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The NFL Network Predictions are in!
With the regular season looming, fans are surely clamoring for the Turf Show Times staff’s 2018 prognostications. Don’t worry, we’ll get it together; but for now the NFL Network’s analysts have come up with their predictions on who will celebrate division titles this season, as well as the teams that they think will end up nabbing Wildcard spots.
This may take some getting used to, but the Los Angeles Rams were one of only two teams to be unanimously picked to win their division; the other being the New England Patriots.
NFC West champs
UNANIMOUS PICK: Los Angeles Rams (21 votes: Baldinger, Battista, Bergman, Brandt, Bush, Carr, Casserly, Frelund, Grant, Harrison, Jones, Jones-Drew, Mariucci, Patra, Rank, Robinson, Rosenthal, Schein, Sessler, Shook, Tomlinson)
Why Michael Robinson chose the Rams: On paper, L.A. might have the best team in the league.
Of course, for all the Jippy Goropolopolis hype that has clogged the internet during the offseason, neither the NFC West or the AFC East appear to have a strong candidate to unseat the Rams or Patriots this season.
Several other divisions had the voters more divided. The Baltimore Ravens appear to have some believers, as they look to unseat the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North. James Jones even predicted the Cleveland Browns in a take that is boldly dripping with molten lava.
AFC North champs
1. Pittsburgh Steelers (14 votes: Battista, Brandt, Bush, Carr, Casserly, Frelund, Grant, Harrison, Jones-Drew, Mariucci, Schein, Sessler, Shook, Tomlinson)
2. Baltimore Ravens (6 votes: Baldinger, Bergman, Patra, Rank, Robinson, Rosenthal)
3. Cleveland Browns (1 vote: Jones)
Why Adam Schein chose the Steelers: This could be the final run with the Killer Bs all together. Ben Roethlisberger, Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown will power the Steelers to a top-two offense in the NFL and Pittsburgh will win the division by multiple games.
The Green Bay Packers have Aaron Rogers back, and got some love as they try to regain NFC North supremacy from the stacked, and still favored Minnesota Vikings. In the NFC South there’s a close split between those who feel the New Orleans Saints or Atlanta Falcons will come out on top. Nobody picked the Carolina Panthers, so look for them to be better than expected-that’s how it goes right?
NFC North champs
1. Minnesota Vikings (12 votes: Baldinger, Brandt, Carr, Casserly, Grant, Jones-Drew, Mariucci, Rank, Schein, Sessler, Shook, Tomlinson)
2. Green Bay Packers (9 votes: Battista, Bergman, Bush, Frelund, Harrison, Jones, Patra, Robinson, Rosenthal)
Why Brian Baldinger chose the Vikings: Rick Spielman and Mike Zimmer have built a team that is poised to thrive for years to come. The NFC North is a tough division, but I like my chances with Minnesota.
NFC South champs
1. New Orleans Saints (13 votes: Baldinger, Brandt, Bush, Carr, Casserly, Frelund, Grant, Harrison, Jones, Patra, Rank, Sessler, Tomlinson)
2. Atlanta Falcons (8 votes: Battista, Bergman, Jones-Drew, Mariucci, Robinson, Rosenthal, Schein, Shook)
Why LaDainian Tomlinson chose the Saints: With Drew Brees’ clock winding down, the Saints aren’t taking anything for granted. Their offense can beat you through the air or on the ground, and the defense has improved. It’s hard to best a team like that.
Get ready for more of the same hype, albeit well-deserved hype, in the days leading up to the regular season. After that, the Rams will have to actually beat teams on the field to continue pulling praise.
The Network analysts predictions are in, but who do you have winning their divisions this season?
Poll
Who will win the NFC West?
This poll is closed
-
95%
Los Angeles Rams
(295 votes) -
2%
San Francisco 49ers
(8 votes) -
0%
Arizona Cardinals
(2 votes) -
0%
Seattle Seahawks
(3 votes)
Poll
Who will win the NFC South?
This poll is closed
-
28%
Atlanta Falcons
(68 votes) -
1%
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
(3 votes) -
64%
New Orleans Saints
(151 votes) -
5%
Carolina Panthers
(13 votes)
Poll
Who will win the NFC North?
This poll is closed
-
2%
Chicago Bears
(5 votes) -
35%
Green Bay Packers
(83 votes) -
62%
Minnesota Vikings
(148 votes) -
0%
Detroit Lions
(0 votes)
Poll
Who will win the NFC East?
This poll is closed
-
5%
Dallas Cowboys
(13 votes) -
17%
New York Giants
(41 votes) -
74%
Philadelphia Eagles
(174 votes) -
2%
Washington Redskins
(6 votes)
Poll
Who will win the AFC West?
This poll is closed
-
21%
Kansas City Chiefs
(51 votes) -
3%
Denver Broncos
(7 votes) -
66%
Los Angeles Chargers
(155 votes) -
8%
Oakland Raiders
(19 votes)
Poll
Who will win the AFC South?
This poll is closed
-
62%
Jacksonville Jaguars
(142 votes) -
28%
Houston Texans
(66 votes) -
5%
Tennessee Titans
(12 votes) -
3%
Indianapolis Colts
(8 votes)
Poll
Who will win the AFC East?
This poll is closed
-
2%
New York Jets
(6 votes) -
1%
Miami Dolphins
(3 votes) -
92%
New England Patriots
(212 votes) -
3%
Buffalo Bills
(7 votes)
Poll
Who will win the AFC North?
This poll is closed
-
13%
Cleveland Browns
(31 votes) -
1%
Cincinnati Bengals
(4 votes) -
11%
Baltimore Ravens
(27 votes) -
72%
Pittsburgh Steelers
(166 votes)