The 2013 NFL season begins this week.
Alas, the long wait is over! Gone are the mind-numbing preseason games played between backups desperate for a job, gone are the boring reports of which undrafted free-agent signer is having a strong training camp. Finally, all the NFL talk is finally ready to end and we can enjoy professional football once again. With the many burning questions for each NFL team to be answered in the coming days as Week 1 kicks off, here’s a full prediction of which teams will be the winners of their division and among the contenders for Super Bowl XLVIII:
AFC North: Baltimore Ravens – Although there was a mass exodus of players, including Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis, the Ravens remain the reigning Super Bowl champions. Joe Flacco proved his worth last year during the NFL Playoffs with some incredible pitches, and he has the tools to get this team back to the playoffs. Meanwhile, Ray Rice is a terrific running back. His division is always very competitive, but I think the Ravens should come out on top.
NFC North: Green Bay Packers – While the other three teams improved in the offseason, this division has been owned by the Packers for as long as I can remember. Aaron Rodgers is the best quarterback in the league, and with him at the helm, the Packers will always be the favorites to win this division.
AFC South: Houston Texans – On paper a Super Bowl favorite, the Texans have playmakers all over the field. Matt Schaub has a big arm, while Arian Foster and Andre Johnson will rack up dozens of touchdowns. The only thing standing in their way is winning in the clutch, and this team hasn’t done that yet, coming up short in the last few playoffs.
NFC South: New Orleans Saints: Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons have been contenders, but I see them running out of steam this year. Meanwhile, the Saints have head coach Sean Payton back, while Drew Brees is entering his final years as a star player. Something tells me the Saints will be a major force in the NFC this season.
AFC East – New England Patriots – Forget scandals, forget Tim Tebow. This team consists of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, and the pair have won nearly every divisional crown since 2000. With their rivals struggling for healthy, manageable QBs, the Patriots could win even by default.
NFC East – Philadelphia Eagles – Probably the most competitive division where every team has a legitimate chance to win, I put my money on Michael Vick and Chip Kelly’s new high-speed offense. I feel like Vick is always an intriguing prospect to win a game, and his new coach will bring out the best in him. Playmakers LaSean McCoy and DeSean Jackson will make sure the Eagles get past their opponents, though this division is totally up for grabs!
AFC West – Denver Broncos – All but done, Peyton Manning is entering his later years and team vice president John Elway has assembled the team needed for them to capture another NFL championship. After snatching Wes Welker from the Patriots, I expect the Broncos to win the AFC and probably the Super Bowl too, sending old Manning into retirement in style!
NFC West – Arizona Cardinals – That’s right, the Cardinals are about to take this division away from you. The 49ers will experience the typical hangover that follows Super Bowl losers, while I don’t think the Seahawks are as good as everyone thinks. Enter the Cardinals. With veteran quarterback Carson Palmer joining Larry Fitzgerald, and rookie defensive playmaker Tyrann Mathieu poised to become the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year, the Cardinals are expected to do the unexpected.