In this year’s first roundtable, Editor-in-Chief Matt Wotus
and staff writers Matt Krombach, Greg Calarco, and Jonathan Crighton take a
look at the upcoming NFL season predicting the winners for each division.
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| Matt Wotus, Greg Calarco, Matt Krombach, and Jonathan Crighton |
AFC East:
Wotus- Patriots.
Even if their defense isn’t great, they can outscore any team in the league.
Krombach- Patriots. Bill Belichick provides good motivation, which has made things so successful in previous years.
Greg- Patriots. Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are the most prolific QB-Head Coach tandem in the history of the game. Even though it has been eight long years since they’ve lifted the Lombardi Trophy, it wouldn’t be surprising for them to add a fourth ring to their collection.
Jonathan- Patriots. Their offense can beat other teams’ defenses.
Krombach- Patriots. Bill Belichick provides good motivation, which has made things so successful in previous years.
Greg- Patriots. Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are the most prolific QB-Head Coach tandem in the history of the game. Even though it has been eight long years since they’ve lifted the Lombardi Trophy, it wouldn’t be surprising for them to add a fourth ring to their collection.
Jonathan- Patriots. Their offense can beat other teams’ defenses.
AFC North:
Wotus- Ravens.
Defense wins championships, and with Ray Lewis, their defense is unstoppable.
Krombach- Ravens, due to the fact that Ray Lewis is a monster, and their defense is amazing.
Greg- Ravens. Flacco showed some impressive signs in the AFC Title Game last year, and it will carry over into this season. This is the year that the offense finally carries the defense.
Jonathan- Ravens. The Steelers are an aging team.
Krombach- Ravens, due to the fact that Ray Lewis is a monster, and their defense is amazing.
Greg- Ravens. Flacco showed some impressive signs in the AFC Title Game last year, and it will carry over into this season. This is the year that the offense finally carries the defense.
Jonathan- Ravens. The Steelers are an aging team.
AFC South:
Wotus- Texans.
Even though the Colts have Andrew Luck, the Texans’ depth should carry them to
the division title.
Krombach- Texans. They proved their dominance last year, and they don’t have much competition.
Greg- Texans. This is the easiest division to choose. Not only does Arian Foster dress fresher than anyone in the league, but he is among the elite core of running backs.
Jonathan- Texans. They are a strong team in the worst division in the NFL.
Krombach- Texans. They proved their dominance last year, and they don’t have much competition.
Greg- Texans. This is the easiest division to choose. Not only does Arian Foster dress fresher than anyone in the league, but he is among the elite core of running backs.
Jonathan- Texans. They are a strong team in the worst division in the NFL.
AFC West:
Wotus- Broncos.
Peyton Manning and his powerful arm will carry the Denver offense.
Krombach- Broncos. They are an offensive threat.
Greg- Chargers. Peyton Manning is back to terrorize defenses as usual. However, Norv Turner and Philip Rivers can’t possibly screw up again. It’s a classic case of if not now, when.
Jonathan- Chargers. I think Philip Rivers will have a bounce back year.
Krombach- Broncos. They are an offensive threat.
Greg- Chargers. Peyton Manning is back to terrorize defenses as usual. However, Norv Turner and Philip Rivers can’t possibly screw up again. It’s a classic case of if not now, when.
Jonathan- Chargers. I think Philip Rivers will have a bounce back year.
NFC East:
Wotus- Giants. They
can’t afford to start slowly again, so Eli Manning needs to come out strong
after winning his second Super Bowl.
Krombach- Eagles. They have built enough momentum from the past few years to finally say this is the year.
Greg- Eagles. The only caution flag for the Eagles is the condition of their star quarterback, Michael Vick. If he can play enough games this season, he can wipe out last season’s embarrassment.
Jonathan- Eagles. If Michael Vick stays healthy, I think the Eagles are a Super Bowl contender.
Krombach- Eagles. They have built enough momentum from the past few years to finally say this is the year.
Greg- Eagles. The only caution flag for the Eagles is the condition of their star quarterback, Michael Vick. If he can play enough games this season, he can wipe out last season’s embarrassment.
Jonathan- Eagles. If Michael Vick stays healthy, I think the Eagles are a Super Bowl contender.
NFC North:
Wotus- Packers.
If MVP Aaron Rodgers performs as well as last year, this will be an easy year
for the Packers.
Krombach- Lions. After an explosive start to last season, the Detroit Lions are in a good spot to win the division this year.
Greg- Bears. Now in their fourth season with the Jay Cutler-Mike Martz offense, everything will finally click. Plus, Cutler will reunite with an outstanding target, Brandon Marshall.
Jonathan- Packers. Aaron Rodgers will continue his dominance this year.
Krombach- Lions. After an explosive start to last season, the Detroit Lions are in a good spot to win the division this year.
Greg- Bears. Now in their fourth season with the Jay Cutler-Mike Martz offense, everything will finally click. Plus, Cutler will reunite with an outstanding target, Brandon Marshall.
Jonathan- Packers. Aaron Rodgers will continue his dominance this year.
NFC South:
Wotus- Falcons.
Without Sean Payton on the sideline for the Saints, it is finally Matt Ryan’s
season to shine.
Krombach- Falcons. The collectiveness of Quarterback Matt Ryan is what leads the team to success. Their defense is strong, as well as their offense, and they are definitely a threat to the Saints.
Greg- Saints. Despite the turmoil over the summer with the suspensions of Head Coach Sean Payton, as well as many defensive stars, Drew Brees is still one of the top gunslingers in the league.
Jonathan- Panthers. Cam Newton will return the Panthers to the playoffs for the first time since 2008.
Krombach- Falcons. The collectiveness of Quarterback Matt Ryan is what leads the team to success. Their defense is strong, as well as their offense, and they are definitely a threat to the Saints.
Greg- Saints. Despite the turmoil over the summer with the suspensions of Head Coach Sean Payton, as well as many defensive stars, Drew Brees is still one of the top gunslingers in the league.
Jonathan- Panthers. Cam Newton will return the Panthers to the playoffs for the first time since 2008.
NFC West:
Wotus- 49ers. The
top-rated defense from last year, mixed with the high powered offense, will
allow the 49ers to make a deep run into the playoffs this year.
Krombach- Seahwaks. With a new starter in Russell Wilson, they have a good chance to give the 49ers a run for their money.
Greg- 49ers. In Jim Harbaugh’s second year with the team, they will reach the Super Bowl. The whole top-rated defense is returning and the offense will only be more explosive.
Jonathan- 49ers. Their defense should win their divisional games.
Krombach- Seahwaks. With a new starter in Russell Wilson, they have a good chance to give the 49ers a run for their money.
Greg- 49ers. In Jim Harbaugh’s second year with the team, they will reach the Super Bowl. The whole top-rated defense is returning and the offense will only be more explosive.
Jonathan- 49ers. Their defense should win their divisional games.
