2016 NFL Season Predictions

I understand that these predictions are a week late. That is okay. I missed my fantasy draft while my family was sick. I didn't want to give away who I thought was going to have a big season while I tried to make a few trades. Now, since those trades have failed, I will just go ahead and post this....

Note: I did not change any predictions based on week 1 results. I left them alone.

The NFL season is here and that is good news for football fans everywhere.While I prefer the college game personally, I get jacked for NFL as well. Since the season is here, it is prediction time.

NFC East
Washington Redskins (10-6)
New York Giants (9-7)
Dallas Cowboys (7-9)
Philadelphia Eagles (5-11)

NFC North
Green Bay Packers (12-4)
Minnesota Vikings (10-6)
Detroit Lions (7-9)
Chicago Bears (4-12)

NFC South
Carolina Panthers (11-5)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-5)
Atlanta Falcons (7-9)
New Orleans Saints (6-10)

NFC West
Arizona Cardinals (13-3)
San Francisco 49ers (8-8)
Seattle Seahawks (8-8)
St. Louis Rams (1-15)

AFC East
New England Patriots (12-4)
Buffalo Bills (8-8)
New York Jets (7-9)
Miami Dolphins (4-12)

AFC North
Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4)
Baltimore Ravens (10-6)
Cincinnati Bengals (7-9)
Cleveland Browns (2-14)

AFC South
Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4)
Houston Texans (10-6)
Indianapolis Colts (7-9)
Tennessee Titans (1-15)

AFC West
Oakland Raiders (13-3)
Denver Broncos (9-7)
Kansas City Chiefs (8-8)
San Diego Chargers (6-10)

MVP
Antonio Brown WR  Pittsburgh Steelers

Brown will have an epic year for receiving. He will eclipse the 2,000 yard mark, while leading the Steelers to the division title. Expect big things from Brown in 2016. This guy will be an unstoppable force. 2016 will be the year of the receiver as well. We will have some record setting marks from a few of these guys.

Coach of the Year
Dirk Koetter Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Leading the Bucs to the playoffs will be seen as a major accomplishment outside of Tampa. While much of those in the region will give the credit to Winston, Koetter will deservedly also get a great deal of praise. That praise will result in Koetter winning this award.

5 Bold Predictions outside of records
1) The top three receivers in TDs will be Antonio Brown, Amari Cooper, and Mike Evans in some order.
2) There will be at least one 2000 yard receiver. My pick of Antonio Brown for MVP is becoming more and more clear here.
3) No rookie 1000 yard receiver. In the year of the WR, rookies will fail to emerge yet.
4) Jameis Winston will lead the league in at least one major passing category. TDS, rating, yards, completions, at least one of those categories.
5) The Titans will have the 1st two picks in the NFL Draft next draft. The two worst teams will be the Titans again (which I had last year) and the LA Rams. Tennessee owns the 1st round selection for both teams. So they should get out of the cellar after this season.

NFL Playoffs Round 1
Panthers over Vikings
Buccaneers over Redskins
Patriots over Texans
Ravens over Jaguars

Round 2
Cardinals over Buccaneers
Panthers over Packers
Steelers over Patriots
Raiders over Ravens

NFC Championship
Cardinals over Panthers

In a rematch of last years NFC Championship the Cardinals take it this time with a healthy honey badger and an improved pass rush. For the Cardinals its put up or shut up time. All or Nothing.

AFC Championship
Raiders over Steelers

I may be a year early on the Raiders, but I am fairly confident that they will make the playoffs and make an impact. The Steelers have the right mix of athleticism and veteran presence this year, so they will be a force. I think the Raiders win a close one and advance to the Super Bowl behind the emergence of Amari Cooper who as I said earlier will have a monster season.

Super Bowl

Cardinals over Raiders

It is finally time for the Cardinals to be at the top of the mountaintop. I think they are finally ready to do it and make that big move. In a matchup like this, the secondary of the Cardinals gives them the edge. Derek Carr and Amari Cooper will have big seasons, but if a team has the tools to stop them it is the Arizona Cardinals. Patrick Peterson is the real deal and he will be Super Bowl MVP. Peterson will make an impact in not only the passing game, but the return game as well. He will shut down a guy that will threaten for league MVP and the Cardinals will hoist the Lombardi trophy for the 1st time ever!

-Noland