Preview of a Football Preview

Nate’s 9: Preview of a Football Preview

            I pretty much need either football or soccer in my life. So without further ado, here’s a little something for everyone that feels the same way I do.

Nate’s 9: NFL Teams Challenging for a Ring

#9. Minnesota Vikings. Much to my chagrin, Mike Zimmer is building something nice here in Minnesota. Most of the key pieces are already in place: balanced offense, good pass rush, depth in the secondary. Until the final 30 seconds of their playoff game, I thought their special teams were one of the best in the league (And if Blair bounces back from his miss, they still will be). If Teddy Bridgewater becomes a quarterback they can count on for 30+ TD’s and if Mackensie Alexander locks down that 2^nd CB spot sooner rather than later, they could push for a ring this season.

#8. Oakland Raiders. Laugh. Go ahead, I'll wait. I did too. But after looking over all 32 rosters, and figuring out when teams play whom, etc, the Raiders are pushing upward rather quickly. For the first time since I've been allowed to have a legal alcoholic beverage in the United States, the Raiders could make the playoffs. Bruce Irvin was my favorite free agent signing. Sean Smith was right outside my top 5, and Kelechi Osemele was right outside my top 10. With staples Derek Carr, Amari Cooper and Khalil Mack a crucial part of the team too, I might be the first person to predict this team to win their division. It'll be decided in weeks 14, 15, 16 and 17 (at KC, at SD, Indy, at Den).

#7. Kansas City Chiefs. Probably a more realistic shot at the Super Bowl than Oakland this year, but this team can never stay completely healthy, and they have some must have guys if they are going to push for an NFL title. I disliked their draft so I don't think they'll improve off of their 11-5 season last year, but with a healthy Jamaal Charles, Travis Kelce, Tamba Hali and Marcus Peters, they have the talent to match up against the NFL's best on a week-by-week basis.

#6. Green Bay Packers. Aaron Rodgers probably makes this list by himself. But for the last 5 years, they always seem to wilt at the biggest moments. Why will this year be any different? Well, Jordy is back and I think people now realize how important he is to their roster. Everything else is a mis-match when he is at his sparkling best. Randall Cobb can hide in the slot, Davante Adams can run down the sideline, and Richard Rodgers will be covered by linebackers. They need Eddie Lacy to dominate the strong NFC defenses they'll going to face frequently, and if the young secondary make strides, Aaron could be chasing a second ring.

#5. Seattle Seahawks. When I started this process, I thought that this was kind of low. I mean, they have one of the best defenses in the league, a very confident QB that really took off last year, and a receiving core that's turning into a weapon. They had to reload on both lines and at the running back position, and it appears that they've done enough to do so. Plus if we take off our hater glasses, they have one of the best coaches in the league in Pete Carroll. K.J. Wright and Bobby Wagner are two of the league's best LB's, and I think that alone is enough to make the playoffs possibly go through the Northwest again. I think we will know everything when they take a trip on a Sunday night to play Tom Brady up in Foxboro.

#4. Carolina Panthers. Did the window shut on this franchise when Von sacked Cam? No, I don't think so. I will say that the most surprising move of the off-season was when they let big, bad Josh Norman leave for free to the Washington Redskins, but upon further review, I think they got it right. You're going to have to pay Luke. You're going to have to continue paying Cam. You're going to have to pay Star. That's what happens when a team goes 15-1. Chances are it means they are good, and decisions are going to have to be made. It goes without saying that a Super Bowl appearance without a probowl CB means this window stays open for awhile.

#3. Arizona Cardinals. This is probably my favorite roster on this list, but whoo! This is a nasty schedule that sees 5 games against teams that made this list. They have a couple of gaping holes that are going to be filled by... players with questionable characteristics to say the least (Robert Nkemdiche, anyone?) I like the pairing of Calais Campbell and Chandler Jones on the edges, and their hybrid 3-3-5 defense is exciting to watch and tough to beat, when everyone is healthy and on the field. Their offense has just enough depth around to make keying in on any one aspect very difficult to do, and leaves your own defense exposed if you over commit. David Johnson appears to be the real deal in every way (run, pass, block). Carson Palmer still has a little left. Their receiving core is four deep. If 2nd round draft pick Brandon Williams can do anything close to what Patrick Peterson does every week, this really could be our Super Bowl Champion.

#2. New England Patriots. I don't think they're going to be 0-4 when the great "Messiah" comes back from being wrongly condemned by the fans, media, and rest of the NFL. #Sarcasm. They cheated, they got caught, and they'll get on with it. I honestly think they go 3-1, unless JJ Watt and Jadeveon Clowney rattle Jimmy Garappolo a little bit. And that's to my point, because I think Garappolo is a Tony Romo in waiting. Not to say that he'll be the best around, but he can make a lot of throws, has a ton of confidence, and won't screw things up because he'll know how good the players around him are. Then when Tom comes back they have Cleveland. So the ship gets fixed (if it was ever broken), they go on a run, and ride the most ridiculous TE pair I've ever seen of Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett to the AFC Championship game. Keep the balls full of air, okay Tom?

#1. Pittsburgh Steelers. I think. I keep looking at New England thinking holy... But this Steelers squad is no joke, they get the NFC East (4-0?), the AFC East (3-1?) and 2 games against the Cleveland Browns (2-0). That's 9 wins already. All jokes aside, they are blessed all the way around the field as long as the players stop smoking weed, and the kickers stop tearing their ACL's. Ben has really become one of the best quarterbacks in the game, and he makes weapons out of all his receivers (From Plaxico to Hines, Wallace to Sanders and now the Beast). You all know how I feel about AB and if you don't - ask Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb (The two players I would give away, so Aaron Rodgers could throw to one Antonio Brown). Coupled with a bunch of LB's with a lot to prove and a young, but optimistic secondary, this team is starting to take on the identity of their coach once again. I think that's scary enough to win the damn thing.

9 Exciting Players

#9. Andrew Luck. Maybe the Colts will actually protect the NFL's biggest asset as we get near his prime years. With time, the man can do it all.

#8. Todd Gurley. In 2004, I fell in love with Adrian Peterson. Here comes the new answer to the same old question.

#7. JJ Watt. Always seems to be in the opponent's backfield. And I don't really get excited about line play.

#6. DeAndre Hopkins. Catches everything. Seriously, everything.

#5. Dez Bryant. When healthy, he is exciting. For a number of reasons. 

#4. Patrick Peterson. So dominant, it's crazy. I saw him make Calvin Johnson swear once.

#3. Adrian Peterson. He's been on the wrong team for almost 10 years now, but I just can't get enough. I've never seen another athlete use violence so successfully.

#2. Cam Newton. Really moved into that next level of QB. If he can raise his completion levels to the top group of quarterbacks, he could have a legendary season.

#1. Russell Wilson. I can't stand him, or his dang team. But I can't not watch him either. Simply incredible.

9 Teams that could make the NCAA Playoffs

#9. North Dakota State. You think I'm kidding. I wouldn't put it past them. (Michigan State probably gets the play here, really, but that schedule!)

#8. Ole Miss. I was big on them last year, but they graduated some studs. They kept my 2nd favorite QB in the game around though, and Chad Kelly could be enough to get through the treacherous SEC West. 

#7. LSU. They have a beautiful, and I mean beautiful roster of talent. Except for the QB. Brandon Harris is one of my least favorites around, but with Leonard Fournette, Derrius Guice, and Malachi Dupre, it might not even matter.

#6. Notre Dame. They lost a ton of starters off of a really good team, but Brian Kelly has been a sensational recruiter as of late. I'd almost put him on par with the Les Miles and Nick Saban duopoly of the SEC. It really comes down to which QB he picks, and how well that player leads the team. Signs point to Deshone Kizer, but I'd put my money on Malik Zaire by the end of the season.

#5. Ohio State. We laugh. What team could possibly lose 16 starters, led by the likes of Ezekiel Elliott, Michael Thomas, Joey Bosa and Braxton Miller and still be in consideration of a National Championship. This team. Mike Weber will be Maurice Clarett reincarnated (hopefully without the guns and stuff). Noah Brown might be better than Michael Thomas. Nick Bosa is Joey Bosa's little brother (I think that says it all - Nation's #1 overall recruit). Gareon Conley could be the best CB in the country by the end of the year. I'm sure Urban Meyer believes that things will be just fine.

#4. Alabama. They're usually always either #1 or #2 with me. The only reason, and I mean the ONLY reason that they start at 4 this year, is because of "who is Cooper Bateman"? If their new QB can answer that question by say the 17th of September when they have to go over to Oxford, Mississippi and play the Rebels, then I think they go back to their rightful position near/at the top. If we're still left wondering, and if a brand new group of running backs that don't have the power and speed of Derrick Henry and Kenyon Drake start to crumble, they could crash out of this entire list completely. Calvin Ridley is my favorite player in the country, but even he will have a tough time going on the road to Ole Miss, Tennessee, and LSU and coming out with 3 wins.

#3. Michigan. What's sad is they might be here for awhile. These aren't even Jim Harbaugh's players!!! He returns 14 starters, some of who are very good, and brings in a National Top 5 recruiting class as well to boot. They have 2 of the nation's best defensive players in Jabrill Peppers and Jourdan Lewis, and either one could be a top 15 pick in next year's NFL draft. Harbaugh made magic with Jake Rudock at QB, and got him all the way up to the NFL. They brought in a good transfer in John O'Korn, but Michigan's path to the NCAA Playoff is laid out pretty simply. Win in East Lansing and Columbus, plus the Big Ten Championship game, and they'll probably have the #1 seed going into the CFP matches.

#2. Florida State. I'm having this sense of Deja vu... Freshman QB, star-studded roster, game against Clemson to determine fate... Ah, yes Jameis Winston winning his National Championship back in 2013. And here we are. If Malik Henry (who is amazing) can take over the QB position from Deondre Francois and make it his, and if Dalvin Cook gears up towards winning a Heisman, then the only think that should be stopping Florida State from doing this all over again is...

#1. Clemson. October 29th, 2016, a battle will be forged in a beautiful southern city where two of the greatest teams in the land, led by two of college football's best players went head to head to determine which one of them will be winning a National Championship. Here's the kicker. We all know Deshaun Watson and how he'll be next year's #1 pick. We all know WR Artavis Scott and that he'll probably go in the first round as well. What we don't know is that Florida State and Clemson don't have any other games in which they won't be favored, and so we could very well see two ACC teams (even with 1 sitting out the ACC Championship) getting together again next Jan 9th, 2017 and play with two fully loaded rosters to do battle in a beautiful southern city.