What a wild Week 1 it was in the fantasy football world. There were injuries, unexpected studs and duds, as well as predictable performances. This article will address notable trends or things that happened in Week 1 and whether you should write it off as a Week 1 anomaly (No Deal) or take it as a sign of things to come (Big Deal). I'll provide at least one nugget of info for each NFL team.
Arizona: Andre Ellington hurt (Big Deal)
Ellington has struggled with injuries since coming into the league in 2012 and 2015 started with more of the same. Reports are that Ellington strained his PCL, leaving him out 2-3 weeks. Chris and David Johnson have a chance to take over the Cards' backfield while Ellington is out. Ellington is shaping up as a bust already and is no sure bet to remain healthy once he returns to the field.
Atlanta: Julio Jones' dominance (Big Deal)
Jones was absolutely unstoppable Monday Night, despite being matched up against Philly's new star corner Byron Maxwell. He was targeted early and often and should benefit from an aging Roddy White and the Falcons showing mild success in the run game. This is a strong start to my prediction that he will be the number one overall fantasy WR this year.
Baltimore: Offensive ineptitude (No Deal)
The Ravens looked a mess against the Broncos in Week 1, but I expect a lot of teams to look that way against this attacking Broncos' defense this year. I think this was just a bad way to start the year for Baltimore on the road against one of the top defenses in the league. Luckily, they get a nice bounce back opponent in Oakland this weekend. Look for Justin Forsett and Steve Smith to put up their normal numbers.
Buffalo: Sammy Watkins shutout (Big Deal)
Things were already bleak for Watkins owners before Week 1 as Tyrod Taylor is not known for his arm, and head coach Rex Ryan would love to pound the football as much as possible. Fellow WR Percy Harvin actually managed to have a good game, but he's also had flashes of greatness with the Vikings and Seahawks only to fall flat the next week. I think Watkins has one or two good games this year, but who knows when those will take place? Watkins was likely drafted by many as a starter, but will probably be riding the bench after a zero point performance in Week 1.
Carolina: Greg Olsen held to one catch for 11 yards (No Deal)
Unlike Watkins, Olsen has a QB that he is comfortable with that has shown he will gladly funnel targets Olsens' way. It just didn't happen in Week 1. The Panthers pounded the ball against the hapless Jags, but likely will need to air it out more in this week's game against Houston. With no other reliable passing options beyond Olsen, expect a bounce back game this week and moving forward.
Chicago: Matt Forte's offensive involvement (Big Deal)
What a start for Forte! There was a lot of talk in the offseason about how Forte might lose some of his fantasy value with Mark Trestman leaving, but Forte looked even better this year as he racked up 141 carries on 24 yards and finished second on the team with eight targets in the passing game. They even split him out in the slot when they went with an empty backfield. His usage in the Green Bay game reminded me of Le'Veon Bell last year, who just so happened to finish as the number one overall RB in fantasy in 2014.
Cincinnati: Tyler Eifert breaks out (Big Deal)
I mentioned Eifert in my Fantasy Breakdown series as a potential sleeper, mainly because he had the TE position all to himself in 2015 with Jermaine Gresham in Arizona. I didn't think he would have such a successful debut though. Eifert was targeted 12 times and racked up 104 yards and two TDs in a blowout over the Raiders. With teams focusing on AJ Green, it should leave Eifert open in the slot and down the seams. Health permitting, Eifert could be the steal of a lot of people's drafts.
Cleveland: Offensive ineptitude (Big Deal)
Unlike the Ravens, I don't think Cleveland will bounce back. They looked dreadful on the offensive side of the ball. I know the Jets are a good defense, but they are now down to Johnny Manziel as their QB. While he did throw the only TD for the Browns of the game, he was also picked and lost two fumbles. The running stats might be even more hilarious as QB Josh McCown managed to out rush RBs Duke Johnson and Isiah Crowell. Looks like a long year for this team.
Dallas: Joseph Randle out-touches Darren McFadden 19-7 (Big Deal)
The Cowboys' backfield was a complete mystery coming into this year, but it looks like we got a bit of clarity. Randle is the lead back with McFadden picking up the scraps, while Lance Dunbar works as more of a WR than a true RB. So long as he stays out of trouble off the field, Randle should continue to dominate touches in the Cowboy backfield, with Dunbar being a valuable player in PPR leagues if Dallas has to play from behind like they did Sunday night.
Denver: Peyton Manning throws for 175 yards, zero TDs (Big Deal)
Maybe this is like Tom Brady from last year where he struggles early and comes on towards the end. Unfortunately, Manning struggled at the end of last year and looked off once again on Sunday. He was still his usual self calling plays at the line of scrimmage, but his deep ball was off, allowing the Ravens to condense their defense and put the clamps down on this offense as a whole. While I wouldn't bench Manning, I would have another QB in mind to add to your bench just in case things don't turn around. The Broncos go to Arrowhead this Thursday.
Detroit: Ameer Abdullah outplays Joique Bell (Big Deal)
In the preseason, you were either on the Abdullah hype train or you weren't. After Week 1, that train just got a whole lot fuller. While he only got one more carry than Bell, Abdullah easily outplayed him by totaling 50 rushing yards, 44 receiving yards, and one rushing TD. The Lions have been trying to become a more balanced team and they might finally have the RB to carry the load. I wouldn't be surprised if Bell is phased almost completely out of the picture by the Lions' Week 9 bye.
Green Bay: James Jones' 2 TDs (No Deal)
I could be completely off here, but I think that Jones just had his best game he will have this season, and he did it on a lot of people's benches and waiver wires. He's still the number three WR behind Davonte Adams and Randall Cobb, both of whom were targeted more than Jones. He might have the chemistry with Rodgers, but Adams and Cobb are more talented players. I like both of them over the long haul. Jones will be a TD-dependent, inconsistent option at best this season. He could very well get shutout this week if he draws Richard Sherman.
Houston: Backfield committee (Big Deal)
With Arian Foster injured, there was a chance for one of these Houston backs to emerge and take the starting job while he is out. Unfortunately, that didn't happen with Alfred Blue, Chris Polk, and Jonathan Grimes getting almost the same number of carries. I'm on record having said that I think Polk is the best of the bunch, but unfortunately I'm not on the coaching staff. This backfield may be a situation to avoid until Foster's return.
Indianapolis: Frank Gore totals 31 yards, zero TDs (No Deal)
The Colt offense struggled as a whole against the Bills, but at least Andrew Luck was able to deliver 2 TD passes and TY Hilton was able to snag seven balls for 88 yards. Gore, the other highly drafted Colt, was hardly a factor in the game and was completely bottled up. Everyone has been saying for years that this will be the year that Gore finally declines, but I think he'll still be okay. Week 2 against the Jets will probably give him another dud, but he should clear up after that. His backups Josh Robinson and Tyler Varga did little to impress in their limited action.
Jacksonville: Allen Robinson held to one catch, 27 yards (No Deal)
Robinson had a lot of factors working against him this game. He missed some time with a foot injury (he did return), was matched up against one of the better unknown corners in the league in Josh Norman, and was facing a Panthers team that had a running game plan in mind and held the ball for almost ten minutes more than the Jags. Like all the Jags' players, inconsistency is to be expected, but they should be trailing in most of their games, giving Robinson plenty of opportunities to catch balls, particularly with Julius Thomas out. Robinson did still see six targets.
Kansas City: Travis Kelce goes for 106 yards, 2 TDs (Big Deal)
Similar to Eifert of the Bengals, all Kelce needed was for the guy in front of him to go away. Limited by Anthony Fasano's presence last year, Kelce exploded to start 2015 as the Chiefs' main TE and passing weapon. He was consistently open and was an easy target for Alex Smith. While the Chiefs still can't get a WR in the end zone, expect Kelce to many times this season.
Miami: Offense struggles vs Redskins (No Deal)
This one is no deal, but with a bit of nervousness. I can understand the Dolphins struggling in the run game as Washington is stout in that category, but Ryan Tannehill should have carved up that secondary. While he was efficient, the Dolphins only mustered 10 offensive points and Tannehill threw for only 226 yards. That was good for 17th among Week 1 QBs, behind Brian Hoyer who didn't even finish the game. They get a break this week playing Jacksonville, but things could get ugly in Weeks 3 and 4 as the Bills and Jets come to town.
Minnesota: Adrian Peterson flops in return to field (No Deal)
For starters, I was absolutely shocked that Minnesota went with passing plays on their first possession leading to a three and out. Secondly, I don't think anyone expected the 49ers' defense to be that good this year. They not only ruined AP's night, but they made Bridgewater look absolutely lost out there. AP lined up in the shotgun a lot, which is not his style, so hopefully the Vikings go with bigger sets in the future. Just give him the ball, let the defense stack the box, and let him rumble.
New England: Dion Lewis gets 19 touches (Big Deal)
Obviously part of Lewis' usage was due to Legarrette Blount being suspended, but I still think Lewis has established himself in the Shane Vereen receiving RB role. He looked quick and decisive and caught four of his five targets for 51 yards. The Pats' backfield will always be opponent dependent, but when they play teams with stout defensive fronts (Jets, Bills), I expect Lewis to deliver, particularly in PPR leagues.
New Orleans: Mark Ingram catches eight balls for 98 yards (No Deal)
Ingram owners might take this as a great sign, but keep in mind that CJ Spiller was out this game and has a chance to come back in Week 2. He will be the unquestioned featured back in the passing game. Ingram will continue to get his carries, but don't treat Ingram as some kind of PPR maven all of a sudden. Brandin Cooks and Marques Colston also had down games, which I don't expect to happen often. Hope you enjoyed the Ingram PPR points while they lasted.
New York Giants: Odell Beckham Jr catches five passes for 44 yards (No Deal)
Beckham, a popular dark horse to finish as the number one overall WR this year, struggled in his 2015 debut. The Cowboys constantly were rolling safeties over the top of him, preventing any long, big plays. I wouldn't be too worried though as he was still targeted a team high eight times. Division rivals know each other well, so I expect him to have a bounce back game in an out of division matchup against the Falcons this week.
New York Jets: Chris Ivory is the Jets' workhorse (Big Deal)
Ivory mashed the Browns on the ground, averaging 4.6 yards per carry, totaling 90 yards and two rushing TDs. He probably would have had more if the game hadn't gotten out of hand and the Jets letting Bilal Powell finish out of the fourth quarter. Health will always be a concern for Ivory, but he should see 20+ carries weekly in the Jets' backfield. Feel free to upgrade him to a RB1, particularly against the Colts this coming Monday Night.
Oakland: Amari Cooper doesn't live up to hype (Big Deal)
I still think Cooper is a talented player, but the team situation that he is in is terrible for his value. Derek Carr was less than impressive before he got injured, and Matt McGloin did his damage when the game was well out of reach. Cooper also has to compete with Michael Crabtree for targets as Cooper only got one more target than Crabtree and the same number of catches (5). Cooper will be matched up against top corners week in and week out and still has to face Jimmy Smith, Joe Haden, Darrelle Revis, and Chris Harris (twice). He'll have good weeks in plus matchups, but he'll have less good performances than expected by those that took a chance on the rookie.
Philadelphia: Eagles' run game sputters (No Deal)
Despite the perception of this high flying, up tempo attack, Chip Kelly's offense is really built around the run game. They were unable to establish the line of scrimmage, limiting DeMarco Murray and Ryan Mathews to 13 yards combined. In fact, it was Darren Sproles who stole the show carrying the football as he toted it five times for 50 yards. I think the Eagles will make more of a commitment to the run in the weeks to come, though there is some concern that their defense will put them in positions where they have to play catch up. Bradford threw the ball a ridiculous 52 times on Monday Night. I don't expect him to come close to that many attempts for the rest of the season.
Pittsburgh: Big Ben throws for 351, one interception, one garbage time TD (No Deal/Big Deal)
It's no deal in the sense that I think he will improve upon these numbers, but it is a big deal if you bought into the idea that the Steelers would be able to throw the ball all over the place like last year and Big Ben would be a top five QB. They were without Le'Veon Bell and Martavis Bryant, but their second WR Markus Wheaton, failed to step up to the plate once again and played poorly. If it weren't for Antonio Brown's skills and Heath Miller's reliability, Ben's line could have looked much worse. I think people fell in love with Big Ben's back to back six TD games last season and expected similar dominance this year. Not so fast my friend.
Saint Louis: Rams out gain Seahawks in total yardage (Big Deal)
The fact that the Rams beat the Seahawks didn't surprise me so much as how well the Rams played offensively. This team was known for their defense, but starting Benny Cunningham at RB and listing Brian Quick, their best WR, as a healthy scratch, had the makings of a blowout in favor of Seattle. Instead, Nick Foles finished with a 115.8 passer rating and threw the game winning TD in the waning moments of the game. Once the Rams get Tre Mason and possibly Todd Gurley healthy, they might actually have some fantasy relevant pieces, despite many, including myself, doubting they would even have one.
San Diego: Danny Woodhead outplays Melvin Gordon (Big Deal)
I warned people about this heading into 2015 and the first game of the year played out just like I predicted. Gordon got some between the 20s looks, but when it came down to the red zone, the Chargers simply trusted Woodhead more. Woodhead found the end zone two times and was his usual self out catching passes out of the backfield, hauling in four receptions for 20 yards. Gordon's 14 carries did lead the Chargers RBs, but without the TDs, Gordon will be a borderline bench player, despite being drafted as a RB2 by some people.
San Francisco: Carlos Hyde runs wild (Big Deal)
Everything about how the 49ers played on Monday Night shocked me, including Hyde. Hyde showed a surprising amount of quickness having being pigeonholed as a rumbling between the tackles back, and racked up 168 yards and 2 TDs on the Vikes defense. The Niners clearly want to continue to pound the football, and so long as their defense plays in dominant fashion, they should be able to. I try not to overreact to Week 1, but it was hard not to watch that game and think this Niners team could be a real threat in the NFC.
Seattle: Tyler Lockett totals 119 return yards on four kicks, scores once (Big Deal)
This kid is the real deal. A rookie out of Kansas State, Lockett is the new Devin Hester in the NFL, except he also can make noise on offense as well. While he might help some leagues that count return yards, he will help all owners of the Seattle D/ST with his return TDs. He is electric every time he touches the football and Pete Carroll is trying to work him into the offense as well.
Tampa Bay: Jameis Winston's terrible debut (Big Deal)
It's not so much Winston's fault as it is the people around him. The Bucs have multiple rookies on the offensive line and have their best receiving weapon in Mike Evans injured at the moment. Head coach Lovie Smith has never had incredible offenses anyways, and their defense looks putrid enough to put the Bucs in a lot of holes this year. With the Falcons showing an improved defense and Carolina still looking stout on D, expect the Bucs to wind up with a single digit draft pick in the 2016 draft, and for Winston's rookie numbers to look anything but impressive.
Tennessee: Marcus Mariota's wonderful debut (Big Deal/No Deal)
Similar to Big Ben, there's two sides to the coin here. It's a big deal in that I think he will be successful this year, but no deal if you think he's throwing for four TDs that easily every week. Mariota had a perfect passer rating and four TDs, but only had to throw the ball 16 times. I'd like to see how he performs when his defense has to face a great offense and Mariota has to use his arm to keep up. He is very startable in this week's matchup against the Browns, but will have to keep up with Andrew Luck in Week 3, then faces the Bills' D in Week 4. Let's see where he stands after that.
Washington: Alfred Morris runs for 121 on 25 carries (Big Deal)
There really wasn't too much to take away from this game apart from the fact that DeSean Jackson got injured. I think we all expected the Skins' pass game to be below average and Jordan Reed and Pierre Garcon to be the main targets. Morris' 121 yards stood out, however, because this Dolphin defense added Ndamukong Suh in the offseason to plug up the run. Morris was able to average 4.8 yards per carry and was the clear workhorse in the backfield. If they can get closer to the end zone more times than they did on Sunday, Morris will continue to be a solid and steady RB2, no matter who is behind center.
Matty O
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Sunday, September 6, 2015
2015 AFC Outlook
Defending Champs: New England Patriots
I had my questions about the Pats prior to Brady being freed from suspension, and those questions still linger despite Brady having his four game suspension nullified. On the offensive side, their two leading receivers from last year, Brandon LaFell and Julian Edelman, have been struggling with injuries this offseason, with LaFell winding up on the reserve/PUP list to start the year, meaning he won't be available until Week 8. While Rob Gronkowski had a monster season last year, don't forget that 2014 was his first injury-free season since 2011. They also surprisingly released Jonas Gray, who was their leading rusher last season. I know that LeGarrette Blount did well down the stretch, but all that leaves in the Pats' backfield is Blount, Brandon Bolden, and James White. Defensively, they lost star cornerbacks Brandon Browner and Darrelle Revis, and are counting on guys like Malcolm Butler and Logan Ryan to replace them. Bill Belichick has a knack for getting the most out of no-name players, but eventually the Pats are going to experience a drop off. With the rest of their division improving in the offseason, I think 2015 is the year we see the Pats decline.
Most Likely To Fall Off: Pittsburgh Steelers
Obviously the Pats would be my choice if I had not written about them above, so I'll go with the offensively scary, defensively porous Steelers. Last season, the Steelers made the playoffs behind a career year from Ben Roethlisberger and a schedule that saw them play only two playoff teams outside their division (Panthers, Colts). This year, they face the AFC and NFC West (at Seattle in Week 12), along with going to New England to open the season and playing the Colts a week after their visit to Seattle. Le'Veon Bell is suspended for the first two games, budding young WR Martavis Bryant is suspended for the first four games, and Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey is injured and won't be back until around Week 12. Their defense is still extremely suspect and is unlikely to improve significantly upon their 18th overall total defense ranking last season. Some people view this team as a Super Bowl contender, but in a division that got three teams to the playoffs last year, I think the Steelers could be struggling to fight for a Wild Card spot.
Most Likely To Surprise: Miami Dolphins
On paper, this team looks like an elite club. Ryan Tannehill continues to improve at QB each season, and the Dolphins' front office has done an excellent job surrounding him with weapons for this upcoming season. Lamar Miller and Jarvis Landry were already there, but they added TE Jordan Cameron and WR Kenny Stills, along with drafting WR DeVante Parker and RB Jay Ajayi. Reports are that star left tackle Branden Albert will be ready for Week 1, giving Tannehill one less thing to worry about. Defensively, this team made the biggest offseason splash by landing defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. He will plop down right in the middle of edge rushers Cameron Wake and Olivier Vernon. Those three should terrorize QBs from the get go, allowing Pro Bowl cornerback Brent Grimes to capitalize on badly thrown footballs. The hype train for the Dolphins has been rolling for a couple years now and I think they finally have the pieces in place to break through.
Team With The Most To Prove: Indianapolis Colts
Although Andrew Luck seemed to be inducted into the Hall of Fame from the day he was drafted, he has yet to translate that into postseason success. The Colts are in arguably the weakest division in football, giving them fairly easy access to the playoffs year after year. Despite this, they have been absolutely destroyed by the Patriots the last two seasons in the playoffs, and were crushed by the Ravens in 2012 as well. I know he's only in his fourth year, but it's time for Luck to start putting up his regular season numbers in the playoffs. Thankfully for Luck, he now has new veteran teammates in Frank Gore and Andre Johnson, as well as 2015 first round WR Phillip Dorsett. This should be one of, if not the, best offenses in the league. The defense, however, is a problem. Vontae Davis is a legit shutdown corner, but their run defense is abysmal and doesn't project to be much better in 2015. The Colts can throw it all they want, but when they run into teams like the Ravens and Patriots who are more than willing to just pound the ball inside, then they crumble as a team. Again, maybe I'm being too hard on Luck considering he's still pretty young, but with a free pass to the playoffs on a yearly basis, it's time to start performing much better against the big boys in the AFC.
Division by Division Final Standings
East
1. Dolphins
2. Patriots
3. Bills
4. Jets
North
1. Ravens
2. Bengals
3. Steelers
4. Browns
South
1. Colts
2. Texans
3. Jaguars
4. Titans
West
1. Broncos
2. Chiefs
3. Chargers
4. Raiders
Playoff Seeding
1. Colts
2. Ravens
3. Broncos
4. Dolphins
WC1. Chiefs
WC2. Patriots
Matty O
I had my questions about the Pats prior to Brady being freed from suspension, and those questions still linger despite Brady having his four game suspension nullified. On the offensive side, their two leading receivers from last year, Brandon LaFell and Julian Edelman, have been struggling with injuries this offseason, with LaFell winding up on the reserve/PUP list to start the year, meaning he won't be available until Week 8. While Rob Gronkowski had a monster season last year, don't forget that 2014 was his first injury-free season since 2011. They also surprisingly released Jonas Gray, who was their leading rusher last season. I know that LeGarrette Blount did well down the stretch, but all that leaves in the Pats' backfield is Blount, Brandon Bolden, and James White. Defensively, they lost star cornerbacks Brandon Browner and Darrelle Revis, and are counting on guys like Malcolm Butler and Logan Ryan to replace them. Bill Belichick has a knack for getting the most out of no-name players, but eventually the Pats are going to experience a drop off. With the rest of their division improving in the offseason, I think 2015 is the year we see the Pats decline.
Most Likely To Fall Off: Pittsburgh Steelers
Obviously the Pats would be my choice if I had not written about them above, so I'll go with the offensively scary, defensively porous Steelers. Last season, the Steelers made the playoffs behind a career year from Ben Roethlisberger and a schedule that saw them play only two playoff teams outside their division (Panthers, Colts). This year, they face the AFC and NFC West (at Seattle in Week 12), along with going to New England to open the season and playing the Colts a week after their visit to Seattle. Le'Veon Bell is suspended for the first two games, budding young WR Martavis Bryant is suspended for the first four games, and Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey is injured and won't be back until around Week 12. Their defense is still extremely suspect and is unlikely to improve significantly upon their 18th overall total defense ranking last season. Some people view this team as a Super Bowl contender, but in a division that got three teams to the playoffs last year, I think the Steelers could be struggling to fight for a Wild Card spot.
Most Likely To Surprise: Miami Dolphins
On paper, this team looks like an elite club. Ryan Tannehill continues to improve at QB each season, and the Dolphins' front office has done an excellent job surrounding him with weapons for this upcoming season. Lamar Miller and Jarvis Landry were already there, but they added TE Jordan Cameron and WR Kenny Stills, along with drafting WR DeVante Parker and RB Jay Ajayi. Reports are that star left tackle Branden Albert will be ready for Week 1, giving Tannehill one less thing to worry about. Defensively, this team made the biggest offseason splash by landing defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. He will plop down right in the middle of edge rushers Cameron Wake and Olivier Vernon. Those three should terrorize QBs from the get go, allowing Pro Bowl cornerback Brent Grimes to capitalize on badly thrown footballs. The hype train for the Dolphins has been rolling for a couple years now and I think they finally have the pieces in place to break through.
Team With The Most To Prove: Indianapolis Colts
Although Andrew Luck seemed to be inducted into the Hall of Fame from the day he was drafted, he has yet to translate that into postseason success. The Colts are in arguably the weakest division in football, giving them fairly easy access to the playoffs year after year. Despite this, they have been absolutely destroyed by the Patriots the last two seasons in the playoffs, and were crushed by the Ravens in 2012 as well. I know he's only in his fourth year, but it's time for Luck to start putting up his regular season numbers in the playoffs. Thankfully for Luck, he now has new veteran teammates in Frank Gore and Andre Johnson, as well as 2015 first round WR Phillip Dorsett. This should be one of, if not the, best offenses in the league. The defense, however, is a problem. Vontae Davis is a legit shutdown corner, but their run defense is abysmal and doesn't project to be much better in 2015. The Colts can throw it all they want, but when they run into teams like the Ravens and Patriots who are more than willing to just pound the ball inside, then they crumble as a team. Again, maybe I'm being too hard on Luck considering he's still pretty young, but with a free pass to the playoffs on a yearly basis, it's time to start performing much better against the big boys in the AFC.
Division by Division Final Standings
East
1. Dolphins
2. Patriots
3. Bills
4. Jets
North
1. Ravens
2. Bengals
3. Steelers
4. Browns
South
1. Colts
2. Texans
3. Jaguars
4. Titans
West
1. Broncos
2. Chiefs
3. Chargers
4. Raiders
Playoff Seeding
1. Colts
2. Ravens
3. Broncos
4. Dolphins
WC1. Chiefs
WC2. Patriots
Matty O
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
2015 NFC Outlook
Defending Champs: Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks look locked and loaded to once again make a run at another Super Bowl appearance. Despite losing cornerback Byron Maxwell and Pro Bowl center Max Unger, they still have the core of their team intact, acquired TE Jimmy Graham in the Unger trade, and drafted dynamic returner/wide receiver Tyler Lockett. A dangerous special teams returner has always been one thing missing from recent Seahawks squads, and Lockett has already proved this preseason that he will make an impact in the return game this year. Kam Chancellor's holdout is a legitimate concern, but I would be shocked if the two sides don't come to an agreement by Week 4 or 5. The Seahawks are also in a rather shaky division with Carson Palmer's health and durability a huge question mark in Arizona, a mass exodus of players in San Francisco, and an underwhelming offense in St. Louis. Non-divisional games in Green Bay, Dallas, and Baltimore are no walks in the park, but I expect the Seahawks to make the playoffs rather comfortably and make a run at the number one overall seed.
Most Likely To Fall Off: Dallas Cowboys
I love my Cowboys, but this season comes with more than a few question marks. After riding DeMarco Murray into the ground last season and letting him walk to the Eagles in the offseason, the Cowboys felt comfortable with the trio of Joseph Randle, Darren McFadden, and Lance Dunbar as their running backs and chose not to draft one. While a committee might work, there is still uncertainty if any of them can carry this run game even behind such a dominant offensive line. The run game was also what helped Tony Romo cut down on his turnovers last season, as he did not have to air it out as often. Will the lack of a bell cow back cause Romo to revert to his interception-throwing ways? Lastly, despite having Sean Lee healthy and signing Greg Hardy, this is still not a good defense. They will give up a fair amount of yards on the ground and a hilarious amount of yards through the air, particularly with CB Orlando Scandrick out for the year. With NFC East rivals Philly and New York both improving, the Cowboys could be in danger of not making the playoffs this year.
Most Likely To Surprise: Minnesota Vikings
The Eagles and Saints are close runners up, but I'm going to go with the Vikings with a second year QB in a division with the Packers. While I don't think they dethrone Aaron Rodgers and Co. this season, I do think they give them a scare throughout most of the regular season. Adrian Peterson's return would be enough for any offense in the league to be excited, but they also picked up Mike Wallce and are getting TE Kyle Rudolph back from injury. With Teddy Bridgewater playing decently his rookie year, this offense is a lock to improve upon their 27th ranked attack this year. Defensively, they have quietly built one of the more sound, young defenses in the league. They were 14th in total defense last season and bolstered their secondary by drafting CB Trae Waynes 11th overall in the 2015 draft. It's hard to see them winning the North with the Pack in their division, but a Wild Card spot is within reach. Don't be surprised if this squad dethrones Rodgers and the Pack in one or two years in this division.
Team With The Most To Prove: Philadelphia Eagles
You could make a case for the Packers because of how they lost the Seattle game last year or the Cowboys because of how they lost the Green Bay game last year, but I'm going to go with the team that put all its chips in Chip. The Eagles gave head coach Chip Kelly almost no restrictions this offseason in redesigning the team to his liking. Jordan Matthews and Darren Sproles are the only notable skill position offensive players returning, as Kelly is determined to make his Oregon based offense work in the NFL. He's either going to be hailed as an offensive genius and innovator or ridiculed for getting rid of the likes of Jeremy Maclin and LeSean McCoy. I could see this team finishing 4-12 or 12-4. Neither would surprise me.
Division To Watch: NFC East (Dallas, Washington, New York Giants, Philadelphia)
Obviously I'm biased as a Cowboy fan, but this should be the most entertaining division this season. Chip Kelly has completely overhauled the entire Eagles' roster, and heads into the season with injury prone Sam Bradford at QB. This team is sure to put up points, but can the explosiveness last all season? The Cowboys are always in the media simply because they are the Cowboys, but their offense should be something to marvel at as well. They will be on a mission to avenge the Dez Bryant no catch game against the Packers in last year's playoffs. The Giants have improved immensely on offense with Victor Cruz coming back and Shane Vereen now in Giants blue. The defense is more than suspect, however, so they will have to out score everyone they face. Lastly, although they will likely finish in last place, the Redskins will get plenty of headlines so long as RG3 is there. Things will get really interesting if Kirk Cousins and/or Colt McCoy get hurt and RG3 has to play once again. With a NFC East team appearing six times on Monday Night Football, seven times on Sunday Night Football, and the Eagles and Cowboys both playing on Thanksgiving, the nation should get plenty of opportunities to see these teams in action.
Division by Division Final Standings
East
1. Eagles
2. Cowboys
3. Giants
4. Redskins
North
1. Packers
2. Vikings
3. Lions
4. Bears
South
1. Saints
2. Falcons
3. Panthers
4. Bucs
West
1. Seahawks
2. Cardinals
3. 49ers
4. Rams
Playoff Seeding
1. Packers
2. Seahawks
3. Eagles
4. Saints
WC1. Cowboys
WC2. Vikings
Matty O
The Seahawks look locked and loaded to once again make a run at another Super Bowl appearance. Despite losing cornerback Byron Maxwell and Pro Bowl center Max Unger, they still have the core of their team intact, acquired TE Jimmy Graham in the Unger trade, and drafted dynamic returner/wide receiver Tyler Lockett. A dangerous special teams returner has always been one thing missing from recent Seahawks squads, and Lockett has already proved this preseason that he will make an impact in the return game this year. Kam Chancellor's holdout is a legitimate concern, but I would be shocked if the two sides don't come to an agreement by Week 4 or 5. The Seahawks are also in a rather shaky division with Carson Palmer's health and durability a huge question mark in Arizona, a mass exodus of players in San Francisco, and an underwhelming offense in St. Louis. Non-divisional games in Green Bay, Dallas, and Baltimore are no walks in the park, but I expect the Seahawks to make the playoffs rather comfortably and make a run at the number one overall seed.
Most Likely To Fall Off: Dallas Cowboys
I love my Cowboys, but this season comes with more than a few question marks. After riding DeMarco Murray into the ground last season and letting him walk to the Eagles in the offseason, the Cowboys felt comfortable with the trio of Joseph Randle, Darren McFadden, and Lance Dunbar as their running backs and chose not to draft one. While a committee might work, there is still uncertainty if any of them can carry this run game even behind such a dominant offensive line. The run game was also what helped Tony Romo cut down on his turnovers last season, as he did not have to air it out as often. Will the lack of a bell cow back cause Romo to revert to his interception-throwing ways? Lastly, despite having Sean Lee healthy and signing Greg Hardy, this is still not a good defense. They will give up a fair amount of yards on the ground and a hilarious amount of yards through the air, particularly with CB Orlando Scandrick out for the year. With NFC East rivals Philly and New York both improving, the Cowboys could be in danger of not making the playoffs this year.
Most Likely To Surprise: Minnesota Vikings
The Eagles and Saints are close runners up, but I'm going to go with the Vikings with a second year QB in a division with the Packers. While I don't think they dethrone Aaron Rodgers and Co. this season, I do think they give them a scare throughout most of the regular season. Adrian Peterson's return would be enough for any offense in the league to be excited, but they also picked up Mike Wallce and are getting TE Kyle Rudolph back from injury. With Teddy Bridgewater playing decently his rookie year, this offense is a lock to improve upon their 27th ranked attack this year. Defensively, they have quietly built one of the more sound, young defenses in the league. They were 14th in total defense last season and bolstered their secondary by drafting CB Trae Waynes 11th overall in the 2015 draft. It's hard to see them winning the North with the Pack in their division, but a Wild Card spot is within reach. Don't be surprised if this squad dethrones Rodgers and the Pack in one or two years in this division.
Team With The Most To Prove: Philadelphia Eagles
You could make a case for the Packers because of how they lost the Seattle game last year or the Cowboys because of how they lost the Green Bay game last year, but I'm going to go with the team that put all its chips in Chip. The Eagles gave head coach Chip Kelly almost no restrictions this offseason in redesigning the team to his liking. Jordan Matthews and Darren Sproles are the only notable skill position offensive players returning, as Kelly is determined to make his Oregon based offense work in the NFL. He's either going to be hailed as an offensive genius and innovator or ridiculed for getting rid of the likes of Jeremy Maclin and LeSean McCoy. I could see this team finishing 4-12 or 12-4. Neither would surprise me.
Division To Watch: NFC East (Dallas, Washington, New York Giants, Philadelphia)
Obviously I'm biased as a Cowboy fan, but this should be the most entertaining division this season. Chip Kelly has completely overhauled the entire Eagles' roster, and heads into the season with injury prone Sam Bradford at QB. This team is sure to put up points, but can the explosiveness last all season? The Cowboys are always in the media simply because they are the Cowboys, but their offense should be something to marvel at as well. They will be on a mission to avenge the Dez Bryant no catch game against the Packers in last year's playoffs. The Giants have improved immensely on offense with Victor Cruz coming back and Shane Vereen now in Giants blue. The defense is more than suspect, however, so they will have to out score everyone they face. Lastly, although they will likely finish in last place, the Redskins will get plenty of headlines so long as RG3 is there. Things will get really interesting if Kirk Cousins and/or Colt McCoy get hurt and RG3 has to play once again. With a NFC East team appearing six times on Monday Night Football, seven times on Sunday Night Football, and the Eagles and Cowboys both playing on Thanksgiving, the nation should get plenty of opportunities to see these teams in action.
Division by Division Final Standings
East
1. Eagles
2. Cowboys
3. Giants
4. Redskins
North
1. Packers
2. Vikings
3. Lions
4. Bears
South
1. Saints
2. Falcons
3. Panthers
4. Bucs
West
1. Seahawks
2. Cardinals
3. 49ers
4. Rams
Playoff Seeding
1. Packers
2. Seahawks
3. Eagles
4. Saints
WC1. Cowboys
WC2. Vikings
Matty O
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