Trying to pick which NFL team is going to win their conference each year isn’t easy, but history helps us pick some favourites.
Philosopher George Santayana once famously declared that: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
But history isn’t the ultimate decider of winners either – an NBA player by the name of LeBron James once famously declared that “history is made to be broken”.
We’ll start with the AFC. We all know that the Patriots will win the AFC East, even if Tom Brady is suspended for the first four games. The Patriots have been AFC champions a record six times in the past 14 years, and with possibly the greatest quarterback of all time (depending on who you ask) under centre, it would be more of a shock if they didn’t repeat as Super Bowl champions in Santa Clara.
The Indianapolis Colts will look to repeat as AFC South champions. People rave on about Andrew Luck’s talent, but he’s failed to produce when it matters so far. If a healthy Jadeveon Clowney can team with JJ Watt, the Houston Texans will dominate teams defensively.
The Denver Broncos will have the AFC West locked down as usual, and this will be Peyton Manning’s last chance for that second Super Bowl ring. However, the 39-year-old knows that if he plays poorly like he did down the stretch last year, the Broncos won’t even make it past the divisional round.
The AFC North sent three teams to the playoffs last season, but both the Ravens and the Bengals will take steps back this year. The Ravens lost key players in free agency, and to quote the great Dennis Green, the Bengals are what they thought we were. They’ll make the playoffs then lose the first game.
The only real threat to the Patriots is the Pittsburgh Steelers. With Le’Veon Bell in the backfield and the trio of Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant and Markus Wheaton out wide, there’s no reason why they shouldn’t improve on their 11-5 record and give the Patriots a real run for their money.
Moving onto the NFC, we’ll start with the division that is probably the worst in the NFL – the NFC South. The Panthers would be expected to repeat as ‘champions’ (if you can be called that with a negative record), but losing Kelvin Benjamin for the year with a torn ACL really hurts their offence.
The Seattle Seahawks are favourites to retain their NFC West crown. With the addition of Jimmy Graham, they finally have a receiver threat for Russell Wilson to throw to. The Arizona Cardinals look unlikely to have another 11-5 season, as their defensive maestro is now the head coach of the Jets.
The NFC East looks likely to send the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles to the playoffs. Dallas lost a big part of their offence with their workhorse running back heading to the rival Eagles, but both teams will look to put together double-digit wins and make a strong run in January.
Many are picking the reigning NFC North champions Green Bay Packers to make it to the Super Bowl – whether they win is a different matter. Losing Jordy Nelson for the season is a big blow, but with Aaron Rodgers throwing the football, it doesn’t matter who’s catching it – they’re going to win.
The Detroit Lions took a big step forward last year, but losing Ndamukong Suh to the Dolphins was a big blow on defence. Luckily for them, they signed Haloti Ngata, one of the premier defensive tackles in the league. With their explosive offence, expect them to be favourites for a deep run.
So after all this analysis, who do I think will be in the Super Bowl? I think the AFC Championship Game will be the New England Patriots against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Patriots will triumph to get Tom Brady his seventh AFC Championship (and possibly his fifth Super Bowl ring).
The NFC Championship Game is much harder to predict. I suspect the Seattle Seahawks and the Green Bay Packers will be left standing after the dust has settled. Let’s throw a bit of an upset in here – Seattle against Green Bay, at Lambeau Field, and the Packers will win it in OT.
Packers against Patriots? Rodgers against Brady? Now there’s a Super Bowl I’d pay to see.
SAVAGE
Guest
Good predictions.
SAVAGE
Guest
What Conference Championship game was that? What Super Bowl game was that? I could say the same for Matthew Stafford, who runs the team I support.........but, like the Patriots are the Colts boogey man team, the Packers are the same for the Lions.
pete bloor
Guest
On the overestimation of history point I think that the author has misinterpreted Santayana as history repeats itself rather than history will repeat itself if you are ignorant of it.
bear54
Cooper will improve them but he'll be double teamed. The Raiders will be forced to rely on Carr and Murray to get it done and they're not quite ready, yet.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
OAK will improve a lot. Cooper will be a difference from day 1
bear54
Please don't read into my Seahawks fandom as me being churlish but...... not only will the Patriots not win Super Bowl 50 they won't make the playoffs. Their defensive backfield has been decimated and they'll miss Vince Wilfork up front. If Gronk spends anytime on the sideline they'll be cooked. Miami have improved on both sides of the ball as have the Bills. Rex Ryan always starts off with a bang and he'll fire this team up for the season before they get sick of his act next year. Tyrod Taylor looks very good in pre-season action and it'll take defensive coordinators a few weeks to work him out. I can see both of these teams beating the Pats home and away. New York will be better with Todd Bowles but someone has to come last. He has had immediate effect as the Jets are already playing "smash mouth football"!!!! In the AFC North, again the dominant team has a new collection of defensive backs to break in. They won't settle quickly enough so Big Ben will be throwing all game to keep up. I expect to see 30-40 or 40-30 scorelines all year for them. Lev Bell and Martavis Bryant missing 2 and 4 games respectively could be too big a hurdle to get over. The Ravens can't keep sneaking into the playoffs so they'll fall back with some resurgence by the Browns and yes, Andy Dalton will lead the Bengals back to the top of the division only to lose in week 1 as always. Bengals fans will be disappointed while Browns fans will still envy them. Down south it's Indianapolis first, daylight second, third and fourth with the Texans and Titans trading 8-8 records while the Jags can look forward to another early pick in the 2016 draft. I want Houston to be better but without Foster and seriously, Brian Hoyer??? If they had better defensive backs the Texan defense could outscore their offense for the season. Marcus Mariota will be good but great for the Titans. I expect the Jags to scare some teams then revert back to who they really are for the following few weeks. Out west Denvers' defense will gloss over Mannings weakening arm and penchant for throwing ducks downfield to go neck and neck with the improving Chiefs. Alex Smith has a receiver now so with Charles out of the backfield and Kelcey at TE they have improved on last year. If KC's defense is anything like last year they'll be tough to beat. I wish I had something nice to say for the Chargers but Phillip Rivers will have to do it all himself as usual and he can't keep it up all season (although he doesn't appear to have that trouble at home with SEVEN kids). Oakland are hopeless but not without hope. Carr is improving but their offense is a couple of seasons away. If you get a chance watch Khalil Mack at DE, he's a beast!! In the NFC east it's all Philly if Bradford holds up for the season. Chip Kelly IS a genius and they will break yardage and point scoring records while the non-name defense holds Dallas and the Giants at bay. Dallas played beyond themselves last year and seriously downgraded at running back this year. Washington are so bad they may end up with minus points this year. I'll be surprised if Gruden is still the coach by week 6 when Daniel Snyder decides to ride the coaching-merry-go-round again. The NFC south is always an interesting battle. The Saints should take it because of Brees but you can't count out the Panthers while the Falcons are better than last season. It'll be a dogfight again but I can see the Saints taking the division at 10-6 in the final week with a win over Atlanta and the Bucs winning possibly their only game of the year knocking out Carolina. Tampa Bay will be bad this season, very bad. Up north the stage is set for the Lions or the Vikings to get over Green Bay. They both have all the talent in the world on offense and if they can just put some pressure on Rodgers they will take the division. I like the Vikes with AP back on board and Teddy Bridgewater is very classy. Bears fans will have to endure Cutler throwing passes to the opposition and not caring but with the added bonus that he's cashing $25 Million while he's doing it. The 85 Bears defense would kill this team..... and most of those blokes are in their 60's now!!! In the wild, wild NFC west I can't pick against the Seahawks but am worried about what I have seen in the preseason. As soon as Kam Chancellor is back on the field I'll feel more confidant. As much as I want Jarryd Hayne to have a great season I think the 49ers won't be any better than last year. They've lost too much defensive talent and Frank Gore will be missed on and off the field. Reggie Bush is not an upgrade, just ask Kim Kardashian. The Rams will be 7-9 or 8-8 because I think it's in Jeff Fishers contract and while I really like Bruce Arians I think Carson Palmer will hear footsteps all season and have a down year for the Cards. They'll miss Todd Bowls in NY as well. So to summerise, Indianapolis, KC, Miami, Cincinnati, Buffalo & Denver. Indianapolis def Buffalo in the AFC Championship game. Philadelphia, Seattle, Minnesota, New Orleans, Detroit & Green Bay. Philadelphia def Seattle in NFC Championship. Philadelphia def Indianapolis 33-23 in Super Bowl 50
Tigranes
Guest
Luck plays for the Colts who are in AFC South...so currently the only way he could play in the NFC Championship game would be to transfer to a team in the NFC Conference.
Jason Pollock
Roar Guru
What's the point you're trying to make here?
Brendo
Guest
Again... Peyton - AFC Champ Game...
Brendo
Guest
Impossible for Luck to reach the NFC Champ game... He's only been in the league for 3 seasons. He's 25 years old.
Niall
Guest
Whilst some of the criticism of Manning is fair, he has obviously always been a complete control freak, I think it is worth remembering that American Football is the ultimate team sport and probably the sport where coaches matter more than any other. QB's take too much credit in victory and too much blame in defeat.
Jason Pollock
Roar Guru
IMO, Peyton is too old and worn-down to get back to even the NFC Championship Game, never mind the Super Bowl. His legacy will include a Super Bowl ring with Indy, but it will also include a lot of losses and questions in the playoffs as well.
Jason Pollock
Roar Guru
He can produce in all the 4th quarter comebacks he wants, but if it's not in the NFC Championship Game to reach the Super Bowl, or even the Super Bowl itself to win the game, it doesn't really matter in the narrative that's been crafted around him. Maybe the expectations around him need to be tempered down a bit and brought back down to reality. Just because he was the #1 pick and has had a few good regular season games, doesn't mean he's the second coming of Johnny U and will lead the Colts back to glory. You can say Luck didn't miss field goals or give up 45 points, but he certainly didn't put a very good fight when he played against the Pats. As the QB, his job is to lead the team, and his poor performances in the playoffs certainly don't signify to me that he's as good as everybody thinks he is - WHEN IT MATTERS - in the postseason. In 2012, he lost big in his first playoff game to the Ravens. The next year, he got blown out by the Patriots in the divisional round. Last season, he got blown out again by the Patriots, this time in the NFC Championship game. Maybe once Tom Brady retires and the Patriots stop being so dominant in the NFL, Luck might be able to get to the Super Bowl since the Patriots won't pose such a major threat. But if Luck wants to be thought of as one of the best QBs in the league, he needs to show he can play with the big boys and win when it matters. Until then, he very well may be looked on as a poor man's Peyton Manning - a great regular season QB, but can't do a whole lot in the regular season.
Niall
Guest
NFC Seattle Seahawks Green Bay Packers Philadelphia Eagles Atlanta Falcons Dallas Cowboys Arizona Cardinals Winner - Seattle Seahawks AFC Denver Broncos New England Patriots Indianapolis Colts Pittsburgh Steelers San Diego Chargers Baltimore Ravens Winner - Denver Broncos Peyton gets redemption and a fairytale ending.
Lord Funkington
Guest
Andy Dalton has NINE 4th quarter comebacks and THIRTEEN game winning drives (and if Mike Nugent could kick, it would be 14). However, he is 0-4 at the playoffs. I'd take what Luck has done over that in a heartbeat. Luck will take the colts to the bowl this year, especially now he has a decent RB (Gore) and WR pickups like Andre Johnson.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
When Andrew Luck plays defense you can criticise him for the performance of the team and the lack of teams success. Luck didn't muff the punt on the opening drive last season against the Patriots in the playoffs, he didn't miss field goals and he didn't give up 45 points Do you have multiple references of when he hasn't produced? I'd say 4th qtr comebacks is is producing when it matters
Jason Pollock
Roar Guru
How very mature. Commenting on an article with a stupid remark that has nothing to do with the subject in question. You're not making yourself look very professional, 'Brendo'. Try contributing something relevant to the discussion next time.
Jason Pollock
Roar Guru
I understand teams like the Ravens, Chiefs or Eagles are all dark horse candidates to make a run, but given the level of competition they're up against, I just can't see them beating some of the premier teams in the NFL. Seattle will be good enough to make it to the NFC Championship game, and then lose, as I said. The Patriots are always in the playoffs no matter whether Tom Brady plays good, plays bad or not at all. Jimmy Garopollo could lose the first four games of the season and Brady would come back and win the next 12 - that's how good they are. The Patriots rely on their offense, so losing Revis is not a big deal as some make it out to be.
Lord Funkington
Guest
He's slowing graduating through the playoffs too, extending one week later each year. I like the Colts this year. IF my Bengals don't win. Which they won't.
Jason Pollock
Roar Guru
Those stats are all well and good, but the way that everyone in the NFL raves on and on about it, you would have expected him to make the Super Bowl by now, As I said in the article, when it's mattered, he's not produced.