National Football League

NFL predictions: Which teams will top NFC and AFC?

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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For the Green Bay Packers and the rest of the NFL, it’s time to play the games.

Now that the dust has settled from the preseason and the NFL rosters are pretty much set, let’s look into the foggy crystal ball and see what might be upcoming this NFL season.

How will the up-and-coming Jags do?

Who will end up on top in the AFC North?

What will the 2015 Super Bowl champs do with a brand spanking new starting quarterback?

Can Cam Newton recapture last year’s magic?

What will a healthy Andrew Luck do for the Colts?

Will the return of Jordy Nelson bring Green Bay’s once-potent passing game back to where it once was?

On the following pages you will find a division-by-division preview breakdown for both the AFC. and the NFC.

Check it out …

A look at the NFC West

Green Bay Packers defensive end Mike Pennel sacks Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer. Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

NFC West

1. Arizona 12-4

2. Seattle 12-4

3. Los Angeles 5-11

4. San Francisco 4-12

The Cardinals had a tremendous year in 2015, falling just short of the Super Bowl. Most of their weapons are back, including surprise player of the year RB David Johnson from the University of Northern Iowa. Look for more of the same going into this season.

Russell Wilson. Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports photograph

Seattle arguably has one of the best defenses in the game and last year was no exception. Yeah, they were made to look pedestrian by the Broncos in the Super Bowl but that should add to their fire heading into this season. QB Russell Wilson makes plays when he needs to. Will WR Doug Baldwin’s coming out party carry over into this year? We shall see.

The St. Louis … oh wait… Los Angeles Rams have a new/old location this year. Will that change how they finish? Probably not. The Rams will have a defense that shows up every week but their offensive power will hinge on their QB play. Rookie Jared Goff has been told he will not begin the season as a starter. Is Case Keenum or Sean Mannion the answer at QB? Time will tell.

The 49ers have a new coaching staff and numerous new faces in their lineup this year. The new staff are putting their faith in QB Blaine Gabbert over one time fan favorite Colin Kaepernick. Wait, I might need to sit down for this one. Look for RB Carlos Hyde to have a good year and the LB tandem of Ahmad Brooks and NaVorro Bowman will keep the 49ers in most of the games.

A look at the NFC North

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and wide receiver Jordy Nelson will be the key connection for the Packers. Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

NFC North

1. Green Bay 13-3

2. Minnesota 10-6

3. Chicago 6-10

4. Detroit 5-11

The Green Bay Packers struggled with their passing game last year with All Pro WR Jordy Nelson out for the season. It had such an effect on the offense that it made QB Aaron Rodgers look, well, just OK — aside from the two successful Hail Mary connections. A leaner and meaner Eddie Lacy will look to regain form from two years ago when he had 1,139 rushing yards along with his 427 receiving yards. The Packers’ defense had a little uneasiness when LBs Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers got linked to steroid use through an Al Jazeera report, but both were cleared of any wrongdoing.

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson. Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

The Vikings had a Super Bowl contending team this year and then they hit a snag. Up-and-coming QB Teddy Bridgewater got hurt during a preseason practice and will be out for the year. The Vikings brass did find a way to get a decent replacement when they traded a first and fourth round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for veteran QB Sam Bradford. Bradford and RB sensation Adrian Peterson will now be reunited where they shared a backfield at the University of Oklahoma.

Second year Chicago Bears head coach John Fox has his work cut out for him. His defense was not good last year and the Bears’ record reflected that. There are a lot of unfamiliar faces on that side of the ball and they need to find some cohesion that brings better results. On the offensive side of the ball they lost three-down back Matt Forte to the Jets and TE Martellus Bennett to the Patriots. WR Alshon Jeffery and RB Jeremy Langford should help QB Jay Cutler find an offensive rhythm to help the Bears win some games.

The Detroit Lions added a lot of talent in the offseason to offset the huge loss of WR great Calvin Johnson. WRs Golden Tate (from Seattle), Anquan Bolden (from San Francisco) and Marvin Jones (from Cincinnati) hope to replace the production of Johnson and give QB Matthew Stafford options in the passing game. RBs Theo Riddick and Ameer Abdullah will look to establish a running game to help the offense as well.

A look at the NFC South

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton gets away from Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews. Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

NFC South

1. Carolina 13-3

2. Tampa Bay 10-6

3. Atlanta 9-7

4. New Orleans 6-10

Carolina, fresh off a Super Bowl appearance, will look to head back that way in the 2016 season. Their tenacious defense led by LB Luke Kuechly should continue to keep opposing offenses from tally too many points. On the other side of the ball you have the reigning NFL MVP Cam Newton. He had an amazing 35-touchdown passes last year and that was without his best receiver, Kelvin Benjamin, who will look to contribute his numbers to the team’s stats. Back are WR Ted Ginn Jr and RB Jonathan Stewart who balanced the offensive attack last year.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston. Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

The Tampa Bay Bucs will not sneak up on anyone this year. Seemingly under the radar, new head coach Dirk Koetter has a solid group put together, led by former Florida State standout QB Jameis Winston. Winston will have some tools at his disposal in RB Doug Martin and WRs Mike Evans, Cecil Shorts and Vincent Jackson.

What team has more up and down seasons than the Atlanta Falcons? They have stability at the QB position in nine-year vet Matt Ryan. WR Roddy White has now retired and the Falcons brought in former Cincinnati WR Mohammad Sanu to complement All Pro WR Julio Jones. RB Devonta Freeman will work to build off his 1,061-yard rushing season from last year. On the defensive side of the ball, CB Desmond Trufant and DE Adrian Clayborn will work to get the ball back in the hands of the talented offense.

New Orleans Saints will look to improve on a 2015 season where their defense gave up a NFL record 45 passing touchdowns. Veteran QB Drew Brees will need to continue to score at a prolific rate if they want to win some games this year. Helping him in that department will be TE Coby Fleener, WRs Brandin Cooks and Brandon Coleman, and RB Mark Ingram.

A look at the NFC East

Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins. Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

NFC East

1. Washington 9-7

2. Dallas 9-7

3. Philadelphia 8-8

4. NY Giants 7-9

The Washington Redskins turned some heads last year by winning the NFC East and hosting a playoff game. QB Kirk Cousins guided an offense that had two good WRs in Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson and TE Jordan Reed. Matt Jones showed to be a good option at RB as he took some of the pressure off Cousins. The Redskin may have the best DBs in the game with former Carolina Panther CB Josh Norman and returning veteran FS DeAngelo Hall.

Dez Bryant
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Gone, again, is Dallas QB Tony Romo. This year the Cowboys drafted Dak Prescott, a QB out of Texas A&M. Prescott had an impressive preseason and now with another Romo injury, has landed the starting QB role. In his arsenal will be highlight film WR Dez Bryant, Ohio State rookie and first round draft pick, Ezekiel Elliott, and All Pro TE Jason Witten. The defense should get a pick-up with the return of LB Sean Lee.

Just like the Rams, the Philadelphia Eagles will be looking to start a QB with no NFL experience this year. Last week, Eagles starting QB Sam Bradford wasbsent to the Vikings for draft picks in the 2017 NFL draft. Enter first round pick Carson Wentz. Has he shown enough to be the starting QB? First-year head coach and former Packers QB Doug Pederson thinks so. Wentz had a phenomenal career at North Dakota State University where he led the Bison to multiple FCS championships.

The NY Giants still have Eli Manning. They still have Odell Beckham Jr. They still have Jason Pierre-Paul. They added CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and rookie Sterling Sheppard out of Oklahoma to build off a disappointing 6-10 record from a year ago.

Now on to the AFC …

A look at the AFC West

Green Bay Packers defensive end Mike Daniels (76) puts pressure on Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11). Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

AFC West

1. Kansas City 11-5

2. Oakland 10-6

3. Denver 10-6

4. San Diego 4-12

The Kansas City Chiefs have quietly put together a strong team. Like their QB, the Chiefs won’t be overly flashy but will play sound, hard-nosed football. The only question mark will be Jamaal Charles’ health.

The Raiders are so close to being in the playoff hunt and they will make a surge to do so this year. Their Derek Carr-to-Amari Cooper should be fun to watch.

Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr. Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Super Bowl champs Denver Broncos had to spend this offseason figuring out who would be under center.

Peyton Manning? Retired.

Capable backup Brock Osweiler? Off to Houston.

What?!?

They brought in Mark Sanchez (who was released and joined the Cowboys), and have second-year QB Trevor Siemian or rookie Paxton Lynch on the roster. Not having a solid choice is going to hurt the Broncos.

The Chargers always have a chance to win when QB Phillip Rivers gets on a roll. The triumvirate of Keenan Allen, Travis Benjamin and Melvin Gordon can be explosive.

A look at the AFC North

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers talk on the field after their game at Heinz Field. Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

AFC North

1. Pittsburgh 12-4

2. Cincinnati 12-4

3. Baltimore 5-11

4. Cleveland 3-13

The Steelers have all the tools to make a lot of noise in the AFC this year. RB Le’Veon Bell will be back along with DeAngelo Williams and should make the running game strong. Wide receiver is a strong position, NS though they will be short Martavis Bryant they still have Markus Wheaton, up-and coming Sammie Coates and, oh yeah, a guy named Antonio Brown.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton. Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports photograph

The Bengals live and die by QB Andy Dalton. When he is on, he is on – and Cincinnati is a powerhouse. With tools like A.J. Green, Brandon LaFell, Tyler Eifert, and Jeremy Hill they should have a strong season. The Bengals’ tenacious defense should still be feisty but they need to manage it so they can get to their elusive AFC championship game visit.

Baltimore’s defense, like most years, should be strong this year. Unfortunately, the offense will be trying to make plays with oft-moved RB Trent Richardson and WR Mike Wallace and the aging Joe Flacco.

Cleveland … well, it’s a good thing the Cavs and the Indians will overlap their season. RG3 will take over for troubled QB Johnny Manziel.

A look at the AFC South

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck. Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports

AFC South

1. Indianapolis 10-6

2. Houston 9-7

3. Jacksonville 9-7

4. Tennessee 8-8

The return of a healthy QB Andrew Luck should cool down his cheesy commercials but should heat up the Colts’ offense. Will RB Frank Gore have enough in the tank to give Luck the time to hit wide receivers Ty Hilton and Donte Moncrief and TE Dwayne Allen.

Is Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt the best player in the NFL? Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Sounds like DE J.J. Watt will be ready to go for the first game of the season and that is awful news for the NFL. There isn’t one defensive player in the league that can take over a game like he can and look for the opposite end of the D-line, Jadeveon Clowney, to have a great season as well. Throw in that mixture and now the Texans have some firepower on offense with the likes of WR DeAndre Hopkins, Osweiler and ex-Dolphin Lamar Miller.

Jacksonville has not had this strong of a team since the Mark Brunnel days of yesteryear. QB Blake Bortles is finding his groove and has the tools to get this team back to the playoffs. The Jaguars might have the best trio of WRs in the AFC and maybe even the NFC. They are young and very talented. Allen Robinson had a huge year last seasib and should continue that this year. Allen Hurns and T.J. Yeldon will look to improve on great years as well.

Tennessee, like Jacksonville, looks ready to take the next step. QB Marcus Mariota has had a sharp preseason and the RB tandem of hungry vet DeMarco Murray and last year’s Heisman Trophy winner, Derrick Henry, will move the Titan offense up and down the field. Look for LB Brian Orakpo to have a good season this year.

A look at the AFC East

Tom Brady is pressured by Packers OLB Clay Matthews. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

AFC East

1. New England 11-5

2. New York Jets 9-7

3. Buffalo 8-8

4. Miami 6-10

Do you think missing QB Tom Brady will keep the Patriots from winning the division … again? Somehow, someway, Coach Belichick. Never count him, Brady, TE Rob Gronkowski, WRs Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola out of anything. They always seem to find that gear to put them over the top. Watch out for A.J. Derby. He has had a great camp this year.

New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports

The Jets really needed to re-sign QB Ryan Fitzpatrick and it took a while but finally did that. He had great chemistry with WRs Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker last year and they will look to improve even more. When you think of elite DB you still have to start with Darrelle Revis. No one throws his way. DE Muhammad Wilkerson should be a force to watch for that great Jets defense.

Just like past years, the Buffalo Bills seem to have great talent and like past years they end up not doing as well as they had hoped. With assets like Sammy Watkins, LeSean McCoy and Charles Clay on offense for QB Tyrod Taylor to utilize they are optimistic again in Buffalo.

The Dolphins will be going through a coaching change as former Chicago Bear OC Adam Gase takes over a team that has under-performed for the last few years. Former Texans RB Arian Foster jumps in with Jay Ajayi to hold down the RB position. QB Ryan Tannehill has an arsenal of talent at WR with DeVante Parker, Kenny Stills and Jarvis Landry. The Dolphins defense will look again to DEs Cameron Wake and Ndamukong Suh to lead their defense.