2014 NFL Picks

I haven't used this space for non-Cubs writing in a while, but on the eve of the 2014 NFL season, here are my picks for how 2014 unfolds.

NFC West
Seattle (13-3): They're totally loaded still.
San Francisco (10-6): They're also very talented, but I think 2014 will prove to be a much tougher year than the Niners have experienced in a while.
St. Louis (8-8): Yes, Sam Bradford is gone. But that defense is nasty.
Arizona (6-10): Carson. Yeesh.

NFC South
Atlanta (11-5): Big bounce back.
New Orleans (9-7): They're too talented for this. Somebody inexplicably struggles every year.
Carolina (6-10): Cam can't do it all. Losing Gross and having no receivers is tough.
Tampa Bay (6-10): Strong defense, no offense in Lovie's first year.

NFC North
Green Bay (13-3): They're due for one of these years, even with a crappy defense.
Chicago (10-6): Sometimes you can buy a defense that buys you into the playoffs.
Detroit (8-8): The rest of us celebrate Jim Caldwell's arrival.
Minnesota (7-9): Quietly building an excellent foundation. They'll be better in November/December.

NFC East
Philadelphia (9-7): Winning a bad division.
New York Giants (8-8): Can't make enough of a move. Just barely.
Washington (6-10): RGIII back to a shallow roster.
Dallas (5-11): Time to hire a GM, Jerry.

AFC West
Denver (12-4): No real competition out there.
San Diego (8-8): Many see another jump from the Bolts; not me.
Kansas City (6-10): Not enough talent for a real schedule, even with a real defense.
Oakland (3-13): Sheesh. What a mess. This feels high.

AFC South
Houston (9-7): Bill O'Brien's magic (and no more pick sixes) complete a turnaround. That and the division.
Indianapolis (9-7): All Andrew Luck. Not much else.
Jacksonville (6-10): Gus Bradley continues the methodical growth; Bortles will be fun.
Tennessee (4-12): This team is a mess.

AFC North
Cincinnati (11-5): By far the division's most talented team.
Baltimore (10-6): I can't figure out why everybody counts them out this year; they always win.
Pittsburgh (8-8): Not enough talent.
Cleveland (5-11): Definitely not enough talent.

AFC East
New England (13-3): No real competition for the Pats.
New York Jets (9-7): Nothing to do with the offense; this defense is stout.
Miami (5-11): A bad team.
Buffalo (3-13): A really bad team. At least they'll enjoy the top pick...made by Cleveland.

Clearly, either I have a very strong NFC bias or I'm a good prognosticator who sees the NFC as the much stronger conference in 2014.

Wild Card (winners in bold)
San Francisco @ Philadelphia
Chicago @ Atlanta
New York Jets @ Cincinnati
Baltimore @ Houston

Divisional
Chicago @ Seattle
San Francisco @ Green Bay
Baltimore @ New England
Cincinnati @ Denver

Conference Championships
Green Bay @ Seattle
Denver @ New England

Super Bowl
Denver over Green Bay

2015 Draft Order
1. BUF (to CLE)
2. OAK
3. TEN
4. DAL
5. MIA
6. CLE
7. WSH
8. JAX
9. KC
10. TB
11. CAR
12. ARZ
13. MIN
14. NYG
15. SD
16. PIT
17. DET
18. STL
19. IND
20. NO
21. HOU
22. NYJ
23. PHI
24. ATL
25. CHI
26. BAL
27. CIN
28. SF
29. NE
30. SEA
31. GB
32. DEN

Happy Football!