Final Predictions For Every NFL Team’s 2015 Record

By Jacob Camenker

Final Predictions for Every NFL Team’s 2015 Record

Marshawn Lynch Seattle Seahawks Running Back — The NFL is arguably the least predictable of the big four sports leagues in America. Every year, there are some teams that come out of nowhere to surprise people and others that fail to live up to expectations. It’s difficult to predict how every team will do, but after analyzing every game in the NFL schedule, here are my best guesses to how each team will finish.

32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-14)

Jameis Winston Tampa Bay Buccaneers Quarterback

32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-14)

Jameis Winston Tampa Bay Buccaneers Quarterback — The Buccaneers are going to have a tough year. With rookie quarterback Jameis Winston at the helm, they will surely struggle. Winston has flashed potential this preseason, but he has mostly been brutal. And considering that their defense is still a work in progress, the team will definitely be one of the worst in the NFL. Their ceiling for the season is as a four-win team.

31. Oakland Raiders (3-13)

Derek Carr Oakland Raiders Quarterback

31. Oakland Raiders (3-13)

Derek Carr Oakland Raiders Quarterback — The Raiders franchise is moving in the right direction in terms of personnel, as Derek Carr, Khalil Mack and Amari Cooper are going to be stars soon. However, the team still lacks a lot of talent at some important positions, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Carr is also set to regress a bit after losing stellar offensive coordinator Greg Olson during the offseason, so he may have a little bit of a sophomore slump.

30. Washington Redskins (4-12)

Robert Griffin III Washington Redskins Quarterback

30. Washington Redskins (4-12)

Robert Griffin III Washington Redskins Quarterback — It’s laughable how dysfunctional the Redskins are. The team’s front office wants to move on from Robert Griffin III, but the owners don’t want to. They signed Junior Galette, despite some major character concerns, only to see him get injured. And worst of all, they haven’t fired Jay Gruden yet, who is one of the worst coaches in the NFL. The Redskins are going to have a bad season, and they will probably clean house following it.

29. San Francisco 49ers (4-12)

Colin Kaepernick San Francisco 49ers Quarterback

29. San Francisco 49ers (4-12)

Colin Kaepernick San Francisco 49ers Quarterback — Much like the Redskins, the 49ers are currently in very bad shape. The team jettisoned stellar head coach Jim Harbaugh and replaced him with the unproven Jim Tomsula. The Niners lost 10 starters from last season’s team, and it will take a while for the new units to develop chemistry. Also, the offense and Colin Kaepernick have looked awful in the preseason, and that may continue on into the regular season.

28. Cleveland Browns (4-12)

Johnny Manziel Cleveland Browns Quarterback

28. Cleveland Browns (4-12)

Johnny Manziel Cleveland Browns Quarterback — The Browns are not moving in the right direction on offense. Johnny Manziel was supposed to be the answer at quarterback, but he has turned into a troubled backup with an injured elbow. Josh McCown and the team’s awful offense won’t take them anywhere this season. Though their defense is still solid, it will only get them so far. It will be tough for the Browns to get more than four wins on the season.

27. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12)

Greg Olson Jacksonville Jaguars Offensive Coordinator

27. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12)

Greg Olson Jacksonville Jaguars Offensive Coordinator — The Jaguars definitely have potential, given the exciting, young weapons the team has on offense and the hiring of the aforementioned Greg Olson to be their offensive coordinator. However, their defense is still weak, and they are about one year away from being competitive. The Jaguars could be a six-win team this season, but I have a feeling that they will end up falling short of that mark.

26. Chicago Bears (5-11)

Jay Cutler Chicago Bears Quarterback

26. Chicago Bears (5-11)

Jay Cutler Chicago Bears Quarterback — When Jay Cutler is your quarterback, not much is possible. Cutler is going to lead a downgraded offense that lost Brandon Marshall to a mediocre finish, and the team’s terrible defensive unit isn’t going to help the cause. Cutler will play well in a few games and make fans think that he has finally turned over a new leaf, but it won’t last long. Expect a poor season from the John Fox-led Bears.

25. Tennessee Titans (5-11)

Marcus Mariota Tennessee Titans Quarterback

25. Tennessee Titans (5-11)

Marcus Mariota Tennessee Titans Quarterback — The Titans play in a weak division, so they should be able to win a couple of games against those foes. Still, Marcus Mariota is only a rookie, and while he has looked good during the preseason, he is still going to need time to develop into an NFL caliber passer. The Titans are also is still relatively weak in the middle of their defense and on the offensive line, so that will prevent them from playing too well.

24. New York Jets (6-10)

Chris Ivory New York Jets Running Back

24. New York Jets (6-10)

Chris Ivory New York Jets Running Back — Geno Smith is out for a while. That will not be too much of an issue for the team, as Ryan Fitzpatrick should be a decent enough replacement. The Jets have all the makings of a 6-8 win team, as their defense will be one of the best units in the NFL. I have them finishing on the lower end of that spectrum because of their tough schedule in the much-improved AFC East.

23. Arizona Cardinals (6-10)

Carson Palmer Arizona Cardinals Quarterback

23. Arizona Cardinals (6-10)

Carson Palmer Arizona Cardinals Quarterback — This may surprise some, as the Cardinals were one of the league’s best teams last season, but I sense a regression coming in Arizona. The team has an offensive line that is currently weak thanks to Mike Iupati’s injury, an old, injury-prone quarterback in Carson Palmer, and a defense that is sure to regress after losing a couple of key pieces (Darnell Dockett, Dan Williams). It could be a disappointing year for the Cardinals.

22. Houston Texans (7-9)

Arian Foster Houston Texans Running Back

22. Houston Texans (7-9)

Arian Foster Houston Texans Running Back — The Texans have one of the most solid rosters in the NFL, outside of the quarterback position. That’s what lands them at just under .500. The team could be good this year, but will Brian Hoyer be able to lead them to the playoffs? The answer is probably not. He’s likely to be decent as a starter, but if the Texans fall out of the race then Ryan Mallett could get a crack at starting. Houston also lacks a strong running game without Arian Foster.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (7-9)

Andy Dalton Cincinnati Bengals Quarterback

21. Cincinnati Bengals (7-9)

Andy Dalton Cincinnati Bengals Quarterback — Simply put, Andy Dalton is Andy Dalton. He is an up-and-down player on a team with a solid supporting cast. I think that Dalton’s performance will start to tail off during this season and the Bengals will suffer as a result. The team’s defense also lacks a pass rush, so they could struggle once again this season. If that is the case, then the Bengals may struggle to be a .500 team.

20. New York Giants (8-8)

Odell Beckham Jr. New York Giants Wide Receiver

20. New York Giants (8-8)

Odell Beckham Jr. New York Giants Wide Receiver — The Giants have a good roster. They have a good quarterback. They have a good group of receivers. Notice the pattern here? The Giants are an overall good team. Sure, they have some weaknesses, but their strengths balance them out. That’s how they finish 8-8. They are a well balanced team with a decent schedule, and they are on the path to be a playoff contender once again.

19. Kansas City Chiefs (8-8)

Jeremy Maclin Kansas City Chiefs Wide Receiver

19. Kansas City Chiefs (8-8)

Jeremy Maclin Kansas City Chiefs Wide Receiver — The addition of Jeremy Maclin was huge for the Chiefs’ offense. He is going to make the unit much better than it was last year. Still, Alex Smith is still just a game manager, so getting above 8-8 will be tough for the Chiefs. Looking at the team, their major weakness is the offensive line, so that could capsize the offense, despite the fact that the defense is looking really great.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8)

Melvin Gordon San Diego Chargers Running Back

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8)

Melvin Gordon San Diego Chargers Running Back — I think that the Chargers will start the year slow and come on stronger towards the end. The team has a good looking passing game, but rookie running back Melvin Gordon may take a while to adjust to the NFL game. Defensively, they will need some time to gel as a unit before becoming a solid defense. The Chargers should have a shot at the playoffs, but they will ultimately fall short if they start slowly.

17. Carolina Panthers (8-8)

Kelvin Benjamin Carolina Panthers Wide Receiver

17. Carolina Panthers (8-8)

Kelvin Benjamin Carolina Panthers Wide Receiver — The Panthers are hard to predict. They have one of the best defenses in the league and one of the worst looking offenses. They have a terrible offensive line, and they have virtually no proven wide receivers thanks to Kelvin Benjamin’s injury. Their defense will be able to carry them to some wins, but not enough to win the NFC South. The Panthers would be much better if they would just invest in some protection for Cam Newton.

16. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8)

Le'Veon Bell Pittsburgh Steelers Running Back

16. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8)

Le'Veon Bell Pittsburgh Steelers Running Back — The final 8-8 squad, the Steelers are a very off-balance team. While they have one of the league’s best offenses powered by Antonio Brown, Ben Roethlisberger and Le’Veon Bell, they have one of the worst defensive units. The Steelers will win some big games this season, but they will also blow games thanks to their defense. They have playoff potential, but won’t be good enough to make it in the end.

15. St. Louis Rams (9-7)

Nick Foles St. Louis Rams Quarterback

15. St. Louis Rams (9-7)

Nick Foles St. Louis Rams Quarterback — The Rams are a very strong defensive team. They are going to make it hard for any team to move the ball against them. They also have an above average signal-caller in Nick Foles. Foles should be able to do enough in the passing game to open up the ground attack for Tre Mason and later on, Todd Gurley. It will be a promising year for the up-and-coming Rams team.

14. Atlanta Falcons (9-7)

Dan Quinn Atlanta Falcons Head Coach

14. Atlanta Falcons (9-7)

Dan Quinn Atlanta Falcons Head Coach — Dan Quinn is going to have a major impact on the Falcons. If he can get their defense playing at even a decent level, then they will be successful. The team’s offense already projects to be one of the strongest passing attacks in the NFL, so they will be able to keep their team in games. It should be a great year for the Falcons, who almost made the playoffs a year ago.

13. Detroit Lions (9-7)

Calvin Johnson Detroit Lions Wide Receiver

13. Detroit Lions (9-7)

Calvin Johnson Detroit Lions Wide Receiver — There’s not much to dislike about this team. They have a great offense that will be powered by Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate. They have a pretty strong defense that has lost some star power in Ndamukong Suh, but they should still be good enough to win nine games. The Lions would be a playoff team if it weren’t for some other strong NFC squads.

12. Miami Dolphins (9-7)

Ryan Tannehill Miami Dolphins Quarterback

12. Miami Dolphins (9-7)

Ryan Tannehill Miami Dolphins Quarterback — The Dolphins are going to be a playoff team this year. Ryan Tannehill is going to become a top 10 NFL quarterback, and the team has an overall solid offensive attack thanks to him, Jarvis Landry and Lamar Miller. Defensively, adding Suh to their line will make a huge impact, and he will make their defense even more solid than it was last year. The Dolphins could be a surprise, but they will tail off as the weather gets colder.

11. Dallas Cowboys (10-6)

Orlando Scandrick Dallas Cowboys Cornerback

11. Dallas Cowboys (10-6)

Orlando Scandrick Dallas Cowboys Cornerback — The Cowboys were favored to win the NFC East all offseason, but an injury to Orlando Scandrick has tempered my expectations. I still expect the Cowboys to be an overall solid team, but their defense could regress after they overachieved last year. Still, Tony Romo, Dez Bryant and the team’s phenomenal offensive line will keep them competitive heading into January.

10. Buffalo Bills (10-6)

Tyrod Taylor Buffalo Bills Quarterback

10. Buffalo Bills (10-6)

Tyrod Taylor Buffalo Bills Quarterback — Okay, so I’ve developed a little bit of an obsession with the Buffalo Bills. But really, what’s not to like? They have the second-best defensive unit in the league and the best front four without a doubt. Their offense is going to be dynamic thanks to players like Sammy Watkins, LeSean McCoy, Percy Harvin and the electric Tyrod Taylor. Add Rex Ryan into the equation and you have yourself a great looking NFL team.

9. Denver Broncos (10-6)

Peyton Manning Denver Broncos Quarterback

9. Denver Broncos (10-6)

Peyton Manning Denver Broncos Quarterback — So Peyton Manning hasn’t looked great this preseason, but the Broncos’ running game has. The team will probably ride that and their strong, Von Miller-led defense through their weak division and to a postseason berth. I don’t expect them to win a playoff game, especially if they face the Bills, but they will most likely qualify for the postseason and notch double-digit wins.

8. Minnesota Vikings (11-5)

Adrian Peterson Minnesota Vikings Running Back

8. Minnesota Vikings (11-5)

Adrian Peterson Minnesota Vikings Running Back — I was somewhat surprised when the Vikings came out of my schedule projections with an 11-5 record, but I guess they are just a good team. Their offense will be great as Adrian Peterson will help Teddy Bridgewater to carry the load, and the team’s defense doesn’t have a true weakness. 11-5 is the absolute ceiling for the Vikings, but it’s doable given the schedule that they have.

7. New Orleans Saints (11-5)

Brandin Cooks New Orleans Saints Wide Receiver

7. New Orleans Saints (11-5)

Brandin Cooks New Orleans Saints Wide Receiver — Yes, the Saints do have some concerns on the defensive side of the ball, but I still like them to win the NFC South. The fact of the matter is that the team has Drew Brees at quarterback, a strong running game, a solid second-year receiver Brandin Cooks and they have youth on the defensive side of the ball that could impress. They won’t be the best team in the NFL, but it will certainly be a bounce-back year for them.

6. New England Patriots (11-5)

Tom Brady New England Patriots Quarterback

6. New England Patriots (11-5)

Tom Brady New England Patriots Quarterback — Tom Brady is officially free, but the Patriots will still start slow out of the gate. They will probably go 2-2 in those games much like they did to begin last season. The team is still strong enough to win the AFC East thanks to their very good defense and the Brady-Belichick combination. Their offense doesn’t look as strong, but Brady will find ways to work his magic and get the Patriots back to the postseason.

5. Baltimore Ravens (11-5)

Steve Smith Baltimore Ravens Wide Receiver

5. Baltimore Ravens (11-5)

Steve Smith Baltimore Ravens Wide Receiver — The Ravens are one of my favorite NFL teams this season, but I only have them at 11-5 because of the question marks they have on offense. The team only has one proven starting receiver in Steve Smith, and rookie Breshad Perriman isn’t ready to start yet because he’s been hurt. The Ravens will likely solve this problem, and their borderline elite defense will help to carry them on a deep postseason run this year.

4. Philadelphia Eagles (12-4)

DeMarco Murray Philadelphia Eagles Running Back

4. Philadelphia Eagles (12-4)

DeMarco Murray Philadelphia Eagles Running Back — I’ll admit, I didn’t have the Eagles pegged as a 12-4 team when I started projecting the schedule. However, the Eagles are just better than a lot of their opponents, and their roster is deceptively good. While they have gotten rid of big-name players like LeSean McCoy, Jeremy Maclin and Nick Foles, they have added some solid new starters and have the depth to be one of the better teams in the NFL.

3. Seattle Seahawks (12-4)

Richard Sherman Seattle Seahawks Cornerback

3. Seattle Seahawks (12-4)

Richard Sherman Seattle Seahawks Cornerback — This record projection shouldn’t surprise anyone. The Seahawks are one of the best teams in the NFL, and there’s no reason to think that they will have a down year. The team is weak on the offensive line outside of Russell Okung and JR Sweezy, but they will be able to fix that problem somehow. The Seahawks are highly likely to make it to the NFC Championship game, and possibly to a third consecutive Super Bowl.

2. Green Bay Packers (12-4)

Aaron Rodgers Green Bay Packers Quarterback

2. Green Bay Packers (12-4)

Aaron Rodgers Green Bay Packers Quarterback — Losing Jordy Nelson will not hurt the Packers as much as some think. The team has Aaron Rodgers, who is still the best quarterback in the NFL, and he makes all of his receivers better. The Packers will still field an elite offense, while their defense is looking pretty strong as well. They should win the NFC North with relatively little trouble and will be one of the favorites to make the Super Bowl.

1. Indianapolis Colts (13-3)

Andrew Luck Indianapolis Colts Quarterback

1. Indianapolis Colts (13-3)

Andrew Luck Indianapolis Colts Quarterback — The Colts are going to have the best record in the NFL. They play in the worst division, the AFC South, and they have one of the most prolific offenses in the league. Andrew Luck has at least six solid targets to throw to, namely T.Y. Hilton and Andre Johnson, and he will have a field day picking apart opposing teams. Their defense will be good enough to support their high-powered offense, and I expect the Colts to do well in 2015.

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