NFL Season Preview Part 6: Teams That Make Me Say, "Am I An Idiot, Or Are These Teams Actually Gonna Be Good?"

So, I know I have said this before like every post, but we are finally at the point where it is actually good to have not yet read about your team yet in this year’s addition of the Brosh Knows Football Season Previews. Part 6 features teams that are primed to outperform expectations and make the big leap to relevancy and possibly even Super Bowl contention. Maybe these aren’t the safest picks I’ve made, but I imagine you wouldn’t have gotten this far in the season previews if I were simply posting the Vegas Over/Under Win Totals for each team (or maybe you would. I don’t know how intelligent my average reader is). Either way, the success of these teams is definitely not for certain, but they are certainly worth keeping an eye on, as I have pegged them as teams who have the ability to surprise this season. So, who will be the unexpected success stories of this season? Who is primed to make a run through the playoffs? Below are three teams to watch out for as the season unravels.


Tennessee Titans (Last Season: 9-7)

2017 Prediction: 10-6

So, I’m not predicting a monumental improvement from last season, but I am predicting a passing of the guard in the AFC South. Since the inception of the AFC South in 2002, the Texans and (mostly) Colts have dominated this division. However, times are finally changing, as the Titans seem to be the only team in the division who have been trending up lately. The Titans have not won the division since 2008, and I expect that streak to end this season. Mariota is developing into a legitimate NFL quarterback, the offense is getting more comfortable with one another, and the team added some new offensive weapons for Mariota to play with. First round pick, Corey Davis has the potential to be a great addition from the draft, Eric Decker will be a solid number 2, and Delanie Walker is still an excellent safety valve. With the new additions, Mariota certainly has the potential to improve from his strong season in 2016, during which he finished with the 10th best quarterback rating in the league. The only concern for Mariota will be how his recovery from last season’s broken leg has gone.

On the defensive side of the ball, Logan Ryan was the big defensive back signing from offseason free agency. The Titans will hope that he pairs well with their second first round pick from the NFL draft, Adoree’ Jackson. If all goes well, both the defense and the offense have the potential to make great improvements from last year. Oh, and did I mention that this team plays in the AFC South? Have I been making fun of that weak-as-hell division enough during these season previews? I haven’t? Well, the Titans have the luxury of playing in that lousy division, so that certainly helps their chances of succeeding this season.


Carolina Panthers (Last Season: 6-10)

2017 Prediction: 10-6

This team is still only one year removed from a 15-1 regular season that saw them finish as NFC Champions. So, it seems safe to say that they will bounce back from their terribly disappointing 2016 campaign. Even after a down season, I believe that Newton is one of the best quarterbacks in the league. In Benjamin and Olsen, Newton still has talented big targets that he can take advantage of. McCaffrey is a big upgrade to the running game, as the speedy rookie should add a dynamic element that an aging Jonathan Stewart no longer provides to the offense. On the defensive side of the ball, Thompson, Kuechly, and Davis comprise one of the most talented linebacking corps in the league. The biggest hindrance to a redemption season will be the simple fact that they play in the NFC South. It was only three years ago that the NFC South was considered the weakest division in the NFL, after the Panthers won the division with a record of 7-8-1. In the last two seasons, the NFC South has represented the NFC in the Super Bowl. In 2016, the two most potent offenses in the NFL were from the NFC South. This year, I predict that this division will put 3 teams in the playoffs. The NFC South is on the rise. I expect the Panthers to be part of that rise in 2017.


Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Last Season: 9-7)

2017 Prediction: 11-5

Just like Mariota, Winston is developing into a formidable NFL quarterback. While I don’t expect him to be the driving force to Tampa Bay’s success, I do believe that he has enough talent to manage games and reduce mistakes. Winston certainly has not been the best at taking care of the ball over his NFL career (18 interceptions and 6 fumbles lost in 2016), but with added targets in the form of O.J. Howard and Desean Jackson, I expect better things from the young quarterback, as his talented receiving corps alleviates some of the pressure that Winston has had to handle in past seasons. Mike Evans is still a ridiculous talent and Doug Martin has showed flashes of promise in the past. However, if this team really wants to succeed and challenge for the NFC South crown, they will have to improve on defense. Playing against multiple high-powered offenses in the NFC South certainly inflated their poor defensive numbers from 2016; however, the Bucs surrendered 40 points to the Cardinals and 37 points to the Rams last season. Those totals are unacceptable for even a mediocre NFL defense. So, while the Bucs still have improvements to make, I believe that this is the season that Tampa Bay returns to relevance, though it will be admittedly tough in a strong NFC South.