NFC South

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1. New Orleans Saints

The last two seasons have ended with tough playoff exits. This time they want it to end with another Lombardi trophy.

2. Atlanta Falcons

Their offense will continue to put up points at will, but can their defense make key stops to win games?

3. Carolina Panthers

Ron Rivera’s job could be on the line if they don’t make the playoffs for the third time in the last four seasons.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

A new coach and philosophy is in place with Bruce Arians looking to either resurrect Jameis Winston’s career or find his replacement. Continue reading

NFC North

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1. Chicago Bears

Their stout defense will win them a lot of games, but if they want a Super Bowl title the offense will have to be better.

2. Minnesota Vikings

With a bigger emphasis on the running game don’t expect a repeat of last season.

3. Green Bay Packers

If Aaron Rodgers is healthy they will be a playoff contender.

4. Detroit Lions

A lot has to go right for them to clinch a playoff spot, but all the pieces are there for them. Continue reading

NFC East

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1. Dallas Cowboys

Assuming the Cowboys do pay Ezekiel Elliott, this is a talented roster that could push towards the Super Bowl.

2. Philadelphia Eagles

The salary cap crunch hasn’t caught up to them yet. There’s no safety net in Nick Foles should Carson Wentz go down.

3. New York Giants

While they didn’t do a complete overhaul this team is firmly in the hands of head coach Pat Shurmur and GM Dave Gettleman.

4. Washington Redskins

Their defense and running game are their strengths, but can QB Case Keenum find that magic he had two years ago with Minnesota? Continue reading

AFC West

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1. Kansas City Chiefs

If the defense can improve in a few areas changing to a 4-3 system, they will be expected to be Super Bowl contenders.

2. Los Angeles Chargers

The most complete team in the league, that is until Melvin Gordon decided to holdout.

3. Oakland Raiders

They were big spenders in free agency, but their haul in the draft is what will matter most going forward.

4. Denver Broncos

Vic Fangio finally gets a shot to be a head coach. Denver’s defense was already good. Now they’ll be even better.

Head Coach: Andy Reid

Key Position: Defense

This unit was among the best at rushing the passer and causing turnovers last year. Those were the only bright spots. They traded for Frank Clark to be the edge rusher with Chris Jones manning the middle. Tyrann Mathieu is the wild card in the secondary who can play almost anywhere. This unit should be better.

Key Acquisitions: CB Bashaud Breeland (Green Bay Packers), DE Frank Clark (Seattle Seahawks), DB Tyrann Mathieu (Houston Texans), RB LeSean McCoy (Buffalo Bills), DE Emmanuel Ogbah (Cleveland Browns), DE Alex Okafor (New Orleans Saints)

Key Rookies: WR Mecole Hardman, DB Juan Thornhill

Head Coach: Anthony Lynn

Key Position: Running Back

I couldn’t find one major weak point on this team. One of the very few teams that doesn’t have any. However, with Melvin Gordon’s holdout and trade request, this position becomes a question mark now. Austin Ekeler is a solid check down option, but isn’t an everyday back. Justin Jackson got some work last year with Gordon injured. Look for him to get most of the rushing attempts.

Key Acquisitions: LB Thomas Davis (Carolina Panthers), QB Tyrod Taylor (Cleveland Browns)

Key Rookies: DT Jerry Tillery, DB Nasir Adderley

Head Coach: Jon Gruden

Key Position: Everything

They somehow won 4 games last year. This team was just awful. The offense gets an instant bit of credibility with Antonio Brown on board. Josh Jacobs is the feature back and the o-line is improved with Trent Brown at one tackle spot. On defense just drafting Clelin Ferrell and Jonathan Abram brings tenacious athletes in the mix that bring needed energy against the pass and the run. Lamarcus Joyner was a solid addition for the secondary.

Key Acquisitions: WR Antonio Brown (Pittsburgh Steelers), OT Trent Brown (New England Patriots), LB Vontaze Burfict (Cincinnati Bengals), DB Lamarcus Joyner (LA Rams), DT Corey Liuget (LA Chargers), WR Tyrell Williams (LA Chargers), OL Richie Incognito (Buffalo Bills)

Key Rookies: DE Clelin Ferrell, RB Josh Jacobs, DB Jonathan Abram, CB Trayvon Mullen, WR Hunter Renfrow

Head Coach: Vic Fangio (Chicago Bears)

Key Position: Offense

Even with their struggles at quarterback they were still in the middle of the pack as the 19th ranked passing offense and 12th ranked in rushing. That’s not good enough in John Elway’s book and he made another move to acquire a QB. This time it’s former Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco. This will likely be his last shot at running an offense. The running game is solid with Phillip Lindsay, but he doesn’t many top tier receivers at his disposal.

Key Acquisitions: CB Bryce Callahan (Chicago Bears), QB Joe Flacco (Baltimore Ravens), DB Kareem Jackson (Houston Texans), OT Ja’Wuan James (Miami Dolphins)

Key Rookies: TE Noah Fant, OL Dalton Risner, DL Dre’Mont Jones

AFC South

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1. Houston Texans

The competitive window could be closing faster than the Texans think, but protecting Deshaun Watson must be a priority.

2. Tennessee Titans

If Marcus Mariota is healthy and productive, they could be on top of this tough division.

3. Indianapolis Colts

Losing Andrew Luck to retirement will sting, but this season shouldn’t be a lost cause with Jacoby Brissett who was solid as the starter just two seasons ago.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars

A lot has to go right, but if there’s a repeat of last season there will be a lot of changes. Continue reading