Here is my 2013 NFL Year in Review

(169-86-1 for the season, 9-1 for the playoffs)
 

It’s been a great season, especially for Broncos and Seahawks fans, and I’ve enjoyed trying to pick each game each week, including the playoffs.  I didn’t do too bad, guessing right about 66% of the time, and going almost perfect through the playoffs.  Here’s a look back on where I thought each team would end up and what actually happened by the end of the year (2013 record in parentheses).
 
 AFC East 

  1. Patriots – “Tom Brady’s weapons might be changing, but he’s still Tom Brady.” (1st, 12-4) Pretty accurate, the Pats were still a great team, but in the end Brady’s lack of weapons did them in and stopped them one game short of the Super Bowl.
  2. Dolphins – “Their first year as a unit went OK, their second year might be pretty much the same.” (3rd, 8-8) I’d say going .500 is the definition of “OK”.  They almost made the playoffs, falling just short.
  3. Jets “I don’t think these guys know what they’re doing, not at all.” (2nd, 8-8) It was an up & down year for Rex Ryan & Geno Smith, and often they really did seem to have no idea what was going on.
  4. Bills – “New everything, and it’ll probably take a little time.” (4th, 6-10) The Bills showed a little promise and things might have gone better had E.J. Manuel stayed healthy, but they’ve got some reason to be hopeful for next year.
AFC North
  1. Bengals – “The door is open for Cinci, and Dalton could make strides this year.” (1st, 11-5) The division was the Bengals’ to lose all year and they held on to take it.  Unfortunately Dalton can’t seem to win when the game really matters.
  2. Ravens – “Their old defense is gone, but some say their new one is better.  We’ll see.” (3rd, 8-8) Their D was not better and their offense sputtered more often than not.  A mediocre and relatively boring team.
  3. Steelers – “Feels like they’re stuck in a funk.  A good team, but not scary.” (2nd, 8-8) Exactly right, a fine team that isn’t really a contender any more.  Not sure what they answer is but they had better change something.
  4. Browns – “Oh Brownies, how pathetic you are.  It’s almost sad.  Almost.” (4th, 4-12) Predicting that the Browns would be sad is no huge stretch.  They’re just an awful franchise that has literally no hope whatsoever.
AFC South
  1. Texans – “A tough team already, and then you add in Ed Reed.” (4th, 2-14) Wow, talk about wrong.  My only consolation is that everyone thought just I like did and no one saw them as having the first pick in next years’ Draft.
  2. Colts – “Luck could face a sophomore slump, especially with a new OC.” (1st, 11-5) I was pretty off the mark with Luck, but he played in a very weak division and never blew my mind.
  3. Titans – “Jake Locker better show what he can do soon before his time runs out.” (2nd, 7-9) Well the HC’s time ran out and I don’t see Locker lasting long under a new regime.
  4. Jaguars – “An entirely new staff and bad QBs.  Not a good combination.” (3rd, 4-12) The Jags were as bad as expected.  If they could just find a QB they’d have a glimmer of hope for 2014.  Tebow anyone?
AFC West
  1. Broncos – “Denver will ride Peyton Manning all the way to the Super Bowl.” (1st, 13-3) Boom.  Peyton set QB records, the Broncos were the best offense in history, and they’re in the Super Bowl.  Great season.
  2. Chiefs – “A new regime has taken over and I see them improving quickly.” (2nd, 11-5) They did indeed improve.  Andy Reid, Alex Smith, and a solid D made them a tough team to beat.
  3. Chargers – “I’m so tired of Phillip Rivers.  He’s not a winner, and so SD won’t be either.” (3rd, 9-7) Rivers actually had a good year, snuck into the playoffs, and beat the Bengals.  Not bad.
  4. Raiders – “A complete roster overhaul won’t make them contenders.” (4th, 4-12) The Raiders were a throw-away team and didn’t scare anyone.  They have a bad coach & a bad QB; a killer combination.
NFC East
  1. Cowboys – “The pressure is on and I think Romo and the ‘Boys respond.” (2nd, 8-8) Romo did just fine, it was the defense that was the problem.  They allowed so many points that the offense couldn’t keep up and in the end they were a mediocre team.
  2. Giants – “The G-men are always contenders, and this division is always tight.” (3rd, 7-9) Yes they did end up in a tight division, but no they weren’t truly contenders.  They lost too many games early and could never rebound.
  3. Redskins – “I doubted RG3 last year and was mostly wrong, but I’m not sure he makes it through the season healthy.” (4th, 3-13) RG3 didn’t even make it through the season as the starter.  What a horrible year for the ‘Skins.  Goodbye Shannahan.
  4. Eagles – “An all new staff must fix all the problems.  Should take more than one offseason.” (1st, 10-6) They won the division and their offense was scary at times, but the Eagles were never a great team and got booted right away in the playoffs.
NFC North
  1. Packers – “As long as Rodgers is the QB, the Pack will be a Super Bowl contender.” (1st, 8-7-1) Rodgers’ injury almost derailed the Pack, but luckily the rest of the division decided they would all play bad football too.
  2. Bears – “Brand new staff should give Cutler a chance to be a true gunslinger.” (2nd, 8-8) Cutler stepped up his game this year, when he wasn’t hurt.  The Bears had their chances, but their defense was just dreadful.
  3. Lions – “Detroit can’t be as bad as they were last year again, can they?” (3rd, 7-9) Well no they weren’t, but they also weren’t great.  Their HC got fired because of their lack of focus and discipline.  Good move, if you ask me.
  4. Vikings – “AP is a beast, but I have exactly zero faith in Christian Ponder.” (4th, 5-10-1) Absolutely no one had faith in Ponder this year, least of all the Vikings.  A QB carousal and and overall bad team eventually led to a new HC.
NFC South

  1. Saints – “Coach Payton is back from his suspension and NO is back as the frontrunner.” (2nd, 11-5) The Saints were scary good, especially at home.  But the division went to a team I didn’t see coming and NO fizzled in the playoffs.
  2. Falcons – “Hotlanta should be just as fiery on offense and make the playoffs.” (3rd, 4-12) I don’t feel bad for getting this one wrong, the Falcons were just devastated by injuries and lost all chance very early on.
  3. Buccaneers – “I like their chances this year, but it’s a tough division if NO is back to form.” (4th, 4-12) The Bucs weren’t as awful as their record shows, but they still got a new HC and will have to start from scratch.
  4. Panthers – “I’m just not a big Cam fan.  He’s got a new OC, could take a step back.” (1st, 12-4) This was my biggest misread.  Cam was great, the Carolina D was fantastic, they were hard to beat at home, and had a great year.

NFC West

  1. Seahawks – “I don’t see Russell Wilson taking a big step back, so watch out.” (1st, 13-3) Watch out indeed.  Best team in the NFC, best D in the league, and now they’re in the Super Bowl.
  2. 49ers – “I think Kaepernick does regress and the Niners suffer from the hangover.” (2nd, 12-4) Kaep did have a rough time at the beginning, but his running game and SF’s defense came through in a big way, taking them to the NFC title game.
  3. Cardinals – “They made a ton of moves, brand new team really.” (3rd, 10-6) Tough division, but actually a really good year for Carson Palmer and the Cards.
  4. Rams – “I’ve lost faith in Sam Bradford, and you’ve got to imagine STL will too.” (4th, 7-9) They’ve got to be reconsidering Bradford in St. Louis, he’s just not the guy.
Most improved teams: Chiefs, Saints, Cowboys. (Chiefs, Saints, Panthers)
Least successful teams: Browns, Jaguars, Panthers. (Browns, Jaguars, Texans)
Wild Cards: Ravens, Colts, Bears, Falcons. (Chiefs, Chargers, Saints, 49ers)
Super Bowl: Broncos vs Seahawks. (Broncos vs. Seahawks)

By ochippie

Writer, Critic, Dad Columbus, Ohio, USA Denver Broncos, St. Louis Cardinals Colorado Avalanche, Duke Blue Devils