NFL: Projecting Playoff Picture
NFC East:
1. Eagles (13-3)
2. Cowboys (10-6)
3. Giants (7-9)
4. Redskins (4-12)
NFC North:
1. Packers (12-4)
2. Vikings (12-4)
3. Lions (8-8)
4. Bears (4-12)
NFC South:
1. Saints (12-4)
2. Falcons (10-6)
3. Panthers (9-7)
4. Buccaneers (3-13)
NFC West:
1. Rams (13-3)
2. 49ers (9-7)
3. Seahawks (7-9)
4. Cardinals (5-11)
NFC Playoffs:
1. Rams
2. Eagles
3. Packers
4. Saints
5. Vikings
6. Cowboys
The Los Angeles Rams (13-3), Philadelphia Eagles (13-3), and New Orleans Saints (12-4) are expected to repeat as division champions and earn playoff spots for the second straight season. The fourth division winner was between the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings. We project both teams to go 12-4 so it wasn't a clear cut winner in the NFC North. Because of Aaron Rodgers' return and the uncertainty of Kirk Cousins' arrival, we decided to hedge out bets with the Packers. In the end, though, both teams should definitely make it to the postseason. The sixth team, on the other hand, was a little more difficult deciding. It came down to the Dallas Cowboys and Atlanta Falcons. Both at 10-6. We (tentatively) take the Cowboys.
AFC East:
1. Patriots (13-3)
2. Bills (8-8)
3. Jets (5-11)
4. Dolphins (6-10)
AFC North:
1. Steelers (12-4)
2. Ravens (8-8)
3. Bengals (6-10)
4. Browns (4-12)
AFC South:
1. Jaguars (10-6)
2. Texans (9-7)
3. Titans (8-8)
4. Colts (5-11)
AFC West:
1. Chiefs (8-8)
2. Chargers (8-8)
3. Raiders (8-8)
4. Broncos (7-9)
AFC Playoffs:
1. Patriots
2. Steelers
3. Jaguars
4. Chiefs
5. Texans
6. Chargers
The New England Patriots (13-3) have reached the last two Super Bowls so it wouldn't surprise anyone if they won 12+ games as they always seem to do with Tom Brady at the helm. We peg them at 13-3. The Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4), Jacksonville Jaguars (10-6), and Kansas City Chiefs (8-8) are also potential repeat champions. However, this year it's not going to be at successful for the Chiefs. They're going to struggle at first with second year QB Patrick Mahomes. He'll get it done, but they won't hit their stride until Week 5 or so. In the end, Kansas City will be in a three-way tie with the Los Angeles Chargers (8-8) and Oakland Raiders (8-8). The Chiefs and Chargers advance. And the final spot left goes to Deshaun Watson and the Houston Texans.
Super Bowl Picks:
Henderson: Packers vs. Steelers.
Heningburg: Cowboys vs. Steelers.
Post: Rams vs. Patriots.
The thought with our group seems to be the Steelers will reach the Super Bowl for the first time since 2011, when they lost, 31-25, to the Packers. Speaking of, Henderson has that matchup repeating itself as Aaron Rodgers (335 YPG, 64.4 QBR) and Ben Roethlisberger (64.2%, 28 TD) meet up with the title on the line. Heningburg also dubs the Steelers as his AFC champs. However, he's going out on somewhat of a limb by picking the Cowboys to win the NFC with a 10-6 record. Ezekiel Elliott (10.3 AVG, 983 YDS) will be back for the full season and should help them improve. Lastly, Post is sticking with the Patriots in the AFC, while selecting Jared Goff (271.8 YPG, 28 TD) and the Rams to meet them in a rematch of Super Bowl XXXVI.
Photo Credit: Clutch Points.
