NFL Season Outlook

The NFL season is just a couple weeks away and all of us fans want to know a little about the upcoming season. Now, I’m not going to have a full preview of every team, but I will discuss some squads that fit under certain categories. So here are the categories, don’t be afraid to comment if you think differently.

Team that will disappoint - Detroit Lions

Louis Delmas and his secondary must step
up or this season might be a failure

Quite frankly, the Lions had a God-awful offseason. Every day it felt like one player after another was getting arrested for DUI’s or battery charges. However, that’s not the reason why I’m not on the Detroit bandwagon. I just think the Lions are the odd team out in the loaded NFC that has easily 12 contenders. We all know they have studs in QB Matt Stafford, WR Calvin Johnson and DT Ndamukong Suh, but they have two major issues. The first issue is that their secondary is not as talented as it needs to be. In a division with the Packers and Bears, a secondary of CB Chris Houston, CB Jacob Lacey, SS Amari Spievey and FS Louis Delmas, may not cut it. Last year, the same four were torched for 255 yards a game. I would expect more of the same this year. The other issue for the Lions is that they have a huge question mark at the running back position. RB Jahvid Best is still battling concussion-like symptoms from last year and the other back, Mikel Leshoure, is recovering from a torn ACL. My bet would be on Leshoure starting in the opening week, but no one knows what to expect out of him. The lack of security at the running back position is not a good sign for the Lions, especially since opposing defenses will force Detroit to beat them on the ground.

Surprise playoff team - Buffalo Bills

Can Mario Williams be the force that
he has to be?

I know Nasm30 is shaking his read right now, but I just have a good feeling about this team. Last year, they started the season at 5-2, but skidded down the stretch due to injuries, specifically to starting RB Fred Jackson. This year, Jackson is back healthy again and more motivated than ever, as he made a comment a couple weeks ago that he believes he’s a top 5 running back.  With Jackson and RB CJ Spiller getting the bulk of touches in the ground game, this team should have no problem racking up yards. To add to that, in the offseason they brought in a star to solidify their defense in DE/OLB Mario Williams. His presence should help a defensive unit that was subpar last year at best. If Harvard grad QB Ryan Fitzpatrick can improve on last year’s season of 24 TD and 23 INT, which I believe he can, look for Buffalo to be in the mix come late December.

Team that no one is talking about that has all the tools to make a Super bowl -

Chicago Bears

QB Jay Cutler and WR Brandon Marshall

A Super bowl run is definitely a good possibility in Chicago.  If it wasn’t for the injuries to starting QB Jay Cutler and starting RB Matt Forte last year, odds are the Bears would’ve been a playoff team. This season, the team has relatively the same roster with one major addition, WR Brandon Marshall. Chicago must be ecstatic as they’ve been in need of a legit receiver ever since the Muhsin Muhammad days. The Cutler-Marshall tandem in 2007 and 2008 combined for 2,500 yards and 13 touchdowns. Expect the Bears with this new addition to now be one of the most rounded teams in the NFL. Cutler, Forte, Marshall on the offensive side, Peppers, Briggs, Urlacher on the defensive side, and Hester on special teams. Boy, this team is scary good. It would be a disappointment if they don’t make noise in the playoffs, because on paper, they're one of the best teams out there.

The team to bet your money on that isn't named the Patriots or Packers - Houston Texans

QB Matt Schaub must stay healthy
for the Texans to contend in the AFC

I really think the Texans are ready and poised to make a Super Bowl run. They arguably have the best running back and best wide receiver in the league on the same team in Arian Foster and Andre Johnson. In addition, Wade Phillips has done a superb job as the defensive coordinator. Phillips’ 3-4 scheme has created havoc up front, specifically from blooming star J.J Watt and Brian Cushing.  Last year, who knows what would of have happened if QB Matt Schaub didn’t get hurt? If Schaub and company can stay healthy, Houston may be on their way to the Superdome and Bourbon Street come February.