2017 NFL Season Predictions

Hello friends,

          For about the third year in a row, I debated not writing about the NFL season again. The PTB know that I have plenty to do, most of it writing related. I even have a doc class right now that includes essentially daily journaling. But, I can’t resist. I need to keep my streak going. This is my 9^th year writing this thing. It has kept my sanity through jobs and school, and helps me reset my brain each week in preparation for fantasy matchups and *friendly* wagers with friends and family. I look forward to the day when I can write at more length and with extended mirth, but for 2017, this will again be abbreviated but authentic football analysis and internal dialogue spout onto a blog post. Enjoy.

MIKE

2017 NFL Playoff Predictions and Awards

Division Winners

AFC East – Patriots – I mean, two of the teams gave up already and the one that is trying signed Jay Cutler.

AFC North – Steelers – I hate this, but the infrastructure for the Bengals is declining.

AFC South – Titans – Don’t trust the QB situation anywhere else. Hurts to say that about Luck though.

AFC West – Raiders – Been on the bandwagon for two years. Hanging on until further notice.

AFC Wild Cards – Ravens on the strength of a great defense and Chargers with a good QB, decent weapons on the outside finally, and two good pass rushers.   

AFC Championship – Patriots over Titans.

NFC East – Giants – Eli will remain inconsistent but that defense is going to be awesome.

NFC North – Packers – Aaron Rodgers is involved and is the best football player on the planet.

NFC South – Panthers – Uneasy about this division but the Bucs and Falcons both scare me.  

NFC West – Cardinals – I have a good feeling about this team. Palmer was just fine last ten games of last year, the narrative isn’t exactly right there.

NFC Wild Cards – Seahawks because of the gross talent, and Falcons because it will be hard not to score a lot of points and the defense will get better than last year.

NFC Championship – Packers over Cardinals.

Superbowl: Packers over Patriots – Would have flipped this a few days ago, but the Pats are thin along the ends of both lines all of a sudden. Packers quietly reloaded with a bunch of young guys and are my pick here.

Awards

MVP: Tom Brady.

-Even without Edelman, they are going to score so many points and the narrative loves him here.

OPY: David Johnson

-1K+1K in play. 20 TDs also.

DPY: Joey Bosa

-20 sacks in play, and the defense should rise in notoriety and effectiveness.

ORY: Dalvin Cook

-Opportunity based pick.

DRY: Myles Garrett

-Browns may be a little better on defense than we think. Was also thinking about Solomon Thomas.

COY: Belichick

-I mean, it’s like Popovich. They should win every year. But they rarely do.