NFL Preview for 2015

Team	Overall Record	Power Ranking	1st Selection of Games	2nd Selection of Games	Relative Recaps
Dolphins	11-5	8	6-0	5-5	Dolphins' defense dominates.
Patriots	11-5	3	7-1	4-4	Patriots pulverize first half of opposition.
Jets	7-9	22	2-5	5-4	Jets jumbled but finally lack jargon.
Bills	7-9	21	5-3	2-6	Bills belittle most important position.
Bengals	9-7	11	3-4	6-3	Bengals all business in second half.
Steelers	8-8	16	6-4	2-4	Steelers stumble at finish.
Browns	7-9	24	4-4	3-5	Browns bilk opportunity to win division.
Ravens	7-9	19	5-4	2-5	Ravens remain restless.
Texans	9-7	14	6-2	3-5	Texans topple Colts' tradition.
Colts	9-7	10	5-5	4-2	Colts' progress slows among consternation
Titans	5-11	29	2-7	3-4	Titans trip in finishing games.
Jaguars	3-13	32	1-8	2-5	Jaguars lack creativity and remain a joke.
Chargers	11-5	9	5-3	6-2	Chargers passing game is in its own class.
Broncos	10-6	5	4-3	6-3	Broncos bitter about blasé finish.
Chiefs	7-9	18	4-4	3-5	Chiefs comply to complacency.
Raiders	4-12	31	1-6	3-6	Raiders reflect on ridicule.
Team	Overall Record	Power Ranking	1st Selection of Games	2nd Selection of Games	Relative Recaps
Eagles	10-6	2	6-1	4-5	Eagles execute exclusive offense.
Cowboys	8-8	12	6-3	2-5	Cowboys carelessly cast aside division.
Giants	8-8	23	4-5	4-3	Giants grow but do not graduate.
Washington	6-10	26	2-7	4-3	Washington weary of waste.
Packers	10-6	4	6-2	4-4	Packers positive despite plight.
Vikings	9-7	13	2-5	7-2	Vikings voracious in second half.
Lions	8-8	15	4-3	4-5	Lions languish in leisure.
Bears	6-10	25	3-4	3-6	Bears begin building.
Falcons	11-5	6	7-2	4-3	Falcons flash in first half.
Saints	8-8	17	3-5	5-3	Saints simulate good offense despite parts.
Buccaneers	5-11	30	2-6	3-5	Buccaneers bewildered by bluster.
Panthers	5-11	28	1-6	4-5	Panthers prepare to be petulant.
Rams	11-5	7	4-2	7-3	Rams revert to roaring 1999.
Seahawks	11-5	1	5-4	6-1	Seahawks sizzle yet still skid.
49ers	9-7	20	6-3	3-4	49ers flamboyant in floundering.
Cardinals	5-11	27	3-4	2-7	Cardinals contemplate culture.

NFL

Some of the word content is lacking in my NFL preview for 2015 due to a lack of information/research and time constraints, but I did continue to produce an abundance of numbers for my NFL preview.  In the capsules for each team a grade of "C" does not necessarily mean an average team, it only relates to whether or not I think the team stayed roughly the same as compared to last season in regards to personnel.  Some of the additions may be off, due to finishing that part of the process a few weeks ago.

AFC

East

I expect the Dolphins to improve defensively and continue their offensive growth to capture the AFC East.  The Patriots will continue to beat the opposition, regardless of turnovers.  Finally, the Jets and Bills will both struggle due to lacking a decent player at the most important position in football.  Overall the AFC East is tied for the best division in the NFL.

Miami Dolphins

Additions: Jordan Cameron, Ndamukong Suh, C.J. Mosley

Losses: Daniel Thomas, Charles Clay, Mike Wallace, Corland Finnegan

Offseason Grade: B

New England Patriots

Additions: Matt Flynn, Kevin Dorsey, Scott Chandler, Robert McClain, Bradley Fletcher

Losses: Shane Vereen, Stevan Ridley, Darrelle Revis, Vince Wilfork

C-

New York Jets

Additions: Stevan Ridley, Kellen Davis, Joe Mays, Darrelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie, Brandon Marshall, Ryan Fitzpatrick, DeVier Posey, Zac Stacy, Todd Bowles HC, Chan Gailey OC

Losses: Kyle Wilson, Percy Harvin, Rex Ryan HC

B+

Buffalo Bills

Additions: Tyrod Taylor, Percy Harvin, Richie Incognito, LeSean McCoy, Rex Ryan HC

Losses: C.J. Spiller, Kiko Alonso

B-

North

I expect a fair level of consistency from each team in the AFC North.  No division winner would surprise me, but I would expect that the Bengals are the most likely division winners, while the remaining three teams are all quite competitive and have an opportunity to make the playoffs if they take advantage of the chances they are given.  I think of the AFC North as an above average division, yet somehow the teams ended up with an overall average below .500.

Cincinnati Bengals

Additions: Denarius Moore, A.J. Hawk

Losses: Taylor Mays, Terence Newman

C

Pittsburgh Steelers

Additions: Tajh Boyd, Devin Gardner

Losses: Lance Moore, Troy Polamalu, Ike Taylor

C

Cleveland Browns

Additions: Josh McCown, Terrelle Pryor, Dwayne Bowe

Losses: Brian Hoyer, Miles Austin, Jordan Cameron

C-

Baltimore Ravens

Additions: Matt Schaub, Kendrick Lewis, Marc Trestman OC

Losses: Tyrod Tayor, Owen Daniels, Torrey Smith, Haloti Ngata, Benard Pierce, Gary Kubiak OC

D+

South

I expect Hoyer and the Texans to pull out a few close games, the Colts to finally lose some of their close games, and the Titans and Jaguars to be mired in complacency. I actually would put the Colts as the favorite to win the division, but I wanted to change up the Indianapolis dynasty that has occurred in this division over the years.  I fail to understand why some teams fail to experiment at quarterback, the Jaguars could easily take a look at Tim Tebow, a quarterback in the CFL, Colt McCoy, etc., yet instead they decide to remain with 'projects' at quarterback who do not typically help them to win games. If the situation is awful, then think outside the box, think outside the conventional wisdom...  While the Colts and Texans are both semi-decent teams, the Titans and Jaguars drag this division down to the level of worst in the NFL.

Houston Texans

Additions: Brian Hoyer, Cecil Shorts, Nate Washington, Vince Wilfork, Rahim Moore

Losses: Kendrick Lewis, Ryan Fitzpatrick, DeVier Posey, Andre Johnson, D.J. Swearinger

C-

Indianapolis Colts

Additions: Frank Gore, Andre Johnson, Trent Cole

Losses: Hakeem Nicks, Josh Gordy, Trent Richardson, LaRon Landry

C+

Tennessee Titans

Additions: Hakeem Nicks, Harry Douglas, Anthony Fasano, Perrish Cox

Losses: Nate Washington, Kris Durham, Brandon Ghee, Jake Locker, Lache Seastrunk, Michael Oher

C+

Jacksonville Jaguars

Additions: Benard Pierce, Julius Thomas, Sergio Brown

Losses: Cecil Shorts, Alan Ball

B-

West

I have a high opinion of Mike McCoy, consequently I gave the Chargers both wins over the Broncos and the resulting division crown.  Peyton Manning is 39 years old, so it could be expected that it is only a matter of time until his play deteriorates, to a certain level anyways.  Replacing an average coach with a poor coach is always a great idea, so good luck to the Broncos on that decision.  I probably underrated the Chiefs, but when I W & L'd the schedule the wins failed to appear for them.  I have a slightly above average view of this division, but the overall record for it is simply .500.

San Diego Chargers

Additions: Stevie Johnson, Austin Pettis, Jacoby Jones, Patrick Robinson

Losses: Ryan Matthews, Edie Royal, Reggie Walker

C+

Denver Broncos

Additions: Owen Daniels, Antonio Smith, Gary Kubiak HC (Why?)

Losses: Julius Thomas, Jacob Tamme, Orlando Franklin, John Fox HC

D+

Kansas City Chiefs

Additions: Jeremy Maclin, Tyvon Branch

Losses: Chris Owens, Kurt Coleman, Dwayne Bowe, Anthony Fasano

B-

Oakland Raiders

Additions: Roy Helu, Trent Richardson, Michael Crabtree, Rodney Hudson, Malcolm Smith, Curtis Lofton, Jack Del Rio HC, Bill Musgrave OC (Great hire)

Losses: Darren McFadden, Vincent Brown, Pat Sims, Antonio Smith, LaMarr Woodley, Matt Schaub, Dennis Allen/Tony Sparano HC

B-

NFC

East

I was disappointed that Tim Tebow did not work out in Philadelphia, but the Eagles will be fine without him.  I expect the Cowboys to take a bit of a step back and to potentially lose the turnover battle this year.  I think the Giants are supposed to be Super Bowl bound this year, according to the timeline Coach Coughlin has followed anyways, but I rather doubt it will happen..  Washington has the potential to at least be a .500 team, but turnovers from their quartabcks will likely heavily impact their season's win-loss record.

Philadelphia Eagles

Additions: TIM TEBOW, DeMarco Murray, Miles Austin, Brad Jones, Sam Bradford, Kiko Alonso

Losses: Chris Polk, Jeremy Maclin, Bradley Fletcher, Nick Foles, LeSean McCoy, Trent Cole

B-

Dallas Cowboys

Additions: Darren McFadden, Lache Seastrunk

Losses: DeMarco Murray, Bruce Carter, Sterling Moore

C-

New York Giants

Additions: Shane Vereen, Dwayne Harris, Marshall Newhouse, Josh Gordy

Losses: Zack Bowman, Antrel Rolle, Peyton Hillis, Mathias Kiwanuka

C

Washington Redskins

Additions: Chris Culliver, Jeron Johnson, Joe Berry DC

Losses: Roy Helu, Jarvis Jenkins, Tracy Porter

C+

North

Despite the loss of Jordy Nelson, I still see the Packers being the class of the AFC North.  The Vikings should take a small step forward this year with AP and Bridgewater.  The Lions suffered a somewhat miserable offseason, so that combined with regression from last year means they should fall a bit. The Bears are a confusing team to me.. Overall, I see them being somewhat consistent, as compared to last season.

Green Bay Packers

Additions:

Losses: Matt Flynn, Jarrett Boykin, Tramon Williams, A.J. Hawk, Kevin Dorsey

D+

Minnesota Vikings

Additions: Mike Kafka, Terence Newman, Mike Wallace

Losses: Jasper Brinkley, Greg Jennings

C+

Detroit Lions

Additions: Garrett Gilbert, Lance Moore, Greg Salas, Taylor Mays, Haloti Ngata

Losses: Kellen Davis, Ndamukong Suh, Nick Fairley, C.J. Mosley, Reggie Bush

D

Chicago Bears

Additions: Jacquizz Rodgers, Eddie Royal, Tracy Porter, John Fox HC

Losses: Josh Morgan, Brandon Marshall, Marc Trestman HC

D+

South

Many signs point to the Falcons improving this season, some of the main ones being the hiring of Coach Dan Quinn, regression from last season, and the signing of Jacob Tamme.  The Saints lack playmakers, otherwise they would compete for a wildcard spot.  The Buccaneers had a bit of a gutting to their roster in the offseason, but more importantly they still need to find a solution at quarterback.  Finally, the Panthers also need to acquire some sort of decent offensive playmakers.

Atlanta Falcons

Additions: Jacob Tamme, Adrian Clayborn, Justin Durant, Dan Quinn HC (Good)

Losses: Steven Jackson, Jacquizz Rodgers

B-

New Orleans Saints

Additions: C.J. Spiller, Josh Morgan, Brandon Browner

Losses: Patrick Robinson, Jimmy Graham, Kenny Stills, Pierre Thomas, Curtis Lofton

C-

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Additions: Bruce Carter, Sterling Moore, D.J. Swearinger, Dirk Koetter OC

Losses: Adrian Clayborn, Dane Fletcher, Mike Kafka, Etc.

C+

Carolina Panthers

Additions: Ted Ginn, Charles Tillman

Losses: Greg Hardy, DeAngelo Williams

C+

West

The Rams have not even managed to be an average team for many seasons, but I expect that they can overcome the difficulties and culture shock and capture the division.  The Seahawks are the best team in the NFL, in my opinion, but they face a fairly tough schedule once again.  The 49ers should be better than most expect.  Losing Harbaugh was a gigantic loss, but the rest of the offseason went extremely well for the 49ers.  Regression should finally catch up to the Cardinals this season. 

St. Louis Rams

Additions: Nick Fairley, Akeem Ayers, Case Keenum, Nick Foles

Losses: Alex Carrington, Sam Bradford, Zac Stacy, Jake Long, Brian Schottenheimer OC

B

Seattle Seahawks

Additions: Cary Williams, Will Blackmon

Losses: Bryan Walters, James Carpenter, Malcolm Smith, Dan Quinn DC

C-

San Francisco 49ers

Additions: Reggie Bush, Torrey Smith, Darnell Dockett, Phillip Wheeler, Jim Tomsula HC (Odd..)

Losses: Frank Gore, Josh Johnson, Mike Iupati, Michael Crabtree, Chris Culliver, Stevie Johnson, Jim Harbaugh HC

C-

Arizona Cardinals

Additions: Chandler Harnish, Sean Weatherspoon, LaMarr Woodley

Losses: Antonio Cromartie, Ted Ginn

C

Tebow at QB	New Power Ranking	Change in PR	Predicted Record	Likely Seed
Patriots	8	-5	10-6	5
Bills	8	13	11-5	2 or 3
Browns	13	11	10-6	4 or 5
Jaguars	18	14	11-5	2
Titans	16	13	11-5	2
Raiders	17	14	9-7	6
Washington	13	13	9-7	6 or none
Cardinals	11	16	10-6	6

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How to make the playoffs?	PWR	AFC Teams		PWR	NFC Teams
Only need consistency	Top Caliber	Dolphins, Patriots, Chargers, Broncos		Top Caliber	Eagles, Packers, Falcons, Rams, Seahawks
Half a standard deviation of better play.	Good	Bengals, Texans, Colts		Good	Cowboys, Vikings
Play close to potential and get a few breaks.	Average	Jets, Bills, Steelers, Browns, Ravens, Chiefs		Average	Giants, Lions, Saints, 49ers
Complete play and every favorable chance.	Pushovers	Titans, Jaguars, Raiders		Pushovers	Washington, Bears, Buccaneers, Panthers, Cardinals

.

First to Worst
Can Happen	Panthers
Will Not Happen	Patriots, Bengals, Colts, Broncos
	Packers, Eagles, Seahawks
Worst to First
Can Happen	Jets, Browns, Washington
	Bears, Rams
Will Not Happen	Jaguars, Raiders, Buccaneers

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Poor Preseason Playoff Prediction
3 Texans		1 Dolphins		1 Dolphins	2 Chargers
6 Broncos		6 Broncos		2 Chargers
4 Bengals		2 Chargers
5 Patriots		4 Bengals
3 Eagles		1 Falcons		1 Falcons	1 Falcons
6 Vikings		5 Seahawks		3 Eagles
4 Packers		2 Rams
5 Seahawks		3 Eagles
					1 Falcons

Team	Change in Record	Playoff %	Top 2 RS	Top 4 P	Top 2 P	SBA	SBW	Five B & W
Dolphins	3	0.7	0.3	0.7	0.3	0.2	0.1	B
Patriots	-1	0.8	0.4	0.8	0.5	0.2	0.1
Jets	3	0.2
Bills	-2	0.3		0.1
Bengals	-2.5	0.4	0.1	0.2	0.2	0.1
Steelers	-3	0.3		0.1
Browns	-3	0.2
Ravens	0	0.4	0.1	0.1	0.1
Texans	0	0.4	0.1	0.2
Colts	-2	0.6	0.3	0.4	0.1	0.1	0.1
Titans	3	0.1						W
Jaguars	0	0.1						W
Chargers	2	0.5	0.3	0.5	0.4	0.2	0.1	B
Broncos	-2	0.7	0.4	0.7	0.4	0.2	0.1
Chiefs	-2	0.3		0.2
Raiders	1	0.0						W
Team	Change in Record	Playoff %	Top 2 RS	Top 4 P	Top 2 P	SBA	SBW	Five B & W
Eagles	0	0.7	0.5	0.8	0.4	0.2	0.1	B
Cowboys	-4	0.5	0.1	0.3	0.2	0.1
Giants	2	0.3		0.1
Washington	2	0.1
Packers	-2	0.6	0.3	0.6	0.4	0.2	0.1
Vikings	2	0.4		0.2
Lions	-3	0.3	0.1	0.1
Bears	1	0.2
Falcons	5	0.6	0.3	0.5	0.3	0.2	0.1	B
Saints	1	0.4		0.1
Buccaneers	3	0.1						W
Panthers	-2.5	0.2						W
Rams	5	0.5	0.2	0.4	0.2	0.1	0.1	B
Seahawks	-1	0.7	0.4	0.6	0.4	0.2	0.1
49ers	1	0.3	0.1	0.2	0.1
Cardinals	-6	0.1		0.1

.
.

Team	Proj	Line	Diff	Adj %	Diff	Combined	O/U	"Locks"
Dolphins	11	9	2	9.7	0.7	1.3	O
Patriots	11	11	0	11.5	0.5	0.3
Jets	7	7.5	-0.5	6.8	-0.7	-0.6
Bills	7	8.5	-1.5	7.3	-1.2	-1.3	U	U
Bengals	9	8.5	0.5	8.7	0.2	0.4
Steelers	8	8.5	-0.5	7.6	-0.9	-0.7
Browns	7	6.5	0.5	6.5	0.0	0.2
Ravens	7	9.5	-2.5	7.1	-2.4	-2.5	U	U
Texans	9	8.5	0.5	8.7	0.2	0.4
Colts	9	10.5	-1.5	8.9	-1.6	-1.6	U	U
Titans	5	5.5	-0.5	6.2	0.7	0.1
Jaguars	3	5.5	-2.5	4.6	-0.9	-1.7	(U)
Chargers	11	8.5	2.5	9.0	0.5	1.5	O	O
Broncos	10	10.5	-0.5	10.8	0.3	-0.1
Chiefs	7	8.5	-1.5	7.2	-1.3	-1.4	(U)
Raiders	4	6	-2	5.0	-1.0	-1.5	U	U
Team	Proj	Line	Diff	Adj %	Diff	Combined	O/U	"Locks"
Eagles	10	9.5	0.5	10.0	0.5	0.5
Cowboys	8	9.5	-1.5	9.0	-0.5	-1.0	U
Giants	8	8	0	6.8	-1.2	-0.6
Washington	6	6.5	-0.5	6.6	0.1	-0.2
Packers	10	11	-1	10.5	-0.5	-0.8	U
Vikings	9	7.5	1.5	7.5	0.0	0.7	O
Lions	8	8.5	-0.5	8.1	-0.4	-0.5
Bears	6	6.5	-0.5	6.6	0.1	-0.2
Falcons	11	8.5	2.5	10.3	1.8	2.2	O	O
Saints	8	8.5	-0.5	8.9	0.4	-0.1
Buccaneers	5	6	-1	5.1	-0.9	-0.9	(U)
Panthers	5	8	-3	6.3	-1.7	-2.3	U	U
Rams	11	8	3	8.9	0.9	1.9	O	O
Seahawks	11	11	0	10.8	-0.2	-0.1
49ers	9	6.5	2.5	8.9	2.4	2.4	O	O
Cardinals	5	8.5	-3.5	6.2	-2.3	-2.9	U	U

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Quick college football Over/Unders: 

North Carolina, Minnesota, Arizona State, Auburn, Tennessee, and LSU over.

Clemson, Rutgers, Washington State, Colorado, and Utah under.

Thanks for reading, God bless.