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

NFC North Draft Grades

Chicago Bears

1(14) Kyle Fuller (CB, Virginia Tech)

2(51) Ego Ferguson (DT, LSU)

3(82) Will Sutton (DT, Arizona State)

4(117) Ka’Deem Carey (RB, Arizona)

4(131) Brock Vereen (SS, Minnesota)

6(183) David Fales (QB, San Jose State)

6(191) Pat O’Donnell (P, Miami)

7(246) Charles Leno (OT, Boise State)

Best Pick: Brock Vereen

Brock Vereen is the younger brother of NFL runningback Shane. Not the best indicator of success, but seeing the NFL bloodlines does not hurt. Again, not a huge point of emphasis, but Vereen had the 2nd best time among all safeties in the 3 cone drill, the 20 yard shuttle, and the 40 yard dash. Additionally, Vereen did the most bench press reps among all safeties at the combine. All that tells you is that Vereen is strong and fast which is verified on tape. Watching the tape also shows you that he is one of the hardest hitting safeties in this draft. He won't be a starter right away and needs some work, but this is great value in Round 4. Vereen will be an impact player for the Bears down the road.

Summary: Eventhough the Bears signed Jay Ratliff in Free Agency they needed depth at defensive tackle. Ferguson provides that depth. Vereen and Carey were great value picks in the 4th round. Like I said, Vereen could start early and will eventually be an impact player. Kyle Fuller is a really good cover corner and the Bears didn't reach for anybody or have any truly bad selections. Nice job by Chicago.

Grade: B+

Undrafted Free Agents
Cody Booth (OT, Temple)
James Dunbar (OG, TCU)
Brandon Dunn (DT, Louisville)
Ryan Groy (OG, Wisconsin)
Christian Jones (LB, Florida State)
Devekeyan Lattimore (LB, South Florida)

Jordan Lynch (RB, Northern Illinois)
Tana Patrick (LB, Alabama)
Lee Pegues (DT, East Carolina)

I love the Dunn signing. He is another guy that provides depth and is a great guy to take a shot on as an undrafted free agent. Jordan Lynch of course was the Heisman finalist QB that the Bears are gonna try as a runningback. He has a very slim chance of making the roster. Ryan Groy is another guy that has a shot to make this roster.
The linebackers will all have a shot to make the roster. Most likely to make the roster is Christian Jones. Before the season Jones was considered by some to be the most likely Seminole to go in the 1st round. His production did not match that, but he has loads of talent and is extremely versatile. Many teams will be disappointed that they passed on Christian when they see what he does for the Bears.

Detroit Lions

1(10) Eric Ebron (TE, North Carolina)

2(40) Kyle Van Noy (LB, BYU)

3(76) Travis Swanson (C, Arkansas)

4(133) Nevin Lawson (CB, Utah State)

4(136) Larry Webster (DE, Bloomsburg)

5(158) Caraun Reid (DT, Princeton)

6(189) TJ Jones (WR, Notre Dame)

7(229) Nate Freese (K, Boston College)

Best Pick: Travis Swanson

One of the best, if not the best center in the draft. A starter from Day 1. Great in zone blocking schemes. Highly talented and a good worker. Solid fit for this offense. Great value pick in Round 3.

Summary: Swanson was a terrific pick in round 3. They reached on Van Noy though and its hard to justify a 1st round TE with the holes they had. This is a team that could have really benefited from trading down. I can't believe that they didn't address the secondary until a 4th round reach on Nevin Lawson. They got good value late with Jones and Reid who along with Swanson prevent this from being a bottom 5 draft.

Grade: C-

Undrafted Free Agents
Chad Abram (FB, Florida State)
Alex Bullard (OG, Tennessee)
Justin Couplin (S, William & Mary)

James Franklin (QB, Missouri)
Justin Jackson (LB, Wake Forest)
Cornelius Lucas (OT, Kansas State)
Gabe Lynn (S, Oklahoma)
Jacob Maxwell (TE, Louisiana-Lafayette)
DJ Morrell (OG, Old Dominion)
Andrew Peacock (WR, Appalachian State)
Mohammed Seasay (CB, Nebraska)

The best signing by far for the Lions and one of the best signings of this period was Gabe Lynn. This guy is a playmaker at safety which is the Detroit Lions' biggest position of need. Out of any team's undrafted free agents this is as likely as any to make the team. Lynn will make the team and likely have an impact this season. The Lions are so thin at safety, that Justin Couplin has a great chance to make it as well. These guys were very smart to sign with Detroit. Detroit probably should have added another corner though just to see if they could find a diamond in the rough to help the weak secondary. Seasay has a good chance to make the roster for that reason.
Chad Abram has a decent chance to make it depending on how Caldwell wants to use the fullback. If he uses the fullback like he did in Baltimore, then Abram makes it. However, if it's more like the fullback use in Indy, Abram will be squeezed off the roster.

Green Bay Packers

1(21) Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (FS, Alabama)

2(53) Davante Adams (WR, Fresno State)

3(85) Khyri Thornton (DT, Southern Mississippi)

3(98) Richard Rogers (TE, California)

4(121) Carl Bradford (LB, Arizona State)

5(161) Corey Linsley (C, Ohio State)

5(176) Jared Abbrederis (WR, Wisconsin)

6(197) Demetri Goodson (DB, Baylor)

7(236) Jeff Janis (WR, Saginaw Valley State)

Best Pick: Jared Abbrederis

If you watch the tape of Abbrederis against first round pick Bradley Roby, you will be shocked that Roby was a 1^st rounder and Abbrederis a 5^th. The Wisconsin WR absolutely destroyed Roby. Getting a guy this polished in the 5^th round is a big score for Green Bay and Aaron Rodgers. The fan base has to be jacked that they keep this guy in state.

Summary: This draft was just the typical above average draft. Very slightly above average. Clinton-Diz will make an immediate impact. Adams was a slight reach, but will be quality. Thornton was picked in a good spot. Rogers, Linsley, and Bradford are good values for where they got selected. As discussed Abbrederis is a steal at the point he was selected. The last two picks have great upside for their spot in the draft, but don’t expect impacts from them. Not a bad draft at all, but nothing spectacular.

Grade:  B-

Undrafted Free Agents
Denico Autry (LB, Mississippi State)
Jake Doughty (LB, Utah State)
Jayrone Elliot (LB, Toledo)
John Fullington (OL, Washington State)
Carlos Gray (DE, North Carolina State)
Adrian Hubbard (LB, Alabama)
Demetruce McNeal (FS, West Alabama)
Raijon Neal (RB, Tennessee)
Mike Pennel (NT, Colorado State)
Justin Perillo (TE, Maine)
LaDarius Perkins (RB, Mississippi State)
Chase Rettig (QB, Boston College)
James Sims (RB, Kansas)

Joe Thomas (LB, South Carolina State)
Wilson Van Hooser (WR, Troy)
Ryan White (CB, Auburn)

Thomas has good tackling ability and put up an impressive vertical jump score. Jayron Elliot led Toledo in sacks. James Sims put up terrific numbers at Kansas despite playing behind a terrible offensive line. McNeal was dismissed from Auburn University and ended up at West Alabama. Hubbard is a very talented kid from Alabama. Nothing else intriguing here for the Packers.

Minnesota Vikings

1(9) Anthony Barr (LB, UCLA)

1(32) Tedy Bridgewater (QB, Louisville)

3(72) Scott Crichton (DE, Oregon State)

3(96) Jerick McKinnon (RB, Georgia Southern)

5(145) David Yankey (G, Stanford)

6(182) Antone Exum (CB, Virginia Tech)

6(184) Kendall James (DB, Maine)

7(220) Shamar Stephen (DT, Connecticut)

7(223) Brandon Watts (LB, Georgia Tech)

7(225) Jabari Price (DB, North Carolina)

Best Pick: David Yankey

Yankey could be an immediate starter for the Vikings. He is a beast in the middle of the offensive line and it is incredible that he was available in the 5th round. An awesome fit. This is one of the most physical players in the draft and the new coaching staff is all about that. This guy is one the Vikings just have to be thrilled about. Mike Zimmer is happy with this pick.

Summary: I talked about how Zimmer was happy with Yankey, but he likely is happy with the entire draft. This is a very quality draft by the Vikings. You have Yankey in the 5th round and Exum in the 6th providing tremendous value. In the 3rd you get Scott Crichton who some had as a 1st rounder and Jerick McKinnon. McKinnon of course was the Georgia Southern RB who had the game-winning touchdown against the Florida Gators. Georgia Southern beat the Gators without throwing a pass, which kind of shows you what McKinnon can do (or that the Gators are just THAT bad). Anthony Barr is a phenomenal pick and instant starter. Bridgewater I am mixed on, but they got him at a good spot.

Grade: B+

Undrafted Free Agents
Pierce Burton (OT, Mississippi)
Kain Colter (WR, Northwestern)
Rakim Cox (DE, Villanova)
Isame Faciane (NT, Florida International)
Donte Foster (WR, Ohio)
Matt Hall (OT, Belhaven)
Zac Kerin (C, Toledo)
AC Leonard (TE, Tennessee State)
Eric Lora (WR, Eastern Illinois)
Antonio Richardson (OT, Tennessee)
Tyler Scott (DE, Northwestern)
Jake Snyder (DE, Virginia)
Austin Wentworth (OG, Fresno State)
Dominique Williams (HB, Wagner)

Rakim Cox is the best of the group, but there is nothing here.

-Noland

Former NFL Receiver Charged With Attempted Murder

I don't know what possesses anyone to make poor decisions like this, but former NFL receiver Bobby Sippio was recently charged with murder. Sippio is not the most famous football player, but he did play for 13 teams in 4 different leagues. He is also the cousin of more famous receiver Dwayne Bowe. In the NFL, Sippio played for the Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions, and Kansas City Chiefs. The receiver even played for the local Tampa Bay Storm. Sippio also played for the Chicago Slaughter, a name he took a little too far. What a shame this story is.

He was arrested along with friend Santana Coates for attempted murder, aggravated battery, armed robbery, and kidnapping. They were attempting to kill Sergio Moore, who was Sippio's girlfriend's brother. Apparently, Moore was kidnapped repeatedly kicked and beaten while having a gun pointed at him the entire time.

Now at least we know that Bobby Sippio is a scumbag and will be locked up for a very long time.

-Noland