Dissecting the NFL: AFC South

Each week, we dive into analysis and record projections for every team in the NFL, division-by-division. This week covers the AFC South.

As we enter the final division of each conference, we get that much closer to preseason! Isn't that an exciting thought? The AFC South is a division on the rise. This division looks a lot like the NFC West did a few short years ago. Now it is the best division in football. The AFC South has been the worst division in the NFL for years. The Houston Texans were the annual cellar team. The Indianapolis Colts were the only viable team (evident by their nine division titles since 2003). The Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans have been the biggest jokes of the NFL since the 2010s. This will all change within the next two seasons and maybe even this season we could see all four teams finish with a .500 record. That’s how much stock I have invested into these teams. Two young and talented rosters and two teams with defensive lineman JJ Watt on one and quarterback Andrew Luck on the other makes for an interesting division. Let’s take a closer look at what would appear to be a crazy statement.

Houston Texans:

Your reigning AFC South champs also bring back the reigning defensive player of the year in JJ Watt. That’s a good start. After making the playoffs in 2016, the Texans were shut out at home by the Kansas City Chiefs, 30-0. That’s about as embarrassing as it gets. Head coach Bill O’Brien and General Manager Rick Smith responded by attacking their offense in the offseason. The draft saw Smith bring in wide receivers Will Fuller and Braxton Miller in the first and third rounds respectively as well as center Nick Martin in round two and running back Tyler Ervin in round four. Then in free agency, the Texans made massive splashes by signing quarterback Brock Osweiler and running back Lamar Miller. Osweiler was signed to a four-year $72 million contract to become the team’s franchise quarterback. Standing at 6’7” and with massive arm strength, Osweiler has the tools needed to be a franchise quarterback. However, in 2015 despite starting seven games Osweiler delivered average results. This came after sitting three years and learning behind greats like Peyton Manning and John Elway. The team is hopeful Bill O’Brien can get the most out of him. Meanwhile, Lamar Miller is coming off a season in which he was arguably the most explosive runner in the NFL despite his criminal under usage in Miami. Miller will join a team that has finished first and fifth in rush attempts in two seasons under Bill O’Brien. This could be exactly what they needed.

Miller and Osweiler will join wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to form what could potentially be a top five trio in the NFL. Hopkins is coming off a season in which he grabbed 111 receptions for 1,521 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns despite having the likes of Ryan Mallet, Brian Hoyer, and Brandon Weeden throwing him the ball. If Osweiler can be even average, Hopkins can replicate what he did last season. Second-year wide receiver Jaelen Strong also has the upside to be a tremendous number two receiver if he can get his head straight and see the field more often. Add in the previously mentioned rookies and veteran Cecil Shorts and this wide receiving corps is deep and talented. It’s too bad there is virtually no quality tight ends on this team. The likely starter is between CJ Fiedorowicz (say that five times fast) and Ryan Griffin. That doesn’t build much hope there. Thankfully, Lamar Miller is also a talented receiver and should help a ton in the passing game as well. Behind an offensive line featuring offensive tackles Duane Brown and Derek Newton, the offense should be able to put up more than zero points in their next playoff appearance (one can only hope).

Finally, a defense captained by JJ Watt should be a good one. Despite recent reports JJ Watt needed offseason back surgery (via ESPN), Watt believes he will be O.K. to start week one of the regular season. Watt has never missed a regular season game in his career and it’s hard to go against him considering what he’s done. The rest of this defense is stellar. Outside linebackers Whitney Mercilus (seriously, such an awesome last name for a pass rusher) and Jadeveon Clowney will make Sunday’s miserable for opposing quarterbacks. Let’s get one thing straight right now: Clowney, when fully healthy, is a beast. If he plays 16 games this year, I think he will grab double digit sacks. He is an amazing edge setter against the run and he can pressure the quarterback with ease. He is NOT a bust. He is about to explode this year. Just watch. Now that that is settled, linebackers Brian Cushing and Benardrick McKinney form a great one-two punch. Nose tackle Vince Wilfork, despite his age and decline in play, will round put a fantastic front seven. Cornerbacks Johnathan Joseph, Kareem Jackson, Kevin Johnson, and AJ Bouye make a talented and deep group. Safety is a slight weakness, but plenty of names (Kurtis Drummond, Andre Hal, and Antonio Allen to name a few) will make a decent rotation. All in all, this Texans team should take the division this year while the other three teams continue towards the future. If everything clicks, they could make a deep post season run. Don’t sleep on the Texans as a potential Super Bowl contender. The hype is real.

Record Projection: 10-6

Indianapolis Colts:

The Colts just two seasons ago were playing in the AFC Championship game and appeared to have quite a bright future ahead of themselves despite their blowout loss to the New England Patriots. Since the Colts drafted Andrew Luck first overall in 2012, the Colts had made the playoffs three straight years and gotten one game deeper into the playoffs every year. That meant 2015 had massive expectations. Following that trend, they Colts should have advanced to the Super Bowl. Instead, the fell flat on their faces and flopped to an 8-8 record. The failure can be attributed to many things; the biggest reason was the failure to properly protect Andrew Luck. According to SB Nation, Luck has been knocked down (sacks and hits) more than any other quarterback since he joined the league. In sacks alone, he was sacked 15 times in just seven games in 2015 before he hit the injured reserve due to a lacerated kidney. The Colts need to keep their quarterback up if they want to compete. Clearly they got the message, spending four of their eight 2016 draft picks on offensive linemen. First round pick center Ryan Kelly has some tremendous upside and could immediately become a top eight center in the league (I expect him to make the Pro Bowl as a rookie).

The passing offense will have no trouble putting up points. Between wide receivers TY Hilton, Donte Moncrief, and Phillip Dorsett plus tight end Dwayne Allen, Luck has plenty of weapons to throw to. The run game will be slightly suspect, with a 33-year old running back in Frank Gore being the head guy. They also don’t have the greatest depth in the world behind him (journeymen Robert Turbin and Jordan Todman are his primary backups). Behind an already suspect offensive line, the run game should finish in the bottom half of the league. Fun fact: the Colts haven’t had a 1,000-yard rusher since Joseph Addai did it in 2007 (!!!). That’s a trend that will likely continue through this season. While Gore did manage 967 rushing yards last season, that was largely because Luck missed nine games. With Luck under center for 16 games and healthy, Gore should see more than that many yards in 2016. That would be a bad thing at all considering Gore is 33-years old!

This defense, in comparison to the offense, will have a hard time maintaining leads. The Colts as of now will roll out with eight key contributors on defense of at least age 30. That’s not ideal. The front seven should be decently stout with edge rushers Trent Cole, Robert Mathis, and Erik Walden (all at least age 30) attacking the quarterback. The defensive line features Arthur Jones (suspended the first four games) and Kendall Langford (both age 30) as well as rookie Hassan Ridgeway. Ridgeway is extremely raw but has tons of upside. Behind head coach and defensive mastermind Chuck Pagano, he could turn into a beastly defensive linemen in the next few years. The secondary has Pro Bowl cornerback Vontae Davis, who can easily shut down one half of the field. The rest of the cast is solid. Safety Mike Adams (35-years old) and fellow cornerbacks Patrick Robinson and Darius Butler should help round out what will be an average secondary. Rookie safety/cornerback TJ Green has tremendous upside and the ability to be an immediate impact player for the Colts. All in all, this team should lose and win plenty of shootouts. The team overall is simply too old and not talented enough to compete in the AFC let alone their own division. Look for another average year from the Colts in 2016. But good drafting and smart free agency signings could have this team back in the Super Bowl conversation quickly. With Andrew Luck at quarterback, anything is possible.

Record Projection: 8-8

Jacksonville Jaguars:

DUVAL! A team on the rise, Jacksonville could finally see its first winning team since 2007. Head coach Gus Bradley and General Manager David Caldwell have slowly but surely taken a talent depleted roster and turned it into one of the NFL’s youngest and up-incoming teams. Unfortunately, the Jaguars may still be one year away and time may be up for Bradley and Caldwell after three years of building and losing. Hopefully that’s not the case, as I believe they are both perfect to take this team forward for the next five years. Even at just 5-11 last season, the Jaguars offense looked like it could compete with anyone. Quarterback Blake Bortles tossed 35 touchdowns last season thanks in part to the Allen Brothers (patent pending) in Allen Robinson (league high 14 touchdowns) and Allen Hurns (10 touchdowns). A young defense with mastermind Gus Bradley could also be a massive sleeping giant to become one of the league’s best defenses.

Blake Bortles, Allen Robinson, and Allen Hurns are a dynamic three-piece. A healthy Julius Thomas at tight end could make them even scarier in the passing game. A two-headed beast in running backs TJ Yeldon and Chris Ivory could make this offense very well rounded. A high upside offensive line with pieces such as offensive guards Brandon Linder and AJ Cann and offensive tackle Kelvin Beachum could become a top 12 unit and give Bortles time to throw darts all day long. Put all of that potential together and this offense could wind up a top five unit in scrimmage yards. I fully expect the team to be in the top five for passing yards. If the run game can take a step forward, the talent is there for the Jaguars to run the table and score 25+ points a game. That should be the team’s biggest strength.

The Jaguars’ defense is young, loaded, and ready to make a name for itself. The defensive line is the deepest unit, featuring new free agent gem defensive lineman Malik Jackson as well as fellow defensive linemen Sen’Derrick Marks, Roy Miller, Tyson Alualu, and Jared Odrick. The defensive line also carries Dante Fowler and rookies Yannick Ngakoue and Sheldon Day. The Jaguars also added Bjoern Werner in free agency. Holy *explicit*! The linebacking corps features veteran Paul Posluszny and one of the youngest stars in the NFL in Telvin Smith. The secondary possesses upside with safeties John Cyprien and Tashaun Gipson. Cornerback will be an interesting competition with guys like Davon House, Dwayne Gratz, Prince Amukamara, and Aaron Colvin (suspended the first four games of the season). Oh, and I forgot to mention the Jaguars added cornerback Jalen Ramsey (my top prospect) and linebacker Myles Jack in the first two rounds of the 2016 draft. Both of them were viewed universally as top ten prospects. No big deal. If everything pans out, this defense could be a top 12 unit in yards allowed and the offense a top five unit in scrimmage yards. Unfortunately, this Jaguars team is too inexperienced and too much potential for me to give them anything better than 8-8. I love this team to pieces, but it may take one more year before we can talk about the playoffs.

Record Projection: 8-8

Tennessee Titans:

The Titans just made their future so much brighter thanks to the Jared Goff trade (see my previous article on the NFC West. The only real question I have for this team: is Mike Mularkey really the head coach who can get you to the next level? I don’t believe so as of writing this, but I have been wrong many times before and will be wrong countless more times to come. However as it stands, I love this team. The Titans do have their franchise quarterback in Marcus Mariota and the team invested in protecting him better this offseason via offensive tackle Jack Conklin in the first round of the 2016 draft. Mariota showed so much promise in his rookie season and I believe he can make massive steps forward in just his second year.

The Titans have invested heavily in the run game this offseason, as evident in their trade for running back DeMarco Murray and drafting Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry in round two of the 2016 draft. This fits what Mariota does well, as he is known as a mobile/scrambling quarterback. Expect all three of these men to grab 100 carries this season rushing. The team’s power run game will be what drives this offense, and I expect the team to finish in the top eight in the NFL in rushing yards. The passing game needs more weapons, but wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham can establish himself as the team’s true number one receiver this year. Matched with tight end Delanie Walker, Mariota has two go-to targets in the passing game. The rest of the depth isn’t anything to write home about, with names such as Harry Douglas, Kendall Wright, Justin Hunter, Rishard Matthews, and newly signed Andre Johnson making up the teams wide receiver corps. Rookie wide receiver Tajae Sharp could turn out to be a good contributor if he can be developed properly. The offensive line could be an up-incoming unit, featuring offensive tackles Taylor Lewan and previously mentioned Jack Conklin. The offense should be decent enough to win close games, but if they get down early it will be hard for them to throw their way back into games.

The defense has some awesome names such as pass rusher Brian Orakpo, defensive lineman Jurrell Casey, and cornerback Jason McCourty. The rest of the defense is solid with some upside players. The defensive line is my favorite unit, with names such as Daquon Jones, Al Woods, Karl Klug, and rookie Austin Johnson. The unit could become one of the league’s better units in a couple seasons. Linebacker Wesley Woodyard had one of the most under-the-radar seasons in the league last year and should be a tackling machine once again in 2016. Pass rushers Derrick Morgan and rookie Kevin Dodd could also make big plays and Dodd could even be a Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate. The team brought in safety Rashad Johnson in free agency to be a turnover machine in a secondary featuring safety Da’Norris Searcy and cornerbacks Perrish Cox, Brice McCain, Antwon Blake, and rookie Kalan Reed. Truth be told, this defense is a year away at the earliest and the offense needs more weapons in the passing game before it can reach its true potential. The Titans will be competitive in 2016, but more work is needed before this team can truly be labeled a “team on the rise”.

Record Projection: 6-10

Division Overview:

The AFC South with be a decent division in 2016. In 2017? Who knows. The sky is the limit. I like all four of these teams a lot, but odds are in 2016 the Texans should run away with this division. Young teams like the Jaguars and Titans will make this division very interesting and certainly anything is possible with Andrew Luck at quarterback, however. I look forward to watching this division and will be monitoring it very closely. The future is bright, AFC South teams.

AFC South Projected Standings:

1. Houston Texans: 10-6 (5-1 in division)

2. Jacksonville Jaguars: 8-8 (3-3 in division)

3. Indianapolis Colts: 8-8 (2-4 in division)

4. Tennessee Titans: 6-10 (2-4 in division)

Richard Bradshaw is available to follow on twitter @RichieBradz36. Thank you for the read.

Dissecting the NFL: NFC West

Each week, we dive into analysis and record projections for every team in the NFL, division-by-division. This week covers the NFC West.

Ah, the NFC West... A division of champions and dominance. The NFC West holds seven Super Bowl rings and have sent a team to the NFC Championship game in each of the last four seasons via three different teams (Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, and the Seattle Seahawks). Even though we are still waiting on the Rams, now located in Los Angeles, to turn out a worth watching product (I say that meaning I want consistency) and the 49ers have somehow managed to destroy everything they had assembled two short seasons ago, we still have two major Super Bowl contenders. The Arizona Cardinals have assembled what could be the league’s top offense with a dominant defense. The Seattle Seahawks have assembled what could be the league’s top defense with a dominant offense. That head-to-head match-up will be amazing. And we get it twice a year! Thank you, football gods. Anyways, this division holds a rebuilding franchise, a team on the rise, and two Super Bowl contenders. Let’s take a closer look.

Arizona Cardinals:

Just a few seasons ago, the Arizona Cardinals looked like a complete mess across the roster. Then head coach Ken Whisenhunt and General Manager Rod Graves were given the boot and rookie head coach Bruce Arians and rookie General Manager Steve Keim were given said mess. Completely honest, I hated the hiring of Bruce Arians as the Cardinals head coach. I believed they needed to promote then defensive coordinator Ray Horton to become the head coach. I also believed Arians success was tied to great quarterbacks (Andrew Luck in Indianapolis and Ben Roethlisberger in Pittsburgh). I never once considered that Arians was just a phenomenal quarterbacks coach and offensive guru. Mr. Arians, I am truly sorry and humbled. Coach Arians and GM Steve Keim have taken this team to heights no one could have even imagined. The acquisition of quarterback Carson Palmer rejuvenated this offense. Smart drafting (especially in round three, good lord…) by Keim has helped to form what is one of the deepest rosters in the NFL. Stars are littered throughout the roster in the forms of wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, cornerback Patrick Peterson, safety/cornerback Tyrann Mathieu and so many others. It really isn’t fair when you start to really recognize the talent this squad possesses…

The strength of this team lies in its dynamic and diverse offense. Carson Palmer mans the helm and calls the shots at the line of scrimmage. Behind an above average offensive line featuring tackle Jared Veldheer and guard Mike Iupati on the left side, Palmer can stand tall and deliver strikes down the field. Palmer has no shortage of weapons at wide receiver, featuring future Hall of Famer Larry Fitzgerald and young studs Michael Floyd and John Brown. Tight end is definitely the weak link of this team, but Darren Fells has some nice upside with a solid at best veteran in Jermaine Gresham. The stable of running back this team has is a three headed hydra. When Andrew Ellington is your third string running back, you’re in good shape. Ellington will be the teams scat back to break defenses on limited touches with his speed late in games. The main two names are the Johnson Bros. (Paton Pending), David and Chris. Chris Johnson is going to be 31 at the start of the season, but still has the speed to be a major difference maker on third downs or as a change-of-pace back. David Johnson as a rookie last season scored 13 total touchdowns in pretty limited action. When he was finally given the starting reigns, he grabbed them and never turned back. David Johnson enters the year with enormous expectations (looking at you, fantasy football nuts). This offense could wind up the best in football. They sure will be fun to watch on Sundays.

The defense is also going to cause trouble. Patrick Peterson and Tyrann Mathieu man what is one of the league’s most versatile secondaries. Fellow safeties Tony Jefferson and hybrid safety/linebacker Deone Bucannon chip into the versatility and make the defense that much more interesting. Mathieu is coming off his second major knee injury since coming into the NFL. The team surely hopes he can return to last year’s All-Pro form. The pass rush has always been “good enough” in Arizona. So, Arizona shipped off underachieving guard Johnathan Cooper and a 2^nd round pick from this year’s draft to New England to acquire stud pass rusher Chandler Jones. The team also spent their first round pick on defensive lineman Robert Nkemdiche. Talk about attacking a weakness… Joined with defensive lineman Calais Campbell and second-year pass rusher Markus Golden, this defensive could see a major uptick in the sack department. Altogether, this team has few weaknesses. Short of tight end and an established no.2 cornerback, this team looks set to deal out some major damage in the NFC. The only downside is after this season, the Cardinals will likely face some major departures via free agency. The window may close, but with Keim’s drafting, the team should only reload.

Record Projection: 12-4

Los Angeles Rams:

Welcome back to the city of angels! Truth be told, this is where the Rams truly belong. If only their Super Bowl ring in St. Louis could’ve moved with the team… But how good would that truly feel? It’s about time this city won a Super Bowl ring. Hell, it’s about time this Rams team won more than 7 games! Rewind to 2012. New General Manager Les Snead performed highway robbery in the Robert Griffin III trade. In the eight picks acquired from that trade, the Rams grabbed nose tackle Michael Brockers, cornerback Janoris Jenkins (now with New York Giants), running back Isaiah Pead (free agent), offensive guard Rokevious Watkins (free agent), linebacker Alec Ogletree, wide receiver Stedman Bailey, running back Zac Stacy (traded to New York Jets), and offensive tackle Greg Robinson. Of the names still with the Rams, Ogletree is far and away their best player. I made the bold prediction if the Rams couldn’t win a Super Bowl before 2020 then they were a failure of an organization. I firmly stand behind that statement four years later and they have shown no signs of being anywhere even remotely close to a Super Bowl berth. To make matters even better, the Rams did a “reverse RGIII trade” and shipped off their first, both of their second, and third round picks in the 2016 draft plus their first and third round picks in 2017 for quarterback Jared Goff. They may have jeopardized their future so the plan is to win now. Let’s see how that’ll work out…

The best feature this team has to offer is its defense, particularly the front four. Back in the 60s, the LA Rams had a defensive line known as “the Fearsome Foursome” featuring some incredible talent including Hall of Famer Deacon Jones. The defensive line this LA Rams team has is nothing short of incredible. Defensive end Robert Quinn and defensive tackle Aaron Donald are perhaps two All-Pros when healthy joined by stud nose tackle Michael Brockers and defensive end William Hayes. The depth is nice, too, including Dominique Easley, Eugene Sims, and Quinton Couples to name a few. The linebackers will be captained by Alec Ogletree with guest appearances by Akeem Ayers and linebacker/safety hybrid Mark Barron. The secondary could be in flux after losing Janoris Jenkins and safety Rodney McLeod in free agency. The team slapped the franchise tag on cornerback Trumaine Johnson and signed cornerback Coty Sensabaugh to provide depth to a weak position. Safety TJ McDonald will man one of the safety spots with the other likely a rotation. I’ve seen some terrible secondaries be masked by phenomenal pass rushes and front sevens. I’m sure the Rams are hoping they can be another one of those cases.

The offense will be interesting to say the least. The Rams went all in on Jared Goff and grabbed him weapons with their remaining picks in the form of wide receivers Pharoh Cooper and Mike Thomas as well as tight ends Tyler Higbee and Temarrick Hemingway. They join a receiving corps featuring wide receivers Tavon Austin, Stedman Bailey, Kenny Britt, Brian Quick, and undrafted rookie free agent Nelson Spruce and tight end Lance Kendricks. Besides Tavon Austin on occasion, none of those names scare me as a defensive coordinator. Here is a name that TERRIFIES me: Todd Gurley. Gurley is the reigning offensive rookie of the year and rushed for over 1,100 yards with 4.8 YPC and 10 touchdowns in just 12 starts. He did that coming off of less than a year removed from an ACL tear his final year of college. Anyone who saw/faced Gurley knows he is in for an even bigger 2016 season now fully healthy. The offensive line is pretty patchwork, with some decent starters in offensive guard Rodger Saffold and right tackle Rob Havenstein. Greg Robinson is now in a make-or-break year as the team’s starting left tackle. The former number two overall pick needs his play to be matched to his selection. Overall, Goff and this offense could put up 17-20 points-per-game behind Gurley and this defense should make plenty of big plays. But similar to the Kansas City Chiefs, if this team gets behind in a game I severely doubt they can throw their way back into it. And I think that secondary will give them a lot of shoot outs. Hopefully after one final disappointing season, Rams fans can move on from Snead and head coach Jeff Fisher. The move has been needed for two-or-so years. Hopefully 2017 brings that change.

Record Projection: 6-10

San Francisco 49ers:

My, how the mighty have fallen. Just three years ago the 49ers were in the Super Bowl and just one play away from hoisting the Lombardi Trophy. Now they are quarterback-less and virtually void of talent. Short of a few key players, this roster is one of the saddest in the NFL. Retirements, free agency, poor draft decisions, and a mess in the front office has taken this team full of hope and trashed it faster than Chris Johnson’s 40-time. New head coach Chip Kelly will attempt to bring back a spark to this offense that virtually has one proven electrifying player, but more on that soon. This defense has about three players worth talking about, and the rest is pretty garbage. Change is needed, and Kelly isn’t even close to the answer.

Starting with the quarterback situation of Blaine Gabbert and Colin Kaepernick, this “competition” alone should tell you all you need to know about the 49ers 2016 season. From there, the offensive line features a stud in left tackle Joe Staley and that’s about it. Rookie offensive guard Joshua Garnett will likely be a starter his rookie season. Nothing to write home about at tight end with decent players in Vance McDonald and Garrett Celek. The wide receiving corps features electric downfield threat, but very inconsistent, Torrey Smith. Smith has shown his the past he can thrive as a team’s number one receiver (1,128 yards as Baltimore’s top receiver), but he will only go as far as his quarterbacks will take him. Don’t even get me started on running back Carlos Hyde. As Regina George once famously said to fantasy football fans, “Stop trying to make Carlos Hyde happen, it’s not going to happen!” or something like that… Hyde has shown very little promise as a starter in his two years in the league and behind a below average offensive line with virtually no other threats on offense, Hyde won’t see hardly any opportunities to shine. Yet I constantly see him pegged with 1,100 yards and eight touchdowns in fantasy magazines. UGH. Don’t get me started… Anyways, this offense stinks. You want a bold prediction? This will be the worst starting offense in the NFL in terms of scrimmage yards per game.

Then we have the 49ers defense. Here’s the good news: linebacker NaVorro Bowman, safety Eric Reid, and nose tackle Ian Williams return. The bad news? The rest of the defense is all upside! That’s not ideal for a team that needs answers now. Defensive lineman Arik Armstead looks like he can take another step forward. I liked pass rusher Aaron Lynch a lot before he decided to get suspended. Rookie defensive lineman looks like a potential stud but he hasn’t even played a down yet. Plus, he will be asked to be a key contributor and a likely captain as a rookie. This secondary is terrible. Cornerback Trumaine Brock is a stud when he is your third guy, not your first. Flex safety/corner/linebackers Jimmie Ward and Jaquiski Tartt will likely make lots of plays because of their versatility and the fact that they will be all over the field making up for their teammates missed assignments. This defense is in serious trouble. As is this team. They say your team will only go as far as your quarterbacks, and this team won’t see more than five wins because of them.

Record Projection: 3-13

Seattle Seahawks:

12^th Man! Your team is once again Super Bowl contenders. What’s new? Is it getting old yet? Must be nice… Anyways, the philosophy of this team’s offense has changed. Once a ground-and-pound team behind running back Marshawn Lynch, this team has opened up the passing offense behind quarterback Russell Wilson and his cast of misfit toys. The defense is still a top three at worst unit in the NFL. And thanks to head coach Pete Carrol and General Manager John Schneider, the talent on this Seahawks team is deeper than the Pacific Ocean (it’s a metaphor, people!). What else is there to say? Let’s take a look at the roster and then predict safely double digit wins.

This offense is going to be crazy. Behind a patchwork offensive line, Russell Wilson lit up NFL defenses. Wilson set career highs in pass completion (68.1%), passing yards (4,024), and passing touchdowns (34). He does this damage with wide receivers Doug Baldwin, Tyler Lockett, and Jermaine Kearse. Not to slight them at all, but they aren’t exactly house hold names throughout the league – especially Baldwin – before last season. Count me in on the Tyler Lockett hype-train. I love him. In fact, I believe he can join Antonio Brown as the only other player in NFL history to record 1,000 receiving and return yards in a single season. The run game will be a committee and no, I am not on Thomas Rawls hype train. He is too one dimensional for me and yes I know how successful he was last season before he got injured. But this is also a passing offense now and the line isn’t good enough for him to continue to dominate. Rookie running backs CJ Prosise and Alex Collins also feature to be contributors in this offense (Prosise on passing/third downs and Collins on the goal line). That’s not a bad thing for you, Seattle fans! Just fantasy football nuts…

This defense really doesn’t need too much said about it. You have the Legion of Boom with cornerback Richard Sherman and safeties Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor; you can peg all of them for All-Pros. You have a defensive line with plenty of depth and edge rushing demons Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril. You have linebackers Bobby Wagner and KJ Wright. And you combine all of those players with their respective versatility and chemistry with one another. Finally, you have a product that will once again reign supreme in the NFL. This defense with this offense should seriously contend for years to come. And this year is no exception. Peg them those double digit wins I gave them. While you’re at it, give them the division title and the top seed in the NFC playoff picture.

Record Projection: 13-3

Division Overview:

The NFC West has two big time contenders with at a surprise appearance by the Rams every couple weeks. The 49ers are in limbo for now, but the right coaching changes could have them rebound quickly. The Seahawks and Cardinals should contend for a few years so long as health remains a constant. In two years, we could be looking at a four-way log jam for the rights to best in the division. I would love to see that happen, but for now we get to see the Cardinals and the Seahawks duke it out in what should be the league’s best rivalry game this season. (P.S. I don’t hate your team, 49ers fans!)

NFC West Projected Standing:

1. Seattle Seahawks: 13-3 (4-2 in division)

2. Arizona Cardinals: 12-4 (5-1 in division)

3. Los Angeles Rams: 6-10 (3-3 in division)

4. San Francisco 49ers: 3-13 (0-6 in division)

Richard Bradshaw is available to follow on twitter @RichieBradz36. Thank you for the read.

Dissecting the NFL: AFC West

Each week, we dive into analysis and record projections for every team in the NFL, division-by-division. This week covers the AFC West.

The AFC West is a tough division to get a good read on. Between the Oakland Raiders, Denver Broncos, and Kansas City Chiefs you have three teams who should compete for the division as well as a top seed in the AFC playoff picture. Even the San Diego Chargers have just enough talent to challenge for a .500 record. However, there is plenty of parity this year. The Broncos will attempt to adjust to life without quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Brock Osweiler with journey man Mark Sanchez and rookie Paxton Lynch. The Chargers will field a team that finished 4-12 and had a top three pick in the 2015 NFL draft. The Raiders have tons of talent to compete in the division, via free agency, but none of the players have yet to play a snap together. If history is any indication, free agency “winners” don’t often pan out (ask the Tampa Bay Buccaneers). The Chiefs managed to resign their key players, aside from cornerback Sean Smith, and appear to be the one true team to take the division with ease. All four of these teams could compete and shock the AFC. Let’s dive into some analysis.

Denver Broncos:

First off, congratulations Denver on being the reigning Super Bowl champions. You also managed to resign outside linebacker and Super Bowl MVP Von Miller as of just a few short hours ago. Those two big wins should give you plenty of optimism going into this season. Head coach Gary Kubiak and General Manager John Elway have this team consistently headed in the right direction with smart offseason moves and terrific drafting. Unfortunately, aside from resigning Von Miller, this offseason was a tough one for the Mile High city. Free agency hit this team hard, watching stud defensive players in linebacker Danny Trevathan and defensive lineman Malik Jackson move on to new teams. Those two were big time contributors on what was the league’s best defense. The team also saw future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning retire. While he wasn’t even close to his best last season, Denver would certainly love to have him back right now. Denver also lost who they once saw as the heir apparent to Manning in Brock Osweiler to the Houston Texans. Denver responded by trading for Mark Sanchez and spending their first round pick on Paxton Lynch. Lynch was a quarterback at Memphis who looks like a potential franchise a quarterback after a season or two of molding. Sanchez is nothing but a back-up quarterback at this point in his career and will be asked to play a substitute teacher role while Kubiak and Elway develop Lynch. This could be troublesome for the offense.

Meanwhile, the Broncos return starting wide outs Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders. The two should help out whoever is starting at quarterback with reliable hands and great route running ability. Running back CJ Anderson will attempt to become a bell-cow for the team. I don’t personally believe in Anderson, at all. Should Anderson falter, this could lead to a struggling offense that could become one dimensional quickly. The strength of this team will be its defense. Previously mentioned Von Miller will be joined by fellow outside linebackers Demarcus Ware, Shane Ray, and Shaquil Barrett. Linebacker Brandon Marshall will man inside duties. Defensive lineman Derek Wolfe will become the captain of the defensive line. Denver hopes fellow defensive lineman Sylvester Williams can step into Malik Jackson’s role. The secondary will feast on opposing offenses. Cornerbacks Aqib Talib, Chris Harris, and Bradley Roby are about as good as it gets. They will be joined by safeties Darian Stewart and TJ Ward for what should be a top five secondary in the league.

The biggest weak link is quarterback, but I expect the entire offense to stumble. Especially if the run game doesn’t pan out and the offensive line continues to struggle. The Broncos addressed the offensive line by bringing in offensive tackles Russell Okung and Donald Stephenson. Rookie running back Devontae Booker could also provide the needed boost in the run game, so long as he is healthy. The offense is all potential that will need until at least mid-season, maybe longer to gel. The team will win games with its defense. Look for the Broncos defense to make plenty of top ten appearances in major stat categories and the offense to be in the twenties in major offensive stats. This should be a “down” year for the reigning Super Bowl champs, and that’s O.K. This team will be a tough out week-in and week-out.

Record Projection: 8-8

Kansas City Chiefs:

The Kansas City Chiefs yield an offense that is just good enough to win games and a defense that should give opposing offensive coordinators nightmares. Head coach Andy Reid’s offense featuring quarterback Alex Smith will limit their turnovers and allow the team to consistently drain the clock to close out games, even if they only put up 20 points a game. With weapons like wide receiver Jeremy Maclin and tight end Travis Kelce, the offense can be opened up for the plethora of running backs this Chiefs have stashed away. It starts with future Hall of Famer Jamaal Charles. Even coming off an injury, Charles is one of the most dynamic running backs in the NFL. His breakaway speed and receiving ability gives the offense the spark needed to open up the rest of the offense. Coming off an ACL tear, expectations for Charles should be tempered (regardless of my previous article on Charles). When completely healthy, Charles is a top three back in the league and arguably the most explosive. Running backs Spencer Ware and Charcandrick West also have tremendous value as change-of-pace weapons. Ware and West are just as capable of making big plays based off their performance last season after Charles’ unfortunate injury. The offensive line also added right tackle Mitchell Schwartz in free agency, helping Kansas City to form what should be one of the league’s best offensive lines.

Then we have the defense. The Chiefs boast a defense that should be turnover happy with all of their playmakers. Cornerback Marcus Peters in particular could be a major weapon for this team. As a rookie, Peters tied for the league lead in interceptions at eight. He unfortunately gave up eight touchdowns as well. He could easily make big strides forward as a future shutdown cornerback. Fellow cornerback KeiVarae Russell could also make a big impact as a rookie opposite Peters. Outside linebackers Tamba Hali and Justin Houston should once again form one of the league’s top sack duos. Defensive linemen Jaye Howard and rookie Chris Jones as well as nose tackle Dontari Poe should also make plenty of plays in opposing backfield. Finally, we have the reigning Comeback Player of the Year in safety Eric Berry. Berry is a top five safety in the league and should challenge for an All-Pro spot in at a relatively weak position in the NFL. Berry is easily far and away one of the league’s elite safeties. Fellow safety Ron Parker is no slouch himself. Look for Parker to clean up tons of plays and be one of the most underrated defenders in the NFL.

The Chiefs should be able to walk away with this division. Short of Oakland’s free agent signings making an immediate impact and gelling immediately, no other team in this division is as complete as Kansas City. The biggest flaw on this team is quarterback Alex Smith. His dink-and-dunk style is great until the Chiefs fall behind in a game. This will be their biggest question mark come the post season: is Alex Smith good enough to win the big ones? We will more than likely find out this season.

Record Projection: 10-6

Oakland Raiders:

All hail the free agency kings, the Oakland Raiders. General Manager Reggie McKenzie was a busy man this offseason. The Raiders’ free agency signing include offensive guard Kelechi Osemele, linebacker Bruce Irvin, safety Reggie Nelson, and cornerback Sean Smith (plucked from the division rival Kansas City Chiefs). The team is no doubt loaded with talent. I just don’t like to jump onto to a team’s hype train after a fantastic offseason via free agency; the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have screwed me so many times by this logic. But the team already boasted a talented roster. It all starts with quarterback Derek Carr. Carr is on his way to becoming one of the best quarterbacks in the entire NFL. His arm is about as strong as they come, and his ability to take off running or stand in the pocket is extremely valuable to his offense. Matched with wide receivers Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree and even breakout a candidate in tight end Clive Walford, Carr has no shortage of weapons. Behind a revamped offensive line, and one that could be the best in the NFL, running back Latavius Murray has no excuses to not be a work horse for this offense. Rookie running back DeAndre Washington has the upside as a pass catcher as well as the explosive traits to be a change-of-pace back capable of breaking a big one thanks to his tremendous speed.

The defense has an All-Pro at TWO different positions last season (!) in Khalil Mack. Mack is the second best defensive player in the NFL behind JJ Watt and a top five player in general. Pass rushers are aplenty on this team aside from Mack. Previously mentioned Bruce Irvin will bring the heat from the edge. The team also invested two draft picks recently in defensive linemen Jihad Ward and Shilique Calhoun. Defensive lineman Mario Edwards and nose tackle Dan Williams return. As long as Edwards is healthy, this group is terrifying. The secondary got a needed boost following the retirement of future Hall of Fame cornerback/safety Charles Woodson. Previously mentioned Sean Smith and Reggie Nelson will join cornerback David Amerson and rookie safety Karl Joseph to form an opportunistic secondary.

Overall, the upside of this team is extraordinary. I just refuse to buy into the free agency hype. Truthfully, this team should compete for a playoff spot as well as the division crown. Anything short of that will be a pretty big disappointment. The team has the upside of a top ten passing offense with a run game good enough to close out games. This defense should challenge for the league lead in sacks and Khalil Mack could wind up leading the NFL in sacks. Look for a step forward from this team on the rise, but temper your expectations.

Record Projection: 9-7

San Diego Chargers:

Poor Philip Rivers. Trapped on a team with one of the worst defenses in the league and a constant revolving door on the offensive line. Short of oft-injured wide receiver Keenan Allen and aging veteran and future Hall of Famer Antonio Gates, the offense lacks the proper weapons to consistently scare opposing defenses. Rivers has one of the most talented arms in the NFL. If the team could find a way to protect him consistently, they could find a way to compete regularly even without a defense. Free agent signee Travis Benjamin at wide receiver will provide so much needed speed to the offense and an electric playmaker on special teams. A healthy Keenan Allen is deadly… One of my personal favorite wide receiver in the NFL, Allen was on pace for 134 receptions last season before suffering a freak injury against the Baltimore Ravens in the form of a lacerated kidney. That would have put him a mere two receptions behind league leaders Antonio Brown and Julio Jones. That’s some pretty nice company. When healthy, Allen should provide Rivers with one of his few reliable targets and will feast across the middle of the field. The Chargers are waiting on their investment in former 2015 first round pick running back Melvin Gordon to pay off. Gordon fumbled five times last season and failed to score a single touchdown as a rookie. His 3.5 yards per carry was also extremely disappointing. The offensive versatility will depend on Gordon showing his worth. No pressure.

This defense makes me sick to my stomach. The Chargers invested their top pick in the draft in defensive lineman Joey Bosa and also added linebacker Joshua Perry to make immediate impacts as likely starters. There is already tons of controvery with Bosa regarding his holdout and that could lead to major problems come the regular season. The team also added nose tackle Brandon Mebane to hopefully stop what is a constant nose bleed that is the team's run defense. Cornerback Jason Verrett plays well above his 5’9” frame and is one of the better and underrated cornerbacks in the league. The same can be said for fellow cornerback Brandon Flowers. Free agent signee Casey Heyward is expecting to make an immediate impact as the starting nickel cornerback. The biggest issue was letting stud safety Eric Weddle walk in free agency. The drama between Weddle and the Chargers front office reached ridiculous levels. It’s no wonder Weddle decided to leave in free agency. A big loss for this already struggling defense. The team desperately needs someone to step up and become the quarterback of the defense (looking at you, Manti Te’o).

This Chargers team top to bottom is a mess. If everyone can stay healthy, this team has the upside of a .500 record, but don’t count on it. If you’re a betting man, bet on this team competing for the number one pick in the 2017 NFL draft. There are plenty of pass rushers and some top tier offensive linemen to be had. That’s exactly what they need address. As Rivers gets old, San Diego’s window for a championship continues to close.

Record Projection: 3-13

Division Overview:

This division could either be a force in the AFC or a rather forgettable one. Denver, Kansas City, and Oakland’s defenses should provide some dominant performances and consistently make highlight worthy plays. San Diego’s defense should also appear in some highlight reels, but for all the wrong reasons. Short of Oakland’s offense, the rest of the division’s offenses should be slightly above average at best. If Oakland’s free agency signings pan out they could compete for the division and double digit wins. The Chiefs feel like a safe bet for double digit wins and a division title. And as for Denver, they need this offense for them to compete. The defense can only take them so far.

AFC West Projected Standings:

1. Kansas City Chiefs: 10-6 (4-2 in division)

2. Oakland Raiders: 9-7 (3-3 in division)

3. Denver Broncos: 8-8 (4-2 in division)

4. San Diego Chargers: 3-13 (1-5 in division)

Richard Bradshaw is available to follow on twitter @RichieBradz36. Thank you for the read.

Dissecting the NFL: NFC North

Each week, we dive into analysis and record projections for every team in the NFL, division-by-division. This week covers the NFC North.

The NFC North is on to something really special. Between the Green Bay Packers possessing the best quarterback in the NFL and the Minnesota Vikings possessing the youngest and brightest roster in the NFL, we have two teams with serious Super Bowl hopes. Not to mention the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions both appear to be teams capable of competing for the playoffs again in the near future. Each team possesses high upside offenses with up-and-coming defenses. In fact, in three years who knows where all these teams could be? The future is bright for this division. This season will be a building block year for each team, but I expect some pretty solid seasons from the four clubs.

Chicago Bears:

My how things have changed in a hurry. After allowing 27.6 points per game, good enough for 31^st overall, in 2014, the defense made strides to improve to 24.8 points per game, good enough for 20^th overall (per The Football Database). While the number isn’t the most impressive, jumping from 31^st to 20^th is a big step in the right direction. The Chicago Bears front office also made big moves in free agency and the draft to help with the defense. After finish 22^nd overall against the run last season, the Bears spent their cap space to sign middle linebackers Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman. Trevathan and Freeman will instantly help to shore up an up-and-coming linebacking corps featuring underrated beast Pernell McPhee and rookie Leonard Floyd at the outside linebacker spots. Floyd was drafted in the first round this year and is expected to make an immediate presence as a pass rusher for the Bears. Between stud corner Kyle Fuller and rising stars in second-year pros safety Adrian Amos and nose tackle Eddie Goldman, head coach John Fox will have plenty of toys to play with in his 3-4 defense.

The offense could also be in for an interesting year. Quarterback Jay Cutler made nice strides last season under then offensive coordinator Adam Gase, who has since moved on to the Miami Dolphins to become their head coach. Hopefully Cutler can continue making positive steps forward without Gase calling the plays. Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery will play this season under the franchise tag. When healthy, he is one of the best wide receivers in the game and possesses the greatest body control of a receiver I have ever seen. Fellow wide receiver Kevin White should finally take the field after missing his entire rookie season. And surprise tight end Zach Miller will hopefully pick up from where he left off last season to be a productive piece for this offense. The biggest question mark will be at running back, where second-year pro Jeremey Langford will likely be the starter. As a rookie, Langford amassed and impressive 537 rushing yards and six touchdowns through 16 games as Matt Forte's primary backup. However, he averaged a putrid 3.6 YPC. The Bears also invested a draft pick in Jordan Howard (keep an eye on him, fantasy football nuts) to compete in what will be a running back-by-committee approach.

This offense should be able to put a decent amount of points on the board, especially with healthy wide outs Kevin White and Alshon Jeffery. If the Bears want to win this year, it will be through defense. Their season will largely depend on how well this defense plays. I’m not the biggest believer in Leonard Floyd, but if anyone can get the most out of him it will be John Fox. This defense is likely a year away, and this team likely needs two or three seasons to gel before they can become true contenders. A top 15 draft pick should help make moves towards that bright future.

Record Projection: 6-10

Detroit Lions:

Future Hall of Fame wide receiver Calvin Johnson hung up his cleats this offseason after an outstanding nine-year career in Detroit. How are the Detroit Lions going to pick up the slack for his absence? They won’t. But that isn’t fair to expect of anyone. No one can replace Calvin Johnson and no one ever will. What the Lions can do, and appear to be doing, is get enough playmakers to help open up the entire offense the way Johnson did single-handedly.  Quarterback Matthew Stafford looks ready to become one of the NFL’s best gunslingers. Wide receivers Golden Tate and recently acquired Marvin Jones look to be his go-to guys. A healthy Eric Ebron at tight end should be able to stretch the field with his incredible speed and be a big target in the red zone. The run game will be mediocre with running back Ameer Abdullah likely being “the guy” in what will be another running back-by-committee approach also featuring Theo Riddick and Stevan Ridley.

The defense seems to have some great pieces mixed with some O.K. pieces. Defensive lineman Ezekiel Ansah, cornerback Darius Slay, and linebacker DeAndre Levy should all be Pro Bowlers. Previously mentioned Darius Slay has been pegged by many, including yours truly, as a breakout candidate this season. He could wind up as this year's Josh Norman.The rest of the roster is mixed with average at best players. I personally love safety Glover Quin and believe linebacker Tahir Whitehead can make more positive strides, but many others would disagree and they could both regress. Rookie defensive lineman A'Shawn Robinson will be asked to be a day one starter and be a key contributor for the Lions' run defense. The same can be said of rookie safety Miles Killebrew. Between sub-packages on defense and special teams, Killebrew will likely be a contributor early on in his career. The great players on this defense should be able to help to make the average players perform well, but that may not be the case this season.

This team will win games with the offense, an offense I expect to be top ten in the league in passing yards per game. They will, unfortunately, get into plenty of shootouts with other teams and their inability to run the ball could lead to the team failing to close out games. The Lions investment in offensive tackle Taylor Decker in the first round of this year’s draft should help solidify a solid offensive line for Stafford to throw in. Expect plenty of close games for the Lions this season, heartbreaking losses, and hopefully a coaching change for the future. I believe another good draft and a better head coach can quickly turn this roster into something special.

Record Projection: 7-9

Green Bay Packers:

What’s not to like in Green Bay? The Green Bay Packers have long reigned supreme in the NFC North, but the time may be fading. That means it’s time for this team to load up and win a Super Bowl before the rest of this division, especially Minnesota, catch up to them and make life harder. Thankfully, a well-run organization starting with head Coach Mike McCarthy will keep this well-oiled machine running for at least four or five more seasons. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is as good as it gets at the most important position in football. Great drafting and key players returning from injury will help this team immensely.

Rodgers will get back top wide receiver Jordy Nelson back from an ACL tear. He joins a receiving core featuring fellow wide receivers Randall Cobb, Devante Adams, and Jeff Janis as well as tight ends Jared Cook and Richard Rodgers. The running game will be strong with an in-shape Eddie Lacy as the starting running back and James Starks as the change-of-pace back. Both backs also possess great receiving abilites, a valuable asset in the Green Bay offense. The offensive line should hopefully return to form and provide a cleaner pocket for Rodgers than they did last season. The defense looks optimistic, with stars throughout the starting 11. Linebackers Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers will be the staple of the defense with great play from a loaded secondary. Damarious Randall, Sam Shields, Morgan Burnett, and Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix form what should be a top 10 secondary. Defensive lineman Mike Daniels is also a budding star that will help solidify a solid front seven. Rookie impacts from defensive lineman Kenny Clark and linebackers Kyler Fackrell and Blake Martinez will also help this defense. Kenny Clark in particular will be an immediate starter on a defensive line that has plenty of underachieving high draft picks. The Packers hope the addition of Martinez will be enough to slide Matthews back out to his natural role at outside linebacker.

Overall, this Packers squad will win double digit games and I believe lock down the division this season. This won’t be a cake walk, however, thanks to improvements from the division. The Packers need to take advantage of Detroit and Chicago continuing to rebuild/reload, as Minnesota is already knocking at the door. The overall talent between youngsters and veterans will reign supreme over a young and emerging Vikings squad... for now.  Now is the time to win another championship. Will this be Green Bay’s year?

Record Projection: 12-4

Minnesota Vikings:

All hail the reining NFC North Champion Minnesota Vikings. This team, coached by defensive mastermind Mike Zimmer, appears to be on the cusp of something extraordinary. General Manager Rick Spielman has once again locked down a stellar 2016 draft. This team’s ceiling is sky high with potential. Like it or not, the Vikings are legit Super Bowl contenders and will be for the next four or five years.

It all starts with future Hall of Fame running back Adrian Peterson. The timeless wonder should crank out another 1,000 yard rushing season and double digit touchdowns to help even out the offense. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater will need to take a step forward, however, for this team to truly become a well-rounded offense. Bridgewater has thrown an underwhelming 28 touchdowns to 21 interceptions in 29 career games since entering the league in 2014. The bright side is he has completed 64.9% of his passes. The Vikings have begun stocking up weapons for Bridgewater to throw to, so there are no excuses this season. The Vikings spent a first round pick on wide receiver Laquon Treadwell and return starter Stefon Diggs. Tight end Kyle Rudolph should be healthy and return to Pro Bowl form. Anything less than 20 passing touchdowns will be a big let-down by the third-year pro. Then we have the defense…This Vikings defense as a great chance to be a top ten or top five unit this season. Star players are scattered throughout the team in defensive linemen Everson Griffin and Linval Joseph, linebacker Anthony Barr, cornerback Xavier Rhodes, and safety Harrison Smith. Studs in defensive linemen Danielle Hunter, Sharrif Floyd, linebacker Eric Kendricks, and cornerback Captain Munnerlyn will also have large impacts. Not to mention impacts from second-year pro Trae Waynes and veteran Terrance Newman at cornerback as well as rookie cornerback Mackensie Alexander could make this secondary one of the best in the league. Keep an eye out for seventh round pick Jayron Kearse. Kearse has NFL bloodlines (Jevon Kearse) and while very raw has a tremendous ceiling.

Scoring will be very difficult on this team. And that’s exactly how the Vikings will win games this year. The reigns have been passed from Adrian Peterson to this defense as far as the most dominant part of this team. Their time may not be this season, but it is coming. Expect the playoffs this year and maybe more. Their future is brighter than any other team in the NFL.

Record Projection: 11-5

Division Overview:

The NFC North has the brightest future of any other division and two serious contenders in the Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers. In three years, all of these teams could be in the hunt for a division title. This season, expect some clutch wins and plenty of “wow” moments from the four teams. Plenty of positives and negatives will come from each team. If they can all hit their stride, this division could be a serious mess, as they could beat up each other and cause an awkwardness in division standings. Look out, NFL, this division is hungry.

NFC North Projected Standings:

1. Green Bay Packers: 12-4 (4-2 in division)

2. Minnesota Vikings: 11-5 (5-1 in division)

3. Detroit Lions: 7-9 (1-5 in division)

4. Chicago Bears: 6-10 (2-4 in division)

Richard Bradshaw is available to follow on twitter @RichieBradz36. Thank you for the read.

Dissecting the NFL: AFC North

Each week, we dive into analysis and record projections for every team in the NFL, division-by-division. This week covers the AFC North.

The AFC North has reigned supreme for what feels like an eternity. With teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, and Cincinnati Bengals, it's hard to not look at this division and be amazed at the talent. Even the Cleveland Browns boast some solid players, though the roster and coaching are a constant revolving door. Last season saw the division slip a little bit between and injury plagued Baltimore Ravens squad and a Cleveland Browns team once again finished well below .500. Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers continued their dominance in the AFC with great offenses and solid defenses. This division should once again boast three teams above the .500 win mark (baring key injuries) and be a force in the AFC as a whole. Between the Bengals, Steelers, and Ravens, I can see three big time Super Bowl contenders and a Browns squad that should “compete” for the rights to the number one overall selection for the 2017 draft. It’s time again to dive into these four teams and breakdown my opinions and record projections.

Baltimore Ravens:

The injury bug decimated a talented Baltimore Ravens squad with Super Bowl expectations. Last season saw this Ravens squad simply destroyed by injuries and taking away any thoughts and hopes of the postseason. 20 players landed on injured reserve by seasons end, including quarterback Joe Flacco, pass rusher Terrell Suggs, running back Justin Forsett, and wide receiver Steve Smith, Sr. 2015 first round pick Breshad Perriman would also find himself on season ending injured reserve, failing to record even one snap of preseason and regular season. All this in mind, there is good reason for this Ravens squad to have some optimism entering this season.

For starters, John Harbaugh is still the head coach of this team. Harbaugh owns a 77-49 regular season record since becoming the head coach in 2008. This team is all-in on Harbaugh and the chemistry he has with his players shows that. A lot of returning starters can also make for a great team. If Flacco, Smith, Sr. and Suggs can return to form, this team will get an instant veteran boost. That is a big “if”, however, as they will be 31, 37, and 34 respectively before the post season – if they even make it. Pass rusher Elvis Dumervil is also 32 years old now and is coming off offseason foot surgery. This is coming from a player who clearly lost a step last season without his running mate in Suggs. It is also unfair to expect too much out of Steve Smith, Sr. Tasked with being the teams number one receiver may prove to be too much for the 37 year-old coming off a season ending Achilles tear.

The Ravens will host a slew of starters, 11 altogether, over age 30. This can be viewed as both a good and bad thing as the veteran leadership will be phenomenal, but all these players have likely lost a step from their primes. The offseason additions of safety Eric Weddle, tight end Benjamin Watson, and wide receiver Mike Wallace could prove to be major difference makers – especially Weddle in the secondary. General Manager Ozzie Newsome had another stellar draft featuring offensive tackle and first round pick Ronnie Stanley. The team also believes they can get major production from their other draft choices, such as running back Kenneth Dixon and linebacker Kamalei Correa. The defense will be captained by third-year linebacker CJ Mosley, who looks to make another step in the right direction for this team. All-in-all, a healthy Ravens squad could prove troublesome for their AFC North rivals. A lot will depend on the play of Joe Flacco coming off a season ending ACL tear. I believe as long as this team remains healthy, the playoffs could be in their future.

Record Projection: 10-6

Cincinnati Bengals:

Will this be the year the Bengals finally win a playoff game? Head coach Marvin Lewis sure does hope so, as his hot seat might as well be on the sun. They were so close to a win last year against their division rivals the Pittsburgh Steelers before some rather boneheaded penalties allowed the Steelers to win the game. It’s so unfortunate, too, as this Bengals team is simply loaded with talent. Top-to-bottom, there are very few teams who are as complete as the Bengals. Especially if quarterback Andy Dalton can pick up right where he left off last year before a thumb injury prematurely ended his stellar 2015 season.

This Bengals team has a ton of positives, starting with wide receiver AJ Green. Green is arguably a top five receiver in the NFL with his amazing blend of size, speed, hands, and body control. The backfield has great diversity and youth in running backs Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard. The offensive line, captained by left tackle Andrew Whitworth, should once again be a strength for this team. The defense features studs on the defensive line in Carlos Dunlap and Geno Atkins. The linebacking core features a talented but knuckled headed beast in Vontaze Burfict. And the secondary has plenty of youth and untapped talent with safety George Iloka and 2016 first round pick William Jackson III. Fellow rookie wide receiver Tyler Boyd is also expected to make an early impact. The only downside is the unfortunate loss of many play makers thanks to free agency. However, young players are ready to fill in the holes, thanks to good drafting. Talent is not a question mark for this Bengals team, it’s the discipline of their key players.

Last January, the Bengals took a 16-15 lead over the Pittsburgh Steelers with just 1:36 left in the game. A costly Jeremy Hill fumble would give the Steelers the opportunity to win the game. Thanks to two massive personal foul penalties by cornerback Adam Jones and previously mentioned linebacker Vontaze Burfict, kicker Chris Boswell won the Steelers the game, 18-16. This is a common theme for the Bengals, however. Head coach Marvin Lewis has always lacked the discipline needed to win close games, as evidence by his 0-7 playoff record since 2003. Things need to change this year or this team could face a change at head coach. Whether the players love Lewis or not, things need to change fast. A great regular season is expected. Hopefully this is the season the Bengals can finally overcome their playoff drought.

Record Projection: 12-4

Cleveland Browns:

Congrats on your first championship since the 1950’s, Cleveland! No, I’m not talking about the Browns. I’m talking about the Cleveland Cavilers basketball team. Hopefully that championship will help you to get through this upcoming season, because it’s going to be another long and grueling season for Browns fans. The Browns are an absolute mess. They look no better than a new franchise team and there are very few bright spots. Left tackle, and future Hall of Famer, Joe Thomas, cornerback Joe Haden, and 2016 first round pick Corey Coleman are the teams few bright spots. The rest of this roster is simply a mess.

2016 marks the fourth time since 2010 the Browns face a coaching change. Head coach and offensive guru Hue Jackson hopes to change the philosophy of this Browns team and get them on the right track. A backfield featuring running backs Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson will be intriguing and fun to monitor, especially Johnson. Previously mentioned wide receiver Corey Coleman can also make an immediate impact as the team’s number one receiver. The Browns also hope for a healthy bounce back season from cornerback Joe Haden. The team also hopes veteran tight end Gary Barnidge can pick up where he left off last season. That’s about all the positives I can think of.

This Browns team saw a lot of talented young players leave in free agency. Safety Tashaun Gipson, right tackle Mitchell Schwartz, wide receiver Travis Benjamin, and center Alex Mack headline this list. Rookie General Manager Sashi Brown racked up an impressive 14 draft picks to round out a youth movement in Cleveland. A lot of these picks, however, need at least a few seasons to learn and reach their full potential. Unfortunately, a lot of them will see the field early and often to be immediate contributors, especially at wide receiver. Along with Coleman, the Browns spent five picks at the wide receiver position. All this to go with the biggest flaw on the roster: quarterback. Former 2012 second overall pick Robert Griffin III currently tops the depth chart. However, Griffin has looked extremely mediocre since his amazing rookie season. According to Pro Football Focus, Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com has reported Griffin has had too many "look at me" moments and seems more concerned with himself than learning the offense and becoming the starting quarterback the Browns have liong been searching for. I expect Griffin to be well below average this season, as well as the rest of this Browns roster. The future may be bright, but this season will just be another rebuilding year. Hang in there, Cleveland.

Record Projection: 2-14

Pittsburgh Steelers:

What could’ve been for this loaded Pittsburgh Steelers squad? Had it not been for crucial injuries to star running back Le’Veon Bell and star wide receiver Antonio Brown, this team could’ve been a serious Super Bowl contender. The trio of Bell, Brown, and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger might just be the best in the NFL. Hell, this offense might just be the best in the NFL, even with the suspension of third-year wide receiver Martavis Bryant. Matched with an above average defense, I fully expect this Steelers squad to not only lock up this division, but challenge for a top seed for the AFC playoffs. The talent surrounding this roster has created a hype train so massive, the Los Vegas Super Bowl odds have given the Steelers the third best odds to win the Super Bowl at 10-1.

As previously mentioned, the three headed monster that is quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, running back Le’Veon Bell, and wide receiver Antonio Brown has sky high potential. A healthy Bell is the best running back in the NFL. In 16 games in 2014, Bell racked up over 2,200 scrimmage yards and 11 touchdowns. In six games alone last season he managed nearly 700 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns. Completely healthy, Bell should be able to return to dominant form, especially in this Steelers offense. Brown is the best wide receiver in the NFL. Last season he grabbed 136 receptions (tied for most in the NFL), 1,834 receiving yards, and 10 touchdowns in the regular season. He did this despite a couple weeks of poor quarterback play due to an unhealthy Ben Roethlisberger. A healthy Roethlisberger could help Brown break a couple NFL receiving records this season, and Roethlisberger himself can challenge for 5,000 passing yards.

The defense is a bag of mixed results. The front seven, headlined by linebackers Ryan Shazier and Lawrence Timmons, should be hard to run on. Second-year pro Bud Dupree should be able to step up his production after grabbing four sacks through 16 games as a rookie. The defensive line should also be stout, featuring studs Cameron Heyward and Stephon Tuitt. This front seven will hopefully mask what should be a below average at best secondary. Cornerback William Gay will be the team’s best player in the secondary, and that spells trouble. The Steelers also felt pressed to spend their top two draft selections on cornerbacks Artie Burns and Sean Davis. It will be a hit or miss secondary. Altogether, this Steelers offense will be hard to match, but the secondary might force some shoot-out games for the Steelers. As long as they can remain relatively healthy, look for this Steelers squad to compete for the Super Bowl more seriously than the rest of this division.

Record Projection: 13-3

Division Overview:

The AFC North should return to prominence this season with a projected three teams with double digit wins. Those teams could also be serious Super Bowl contenders with offenses and defenses to go toe-to-toe with opposing teams. The Cleveland Browns may be competitive with their young roster, but I personally don’t expect too much from them. All-in-all, the AFC North could wind up as the best division in the NFL once again. Look out for these teams.

AFC North Projected Standings:

1. Pittsburgh Steelers: 13-3 (4-2 in division)

2. Cincinnati Bengals: 12-4 (4-2 in division)

3. Baltimore Ravens: 10-6 (4-2 in division)

4. Cleveland Browns: 2-14 (0-6 in division)

Richard Bradshaw is available to follow on twitter @RichieBradz36. Thank you for the read.