With the 2016 NFL regular season getting underway Thursday, TGS is ready to do some predicting.
Final standings
AFC East
1. New England Patriots (12-4)
2. New York Jets (8-8)
3. Miami Dolphins (7-9)
4. Buffalo Bills (6-10)
I really don’t think the Pats miss a beat early without Tom Brady. Bill Belichick lives for these challenges.
AFC North
1. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5)
2. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7)
3. Baltimore Ravens (6-10)
4. Cleveland Browns (6-10)
Pittsburgh has become the clear cream of the division, especially with the Ravens unable to stay healthy and the Bengals taking a small step backward in the offseason.
AFC South
1. Indianapolis Colts (10-6)
2. Houston Texans (9-7)
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-8)
4. Tennessee Titans (6-10)
I think Andrew Luck gets back on track this season, but the rest of the division got a whole lot better.
AFC West
1. Oakland Raiders (11-5)
2. Denver Broncos (11-5)
3. Kansas City Chiefs (8-8)
4. San Diego Chargers (5-11)
If their youngsters can continue on their respective trajectories, the Raiders will be a better team than the defending champions.
NFC East
1. New York Giants (10-6)
2. Washington Redskins (8-8)
3. Dallas Cowboys (7-9)
4. Philadelphia Eagles (3-13)
The Giants are primed to have a big season on offense, and the defense is much improved.
NFC North
1. Green Bay Packers (14-2)
2. Chicago Bears (8-8)
3. Minnesota Vikings (6-10)
4. Detroit Lion (5-11)
The Packers have the best quarterback in football, and his top weapon is back. I also think this is the year Adrian Peterson falls off, and I think the Bears will be a lot better in John Fox’s second season.
NFC South
1. Carolina Panthers (12-4)
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8)
3. Atlanta Falcons (6-10)
4. New Orleans Saints (5-11)
Carolina will again stroll to the division title, but expect the Bucs to make a leap in Jameis Winston’s second season.
NFC West
1. Arizona Cardinals (12-4)
2. Seattle Seahawks (11-5)
3. Los Angeles Rams (5-11)
4. San Francisco 49ers (3-13)
The Cardinals might be the best all-around team in football, but the schedule is tough in that division and I’m a bit concerned about Carson Palmer’s ability to hold up.
Playoffs
Wild card: Steelers over Texans, Colts over Broncos; Cardinals over Redskins, Seahawks over Giants
Divisional: Patriots over Colts, Raiders over Steelers; Packers over Seahawks, Panthers over Cardinals
Conference: Patriots over Raiders; Packers over Panthers
Super Bowl LI: Packers over Patriots
Yes, this will be the year of Aaron Rodgers.
Stay tuned for our player predictions later this week.
