As the NFL playoffs begin this weekend, let's recap how the regular season finished up. I will touch base on every team.
MVP: Aaron Rodgers
Best 2 divisions: NFC West and AFC North
AFC North:
*The Steelers lost to Tampa Bay at home earlier in the season. Yes, the division champs of the toughest division lost to the worst team in the league. The Steelers got it rolling after that loss including Roethlisberger throwing 12 touchdowns in 2 games, including 6 against the Indianapolis Colts who they could face in the AFC Championship if both teams made it that far (highly doubtful). He (Roethlisberger) eventually cooled off and lost to the Jets. when it came down to the final game of the season to win the division sgainst the Bengals, the Steelers and Antonio Brown played like the playoff team they have had potential to be all season long. Both the Ravens and the Browns were top stop stories weekly not always for good reasons. The Ravens and the whole Ray Rice scandal really was not the thing an organization would ever want to deal with, but they handled it the right way by cutting Rice. Throughout the distractions they still found a way to win and make the playoffs. The Browns brought the media to them by drafting Johnny Manziel. Since Day 1 after drafting him, he was a story. Unfortunately for him and fortunately for the Browns, Brian Hoyer and the rest of the team were doing just fine without him. Eventually Hoyer started struggling down the stretch and losing games giving Manziel a chance to start. Like I predicted, he stunk it up and that was the last of him for the season. Maybe this summer he will be more dedicated to being a starting QB. The Bengals started out like they were going to emerge to the top of the AFC North starting out 6-1. Like the Arizona Cardinals, the Bengals had their mid season woes and lost a few games, fighting for their playoff lives during the end of the season. To Cincinnati's credit, the Monday Night Football game against the Broncos was their coming of age game that solidified them as a playoff team, picking off Manning 4 times to keep their playoff hopes alive and have a chance to take the division against Pittsburgh the following week. Though the Bengals lost to Pittsburgh for the division championship, they have made it to the playoffs for 4 straight years.
NFC West:
The reason I say this was the toughest division because even the Rams were one of the best defenses in the league. The Rams also beat the Seahawks and 49ers this season. Without Sam Bradford they were still able to be competitive in the league with the emergence of Trey Mason, look for them to make a playoff push next season in the toughest division in the NFL. I think the biggest surprise was the success of the Arizona Cardinals. If you were really to study them though, you would know that their defensive success was no joke. Since the end of last season, they've been one of the best defensive teams and were beginning to click on offense. I predicted earlier this season that I didn't think they would be able to fend off the 49ers and Seahawks, but to their credit they did make the playoffs using their 4th string QB because of Carson Palmer going down earlier in the season. The 49ers and Jim Harbaugh saga turned ugly quick. At 7-4 I thought that if they would have beat the Seahawks they would be where the Seahawks are, but they lost and now don't have a head coach. Kaepernick didn't have a great season either, but hopefully he'll mature and be the stud he is.
NFC North:
If anybody really thought the Packers weren't going to win the division you all need to "relax" and pay more attention to the NFL. In my opinion Aaron Rodgers is the MVP, besides the off game in Buffalo he's been pretty much flawless. I believe the Packers will go to the Super Bowl as long as they can beat the Seahawks and now that they have home field advantage their chances have only increased.
The Lions had a great season as well, with one of the best front fours and high powered duo with Stafford and Calvin Johnson. The Buffalo loss at home really was the difference between them playing this weekend and winning the division, but I guess you could say that for the Packers as well.
The Vikings may have had a losing record, but there were many good takeaways from this season. I think the biggest was that Teddy Bridgewater is the real deal and the Vikings got a steal in the draft. Anthony Barr, their first pick was incredible as well. The Vikings will need to fix their offensive line this off season if they want to compete for the division championship.
The Bears were a tragedy to watch unfold this season. The sad thing is that they started off very well beating the 49ers early and New York Jets back to back road games across the country. After that came the back to back give up 50 points to Packers and Patriots games where the season really went down hill. Then the Jay Cutler saga got worse and now the Bears are in a state of turmoil. Good luck Chicago with the next head coach you find. The problem isn't the coach, it's Cutler.
NFC East:
The NFC East was a great battle between 2 teams, one team winning the division and the other having a good record, but kicked out of the playoffs because of losing record NFC South champion. Dallas actually lived up to its full potential, dominating the end of the season and the road. I don't want to speak to quick on their success because they will have to prove to critics they are the real deal by beating the Detroit Lions, which they should. The Eagles are the big losers of the division. They have a playoff record but don't make the playoffs. The turning point was losing to Seahawks after losing Nick Foles for the season. The Eagles will be one of the best teams in the NFL again next season, but this post season they will be watching from their couches.
The Redskins organization is such a mess. If I were RG3 I wouldn't want to play there either and he won't be next season. Coach Gruden might want to watch some of his brother's show and learn how to handle his QB and not throw him under the bus when things aren't going well.
The NY Giants had a miserable season of their own, including a forgettable loss to the Jaguars and one to the Cowboys when they were up at half. I guess you could say the only highlight the Giants will want to remember from the season is the miraculous one handed grab by Odell-Beckham that could be the play of the season.
AFC West:
The AFC West was the second toughest division in the AFC. Kansas City Chiefs had a good season this year, but fell just short of making the playoffs. Much like the Eagles they were worthy of the playoffs, but after the Raiders loss things went south. I think going the whole season without a WR catching a TD was a underlining problem with the KC offense. Besides the Raiders the other 3 teams were all in the run for the playoffs, only the Broncos made it. The Broncos got off to a hot start after their embarrassing Super Bowl loss looking to get back there this season, but somewhere along the season Payton's passing game seemed off and people began to wonder if he was losing it. His 4 INT game vs the Bengals really was a shocking game, but He eventually calmed those fears down and got back on track to be ready for the playoffs with a win against Oakland. I have to give credit to the Chargers for a good season, but yet again they fell short of a playoff birth after a good start to the season.
NFC South:
Nobody wanted to win this division, but somebody had to. The Carolina Panthers won the division, but I can't say they are going to go far in the playoffs. Cam Newton seemed a little off, but I believe he will bounce back and have a pro bowl like season next year. I don't know what happened to the Saints this season. They couldn't win at home where they are usually dominate, but they somehow beat the Seahawks. The Falcons were just as questionable as the Saints, with a veteran QB having more turnovers than usual and unable to close games.
2 highlights for the Bucs: they beat the Steelers and they have the #1 pick in the draft. Hello Marcus Mariota.
AFC South:
The Colts will own this division for as long as the Texans don't have a QB. My advice to Houston is to draft a QB and get more use out of him than they did with their #1 pick Clowney. JJ Watt was unbelievable and may be the MVP with the type of season he had even though his team didn't make the playoffs, he did everything he could to help them win. Andrew Luck had another good year, but his turnovers have to cutdown. I think he is just like Manning was in his younger days with the Colts and will have a MVP season soon.
As for the Jags and Titans, they each have one positive note from the season: The Jags found their future QB with Bortles (so we think) and the Titans have #2 pick in the draft.
AFC East:
Again the Patriots won the division and clinched Home field advantage for the playoffs, nothing new here. I think they are Super Bowl ready this season because they finally have a defense that can stop the run and pass. I was very impressed with the Bills and Dolphins. The Bills swept the NFC North, which is no easy task. It's a shame their coach is leaving after they have made so much progression in the last two seasons. The Dolphins had a good season as well just coming short of making the playoffs. Ryan Tannehill is getting better and better each season. I wouldn't be surprised if he leads the dolphins to the playoffs next season.
The Jets had a forgettable season and will be in a rebuilding stage next season with the firing of Rex Ryan. Geno Smith seemed like he regressed allowing Vick to get some play time.
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