It’s that time of year again when we become obsessed for the next 17 Sundays. How fired up are we? Well, you might have noticed that this is our third football feature this week (although that should be it for a while). So here is how we see things shaking out this year.
AFC DIVISION WINNERS
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Even though the Patriots have lost some pieces, they still have Tom Brady. The only question is whether any other team in the division can stay close to them.
CINCINNATI BENGALS
They’re talented on both sides of the ball. But they need to take that next step and get past the first round of the playoffs.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
If they can play any defense, their offense is lethal enough led by Andrew Luck to dethrone Houston and win this division—going away.
DENVER BRONCOS
Like New England, we don’t see anybody even giving them a scare.
AFC WILD CARDS
BALTIMORE RAVENS
They’ve lost a lot of players on defense and Anquan Boldin on offense, but Joe Flacco will show that last year was no fluke.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
The Steelers are getting older and this might be their last chance to do something before they have to break it down and rebuild.
NFC DIVISION WINNERS
DALLAS COWBOYS
We must be nuts. Maybe it’s Tony Romo’s time to prove all the critics wrong.
GREEN BAY PACKERS
We figure their D will bounce back from last year’s debacle and Aaron Rodgers will do the rest.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Sean Payton is back and that will be enough for Saints to win the South.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Even without Michael Crabtree, the Niners are loaded and Seattle isn’t quite ready to grab the division.Â
NFC WILDCARDS
DETROIT LIONS
The Lions having learned that they just can’t show up and win, will bounce back from last season’s disaster.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Last season was no fluke. The Hawks have an abundance of talent on both offense and defense.
SUPERBOWL PREDICTION
DENVER OVER GREEN BAY
The Broncos have the talent and Peyton Manning knows time is running out. We’ll get a replay of the 1998 Super Bowl when John Elway one-upped Brett Favre.
2 TEAMS ON THE WAY UP
ST. LOUIS RAMS
Jeff Fisher has improved the defense. Sam Bradford, the supposed franchise quarterback has to show he’s more Joe Flacco than Mark Sanchez.
MIAMI DOLPHINS
The fish made some strides last year. And Ryan Tannehill has Mike Wallace to throw to this season.
2 TEAMS ON THE WAY DOWN
ATLANTA FALCONS
That awful fiasco against the 49ers in last year’s playoffs was the beginning of the end for them.
HOUSTON TEXANS
Like Atlanta, they had their chance last year and blew it. We wonder how much they have left in the tank.
What are your thoughts for the season? Tell us below.
Let’s go Cowboys!!!
the NYG will be in the playoffs and prob will make the Superbowl.
I, with all due respect to the wonderful staff at DM40, vote you all for Dolts of the day. please don’t remove me for my dissenting
opinion, as I really enjoy this site. Nick, your punishment is Jerry Jones. the Giants/Cowboy game s/b a good one no matter who wins