2017 NFL Preview: More of the Same?

There doesn’t appear to be much suspense going into an NFL season anymore. The New England Patriots are about as prohibitive of a favorite as we’ve seen in ages (since, like, the Patriots, I guess?). The AFC hardly has any competent challengers. The good news is, the NFC always seems to rotate through some fresh faces, so half of the league appears to be in good shape. Here now are my picks for the upcoming season:

 

*-Denotes Wild Card team

 

AFC East

1. New England (14-2)

2. Miami (7-9)

3. New York Jets (4-12)

4. Buffalo (3-13)

 

AFC North

1. Pittsburgh (12-4)

2. Baltimore (10-6)*

3. Cincinnati (8-8)

4. Cleveland (3-13)

AFC South

1. Tennessee (10-6)

2. Jacksonville (8-8)

3. Indianapolis (7-9)

4. Houston (6-10)

 

AFC West

1. Oakland (11-5)

2. Denver (9-7)*

3. Los Angeles Chargers (9-7)

4. Kansas City (4-12)

 

AFC Playoffs

Wild Card

Baltimore over Tennessee

Oakland over Denver

Divisional

Oakland over Pittsburgh

New England over Baltimore

Championship

New England over Oakland

 

NFC East

1. Philadelphia (12-4)

2. New York Giants (10-6)*

3. Washington (6-10)

4. Dallas (5-11)

 

NFC North

1. Green Bay (11-5)

2. Chicago (6-10)

3. Detroit (6-10)

4. Minnesota (5-11)

 

NFC South

1. Tampa Bay (10-6)

2. Carolina (9-7)

3. Atlanta (8-8)

4. New Orleans (8-8)

 

NFC West

1. Seattle (12-4)

2. Arizona (9-7)*

3. San Francisco (8-8)

4. Los Angeles Rams (6-10)

 

NFC Playoffs

Wild Card

New York Giants over Tampa Bay

Arizona over Green Bay

Divisional

Seattle over Arizona

New York Giants over Philadelphia

Championship

Seattle over New York Giants

 

SUPER BOWL XLII

New England over Seattle