With the NFL season officially underway as of Friday morning in the UAE, The National staff make their 2015 predictions ahead of the first proper slate of games on Sunday.
Paul Oberjuerge, Sports Editor
Super Bowl winners – New England Patriots
One more time for Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. When they lift the Lombardi Trophy, in February, think of it as an obscene gesture directed towards commissioner Roger Goodell and all the NFL teams and fans who wish them ill.
Conference finals
AFC – New England v Indianapolis
NFC – Green Bay v Dallas
AFC East
- New England
- Miami
- Buffalo
- New York Jets
North
- Pittsburgh
- Cincinnati
- Baltimore
- Cleveland
South
- Indianapolis
- Houston
- Jacksonville
- Tennessee
West
- Kansas City
- Denver
- San Diego
- Oakland
NFC East
- Dallas
- Philadelphia
- New York Giants
- Washington
North
- Green Bay
- Detroit
- Minnesota
- Chicago
South
- New Orleans
- Atlanta
- Carolina
- Tampa Bay
West
- Seattle
- Arizona
- San Francisco
- St Louis
MVP
– Tom Brady
Many fans wish the New England quarterback would just go away, already, but the evil Patriots -- and Brady -- seem to thrive when they feel persecuted, and you can hardly feel more persecuted than when the commissioner is after you.
Rookie of the Year
– Jameis Winston
The Tampa Bay quarterback has been handed the keys to the franchise, and his raw talent is sufficient that he will put up decent numbers for an under-talented team.
Worst record
– New York Jets
When your season begins with the No 1 quarterback having his jaw broken by a teammate, you know things will be rough. Bad team, bad karma, only potential upside is for the top pick in the 2016 draft.
Thomas Woods – Deputy Sports Editor and one-time fantasy football champion
Super Bowl winners – Seattle Seahawks
Quarter-back Russell Wilson gets better with every season and the threat of Marshawn Lynch means team can’t stop Wilson when he decides to run. The addition of tight end Jimmy Graham upgrades a team ready to win now.
Conference finals
AFC – Indianapolis v New England
NFC – Seaatle v Philadelphia
AFC East
- New England
- Miami
- Buffalo
- NY Jets
North
- Cincinnati
- Pittsburgh
- Baltimore
- Cleveland
South
- Indianapolis
- Houston
- Jacksonville
- Tennessee
West
- Denver
- San Diego
- Kansas
- Oakland
NFC East
- Philadelphia
- Dallas
- New York Giants
- Washington
North
- Green Bay
- Minnesota
- Detroit
- Chicago
South
- Atlanta
- New Orleans
- Tampa Bay
- Carolina
West
- Seattle
- Arizona
- St Louis
- San Francisco
MVP
– Russell Wilson
Add at least five rushing touchdowns to his repertoire and a player who almost always produces under pressure will be hard to beat.
Rookie of the Year
– Ameer Abdullah
The Detroit running back steps into the shows of the great Reggie Bush. He will be explosive for a Lions team who should put up big numbers
Worst record
– San Francisco 49ers
Seem to be a team in transition, with players quitting or getting in trouble with the law left, right and centre.
Kevin Jeffers, Sports designer
Super Bowl winners – Green Bay Packers
Aaron Rodgers will cement his name among the all-time greats with his second Super Bowl title, winning a re-match with the Steelers.
Conference finals
NFC – Green Bay d Philadelphia
AFC – Pittsburgh d New England
AFC East
- New England
- Miami
- Buffalo
- NY Jets
North
- Baltimore
- Pittsburgh (WC)
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
South
- Indianapolis
- Tennessee
- Houston
- Jacksonville
West
- Denver
- San Diego (WC)
- Kansas City
- Oakland
NFC East
- Philadelphia
- Dallas (WC)
- NY Giants
- Washington
North
- Green Bay
- Detroit (WC)
- Minnesota
- Chicago
South
- Atlanta
- New Orleans
- Carolina
- Tampa Bay
West
- Seattle
- St Louis
- San Francisco
- Arizona
MVP
– Aaron Rodgers
An easy pick, but he’s the best player in the world and one of the most talented players in league history. He deserves the hardware to show it.
Rookie of the Year
–Marcus Mariota
Tennessee got the better of the top two quarterbacks from April’s draft, as Jameis Winston will have a rough season in Tampa Bay.
Worst record
– Washington Redskins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers and Redskins will tie for the worst record with two wins apiece. The Bucs will have next year’s top pick again.
Jonathan Raymond, web editor
Super Bowl winners – Dallas Cowboys
Dallas, led by a great, under-appreciated quarterback in Tony Romo, boast a dynamite offence and a high-upside defence. It could all implode – these are the Cowboys, after all – but with only a few of the right breaks this can be the year Romo has the right pieces around him to break through to the Super Bowl.
Conference finals
AFC – New England d Indianapolis
NFC – Dallas d Green Bay
AFC East
- New England
- Miami (WC)
- Buffalo
- NY Jets
North
- Cincinnati
- Pittsburgh
- Baltimore
- Cleveland
South
- Indianapolis
- Houston
- Tennessee
- Jacksonville
West
- Kansas City
- Denver (WC)
- Oakland
- San Diego
NFC East
- Dallas
- NY Giants (WC)
- Philadelphia
- Washington
North
- Green Bay
- Minnesota
- Detroit
- Chicago
South
- Atlanta
- Carolina
- New Orleans
- Tampa Bay
West
- Seattle
- St Louis (WC)
- Arizona
- San Francisco
MVP
– Tony Romo
Working with that offence in Dallas, he’s going to put up plenty of numbers – all the better if they genuinely contend for one of the NFC’s top two seeds.
Rookie of the Year
– Nelson Agholor
The Nigeria-born receiver is a fleet-footed, dynamic playmaker who will be given room to grow in the Philadelphia Eagles’ gung-ho attack.
Worst record
– Washington Redskins
There are teams that may very nearly rival their dysfunction, but almost none can match their combination of dysfunction, coaching ineptitude and talent deficiency.
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