The Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos have yet to face in Super Bowl 50, but for the fans of the other 30 NFL franchises, their eyes are already on the 2016 season. The disappointments of 2015 may still linger, but the NFL draft is only two months away, and with it, comes new hope. Free agency and the draft still separate the fans from kick-off, but it’s never too soon to start making predictions for next year.
2016 NFL Division Champion Predictions
The AFC North
The Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers are just too good on offense. In 2015, it seemed like they were never healthy at the same time. Ben Roethlisberger missed four games, and was beat up during the playoffs. Star running back Le’Veon Bell was suspended for the first two games of the season and only managed to play in six more before tearing his MCL and being put on injured reserve. Even stud wide-out Antonio Brown struggled with a concussion in the postseason. Hopefully, the Steelers will be able to start 2016 on the right foot and win the division. Roethlisberger isn’t getting any younger, but with Bell, Brown, and young receivers such Markus Wheaton and Martavis Bryant the Steelers should be able to win the division.
The NFC North
The Green Bay Packers
It’s easy to pinpoint the moment that Green Bay’s championship ambitions were hampered. Last preseason, wide receiver Jordy Nelson tore his ACL and the Packers offense was never the same. Without Nelson, the Packers struggled to stretch the field, and Randall Cobb just couldn’t pick up the weight. Aaron Rodgers didn’t look like the 2014 league MVP. He didn’t break 4,000 yards, and was only 11th in touchdown passes. Despite throwing 52 more passes than he did the year before, he threw 560 fewer yards, had seven fewer touchdowns and three more interceptions. It can’t be denied that Nelson’s absence played a huge part in his regression. In 2016 he returns though, and that should help them return to true contenders. Hopefully, they’ll realize what they have in the young Jeff Janis and retake the North.
The AFC South
The Indianapolis Colts
In 2015, the Colts were one of the biggest disappointments in the NFL. They were pretty much unanimously predicted as the AFC South champions. Andrew Luck was a trendy MVP pick and the additions of wide receiver Andre Johnson and running back Frank Gore had fans believing they had returned to 2006 form. Instead, Andrew Luck got hurt, the veterans proved to be washed up, and the defense fell apart when it mattered. Without Luck, or anyone under center for the Colts, they struggled to 8-8 in the NFL’s worst division. Barring a really busy free agent period or a blockbuster trade, the AFC South should still be pretty terrible in 2016, and Luck should have no problem ripping the Texans, Titans, and Jaguars apart on the way to the playoffs and a “Comeback Player of the Year” award winner.
The NFC South
The Carolina Panthers
The Panthers aren’t going anywhere for quite a while. Cam Newton is only 26, Luke Kuechly is only 24, and the rest of the division is in shambles. The Atlanta Falcons are their fiercest competition and they had one of the biggest meltdowns in NFL history in 2015. After winning five of their first six, they went on to lose seven of their last eight. The Buccaneers are still very young, and with uncertainty in the front office, they won’t be ready compete with Carolina in 2016. Meanwhile, the Saints have fallen apart. They’ve traded all of their young pieces away, and there are questions about whether Brees still has what it takes.
The AFC East
The New England Patriots
As long as Tom Brady is under center in New England, it will be hard to pick anyone else. Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, and Julian Edelman will all be back in Foxborough in 2016, and that’s bad news for the Jets, Bills, and Dolphins. Even worse, their schedule will be brutal. The AFC East faces the NFC West and the AFC North next season. That means they face the Seahawks, Cardinals, Steelers, and Bengals, all of whom made the playoffs in 2015. While that’s bad news for all four of the AFC East teams, the Patriots are the best equipped to win the big games.
The NFC East
The Dallas Cowboys
The NFC East is a mess, and in all honesty, any of the four teams could win it. In fact, before the Redskins won the title in 2015, each team took a turn winning the division. Looking forward, it’s a crapshoot. The Eagles and Giants have new head coaches, the Redskins will have to face the other three division champions, and there are a dozen questions about which Cowboy team will show up in 2016. But that’s what separates them from the other three teams. They still have a phenomenal offensive line, tight end Jason Witten is still kicking, and 2016 could see the returns of Tony Romo and Dez Bryant. If they can stay healthy, the Cowboys are easily the best team on paper in the division. And since they finished with the worst record in the East, they get to play against the worst of the NFC.
The AFC West
The Oakland Raiders
The Raiders will make the playoffs for the first time in fourteen years in 2016. They’ve got nothing but exciting potential on offense, and some really strong pieces on defense, highlighted by All-Pro defensive end/linebacker Khalil Mack. While they’ve lost the veteran leadership of Charles Woodson and Justin Tuck to retirement, that’s about it. Derek Carr, Latavius Murray, Michael Crabtree, Amari Cooper, and company will all be back in 2016. The AFC Champion Denver Broncos cannot make the same claim. When the season ends, they’ll only have $11 million in cap space with 11 players, including Von Miller, hitting free agency. With the likely retirement of Peyton Manning, the future is uncertain in Denver. One thing’s for certain, they’ll be much better off than the Chargers, who have alienated superstar safety Eric Weddle and are lacking in talent and depth across the board. Kansas City will be their fiercest competition, but they’re also headed towards a tough offseason. Eric Berry, Sean Smith, Derrick Johnson, Tamba Hali, and Mike DeVito are huge parts of their vaunted defense that are set to hit free agency. Oakland will have the least amount of negative turnover heading into 2016, and that’s very good news for the Raider Nation.
The NFC West
The Seattle Seahawks
The NFC West will be a division to watch in 2016. Chip Kelly is in San Francisco, the Rams are back in Los Angeles, and the Cardinals and Seahawks are in the title picture. While it remains to be seen how the Rams approach the off-season, it’s pretty obvious that they need to acquire some offensive weapons to help Todd Gurley. Ultimately, the reason the Seahawks will win the NFC West is because they’re simply a better team. Even with the anticipated loss of Marshawn Lynch, the Seahawks are still loaded on defense. In fact, after the Seahawks lost Lynch and tight end Jimmy Graham to injuries, their offense exploded. After Lynch and Graham went down, Wilson would end up throwing 21 touchdowns and only one interception in six games, finishing the season with a 36-6 thrashing of the Arizona Cardinals.
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