Best team that won’t make the playoffs
The Buccaneers. Jameis Winston, Doug Martin and Mike Evans give the Bucs a young and dynamic offense, but the rebuilding defense and having to play in a division with the Panthers will likely keep Tampa Bay on the outside looking in (for one more year). DG
The Raiders are on the rise with a talented young quarterback and speedy receiver to go with some promising defensive players. By season’s end Oakland will be knocking on the door of the postseason. They will come up just short this time. LC
I suspect it will come from the AFC West, whose four teams all have enough quality to win the division, but also enough flaws to sink to last place. I’ll take a better-than-expected San Diego Chargers team to narrowly miss out despite a renaissance year from Philip Rivers. PB
The Bengals have made the postseason for five straight years and have demonstrated steady growth in building through the draft even if they don’t have the playoff results to show for it. But despite offensive and defensive lines that rate among the NFL’s best, they’ll be odd men out in the annual wild-card logjam. BAG
Non-playoff team from last year that will make the playoffs
The Indianapolis Colts. Not because the Colts will be appreciably better this year than last or because Andrew Luck will finally reach his supposed Hall of Fame potential. It’s just that some team has to win the AFC South and the Colts are mediocre enough do it. DG
Last season was a disaster of the Baltimore Ravens who have been one of the league’s more stable franchises since moving to the east coast. They are healthy again after a year of injuries to key players, including quarterback Joe Flacco. They lost close games last year that they won’t drop this time around. LC
The Oakland Raiders. For all the focus on Derek Carr and Amari Cooper’s improvement, the Raiders’ biggest gains could be on defense – with the additions of Bruce Irvin and Sean Smith. PB
With a healthy Andrew Luck back under center, the Colts will deliver on last year’s dashed hopes. BAG
Team you’re looking forward most to watching
A full season with Tyrod Taylor, Sammy Watkins and LeSean McCoy together in Buffalo promises a lot of excitement. And when you throw in the entertainment provided by the Ryan brothers on the sideline, there’s no other choice. DG
No team is more intriguing than Denver in the season after their Super Bowl win. The Broncos still have what might be the league’s best defense but they lost quarterbacks Peyton Manning to retirement and Brock Osweiler to free agency. Defensively they have the ability to win another title, but offensively they might be lost. LC
I think some people are getting a little carried away with their expectations for Dak Prescott, but how could you not be fascinated by the prospect of him pairing up with Ezekiel Elliott in an all-rookie backfield for Dallas? PB
A Super Bowl loss won’t keep the Panthers from talking loudly, dancing freely and celebrating without restraint. They’re just what the stolid NFL needs. That alone makes them destination viewing, say nothing of the fact that Cam Newton has yet to peak. BAG
Most valuable player
Tom Brady lost his battle with Roger Goodell, but he’ll probably get the MVP as a consolation prize. The Patriots offense will make a big improvement after four games and everyone will hit upon the notion that Brady is rather valuable. DG
Because the Seahawks struggled so much early last season it’s easy to forget just how great Russell Wilson was in the second half of the campaign when Seattle changed their offense. If he is anything like the player he was in November and December 2015 he will be the league’s best player. LC
Rob Gronkowski, the man who will make sure that the Pats’ offense keeps ticking even with Jimmy Garoppolo under center. PB
Aaron Rodgers, the NFL’s best quarterback, will join his predecessor Brett Favre as a three-time MVP. BAG
Johnny Manziel Disaster Waiting To Happen Dept
Johnny Manziel. Let’s not too quickly overlook the reigning champ. With Tony Romo currently resting and preparing for his next injury, Dak Prescott a question mark and Mark Sanchez a known/disappointing commodity, Jerry Jones could be insane enough to sign Manziel before the season is out. DG
In the first Houston Super Bowl since Janet Jackson’s “wardrobe malfunction” the Patriots mascot will have his own “wardrobe malfunction” revealing a design to spy on opponents’ huddles and steal their play calls. LC
I fear that the Ryan brothers’ collaboration in Buffalo cannot end well. Rex has already gained 30lbs, for a start … PB
Roger Goodell resigns as commissioner in January to assume the office of Secretary of the Interior in Donald Trump’s Cabinet. BAG
One bold prediction
Pittsburgh miss the playoffs. Do I think it will happen? No. Could it? Definitely. Everyone seems oddly high on a team with a suspect D that will be without Le’Veon Bell, Martavis Bryant, Ladarius Green and Bud Dupree for all or part of the season. The Steelers are one Ben Roethlisberger or Antonio Brown injury away from disaster. DG
The Cowboys will panic and chase a big-name broken-down quarterback ... oh, wait, you said a bold prediction. How about the Chargers and Raiders wind up staying in San Diego and Oakland? LC
Despite the fact that he hasn’t played a competitive game since 2014, and won’t play his first of this season until October, I say Josh Gordon makes the Pro Bowl. Because if there’s one thing RGIII definitely does have in his locker, it’s the deep ball. PB
Lamar Miller wins the NFL rushing title. Houston’s new running back was used lightly in Miami, but the Texans will depend heavily on the 25-year-old as they break in a new quarterback. BAG
Offensive player of the year
Antonio Brown. If Roethlisberger and Brown stay healthy, Brown will benefit from the absences of Le’Veon Bell and Martavis Bryant by being targeted approximately infinity times per game in Todd Haley’s pass-happy offense. DG
Russell Wilson. Last season was the year of Cam Newton but with their defense falling back a bit the Panthers offense will too. This is the year people will be talking about Seattle’s offense, not just their defense. It will be because of Wilson’s play. LC
I keep banging this drum, but Antonio Brown would have had a 2,000-yard season last year if it weren’t for Michael Vick. Even when Landry Jones was his quarterback, he kept on producing. He’s the best receiver in the league, and doesn’t have Martavis Bryant to share the load this year, either. PB
Aaron Rodgers’ numbers will only swell with Jordy Nelson back in the fold. Look for the MVP to double up here. BAG
Defensive player of the year
Aaron Donald. Donald arguably deserved this award last year, but finished second to noted football brand JJ Watt. With the young Rams defensive tackle now in a bigger media market and Watt opening the season hobbled, Donald will win. (And let’s hope that’s the only win by a Donald in 2016.) DG
The Rams won’t be doing much this season but Los Angeles fans will have their first new big star in Aaron Donald, who is maybe as good as JJ Watt right now. How many interior defensive players have 20 sacks in their careers let alone their first two seasons? LC
JJ Watt, as usual. PB
Khalil Mack. Oakland’s edge rusher was in the conversation for top defensive honors after a standout sophomore campaign. With an improved secondary and Bruce Irvin applying pressure from the opposite end, look for Mack to challenge the single-season sacks record in year three. BAG
Rookie of the year
Ezekiel Elliott. He’s the unquestioned RB1 for a team with quarterback issues and a dominant offensive line. If anyone else wins Offensive Rookie of the Year, it will be an upset. DG
The easy choice would be to say Ezekiel Elliott who should pile up yards in the Cowboys backfield, but Dallas will stumble without Tony Romo and a great under-the-radar choice should be linebacker Myles Jack, who can fit beautifully in Jacksonville’s system and could be part of a Jags renaissance. LC
Ezekiel Elliott is going to have some fun behind that great offensive line in Dallas. PB
Tony Romo’s injury means No4 overall pick Ezekiel Elliott will get even more touches behind the league’s best offensive line as the Cowboys jump in a rookie quarterback. BAG
AFC East champion
Patriots. It’s fun to think about all the ways Tom Brady’s suspension could lead to New England’s demise, but it’s hard to see them failing to win a division that features Ryan Fitzpatrick, the Ryan Brothers and the Miami Dolphins. DG
With or without Tom Brady for every game, the division is New England’s to lose. Miami may surprise, the Jets will make the race interesting, Buffalo has enough talent to make a run and will get a shot at the Brady-less Pats in September. In the end, though, The Patriots are the Patriots and Brady is Brady. LC
Patriots. For once, I don’t think this is a foregone conclusion. A month without Brady is no small thing, and if any other team in this division can make a fast start then things could certainly get interesting. I’m just not sure who it would be. PB
It says here New England is slow out of the gate with Tom Brady sidelined and the Buffalo Bills hang on to win the division and host a playoff game for the first time in 20 years. BAG
AFC North champion
Steelers. As long as the Steelers don’t suffer more significant injuries or suspensions, they should have enough to take the division – and send the Bengals to the wild-card round for their usual postseason demise. DG
This is the trickiest of all divisions. Pittsburgh have the kind of offense that can put up huge scores and Baltimore will be better after an injury-filled 2015. Still, Cincinnati remains a difficult team to beat, with a good enough mix of a ball-control offense and an aggressive defense to win the title. LC
I like the Steelers a lot this season - but only if they can stay healthy. Cincy will not be far behind, and on strength of coaching alone I expect the Ravens to be competitive, as well. PB
When the Steelers finally get their embarrassment of offensive riches on the field together – Ben Roethlisberger, Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown – they’re clearly the team to beat. BAG
AFC West champion
Chiefs. If Kansas City is going to win the AFC West, this is the year. The Broncos should take a step back from 2015 and Derek Carr and the Raiders are still likely a year way from being true contenders. Alex Smith can’t let this opportunity slip through his small hands. DG
Kansas City are a Super Bowl team. If all the pieces are working together and the Chiefs can do what hasn’t always happened and win the big games, they should roll to at least the AFC title game. LC
This feels to me like the toughest division to call. I’m going with the Chiefs, whose defense remains strong despite departures in the secondary, and whose deep stable of running backs will keep things ticking along on the other side of the ball. PB
Denver’s stout defense covered for Peyton Manning last year and Northwestern alum Trevor Siemian won’t prove the downgrade most people think. Look for the Broncos to win a sixth straight division crown. BAG
AFC South champion
Look for the Colts to eke out the AFC South with a record in the neighborhood of 9-7, giving them the opportunity to raise another somewhat humiliating banner to the rafters at Lucas Oil Stadium. DG
All Houston have needed for many seasons now is the quarterback upon whom they can built, and they gave Brock Osweiler a lot of money to be that player. A dark horse here is Jacksonville who have a gifted young defense and a quarterback around whom they can build. LC
I’ll back Andrew Luck to haul the Colts to first place – despite glaring weaknesses elsewhere on the roster. PB
The Colts will need many more pieces before they’re true contenders, but a healed Andrew Luck should be enough to lift Indy past Houston for the division crown. BAG
NFC East champion
Washington and the Giants. I’m calling for a tie. It seems fitting for a division that might be won at 8-8. DG
Once Tony Romo got hurt it seemed the biggest impediment to Washington’s winning a second straight division title was removed. This remains a flawed team and there are questions about whether Kirk Cousins is really the quarterback to take Washington to the top but very quietly general manager Scott McLaughlin has put together a roster of talented young players. LC
Giants. Having the best healthy quarterback (settle down, Dak devotees) paired with Odell Beckham Jr is a pretty solid starting point in a weak division. Of course, making sure that Eli Manning stays healthy behind that offensive line may not be entirely straightforward. PB
Philadelphia. The Eagles ride a surprisingly stout defense and occasionally competent offense helmed by first-year quarterback Carson Wentz to finish 8-8 and win this dumpster fire of division on a tiebreaker with Washington. BAG
NFC North champion
Green Bay. This division race was wrapped up the second Teddy Bridgewater’s knee was wrapped in an air cast. Is Week 1 too early for the Packers to start resting players for the playoffs? DG
This should have been Minnesota until Teddy Bridgewater got hurt and now the Vikings probably tumble out of the playoffs and Green Bay will step up to win another division title. As long as Aaron Rodgers is their quarterback the Packers will find ways to win games. There’s an excellent chance Green Bay will be playing to go to the Super Bowl in January. LC
Were it not for the Teddy Bridgewater injury, this might have been up for discussion. As it stands, the Packers, with Jordy Nelson back in the line-up, are an easy pick. PB
With the game’s best quarterback under center and a strength of schedule that ranks 32nd out of 32 teams, Green Bay is the pick. BAG
NFC West champion
Cardinals. The Cardinals and Seahawks are two of the top five Super Bowl LI favorites in Vegas. Winning the division will be nice, but ultimately meaningless. Both teams look to peak in the postseason. DG
It could well be the year of Russell Wilson which means it will also be the year of the Seahawks. The Cardinals have made this a very difficult division now. Seattle and Arizona might be the two best teams in the NFC. In the end, Wilson – and not the Seahawks defense – will win the division and maybe the Super Bowl. LC
On paper, the Cardinals look strongest, but on the field Carson Palmer lost his mojo at the end of 2015 and showed no signs of recapturing it during preseason. I still expect Arizona to be competitive, but for now I’m giving Seattle the edge. PB
Arizona. The Cardinals, who came within a game of the Super Bowl last year, have experience on both sides of the ball and one of the NFL’s top quarterbacks in Carson Palmer. No team in the league is deeper from top to bottom. BAG
NFC South champion
The NFC South should be won by Carolina with ease. Remember the performance the Panthers put up in the Super Bowl? Even 16 more of those will win them this division. DG
Carolina without Josh Norman will not be the Carolina of last season. That said, there are no other contenders in the NFC South. The Panthers should win the division again with little trouble, especially if Cam Newton has another great season. LC
Yes, the Panthers had a soft schedule last season, and sure, losing Josh Norman hurts. But they did also get back a 1,000-yard receiver in Kelvin Benjamin. They are still the best team in this division. PB
No Super Bowl losers’ curse for Carolina, who were beaten only once during last year’s regular season and remain the class of the division. BAG
AFC wild card teams
Cincinnati Bengals, Denver Broncos DG
Baltimore Ravens, Miami Dolphins LC
Cincinnati Bengals, Oakland Raiders PB
New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs BAG
NFC wild card teams
Seattle Seahawks, Minnesota Vikings DG
Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Bears LC
Arizona Cardinals, Minnesota Vikings PB
Seattle Seahawks, Minnesota Vikings BAG
AFC championship game
New England Patriots over Pittsburgh Steelers DG
New England Patriots over Kansas City Chiefs LC
Pittsburgh Steelers over New England Patriots PB
Pittsburgh Steelers over Kansas City Chiefs BAG
NFC championship game
Carolina Panthers over Seattle Seahawks DG
Seattle Seahawks over Green Bay Packers LC
Seattle Seahawks over Green Bay Packers PB
Arizona Cardinals over Green Bay Packers BAG
Super Bowl LI
Remember all the criticism Cam Newton faced after last year’s Super Bowl? This February he’ll be a hero for the Panthers – and especially to Roger Goodell – for handing Bill Belichick and Tom Brady their third Super Bowl defeat. DG
In a rematch of Super Bowl XLIX the Seahawks won’t need to hand the ball to their trusted running back in the final seconds of the game. Instead they will put up more than 30 points and shock the Patriots, who are not accustomed to having teams beat them decisively in Super Bowls. LC
Seahawks over Steelers. Marshawn Lynch is gone, but offensive co-ordinator Darrell Bevell will get his moment of catharsis as Russell Wilson and an under-rated receiving corps light up Pittsburgh’s patchy secondary. Seattle’s defense has lost a few pieces, but should still be able to slow Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown just enough. PB
Arizona over Pittsburgh. The NFL’s deepest roster, which got even deeper with the signing of pass rusher Chandler Jones from New England, will exact revenge for Super Bowl XLIII behind the three-pronged rushing attack of third-year back David Johnson, old war horse Chris Johnson and change-of-pace complement Andre Ellington and a commanding secondary led by versatile defensive back Tyrann Mathieu. BAG
