New England Patriots
Projected wins: ten.5
Mike Reiss' take: The last time the Patriots did not win eleven games was the 2009 season, thus recent history is on their aspect. I expected associate 11-5 season in Gregorian calendar month, factorization in some early-season growing pains that mirror however September, in some respects, has become associate extension of the season as Bill Belichick balances the short- and semipermanent viewpoints in making what he considers the simplest team to vie for a brilliant Bowl title. Prediction: Over ten.5 wins.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Projected wins: ten
Jeremy Fowler's take: The Steelers have won fewer than eleven games once within the past four seasons, once mount Roethlisberger uncomprehensible four games with a knee injury in 2015. This team is seasoned and gifted than that squad. The Steelers have an inexpensive schedule and may cash in of a weak AFC North that featured thirty one total wins by port, city and Cleveland since 2016. The Steelers apprehend they underachieved late last season and attempt to make amends for that with a top-two competition seed. Prediction: Over ten wins.
Philadelphia Eagles
Projected wins: nine.9
Tim McManus' take: The defensive champs have a reasonably difficult schedule on paper -- a slate that has matchups against the Saints, Vikings, Falcons and Rams -- and can have to be compelled to dig deep to reset when a protracted, franchise-altering 2017 season. however Carson Wentz is keen to form the beat back up the mountain post-injury, and it's exhausting to imagine a team this gifted not reaching double-digit wins. Prediction: Over nine.9 wins.
Green Bay Packers
Projected wins: nine.5
Rob Demovsky's take: Since 2009, the Packers have not won fewer than ten games once Aaron Rodgers has been healthy for the bulk of the season. they need a 15-win season, a 12-win season and 2 11-win seasons in this stretch. The last time Rodgers bust his bone (2013), he came back to win league participant and lead the Packers to a 12-4 record. It would not be a surprise if he will that once more. Prediction: Over nine.5 wins -- brim over if Rodgers stays healthy for a whole season.
Minnesota Vikings
Projected wins: nine.4
Courtney Cronin's take: The Vikings' finish within the NFC was no fluke. American state has elite playmakers on offense and is backed by the league's No. 1 defense. With church Cousins taking the reins in hopes of leading this team past wherever it left off last season, it isn't unreasonable to expect ten or eleven wins at a minimum in 2018. It definitely will not be simple with a schedule that options road games against the Rams, Eagles, Patriots and Seahawks. The NFC North is additionally no cakewalk. Still, the Vikings square measure one amongst the league's most complete groups and square measure within the right position for an additional deep postseason run. Prediction: Over nine.4 wins.
Los Angeles Rams
Projected wins: nine.2
Lindsey Thiry's take: The Rams finished 11-5 last season, including eight away wins and a brutal road visit port of entry, in London (vs. the Cardinals) and at the Giants. This season, the Rams can keep nearer to home, not creating a visit to the geographical area, and they've bulked up the list. They come back ten of eleven starters on offense, together with ruling NFL Offensive Player of the Year Todd Gurley II. On defense, they've other All-Pro cornerbacks Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib and All-Pro defensive lineman Ndamukong to play aboard ruling NFL Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald. whereas depth at some positions may well be a priority -- specifically on the offensive line -- a healthy team has the potential to win a minimum of ten games. Prediction: Over nine.2 wins.
New Orleans Saints
Projected wins: nine.2
Mike Triplett's take: I expected the Saints to match their 11-5 record from last season. several read them as prime Super Bowl contenders as a result of they've enclosed Drew Brees with most young talent and square measure as balanced as they've ever been once it involves the pass, run game and defense. the matter is that the NFC is thus loaded with true contenders that the groups cannot all check. Prediction: Over nine.2 wins.
Atlanta Falcons
Projected wins: nine
Vaughn McClure's take: The Falcons created a big upgrade on offense with the addition of playmaking wide receiver Calvin marine turtle, the first-round choose from Alabama. I had the Falcons winning 9 games before marine turtle was written. Adding him and also the expected offensive improvement in Year a pair of underneath offensive organizer Steve Sarkisian -- and the continuing progress of author Manuel's young defense -- ought to be enough for an additional win or 2 higher than FPI's projection. Prediction: Over nine wins.
Carolina Panthers
Projected wins: eight.8
David Newton's take: The Panthers have had double-digit wins in 3 of the past 5 years, together with associate 11-5 record last season. they need upgraded the offense considerably since 2017, notably at wide receiver with the additions of Torrey Smith and first-round choose D.J. Moore. New offensive organizer Norv Turner ought to facilitate create Cam Newton additional economical. there is not any reason to assume the defense, with one amongst the simplest front sevens within the league, will not once more be among the highest ten. The NFC South are sturdy once more with point of entry and Atlanta, however nine-to-11 wins for Carolina is additional doubtless than not. Prediction: Over eight.8 wins.
Los Angeles Chargers
Projected wins: eight.7
Eric D. Williams' take: The Chargers finished 9-7 last season and seem to own patched obvious holes within the list, together with sign language an even football player in Caleb Sturgis. per ESPN Stats , the Chargers have the ninth-easiest schedule to start out the season, supported opponents' 2017 win percentages. The Chargers have the simplest quarterback within the AFC West in prince Rivers, beside a defense that allowed seventeen.3 points per contest last season, third-best within the NFL. If the Bolts will keep principally healthy for a second straight season, they ought to contend for a division title. Prediction: Over eight.7 wins.
San Francisco 49ers
Projected wins: eight.7
Nick Wagoner's take: The 49ers finished last season on a five-game win streak when quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo took over. though those games did not mean something within the competition image, the 49ers beat Tennessee and port of entry, groups that were still jockeying for postseason position. This year's Niners can have Garoppolo for a full season (after associate offseason spent finding out the offense) and spent pile and draft capital to bolster his supporting solid. though there square measure vital inquiries to answer on either side of the ball, the 49ers ought to once more get pleasure from taking part in a last schedule. one thing within the eight-to-10-win vary is perhaps regarding right, however exclusion associate injury to Garoppolo, the Niners ought to be able to skip the .500 mark ... even though it does not finish with a competition berth. Prediction: Over eight.7 wins.
Kansas town Chiefs
Projected wins: eight.6
Adam Teicher's take: The Chiefs have won a minimum of 9 games in every of Andy Reid's 5 seasons. it is a season of amendment in Kansas town, however it isn't a reconstruction year. The Chiefs have too several gifted players, a minimum of on offense, and square measure too well-coached to slide to .500 or below. Prediction: Over eight.6 wins.
Dallas Cowboys
Projected wins: eight.5
Todd Archer's take: The Cowboys finished 8-8 in every of mythical being Garrett's 1st 3 seasons as head coach from 2011-13, so 8.5 wins falls in line with history. The Cowboys play against the NFC South, that had 3 competition groups a year past, and also the AFC South, that had 2 competition groups a year past and has Saint Andrew the Apostle Luck and DeShaun Watson, United Nations agency square measure strolling back from injuries. In 2014, the Cowboys won twelve games. In 2016, they won thirteen with a greenhorn quarterback. In 2018 -- with Ezekiel Elliott not burdened by suspension speak, a robust offensive line and a defense that has been higher than several believe -- they'll get to ten wins and be within the competition oral communication. Prediction: Over eight.5 wins.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Projected wins: eight.5
Mike DiRocco's take: The Jaguars have a more durable schedule in 2018, and it seems that the division goes to be pretty darn sensible (if Saint Andrew the Apostle Luck is healthy), however the defense returns twelve of the highest fourteen players from a unit that finished second within the NFL in 2017. that has six professional Bowlers, 2 first-team All-Pros and one amongst the simplest football player tandems within the league. The Jaguars other All-Pro guard Saint Andrew the Apostle Norwell to a speeding attack that light-emitting diode the NFL last season. If Elmore John Leonard Fournette stays healthy and William Blake Bortles takes care of the ball the approach he did last season, the Jaguars ought to win ten games and repeat as division champs. Prediction: Over eight.5 wins.
Baltimore Ravens
Projected wins: eight.4
Jamison Hensley's take: The Ravens are the last word middle-of-the-pack team, going 40-40 since they won the Super Bowl in 2012. however port ought to be able to reach nine-to-10 wins this season -- the futures of coach John Harbaugh and quarterback Joe Flacco rely upon it. If port fails to form the playoffs for a fourth straight year, it may signal the tip of the Harbaugh-Flacco era. The key for the Ravens is to beat a difficult early schedule during which they play four of their 1st six games on the road. when its bye, port plays solely 2 of last year's postseason groups within the final seven weeks. Prediction: Over eight.4 wins.
Houston Texans
Projected wins: eight.4
Sarah Barshop's take: The Texans have the NFL's best strength of schedule, and if Deshaun Watson will keep healthy, the Houston offense, light-emitting diode by receiver DeAndre Hopkins, may well be one amongst the simplest within the league. The AFC South is improved, however the Texans can a minimum of be one amongst the groups competitory for a wild-card spot. albeit they are coming back off a four-win season, they ought to be a way higher team with serious competition potential. Prediction: Over eight.4 wins.
Tennessee Titans
Projected wins: eight.2
Cameron Wolfe's take: The Titans, United Nations agency finished 9-7 in every of the past 2 seasons, discharged microphone Mularkey as a result of being a middle-of-the-pack team wasn't ok. Tennessee ought to be a much-improved defensive team when adding Malcolm pantryman, Rashaan Evans and Harold Landry as potential Day one impact players. Marcus Mariota may be a sturdy bounce-back candidate when disbursal this offseason fixing his footwork and learning a additional versatile, snug theme created by new offensive organizer Matt LaFleur. The AFC South are harder with a healthy Deshaun Watson and Saint Andrew the Apostle Luck, however the Titans have associate otherwise favorable schedule. Another 9-7 season and a competition berth appear to be the minimum expectations for this team. Prediction: Over eight.2 wins.
Oakland Raiders
Projected wins: seven.9
Paul Gutierrez's take: I had the Raiders going 9-7 when the schedule was free, as urban center is tied for the third-easiest strength of schedule. which was before the draft and seeing Jon Gruden's retooled squad on the sector in OTAs. The list has been restored in his image, thus most are entering into identical direction currently, as critical in last year's 6-10 flameout. The defense ought to be higher, and also the offense has military posture. As end Jared Cook aforementioned of Gruden, "You will tell the distinction during a coach that is aware of what he is talking regarding and an instructor that doesn't. He is aware of what he is talking regarding." Prediction: Over seven.9 wins.
Seattle Seahawks
Projected wins: seven.9
Brady Henderson's take: FPI's projection is in line with my prediction of associate 8-8 season. That took under consideration all the key items that departed this offseason, together with Richard Sherman and Jimmy Graham; the revived aggressiveness within the NFC West, during which the Rams square measure the clear favorites and also the 49ers square measure on the rise; and also the undeniable fact that Seattle's schedule is tied for fifth-hardest in terms of opponents' 2017 win percentages. though some predict the Seahawks to bottom out when such a big talent drain, that may not planning to happen on a team with associate MVP-caliber quarterback in Russell Wilson and alternative stars love peer Thomas and police officer Wagner on defense, to not mention a wonderful coach in Pete writer. Prediction: Over seven.9 wins. Barely.
Detroit Lions
Projected wins: seven.7
Michael Rothstein's take: The projection is true around wherever I actually have the Lions pegged this season: 8-8 or 9-7. metropolis is during a powerful division with a tough schedule, however the Lions are a gifted team that ought to have a reasonably potent offense if the enhancements created to the run game return through. {questions regarding|questions on|questions about} the defense -- notably about the front seven -- and also the run game create it exhausting to predict the Lions any higher than around .500. This team may well be higher than the one metropolis fielded last season, however it may find yourself with an identical record. Prediction: Over seven.7 wins. however not by abundant.
Buffalo Bills
Projected wins: six.9
Mike Rodak's take: This looks like a good projection for the Bills as a result of a robust case may well be created that they're a six- or seven-win team. The obvious question for Buffalo is at quarterback, wherever AJ McCarron and Nathan Peterman split first-team reps to start out organized team activities however may eventually cede the role to seventh overall choose ride Allen. In any case, sophomore coach Sean McDermott has created it clear to his players that their success last season -- snapping a 17-year postseason drought -- can have very little touching on what they are doing this season. The Bills exceeded expectations last season enough on behalf of me to offer them the advantage of the doubt, however they might still struggle to match their 9-7 mark from 2017. Prediction: Over six.9 wins.
Cincinnati Bengals
Projected wins: six.9
Katherine Terrell's take: The Bengals have had 2 down years, however they've won six or fewer games solely thrice in fifteen seasons underneath Marvin Lewis. The Bengals ought to be able to win seven or eight games minimum this season if they'll improve their offense from its last end in 2017. they will want solid seasons from A.J. Green, Tyler Eifert and also the new-look offensive line to try to to thus. Prediction: Over six.9 wins. however not by abundant.
Denver Broncos
Projected wins: six.9
Jeff Legwold's take: no one is speech communication the Broncos solved all of their worries this offseason, however they ought to improve quite 2 wins if the Case Keenum-led offense will avoid the turnover troubles of 2017, once the Broncos finished 5-11 with associate eight-game run within the combine. solely the unsuccessful Browns turned the surprise quite the Broncos did last season, thus if Keenum achieves anyplace on the brink of his performance last season in American state, the offense ought to be a top quality addition to a defense that other Bradley Chubb and has Von Miller in his prime. Prediction: Over six.9 wins.
Chicago Bears
Projected wins: six.8
Jeff Dickerson's take: The Bears appear as if a seven-win outfit to Maine. Chicago's defense is legitimate, however the offense may be a work-in-progress. The Bears spent a great deal of your time and cash this offseason to upgrade the offense, however it always takes time for a bunch to mesh. Plus, the NFC North is hard, particularly with the arrival of church Cousins in American state. The Bears are higher, however they are most likely not competition contenders ... yet. Prediction: Over six.8 wins. But barely
Indianapolis Colts
Projected wins: six.8
Mike Wells' take: The Colts square measure reconstruction, however Saint Andrew the Apostle Luck tested over and yet again during this 1st 3 seasons that he is capable of covering the roster's flaws. that would be easier for Luck to try to to this season -- if he is healthy mentally and physically -- as a result of he may well be taking part in behind the simplest offensive line of his seven-year NFL career in what is going to be a good higher AFC South. The Colts will eclipse this projection, however given that Luck (shoulder) is healthy and plays altogether sixteen games and new coach Frank Reich is in a position to quickly implement his up-tempo offense, that worked well in Philadelphia's Super Bowl run last season. Prediction: Over six.8 wins. however not by abundant.
Washington Redskins
Projected wins: six.7
John Keim's take: The Redskins have flat-top that total in 3 straight seasons, and there is each reason to believe they will improve on 2017's record of 7-9. By however much? that is still to be seen. however they ought to have associate improved running attack with Derrius Guice, and that they finally have what ought to be a solid line of defense with first-round choose Da'Ron Payne paired with last year's first-round choose, Jonathan Allen, among others. in spite of whether or not Alex Smith matches Cousins' distance total, he'll doubtless weigh down on turnovers: Cousins threw twelve additional interceptions than Smith the past 2 seasons combined. The schedule is hard, however if the Redskins avoid the health problems with 2017, they ought to prime their 2017 win total. Prediction: Over six.7 wins.
New York Giants
Projected wins: six.5
Jordan Raanan's take: solely four groups have lower FPI win projections than the Giants, and that they all have considerably less talent. The Giants ought to be improved objectionably and defensively. the sole factor operating against them is depth and their schedule this season. they ought to still be able to get somewhere from seven to 9 wins. Prediction: Over six.5 wins.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Projected wins: six.5
Jenna Laine's take: I expected that the Bucs may go 8-8, and that i thought that was being generous, considering they went 5-11 last season associated play in an NFC South division that had 3 10-plus-win groups in 2017. Jameis Winston showed at the tip of the season what he may do once healthy, however if the Bucs square measure planning to have a winning season or get to .500, the defense, that got a whole overhaul up front this offseason, has got to accelerate. they can not win several games after they quit additional yards than the other team within the league (378.1). Prediction: Over. however solely slightly.
Miami Dolphins
Projected wins: six.3
Mike Rodak's take: I picked the Dolphins to win eight games when the schedule was free in Gregorian calendar month, which could are optimistic given the quantity of queries that persist for the Dolphins when the draft. can Ryan Tannehill come back to create when missing last season with associate ACL injury? can 35-year-old Frank Gore associated 32-year-old Danny Amendola facilitate carry an offense which will lose Jarvis Landry's production? will Cameron Wake stay a pass-rushing force at 36? there's a large vary of outcomes for the 2018 Dolphins, together with bottoming out as a four- or five-win team. Prediction: underneath six.3 wins.
Arizona Cardinals
Projected wins: six.1
Josh Weinfuss' take: I expected six wins in Gregorian calendar month. the largest question close the Cardinals this season are whether or not surface-to-air missile William Bradford will keep healthy. If he can, Arizona may well be observing ten wins. however history does not imply that William Bradford can create it through the season, which suggests the offense are two-handed to first-round choose ride Rosen, United Nations agency can face a big learning curve. Arizona conjointly has queries at receiver, end and football player that do not bolster their win projections. Prediction: underneath six.1 wins. But barely.
New York Jets
Projected wins: six.1
Rich Cimini's take: The Jets' list remains underneath construction, however they need enough talent to win quite six games. They play during a weak division (except for the Patriots), and that they have one amongst the simplest schedules within the league. They won 5 games last season in Year one of a serious construct, thus it'd be a serious disappointment if they do not improve by a minimum of 2 wins. The wild card is greenhorn quarterback surface-to-air missile Darnold. If he takes over, his growing pains can hurt the team within the short term. Prediction: Over six.1 wins.
Cleveland Browns
Projected wins: five.7
Pat McManamon's take: this is often a tricky decision as a result of FPI's projection is true wherever i would expect the Browns to be. Given their schedule and also the traditional grind a team goes through with a great deal of latest components, the Browns ought to be within the five-to-six-win vary. i am planning to say 5 supported the tough 1st 2 games and also the undeniable fact that the Browns square measure tied for the fifth-toughest schedule within the league. Prediction: underneath five.7 wins.
Source: ESPAN
