SML Season 22: Season Preview

With the new season kicking off in just a few hours it’s time to look at the upcoming season. We will see another fantastic season with the same favorites as last season, but for sure there will be some new challengers making life not too easy for the defending 3-time champion, the Dallas Cowboys. Of course we will have a far-too-early look at the playoffs.

AFC East
There is a clear favorite in the AFC East – the New York Jets. After finishing first place last year, there is no way this years goal as anything different with a huge offseason free agency haul. Buffalo will finish at least 2nd, the question remains if they can challenge the Jets for the top spot.
Prediction: Jets win division, Bills take wildcard spot.


AFC West
After a very strong first season, Mattanite led the Oakland Raiders to a division title and all the way to the conference finals. Can they repeat that achievement? At least they will take the division crown again, a bye week could be in play. Broncos will try to improve again, but they will have to settle with the 2nd place.
Prediction: Raiders win division.


AFC North
The North is a tough division, where the Cincinnati Bengals will start off as the clear favoriten. After going 16-0 last season, I don’t see them doing that again, but they will win the division, no doubt. There could be a hard fight for the 2nd place which could very well end as a wildcard spot as last year. Can the Browns defend that or will the Ravens or Steelers prevent them from the playoffs this year?
Prediction: Bengals win division, Browns take wildcard spot.


AFC South
This could be a tough division too. The Indianapolis Colts will start the season as the favorites in the division once again, but there is no clear 2nd force in the division. The Jaguars (with new manager this year), Texans and Titans all have a shot at the 2nd place and a possible wild card spot.
Prediction: Colts win division.


NFC East
Does anyone doubt the Dallas Cowboys will win this division? The Cowboys are once again the clear favorite to win the Superbowl until proven different. The Eagles will be a good bet to take the wild card spot, but I don’t think they will challenge for the division crown.
Prediction: Cowboys win division, Eagles take wildcard spot.


NFC West
The Arizona Cardinals will clearly start as the favorites in this division. After winning the division title last year, they will once again take it home this year. There is no favorite for the 2nd place at the moment, this spot is definitely up for grabs.
Prediction: Cardinals win division.


NFC North
After going 16-0 and losing out just by 3 points against the defending Super Bowl champions, the Minnesota Vikings are prepared for a great season. The Bears could finish clear 2nd here, but will out on the playoffs once again.
Prediction: Vikings win division.


NFC South
The South could be a really interesting division this year. The Saints will open as clear favorites, but all eyes look to the Carolina Panthers. After a great draft the main question will be how early these rookies show their potential and get wins. If they are able to, the Panthers will go to the playoffs.
Prediction: Saints win division, Panthers take wildcard spot.
 
Wild Card Prediction
Cincinnati Bengals (1) - Bye
Oakland Raiders (2) - Bye
Indianapolis Colts (3) - Buffalo Bills (6)
After a strong season, the Colts will win this matchup at home. The real opponents are waiting.
New York Jets (4) - Cleveland Browns (5)
This is the time for the revenge. Last year the Browns had to take an unfortunate loss, but this year they get a fresh start.
 
Dallas Cowboys (1) – Bye
Minnesota Vikings (2) - Bye
New Orleans Saints (3) - Carolina Panthers (6)
The Saints will win this at home. The young Panthers team just can’t take this hurdle now.
Arizona Cardinals (4) - Philadelphia Eagles (5)
The Eagles deliver the shocker here and win on the road – divisionals next.
 
Divisional Playoffs
Cincinnati Bengals (1) - Cleveland Browns (5)
The Bengals will win at home as the clear favorite. Is this the year the can go to the Super Bowl?
Oakland Raiders (2) - Indianapolis Colts (3)
Both teams are again contenders for the Super Bowl, but the Raiders will have the better ending this year.
 
Dallas Cowboys (1) - Philadelphia Eagles (5)
The Cowboys are once again the clear favorite and this matchup should not be a problem.
Minnesota Vikings (2) - New Orleans Saints (3)
The Vikings have the ultimate motivation to get their rematch with the Dallas Cowboys. Will it end differently this year?
 
Conference Championship
Cincinnati Bengals (1) - Oakland Raiders (2)
The Raiders win it here, knocking off the No 1 seed from Cincinnati.
 
Dallas Cowboys (1) - Minnesota Vikings (2)
Here it is – the Vikings get the huge revenge and proceed to the Super Bowl. After 3 years of Cowboys domination, it’s time for a new winner.
 
Super Bowl
Oakland Raiders - Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings finish the season in the best way possible. After beating the Cowboys, the Raiders are the only opponent in their way to Super Bowl glory.
 
Super Bowl prediction: MINNESOTA VIKINGS.

Great write up man. Last season should be fun.

Great write up Para 

Nicely done bud.

Loved it [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] but... setting your expectations of me a little high aren't we??? Superbowl or Bust, the media has spoken!!

Mattanite wrote:Loved it [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] but... setting your expectations of me a little high aren't we??? Superbowl or Bust, the media has spoken!!

If the first season ends with just one game too early, then there is just one way to improve

4/10 not enough Archambeau