In an annual tradition, I've been predicting outcomes of upcoming seasons for a few years now, going division by division to pick out win totals for every NFL team. Now, admittedly, I haven't paid as much attention to what's gone on this offseason, so I'm not as confident as I normally am with predictions. Of course, I end up being wrong half the time, so what else is new.
Like in prior years, I alternate conferences and go kind of in a circle through the four geographical regions of divisions, ending with the division hosting the defending champ. With the circle being what it is, I am going to start in my home division with the NFC North. Tomorrow I'll switch over to the AFC North, then spin my way clockwise to the East, South, and finally, the West.
Before I get to the preview, I do want to make a shameless plug. For the fifth straight season, I will be picking NFL games against the spread, and this will be my third year picking against Adam Quinn, who won last year's pool. If you want to make us look like a bunch of dopes, you can join our ESPN Pigskin Pick 'Em group.
Let's start predicting.
NFC North
Common opponents on schedule: NFC East, AFC South
2015: 10-6 (2nd), lost in NFC Divisional Round
The injury bug bit Green Bay pretty hard last year. Without Jordy Nelson, Aaron Rodgers wasn't anywhere near as good as he had been in prior years, but despite that and a down year from Eddie Lacy, he still carried Green Bay to a playoff berth. This year, Nelson is healthy and Lacy has slimmed down. The defense has its moments, but as long as Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers don't get suspended for Al Jazeera nonsense, all should be good. Combined with a second place schedule, Green Bay should be in the thick of the chase for the #1 seed.
2016 Prediction: 12-4
2015: 11-5 (1st), lost in NFC Wild Card Round
You know, I had a nice preview all written out and had this post set to go yesterday... then Teddy Bridgewater had to go and annihilate his knee. This significantly hurts a Minnesota team who was a dark horse candidate going into last year. Adrian Peterson will keep chugging along, and their defense will definitely keep them in games, but right now Shaun Hill is your starting quarterback. I am not giddy. To change that, I'm just going to watch the Vikings pull a Vikings.
2016 Prediction: 9-7, Wild Card
2015: 6-10 (4th), missed playoffs
It's Year Two of the rebuild on the Lakefront. The Bears are running low on weapons with the departures of Matt Forte and Martellus Bennett in the offseason. Alshon Jeffery has the potential to be a #1 receiver, but he needs to actually stay healthy. The defense is rebuilding fairly well, and the addition of guys like Danny Trevathian at linebacker will help tremendously. Jay Cutler is who he is, and he was solid last year, but it'll be interesting to see how he fares under yet another offensive coordinator, even if the offense hasn't changed much if at all. At the end of the day, the Bears are going in the right direction, but in this division, that may not be good enough.
2016 Prediction: 8-8
2015: 7-9 (3rd), missed playoffs
When you have your second once-in-a-generation offensive talent in two generations retire around age 30 after spending his entire career with the Lions, doesn't that tell you something? Detroit is without its best offensive weapon in Calvin Johnson, which leaves Golden Tate as your top receiver and no major help at running back. Matthew Stafford isn't bad, but he's without his bailout option now, and it's going to hurt. With Detroit's defense not being very good and Jim Caldwell staring vacantly on the sidelines, it's going to be a long year in the Motor City.
2016 Prediction: 5-11
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