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  • Backyard Banter Podcast
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 54: Kyle Crabbs - Build my own chair at the table
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 53: James Koh - Divorce the information from emotion
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 52: Will Brinson - That's how it'll have to be
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 51: Charles McDonald - Not an escape from reality
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 50: What you've learned - For you, by you
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 49: Jourdan Rodrigue - Let's see what you think then
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 48: Justin Twell - Long process to come back
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 47: Justin Lonero - It's time to relearn life
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 46: Scott Bischoff - Life presented the greatest challenge possible
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 45: Al Zeidenfeld - Little steps along the way
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 44: Jason Romano - Just a different dream
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 43: Matt Harmon - But here we are (Season 1 finale)
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 42: Gregg Rosenthal - I have to make it work or else
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 41: Jon Moore - Determiner of what I want
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 40: Uncle Chaps - Just have fun with it
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 39: Bob Harris - The best addiction I've ever had
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 38: Scott Fish - Everybody working together to make this big
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 37: Jene Bramel - Ask the questions you want answered
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 36: Mike Tagliere - Never going to leave this candy store
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 35: Ben Cummins - Starting at ground zero
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 34: Field Yates - It's the nature of what we do
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 33: Chris Heil - I gave it everything I had
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 32: Sal Stefanile - Just make them notice you
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 31: Adam Levitan - Accept an alternate lifestyle
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 30: Matthew Freedman - It's not built for everyone
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 29: George Kritikos - If your heart's not in it people notice
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 28: Marcas Grant - Certainly never expected this
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 27: Steve Palazzolo - I understand the questions that come
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 26: Matt Miller - To build bridges not burn them
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 25: Graham Barfield - A human game played by humans
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 24: Pat Daugherty - I just said yes to everything
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 23: Eric Galko - There's always work to be done
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 22: TJ Hernandez - In some roundabout way
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 21: Alex Gelhar - Homework for the rest of your life
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 20: The Fantasy Footballers - Because we were fans
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 19: Jessica Kleinschmidt - The scariest person you deal with is yourself
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 18: Evan Silva - A willingness to work hard
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 17: Jeff Risdon - It's hard to be in the middle
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 16: Cecil Lammey - Because I didn't ask for anything
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 15: Patrick Claybon - If you shine people will see you
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 14: Denny Carter - People want to know you
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 13: Adam Rank - Honestly just don't go away
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 12: Adam Pfeifer - Being happy is doing this
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 11: Mark Schofield - You get one drive in this life
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 10: Liz Loza - Ride the horse in the direction it's going
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 9: Matthew Berry - I've done it without being negative to anyone
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 8: Matt Franciscovich - Persistence is a huge deal
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 7: Matt Williamson - I got lucky, but I made my own luck
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 6: Eric Stoner - Passions are best left as hobbies
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 5: Josh Norris - You don't have to have an opinion on everything
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 4: Rumford Johnny - Elevate somebody or get out of their way
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast episode 3: JJ Zachariason - No one cares because you're not established
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast episode 2: Matt Waldman - Popular doesn't necessarily make it good
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast episode 1 - Sigmund Bloom
  • Fantasy Hipsters
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 28: We''l see you in a bit.
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 27: "Ehhh how about you people relax with that one"
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 26: Mail Satchel - Davante Adams debate & "friends of the show"
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 25: NFL Network's Top 100 Players This or That
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 24: Mail Satchel - Surviving without Charlie and Tight Ends to Watch
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 23: Jeremy Maclin reaction, news recap and did Harmon pull off that hat?
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 22: Mail satchel - WE ARE THE PODCAST OF THE PEOPLE
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 21: Reception Perception review of sleepers, breakouts and surprises
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 20: Evan Silva destroys our MFL10 hopes and dreams
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 19: Mail satchel - Will Brandon Marshall thrive with the Giants in 2017?
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 18: We Are Pretty Mad
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 17: Mail satchel - Rompers, clean eating and the 2007 NFL Draft class
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 16: NFL depth chart breakdowns and being sick of bad Eddie Lacy jokes
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 15: Mail satchel - Drafting too many rookies, breakouts and bell-cow RBs
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 14: French press vs. pour over coffee & mock draft review with James Koh
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 13: Mail satchel - Los Angeles Chargers the hipster's team of 2017?
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 12: NFL Draft rookie fits and a cast iron running back with Matt Waldman
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 11: NFL Draft preview and drumset vomit with Josh Norris of Rotoworld
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast Episode 10: Mail satchel - Dynasty debate, bad impressions and hipster bands
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 9: Perfect Prospect Parings — identifying NFL fits for draft prospects
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 8: Corey Davis, DeVante Parker and what to drink at your draft
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 7: Carlos Hyde, Laquon Treadwell and NFL Draft rookie big board part 3
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 6: Valuing Jordan Howard for 2017 and NFL Draft rookie big board part 2
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 5: NFL Draft rookie top-12 big board and in-depth beer interview
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 4: Kaepernick saga, Harmon shaves his beard and Franchise gets roasted
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast Episode 3: Eddie Lacy, Free Agency, music & beer and picking best QB roommate
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 2: Early Free Agency Fallout, Combine Standouts & Mailbag
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 1: NFL Scouting Combine preview and washed vets
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast: Teaser episode introduction
  • Reception Perception: 2017
    • Reception Perception: Investigating any correlation between the results and draft prospect age
  • The 2016 Reception Perception Project
    • Reception Perception: 11 flags planted for the 2016 season
    • Reception Perception: Nelson Agholor can bounce-back in Doug Pederson's offense
    • Reception Perception: Improved technician Donte Moncrief is set to explode in 2016
    • Reception Perception: Only one concern can hold Sammy Watkins back from his ceiling
    • Reception Perception: Bruce Ellington has a chance to flash this season with the 49ers
    • Reception Perception: Albert Wilson and the Diary of a Truther
    • Reception Perception: Willie Snead built an impressive resume we must not ignore
    • Reception Perception: Welcome the ascending Tyler Lockett to rarified status
    • Reception Perception: Kamar Aiken is the answer to the Ravens receiver riddle
    • Reception Perception: DeSean Jackson and Josh Doctson make the Washington wide receivers a strength
    • Reception Perception: Browns make a refreshing first pick in Corey Coleman
    • Reception Perception: The fruitless search for fatal flaws with Laquon Treadwell
    • Reception Perception: Why there will never be a cumulative or overall grade
    • Reception Perception: The changing variables for Torrey Smith point to a rebound
    • Reception Perception: 2016 media appearances
    • Reception Perception: Rashard Higgins - never tell me the odds
    • Reception Perception: Keyarris Garrett is a unicorn in this draft class
    • Reception Perception: Malcolm Mitchell is a top-10 receiver in the 2016 NFL Draft
    • Reception Perception: 2016 NFL draft prospects results
    • Reception Perception: Golden Tate won't be able to replace Calvin Johnson
    • Reception Perception: Jeff Janis, trump cards and sorting through the noise
    • Reception Perception: Top-four college receiver primer
  • The 2015 Reception Perception Project
    • Reception Perception Based Media Appearances
    • Reception Perception: Steve Johnson is the Surest Sleeper Around
    • Reception Perception: Target and Contested Catch Data for Sophomore WRs
    • Reception Perception: Success Rate vs. Coverage Scores for the Sophomore Wide Receivers
    • Reception Perception: Why we Must Consider the Entire Range of Outcomes for Sammy Watkins
    • Reception Perception: Data Results from Year 1
    • Reception Perception: Scanning Through the Dolphins Receiving Corps for Fantasy Answers
    • Reception Perception: Allen Robinson is Quietly on the Precipice of a Massive Breakout
    • Reception Perception: Michael Crabtree is Exactly What the Raiders’ Passing Game Needs
    • Reception Perception: Justin Hunter and Wisely Shopping the Clearance Bins
    • Reception Perception: How Kevin White Began His Ascension to the Top
    • Reception Perception: Sammie Coates Falls Along a Dangerous Archetype
    • Reception Perception: A Video Rundown of the Data
    • Reception Perception: New Browns Receiver Dwayne Bowe Bring Value to a Depleted Pass Game
    • Reception Perception: Expectations and an Odd Coupling Doomed Mike Wallace in Miami
    • Reception Perception: Andre Johnson Still has Plenty Left to Offer the Colts
    • Reception Perception: Randall Cobb Made the Right Call Sticking With the Packers
    • Reception Perception: Where Do We Go From Here, Percy Harvin?
    • Reception Perception: Devin Smith and The Value of a Trump Card (FBG)
    • Reception Perception: The Siren Song of Dorial Green-Beckham (FBG)
    • Reception Perception: Impending Free Agent Michael Crabtree
    • Reception Perception: Amari Cooper Under the Microscope (FBG)
    • Reception Perception: Sammy Watkins and Cordarrelle Patterson
  • Matt Harmon's in-season film review blog
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  • The Backyard Banter Quarterback Typology
  • Analyzing the Landing Spots for the First Round Wide Recievers
  • Reception Perception
    • Reception Perception: Cordarrelle Patterson and a Developing Story
    • Reception Perception: Jordy Nelson and Mastering the Little Things
  • Ramblings
    • Rebuilding a broken house: losing weight, changing my lifestyle and never looking back
    • Fighting through negativity bias and a wide receiver's drops
    • Saying Goodbye to Dixie
    • The #FreeAustinTice Campaign
    • My Reaction to Adrian Peterson and The Cycle of Abuse
    • Steve Smith: A Lesson in the Dangers of Emotional Football
    • The Arizona Cardinals Will Make the Playoffs
    • The Redskins Better Not Blow This Thing Up
    • The Commodification of NFL Players
    • Digging Deeper: Why Josh Freeman Failed with the Buccaneers
    • The Fall of Aaron Hernandez and the Patriot Way
    • Washington Redskins Injury Concerns
    • Carolina Panther's Draft Bungles
    • Stubbornness the Silent Coaching Killer
  • The Fantasy Gameplan Podcast
  • Draft Class Jersey Number Grades
  • The Eye in the Sky
    • The Eye in the Sky: The St. Louis Rams Should Commit to Sam Bradford for 2014
    • The Eye in the Sky: Why the Cardinals Struggle Against Tight Ends
    • The Eye in the Sky: Uncovering a Diamond in the Rough, Mike Brown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Uncovering a Diamond in the Rough, Brandon Bostick
    • The Eye in the Sky: E.J. Manuel's Improvement All-22 Breakdown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Why Defending the Colts Offense is too Easy All-22 Breakdown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Picking Apart the Jets Defense All-22 Breakdown
    • Eye in the Sky: Texans vs. Chiefs (Week Seven) All-22 Breakdown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Redskins vs. Cowboys (Week Six) All-22 Breakdown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Panthers vs. Cardinals (Week Five) All-22 Breakdown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Colts vs. Seahawks (Week Five)
  • 2014 Free Agent Profiles
    • Josh McCown Free Agent Profile
    • Jason Hatcher Free Agent Profile
    • Jarius Byrd Free Agent Profile
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  • BYOB Forums (Bring Your Own Banter)
  • 2014 NFL Free Agency Position Breakdowns
    • 2014 Quarterback Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Running Back Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Fullback Free Agent Breakdown
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    • 2014 Tight End Free Agent Rankings
    • 2014 Offensive Tackle Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Offensive Guard Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Offensive Center Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Interior Defensive Lineman Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Edge Player Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Linebacker Free Agent Breakdown
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    • 2014 Specialist Free Agent Breakdown
  • 2014 NFL Draft Content
    • 2014 NFL Draft Tiered Prospect Big Board (Top 75)
    • 2014 Tiered Colored Position Board
    • 2014 NFL Draft Tiered Prospect Big Board (Top 32)
    • 2014 NFL Draft Top 10 Quarterback Ranking
    • 2014 NFL Draft Running Back Top 10 Ranking
    • 2014 NFL Mock Draft--Post Free Agency
    • 2014 NFL Mock Draft--Pre Free Agency
    • 2014 NFL Draft Wide Receiver Top 10 Ranking
  • Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down
    • April 27th Sunday Morning Coming Down
    • April 13th Sunday Morning Coming Down
    • April 6th Sunday Morning Coming Down
    • March 30th Sunday Morning Coming Down
  • 2013 NFL Power Rankings
    • Week Seventeen 2013 Power Rankings
    • Week Sixteen 2013 NFL Power Rankings
    • Week Fifteen 2013 NFL Power Rankings
    • Week Fourteen 2013 NFL Power Rankings
    • Week Thirteen 2013 NFL Power Rankings
    • Week Twelve 2013 NFL Power Rankings
    • Week Eleven 2013 NFL Power Rankings
    • Week Ten 2013 NFL Power Rankings
    • Week Nine 2013 NFL Power Rankings
    • Week Eight 2013 NFL Power Rankings
    • Week Seven 2013 NFL Power Rankings
    • Week Six 2013 NFL Power Rankings
    • Week Five 2013 NFL Power Rankings
    • Week Four 2013 NFL Power Rankings
    • Week Three 2013 NFL Power Rankings
    • Week Two 2013 NFL Power Rankings
    • 2013 Season Preview Edition/Week One
  • 2013 Weekly NFL Previews
    • Super Bowl Preview
    • Playoffs- Conference Championship Round NFL Preview
    • Playoffs- Divisional Round NFL Preview
    • Playoffs- Wildcard Round NFL Preview
    • Week Sixteen NFL Preview
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    • Week Twelve Picks
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    • Week Two Picks
    • Week One Picks
  • Week in Review 2013
    • Playoffs- Wildcard Round in Review
    • Week Seventeen in Review
    • Week Sixteen in Review
    • Week Fifteen in Review
    • Week Fourteen in Review
    • Week Thirteen in Review
    • Week Twelve in Review
    • Week Eleven in Review
    • Week Ten in Review
    • Week Nine in Review
    • Week Eight in Review
    • Week Seven in Review
    • Week Six in Review
    • Week Five in Review
    • Week Four in Review
    • Week Three in Review
    • Week Two in Review
    • Week One in Review
  • 2013 Team Record Predictions
    • AFC Record Predictions
    • NFC Record Predictions
  • Rapid Reactions
    • Rapid Reactions Heading into Week Eleven
    • Rapid Reactions Heading into Week Ten
    • Rapid Reactions Heading into Week Nine
    • Rapid Reactions Heading into Week Eight
    • Rapid Reactions Heading into Week Seven
    • Rapid Reactions Heading into Week Six
    • Rapid Reactions Heading into Week Five
    • Rapid Reactions Heading into Week Four
    • Rapid Reactions Heading into Week Three
  • The 2013 All-Surprise Teams
    • AFC 2013 All-Surprise Team
    • NFC 2013 All-Surprise Team
  • NFL Player Rankings (2013)
    • Top 10 NFL Quarterback Rankings
    • Top 10 NFL Running Back Rankings
    • Top 10 NFL Wide Receiver Rankings
    • Top 10 NFL Tight End Rankings
    • Top 10 Offensive Linemen Rankings
    • Top 10 NFL Defensive Lineman Rankings
  • 2013 Season Archives
    • How to Fix 'em (2013 Offseason) >
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  • 2012 Season Archives
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    • NFL Power Rankings (2012) >
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      • Week 17
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      • Season Preview Edition 8/18
    • My Weekly NFL Picks (2012) >
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      • Week 17
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      • Week 1

AFC 2013 Record Predictions 

By: Matt Harmon

AFC East:

1)    New England Patriots (13-3)*
  • The Patriots once again run away with the AFC East. As I charted their season there were very few games I could conceivably see New England losing. I had New England only one divisional contest, to Miami late in the season, and had them winning all their games in Foxborough. Changes have abounded throughout New England’s offseason, but even with a new cast of characters, a cupcake division and the presence of Tom Brady the Patriots to walk away with the best recorded in the NFL. 

2)    Miami Dolphins (8-8)
  • I am not aboard the Dolphins hype train, and it shows in my mixed bag projection of their season. Teams that run out in free agency and try to assemble a team fantasy football style rarely, if ever, work out. My projections for Miami’s wins and losses were all over the map. I had them beating some good teams, but dropping easily winnable contests. Despite their free agency binge and a strong defense, this is a roster with holes, and I do not see a playoff berth for them.

3)    New York Jets (4-12)
  • When I started this project I actually did not anticipate the Jets coming away with this poor of a record, as I do not think they are as untalented as most do. This roster has some talented pieces, but injuries and the massive problem at quarterback forced my hand in projecting wins for the Jets. In the end, I can certainly see them beating two of their division rivals at home, Buffalo and Miami, but beyond that, this roster is not complete enough to compete against some of the teams on a very tough schedule.  

4)    Buffalo Bills (3-13)
  • Coming into this preseason I thought there was finally some hope for the Bills for the first time in a long time; certainly not playoffs, but just some promise. E.J. Manuel was looking comfortable in the preseason, and they have some exciting weapons around him on offense. Now with Manuel on the shelf (and missing valuable reps) and potential stopgap Kevin Kolb possibly done for his career, it is hard to see success for the Bills, especially early in the season. Even when Manuel comes back it is going to take awhile for a rhythm to be established in Buffalo, and consequently I do not have the Bills getting their first win until Week 11 of the season. There just are not many cakewalks for this Bills team early on in the season. Sorry, Buffalo, maybe fate will be better to you next year.

AFC West:

1)    Denver Broncos (12-4)*
  • Denver is a supremely talented team, and it shows in their final record. Much has been made of their injury issues, and the Von Miller suspension, in the preseason, but even so I had them making it out of their gate very favorably. The fact is the AFC is weak this year, and the AFC west is even weaker. I had the Broncos sweeping their own division, and dropping only four games, all of which I could see them winning. I tried to be conservative with the Broncos, but even so 12-4 still feels like the floor Denver, and I will not be shocked to see them come away with a better record than this. 

2)    Kansas City Chiefs (9-7)
  • Many are touting the Chiefs as a potential play off team, and I had them just barely missing that mark. While I see the Chiefs talent, they have a good defense, some nice pieces on offense, and their quarterback play and coaching should be a million times better than what we saw from them last year, I still feel like my projection for the Chiefs is a best case scenario. What I mean is that if everything breaks just right for this team I can see them reaching this level of success. I trust Andy Reid and company to make it all come together, but I can certainly see room in their schedule for this team going the other direction as well. 

3)    San Diego Chargers (4-12)
  • As you can probably tell, I do not think there is much to like in San Diego this year, and outside of contests against the AFC South, and their division games, I do not see a lot of games I can comfortably project the Chargers to win. They will probably split their games with Oakland and Kansas City, but frankly, they do not have the talent to compete with good teams anymore. It is going to be a long year in San Diego.

4)    Oakland Raiders (1-15)
  • Boy does this feel harsh to even write. I never imagine I could ever project an NFL team to come out of a season with just one win, but the Raiders may actually be the worst NFL team I have ever seen assembled. Seriously, take a look at their roster, it has the talent level of an expansion team. If 0-16 possible? It pains me to say it, but yes for this team it really is conceivable. I gave them a single win against their division rival Chargers, who are not very good themselves, but even that felt like a charity win. 

AFC South:

1)    Houston Texans (10-6)*
  • It was a tight race in the AFC South, but I had the Texans coming away with the division crown by a game. I think the Texans offense will be much better this year, and their defense should be much healthier as well. There are a number of winnable games on the Texans schedule this year, but there are certainly games against some good teams I can see them losing. While the bottom two teams in the division do not pose any immediate threat, the Texans should feel a ton of pressure to capitalize on winning this division this season, as the young Colts are biting at their heels. If my projection for the Texans holds up, all that really matters is that they advance deep into the playoffs.

2)    Indianapolis Colts (9-7)*
  • In this projection the Colts grab the final AFC playoff seed by virtue of a strong inter-conference record. Even with that positive result, I feel so conflicted on the Colts as a team. They have holes on the defense, but their free agent additions, while overpriced, certainly make them even slightly better. On offense, they have the young talent to be a total juggernaut for years to come, but do some of the players take a step back in year two? All in all, I could see this team being a 10+ win team, but I can see them falling back from their success from last season to be a .500 type team. Charting their games, I ended up having them in the middle of all that, and I can live with that.

3)    Tennessee Titans (5-11)
  • Count me amongst those who do not believe in the Tennessee Titans. This looks like a team with some talent, but a deficient quarterback and a coaching staff in over its head is likely to hold them way back. I had them sneak out wins against second tier teams, like the Texans and the Rams, and feel confident they can beat up on bottom feeder teams like the Raiders and Jets, but in the end this is a team I do not have faith in to compete with strong squads. This type of failure season could be one that stings for now, but actually helps because it will force them to clean house for the long run. 

4)    Jacksonville Jaguars (2-14)
  • The Jaguars are not Raiders bad, but they are not much better. The Jags have a ton of holes, and a severe lack of depth throughout the roster. The offense has some promise, but I will absolutely be taking the “I’ll believe it when I see it” approach with quarterback Blaine Gabbert. It was a challenge to find winnable games for Jacksonville, and frankly a lot will have to break right for them to even get to five or six wins. Despite how excited I am about Head Coach Gus Bradley and his staff’s future, I still see a long first season in Jacksonville. 

AFC North:

1)    Baltimore Ravens (11-5)*
  • Some are still predicting a fall off from the reigning Super Bowl champs, but not this guy. I believe their defense is going to much improved and amongst the elite, and consequently they will be able to sustain their recent success. I can certainly see this team laying an egg some weeks, but the AFC just is not strong enough for Baltimore to fall far this year. The games to watch the Ravens in will be their matchups against the AFC big boys, Denver and New England, and their games against the strong NFC North.

2)    Cincinnati Bengals (11-5)*
  • I have been really hard on the Bengals during the past two years. I have consistently ranked them low because they dropped games against good teams and smacked around bad teams. This year, I feel they have the maturity and firepower to final beat some of the better AFC teams that have troubled them, and still beat up on those weaker teams. I did not do playoff predictions in this exercise, but we all know that is what matter for Cincinnati, and it is also where my faith in them (mainly Andy Dalton) falls apart.

3)    Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7)
  • I think the Steelers are in the midst of a mini slump here, and will miss the playoff once again. They do not have the same exceptional talent or ferocity on defense, and the injury to rookie runner Le’Veon Bell hurts their ability to sustain drives on offense. I will say, there is room in their schedule for Pittsburgh to return to their usual success, but given my opinion of their roster, I felt more comfortable being conservative with their win predictions. With elite quarterback Ben Roethlisberger behind center the Steelers will always be around playoff contention, but I still do not see the players around him this year to push them over the hump.

4)    Cleveland Browns (6-10)
  • I know the record does not really show it, but I like the Browns this year. I think the coaching staff is superb, and they will put their young talent in much better schemes to fit their skills this year. Nevertheless, there is not enough talent on this team to compete for a playoff spot this year. I have them mostly beating bad, and middle of the pack type teams in this projection, but if this young team can sneak a few wins from more established teams, then a .500 record is certainly possible. Look out for the Browns this year. 



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