Green Bay Packers (12-4)
Green Bay relinquished the division's title to the Vikings last year but it took the very last game of the season to settle this outcome. With a new NFL season just around the corner, the Packers can now be regarded as the team to beat in the division and here's my reasoning:
Aaron Rogers is, no question, an elite Quarterback but last year, we clearly witnessed a drop in his performances from previous years. The main reason for this drop off was the fact that Jordy Nelson torn his ACL during last year preseason and this badly affected Rogers's efficiency. With Nelson return as Rogers's numero-uno target at Wide-receiver, we can pretty much bank on Aaron recapturing his elite performance at QB.
The Packers running game will still not be stellar, but it should be good enough to get the job done, specially with defenses having to worry so much about Rogers/Nelson killing them in the air.
The defense is above average, and finished around the top 10 in points allowed, but I still expect the offense to carry this team a long way. 12-4 is what I predict.
Aaron Rogers is, no question, an elite Quarterback but last year, we clearly witnessed a drop in his performances from previous years. The main reason for this drop off was the fact that Jordy Nelson torn his ACL during last year preseason and this badly affected Rogers's efficiency. With Nelson return as Rogers's numero-uno target at Wide-receiver, we can pretty much bank on Aaron recapturing his elite performance at QB.
The Packers running game will still not be stellar, but it should be good enough to get the job done, specially with defenses having to worry so much about Rogers/Nelson killing them in the air.
The defense is above average, and finished around the top 10 in points allowed, but I still expect the offense to carry this team a long way. 12-4 is what I predict.
Minnesota Vikings (11-5)
The Minnesota Viking had a really good year in 2015. The main reason behind it was based on major improvement from their Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater who in turn, was supported by All Pro Running-back Adrian Peterson. These 2 key players will again have to do it all over again for the Vikings to repeat as the NFC North champion and there's no reason why you and I should doubt their ability to repeat.
The help balance out the offense, the Vikings drafted wide receiver Laquon Treadwell out of Mississippi and he should give Bridgewater a big target to aim at whenever he's not handing the ball out to Peterson. I do not expect the Minnesota Viking to suffer too much of a drop of last year record. I see them going 11-5.
Detroit Lions (6-10)
The 2015 season started very badly for the Lions but they were able to turn it around after making a few coaching changes. This, in turn, led to major improvement which allowed Detroit to finished the season strong but at the end of the day, the year was still considered a big disappointment which was enforced by the early retirement of standout and All-Pro receiver, Calvin Johnson, at the age of just 30.
With Johnson gone, Matthew Stafford, who improved as the year progressed, will have to rely on less talented and experienced receiving corps and this could prove too tough for the Quarterback to overcome. Trying to fill's the huge gap left at receiver by Megatron would be Marvin Jones and Anquan Boldin and I conclude both will not come close to make Lions fan forget about Calvin.
At running back, the Lions will have to rely on Ameer Abdullah who had the thankless task of trying to make something happen running behind an horrible offensive-line that was ranked 26th in run-blocking.
My final conclusion is that we should expect an even tougher year for the Lions this upcoming season, so don't expect any positives surprises. With Calvin Johnson out of the game, Lion will be a worst team for it. 6-10 is what I predict.
With Johnson gone, Matthew Stafford, who improved as the year progressed, will have to rely on less talented and experienced receiving corps and this could prove too tough for the Quarterback to overcome. Trying to fill's the huge gap left at receiver by Megatron would be Marvin Jones and Anquan Boldin and I conclude both will not come close to make Lions fan forget about Calvin.
At running back, the Lions will have to rely on Ameer Abdullah who had the thankless task of trying to make something happen running behind an horrible offensive-line that was ranked 26th in run-blocking.
My final conclusion is that we should expect an even tougher year for the Lions this upcoming season, so don't expect any positives surprises. With Calvin Johnson out of the game, Lion will be a worst team for it. 6-10 is what I predict.
Chicago Bears (5-11)
Last year was John Fox's first year as the Bears head coach and it sure didn't look good at all in the beginning when they started with a 2-5 record. Fortunately, thing slowly improved from that point on and I expect Fox to continue to slowly improve Chicago's performance from last year.
Jay Cutler is still a massively intriguing quarterback. On one hand, he has the ability to be a top QB in the league and has surely had plenty of great performances BUT on the other hand, Cutler can also be prone to too mistake, bad coverage readings and plenty of interceptions. This year will surely be Jay's last as a Chicago Bear unless he has a great year to solidify himself as the undisputed franchise quarterback for this team. If not, I think he'll be gone, probably traded elsewhere or release.
My final conclusion on the Chicago Bears is that they will improves slightly but by not much. I'm sure John Fox, with a year under his belt as the Bears head coach, will get them to look better.
I predict a 5-11 record, but if Cutler has a break-out in which he's capable, I could see them ending with an 8-8 record.
Jay Cutler is still a massively intriguing quarterback. On one hand, he has the ability to be a top QB in the league and has surely had plenty of great performances BUT on the other hand, Cutler can also be prone to too mistake, bad coverage readings and plenty of interceptions. This year will surely be Jay's last as a Chicago Bear unless he has a great year to solidify himself as the undisputed franchise quarterback for this team. If not, I think he'll be gone, probably traded elsewhere or release.
My final conclusion on the Chicago Bears is that they will improves slightly but by not much. I'm sure John Fox, with a year under his belt as the Bears head coach, will get them to look better.
I predict a 5-11 record, but if Cutler has a break-out in which he's capable, I could see them ending with an 8-8 record.
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