A year ago at this time, the Broncos, Panthers and Cardinals were popular picks to rank among the NFL’s elite teams in 2016. Denver was the reigning Super Bowl champion, after all, while Carolina was coming off a 15-1, conference-winning campaign and Arizona was second to the Panthers in the NFC. Each of those teams won their divisions two years ago, and not only were they unable to repeat that feat in 2016, but all three watched the playoffs from home last winter. They were among a whopping six division-winning clubs from 2015 that failed to qualify for the playoffs last season, joining the Bengals, Redskins and Vikings.
If the volatility from 2015 to ’16 is any indication, some of the league’s eight division champions from last year are in trouble as the upcoming season approaches. Once again, both Super Bowl representatives won their divisions in 2016, with the Patriots coasting in the AFC East and the Falcons knocking the Panthers from the NFC South throne. Like the Pats and the Falcons, the Chiefs, Steelers, Texans, Cowboys, Seahawks and Packers are aiming to repeat atop their divisions this season.
Of those teams, the Patriots look as though they’re in the best position to secure their division again. The Bill Belichick– and Tom Brady-led outfit has ruled the AFC East eight consecutive times, and during New England’s latest Lombardi Trophy-winning season, the club was a 14-2 juggernaut that easily led the league in point differential. While Brady’s a year older, set to enter his age-40 season, he hasn’t shown any signs of mortality, and even if he suffers an injury or falls off dramatically in 2017, the Patriots may have a starting-caliber quarterback behind him in Jimmy Garoppolo. Of course, there’s also plenty of talent on hand elsewhere on the Pats’ roster, including new additions in wide receiver Brandin Cooks, cornerback Stephon Gilmore, defensive lineman Kony Ealy, linebacker David Harris, tight end Dwayne Allen and running back Mike Gillislee.
There might not be any shoo-ins to repeat among the league’s seven other returning division winners, but it’s hard to bet against clubs with franchise quarterbacks. In the cases of the Falcons (Matt Ryan), Packers (Aaron Rodgers), Seahawks (Russell Wilson) and Steelers (Ben Roethlisberger), there’s little reason to expect anything other than excellence from under center, which makes potential playoff berths more realistic for each. The Cowboys also seem to have an outstanding signal-caller in sophomore Dak Prescott, who was so stunningly great as a fourth-round rookie that he took Tony Romo‘s job and essentially forced the four-time Pro Bowler into retirement.
Kansas City (Alex Smith) and Houston (Tom Savage) aren’t as well off under center, though the Chiefs have done plenty of winning in the regular season since turning to Smith in 2013. But if he and the untested Savage disappoint this year, they have first-rounders behind them in Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson, respectively. Poor performances or injuries could force either Mahomes or Watson into action, perhaps paving the way for the emergence of a Prescott-like rookie this year in KC or Houston and making another postseason appearance more likely.
While some of these teams look to be in enviable shape at QB, the game’s most important position, things could still go awry. The Panthers had the reigning MVP 12 months ago in Cam Newton, but his play took massive steps backward, as did the team’s, en route to a 6-10 season and a last-place NFC South finish. The likelihood is that some of last year’s division winners will end up in similar situations in 2017, going from playoff teams to bitter disappointments overnight.
12 people actually voted for the pats lol come on now
21 now lol
2%-31 people. Seriously, is that your honest opinion? Lol
98 dumbasses now…still 2%
Yeah to many ppl wishing that’s 1 team making playoffs. O
Brady goes down and their season is over lol
But with the number of weapons in the offense and considering the good defense and an actual running game, Garoppolo could carry this team to a division title. If Brady goes down in week one I believe they could still go at least 10-6 if not 12-4 and that should be enough to win the division. 10 would be dicey but any more and they should be fine.
Dude, Tom goes down and we are still fine. That’s why we kept Jimmy G
Not with Garapoloo back there!
Green Bay is so overrated this year. I voted Houston but Green Bay was my second choice. Most underrated team is the Seahawks…even average line play makes them very dangerous.
I’m a packers fan but man I’m hoping we have a terrible year so we can get rid of Ted Thompson
Yeah I agree. I hope they do horrible this year.
TT will be gone after this year either way. The writing has been on the wall for a few months. Why be ignorant and hope we have a bad year just so he’ll leave. I’m not a fan of him, but I’d rather win a Super Bowl and have him for another year than blow the season just so he leaves. Thanks for being the Packers fan that makes us all look dumb.
I don’t see how Houston beats Indy again.
Indy is trash, top to bottom worst roster in the division, that division is the Titans’ to lose going into next year.
126 haters. Got to love it.
People just hate the Pats. They’re sick of them owning the league for as long as they have. They can keep hating, because they’re gonna keep winning. Another ring next season to add to the hate.
The Cowboys are the likely pick, lost 2 OL starters and Dak is primed for a sophomore slump. Their D is a mess, not only did they lose their entire secondary but also multiple D linemen and multiple suspensions have hit the DL and LBs