I Miss Berman….

5. Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore defense (as history would state) is suffocating. With veterans Terrell Suggs, Eric Weddle (former Charger, my team) anchoring and mentoring this defense, they also have studs working the outside in Ladarious Webb and Brandon Carr and a d-line that just clogs up space. The Ravens are once again scary. This defense can shut anyone down at any time. To me, it seems like there is no weakness in their d, they have d-backs with hands, linebackers who want to hit, a d-line that is damn near impossible to block.

 

The only Achilles Heel would be their offense. Joe Flacco who is elite, has lost some weapons over the past few years but still continues to put up numbers. The Ravens brought in Jeremy Maclin as a presence who can still also could be a sneaky #1 receiver. They have Mike Wallace as a #2 but has not really done anything recently to make me believe he is going to put up numbers like he did it Pittsburg. Their running back core is solid. Terrence West is a good short yardage back with some big play potential which is all he needs to be. Bringing in Danny Woodhead, a Swiss army knife, brings the threat of a speedy back catching the ball out of the backfield. He leaves defensive coordinators rattled trying to defend it, unfortunately,  Mr. Danny Woodhead is injured (hope for a speedy recovery). Javorious Allen is a poor mans Woodhead. Don’t expect much from him but he can catch the ball out of the backfield so there is always potential there.

P.S Justin Tucker is a beast. Bet your ass Justin Tucker will never miss a field goal ever again.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

This is my sleeper pick. No, not because of Hard Knocks this year, so lets get that out of the way. This team is extremely talented in every aspect of the game. Lets start with the defense. Kwon Alexander is a complete STUD, dude is a monster. Lavonte David is going to do what he is going to do which is rack up tackles. Gerald McCoy, this guy is just an absolute beast on the d-line, he’s going to bull rush the QB, he’s going to give you a swim move like Michael Phelps doing the breast stroke, he’s going to get his hands up and deflect passes, he’s going to attack the rush game. I can’t say enough about Mr. McCoy, the man is a beast. Last years first round pick CB Vernon Hargreaves has some aspects of his game that needs work but promise is there, i expect a big year from him. All in all, the Bucs D is nothing to f*#k with, good luck.

The Bucs offense is scary to say the least. Leading the crew is Jamies Winston who i expect this year to really break-out. He is maturing at an alarming rate if you consider all the dumb shit at FSU he went through. This young man is ready to lead this franchise to a Super Bowl this year. He has the weapons and the maturing to do it. Mike Evans is a top 3 receiver in the NFL, no doubt about it, he’s tall, athletic and has great hands, what more can you want. They brought in Desean Jackson…. is there more of a deep threat that Jackson? No, there’s not. Jackson can blow the top off of the defense at any given time, its just going to open up Evans and Cameron Brate/ O.J Howard. That brings me to the tandem of tight ends the Bucs possess. Me, i love Cameron Brate but i’m also a huge O.J Howard guy, this tandem reminds me of Antonio Gates/ Hunter Henry but younger and way more athletic. It wouldn’t surprise me if O.j and Cameron each have 5 touchdowns this year. I haven’t talked about the run game yet, which……. is not very good. Jaquizz Rogers is the man in the backfield. He is not terrible, but not something a defensive coordinator should be worried about. Doug Martin will be back week 4, and i promise you, be ready, because Doug Martin is going to have himself a year.

P.S- FIRE THE CANNONS

3. Atlanta Falcons

I mean, what can i say, they blew a 28-3 lead with 2:12 left in 3rd quarter the Super Bowl last year, but you know what, they are coming back with a vengeance this year.

Let’s start on the offensive side of the ball. To me, the Falcons have the most explosive offense in the NFL. Julio Jones is going to, well, be Julio Jones, we can just jot that down as done. De’vonte Freeman is going to have a monster year rushing as well as catching the ball out of the backfield. I expect Freeman to lead the league in all-purpose yards, just so dynamic and can beat you multiple ways, mark it down. Their backup running back Tevin Coleman is nothing to scoff at either, he can also go off at any time and would have no trouble starting on any team in the NFL. Matt Ryan has so many goddamn weapons it makes me sick. Aside from the guys I just mentioned, he has Sanu who is just a solid veteran receiver who excels against a zone D and just finds open spots and is a reliable weapon. Austin Hooper is a young TE who is really going to want to make a name for himself this year, getting the starting nod this year, expect him to really break out in the explosive offense. The last guy i’m going to mention here is Taylor Gabriel. The speedy receiver who i think Matt Ryan is really going to involve this year. He is one of the fastest players in the NFL and its disgusting how much room he is going to have to run with defenses having to cover all these other weapons.

P.S- It would shock me if the Falcons don’t return the the Super Bowl.

P.S P.S- How the fuck do you not open Chick-fil-a on Sunday, what a shame!

2. Oakland Raiders

The RAAAAAIIIIIIIIDDDDDDAAAAAAS are back. With 2 years left in Oakland before they move to Sin City, the Oakland Raiders are ready to join the Golden State Warriors as champions. I’ll tell you what, the Black Hole has never looked so terrifying.

Derek Carr is for sure one of the best QB’s in the NFL. He dude has the confidence of a Conor Mcgregor, an arm like a cannon, the poise of a Tom Brady and he damn well knows how to just be a football player. Out of all the young up and coming QB’s in the NFL, Derek Carr is my #1 pick a million times out of a million. Pairing Derek Carr up with Amari Cooper is like pairing Manning with Harrison, Young with Rice, Rivers with Gates……. it’s a match made in heaven. Michael Crabtree is a #1 receiver on any other team, but here in the “The Town” he’s your #2, but #1 in your heart. Crabtree catches everything, he’s clutch, he’s tall, he’s fast, he is everything you want in a WR, him as a #2……YIKES! Oh………and they have Marshawn Lynch……need i say more? Nope.

P.S- Me (a die hard Chargers fan) wrote this blog, this hurt me so much to write but i followed through like John Kuhn finishes a run….uhhhhhh…….. RAIDER NATION?

1. New England Patriots

Tom Brady, Gronk, Brandin Cooks, Amendola. running back committee, a bunch of solid defenders, Gostkowski……….. Mr. Bill Belichick. I don’t have to say anything else. If you follow the NFL you already know.