NFL 2015 Season Preview

Last Year: 12-4

What’s New:

• Motivation, perhaps you’ve heard that Tom Brady likes his balls a certain way.
• Perhaps you also heard that he will serve no suspension.
• 1st round draft pick Malcom Brown will bolster the middle of the defensive line.
• The team lost CB Darrelle Revis in free agency but was probably better off letting him go in a salary cap sense.

What needs to go right:

• Gronk needs to carry the offense while Brady is out, and then stay healthy for the rest of the season.
• Brady uses the suspension drama as the aforementioned motivation and tears up the league in a stick it to the man mantra like after Spygate.
• The linebackers stay healthy. Jamie Collins is a stud, but Jerod Mayo and Donta Hightower are coming off significant injuries.

Biggest question:

• Can the defense lean on the front 7 to withstand the loss of Revis

Projected record: 11-5

Last year: 12-4

What’s new:

• Russell Wilson got paid
• Jimmy Graham enters as the go to guy.
• Kam Chancellor is holding out for more money.

What needs to go right:

• Um run the ball, or at least now throw it to Graham.
• The team develops a compliment to Lynch to save his body for the playoff run.
• The defense has slowly been getting paid; hopefully their depth hasn’t been depleted too much.

Biggest question:

• Can the offensive line come together after losing two starters at center and guard?

Projected record: 12-4

Last year: 10-5-1

What’s new:

• 1st round pick Cedric Ogbuehi comes in as insurance along the offensive line should Andre Smith get hurt again.
• A.J Hawk was singed as insurance for Rey Maualuga and Vontaze Burfict who are both coming off significant injuries.
• DE Michael Johnson returns after a season in exile to rush the passer. RB Jeremy Hill comes into the season with high expectations on his shoulders.

What needs to go right:

• Andy Dalton needs to limit the turnovers to keep his team in games.
• The team needs psychotherapy in order to get out of the 1st round of the playoffs.
• Key members of the D need to get and stay healthy for a strong playoff rush.

Biggest question:

• Can Mike Zimmer get over the hump and get into at least the 2nd round of the playoffs?

Projected record: 9-7

Last year: 7-8-1

What’s new:

• 1st round pick LB Shaq Thompson will fight to join Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis as the strongest unit on this side of the ball.
• 2nd round pick Devin Funchess is now the teams’ #1 WR with Kelvin Benjamin out for the year.
• Peanut Tillman comes over from Chicago to lead a secondary full of youth and question marks.

What needs to go right:

• Cam Newton uses TE Greg Olsen and propels him to a 2nd consecutive career year stats wise.
• Johnathan Stewart stays heathy for more than 10 games.
• The defense uses a bend but don’t break philosophy.

Biggest question:

• Will a WR have more than 60 catches this year?

Projected record: 7-9

Last year: 11-5

What’s new:

• WR’s Andre Johnson and 1st rounder Phillip Dorsett bolster an already impressive skill position unit.
• Frank Gore comes in to add an element they lacked last year on the ground.
• Robert Mathis is gone, replaced by Trent Cole as the rush specialist.

What needs to go right:

• Gore needs to have some gas left in the tank.
• The D must be able to stop the run. Teams will try to control the clock to keep Luck & Co on the sidelines.
• Get lucky with health.

Biggest question:

• Can the team handle Super Bowl expectations all season long?

Projected record: 11-5

Last year: 12-4

What’s new:

• 1st round pick Damarious Randall shores up the defensive backfield.
• Randall Cobb resigned, which was a good thing for all parties involved.
• Aaron Rodgers got married.

What needs to go right:

• The defense needs to be able to stop the run consistently.
• A tight end on the roster needs to assert himself as on field worthy.
• Clay Matthews & B.J Raji need to stay healthy and lead the defense.

Biggest question:

• Can Eddie Lacy take the beating of between the tackles running for a full season?

Projected record: 11-5

Last year: 12-4

What’s new:

• Darren MacFadden was brought in to help ease the loss of Demarco Murray.
• Greg Hardy comes into the fold, likely his last chance in the league.
• MLB Rolando McClain is suspended 4 games for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

What needs to go right:

• Hardy comes in after his suspension and is able to provide pressure on the QB.
• Joe Randle shows he can step in for Murray as a solid first and second down back.
• Tony Romo’s back doesn’t get creaky.

Biggest question:

• Is the D good enough to make this a Super Bowl contender?

Projected record: 10-6

Last year: 12-4

What’s new:

• Peyton didn’t retire.
• 1st round pick Shane Ray comes in with character concerns but seems motivated to show people they are wrong.
• Ryan Clady is out for the year again. But the team did sign Evan Mathis to help offset the loss.

What needs to go right:

• CJ Anderson has to show that he can step in and be an every down back.
• The run D needs to replace Pot Roast Knighton.
• Manning runs an offense that doesn’t need him to throw the ball more than 20 yards downfield.

Biggest question:

• Can Manning stay healthy all year at age 39?

Projected record: 11-5

Last Year: 9-7

What’s new:

• Rex Ryan is an upgrade on Doug Marrone in nearly every way imaginable, and if he goes for it on 4th down in the opener he might go on the wall of fame.
• Fred Jackson was cut but fans should understand that his salary will be going to Marcell Darious’s pending mega deal.
• Shady McCoy comes to town with a big spotlight, but lead blocker Jerome Felton will ensure he gets room to run.
• Owners Kim and Terry Pegula and Ryan are raising some eyebrows in the NFL by signing Richie Incognito along with Percy Harvin and Geno Smith hater IK Enemkpali.
• These clearly aren’t’ the Bills from the last 15 years.

What needs to go right:

• Tyrod Taylor has that Russell Wilson shake to him but that could go away if D Coordinators get enough film on him.
• With the above statement, Sammy Watkins needs to justify the team trading up to get him last year with at least 1,000 yards receiving.
• Opening the season at home against the two favorites to win the AFC in the Colts and Pats will go a long way to solidifying a playoff spot. They need to win at least one of those games.

Biggest question:

• Can Taylor show enough to beat teams from the pocket consistently?

Projected record: 10-6

Last year: 11-5

What’s new:

• 1st round pick D.J Humphries shores up the offensive line
• Carson Palmer’s knee is in tact, so far.
• Chris Johnson yes CJ2K was signed because they are just not very good in the backfield.

What needs to go right:

• Mike Iupati needs to come back strong from his knee surgery to solidify the offensive line.
• Sean Witherspoon and Frostee Rucker will try to stay healthy and recapture the magic of years past.
• They need to avoid the injury bug, especially the QB.

Biggest question:

• Are the offensive and defensive lines good enough to dominate the trenches?

Projected record: 9-7

Last year: 7-9

What’s new:

• 1st round picks OT Andrus Peat and LB Stephone Anthony will be asked to step in right away.
• RB C.J. Spiller was added to give the offense the Darren Sproles effect it lacked last season.
• CB Brandon Browner comes in to help Rod Ryan’s D get back to living up to his name.

• What needs to go right:

  Brees finds a way to distribute the targets lost in Jimmy Graham, and Kenny Stills to Brandin Cooks.
• The Defense has some bite to it, and some health with Safeties Jairus Byrd and Kenny Vaccaro.
• Mark Ingram continues to be a serviceable chain mover and goal line back.

• Biggest question:

  Will the team turn into a ball control offense with their top two deep threats moved on?

Projected record: 8-8

Last year: 11-5

What’s new:

• 1st round pick Laken Tomlinson comes in to the offensive line group.
• 2nd round pick Ameer Abdullah comes into the backfield to offer Reggie bush type of sizzle.
• Haloti Ngata steps into the Defensive line rotation looking to prove he has something left.

What needs to go right:

• Matt Stafford improves his accuracy issues.
• Calvin Johnson gets and stays healthy.
• The defense doesn’t miss a beat with Suh gone.

Biggest question:

• Will the run game supplement the receiver talent and make this a dangerous offense?

Projected record: 7-9

Last year: 10-6

What’s new:

• 1st round pick Nelson Agholor steps into Jeremy Maclin’s spot in the lineup.
• Lesean McCoy was traded to Buffalo for LB Kiko Alonso.
• Demarco Murray and Ryan Mathews come aboard to replace McCoy’s production.

What needs to go right:

• Chip Kelly’s ego doesn’t get in the way of smart roster moves.
• Sam Bradford stays upright; Mark Sanchez is adequate for 2-3 games but not a full ear.
• The defense learns to play with the pace that the offense will bring.

Biggest question:

• Did Chip Kelly the GM give Chip Kelly the coach the right pieces to make some noise in January?

Projected record: 8-8

Last year: 9-7

What’s new:

• Antonio Gates is suspended for the first four games.
• Philip Rivers signed a contract extension
• 1st round pick Melvin Gordon replaces Ryan Mathews as the early down back

What needs to go right:

• Danny Woodhead comes back to be an effective 3rd down back.
• The defense takes another step forward, especially edge rusher Jeremiah Attaochu.
• The O Line gels smoothly with DJ Fluker moving in to guard.

Biggest question:

• Will Ladarius Green make the jump from talented athlete to difference maker on the field?

Projected record: 8-8

Last year: 10-6

What’s new:

• 1st round pick Breshad Perriman steps in for departed Torrey Smith at WR; Maxx Williams upgrades the talent and health at TE.
• Kendrick Lewis enters into the back 7 hoping to solidify the pass defense.

What needs to go right:

• Coach Harbaugh needs to focus the offensive philosophy and go through Justin Forsett.
• The defense needs to take advantage division games and steal some W’s.
• Health on in the offensive skill positions, there just isn’t enough depth to get by long term.

Biggest question:

• Can the offense score enough points to be a legitimate threat week in and week out?

Projected record: 9-7

Last year: 9-7

What’s new:

• Cecil Shorts and Chris Polk join Brian Hoyer as free agent offensive additions.
• On the Defensive side Vince Wilfork and Rahim Moore come into an already talented group.
• 1st round pick CB Kevin Johnson comes in to the league as a nickel corner but may become important with the Colts pass happy O.

What needs to go right:

• Arian Foster, Jadeveon Clowney and Brian Cushing need to get and stay healthy.
• On paper the D is nasty but injuries always bite this team.
• Alfred Blue has to show he can handle at least two down responsibilities while Foster is out.
• Either Brian Hoyer or Ryan Mallet needs to be safe with the ball when they throw.

Biggest question:

• Can DeAndre Hopkins take that breakout step and become the next Megatron?

Projected record: 7-9

Last year: 3-13

What’s new:

• Jack Del Rio takes over coaching duties from Dennis Allen.
• 1st round pick WR Amari Cooper comes into the fold with much fanfare.
• Michael Crabtree also joins the WR group with less fanfare but more experience.

What needs to go right:

• The young offensive skill position players gel quickly under Derek Carr’s guidance.
• Khalil Mack leads a strong linebacking core that will have to shut down the opposing run game.
• Del Rio promotes a unifying and winning aura to the team.

Biggest question:

• Can the defense hold teams in check for the offense to pull out some wins?

Projected record: 4-12

Last year: 8-8

What’s new:

• Bye bye Jim Harbaugh and your gruff demeanor.
• Hello Jim Tomsula as the new HC.
• This team got hit with retirements from the LB, DL and O line.
• Torrey Smith comes in to bolster the WR group.

• What needs to go right:

  1st round pick Arik Armstead fills the hole left by Justin Smith.
• Ahmad Brooks is likely to be released after being indicted on sexual battery charges.
• Aldon Smith was released and a suitable replacement, preferably one who can get to the QB needs to be found and quickly.

• Biggest question:

  With all the departures on the defensive side of the ball can this team hold opponents under 30 a game?

Projected record: 3-13

Last year: 9-7

What’s new:

• Ndamukong Suh pockets $60 million to take his talents to South Beach. (Sorry, couldn’t resist)
• 1st round pick DeVante Parker is expected to pay off big dividends, and replace the overpriced Mike Wallace, but is limping in training camp.
• The team also added pass catchers Jordan Cameron, Kenny Stills and Greg Jennings to help under rated slot Jarvis Landry.

What needs to go right:

• The receivers and Ryan Tannehill need to gel quickly.
• Lamar Miller has to rush for 1,000 yards because Jay Ajayi isn’t ready to step into a lead role.
• The front 4 need to be one of the most feared pass rushes to help stud corner Brent Grimes hold the back end together.

Biggest question:

• Can Suh take the pressure off a suspect back 7 every week?

Projected record: 8-8

Last year: 6-10

What’s new:

• Head coach Dan Quinn takes over for Mike Smith with eyes on fixing a leaky defense.
• 1st round pick Vic Beasley was taken to help put some heat on the QB.
• Brooks Reed, Adrian Clayborn, Paul Soliai also come in to help solidify the D.

What needs to go right:

• The running backs need to carry some of the offensive load to take some heat off Matty Ice.
• Quinn’s positive message wins the locker room and pulls together some weak units to over perform.
• Julio Jones withstands the retirement of Tony Gonzalez and father time eating away at Roddy White to have an MVP type season.

Biggest question:

• Can the offensive line open some holes for the running backs?

Projected record: 7-9

Last year: 11-5

What’s new:

• Two game Suspension for Le’Veon Bell to start the season might just be a blessing in disguise, as he needs to stay healthy for a playoff push.
• With Ike Taylor and Troy Polomalu retired the team traded for CB Brandon Boykin.
• 1st round pick Bud Dupree comes in to shore up a suddenly thin linebacker corps.

What needs to go right:

• The team needs to win at least one of the games Bell is suspended, and it could win both against the Pats without Brady and the 49ers depleted defense.
• The back 7 on D comes together before the season and playoffs are lost.
• Big Ben turns in a solid season of stats, not just a couple games like last year- 12 0f 32 td’s in two games.

Biggest question:

• Can the offense withstand suspensions to Bell and Martavis Bryant and significant injury to starting center Maurkice Pauncey (again)?

Projected record: 8-8

Last year: 7-9

What’s new:

• Adrian Peterson is back, with a salary bump to lead the offense.
• 1st round pick Trae Waynes comes aboard to back up and eventually replace Terrance Newman.
• Phil Loadholt was lost for the season with an injury weakening Peterson’s blocking group.

What needs to go right:

• Peterson, who turned 30 before the season starts needs to use last year’s lack of punishment on his body to his advantage.
• Teddy Bridgewater takes another step forward in his 2nd year (first full year) as the starter.
• The defense continues its uptick in production and frequency of 3rd down stops.

Biggest question:

• What happened to Cordarrelle Patterson?

Projected record: 7-9

Last year: 4-12

What’s new:

• Terrance “Pot Roast” Knighton comes in to plug up a leaky run D.
• 1st round pick Brandon Sherff shores up the offensive line.
• Jay Gruden has finally pulled the plug on R G III.

What needs to go right:

• Kirk Cousins needs to become a capable and accurate pocket quarterback.
• Desean Jackson needs to be more consistent with his big plays-with help from Cousins.
• The defense needs to force at least 4 punts a game, which might be difficult.

Biggest question:

• Can the offense score enough to cover up for a porous D?

Projected record: 3-13

Last year: 6-10

What’s new:

• Odell Beckham Jr. is a star after one great catch and ten games of production.
• Perhaps you’ve heard at some point in life that fireworks are dangerous? Apparently Jason Pierre Paul hasn’t and ruined his career (and hand).
• 1st round pick Ereck Flowers comes in to shore up the offensive line, while 2nd round pick Landon Collins will play a lot in the secondary.

What needs to go right:

• The Giants find a pass rush without JPP.
• ODB stays consistent and has a strong sophomore year allowing Victor Cruz to slowly come back from his knee injury.
• Tom Coughlin’s message doesn’t go on deaf ears.

Biggest question:

• Can the running game take enough pressure off Eli to allow the receivers to flourish.

Projected record: 7-9

Last year: 3-13

What’s new:

• TE Julius Thomas comes in to the fold from Denver.
• 1st round pick Dante Fowler… is hurt already.
• DE Jared Odrick comes in to provide some nasty on the Defensive line.
• The team goes to London to play Buffalo with the first internet streamed game in October, that’s a big deal because it’s a new revenue stream opportunity going forward.

What needs to go right:

• T.J Yeldon needs to show that Toby Gerhart and Denard Robinson are fine on the sideline.
• The O line needs to keep Blake Bortles upright Allen Robinson realizes the hype that fantasy football players are pumping.

Biggest question:

• Can the offense take a step forward as a unit?

Projected record: 4-12

Last year: 7-9

What’s new:

• Dwayne Bowe comes in via free agency to try and bolster a weak skill position group.
• Danny Shelton and Cameron Erving were brought in as 1st round draft picks to bolster the lines.
• John Manziel is out of rehab and taking his career seriously now. (seriously)

What needs to go right:

• Barkevious Mingo needs to be able to get on and stay on the field.
• The offense needs to average more than 17 points per game, which probably isn’t going to happen.
• One of the RB’s need to step up and secure the job by establishing a between the tackles presence.

Biggest question:

• Is there enough offensive skill to beat the teams in their division?

Projected record: 4-12

Last year: 5-11

What’s new:

• Head coach John Fox comes in from Denver to either “fix” Jay Cutler, or develops a way to win despite him.
• 1st round pick WR Kevin White comes in….and is now out for at least the first 6 games.
• A LOT of new faces on the defensive side of the ball.

What needs to go right:

• The defense has to stop the bleeding at some point; it just might be next year.
• Cutler limits his turnovers.
• The offensive line is figured out and becomes a cohesive unit.

Biggest question:

• Can Matt Forte withstand another year of physical and mental punishment in the Windy City?

Projected record: 5-11

Last year: 2-14

What’ s new:

• Jameis Winston comes in as the franchise savior as a 1st overall pick in the 2015 draft.
• The offensive line is revamped with draft picks and free agents.
• K Connor Barth was brought in for more accuracy in the kicking game.

What needs to go right:

• The offensive line needs to not be terrible, or at least give Winston enough time to perform play action.
• The defense really comes together to hold teams pass game in check.
• Winston plays every game and shows some progress in his reads and accuracy.

Biggest question:

• Can Lovie Smith lead the team’s rebuild or will he be fired at the end of the season?

Projected record: 3-13

Last year: 4-12

What’s new:

• Todd Bowles takes over for Rex Ryan after a successful run as D coordinator in Arizona.
• Ryan Fitzpatrick was brought in to battle Geno Smith but will start out of the gate.
• 1st round pick Leonard Williams provides insurance should Sheldon Richardson get suspended again. (currently for first 6 games of the season due to illegal substance in his system)
• Revis is back.

What needs to go right:

• Be cohesive. Its not off to a good start for Bowles as far as cohesion goes with Smith getting jaw jacked by a since released D linemen.
• Brandon Marshall can earn his paycheck with Fitz as his QB but should earn it by uniting the locker room.
• Chris Ivory needs to be a factor for the O to be able to have room to throw outside to Marshall and Decker.

Biggest question:

• Is there enough defensive depth to keep the opposition under 21 a game?

Projected record: 4-12

Last year: 2-14

What’s new:

• 1st round pick Marcus Mariota steps in as the franchise savior at QB.
• RB David Cobb and WR Dorial Green-Beckham join Mariota as the offense gets younger and more skilled.
• Brian Orakpo and Da’Norris Searcy step in to add some talent on the back 7 of the D.

What needs to go right:

• Head coach Ken Whisenhunt needs to find 5 guys on the O line who can play or Mariota’s rookie season will be spent running for his life.
• The rookie offensive skill guys show progress by the end of the year, this isn’t a playoff team and should focus on small victories.

Biggest question:

• Will Mariota play all 16 games?

Projected record 3-13

Last year: 9-7

What’s new:

• 1st round pick Marcus Peters shores up the defensive backfield.
• Jeremy Maclin comes in to the fold to try and bring at least one TD catch from the WR corps.
• Eric Berry is back and healthy, good for him and very good for the Chiefs

What needs to go right:

• Justin Houston has to live up to the big contract he just signed.
• Alex Smith is more of a distributor of the football, especially to Maclin.
• Travis Kelce takes the next step and becomes an 80 catch guy at TE.

Biggest question:

• Will Jamal Charles give snaps to Knile Davis to stay fresh or because of injury?

Projected record: 7-9

Last year 6-10

What’s new:

• 1st round pick RB Todd Gurley is rehabbing a knee injury and isn’t expected to be at full strength until midseason, at the earliest.
• Nick Foles takes over for Sam Bradford at QB.
• Safety Mark Barron came over last year at the trade deadline and will need to solidify a thin secondary.

What needs to go right:

• Tre Mason fills in well enough for Gurley to be eased back into action.
• The front 7 on defense leaves no room for opponents to run and puts enough pressure on the QB to make a weak secondary look better.
• Foles stays healthy and is efficient.

Biggest question:

• Can the offense find a playmaker to carry them to the post season?

Projected record: 7-9