2014 NFL Season Previews- Dallas Cowboys

Last Season: 8-8, 2^nd NFC East

Playoffs: None

 

Key Returning Players: QB Tony Romo, RB DeMarco Murray, WR Dez Bryant, LB Sean Lee

 

Key Newcomer: QB Brandon Weeden

 

Key Games on Schedule: vs. San Francisco (Week 1), vs. New Orleans (Week 4), at Seattle (Week 6), at Chicago (Week 14), at Philadelphia (Week 15)

 

The Cowboys come into the 2014 season after a bitter finish to the 2013 season left them out of the playoffs for the third straight season. Quarterback Tony Romo looks to improve after a back injury sidelined him for the season’s biggest game. Receiver Dez Bryant and running back DeMarco Murray look for breakout seasons in 2014. Defensively, Dallas struggled last season, especially without linebacker Sean Lee. Lee tore his ACL again this past spring, so his status for the season is uncertain at this time. The secondary will be the Cowboys’ strongest area defensively, with Morris Claiborne and Orlando Scandrick returning.

 

Regular Season Record Prediction: 7-9, 3^rd NFC East

Dallas Playoff Prediction: None

2014 NFL Season Previews- New York Giants

Last Season: 6-10, 3^rd NFC East

Playoffs: None

 

Key Returning Players: QB Eli Manning, WR Victor Cruz, RB Brandon Jacobs, DE Jason Pierre-Paul

 

Key Newcomer: WR Odell Beckham

 

Key Games on Schedule: at Detroit (Week 1), at Philadelphia (Week 6), vs. Indianapolis (Week 9), at Seattle (Week 10), vs. San Francisco (Week 11)

 

The Giants come into the 2014 season after an extreme disappointment in 2013. Quarterback Eli Manning, who had his worst passing season last year, returns for his 10^th season. Running back Brandon Jacobs returns to help the Giants’ ground woes from 2013. New York drafted ex-LSU receiver Odell Beckham to aid their receiving corps that has little depth. Defensively, the primary returning starter is Jason Pierre-Paul (defensive end), and he will need the rest of the defense to step up in 2014 if New York wants success.

 

Regular Season Record Prediction: 8-8, 2^nd NFC East

New York Playoff Prediction: None

2014 NFL Season Previews- Philadelphia Eagles

Last Season: 10-6, 1^st NFC East

Playoffs: Lost to NO in NFC Wild Card Round

 

Key Returning Players: QB Nick Foles, RB LeSean McCoy, WR Riley Cooper, LB Connor Barwin

 

Key Newcomer: WR Jordan Matthews

 

Key Games on Schedule: at Indianapolis (Week 2), at San Francisco (Week 4), vs. Carolina (Week 10), at Green Bay (Week 11), vs. Seattle (Week 14)

 

The Eagles come into the 2014 season with a chip on their shoulders after a bitter loss to New Orleans at home in the NFC Wild Card Round. Quarterback Nick Foles steps into the spotlight as the Eagles’ starting quarterback after shifting back and forth with Michael Vick his first two seasons. Despite losing DeSean Jackson to the Redskins, Foles still has LeSean McCoy in the backfield and Riley Cooper in the receiving corps. Defensively, Philadelphia looks to improve from last year after a lackluster performance in 2013. Connor Barwin returns at linebacker to head Philly’s defense.

 

Regular Season Record Prediction: 10-6, 1^st NFC East

Philadelphia Playoff Prediction: Loss in NFC Wild Card

2014 NFL Season Previews- Oakland Raiders

Last Season: 4-12, 4^th AFC West

Playoffs: None

 

Key Returning Players: QB Matt McGloin, RB Darren McFadden, WR Denarius Moore, S Charles Woodson

 

Key Newcomer: LB Lamarr Woodley

 

Key Games on Schedule: at New England (Week 3), vs. Miami (Week 4), at Seattle (Week 9), vs. Denver (Week 10), vs. San Francisco (Week 14)

 

The Raiders come into the 2014 season after another disappointing season in 2013. Quarterback Matt McGloin will likely be the starter for Oakland, while Darren McFadden and Denarius Moore head the running backs and wide receivers respectively. On defense, Oakland picked up Lamarr Woodley at linebacker, and Charles Woodson returns at safety for his second season with the Raiders. The 2014 season will not be easy for the Raiders, as they compete in a tough division with the Broncos, Chiefs, and Chargers. Don’t expect Oakland to be a playoff team yet.

 

Regular Season Record Prediction: 5-11, 4^th AFC West

Oakland Playoff Prediction: None

2014 NFL Season Previews- San Diego Chargers

Last Season: 9-7, 3^rd AFC West

Playoffs: Lost to DEN in AFC Divisional Round

 

Key Returning Players: QB Phillip Rivers, RB Ryan Mathews, WR Keenan Allen, DE Dwight Freeney

 

Key Newcomer: CB Chris Davis

 

Key Games on Schedule: vs. Seattle (Week 2), vs. Kansas City (Week 7), at Denver (Week 8), vs. New England (Week 14), at San Francisco (Week 16)

 

The Chargers come into the 2014 season after a rather successful 2013 campaign. San Diego made the playoffs on the last day of the regular season and went on to defeat Cincinnati in the wild card round before losing to Denver in the divisional. Quarterback Phillip Rivers and receiver Keenan Allen return to lead the Chargers’ balanced offense. On defense, former Auburn hero Chris Davis begins his NFL career and will lead San Diego’s secondary, while Dwight Freeney returns for his 14^th NFL season at defensive end.

 

Regular Season Record Prediction: 9-7, 3^rd AFC West

San Diego Playoff Prediction: None

2014 NFL Season Previews- Kansas City Chiefs

Last Season: 11-5, 2^nd AFC West

Playoffs: Lost to IND in AFC Wild Card Playoff

 

Key Returning Players: QB Alex Smith, RB Jamaal Charles, WR Dwayne Bowe, DE Tamba Hali

 

Key Newcomer: QB Aaron Murray

 

Key Games on Schedule: at Denver (Week 2), vs. New England (Week 4), at San Francisco (Week 5), vs. Seattle (Week 11), vs. Denver (Week 13)

 

The Chiefs come into the 2014 season after a heartbreaking loss to Indianapolis in last year’s wild card round after holding a 28-point lead in the game. Quarterback Alex Smith and running back Jamaal Charles lead the offensive charge that improved dynamically during the regular season. Kansas City’s defense, on the other hand, started out strong in 2013, but it declined after numerous injuries, including a season-ending injury to linebacker Josh Houston. Defensive end Tamba Hali returns for KC to lead the defense.

 

Regular Season Record Prediction: 11-5, 2^nd AFC West

Kansas City Playoff Prediction: Loss in AFC Divisional Round

2014 NFL Season Previews- Denver Broncos

Last Season: 13-3, 1^st AFC West

Playoffs: Lost to Seattle in Super Bowl

 

Key Returning Players: QB Peyton Manning, WR Demariyus Thomas, TE Julius Thomas, LB Von Miller

 

Key Newcomer: DE Demarcus Ware

 

Key Games on Schedule: vs. Indianapolis (Week 1), at Seattle (Week 3), vs. San Francisco (Week 7), at New England (Week 9), at Kansas City (Week 13)

 

The Broncos enter the 2014 season with a head full of steam after an embarrassing Super Bowl loss to Seattle in 2013. Quarterback Peyton Manning (age 38) returns for his third season in Denver after a record-breaking 2013 campaign. Despite the loss of WR Eric Decker to the Jets, the Broncos’ offense still has most of its weapons left, including receiver Demariyus Thomas and tight end Julius Thomas. Defensively, Denver made one of the offseason’s most important acquisitions in picking up defensive end Demarcus Ware from Dallas. Ware will give Denver’s D-line a boost while Von Miller heads the linebacking corps.

 

Regular Season Record Prediction: 14-2, 1^st AFC West

Denver Playoff Prediction: Loss in Super Bowl XLIX

2014 NFL Season Previews- Jacksonville Jaguars

Last Season: 4-12, 3^rd AFC South

Playoffs: None

 

Key Returning Players: RB Jordan Todman, WR Justin Blackmon, WR Cecil Shorts, LB Paul Posluszny

 

Key Newcomer: QB Blake Bortles

 

Key Games on Schedule: at Philadelphia (Week 1), vs. Indianapolis (Week 3), at San Diego (Week 4), at Cincinnati (Week 9), vs. Dallas (Week 10)

 

The Jaguars are one of the youngest squads in the NFL for the 2014 season, and they are just about starting from scratch. Jacksonville lost “veterans” Chad Henne and Maurice Jones-Drew to trades, however, fresh talent was brought up in the NFL draft. Among this group is likely new starting quarterback Blake Bortles (UCF), who led UCF to a Fiesta Bowl win in 2013. Bortles will have two rookie receivers in his arsenal- Allen Robinson (Penn State) and Marqise Lee (USC). Both Robinson and Lee had spectacular college careers, but the NFL will definitely present a new challenge to them. On the defensive side, Paul Posluszny returns to anchor the Jaguars’ defense, which will have to carry the team provided the inexperienced offensive group.

 

Regular Season Record Prediction: 5-11

Jacksonville Playoff Prediction: None

2014 NFL Season Previews- Houston Texans

Last Season: 2-14, 4^th AFC South

Playoffs: None

 

Key Returning Players: QB Case Keenum, RB Arian Foster, WR Andre Johnson, DE JJ Watt

 

Key Newcomer: DE Jadeveon Clowney

 

Key Games on Schedule: vs. Washington (Week 1), at Dallas (Week 5), vs. Indianapolis (Week 6), at Pittsburgh (Week 7), vs. Philadelphia (Week 9)

 

The Texans come into the 2014 season after a disappointing 2013 campaign left them at 2-14 and with the first draft pick. However, Houston’s luck may have changed because they picked Jadeveon Clowney (South Carolina) as their first pick. He brings talent to the already seasoned Texans defense which includes defensive end JJ Watt. On the offensive side, Case Keenum will likely slip into the starting position at quarterback after the loss of Matt Schaub. Arian Foster (RB) and Andre Johnson (WR) will be Keenum’s two main weapons, but there will need to be other go-to-guys in order for Houston to be successful.

 

Regular Season Record Prediction: 6-10

Houston Playoff Prediction: None

2014 NFL Season Previews- Tennessee Titans

Last Season: 7-9, 2^nd AFC South

Playoffs: None

 

Key Returning Players: QB Jake Locker, RB Shonn Greene, WR Justin Hunter, CB Jason McCourty

 

Key Newcomer: QB Zach Mettenberger

 

Key Games on Schedule: at Kansas City (Week 1), vs. Dallas (Week 2), at Cincinnati (Week 3), at Baltimore (Week 10), at Philadelphia (Week 12)

 

The Titans come into the 2014 season after a seemingly promising 2013 campaign turned south after an injury to quarterback Jake Locker. Locker returns to the starting position with most of his weapons still available, including receivers Nate Washington and Justin Hunter. However, Tennessee will have to do without running back Chris Johnson, who was traded to the NY Jets. On defense, Jason McCourty and Coty Sensabaugh return at cornerback, but the rest of the defense is rather inexperienced and will need time to season.

 

Regular Season Record Prediction: 8-8, 2^nd AFC South

Tennessee Playoff Prediction: None