NFL 2016 Season Preview

So much happens in only a year, but in the football world, entire teams and organizations can be turned over by the time the calendar flips. This time last year, Chip Kelly was still running the Eagles, the Bills were going to lead the league in sacks and Andrew Luck was going to take the Colts to the Super Bowl. Oh, and the Browns were on a new coaching staff (at least some things never change). Here is a team-by-team record prediction along with a snippet of reasoning.

Arizona Cardinals: 13-3

The offense returns everyone who scored a touchdown last year and the defense has some excellent playmakers in Patrick Peterson, Tyrann Mathieu, Chandler Jones and Calais Campbell

Atlanta Falcons: 7-9

Aside from the indestructible Julio Jones at wide receiver and lockdown cornerback Desmond Trufant, there is simply not enough talent on this team. Also, Matt Ryan has inexplicably become a below average quarterback after eight-plus years of competence.

Baltimore Ravens: 10-6

This may sound high for a team that went 5-11 last year, but that team lost virtually every key player to injury. The Ravens return their starting quarterback, number one and two receivers and two great linebackers. Expect a resurgence from John Harbaugh’s squad.

Buffalo Bills: 6-10

The Bills have been ravaged by injuries and suspensions this preseason. There is still nice talent on offense in receiver Sammy Watkins, running back LeSean McCoy and QB Tyrod Taylor. However, with no depth to be found, this team is already on the brink of imploding.

Carolina Panthers: 13-3

Last season’s Super Bowl runner-ups return everyone except top 10 cornerback Josh Norman. On the other hand, 6’5 star receiver Kelvin Benjamin returns after a lost season due to injury. Their fantastic front seven will pick up the slack (or sack) for the rookies charged with replacing Norman.

Chicago Bears: 5-11

Losing offensive coordinator Adam Gase, who really clicked with embattled QB Jay Cutler, will hurt. Last year’s 7th overall pick, receiver Kevin White, debuts after a lost rookie season. After signing rangy linebackers Jerrell Freeman and Danny Trevathan, look for the defense to take the next step.

Cincinnati Bengals: 10-6

The Bengals are the model of consistency. The routinely field competitive, deep teams that always get bounced in the first round of the playoffs. Coach Marvin Lewis is 0-7 in playoff games and this looks like it may be his last chance. The team will miss smooth tight end Tyler Eifert as he recovers from ankle surgery.

Cleveland Browns: 3-13

Death, taxes and the poor Browns having a losing season. They are on their 6th coach since 2008, have another new front office and, once again, have very little talent, especially on defense. On the bright side, young receivers Corey Coleman and Josh Gordon are electrifying.

Dallas Cowboys: 9-7

This is one of the more interesting teams as the season starts up. After yet another Tony Romo injury, the team is relying on a rookie QB and rookie running back to shoulder the offensive load. Ezekiel Elliot looks ready for the challenge, and behind the best protection in the league, he could rush for 2000 yards. The defense is bereft of playmakers, however.

Denver Broncos: 11-5

The Super Bowl champs return by far the NFL’s best defense, but lost their top two quarterbacks last season to retirement and free agency. The good news is the Broncos won it all despite Peyton Manning’s noodle arm, so this team should make the playoffs again even with the inexperienced Trevor Siemian under center.

Detroit Lions: 8-8

Losing the best wide receiver of his generation to early retirement in Calvin Johnson stings, but there are other areas for hope. Receiver Golden Tate is ready to step up and be a number one target and the team has studs at every level of the defense in Ezekiel Ansah at defensive end, DeAndre Levy at linebacker and Darius Slay at corner.

Green Bay Packers: 12-4

A favorable schedule combined with having a top three quarterback in the league, it should be smooth sailing for a remarkable consistent Packers’ team. The return of star receiver Jordy Nelson should elevate the passing game to its usual excellence. The defense is deep at every layer, just like chocolate cake.

Houston Texans: 9-7

Having the best defender in the league, J.J. Watt,  anchor a dominant defense certainly helps matters, but the man who holds the keys to a possible Super Bowl is quarterback Brock Osweiler, who the Texans signed in free agency with the hope that some of Peyton Manning’s magic rubbed off on his former teammate.

Indianapolis Colts: 7-9

The team may have a great young quarterback in Andrew Luck, but talent is otherwise scarce. Losing star quarterback to a bum ankle for a month really hurts, since there is no other corner on the team that even comes close to his effectiveness. The offensive line is still a huge problem.

Jacksonville Jaguars: 8-8

The Jaguars are a young team that could blow this record prediction out of the water. They added gobs of talented defensive players and also boast one of the fastest growing QB-WR connections in third year pros Blake Bortles and Allen Robinson.

Kansas City Chiefs: 11-5

The Chiefs have an easy schedule, an ultra talented defense as well as a productive, non-turnover prone offense. Look for rookie sensation, cornerback Marcus Peters, to take the next step in his second year in the league, possibly becoming a top five cornerback.

Los Angeles Rams: 7-9

Rams coach Jeff Fisher has gone 7-9 two out of the past four years, as well as one of those years a very close 7-8-1. The Rams going 7-9 probably has the best chance of any of these predicted records of coming true. Running back Todd Gurley and defensive tackle Aaron Donald are absolute monsters at their respective positions.

Miami Dolphins: 6-10

The Dolphins are bereft of talent on defense outside of Ndamukong Suh. The offensive line is very shaky and quarterback Ryan Tannehill cannot be trusted. New coach Adam Gase, however, looks like a good hire.

Minnesota Vikings: 11-5

Losing rising young quarterback teddy Bridgewater to a gruesome knee injury that called for an ambulance is devastating to an organization that has been built the right way. The team traded for embattled starter Sam Bradford, who is a much finer option that Shaun Hill. The defense is deep, nasty and skilled while running back Adrian peterson is better than ever. If Bradford can avoid turnovers, the team could still be really good.

New England Patriots: 10-6

With legendary quarterback Tom Brady suspended four games for cheating, the team will probably go 2-2 with Jimmy Garoppolo at the helm. Combing over the rest of the schedule, the Pats have some really tough matchups, so a 10-6 finish is very likely under the circumstances.

New Orleans Saints: 8-8

Drew Brees is still a top six quarterback, and he has new toys to play with in speedy wideout Brandin Cooks as well as the massive Michael Thomas out of Ohio State. The defense cannot get any worse than last year, as the were ranked last, but by no means will it be a dominant unit.

New York Giants: 9-7

The team refuses to put forth resources to boost its ailing linebacker corps, has the physical representation of a sieve in its offensive line, and has no running game. So why a winning record? The front four should rush quarterbacks effectively and the secondary is deep with talent. Oh, and also, superstar WR Odell Beckham Jr. and QB Eli Manning have a fantastic connection.

New York Jets: 11-5

The team went 10-6 last season with a new coaching staff and a new quarterback. With all core players returning, the team should only get better. The defense is perhaps the best in the league, headlined by star cornerback Darrelle Revis and a superb defensive front. Receivers Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker were one of  only three receiver tandems last year to both boast 1,000 yard seasons on the same team.

Oakland Raiders: 10-6

After years of ineptitude, hope is shining brighter than ever for the Raiders. Thanks to general manager Reggie McKenzie’s fantastic 2014 and 2015 drafts, the team has a young franchise quarterback in Derek Carr, a star wide receiver in Amari Cooper and a pass rushing menace in Khalil Mack. All of them are 25 or younger. The offensive line is top notch as well.

Philadelphia Eagles: 4-12

After stunningly trading away their presumed starting QB, Sam Bradford, a week before the start of the season, rookie signal caller Carson Wentz is being thrust into the starting role. Couple his inexperience with a middling supporting cast and you’re looking at a rough season for all involved.

Pittsburgh Steelers: 14-2

The team boasts the best running back and wide receiver in the league in Le’Veon bell and Antonio Brown as well as a top five QB, Ben Roethlisberger. The defense just has to be average in order to keep up with an offense that should put up 30 points an outing.

San Diego Chargers: 7-9

Now that the completely avoidable Joey Bosa situation is behind, the defense looks like it can be upper tier, posing three starting cornerbacks, rangy linebackers and explosive defensive lineman. QB Phil Rivers remains a model of consistency, but his protection may have issues again.

San Francisco 49ers: 4-12

After the mass exodus of talent in the summer of 2015 and Colin Kaepernick’s inexplicable decline from a star to a backup, the team is devoid of talent at virtually all positions. The offense has the least skill position talent in the league, with only excellent left tackle Joe Staley to count on.

Seattle Seahawks: 12-4

The defense is still fantastic and hard-hitting and the offense is quickly catching up with Russell Wilson growing to be a top five QB in the NFL. The team has been to two of the last three Super Bowls and was one lucky interception away from winning two in a row.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 8-8

It looks like they have a stud in 22-year-old QB Jameis Winston. Having a young franchise signal caller is the biggest sigh of relief a rebuilding team could possibly ask for. The squad is not ready to win a Super Bowl just yet, but the pieces are in place for the future.

Tennessee Titans:

Marcus Mariota, drafted one spot after the man mentioned above, looks to have just as bright a future. He is calm in the pocket, has a strong arm and can tuck the ball in and run. His backfield consists of two bruisers in DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry. They should keep the load from growing too heavy for the young, second-year starter.

Washington:

The offense is one of the most complex and diverse systems in the league, with the driver being Kirk Cousins, who had a fantastic season. Tight end Jordan Reed is second to only gronk in the tight end hierarchy and top 10 corner Josh Norman joined the team in free agency.