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Dec 1, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) hands the ball off to running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) in the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Dallas Cowboys beat the Minnesota Vikings 17-15. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
With the 2017 NFL season only a few months away, here's a look at how each of the 32 teams could win Super Bowl LII.
After seeing all of the key moves made over the last few months, the New England Patriots are currently the early favorites to win Super Bowl LII in Minnesota, and rightfully so since Tom Brady doesn't appear to be slowing down anytime soon. But while the Patriots seem to have an early advantage, that doesn't mean the other 31 teams won't have a strong case at hoisting the Lombardi Trophy once February rolls around.
One of the best things about the NFL is any team seems capable of emerging as surprise contenders at the start of the new season, no matter what took place the year before. Just look at the Dallas Cowboys last season after they went from a 4-12 record in 2015 to finishing with the best record in the NFC during the regular season in 2016 thanks to the unexpected emergence of Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott.
If the Cowboys can pull off this much success with two rookies leading the way, imagine what could be store now that Prescott and Elliott have a year of experience under their belts. And while the Cowboys aren't far behind the Patriots when it comes to being early favorites, it's time to take a look at how all 32 NFL teams stack up when it comes to their chances of winning Super Bowl LII.
Dec 18, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) stretches and score a touchdown as New Orleans Saints cornerback B.W. Webb (28) defends during the second half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Arizona Cardinals
At the beginning of the 2016 season, the Arizona Cardinals were considered one of the early favorites in the NFC to make a run at the Super Bowl, mainly because they managed to reach the NFC Championship the year before against the Carolina Panthers. On paper, the Cardinals seemed to have one of the best overall teams thanks to a high-powered offense along with a stellar defense, but unfortunately it was too difficult for this team to get back on track following a 1-3 start.
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This time around, Arizona seems to be in a similar situation when it comes to appearing to have one of the top overall teams on paper, but only time will tell when it comes to whether they can live up to the hype. With Carson Palmer most likely having two or three solid year at most left in him at quarterback, the Cardinals realize they can't afford to miss out on another golden opportunity to make a Super Bowl run with this current squad.
Of course, if Arizona is going to have any shot at making that happen, the offense is going to need another monstrous season from David Johnson at running back. Seeing Johnson record 2,118 yards from the line of scrimmage to go along with 20 total touchdowns in just his second season shows how special of a running back he truly is for the Cardinals, and will play a big role in how far this team goes in 2017.
Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) celebrates his touchdown with teammates during the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers in the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Atlanta Falcons
Watching the Atlanta Falcons blow a 28-3 lead to the New England Patriots was absolutely heartbreaking to witness when considering how late in the game was, but hopefully what took place won't distract them from being one of the top contenders once again in the NFC. Thanks to having one of the league's top duos in Matt Ryan and Julio Jones, early signs point to the Falcons offense finishing near the top of the league like they did during the 2016 season.
For years, Atlanta has always been one of those teams capable of being playoff contenders due to their high-powered offense, but it wasn't until last season they finally showed just how dangerous they could be. Not only did Ryan take home MVP honors after nearly throwing for 5,000 yards to go along with 38 touchdown passes and just seven interceptions, but the duo of Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman provided the Falcons with an extra advantage at running back most teams would anything to have.
Take all of this into consideration along with having one of the league's most dominant receivers in Jones, opponents are going to find it difficult to contain Atlanta's offense. But whether or not this team has what it takes to go the distance will come down to the performance on the young Falcons defense that seemed gassed out late in the Super Bowl, playing a big role in the historic collapse.
Nov 20, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) throws prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Baltimore Ravens
It's hard to believe the Baltimore Ravens were in the run for the AFC North title at one point towards the end of the 2016 season before losing a key game to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 16, mainly due to having an elite defense. Over the years, the Ravens have established a strong reputation for having one of the league's top overall defense, and assuming all goes well over the next few months, there's no reason why that shouldn't be the case once again in 2017.
Watching Baltimore jump out to a 3-0 start despite only scoring 57 points during that span shows how much this unit relies on their defense. But whether they have what it takes to be contenders in the AFC is simply going to come down to how well they perform on offense since Joe Flacco doesn't necessarily have the best weapons to work with.
Flacco claims he deserves consideration for falling into the category of an elite quarterback in the NFL, but his numbers over the years are average at best, and he now has to adjust to playing without one of the most dangerous receivers to ever play the game in Steve Smith. While the defense could end up being the deciding factor when it comes to preventing either the Pittsburgh Steelers or Cincinnati Bengals, Flacco elevating his game will give Baltimore their best chance of making a run at the Super Bowl.
Nov 27, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) carries the ball past Jacksonville Jaguars outside linebacker Telvin Smith (50) during the second half at New Era Field. The Bills won 28-21. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Buffalo Bills
Remember at the beginning of last season when the Buffalo Bills overcame an 0-2 start by winning their next four games to make it seem like they could end up be a surprise contender in the AFC? If only the Bills hadn't gone on to win just three games for the remainder of the year, they could have actually made that dream come true.
The good news for Buffalo is the team made the right decision to part ways with Rex Ryan after two years since he never should have been hired as the head coach in the first place, and will have the opportunity for a fresh start with Sean McDermott now calling the shots.
The former Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator seemed long overdue for his first head coaching gig, and even though McDermott's been heavily praised for his work on defense over the years, he's going to have quite the work cut out for him by playing in the same division as the New England Patriots.
Then again, even if Buffalo stepped it up on the defensive side of the football, it's the offense that will need to be on top of their game if they're going to put an end to that embarrassing playoff drought (last made the postseason in 1999). LeSean McCoy continues to show why he's considered one of the most dangerous running backs in the league. But when it comes to the two players that need to step it up the most to bring out the best on offense, Tyrod Taylor and Sammy Watkins are the names to keep an eye on.
Jan 1, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) and Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) greet each other after he missed the catch for the 2-point conversion against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the fourth quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Carolina Panthers 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Carolina Panthers
One year after falling to the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl, the Carolina Panthers were considered one of the strong favorites to make another run early on in the 2016 season, only to end up being one of the biggest disappointments. From their defense failing to be as dominant thanks to the departure of Josh Norman to Cam Newton receiving failing to receive the necessary help from some of his teammates, the Panthers have plenty of work on their plates if they plan on returning to the level of strong contenders.
Losing a speedy playmaker like Ted Ginn Jr. (New Orleans Saints) in free agency certainly hurt for the offense at first, but Carolina made out real well in the recent draft by snagging the offensive weapon they seemed to have their eyes set on for months in Christian McCaffrey. The former Stanford star is considered to be one of the most skilled players from this year's draft class due to his ability to be a threat at multiple positions, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see Ron Rivera use him as much as possible during his rookie year.
Having a new weapon to work with in McCaffrey, along with two other big threats to work with in the passing game in Greg Olsen and Kelvin Benjamin, should help Newton return to his MVP form to help the Panthers become contenders again in the NFC. There's a reason why Carolina previously had a streak of three playoff appearances in a row prior to last year. And if all goes well, a new streak could be in the works.
Dec 24, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Washington Redskins defensive back Greg Toler (20) and Chicago Bears running back Jordan Howard (24) during the game at Soldier Field. The Redskins defeat the Bears 41-21. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago Bears
When it comes to the most interesting teams to figure out from the offseason, the Chicago Bears rank near the top of the list when considering all of the moves made over the last few months. The team seemed set at quarterback after agreeing to a three-year deal with Mike Glennon in free agency, and even though many believe the Bears overpaid for the quarterback, that wasn't even their most surprising move.
By trading up in the first round to select Mitch Trubisky, Chicago made their plans clear that Glennon may only be a short-term solution, and this could easily turn into one of the surprise position battles to keep an eye on once training camp officially gets underway. Whoever ends up playing quarterback, at least either one will have the opportunity to develop with a young offense looking to build off of last year's success surrounding Jordan Howard.
The Bears may seem like an absolute long shot at the moment when it comes to being Super Bowl contenders, but the only chance this team is going to have is if Howard proves he wasn't just a one-year wonder, and has what it takes to be a reliable running back in the NFL. To see a fifth-round pick finish second in the league with 1,313 rushing yards during their first year in the league shows how much potential there is surrounding Howard, and here's to hoping that success continues during his sophomore season in Chicago.
Oct 30, 2016; London, United Kingdom; Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis reacts in the second quarter against the Washington Redskins during game 17 of the NFL International Series at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Cincinnati Bengals
For the first time since the 2010 season, the Cincinnati Bengals failed to make the playoffs last year after finishing with a 6-9-1 record, which obviously was frustrating to see when looking at the talent they were fortunate to work with on both sides of the football. But as frustrating as this was for Marvin Lewis and company to deal with, there's every reason in the world to believe the Bengals are capable of bouncing back in 2017 to become serious contenders in the AFC.
Cincinnati's offense was already dangerous thanks to the combination of Andy Dalton, Jeremy Hill, and A.J. Green, but taking advantage of a high draft to bring another speedy playmaker on board in John Ross will hopefully help this unit reach a whole new level. In fact, the addition of Ross could end up benefitting Green the most in the passing game when considering how much extra attention he tends to receive from opponents, who will now have to also worry over the whereabouts of the former Washington star.
When looking at the high-powered offense of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the division, the Bengals realize how difficult it's going to be to make a run for the AFC North title, let alone a Super Bowl appearance. Not to mention that Cincinnati will also have to overcome their inabilities to win a playoff game with Lewis as head coach if they're going to have any chance of making a case to play in Minnesota once February rolls around.
May 24, 2017; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Cody Kessler (6) prepares to hand off to fullback Danny Vitale (40) during organized team activities at the Cleveland Browns training facility. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Cleveland Browns
Every team deserves consideration when it comes to the chances of winning the Super Bowl before the start of the upcoming season, even if that team happens to be the Cleveland Browns. It's easy to understand why the Browns have been considered one of the laughingstocks of the league each year since they only have two winning seasons dating back to 2002, and even after only winning one game all of last year, at least this team is moving in the right direction.
Seeing a team like Cleveland go from a 1-15 record to winning the Super Bowl seems absolutely ridiculous to even think about, but let's at least look at all of the key moves made by the team over the last few months. After being one of the winners of free agency thanks to the big signing of Kevin Zeitler, the Browns made a huge splash in this year's draft by taking advantage of multiple picks in the first round by boosting the defense with the additions of Myles Garrett and Jabrill Peppers.
And if that wasn't exciting enough, Cleveland's offense received an effective pass-catching tight end in David Njoku by trading back into the first round. Don't look now, but the Browns have been making all of the right moves this offseason to actually provide some excitement for the future.
Jan 15, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett celebrates with wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) after a touchdown during the second quarter in the NFC Divisional playoff game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Dallas Cowboys
The 2016 NFL season was filled with numerous surprises that nobody could have predicted in a million years, such as the Dallas Cowboys finishing with the best record during the regular season in the NFC while being led by two rookies on offense. When Tony Romo went down in the preseason with a devastating injury, the Cowboys seemed confident Dak Prescott would be able to lead the way until the veteran's return.
Instead, Prescott was doing such a fantastic job with running the offense that Dallas decided to keep the rookie under center, and would eventually move on from Romo this offseason. Clearly, this was no easy decision to make when looking at the type of leader Romo has been for the Cowboys throughout his career, but now that Prescott has a year of experience under his belt, one can only imagine what's going to be in store for his sophomore campaign.
Even if the offensive line lost a few key players from a year ago, Dallas enters the 2017 season as one of the strong favorites to make a run at this year's Super Bowl, and when looking at the weapons Prescott has to work with on offense, it's easy to see why. Most quarterbacks would do anything in their power to be able to work with weapons like Ezekiel Elliott and Dez Bryant, so expect Prescott to pickup right where he left off as a rookie.
Dec 18, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) warms up before the game against the New England Patriots at Sports Authority Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Denver Broncos
The defense of the Denver Broncos seemed determined more than ever at the beginning of the 2016 season to defend their Super Bowl title, but due to a few adjustments on offense, the team failed to even earn a spot in the playoffs. Even after a 6-2 start, the Broncos seemed like they would at least earn a Wild Card spot in the AFC, only to end up going 3-5 over the final eight games of the regular season.
Heading into the 2017 season, all signs point to Denver's defense having the potential to be one of the best in the NFL, and return to the dominant level from their Super Bowl run. But the deciding factor on how far this team can go will fall on the shoulders of Trevor Siemian running the offense.
Normally, the combination of Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders at wide receiver would make life easier for any quarterback, but it wasn't always easy for Siemian, as the quarterback struggled at times, with part of the reason being a lack of support in the ground game. With a year of experience under his belt, here's to hoping Siemian's second year goes a little smoother as quarterback for the Broncos to help them return to the level of being contenders.
Dec 11, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) looks on during the second quarter against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions made a bold statement last season by showing the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings they have what it takes to compete for the NFC North title. And even though they ended up earning one of the Wild Card spots in the NFC, it was frustrating to see the Lions basically give away the division title by losing their final three games of the regular season.
One of the main reasons why Detroit wasn't considered a threat at the beginning of last season was due to the fact that everybody expected Matthew Stafford and the offense to struggle in their first year without Calvin Johnson. After the former Lions standout came out of nowhere with the announcement of his retirement, Stafford was expected to experience some growing pains without Johnson, which obviously was far from the case when looking at the type of season he was able to put together.
As long as Golden Tate and Marvin Jones can figure out ways to be consistent in the passing game for Stafford, Detroit should be able to make another run at the postseason for the second year in a row. Then again, the Lions better hope a lack of support in the ground game doesn't ruin their chances of making that happen since Stafford can only do so much on his own.
Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter in the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Green Bay Packers
As long as Aaron Rodgers is calling the shots under center, the Green Bay Packers are always going to be considered one of the early favorites to make a run at the Super Bowl when the season gets underway. Not even a 4-6 record made Rodgers worry about the Packers chances of representing the NFC in last year's big game, as they made it all the way to the NFC Championship before falling to the Atlanta Falcons.
Despite the disappointment, Rodgers deserves all of the credit in the world for literally carrying Green Bay on a miraculous run when all hope seemed lost towards the end of the regular season. For a quarterback that's always been considered one of the most competitive in the game, chances are Rodgers is going to come out firing this upcoming season since it's safe to say the Packers quarterback is playing with an extra chip on his shoulders after falling short of the Super Bowl last January.
As if Rodgers having Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb as his top two options wasn't already scary enough, let's not forget Green Bay has another dangerous threat at wideout in Davante Adams, who found the end zone 12 times in 2016. Assuming everyone can manage to stay healthy, the Packers are going to be extremely difficult to contain on offense, and should be heavy favorites in the NFC.
Sep 18, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) looks up at the scoreboard during the fourth quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
Houston Texans
Once again, the Houston Texans find themselves in a position where they seem to be one reliable quarterback away from being serious contenders in the AFC, which is why they were beyond excited around this time last offseason with Brock Osweiler. Luckily, the Texans were able to part ways with Osweiler after one disastrous season in which he finished with more interceptions than touchdowns during the regular season. But it still leaves them with the issue of figuring out who will be the starter at quarterback.
Down the road, Houston hopes to see Deshaun Watson eventually take over the starting role at quarterback when considering they traded up in the first round this year to land the former Clemson star. For now, it seems like the Texans are going to take the safe route by giving Tom Savage a chance to prove he has what it takes to be the starter, which is easier said than done.
Savage may have shown potential in limited action for Houston during the 2016 season, but his inexperience could end up holding the offense back from reaching their true potential to make a run at the AFC South title for the third-straight season. Then again, anyone besides Osweiler seems to be a better option, and hopefully a different quarterback like Savage under center will finally help the Texans take that next step of finally becoming strong contenders for the Super Bowl.
Dec 18, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) celebrates his touchdown pass against the Minnesota Vikings in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Indianpolis Colts
Last summer, the Indianapolis Colts rewarded Andrew Luck with a whopping $140 million contract. And after failing to earn a trip to the postseason during the first year following the new deal, the pressure is at an all-time high for the former No. 1 pick. Luck has looked like one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL at numerous times throughout his career, but to see the Colts dominate the AFC South for three years in a row only to miss out on the playoffs each of the last two seasons is beyond frustrating.
Many believe Indianapolis would have been better off spending some of that money being used on Luck to improve the defensive side of the football, but at least they were able to address some of their needs in the recent draft. By using their first three picks focusing on defense, including a first rounder on safety Malik Hooker, the Colts will hopefully be in better position not to just compete for the division title, but one of the top contenders in the AFC as well.
If the defense can improve along with Luck finding a way to remain healthy, Indianapolis certainly has what it takes to return to their level from a few years ago of being a threat in the NFL. Otherwise, all of that money invested in Luck is just going to go to complete waste for Indianapolis when they easily could have spent it on other areas.
Dec 18, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) laughs before the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Jacksonville Jaguars
One season after setting the bar high for himself by completing 35 touchdown passes, Blake Bortles was supposed to help the Jacksonville Jaguars make the leap in 2016 by becoming playoff contenders in the AFC. Instead, Bortles took a major step back, and the Jaguars turned out to be one of the most disappointing teams in the NFL by only winning three games.
Flash forward to the 2017 offseason, and it's safe to say this upcoming year could be the final chance for Bortles when it comes to proving he deserves to be Jacksonville's quarterback moving forward. It was frustrating to see Bortles struggle while having a duo at wide receiver in Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns, but after the Jaguars used a first-round pick on Leonard Fournette, it's going to be tough to defend the quarterback if the issues continue.
Plus, let's not forget how Jacksonville was considered one of the winners of free agency after landing numerous key signings, including Calais Campbell and A.J. Bouye. As crazy as it sounds, when comparing themselves to some of the other teams that struggled throughout the 2016 season, the Jaguars may have the best chance of making the leap to fight for a playoff spot.
Jan 15, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs strong safety Eric Berry (29) reacts to a play during the first half in the AFC Divisional playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Arrowhead Stadium. The Steelers won 18-16. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs were kicking themselves for their embarrassing performance on offense against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Divisional Round of the playoffs when considering the defense prevented Ben Roethlisberger and company from scoring a single touchdown been. When seeing all of the explosive weapons the Steelers had to work with on the offensive side of the football, the Chiefs defense deserved plenty of credit for holding them to six field goals.
If only Kansas City's offense was in better shape, this team would have had their chance against the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship, but there's nothing Andy Reid's squad can do other than use this as motivation heading into 2017 season. Once again, the defense has the potential to be one of the best in the league to give the Chiefs a fighting chance. But if they finally want to get over the hump of advancing deep into the playoffs, Alex Smith will need to figure out a way to improve their offensive woes.
Travis Kelce has already established a reputation for himself of being one of the league's top pass-catching tight ends, but even that's not going to be enough for Smith. Only time will tell when it comes to whether Tyreek Hill will build off of last year's surprise success as a rookie, but it's also time for Jeremy Maclin to finally start living up to his contract to give Kansas City a better chance in the conference.
Oct 23, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) hands the ball off to running back Melvin Gordon (28) against the Atlanta Falcons in the first quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Chargers
When considering the AFC West turned out to be one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL last year, it was a shame to see the Los Angeles Chargers finish at the bottom with a 5-11 record. Of course, after taking a closer look at the previous two seasons for the Chargers, the argument can be made they would be much stronger contenders if it wasn't for so many injuries on both sides of the football.
This time around, Los Angeles should feel much better about their current situation heading into their first year in a new city, especially after seeing the success behind some of their youngsters from 2016. While Joey Bosa proved to be a valuable first-round pick that made an immediate impact, the Chargers were thrilled to see running back Melvin Gordon brush off a disappointing rookie year in 2015, and bounce back with a strong sophomore campaign.
Los Angeles had every reason in the world to feel concerned towards Gordon when considering he went his entire rookie year without a single trip to the end zone. Luckily ,last season showed he has what it takes to be a successful running back in the NFL. Now if only Mike Williams can get healthy enough to provide Philip Rivers with another dangerous weapon on offense as a rookie, Los Angeles could be in much better shape while hopefully finally getting back on the winning track.
May 22, 2017; Thousand Oaks, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterbacks coach Greg Olson (right) talks with quarterback Jared Goff (16) during organized team activities at Cal Lutheran University. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Rams
In defense of Jared Goff, the Los Angeles Rams didn't really do that great of a job with providing him the necessary weapons to work with to be successful in the seven games he started at quarterback. From the hiring of Sean McVay at head coach to boosting the passing game with better weapons such as Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp, the Rams have done everything in their power to make sure they get the best out of their quarterback during his sophomore season.
After finishing the 2015 season with a 7-9 record, Los Angeles was expected to make the leap to become contenders in the NFC last year, which obviously failed to happen. While many expect the Rams to go through a rebuilding phase during McVay's first year calling the shot as head coach, keep in mind it was the defense led by Aaron Donald that played a big role in the team winning those seven games in 2015.
If new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips can bring the best out of Donald and the defense, Los Angeles could end up surprising a lot of people this upcoming season. Let's not forget how well the Rams have played against the defending NFC South champions in the Seattle Seahawks over the years, and depending on what happens within the division, anything seems possible for year one under McVay.
Dec 17, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jarvis Landry (14) and wide recievere Kenny Stills (10) and running back Jay Ajayi (23) celebrate a touchdown against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports
Miami Dolphins
All hope seemed lost for the Miami Dolphins at the beginning of last season following a 1-4 start, but somehow this team managed to turn things around by earning one of the Wild Card spots in the AFC. Of course, it's tough not to wonder what could have been for the Dolphins if Ryan Tannehill were healthy enough to suit up against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the playoffs since it most likely would have made a difference.
On a positive note, at least Miami's appearance in the postseason last year gives them plenty of reasons to feel confident about what's in store for 2017. Even if they may have a more difficult time playing in the same division as the New England Patriots, the Dolphins certainly have the talent to be considered one of the top contenders in the AFC for the second year in a row.
Then again, the health of Tannehill is going to be the one factor to keep an eye on over the next few months, although early signs point to the veteran quarterback returning to his normal self. With reliable receivers for Tannehill to work with in Jarvis Landry and Kenny Stills along with a playmaking running back in Jay Ajayi, Miami's offense should be fun to watch.
Dec 1, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford (8) passes in the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Minnesota Vikings
Last offseason, the Minnesota Vikings made the bold decision of surrendering a first-round pick in order to acquire Sam Bradford from the Philadelphia Eagles due to the fact they believed he was the missing piece to the team being Super Bowl contenders after losing Teddy Bridgewater. Unfortunately for Bradford and the Vikings, numerous injuries on both sides of the football sent the team on a downhill spiral following a 5-0 start to finish the year with an 8-8 record.
This time around, Bradford finds himself in a different position since he hopes a strong 2017 campaign will convince Minnesota to keep him around for the long run since his contract will be up at season's end. At least for Bradford, the veteran quarterback will be surrounded with the necessary weapons on offense to give the Vikings another chance at being one of the top teams to beat in the NFC.
Adrian Peterson may no longer be in the picture after the organization felt it would be best to part ways with their former beloved running back, but the argument can be made that Minnesota will be better off with their duo in the ground game. With Latavius Murray and Dalvin Cook lining up in the backfield, hopefully this will take some of the pressure off Bradford to help the Vikings end up on a better note this time around.
Feb 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) hands off to wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) during the first quarter against the Atlanta Falcons during Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
New England Patriots
Until the time comes when Tom Brady decides to finally call it a career, the New England Patriots are always going to be considered one of the early favorites to make a run at the Super Bowl, and there really isn't a need to get into details. But for the sake of this article, let's take a look at what Brady and the Patriots have to work with this time around as they head into the year as defending Super Bowl champions.
First off, it's terrifying to see the high level of success Brady is playing on for a quarterback his age, and he doesn't seem ready to slow it down anytime soon. Throughout his career, Brady has always been the type of quarterback who makes the players around him better, and just when it seemed like New England was already stacked on offense, the rich got richer after the team acquired speedster Brandin Cooks from the New Orleans Saints.
Just the thought of Cooks fitting in to the Patriots offense along with Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski is almost unfair for the rest of the teams in the NFL. Even though they still have a long way to go when it comes to living up to the hype, would anyone be surprised if New England at least flirted with the idea of a perfect season if everyone manages to stay healthy?
May 25, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) hands the ball off to running back Adrian Peterson (28) during organized team activities at the New Orleans Saints training facility. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
New Orleans Saints
It has to be frustrating for the New Orleans Saints to finish 7-9 each of the last three seasons when considering Drew Brees always has the offense sitting near the top of the league, but hopefully that won't be the case during the 2017 season. Despite their high-powered offenses over the years, it's been the defense of the Saints that tends to prevent them from securing a spot in the postseason.
The fact that New Orleans allowed their opponents to average more than 28 points per game last season shows how much the defense has struggled over the years, but hopefully that changes after addressing some of their needs in the recent draft. Not only did the Saints use a first-rounder on former Ohio State standout Marshon Lattimore, but also the team hopes to see an immediate impact made by Marcus Williams at safety.
Of course, when it comes to the one key move from the offseason that could end up making a huge difference, New Orleans hopes to see Adrian Peterson return to his old dominant form to make the offense even more dangerous. Losing Brandin Cooks to the New England Patriots may have been a huge hit to the passing game, but hopefully the addition of Peterson along with Michael Thomas hopefully building off last year's rookie success makes his absence easier to adjust to.
Nov 27, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) during the second quarter between the Cleveland Browns and the New York Giants at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Giants won 27-13. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
New York Giants
Believe it or not, it was the defense of the New York Giants that played a big role in the team's success last year, and if all goes well, that should be the case once again in 2017. When looking at the potential surrounding all of the offenses in the NFC East, the Giants defense will need to be on top of their game once again if they have any intention of making a run at the Super Bowl.
These days, it can be tough for most NFL teams to have both reliable defenses and offenses, but when looking at New York's situation, it's safe to say they could be one of the teams in the best shape. Eli Manning was already fortunate enough to have two reliable youngsters to work with in the passing game in Odell Beckham Jr. and Sterling Shepard, but the additions of Brandon Marshall (free agency) and Evan Engram (NFL Draft) makes the unit even more dangerous.
For a player who has been criticized at times over the years for some of his questionable decisions under center, it's going to be difficult to defend Manning if he doesn't display MVP type numbers this upcoming season. The ground game may be an issue, as the Giants hope Paul Perkins can handle the role of a No. 1 running back, but here's to hoping Manning can make up for it in the passing game with the tools he has to work with.
May 23, 2017; Florham Park, NY, USA; (l to r) New York Jets quarterbacks Josh McCown (15) and Christian Hackenberg (5) run during organized team activities at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
New York Jets
After falling just shy of reaching the playoffs in 2015, the New York Jets were hoping to emerge as one of the teams to beat in the AFC heading into last year, which obviously was far from the case after finishing with a 5-11 record. Luckily for the Jets, the team was smart enough to avoid giving Ryan Fitzpatrick a long-term deal, but that doesn't mean the quarterback position still won't be an issue in 2017.
If the season were to begin today, it would appear New York would be rolling with veteran Josh McCown at quarterback since Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty haven't made a strong case to convince the team they deserve the job. There's no question parting ways with Brandon Marshall is going to be difficult to overcome, but it will be interesting to see if McCown, or whoever ends up winning the job, can figure out a way to utilize Eric Decker as the No. 1 option in the passing game.
Even if Decker does turn out to be a surprise No. 1 option, New York knows the best chance they're going to have at competing in the AFC is by getting their defense to the dominant level from a few years ago. Releasing Darrelle Revis was the best thing this team could have done, and the Jets have plenty of reasons to be excited over the impact Jamal Adams will hopefully make right away during his rookie season.
May 23, 2017; Alameda, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) throws a pass during organized team activities at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Oakland Raiders
After years of frustration, the Oakland Raiders have to be thrilled over the direction this team is heading after they managed to make a playoff appearance for the first time since the 2002 season. If only Derek Carr hadn't suffered a devastating leg injury towards the end of the regular season, and could have participated against the Houston Texans, chances are the Raiders would have advanced past the Wild Card Round.
As crushing as this was for Oakland, and their fans, all signs point to their beloved quarterback picking up right where he left off before that injury to put this team in position to make another run at the playoffs. The Raiders offense was already considered one of the most dangerous to square off against, and if Marshawn Lynch can return to his old form after a year away from football, the unit could look even better than the 2016 season.
Even though the AFC West could turn out to be the toughest division in the NFL, Oakland seems like the early favorites heading into training camp. And with their playoff drought officially over thanks to last year's success, expect the Raiders to prove 2016 wasn't just a one-time thing.
Philadelphia Eagles
Dec 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) talks with head coach Doug Pederson during the second quarter against the Washington Redskins at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Philadelphia Eagles
Isn't it amazing how Carson Wentz went from being the third-string quarterback on the Philadelphia Eagles to being named the starter in Week 1 once Sam Bradford was traded to the Minnesota Vikings? Based off what he was able to experience as a rookie, it was clear the Eagles didn't do the best job at surrounding their hopeful franchise quarterback with the necessary weapons to be successful. But all of that should change during his sophomore season.
Not only did Philadelphia bring in two upgrades at wide receiver in Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith during free agency, but the team received a late surprise after the draft with the signing of LeGarrette Blount to give them a pound-for-pound running back. With all these new tools to work with, the Eagles have done a phenomenal job with providing Wentz with the proper weapons to be successful.
With that being said, the one are to keep an eye on for Philadelphia will be the defensive side of the football, especially at cornerback. As mentioned before, the NFC East is loaded with some of the best offensive talent in the NFL, and the Eagles defense will need to step it up if Doug Pederson's squad is going to make the jump to contenders in his second year as head coach.
Jan 8, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) celebrates with Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell (26) after scoring a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins in the AFC Wild Card playoff football game at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Pittsburgh Steelers
If there was any team that seemed capable of taking down the New England Patriots in the AFC last year, it was going to be the Pittsburgh Steelers. And even though they certainly had their chance against the Patriots, the Steelers found themselves in an unfortunate situation with Le'Veon Bell missing a majority of the AFC Championship with an injury.
At least for Pittsburgh, they were able to use the franchise tag on Bell this offseason along with rewarding Antonio Brown with a new hefty deal to make sure the high-powered offense continues to be just as dominant as they were last year. Plus, with Ben Roethlisberger nearing retirement, the Steelers realize this could be their best chance of winning a Super Bowl before having to adjust to life without the future Hall of Fame quarterback.
Pittsburgh's offense was expected to shatter numerous records during the 2016 season, and even though they may have struggled to live up to the original hype, the expectations are high for the unit once again. Not many teams can say their offense has one of the league's top running backs and receivers, but the Steelers certainly can when looking at the high level of production from Bell and Brown over the years.
San Francisco 49ers
Feb 9, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan pose for a photo during a press conference at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
San Francisco 49ers
Don't be fooled over the San Francisco 49ers only winning two games all of last year, as this team has made numerous key moves in the offseason to make sure that doesn't happen again. Even if it may seem like it's going to take a little extra time during this rebuilding phase, what if the 49ers ended up exceeding all expectations during their first year with Kyle Shanahan as head coach?
The former offensive coordinator of the Atlanta Falcons seemed long overdue for a coaching gig, and now that Shanahan is calling the shots for San Francisco, it will be interesting to see how it all plays out in 2017. Not only did the 49ers land one of the top wide receivers in free agency with Pierre Garcon, but bringing on a veteran like Brian Hoyer seems like the best short-term option for the offense instead of using their first rounder on a quarterback in this year's draft.
As for the defensive side of the football, give San Francisco credit for landing two of the top defenders from this year's class in Solomon Thomas and Reuben Foster. They may be projected to finish at the bottom of the NFC West, but the 49ers could end up surprising a lot of people during Shanahan's first year.
Richard Sherman Seattle Seahawks
Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Seattle Seahawks
Despite all of the drama surrounding Richard Sherman's relationship with some of his teammates, the Seattle Seahawks are another one of those teams who always seem to be considered favorites at the start of the year, and rightfully so. The defense may have taken a step back last year when compared to previous seasons, but there's a reason why the Seahawks are considered the early favorites to win the NFC West at this point in the offseason.
Other than the key players on the defensive side of the football, it's been the presence of Russell Wilson under center that's made the true difference for Seattle, and his ability to succeed last season despite dealing with numerous injuries shows how valuable he is. Thanks to an improved offensive line along with bringing Eddie Lacy on board to boost the running game, hopefully these moves will help take some of the pressure off Wilson heading into his sixth year with the team.
There aren't many quarterbacks who can scramble around to make some of the amazing plays Wilson has pulled off over the years, and it's incredible to see him start every game for the Seahawks dating back to the 2012 season. Unless some sort of devastating injury takes place over the next few months involving Wilson, there's no reason to think Seattle doesn't have what it takes to make a strong run at representing the NFC in Minnesota during this year's Super Bowl.
Nov 13, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) points against the Chicago Bears during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
When it comes to teams in the NFC that missed out on the playoffs, but deserve consideration for being contenders this upcoming season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers may have one of the highest expectations for numerous reasons. Not only did the Buccaneers fall just shy of earning a playoff spot in 2016 with a 9-7 record, but the addition of a deep threat in DeSean Jackson through free agency will make this offense even more dangerous than it already was.
Mike Evans has wasted no time becoming one of the toughest receivers in the league due to his size and strength, but the presence of Jackson on offense will benefit the former Texas A&M star when it comes to making more catches. In just two years under center, Jameis Winston already appears to be the type of quarterback who gets better with experience, and he could be in for his best season when seeing what he has to work with on offense.
As if having two top wideouts in Evans and Jackson wasn't enough, let's not forget that Tampa Bay used a first rounder on one of the top pass-catching tight ends from this year's draft class in O.J. Howard. The Buccaneers may have fallen short of their postseason goals in 2016, but between the potential surrounding the offense along with the surprise development on the defensive side of the football, talks of a Super Bowl run doesn't seem all that crazy.
Dec 18, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) hands off to running back DeMarco Murray (29) during the first half against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Tennessee Titans
Speaking of teams that fell short of reaching the playoffs last year when they seemed like contenders, the Tennessee Titans are right up there with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when it comes to being ready to make the jump. Experience seemed to play a big factor in the Titans failing to earn a spot in the playoffs, but assuming Marcus Mariota doesn't suffer any setbacks with his leg injury, this team could turn out to be one of the biggest surprises in 2017.
Unlike some of the other teams in the NFL, Tennessee had an upper advantage in this year's draft thanks to the Los Angeles Rams giving them in an extra first rounder as part of the deal to land Jared Goff. Never in a million years could the Titans have imagined the deal would work out well on their end to earn the fifth overall pick, but thanks to the struggles surrounding the Rams, Mariota now has another dangerous weapon to work with on offense in Corey Davis.
And if that wasn't impressive enough, Tennessee managed to use their other pick in the first round for another need on defense in cornerback Adoree' Jackson. It sounds crazy to consider, but when looking at some of the impressive wins from the 2016 season, this year could finally be the year of the Titans returning to strong contenders in the AFC with the potential to reach their first Super Bowl since the 1999 season.
May 24, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) throws the ball during drills as part of Redskins OTAs at Redskins Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Washington Redskins
Isn't it amazing how quickly things can change for the Washington Redskins in a short matter of time when they seemed to be moving in the right direction? At the beginning of last season, the Redskins were considered to be one of the teams to beat in the NFC thanks to a stacked offense led by Kirk Cousins at quarterback along with DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon at wide receiver.
Flash forward to the present time, and while Cousins is dealing with all of the drama surrounding his fight for a long-term deal, Washington's receiving corps looks completely different. With both Jackson and Garcon out of the picture, the Redskins brought Terrelle Pryor on board through free agency to help fill the void at wide receiver.
Based off what Pryor was able to accomplish last year, this may seem like an amazing move by Washington, but the debate is still out there when it comes to whether the former Cleveland Browns star has what it takes to be a No. 1 wideout. Pryor's numbers may have been impressive, but keep in mind he was one of the few options the team had to work with on offense. Then again, if Pryor does prove his critics wrong to make life easier for Cousins on offense, Washington could end up in better shape as far as being contenders in the NFC than originally expected.
