If there’s one evidentiary truth of the 2014 NFL season, it’s that there is never a lack of headlining stories. Each year, we mix fantasy with reality to create one of the world’s greatest entertainments: the National Football League.
Some of the top stories this year go a little like this: Can the Seattle Seahawks repeat as champions? Will Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos rebound from such a humiliating loss in the Super bowl? Do the San Francisco 49ers have enough in the tank to get oh so close to glory again? How will the headlining rookies like Johnny Manziel and Jadeveon Clowney fair in their rookie seasons? Can the AFC regain some of that edge lost to the NFC these past few seasons?
So many questions, with very few answers. Luckily for you though, we present our 2014 NFL predictions on the eve of the season opener between Aaron Rodgers and his Green Bay Packers traveling to Seattle to take on Russell Wilson and the Seahawks.
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AFC East
New England Patriots: 12-4*
New York Jets: 9-7
Miami Dolphins: 6-10
Buffalo Bills: 5-11
While it is a brand spanking new-year, it’ll be the same old song and dance in the AFC East. Considered by many to be the weakest division in the league, Tom Brady and the New England Patriots will continue their dominance. For the first time in a while, the Patriots have significantly improved the personnel. The Jets will be much improved on offense and QB Geno Smith will take steps forward, but their defensive back-field will let them down.
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens: 9-7*
Cleveland Browns: 9-7
Cincinnati Bengals: 8-8
Pittsburgh Steelers: 4-12
The Ravens get the nod in the north based purely on coaching. Super Bowl champion John Harbaugh is one of the best in the business and adding Gary Kubiak as offensive coordinator will pay-off big. Look for Mike Pettine’s defensive-minded Browns to surprise as Johnny Manziel takes over after Week 4.
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AFC South
Houston Texans: 11-5*
Indianapolis Colts: 9-7*
Tennessee Titans: 7-9
Jacksonville Jaguars: 3-13
Many are already giving this division to Andrew Luck and the Colts. Not so fast says the dangerous book-ends in Houston (Watt, Clowney). First-year head coach Bill O’Brien knows his way around the NFL and has some talent to work with.
AFC West
Kansas City Chiefs: 11-5*
Denver Broncos: 10-6*
San Diego Chargers: 9-7
Oakland Raiders: 4-12
Easily the toughest division in the AFC is the roughest to predict. Many think the up and coming Chargers are primed for a take-over, but we have the Chiefs plugging their way to the west crown. While Denver takes a step back in the regular season, they’ll still sneak into the playoffs as a wild card.
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AFC Wild Card Round: #6 Colts defeat #3 Texans / #5 Broncos defeat #4 Ravens
Colts QB Andrew Luck once again finds a way to over-achieve with an average group. Manning and the Broncos knock off the Ravens in a close one.
AFC Divisional Round: #1 Patriots defeat #6 Colts / #5 Broncos defeat #2 Chiefs
Tom Brady, Darrelle Revis and the Patriots dismantle the Colts at home. Manning makes another run through the AFC Playoffs by knocking off the Chiefs in Arrowhead.
AFC Championship: #1 Patriots defeat #5 Broncos
Brady on offense and Revis on defense proves to be too much for the Broncos to handle. Brady and Bill Belichick will be heading to their sixth Super Bowl because of a very weak AFC.
AFC Offensive Player of the Year: Jamaal Charles – RB – Chiefs
AFC Defensive Player of the Year: Von Miller – LB – Broncos
AFC Offensive Rookie of the Year: Terrence West – RB – Browns
AFC Defensive Rookie of the Year: Jadeveon Clowney – LB – Texans
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NFC East
Philadelphia Eagles: 13-3*
Washington Redskins: 7-9
New York Giants: 6-10
Dallas Cowboys: 6-10
Believe the hype: Chip Kelly's offense is for real as he’ll turn third-year QB Nick Foles into the league’s MVP in 2014. The other three teams in this division will be a mess all season long. Look for Foles to put up over 5,000 yards and 40 TD’s.
NFC North
Green Bay Packers: 10-6*
Chicago Bears: 10-6*
Detroit Lions: 5-11
Minnesota Vikings: 4-12
The Packers will be a better team than their 10-6 record indicates as playing in the NFC will do that to a record. Aaron Rodgers will be the MVP runner-up. Jay Cutler puts up a fantastic season with Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery on each side. Jim Caldwell will prove to be the wrong hire in Detroit.
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NFC South
New Orleans Saints: 11-5*
Carolina Panthers: 9-7
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 8-8
Atlanta Falcons: 3-13
Not only will rookie WR Brandin Cooks make the Saints offense the second-best in the NFL (Eagles), but their defense led by second-year S Kenny Vaccaro will be one of the league’s best. Cam Newton and the Panthers take a step back from 2013. The Falcons will quickly realize their talent has been depleted.
NFC West
Seattle Seahawks: 14-2*
San Francisco 49ers: 13-3*
Arizona Cardinals: 8-8
St. Louis Rams: 6-10
For an average defending champion it’s tough to not allow a let-down after such an incredible season. For the Seahawks, it’s the complete opposite as they remain hungry in the toughest division in the league. The 49ers will continue to be the league’s second-best team behind a great defense and great coaching.
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NFC Wild Card Round: #3 Saints defeat #6 Bears / #5 49ers defeat #4 Packers
Drew Brees and the Saints easily handle the Bears at home. The 49ers will knock off the Packers through patience and a grind it out game.
NFC Divisional Round: #5 49ers defeat #1 Seahawks / #3 Saints defeat #2 Eagles
In the game of the century, the 49ers will exact their revenge on the Seahawks on their own turf in Seattle. In an overtime classic, Colin Kapernick will drive the field for a TD after Seattle hits a FG on the opening drive. The Saints will outscore the Eagles in Philadelphia in a very high scoring game featuring the two top offenses of 2014.
NFC Championship: #5 49ers defeat #3 Saints
San Francisco moves onto their second Super Bowl in three years as they’ll defeat the Saints by controlling the clock and running the ball with Kaepernick, Frank Gore, and Carlos Hyde.
NFC Offensive Player of the Year: Nick Foles – QB – Eagles
NFC Defensive Player of the Year: Luke Keuchly – LB – Panthers
NFC Offensive Rookie of the Year: Brandin Cooks – WR - Saints
NFC Defensive Rookie of the Year: Anthony Barr – LB – Vikings
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Super Bowl XLIX: #5 49ers defeat #1 Patriots
In Super Bowl XLIX, Jim Harbaugh and the San Francisco 49ers will win the franchise’s sixth Super Bowl ring as they defeat the Patriots by the score of 27-21. Tom Brady will come up short on a last minute drive as he’ll lose his third straight Super Bowl appearance. Kaepernick will run wild in the Super Bowl as Belichick realizes there is very little you can do to defend a QB that fast.
Super Bowl MVP: Colin Kaepernick – QB – 49ers
NFL MVP: Nick Foles – QB – Eagles
Coach of the Year: Bill O’Brien – Texans
Comeback Player of the Year: Julio Jones – WR – Falcons