume it’s irrelevance and see an era of Teddy start.

NFC East:

1. Eagles: I don’t love Nick Foles, but Chip Kelly will love having two of the most explosive backs in football. The rest of this division just isn’t strong enough to put up a fight.

2. Cowboys: The Cowboys get plenty of attention. They just can’t get any wins. I expect they will break their 8-8 season streak, going 9-7, but it won’t be good enough.

3. Giants: The Giants have been diving, and this year looks to be as bad as last. This will be a huge test for Eli, as we see if he’s a good enough leader to right the ship.

4. Redskins: It was easy to blame the issues on Mike Shanahan, but now is the time when fans will discover the Redskins’ issues didn’t end with his tenure.

NFC West:

1. Seahawks: The defending champs have the defense to dominate, the offense to keep them moving, and the attitude to stay relevant in this league. Too much fun to watch.

2. 49ers: The preseason didn’t bode well for the 49ers, but things have been too good for too long for them to let a wonky start derail them.

3. Cardinals: The Cardinals can’t seem to get out from behind the Seahawks and Niners. Once again they will make a statement, and once again they’ll finish just outside of the playoffs. This is a division winner in the East. Alas, not in the West.

4. Rams: Shaun Hill isn’t a NFL starting QB. Sorry, but it doesn’t matter how good this defense is, the won’t be stringing wins together.

NFC South:

1. Saints: One word: Drew Brees. As long as he’s doing his thing, this team is the cream of the Southern crop.

2. Buccaneers: The Buccs are my surprise pick of this year. With Lovie at the helm, this team will make a stand. Not necessarily a playoff run, but we will still be talking about them come December.

3. Falcons: Last year was a fluke. At least everyone thinks so. At the same time, going 4-12 should cause people to pause before betting on the Falcons this year.

4. Panthers: The Panthers were my favorite playoff team from last year. This year, though, everyone in the South got much better, and the Falcons just flat out didn’t.

AFC North:

1. Steelers: Two playoffs in a row without the Steelers was just strange. This year, I don’t think the team will allow it to stretch to three.

2. Bengals: I’ve always believed, at least a little bit, in Andy Dalton. Cincinnati has nothing to worry about, unless four straight early-round bounces is something to worry about...

3. Ravens: This is the team I don’t really know much about. All I know is that one Super Bowl does not make you a super-star, and I don’t have much faith in Flacco.

4. Browns: I’m taking bets for when ESPN starts calling for Manziel. Anyone want to take the 12 minute mark in the second quarter of the first game?

AFC East:

1. Patriots: You heard it here first, folks. I’m predicting this is the year when the Patriots fall from grace. There isn’t anyone to win the division, so they’ll limp into the playoffs, but their dominant streak is over.

2. Jets: If this team had a secondary, any at all, I would have them winning the division. As it is, they will make the Patriots very uncomfortable.

3. Dolphins:This team has a lot to prove, especially after last year’s success. Was it a fluke year, or a winning formula? I tend to believe the former.

4. Bills: If this team moves to Toronto, maybe someone will notice that there is a 32nd team in football.

AFC West:

1. Broncos: With Welker down, the Broncos might not go undefeated. That’s about as bad as it gets for Broncos fans. This team will bide it’s time until they can start turning up the heat in January.

2. Chargers: This team will be in contention, if only because of Phillip Rivers. They are a playoff threat, but once again don’t have the teeth for a long stay in January.

3. Chiefs: Andy Reid wasn’t a fluke. Neither was Alex Smith. But the rest of this team way over-performed last year, so it is not a safe bet to say they’ll do it again.

4. Raiders: Selecting Carr as the starting QB makes this team intriguing to watch, less so because of 2014 implications, but what it can mean down the road.

AFC South:

1. Colts: Perhaps the worst division in football, this team has the hot young stud of the game today, and is on the cusp of challenging for the AFC title.

2. Titans: Everyone forgot about what a good year Jake Locker was having last year before his injury. If he can step back in and perform, this team could be in good shape in a weak division.

3. Texans: Without a quarterback, this team is going to suck. It doesn’t matter how dominant Watt and Clowney are. If you can’t score, you can’t win.

4. Jaguars: The Jaguars will continue to come in last as long as they make bad decisions. Not starting Bortles is a bad decision.

Wildcard weekend:

Steelers over Chargers

Patriots over Bengals

49ers over Packers

Bears over Eagles

Divisional Round:

Broncos over Steelers

Colts over Patriots

Bears over Saints

Seahawks over 49ers

Championship Round:

Broncos over Colts

Seahawks over Bears

Super Bowl:

Broncos over Seahawks

A whole year of football, and we’ll be seeing a rematch of last year’s Super Bowl. The game will be much better this year, though, and the winner will switch spots, bringing the trophy to the Denver Broncos.

Let the games begin!