NFC SOUTH LOADED FOR PLAYOFF RUN
Other predictions revolve around QBs, including MVP pick
Surprises are the norm in the NFL, where the script rarely goes according to plan. Here are 10 bold predictions for the 2017 season.
1. THREE NFC SOUTH TEAMS WILL MAKE THE PLAYOFFS
It might be the wildest division in the NFL, and with four stud quarterbacks (Matt Ryan, Drew Brees, Cam Newton and Jameis Winston), every divisional game will be competitive. The Atlanta Falcons have the deepest roster and should be the favorites to again finish in first place. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a sexy playoff pick, and the Carolina Panthers have a good chance to rebound two years after winning the NFC title as long as Newton can get (and remain) healthy and rookie Christian McCaffrey can have an immediate impact.
2. RUSSELL WILSON WILL WIN MVP
The usual suspects — Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers — should remain in the MVP conversation, but this is the year that Wilson finally wins it. If the Seattle Seahawks offensive line can keep him upright — and, yes, that’s still a big if — the club’s passing game should take off. Wilson might not put up Ryan-in-2016-type numbers, but his combination of passing prowess, running ability and leadership will make him the league’s top player.
3. THE DALLAS COWBOYS WILL MISS THE PLAYOFFS
Maybe they could survive one key player suspension. But 2016 NFL rushing leader Ezekiel Elliott is still facing a six-game suspension, and the Cowboys are set to start the year without three defensive linemen (Randy Gregory, David Irving and Damontre Moore). At some point, these offfield issues are going to catch up to the Cowboys and leave the defending NFC East champs without the necessary talent or depth to repeat.
4. COLIN KAEPERNICK WILL REMAIN UNEMPLOYED
Given no one signed the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback during the offseason, when rosters expand to 90 players, it’s hard to imagine any team picking him up going forward. And as other players, from Seattle’s Michael Bennett to the Philadelphia Eagles’ Malcolm Jenkins, continue their own forms of protest and discuss social justice issues, Kaepernick’s prolonged absence will continue to be the most polarizing story line in the league.
5. JOHN FOX WILL BE THE FIRST HEAD COACH FIRED
He certainly isn’t the only one who starts the season on the hot seat — we see you, Chuck Pagano — but Fox is in a very tough spot with the Chicago Bears. Throughout his 15 seasons as an NFL head coach, including stints with the Panthers and Denver Broncos, Fox has always been reluc-
tant to start young quarterbacks over veterans, which could lead him to stick with Mike Glennon for too long. And if he is struggling, it’s not hard to imagine a disagreement between the coaching staff and front office about when to play rookie Mitchell Trubisky, the draft’s No. 2 overall pick, and that could lead to Fox’s ouster.
6. ANDREW LUCK’S SHOULDER WILL BE AN ISSUE ALL SEASON
The Indianapolis Colts didn’t put their quarterback on the physically unable to perform list to start the season, a sign they think he’ll be ready to play sooner rather than later. But Colts fans should be prepared for the chance that Luck won’t be healthy or display his Pro Bowl form any time soon. His shoulder issue has lingered since 2015, and for a quarterback who plays with as physical a style as he does, it’s hard to imagine how Luck will be himself at any point in 2017.
7. BROCK OSWEILER WILL START AT LEAST ONCE FOR THE BRONCOS
There is no quarterback controversy in Denver. But starter Trevor Siemian has had trouble staying healthy early in his career, and it would not be surprising to see him miss time. With Paxton Lynch’s sprained shoulder shelving him for the foreseeable future, that leaves Osweiler, who returned to Denver this week after being cut by the Cleveland Browns. While the Broncos and Osweiler have said there are no hard feelings from his acrimonious departure last year, it will be interesting to see how fans receive him when he’s back at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.
8. MARSHAWN LYNCH WILL WIN COMEBACK PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt will be a leading contender, but don’t discount Lynch, who came out of retirement to play for his hometown Oakland Raiders. The coaching staff might have to manage his workload to keep him healthy for 16 regularseason games, but look for Lynch, who will be running behind one of the NFL’s best lines, to look like a younger version of himself.
9. DESHONE KIZER WILL START
16 GAMES
Cleveland’s revolving door at quarterback might be done spinning, thanks to the rookie’s emergence. While Kizer has a lot of development ahead of him to become a reliable starter — and to keep the Browns from drafting yet another passer next year — this might be the year the Browns finally find their answer at the game’s most important position.
10. PATRICK MAHOMES WILL UNSEAT ALEX SMITH
Smith, the Kansas City Chiefs starting quarterback, has been Wally Pipp’ed before — by Kaepernick five years ago in San Francisco. If Smith suffers any sort of lapse or injury, it could happen again. Mahomes, whom the Chiefs drafted No. 10 overall after trading up, had an impressive preseason, and it could be hard to keep the quarterback of the future off the field if Smith opens the door even a little.