Final Quick NFL Division Predictions

            No Credentials has been busy relocating its headquarters over the last week, so we’d like to quickly post our final division predictions. We’ll get back on a normal schedule soon, but without further ado, our predictions for both western divisions and the NFC North.
 

NFC North

4. Detroit Lions (3-13)

            Matthew Stafford will rebound, but this is still a horribly coached team.

3. Minnesota Vikings (6-10)

            No runningback has ever followed up a 2,000-yard season with another 2,000-yard season. Unfortunately, that’s what the Vikings need from Adrian Peterson to make the playoffs.

2. Green Bay Packers (10-6)

            They might be the most dangerous NFC playoff team, but there’s quite a few holes on the offensive line for me to endorse a dominant regular season run.

1. Chicago Bears (12-4)

            Thanks to a more imaginative offense, Jay Cutler might have the chance to throw more than 60% of his passes to someone not named Brandon Marshall this season. It doesn’t hurt that Cutler is also playing for a new contract. He could be 2013’s Joe Flacco.
 

AFC West

4. Oakland Raiders (2-14)

            The roster is comically bad, but at least they are looking to the future instead of trying to put lipstick on a pot-bellied pig.

3. San Diego Chargers (5-11)

            Two years ago, Philip Rivers was going in the fourth round of fantasy drafts. How the mighty have fallen.

2. Kansas City Chiefs (10-6)

            The NFL’s most obvious candidate to rebound from a dismal 2012, Kansas City actually has the talent to live up to the hype. Four games against the Raiders and Chargers doesn’t hurt their cause.

1. Denver Broncos (12-4)

            Losing Von Miller hurts (that’s a Troy Aikman-esque statement if I’ve ever seen one), but there’s too much talent on offense. Peyton Manning is a top-5 MVP candidate.
 

NFC West

4. Arizona Cardinals (6-10)

            At least Larry Fitzgerald will be relevant in fantasy this season.

3. St. Louis Rams (8-8)

            St. Louis is loaded with solid young talent, but they are still a year or two away from making a run in the loaded NFC West.

2. Seattle Seahawks (10-6)

            Injuries along the defensive line could make an elite defense look mediocre for the early part of the season.

1. San Francisco 49ers (13-3)

            Other than Vernon Davis, there aren’t a whole lot of options for Colin Kaepernick to throw too until Michael Crabtree returns from injury. Thankfully, there’s enough talent along the offensive line and defense to overcome it.