Also lets not forget some of the new faces in new places. We saw a lot of guys get moved around during the offseason. Just to name a few moves: Darrelle Revis (Patriots) and Antonio Cromartie (Cardinals) both returned to the Jets, Tramon Williams left Packers for Cleveland, and Byron Maxwell went from the Seahawks to the Eagles. Greg Hardy went from the Panthers to the Cowboys, while defensive tackles Ndamukong Suh skipped out on Detroit to head for Miami. Terrance Knighton (Redskins). Nick Fairley (Rams), Dan Williams (Raiders) and Vince Wilfork (Texans) all moved on to new cities. From an offensive perspective, we saw some pretty big names change locations as well. Like guards Mike Iupati (Cardinals), James Carpenter (Jets), and Orlando Franklin (Chargers) were on the move. So too was center Rodney Hudson (Raiders). Then we hit the skilled offensive positions, which saw wide receivers Jeremy Maclin (Chiefs), Eddie Royal (Bears), Torrey Smith (49ers), and Andre Johnson (Colts), plus running backs Demarco Murray (Eagles), Frank Gore (Colts) and Ryan Mathews (Eagles) all head on the move to new cities.
Now then, lets not waste any more time shall we. Here now is how we here at Solly On Sports see the 2015 NFL Season playing out.
NFC East:
Philadelphia Eagles: 10-6*
Chip Kelly has a totally revamped offense to work with from a season ago. They took a step backwards at the QB position by trading Nick Foles for the often Injured Sam Bradford. Then they expect Jordan Matthews to step up in the receiving game, while the job of running the ball will be divided up among DeMarco Murray, Darren Sproles, and Ryan Mathews, which makes it a very lethal combination in the running game. The secondary is improved from a season ago. The changes that were made were good, and good enough to pull off a division title.
Dallas Cowboys: 10-6*
It's going to be a backwards step for the Boys this season. Dallas lost its top back in DeMarco Murray, who's now carrying the load in Philly. Tony Romo, while still a very good QB isn't getting any younger and a defense that's going to be without Greg Hardy for the first month of the year due to suspensions. Dallas is still a good team, but they aren't going to be quite as good as they were a season ago
New York Giants: 9-7
There's still a few question marks with this Giants team. Sure they have an emerging superstar in the form of Odell Beckham Jr. but the question mark is going to be the health of Victor Cruz, who's coming off the knee surgery. Eli Manning is looking to have a bounce back season, but with a few players on his offensive line having moved around, it may make things interesting again for Big Blue. With those question marks, throw in Rashad Jennings, Andre Williams and Shane Vereen running the football. The Giants haven't had much success being able to run the ball the last couple of seasons, so here's hoping Jennings can get healthy and be able to run the ball trouble free this season. Now from the defensive side of the football, there are still some question marks with this team. First, and the biggest one, being Jason Pierre-Paul. How is he going to respond from injury? Will he even play this season, what with the contract dispute and all for the Giants? Then there's the defense as a whole. Last year, they couldn't stop the run to save their lives. This year, they have Steve Spagnuolo returning to take back his defense and try and improve it. The Giants will get above .500 but they are going to be lapped by teams who have a better running game.
Washington Redskins: 3-13
Yes these guys are going to be that bad. Sure they still have Alfred Morris running the ball, while Pierre Garcon and Jordan Reed will be the primary targets in the passing game. But who's going to throw the ball is going to be of much debate. RGIII has been replaced as the starter by Kirk Cousins. The defense looks to be OK at best but considering some the teams that the Redskins are going to be facing this season are going to make this a very tough year in Washington.
NFC North
Green Bay Packers: 12-4*
This year, the Packers looked to be primed to win the NFC North for the 5th year in a row. They took a big hit with the loss of last years top wide receiver in Jordy Nelson going down for the year with a torn ACL. So the team is going to rely a lot on Randall Cobb and Davante Adams. Knowing how well Aaron Rodgers has played the last few seasons, including his MVP year last year, it proves that he can find a way to make it work. In his career as a starter, Rodgers has had only one season in which he was under .500 (2008 when he went 6-10, every other year he's had a winning record). Throw in how well they can run the football with Eddie Lacy coming out of the backfield, Green Bay's offense will do just fine.
Detroit Lions:10-6
Matthew Stafford had a bit of a rough go of it a season ago, getting sacked 45 times during the regular season. The running game took a bit of a hit when Reggie Bush left for San Francisco, so Joique Bell will have to step up the running game. Yes they still have Golden Tate and Calvin Johnson catching passes from Stafford, as well as Eric Ebron and Brandon Pettigrew at tight end. What's making me nervous about Detroit is the run defrense. A year ago they were the best rush defense in the entire league. But now Ndamukong Suh is gone, signed as a free agent with the Dolphins. The pass rush and run stop has been hurt. Haloti Ngata was brought in to help but I'm not sure if its going to help. With the fact that they're facing Adrian Peterson (twice), Marshawn Lynch, Matt Forte, Jamaal Charles in first half, its going to be a good test for the Lions in the first half.
Minnesota Vikings: 9-7
Teddy Bridgewater took big steps last season, looking like a polished QB. Now they have a rejuvenated and returning Adrian Peterson, who at age 30 still has something to prove. Bridgewater has Mike Wallace, Kyle Rudolph and Charles Johnson to throw to in the passing game. The offense looks like it could hold its own, but the defense looks average at best. Minnesota has a good shot to finish above .500 this season. They have some big test's before their week five bye, when the face the Lions Broncos and Chargers. That'll be a real test to see what this team is made of.
Chicago Bears: 5-11
Chicago may have shot themselves in the foot with Jay Cutler. He's a good QB there's no denying that, but he was benched in week 16 last year. Because the Bears have so much money invested in him, they have to use him. Also consider that his backup QB is Jimmy Clausen, who's a good QB but it leaves the Bears in a bit of a hole if Cutler's play goes south. Chicago also took a hit when the traded Brandon Marshall to the Jets, leaving them with little depth at the receiver position behind Alshon Jeffery. Don't get me wrong, Kevin White, Eddie Royal and Martellus Bennett are decent pass catchers, they can't fill Marshall's shoes. The defense really lacks depth.
NFC South
New Orleans Saints: 9-7*
New Orleans took a bit of a hit on the offensive side of the ball, when they sent Jimmy Graham to the Seahawks. They still have a high powered offense with Marques Colston, and Brandin Cooks being able to catch passes from Drew Brees. The running tandom of Mark Ingram and C.J. Spiller is going to be tough to go against for an opposing defense. New Orleans defense is solid, but what helps the Saints out is their favorable schedule. But the biggest thing that the Saints are going to have to work on from last year is their play at home. They were bad at the Superdome last season, something they really need to improve apon this year if they want to win the division.
Atlanta Falcons: 8-8
They're going to be in contention with the Saints for the division title this season. Mike Smith is out, being replaced by Dan Quinn. Its going to be a big change of pace on the sideline for the Falcons. They have a high powered offense. Matt Ryan has his go to targets in Roddy White and Julio Jones. The running game could be good, depending on how well Devonta Freeman plays. Atlanta has a decent Defense, which is going to make things interesting near the top of the NFC South this season.
Carolina Panthers: 6-10
That record is being nice to the Panthers. yes they have probably the best defense in the entire division, and that's saying something. They brought back ten of their eleven starters from last season, a year in which the Panthers had one of the top ten defenses in the entire league. Its the offense that could hurt Carolina this year. Yes Cam Newton is a great QB, but is he a miracle worker? Without Kelvin Benjamin, who's out with a torn ACL, its putting more pressure on Greg Olsen and Ted Ginn Jr. Its going to be a rough year in Carolina.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 4-12
Some interesting things are going to take place in Tampa Bay this season. The passing game has targets in Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson. Plus a returning and healthy Doug Martin should take some of the pressure off the pass game. But the question mark is going to be Jameis Winston. Can the kid adjust to life in the NFL and is he really as good as his Heisman year in college? Will it even translate well to the NFL game? Only time will tell. With the schedule the Bucs have and with a decent defense, it could be a long year in Tampa.
NFC West
Seattle Seahawks: 13-3*
The Legion Of Boom is still one of the most feared defenses in the entire league. That's not going to change. The offense actually got better, at least at the big positions. Jimmy Graham was brought in to play tight end, adding yet another weapon to aid QB Russell Wilson. Graham joins Marshawn Lynch, Jermaine Kearse and Doug Baldwin. Seattle was one call away from a second consecutive Super Bowl, it's tough to imagine how much that play will have an effect going forward. One thing for certain is losing Max Unger at center will hurt. Opening on the road at St. Louis and Green Bay should tell us a bunch about whether this prediction is out of the box. Still I think the Seahawks are the best team in the West and are going to prove that again this season.
St. Louis Rams: 10-6*
Its been a long time in St. Louis. The Rams haven't had a team finish at .500 or better since the 2004 rams went 8-8 and made it to the Divisional Round of the playoffs (they were blown out 47-17 by Atlanta). Now the Rams have a quarterback, in Nick Foles, who has had a better track record of staying healthy (at least compared to Sam Bradford), throw in a decent pass attack and you might have something. Catch potentially battered Seahawks in opener and may not get full dose of Le'Veon Bell in his Week 3 debut. After Oct. 11 game at Lambeau Field, Rams leave St. Louis once in subsequent five weeks, good time for Nick Foles to find groove.
Arizona Cardinals: 9-7
Arizona has a pretty good schedule ahead of them this season. They have an average defense in Arizona, which could hold up and keep them in a couple of games. Arizona finished last year on a three game losing streak, a lot of that had to do with the fact that Carson Palmer was hurt. He's going to be key for the Cards this season. Palmer needs to stay healthy if Arizona wants to stay around and get back to the playoffs for a 2nd year in a row. The Cards still have Larry Fitzgerald, who is still a star in this league but is getting up there in age and isn't quite the explosive receiver he once was. Arizona lacks a running game, Sure they have Chris Johnson, but he's second string behind Andre Ellington, which says a lot. The Cards are still very good but they can't overcome the Rams and Seahawks
San Francisco 49ers: 3-13
San Francisco is taking a major step backwards. Jim Harbaugh is out, having left to coach at Michigan. In to replace him is Jim Tomsula, looking to try and bring the 49ers back, but this year it's not going to happen. Reggie Bush comes in to replace Frank Gore in the backfield, while Anquan Boldin and Vernon Davis are really the only bigtime targets for Colin Kaepernick to throw to. Torrey Smith isn't that special. A schedule that includes the AFC North and NFC North doesn't look particularly forgiving to a team that lost so many key vets to retirement and is adjusting to regime change as well.
Switching gears, lets head over and look at the American Football Conference
AFC East
New England Patriots:13-3*
Ever since the 2000 season, the AFC East title has gone through New England. Well almost every season (2002 it was the Jets and 2008 the title went to Miami) the Patriots have been the class of the AFC East. This year is going to be no different. Tom Brady will not miss any games as the suspensions was lifted. So he will take very snap again, unless he gets hurt. Defensively they lost Revis, but there's still plenty of talent on that side of the ball, but Malcolm Butler will make up for it. With Brady calling the shots on offense and all the parts back from last season, the Patriots won't miss a beat.
Buffalo Bills: 10-6*
The streak comes to an end this season. Buffalo hasn't made the playoffs, or had a winning record for that matter, since 1998. This is the year that the streaks snap. Tyrod Taylor is the only question I really have with this team. Can the kid adjust quickly to the NFL? Matt Cassel and EJ Manuel sit behind him on the depth charts. I would have felt more comfortable with Cassel as the starter over Taylor. But when your throwing to Sammy Watkins, Percy Harvin and Charles Clay, it leaves you a little more hope. And when you have a guy like LeSean McCoy running the football, when he's healthy, it gives you a little confidence in the Bills. Then there's the defense. With Rex Ryan as head coach, you just know that the Buffalo defense is going to improve. They were a top five defense last year, and will be again this year. Its going to be good enough to get them into the playoffs.
Miami Dolphins: 10-6
Miami has not had a winning record since winning the division in 2008. That trend is going to be broken this season. Miami has a solid starting QB in the person of Ryan Tannehill. Kenny Stills and Greg Jennings (when fully healthy) are going to be threats for Tannehill to work with. The running game, powered by Lamar Miller, does leave a little to be desired. The offense is going to do enough scoring to get by. What's really going to carry this team is the defense. Cameron Wake was good, now throw in Ndamukong Suh to the mix and it makes the pass rush and the run defense even more dangerous.
New York Jets: 9-7
This one really pains me to say but its true. Sure the Jets defense looks a thousand times better than it did this time last season. Geno Smith is out with the Jaw injury, so Ryan Fitzpatrick will start (for now at least), with work in progress Bryce Petty as backup (for now at least). Fitzpatrick has weapons to work with, as in Eric Decker and newest addition Brandon Marshall. The run game is still solid with Chris Ivory taking the ball. What has me worried is how steady the QB position is. The defense got a lot better with the return of Revis and Cromartie. The pass rush will be good once again, even with Sheldon Richardson missing the first four games due to suspension. Leonard Williams will have some big shoes to fill, but will be able to hold the fort till Sheldon returns. The Jets won't have as demanding a stretch of lethal QB's like they did last season, but its going to be a interesting ride for new head coach Todd Bowels and Company.
AFC North:
Pittsburgh Steelers: 10-6*
Its going to be a battle this year between them and the Ravens (once again) for the division. Le'Veon Bell is going to miss the first two games of the season, so DeAngelo Williams will be able to pick up some of the slack. Big Ben is coming off a record setting season a year ago, he still has weapons to work with like Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant and Heath Miller. Although the Steelers are far removed from anything that resembles a steel curtain, they know how to put points on the board. And whether you win 35-31 or 17-13, a win is a win. They should have enough to take the division.
Baltimore Ravens: 9-7*
There is one thing that the Ravens have over the Steelers, that is their defense. Terrell Suggs is the longest tenured defender on that team, but there's still plenty of talent to go around on this team.Joe Flacco is still, well, Joe Flacco. One of the better QB's in the league, he's not quite near Big Ben's relm. Yes they have Steve Smith Sr (who's in his final season in the NFL) to catch passes and Justin Forsett running the football. I just don't think they can go punch for punch with the Pittsburgh offense. Baltimore's defense will be good enough to get them into the playoffs.
Cincinnati Bengals: 8-8
For a team facing consistency issues, a tough schedule in the first half might just put the Bengals in a precarious spot. To once again be a serious competitor in this tough division, they'll have to figure out a way to get more out of their defense that has steadily declined as of late. Cincy has a decent receiving core, but the question mark is going to be Andy Dalton. He's inconsistent, which is why the Bengals didn't do so hot near playoff time last year. The Bengals will come up short this year but still finish .500
Cleveland Browns: 4-12
With 21 interceptions last season, the Browns defense knows how to stop their opponents' passing game. But they don't fare as well against the run. Throw in the fact that they picked up Brian Hartline to the passing game and add in Dwayne Bowe to catch passes Cleveland doesn't have a QB. Johnny Manzel isn;t quite ready yet to take over the position
AFC South
Indianapolis Colts: 13-3*
One of the best teams in not only the AFC but the entire league may have gotten that much better. Sure they play in one of the weakest divisions in the NFL, but they may also be one of the most balanced teams in the entire league. Vontae Davis and Robert Mathis lead a stout and very tough defense. But lets look at the offense shall we. Andrew Luck is turning, quite quickly, into one of the elite level QB's in the entire leage. He has Frank Gore to hand the ball off to, even at 32 he may still have something left in the tank to prove. Andre Johnson, T.Y. Hilton and Dwayne Allen are all expected to have big years this year. This team is just oo good not to go on another deep playoff run.
Houston Texans: 7-9
With Houston, its the defense that stands above all else. J.J. Watt is the best defensive player in the game, hands down the best player at his position. Add in Vince Wilfork to that line and its going to be tough to defend against. Then add in a healthy Jadeveon Clowney, and its going to be even more lethal for teams to play against. Last year, the Texans finished above .500, but this year they flip the script and finish below .500. The Texans are going to have the 3rd easiest schedule in the entire NFL. BUt there's a few question marks on offense. Arian Foster is dealing with an injury bug and will miss a couple games at the start of the year. Brian Hoyer is now the one under center throwing the football, and Hoyer isn't the greatest QB in the world. He's not horrible but he's not great. The receiving core is OK but nothing special. Still there's enough talent to get them over .500.
Jacksonville Jaguars: 5-11
Yeah this team isn't going to be that good. Yes Blake Bortles has some upside, but that's about it. The Jaguars seem like they are moving in the right direction, as they get some of their youngsters a bit more experience. However, losing the No. 3 overall pick in the draft (Dante Fowler) doesn't exactly foreshadow moments of greatness are on the immediate horizon.
Tennessee Titans: 4-12
Tennessee now has something going for it at Quarterback with Marcus Mariota slinging the football. He has a couple of weapons to work with in Bishop Sankey and Kendall Wright, but that's about it. The defense is average at best. Let's have some patience with Marcus Mariota, who inherits a last-place schedule that still features trips to New Orleans and the AFC East gauntlet.
AFC West:
Denver Broncos: 11-5*
Nothing different in this division that's for sure. Peyton Manning has one maybe two good years left in the tank. Her has weapons to work with on offense, guys like Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders, and Owen Daniels in the passing game. C.J. Anderson is going to take over the running game. What has me worried a little bit is the depth in Denver. If anybody on offense gets hurt, then the Broncos are going to be in a bit of trouble. Defense in Denver is going to be good once again.
San Diego Chargers: 9-7
This team could be in for another successful season this year. Philip Rivers still has stuff in the tank to try and prove. The backfield got an overhaul, what with Ryan Matthews leaving for the Eagles, so Branden Oliver will now get the bulk of the carries. Keenan Allen and Malcom Floyd are going to be getting the bulk of the passes. San Diego has a pretty balanced offense. Defense looks alright too, so the Chargers are going to be able to lock down another winning season.
Kansas City Chiefs: 8-8
With RB Jamaal Charles and OLB Justin Houston, they have a bona fide superstar on each side of the ball. But will either get enough help to make playoff return? O-line's ability to coalesce may be the key. Offense looks like it can hang, depending on the play of Alex Smith. Defense can hold its own but schedule is going to be interesting.
Oakland Raiders: 5-11
Having Michael Crabtree and rookie Amari Cooper catching passes from Derek Carr is going to help the young QB. But lets face facts the Raiders are just a bad team. But the foundation is quickly improving, and new coach Jack Del Rio worked some miracles under similar circumstances in Jacksonville.
Super Bowl 50
Indianapolis Colts over Green Bay Packers
There you have it the predictions for the 2015 NFL Season!
(All predictions were made BEFORE the start of the 2015 season)
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