We’ve had one game of 65 in the preseason and already I feel compelled to predict the outcome of every regular season NFL game. I guess that means I’m anxious to see some meaningful football for the first time since February!
These record predictions are subject to change based on preseason injuries, transactions, etc… but here’s my first stab at how the 32 teams should fare in 2017.
| AFC East | |
| New England Patriots** | 16-0 |
| Miami Dolphins | 7-9 |
| Buffalo Bills | 7-9 |
| New York Jets | 0-16 |
| AFC North | |
| Pittsburgh Steelers** | 13-3 |
| Baltimore Ravens | 9-7 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 7-9 |
| Cleveland Browns | 3-13 |
| AFC South | |
| Jacksonville Jaguars** | 10-6 |
| Tennessee Titans* | 10-6 |
| Houston Texans | 8-8 |
| Indianapolis Colts | 6-10 |
| AFC West | |
| Oakland Raiders** | 11-5 |
| Kansas City Chiefs* | 10-6 |
| Denver Broncos | 8-8 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | 7-9 |
| NFC East | |
| New York Giants** | 11-5 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 8-8 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 8-8 |
| Washington Redskins | 7-9 |
| NFC North | |
| Green Bay Packers** | 12-4 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 7-9 |
| Detroit Lions | 6-10 |
| Chicago Bears | 4-12 |
| NFC South | |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers** | 11-5 |
| Atlanta Falcons* | 10-6 |
| Carolina Panthers* | 9-7 |
| New Orleans Saints | 7-9 |
| NFC West | |
| Seattle Seahawks** | 9-7 |
| Arizona Cardinals | 8-8 |
| Los Angeles Rams | 4-12 |
| San Francisco 49ers | 3-13 |
A few thoughts based on the schedule analysis:
- Yes I picked a number of strange upsets but that’s how the NFL works…
- I have the Cardinals at 8-5 before losing their final three games. Imagine the frustration in this town if and when that happens…
- After a dreadful start to the season, look for the Rams to be among the most improved teams in November and December.
- New England should be favored in all 16 regular season games while the Jets should be underdogs in every one. I expect each team to do as the oddsmakers predict.
- Teams I think could very well outperform my predicted record: Denver, Miami, Minnesota, Indianapolis (depending on Andrew Luck’s health)
- Teams I predicted would do well but am not as high on: Carolina, Kansas City, and to a certain extent Pittsburgh (I’m not sure they’re a 13 win team but they’re still heavy favorites in the AFC North).
- I’ll make my official playoff predictions closer to the start of the season but as of now, a New England – Green Bay Super Bowl seems most probable.
To read previous entries of my blog, click here. Also make sure to follow me on Twitter @eacohen83.
Cohen's Corner 
Love this and all the work it took to do this. Thank you for putting this together.
Can’t go into every team but I agree on New England and the New York Jets. Injuries could change but both 16-0 and 0-16 are very possible.
For my Bears I agree with your picks 100%.
I know we disagree on the Cardinals but it is hard to really disagree with you too much on your picks, EXCEPT FOR ONE. I really do not see how the 49ers beat the Cardinals. I know the game will be at Levi’s but off a bye for the Cardinals and 49ers will be beat up and low on confidence and emotion after playing the Redskins, Cowboys and Giants in the previous three games.
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Glad you enjoyed the column today! I think it’s very conceivable the Cardinals could go 9-7 or maybe a game better but for the sake of this pre-season analysis, I thought I’d pick the big upset.
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Cards will end with a winning record and win the WEST!!!
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