2014 NFL Season Predictions

The NFL season is here. Sit back and enjoy my predictions for this year. I will go division by division and bold the playoff teams. I will also give records of where I think the team will finish.
Before I continue though, I will fully admit that I was going to pick the St. Louis Rams to win the Super Bowl before the Sam Bradford injury. His injury affects them so negatively and the division is so tough that I no longer see the team even making the playoffs. I personally am a huge supporter and believer in Sam Bradford and I would like to wish him a speedy recovery. This guy will do some really special things if he can ever get to 100% and stay healthy.

NFC East
Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)
Washington Redskins (8-8)
New York Giants (7-9)
Dallas Cowboys (4-12)

NFC North
Detroit Lions (10-6)
Green Bay Packers (9-7)
Chicago Bears (8-8)
Minnesota Vikings (3-13)

NFC South
New Orleans Saints (12-4)
Carolina Panthers (10-6)
Atlanta Falcons (8-8)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-10)

NFC West
Arizona Cardinals (12-4)
Seattle Seahawks (9-7)
St. Louis Rams (7-9)
San Francisco 49ers (6-10)

AFC East
New England Patriots (10-6)
Buffalo Bills (9-7)
New York Jets (7-9)
Miami Dolphins (6-10)

AFC North
Baltimore Ravens (11-5)
Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6)
Cincinnati Bengals (8-8)
Cleveland Browns (3-13)


AFC South
Houston Texans (12-4)
Indianapolis Colts (8-8)
Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11)
Tennessee Titans (4-12)

AFC West
Denver Broncos (13-3)
San Diego Chargers (11-5)
Kansas City Chiefs (9-7)
Oakland Raiders (4-12)


MVP
Matt Stafford

Did I really just pick Matthew Stafford to be the MVP of the National Football League? I certainly did and I have not lost my mind. Stafford has the best receiver in the league and additional weapons to go along with it. The Lions finally have a number 2 receiver in Golden Tate and a freak at tight end in Eric Ebron. These guys will be lethal through the air even more so than normal. This award could easily go to Johnson if these guys put up the numbers I expect, but I think the production will spread out more than in years past and Stafford will be the guy.

Coach of the Year
Bill O'Brien

Look, I may be the only guy picking this, but the Texans will win the AFC South I believe. Ryan Fitzpatrick is serviceable and this team is loaded with talent. Everything that could go wrong last year did and the Texans got Clowney because of it. I don't see that disaster happening under Bill O'Brien's watch and the Texans got some fantastic young players that can contribute now. These guys will be much better than people think. Helping them out is the fact that this is the weakest division in football. I just think the Colts are in for a bad year too with an owner that has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons. It all sets up for O'Brien to go from worst team in the league to playoff appearance. If they pull it off, it will be hard to give this award to anyone else. Although Jim Caldwell will get some consideration.

5 Bold Predictions outside of records

1) Johnny Manziel will not have any wins as a starter this season.
2) Andre Ellington will be a Pro Bowler
3) Kelvin Benjamin will be offensive rookie of the year
4) Week 1 against the Giants, Matt Stafford will throw for at least 400 yards and 4 Touchdowns. Do not be surprised if some NFL records are established
5) The Houston Texans defense will lead the NFL in sacks during the regular season


NFL Playoffs Round 1
Philadelphia Eagles over Seattle Seahawks
Carolina Panthers over Detroit Lions
San Diego Chargers over New England Patriots
Baltimore Ravens over Pittsburgh Steelers

Round 2
Arizona Cardinals over Philadelphia Eagles
Carolina Panthers over New Orleans Saints
San Diego Chargers over Denver Broncos
Baltimore Ravens over Houston Texans

NFC Championship
Carolina Panthers over Arizona Cardinals

AFC Championship
San Diego Chargers over Baltimore Ravens

Super Bowl
San Diego Chargers over Carolina Panthers
MVP: Philip Rivers

I realize that this is something nobody thinks can happen, but Philip Rivers took a big step forward in his development last year I believe and he was just getting started. This guy is ready for primetime and ready to win. He finally has weapons again too now that Keenan Allen will be in his second year and he has a nice 3 headed monster at running back. The defense was the best in the AFC playoffs last year and it looked like they might pull it off then. Remember the Giants came out of nowhere both times Eli won the Super Bowl. Rivers is a better QB than Eli and capable of putting these guys in the Super Bowl with the win. The AFC is wide open. Much more wide open than the NFC. Peyton Manning is the greatest regular season QB of all-time, but the postseason he struggles. I think somebody knocks them out before the Super Bowl. I also think New England will go down before them. That leaves San Diego as my top choice. I had San Diego losing to St. Louis before the Bradford injury, but his injury changes things. I now see the NFC coming down to Arizona, Carolina, and New Orleans. I picked Carolina from that group because they have the best defense, but I can see any of the three making it to the championship. One of those four teams win it I think, but Rivers shows up in the big moment here I think. Brees vs. Rivers would be an exciting Super Bowl though too.

-Noland