1. Seattle Seahawks (12-4): With the defense playing as well as it ever has and the offense, while unexciting, being efficient, Seattle has to be my favorite to win the Super Bowl.
2. New England Patriots (12-4): With home-field advantage in the playoffs, the Pats have to be the AFC favorite to reach the Super Bowl. However, for as awful as the offensive line has played in recent weeks, that has to be worrisome entering the post-season.
3. Denver Broncos (12-4): If Denver had home-field advantage in the playoffs, they would definitely be the AFC favorite to reach the Super Bowl. However, with a very possible date with New England in Foxboro in the AFC Championship game, Peyton Manning and company will have to alter trends in order to prevent being haunted by the ghosts of their pasts yet again.
4. Green Bay Packers (12-4): The Packers' post-season hopes all rest on the shoulders (and legs) of Aaron Rodgers. If he's not at full health, it'll be a long off-season for the Packers. Fortunately for them, they have a first-round bye, so Rodgers will have an extra week to rest and recover.
5. Dallas Cowboys (12-4): The Dallas offense is clicking at the right time entering the post-season. While their defense still has more questions than answers pertaining to it, they should be able to defeat an Ndamukong Suh-less Detroit Lions team at home to advance and play Green Bay at Lambeau in round 2.
6. Detroit Lions (11-5): Ndamukong Suh's last game as a Detroit Lion could very well have been in the loss to Green Bay this past weekend. In another boneheaded on-the-field move, Suh has been suspended from the team's first-round game at Dallas. Without Suh, the Lions will be much more prone to getting dominated up front, where Demarco Murray and company should have their way with the beleaguered defense. Also, Matthew Stafford is 0-16 on the road against teams with above .500 records. That doesn't bode well for the Lions, as they head to Dallas to take on the 12-4 Cowboys.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5): While the team's offense is led by Ben Roethlisberger, the team's playoff fate could rest on the health of tailback Le'Veon Bell. The Steelers could survive their first-round game against Baltimore without him, but it's hard to believe them advancing any further without a healthy Bell in the backfield.
8. Cincinnati Bengals (10-5-1): This has unquestionably been the most inconsistent and unpredictable team in the NFL this year. They'll now head to Indianapolis to take on the Colts in the first-round of the playoffs. If Cincy can stay away from the turnovers, they could have a shot in that contest. However, with Andy Dalton's post-season track record being what it is, that's anything but a certainty.
9. Arizona Cardinals (11-5): Bruce Arians will undoubtedly win Coach of the Year honors. Unfortunately for he and the battered Cardinals, however, it's difficult to see them moving far in the playoffs. Carolina, Arizona's first-round opponent, may only be 7-8-1, but will be playing at home and are a perfect 4-0 in their past four games.
10. Philadelphia Eagles (10-6): The reviews will likely be mixed on Chip Kelly's second season as head coach. While the Eagles didn't make the playoffs, however, I was more impressed with the job he did this year than last year. The team finished 10-6 both seasons. Nick Foles stayed in the starting spot in favor of Michael Vick due to his uncanny, video game-like numbers, last year. This year, Mark Sanchez ended the season as the starting quarterback due an injury to Foles, whom was, at the point of his injury, far less efficient than he was a year ago. It'll be interesting to see if the Eagles give Foles another year behind center or start looking elsewhere.
11. Indianapolis Colts (11-5): The Colts need some serious help on defense and in the running game if they want to compete with the likes of New England and Denver in the AFC for a championship. They're a good team, but are far from great, and once again, I'd be surprised to see them advance past the second round.
12. Baltimore Ravens (10-6): Baltimore isn't going into the playoffs on a high-note. Their offense has sputtered in recent weeks and will need to bounce back in a hurry if they want to have any chance at beating the high-octane Steelers offense in Pittsburgh.
13. Kansas City Chiefs (9-7): Chiefs fans and coaches have to be kicking themselves right now, saying, "If only we didn't get beat by Oakland..." They'll need some help in the passing game if they want to make that next step.
14. Houston Texans (9-7): This season has to be seen as a big success for the Texans. They went from 2-14 and the #1 pick in the draft to 9-7 and a Baltimore Ravens loss away from going to the playoffs. Now if only they could find a long-term solution at quarterback...
15. San Diego Chargers (9-7): After starting the year 5-1, San Diego has to be disappointed with their 4-6 finish, which has left them out of the playoffs. They need some help along the offensive line, as well as at receiver and on defense this off-season.
16. Buffalo Bills (9-7): If the Bills find a long-term solution at quarterback, they have all the makings of a perennial playoff team, which could compete with the likes of New England and Denver. The have a top 5 defense, a very capable pair of tailbacks (when healthy), and one of the top young receivers in the game (Sammy Watkins). However, neither E.J. Manuel nor Kyle Orton have shown the ability to be that long-term solution for Buffalo.
17. San Francisco 49ers (8-8): It appears as if Jim Harbaugh's time is done in San Francisco, as he's rumored to be heading to his alma mater at Michigan. It'll be interesting to see in what direction the team travels next, as far as coaches and team personnel are concerned.
18. Miami Dolphins (8-8): Miami is above average in most all areas of the game. However, they're not exceptionally good at any one thing, and this leads to both a lot of close games (and close losses) and a great deal of inconsistency. With New England still on top of the AFC East and Buffalo improving, the Dolphins will need to get over that 8-8 hump and do it soon, or else some changes will need to be made.
19. Carolina Panthers (7-8-1): Carolina was 3-8-1 at one time and had about as much chance of making the playoffs as I have of dating Beyonce. However, for some reason or another, it appears as if Carolina remembered who that 12-4 team was from a year ago and have reeled off four straight wins as a result. While it appears as if Cam Newton is still a question mark as far as long-term success is concerned, the team did appear to get a steal with rookie receiver Kelvin Benjamin.
20. Minnesota Vikings (7-9): Given all the off-the-field turmoil Minnesota had to endure this year, they put together a pretty good season. Their defense was one of the more underrated ones in football and rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater made some strides in his first season. If the team can find some more play-makers at the skill positions, they could be an up and coming team that will have to be reckoned with for years to come.
21. St. Louis Rams (6-10): While St. Louis is sound on defense, on special teams, and in the running game, they'll need to become more efficient in the passing game. This off-season, the team will be answering the following two questions: 1) Should we draft our quarterback of the future in the first round or sign a reliable free agent veteran, and 2) Should we draft a #1 type of receiver or sign/trade for one?
22. Cleveland Browns (7-9): For as pleasantly surprising as the Cleveland Browns' 6-3 start was, their 1-6 finish was almost equally as surprising. The team has a lot of questions to answer in the off-season, including: Can we ever trust that Josh Gordon will mature? and Do we really believe Johnny Manziel is the future quarterback for this team?
23. New Orleans Saints (7-9): New Orleans has to be one of the more disappointing teams in football this year. Several ESPN analysts picked them to reach the Super Bowl. They'll need to drastically improve on defense and to find at least one vertical threat for Drew Brees if they want to even entertain the thought of that in the next few years.
24. Atlanta Falcons (6-10): Mike Smith is out as coach for the Falcons and it's a question mark of who will be the team's next coach. Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, and Roddy White form all the ingredients to an explosive passing attack. However, the team will definitely need to improve on defense and in the running game if they want to be anything more than an average NFL team.
25. New York Giants (6-10): After a rollercoaster ride of a season for the New York Giants offense, next year's could be quite the fun one to watch. With veteran receiver Victor Cruz coming back from injury, in conjunction with one of the best young receivers in the game, Odell Beckham, Jr., Eli Manning has to be licking his chops at the thought. The team will need to improve on defense, however, if they want to challenge Dallas and Philadelphia atop the NFC East.
26. Chicago Bears (5-11): Coaching changes are being made in Chicago and player changes will need to be made too. The Bears have had one of the worst, if not the worst defense in all of football each of these past two season. They also had one of the most underachieving offenses in the league this year. With Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery, and Matt Forte to throw and hand the ball off to, Jay Cutler will either need to become a more efficient quarterback or the team will have to look for another starter.
27. Washington Redskins (4-12): RGIII has appeared to have the same problems with Jay Gruden as he had with Mike Shanahan. Now the team will have to ultimately decide whether to send another coach packing in favor of a talented but injury-prone quarterback, or to stand by the coach and send the young quarterback elsewhere. With Dallas and Philadelphia both featuring solid teams and the New York Giants likely improving next year, the 'Skins better figure things out fairly soon or else they could wind up being the perennial NFC East cellar dweller for years to come.
28. New York Jets (4-12): Rex Ryan is officially out as head coach of the Jets. So, the two biggest questions for the team have to be, who will be the next coach and will Geno Smith stick around as the team's quarterback for another year? While Geno Smith was unspectacular this year (to be nice), however, the team will need some help in the secondary and at receiver if they want to find success again.
29. Oakland Raiders (3-13): Oakland did play better in the final couple of months of the season, so there may be some room for hope in Oakland. Derek Carr made strides in his initial season. The team also featured an up and coming running attack, and an improving defense. If they could find more threats in the passing game, they could be respectable in a couple of years or so. For as bad as they've been for the past several years, though, I wouldn't place any money on that.
30. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-13): Jacksonville was like a carbon copy of Oakland. Their defense was consistently pesky and improving. They played better down the stretch. They also featured a rookie quarterback behind center, whom they hope can develop into a great quarterback in the future. It'll be interesting to see what kinds of moves they make in the off-season, especially to help Blake Bortles in the passing game.
31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-14): Remember when some ESPN analysts named Tampa as one of their sleepers for a Wild Card spot? That seems like so long ago, doesn't it? Tampa does have some young, potentially great threats on offense, but will need to find a long-term solution at quarterback and a more consistent defense if they want to reach those before-mentioned pre-season aspirations. Hopefully Lovie Smith gets at least one more season to try and improve the team. Tampa, you're on the clock...
32. Tennessee Titans (2-14): Tennessee needs so much help on both sides of the ball, it's difficult to know where to start. Well, of course, probably at quarterback. Will the Titans take one of the past two Heisman winners with their #2 pick (Mariotta and Winston) or will they go a different direction? Whichever direction they go, rest assured they will have improved their team at that position.
2. New England Patriots (12-4): With home-field advantage in the playoffs, the Pats have to be the AFC favorite to reach the Super Bowl. However, for as awful as the offensive line has played in recent weeks, that has to be worrisome entering the post-season.
3. Denver Broncos (12-4): If Denver had home-field advantage in the playoffs, they would definitely be the AFC favorite to reach the Super Bowl. However, with a very possible date with New England in Foxboro in the AFC Championship game, Peyton Manning and company will have to alter trends in order to prevent being haunted by the ghosts of their pasts yet again.
4. Green Bay Packers (12-4): The Packers' post-season hopes all rest on the shoulders (and legs) of Aaron Rodgers. If he's not at full health, it'll be a long off-season for the Packers. Fortunately for them, they have a first-round bye, so Rodgers will have an extra week to rest and recover.
5. Dallas Cowboys (12-4): The Dallas offense is clicking at the right time entering the post-season. While their defense still has more questions than answers pertaining to it, they should be able to defeat an Ndamukong Suh-less Detroit Lions team at home to advance and play Green Bay at Lambeau in round 2.
6. Detroit Lions (11-5): Ndamukong Suh's last game as a Detroit Lion could very well have been in the loss to Green Bay this past weekend. In another boneheaded on-the-field move, Suh has been suspended from the team's first-round game at Dallas. Without Suh, the Lions will be much more prone to getting dominated up front, where Demarco Murray and company should have their way with the beleaguered defense. Also, Matthew Stafford is 0-16 on the road against teams with above .500 records. That doesn't bode well for the Lions, as they head to Dallas to take on the 12-4 Cowboys.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5): While the team's offense is led by Ben Roethlisberger, the team's playoff fate could rest on the health of tailback Le'Veon Bell. The Steelers could survive their first-round game against Baltimore without him, but it's hard to believe them advancing any further without a healthy Bell in the backfield.
8. Cincinnati Bengals (10-5-1): This has unquestionably been the most inconsistent and unpredictable team in the NFL this year. They'll now head to Indianapolis to take on the Colts in the first-round of the playoffs. If Cincy can stay away from the turnovers, they could have a shot in that contest. However, with Andy Dalton's post-season track record being what it is, that's anything but a certainty.
9. Arizona Cardinals (11-5): Bruce Arians will undoubtedly win Coach of the Year honors. Unfortunately for he and the battered Cardinals, however, it's difficult to see them moving far in the playoffs. Carolina, Arizona's first-round opponent, may only be 7-8-1, but will be playing at home and are a perfect 4-0 in their past four games.
10. Philadelphia Eagles (10-6): The reviews will likely be mixed on Chip Kelly's second season as head coach. While the Eagles didn't make the playoffs, however, I was more impressed with the job he did this year than last year. The team finished 10-6 both seasons. Nick Foles stayed in the starting spot in favor of Michael Vick due to his uncanny, video game-like numbers, last year. This year, Mark Sanchez ended the season as the starting quarterback due an injury to Foles, whom was, at the point of his injury, far less efficient than he was a year ago. It'll be interesting to see if the Eagles give Foles another year behind center or start looking elsewhere.
11. Indianapolis Colts (11-5): The Colts need some serious help on defense and in the running game if they want to compete with the likes of New England and Denver in the AFC for a championship. They're a good team, but are far from great, and once again, I'd be surprised to see them advance past the second round.
12. Baltimore Ravens (10-6): Baltimore isn't going into the playoffs on a high-note. Their offense has sputtered in recent weeks and will need to bounce back in a hurry if they want to have any chance at beating the high-octane Steelers offense in Pittsburgh.
13. Kansas City Chiefs (9-7): Chiefs fans and coaches have to be kicking themselves right now, saying, "If only we didn't get beat by Oakland..." They'll need some help in the passing game if they want to make that next step.
14. Houston Texans (9-7): This season has to be seen as a big success for the Texans. They went from 2-14 and the #1 pick in the draft to 9-7 and a Baltimore Ravens loss away from going to the playoffs. Now if only they could find a long-term solution at quarterback...
15. San Diego Chargers (9-7): After starting the year 5-1, San Diego has to be disappointed with their 4-6 finish, which has left them out of the playoffs. They need some help along the offensive line, as well as at receiver and on defense this off-season.
16. Buffalo Bills (9-7): If the Bills find a long-term solution at quarterback, they have all the makings of a perennial playoff team, which could compete with the likes of New England and Denver. The have a top 5 defense, a very capable pair of tailbacks (when healthy), and one of the top young receivers in the game (Sammy Watkins). However, neither E.J. Manuel nor Kyle Orton have shown the ability to be that long-term solution for Buffalo.
17. San Francisco 49ers (8-8): It appears as if Jim Harbaugh's time is done in San Francisco, as he's rumored to be heading to his alma mater at Michigan. It'll be interesting to see in what direction the team travels next, as far as coaches and team personnel are concerned.
18. Miami Dolphins (8-8): Miami is above average in most all areas of the game. However, they're not exceptionally good at any one thing, and this leads to both a lot of close games (and close losses) and a great deal of inconsistency. With New England still on top of the AFC East and Buffalo improving, the Dolphins will need to get over that 8-8 hump and do it soon, or else some changes will need to be made.
19. Carolina Panthers (7-8-1): Carolina was 3-8-1 at one time and had about as much chance of making the playoffs as I have of dating Beyonce. However, for some reason or another, it appears as if Carolina remembered who that 12-4 team was from a year ago and have reeled off four straight wins as a result. While it appears as if Cam Newton is still a question mark as far as long-term success is concerned, the team did appear to get a steal with rookie receiver Kelvin Benjamin.
20. Minnesota Vikings (7-9): Given all the off-the-field turmoil Minnesota had to endure this year, they put together a pretty good season. Their defense was one of the more underrated ones in football and rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater made some strides in his first season. If the team can find some more play-makers at the skill positions, they could be an up and coming team that will have to be reckoned with for years to come.
21. St. Louis Rams (6-10): While St. Louis is sound on defense, on special teams, and in the running game, they'll need to become more efficient in the passing game. This off-season, the team will be answering the following two questions: 1) Should we draft our quarterback of the future in the first round or sign a reliable free agent veteran, and 2) Should we draft a #1 type of receiver or sign/trade for one?
22. Cleveland Browns (7-9): For as pleasantly surprising as the Cleveland Browns' 6-3 start was, their 1-6 finish was almost equally as surprising. The team has a lot of questions to answer in the off-season, including: Can we ever trust that Josh Gordon will mature? and Do we really believe Johnny Manziel is the future quarterback for this team?
23. New Orleans Saints (7-9): New Orleans has to be one of the more disappointing teams in football this year. Several ESPN analysts picked them to reach the Super Bowl. They'll need to drastically improve on defense and to find at least one vertical threat for Drew Brees if they want to even entertain the thought of that in the next few years.
24. Atlanta Falcons (6-10): Mike Smith is out as coach for the Falcons and it's a question mark of who will be the team's next coach. Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, and Roddy White form all the ingredients to an explosive passing attack. However, the team will definitely need to improve on defense and in the running game if they want to be anything more than an average NFL team.
25. New York Giants (6-10): After a rollercoaster ride of a season for the New York Giants offense, next year's could be quite the fun one to watch. With veteran receiver Victor Cruz coming back from injury, in conjunction with one of the best young receivers in the game, Odell Beckham, Jr., Eli Manning has to be licking his chops at the thought. The team will need to improve on defense, however, if they want to challenge Dallas and Philadelphia atop the NFC East.
26. Chicago Bears (5-11): Coaching changes are being made in Chicago and player changes will need to be made too. The Bears have had one of the worst, if not the worst defense in all of football each of these past two season. They also had one of the most underachieving offenses in the league this year. With Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery, and Matt Forte to throw and hand the ball off to, Jay Cutler will either need to become a more efficient quarterback or the team will have to look for another starter.
27. Washington Redskins (4-12): RGIII has appeared to have the same problems with Jay Gruden as he had with Mike Shanahan. Now the team will have to ultimately decide whether to send another coach packing in favor of a talented but injury-prone quarterback, or to stand by the coach and send the young quarterback elsewhere. With Dallas and Philadelphia both featuring solid teams and the New York Giants likely improving next year, the 'Skins better figure things out fairly soon or else they could wind up being the perennial NFC East cellar dweller for years to come.
28. New York Jets (4-12): Rex Ryan is officially out as head coach of the Jets. So, the two biggest questions for the team have to be, who will be the next coach and will Geno Smith stick around as the team's quarterback for another year? While Geno Smith was unspectacular this year (to be nice), however, the team will need some help in the secondary and at receiver if they want to find success again.
29. Oakland Raiders (3-13): Oakland did play better in the final couple of months of the season, so there may be some room for hope in Oakland. Derek Carr made strides in his initial season. The team also featured an up and coming running attack, and an improving defense. If they could find more threats in the passing game, they could be respectable in a couple of years or so. For as bad as they've been for the past several years, though, I wouldn't place any money on that.
30. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-13): Jacksonville was like a carbon copy of Oakland. Their defense was consistently pesky and improving. They played better down the stretch. They also featured a rookie quarterback behind center, whom they hope can develop into a great quarterback in the future. It'll be interesting to see what kinds of moves they make in the off-season, especially to help Blake Bortles in the passing game.
31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-14): Remember when some ESPN analysts named Tampa as one of their sleepers for a Wild Card spot? That seems like so long ago, doesn't it? Tampa does have some young, potentially great threats on offense, but will need to find a long-term solution at quarterback and a more consistent defense if they want to reach those before-mentioned pre-season aspirations. Hopefully Lovie Smith gets at least one more season to try and improve the team. Tampa, you're on the clock...
32. Tennessee Titans (2-14): Tennessee needs so much help on both sides of the ball, it's difficult to know where to start. Well, of course, probably at quarterback. Will the Titans take one of the past two Heisman winners with their #2 pick (Mariotta and Winston) or will they go a different direction? Whichever direction they go, rest assured they will have improved their team at that position.
Comments
Post a Comment