NFL 2015 Season Preview

By John Tank Last updated Sep 14, 2015

Jan 4, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) celebrates on the field after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 45-44 to win the 2013 AFC wild card playoff football game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

The AFC East will go, yet again, to the New England Patriots. With the Demi God Tom Brady back on the team for a full season it is almost impossible to not pick the Patriots. There are questions revolving around their defense as they will try to replace pro bowl cornerback Darrelle Revis and defensive tackle Vince Wilfork, but if I know anything, it is to never doubt TB12 and Belicheck. It will not be as easy as years past however, as the AFC East has greatly improved across the board, look for the Dolphins and Bills to be major players in the AFC this year.

Moving on to the AFC West, the Broncos should repeat for a fifth straight season as division champions, but this all hinges on the health of quarterback Peyton Manning. Manning was hindered at the end of last season as well as the playoff by a thigh injury, and it showed in the team’s playoff defeat by the Indianapolis Colts. Hopefully he can play to best of his abilities this season.

The AFC South is the closest thing to a lock for any division. You should expect the Colts to roll this season, and I see them winning the number one seed in the AFC this year. Adding veteran wide receiver Andre Johnson and running back Frank Gore gives even more weapons to quarterback Andrew Luck who already led a juggernaut offense to begin with.

The AFC North is the most wide-open division in football, but I think the Ravens will win it. Pass rushers Elvis Dummervil and Terrel Suggs, along with a proven quarterback in Joe Flacco and good coaching in John Harbaurgh will be enough, and they should battle their way to the division title. I would have chosen the Steelers, but there are too many questions revolving around their defense, in addition losing wide receiver Martavis Bryant for four game due to suspension and pro bowl center Maurkice Pouncy to injury, this should prove too much in such a close race.

The first AFC Wildcard will go to the Cincinnati Bengals, and the second to the Buffalo Bills. It should be open season for these two spots as the Steelers, Chargers, Chiefs, Dolphins, Texans, and the Jets will all have a legitimate chance to win a spot. But when it comes down to it, the Bengals and Bills have the two most talented rosters of the bunch and good coaching. Starting Tyrod Taylor at quarterback for the Bills will be interesting to see, but at the end of the day the Bills have one of the best rosters in the NFL, and I think that alone breaks their 15 year playoff drought.

Moving on to the NFC, the East should be a two-team race between the Eagles and the Cowboys, but I think Chip and the gang will get it done. Hey, maybe I am just a sucker for advanced statistics and the state of Oregon, but that is my pick. The one two punch of running backs Demarco Murray and Ryan Mathews will be dynamic, but do not sleep on linebacker Kiko Alonso, who the Eagles received in the trade with the Bills for LeSean McCoy.

Despite losing wide receiver Jordy Nelson for the season due to an ACL tear, the NFC North is still the Packers to lose. Even without Jordy, the pack are loaded with Rodgers, Lacy, and Cobb. Look for the Vikings to make some noise though this season and make a sneaky playoff run, as Adrian Peterson rushes for upwards of 1800 yards.

The NFC West will go to the Seattle Seahawks; no real surprise here. With their major rival San Francisco 49ers having one of the worst, if not the worst offseason in NFL history, losing their head coach and what seems like their entire defense and skill players on offense, the Seahawks should have no problem securing the division.

Finally moving on to the NFC South I am picking the Saints. No teams really stand out in this division, as it is probably the weakest in the NFL, but losing wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin for the season really hurts an already thin receiving core for Cam Newton and the defending division champion Carolina Panthers. The Buccaneers will improve, but unless quarterback Jameis Winston is better than we all think he is, their chances are slim. The Falcons are an interesting team. Wide receiver Julio Jones and quarterback Matt Ryan are great, but everything else not so much, particularly their weak running game and perhaps one of, if not the worst defenses in the NFL should not lead too much success. So by default, Saints should take the division.

The first NFC Wildcard spot will go to the Dallas Cowboys. The second will go to the Arizona Cardinals. This is a tough pick, but I think they’re better than the Vikings, Rams, Lions, Panthers, and Giants, thanks to the fact that the Cardinals have one of the best secondary’s in the NFL and an explosive receiving core.

As for the MVP, it is Andrew Luck. He is that good, and with more weapons than he has ever had at his disposal, as well as a schedule that allows him to plays the Jaguars and Titan both twice we his poised for his best year yet, leading the Colts to the number one seed in the AFC.

As for my Super bowl predictions I have the Colts playing the Packers. The Colts have improved ever since they have drafted Luck, and I think this is the year they finally beat the Patriots in the playoffs. As for the Packers, no Jordy Nelson will be tough, and maybe even tough will be beating Seattle in the playoffs, but I think Rodgers and the Packers find a way and get it done. As for who wins, I am picking the Colts. The Colts will explode this season with a dominant offense, and I think it will end with MVP Andrew Luck hoisting up the Lombardi trophy.