Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2016 10:59:24 GMT
1. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals looked nearly unstoppable last year ... until they had to play the Panthers in the NFC Championship game. Probably equal parts due to a lackluster Carson Palmer and a stingy Carolina D. But nonetheless, the Cardinals had an elite offense/defense combo last year. Larry Fitzgerald looks rejuvenated with some help from Malcolm Floyd and John Brown providing extra space on the field, and if Carson Palmer can return to his mid-season form, this team should be a contender to win the NFC.
2. Seattle Seahawks
Seattle's 2015 campaign was one of the most bizarre seasons of football I've ever seen. At times, they looked like the worst team in the league. Yet by the end of the season they looked poised to make a superbowl run. If they can't find a way to fix their problems on the offensive line, they should invest in a capable back up for Russel Wilson. Allowing your franchise quarterback to be sacked 45 times is unacceptable. Even though he missed a lot of the season last year, it will be sad to see Beast Mode go - but it looks as if Seattle has found his replacement in Thomas Rawls. The division under Seattle seems to be getting tougher, so expect a bit of a downswing from last year's wildcard team.
3.St Louis Los Angeles Rams
One of the off-seasons most interesting story-lines, how will the Rams transition to play in LA? And a better question; when will they find themselves a franchise quarterback that can stay on the field? Nick Foles struggled mightily in his first season as a Ram, completing just 56% of his passes. Case Keenum wasn't much of a step up playing in Foles' place. Luckily, the young tandem of Tavon Austin and Todd Gurley provides more than enough spark to take some pressure off of whoever is under center. Unfortunately, this is not the draft to look for a franchise qb, unless they are willing to trade up from their 15 spot.
4. San Francisco 49ers
Could it really be that Blaine Gabbert is the future for an NFL franchise? He sure looked the part in 8 games last year, completing 63% of his passes for over 2000 yards and 10 tds. The 49ers were absolutely decimated by players retiring last year, and I think they surprised a lot of people by winning the 5 games they did. Moving on from the Kaepernick era should help clear the air, as this seems to be a new and improved 49ers team. The big question is whether or not Chip Kelly can finally find an NFL team compatible with his offensive play style. Picking up a CB or WR in the draft could help provide some depth in much needed areas.
- Last year record: 13-3
- Key Acquisitions: S Tyron Branch, G Evan Mathis, Re-sign TE Jermaine Gresham
- Key Losses: TBD
- Projected 16/17 record: 11-5
The Cardinals looked nearly unstoppable last year ... until they had to play the Panthers in the NFC Championship game. Probably equal parts due to a lackluster Carson Palmer and a stingy Carolina D. But nonetheless, the Cardinals had an elite offense/defense combo last year. Larry Fitzgerald looks rejuvenated with some help from Malcolm Floyd and John Brown providing extra space on the field, and if Carson Palmer can return to his mid-season form, this team should be a contender to win the NFC.
2. Seattle Seahawks
- Last year record: 10-6
- Key acquisitions: RT J'Marcus Webb, Re-sign CB Jeremy Lane, Re-sign WR Jermaine Kearse
- Key Losses: (reportedly) RB Marshawn Lynch
- Projected 16/17 record: 8-8
Seattle's 2015 campaign was one of the most bizarre seasons of football I've ever seen. At times, they looked like the worst team in the league. Yet by the end of the season they looked poised to make a superbowl run. If they can't find a way to fix their problems on the offensive line, they should invest in a capable back up for Russel Wilson. Allowing your franchise quarterback to be sacked 45 times is unacceptable. Even though he missed a lot of the season last year, it will be sad to see Beast Mode go - but it looks as if Seattle has found his replacement in Thomas Rawls. The division under Seattle seems to be getting tougher, so expect a bit of a downswing from last year's wildcard team.
3.
- Last season record: 7-9
- Key Acquisitions: CB Coty Sensabaugh, Re-sign DE Eugene Sims, a new goddamn city/stadium
- Key Losses: CB Janoris Jenkins, a disillusioned fanbase
- Projected 16/17 record: 7-9
One of the off-seasons most interesting story-lines, how will the Rams transition to play in LA? And a better question; when will they find themselves a franchise quarterback that can stay on the field? Nick Foles struggled mightily in his first season as a Ram, completing just 56% of his passes. Case Keenum wasn't much of a step up playing in Foles' place. Luckily, the young tandem of Tavon Austin and Todd Gurley provides more than enough spark to take some pressure off of whoever is under center. Unfortunately, this is not the draft to look for a franchise qb, unless they are willing to trade up from their 15 spot.
4. San Francisco 49ers
- Last year record: 5-11
- Key acquisitions: G Zane Beadles, Re-sign K Phil Dawson, HC Chip Kelly
- Key Losses: Colin Kaepernick
- Projected 16/17 record: 7-9
Could it really be that Blaine Gabbert is the future for an NFL franchise? He sure looked the part in 8 games last year, completing 63% of his passes for over 2000 yards and 10 tds. The 49ers were absolutely decimated by players retiring last year, and I think they surprised a lot of people by winning the 5 games they did. Moving on from the Kaepernick era should help clear the air, as this seems to be a new and improved 49ers team. The big question is whether or not Chip Kelly can finally find an NFL team compatible with his offensive play style. Picking up a CB or WR in the draft could help provide some depth in much needed areas.