Yeah, a number of traditionally strong teams will sustain excellence, but several newcomers will break through this year.
AFC NORTH
1. Pittsburgh (11-5) – Lots of weapons on O, the secondary could be a problem.
2. Baltimore (8-8) – Top-heavy team: lots of defense, not much offense.
3. Cincinnati (7-9) – Front seven on D getting old, two OL starters are gone.
4. Cleveland (3-13) – Working hard to get better, but it won’t show this year.
AFC EAST
1. New England (13-3) – Defending champs won’t go 16-0, but they’re loaded.
2. Miami (8-8) – Second place by default, not really a contender.
3. Buffalo (6-10) – New head coach, same old quarterback, same results.
4. NY Jets (3-13) – Organization gutted its own roster, changes coming in ’18.
AFC SOUTH
1. Tennessee (10-6) – Mariota at QB + LeBeau coordinating D = playoffs.
2. Houston (8-8) – JJ Watt returns, but who is the leader at QB?
3. Indianapolis (6-10) – Luck injury portends a slow start.
4. Jacksonville (5-11) – Coughlin is solid in the front office, but he doesn’t play.
AFC WEST
1. Oakland (12-4) – If Carr stays healthy, could be a special year.
2. Kansas City (10-6) – They’ll need more offense, could get it from Mahomes.
3. Denver (8-8) – Young QBs signify a team in transition.
4. LA Chargers (6-10) – Switching to a 4-3 D, need to take care of the ball.
AFC seeds: 1. New England 2. Oakland 3. Pittsburgh 4. Tennessee 5. Kansas City 6. Denver
Wild Card Weekend: Pittsburgh over Denver; Tennessee over Kansas City
Divisional Round: Oakland over Pittsburgh; New England over Tennessee
AFC Championship: New England over Oakland
NFC NORTH
1. Green Bay (12-4) – Pass D should be better, and then there’s Rodgers.
2. Minnesota (10-6) – Dalvin Cook, aggressive defense keep Vikes close.
3. Detroit (7-9) – Lots of yards gained, but plenty allowed as well.
4. Chicago (3-13) – They can’t create turnovers, plus, Glennon at QB?
NFC EAST
1. Dallas (11-5) – Even with Elliott suspended, run game dominates again.
2. NY Giants (10-6) – Only team here that can compete with, beat Cowboys.
3. Philadelphia (8-8) – New weapons for Wentz will help.
4. Washington (6-10) – Top WRs are gone, the defense isn’t good, and Cousins is back to earth.
NFC SOUTH
1. Tampa Bay (10-6) – Winston has better targets, D is just good enough.
2. Atlanta (10-6) – Super Bowl choke-artists save a little face, anyway.
3. Carolina (9-7) – Defense has to grow all over again.
4. New Orleans (6-10) – Entertaining, but they’ll lose high-scoring games.
NFC WEST
1. Seattle (11-5) – Team of the decade if it weren’t for the Patriots.
2. Arizona (9-7) – Run game strong, but the defense lost five starters.
3. LA Rams (5-11) – Bland team with porous O-line, D changing to 3-4
4. San Francisco (5-11) – Lots of former Ravens, will they help?
NFC seeds: 1. Green Bay 2. Dallas 3. Seattle 4. Tampa Bay 5. Minnesota 6. NY Giants
Wild Card Weekend: Seattle over NY Giants; Tampa Bay over Minnesota
Divisional Round: Dallas over Seattle; Green Bay over Tampa Bay
NFC Championship: Dallas over Green Bay
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SUPER BOWL LII; FEB. 4; US BANK STADIUM; MINNEAPOLIS (NBC): New England over Dallas
