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Which team(s) do you think could surprise some people this upcoming season and sneak their way into the playoffs, and which team(s) projected to make it do you think could miss out? It seems like every year there are at least a few that sneak in like the Texans and Redskins last year. I could see this year being a very chalk type year where all of the favorites meet expectations and the underdogs under-perform, but if I were to choose, here are my predictions:

Sneaking in
Ravens - I love what they've done this offseason. Adding Benjamin Watson, Mike Wallace, and of course, Eric Weddle while not really losing much puts them in a good spot. They had a crazy amount of close games last year (without looking, I want to say they had something like 8 games where they had a good shot to win at the end but didn't), while having a crazy amount of injuries as well. If they stay healthy, especially Flacco, this team could be for real.

Bears(?) - This one I'm much less sure about, and I wouldn't put my money on it. I feel like there are going to be a lot of 5 to 8 win teams this year in the NFC, and I think that the Bears are perfectly capable of winning 10 games if things go their way. They have the talent to do it, the question is can they come together and get that many, and will 10 be enough to make it into the playoffs.

Missing the cut
Chiefs - This pains me to say as the Chiefs are my favorite AFC team, and a team that I really enjoy watching and cheering for, but I think the Chiefs may struggle a little bit this year. Playing in what I believe will be one of the toughest divisions this year with Super Bowl champs Denver, the up and coming Raiders, and a Chargers team who should be much improved from last year, will take a toll on them, and I see them ending up with 9 wins barely missing on a wild card spot.

Bengals - This is a team who I could see either dominating or disappointing, and I'm really not sure what to expect. Last year's 12-4 record was surprising and turned a lot of heads, but I think that losing their OC, one of the best play callers in the league and IMO a huge reason for their success last year, could hurt them. It will be interesting to see how they adjust to a new OC and see if they can continue to build on their success from last year, but they play in a difficult division and unless they hit the ground running they could very possibly miss out on the playoffs.

Baltimore & Atlanta. Both these teams you could make the case aren't dark horses tho.

Denver may miss the cut. They've lost some key pieces on defense. Mark Sanchez is the starter. Yes, Mark **** Sanchez. I see 9-7, maybe 10-6 if things break right. The Chiefs are the more balanced team. They should take the division. The Raiders aren't a cake walk any longer. Denver will have some competition. I think they fall short.

Bengals,Cards,Panthers arent getting in.
I'm not calling Denver or the Pats any form of a favorite.
They are missing their great Starting QBs and better not sniff any playoffs.
I dont give a damn how good the coach or defense is.

Ravens,Giants, Atlanta= 2 of these 3 are going to have a good year if not all 3

I love the Jaguars to make the playoffs. They are still my dark horse team going into this season. I love KC. to win the AFC West and make it to the Championship game. I feel Denver takes a big nose dive this year and misses the playoffs. Someone said the Cardinals won't make it. Wow, really? Ever look at their roster? I know Palmer is a choker and I would never bet on them to win anything with him there, but they got one hell of a ROSTER. Look out. And the Giants, please. I'd put up everything I own that the giants won't go anywhere, especially with the 32 ranked defense from last year and they just added a couple of Miami's thug rejects from last year. That is definitely one team in my division that I am not worried about.

Anyone in here that wants to make a friendly bet, case of beer, whatever. I'm all ears if anyone thinks the Giants will beat my Cowboys this year in the NFC East. Some people might say Washington. I say pull the brakes on that one. All the NFC East teams were a mash unit of injuries last year and on top of all that, the Redskins had a 5th place schedule. I'm not sold on them.

The Chargers? No, I can't really see it, but they can always be better than people predict simply because Rivers, with adequate protection can usually keep them in just about any game. And losing Keenan Allen last year was a killer.

Having said that, I do expect them to finish last again this year.

Hoping Melvin Gordon takes a step forward, but I can't stay I'm terribly optimistic.

I hope Joey Bosa delivers as well.

bluejerseyjinx wrote:Anyone in here that wants to make a friendly bet, case of beer, whatever. I'm all ears if anyone thinks the Giants will beat my Cowboys this year in the NFC East. Some people might say Washington. I say pull the brakes on that one. All the NFC East teams were a mash unit of injuries last year and on top of all that, the Redskins had a 5th place schedule. I'm not sold on them.

did you not notice the Giants barely lost games to good opponents scoring lots of points while it was just the Eli To Beckham show?

he's got Cruz back and a bunch of free agents too,to the team.

Victor Cruz. Please. I love the guy even though I hate the Giants. But I have never seen anyone in any sport come back to the level they were at previously with his type of knee injury. Even if I am wrong, I bet he won't be his old self till next year if all goes well. Like I said just above you, those Miami reject thugs won't improve the Giant defense all that much if at all. I'll still make that friendly bet with you if you have the balls.