Hello all at TGG. Last year I made a list before the season about each team's floor, and ceiling, and the thread had moderate success. So I figure I'll do the same this year. Somebody at NFL.com did one of these this year, which is the first I recall seeing somebody in the media doing one. Feel free to add your own. Anyway, here goes nothin! AFC East Patriots 10 14 If Brady is upright, they are a lock for double digit wins, and with the defense looking better than it has in years, the sky is the limit. Jets 6 10 As for us, it's all about health I've determined. If we stay healthy overall, we have little weakness, and could reach double digits. Some areas however, (WR/CB) we need things to go right for us to break .500 Dolphins 3 9 The whole organization is on the verge of either crumbling, or breaking through. The former looks more likely, but Tannehill, and the OL protection will decide their fate. I don't like Tannehill's ceiling, so I don't like Miami's ceiling either. The defense is underrated imo, but lacks depth. Bills 3 8 The Bills are in a very, very similar situation. They have great talent in random spots, but have many holes, limiting their ceiling. They also opened up camp first, and ended it last, creating tension on the team, up, and down. AFC North Steelers 7 11 They don't stay down long, and they ended the season on a hot streak. Yes they missed the playoffs, but remember they also started 0-4 last year. The defense should take that turn this year, as the roster nears overhaul completion. (especially on defense) Ravens 7 11 Ditto Pitt, but I think the Ravens offense got a lot better since last year, and will carry them more than the defense. Bengals 6 11 It's time for these cats to take a step back. They didn't lose much, but they didn't really get better either. This is the biggest toss-up division easily. Browns 4 9 The defense will be top 10 imho, and the offense could be the worst in the league, but could finish the year with a top flight offense too. Either way, they're 1 more year away. AFC South Colts 8 13 With Luck, they won't have a losing record. With that division? They could get a 1st round bye. Forget about if defense is improved or not. They have no competition. Jaguars 5 9 The same folk that made Seattle, is slowly building the formula here. They won't be an easy out for anyone, and if things break their way, could top .500 Titans 3 9 On paper, they don't have much. I like the potential of Locker, and they have a quietly, underrated WR group. It's a pretty new group, and it's hard to see them doing great. Texans 3 9 They have some pieces on defense, where they should be competitive. However their only 2 good players on offense are old, and brittle. They have far too many holes in big positions to have a chance. I see a top 5 draft pick next year. AFC West Broncos 10 14 Last year was their chance. The team looks better this year, but SB losers don't make it back. As for the regular season, it's a much more difficult schedule this year, but they could still dominate. Chargers 6 10 A dive back into mediocrity wouldn't shock me. I think Rivers is just too good to let that happen. This is one of the tighter windows for a team without an elite QB, as they could be below average, or slightly above. Chiefs 5 10 They have nothing but Charles on offense, and the defense lacks depth. They overachieved last year. Raiders 3 8 They have a bunch of pieces..old pieces, and a rookie QB. They on paper could be a .500 team, but will likely be picking in the top 10. NFC East Eagles 6 12 Chip sure seems to know what he is doing. They could breakout, or have an injury riddled season, crashing back down after a surprising year one. Redskins 5 11 This all depends on Griffin. If he gets back to what we saw year 1, they could crush this division out. If he continues to falter, and the defense is still Swiss like, look away. Giants 6 10 They're one of the most unpredictable teams from year to year, and this year, I just don't see the talent. However when you have a Manning, you're capable of a playoff season. Cowboys 5 10 What can I say that hasn't been said? The offense will be great, but the defense will (like always) let them down. 8-8 feels all too inevitable. NFC North Packers 9 13 The defense will be bad some weeks, and great some others. It needs to stay healthy for more of the later. The OL is the key to the offense. If it can even be mediocre, the playoffs are all but promised. Bears 6 11 It's odd how (like the Ravens,) they'll be carried by offense now. Can Cutler stay healthy? Is the defense really better? I have doubts. Lions 5 11 With the firepower they have, you can't overlook them ever. If the front 7 reaches it's potential, the playoffs are on the horizon. The secondary, regardless will be their downfall. Vikings 4 9 With 7 1st round picks in the last 3 drafts, they could have youth growing pains, or take the next step very rapidly. NFC South Saints 8 13 The defense looks better, and the offense has better depth than ever. Look out. Injuries is the only way I see them not having a playoff season. Panthers 6 11 Everyone thinks they're horrible suddenly, because they lost a few average WR, and one past his prime WR. They still will be a great team, they just may have overachieved last year. Falcons 6 11 I've never been a big fan. They don't have much talent outside Ryan, Roddy, and Julio. It's hard to rule them out though. They've been at least decent for quite awhile now. Bucs 4 9 I don't get all the love. They have a good coach, bad, old QB, raw talent, with a slightly above average defense. They will disappoint. NFC West Seahawks 10 14 They remind me of the 2011 Packers. They're better, but won't repeat. Cardinals 5 11 It's a shame they got beat down by the injury bug so much already. It will be hard for them to get to 10 wins again now. I love their coaching situation though, and can not rule it out. 49ers 6 11 The defense will come back to regularity, and I think this is the year everyone realizes Kaepernick will never reach his ceiling. With that said, the offense will still roll on as typical, and the defense will gradually get better as the year goes on. Rams 3 8 If they had Bradford this would be different, but they don't. Regardless of who is playing QB though, they have so much depth, and talent in the other positions that I could see a scenario where they reach .500 Well that's all. I hope you enjoyed reading, and Go JETS!
AFC East Patriots 11 15 If healthy 15 possible barring the likely letdown week, not as healthy 11. Jets 6 10 I'm leaning to the upper end right now. This Raider game will tell me a lot about which way they'll go. Dolphins 6 9 Like their D, but the O-line and inconsistency will hold them back. Bills 4 7 I think 7 is probably generous... No QB. AFC North Steelers 7 10 Don't think they are anywhere near the team they were 4 years ago. They're bringing back old guys they supposedly replacing and putting out to pasture. The Steelers and the CRavens will fight to see who ends up with 9 wins, Ravens 7 10 Their D is a shell of what it used to be. See Steelers. Bengals 9 11 This should be the Bengals division, Just way more talented than any other team in the division. Only a collapse will stop them from winning the division. Browns 4 8 The defense is really good. For them to win 8 Hoyer needs to play like he did before getting hurt last year. AFC South Colts 10 12 I have a feeling they won't be as good as last year, but they may not need to. Jaguars 5 8 They are going in the right direction, but next year they make the next step. Titans 6 9 For some reason I like these guys to get the 2nd wild card. Texans 3 7 Don't expect Foster to stay healthy and think they don't have a QB yet. AFC West Broncos 10 12 Tougher schedule and not as loaded at the skill positions and O-line. The division will be competed for. Chargers 10 12 I like these guys to give Denver a run for the division. They need to convert more drives into TDS this year. Chiefs 5 8 Step back year. Didn't beat many really good teams last year. Raiders 4 7 No idea. Best case 6 or 7 wins and they don't ruin Carr by getting him killed. NFC East Eagles 9 11 Best of a weak division. Might win the division with 9. Redskins 6 9 If they go to Cousins I can see 9, RGIII I expect the low end. Giants 4 7 They are just not a good team on either side of the ball Cowboys 6 10 As mediocre as they are, they are the only team I could see giving the Iggles a run for the division NFC North Packers 10 12 Not great on D but good enough to win the division with the O. Bears 7 10 Definitely a wild card team, but I have no faith Cutler can win a big game. Lions 7 10 Darkhorse to surprise. The talent is there. Vikings 6 8 A wildcard contender if they were in a few other divisions. .500 team in this one. NFC South Saints 10 13 Main challenger to the Seahawks if the D takes the next step. Panthers 8 10 Great D, if they can score they will be really good Falcons 6 9 Lack of D and a horrible game manager for a coach. Will score against the average teams Bucs 5 9 I put them in the same category as the Jags. A year away from being relevent NFC West Seahawks 11 14 You could make it 15, but they'll lose two rivalry games on the road Cardinals 5 9 The CD took too much of a hit to compete for the playoffs, and Palmer won't put up the points to offset it. 49ers 7 11 I expect a drop, but not out of the playoffs type drop Rams 6 9 Hill is actually a better QB than Bradford. Wrong division for a run, but they'll do better than expected
I dont think every teams ceiling is a potential playoff spot. You have 29 teams with a ceiling of atleast 9 wins. Thats way too many IMO. There's no way teams like the Raiders, Jags, Bucs, Vikings, Cowboys, Texans and Browns..and now Rams, will reach that potential.
