2014 NFL team-by-team record predictions, playoff picksPat Kirwan NFL Insider CBS SportsAugust 26, 2014 9:55 pm ET
The Seahawks' reign over the NFC West isn't over yet. (USATSI) Football season is about to begin and that means a clean slate for 32 teams, all of whom would like to be able to call themselves division champions or better when the dust settles.While we still have the entire season in front of us, let's take a look at how all eight divisions stack up. I'll let you know who I think has the best shot at making the playoffs and I'll give you my predicted division standings, complete with each team's projected regular season record.Here are my thoughts prior to season kickoff.* -- Playoff teamsAFC EASTThere are young quarterbacks all over the AFC East in EJ Manuel, Geno Smith and Ryan Tannehill. But still standing at the front of the pack is Tom Brady, who had a challenging 2013 and still managed to get the Patriots to the AFC Championship game.Brady is getting older, but he's far from finished. After all this time, the Patriots are still the team to beat in the AFC East.
AFC NORTHThis is one of the most interesting divisions in the NFL right now. The always-tough Ben Roethlisberger heads up a Steelers team that nearly fought their way into the playoffs in 2013 after a rough start.Also in the North, the Browns have more attention on them than they have had in years thanks to a guy named Johnny Manziel, who -- for now -- will serve as Brian Hoyer's backup at QB, but will surely be a lightning rod for scrutiny all season long.As if that weren't enough, you've got John Harbaugh's Ravens struggling to get back to the top of the league and the Bengals pushing for a division title.
AFC SOUTHThere's a lot of building and re-building going on in the AFC South, a division that on paper looks like it belongs to Andrew Luck and the Colts.The Texans hope to rebound from a very disappointing 2013 and will do it with Ryan Fitzpatrick under center. The Titans head into 2014 with a strong defense and big ambitions, and the Jaguars are building for the future with rookie QB Blake Bortles in the fold.
AFC WESTAs long as Peyton Manning is healthy and productive, the Broncos will remain the team to beat in the AFC West. But that doesn't mean the Chargers and Chiefs will go away quietly.The Raiders are still struggling and might be playing their final season in Oakland, with Matt Schaub, Maurice Jones-Drew, Justin Tuck and promising rookie Khalil Mack among the many new faces on the team.
NFC EASTThe Redskins and Giants are both looking for redemption, with Washington in particular needing to bounce back from a disastrous 2013. With new head coach Jay Gruden running the show, things could get interesting there.In Philadelphia, Nick Foles will try to replicate a surprisingly productive 2013 effort under now second-year NFL head coach Chip Kelly. As for the Cowboys, well, things aren't looking very good in Dallas, particularly on defense.
NFC NORTHWhile the Packers still have Aaron Rodgers at QB, it could be the Green Bay defense that keeps them truly dangerous in 2014. The division-rival Bears and Lions both need to get their defenses cooking, but on the other side of the ball, the Bears have guys like Alshon Jeffery and Brandon Marshall to help put up points.Having left the Metrodome behind, the Vikings will face an uphill battle in this division while they wait out the construction of their new stadium. QB Matt Cassel now has rookie Teddy Bridgewater beneath him on the depth chart, waiting for an opportunity.
NFC SOUTHWhile the Falcons hope to bounce back from a difficult 2013, the Saints refuse to go away and they remain the team to beat in the NFC South. Cam Newton's Panthers might have a rough go this season if Newton doesn't get some help on offense.The Buccaneers are pinning their hopes on new QB Josh McCown and coach Lovie Smith to right the ship.
NFC WESTThe NFC West is a very tough division and the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks will have their work cut out for them if they plan to return to the big game.The 49ers are still a formidable team despite many players being plagued by non-football issues. The Cardinals will have a tall task matching last year's success due to a hard schedule. In St. Louis, the Rams will attempt to fight through a season without injured starting QB Sam Bradford.
PLAYOFFSI struggled with my decision to leave Baltimore out of the playoffs, especially since the Chargers travel to Baltimore on Nov. 30 and that head-to-head could decide the last wild card spot. The Bengals have a deep roster and the Chargers have a good-looking passing game with Philip Rivers, so they are my wild card teams.After visiting the Steelers, Patriots and Broncos this summer, I feel good about all three teams to win their divisions. The Colts division doesn't appear ready to dethrone Andrew Luck so the AFC picture is set for the time being.In the NFC I like the Seahawks, Eagles, Saints and Packers to win their divisions and the 49ers as a wild card was an easy choice. The Bucs under Lovie Smith have a real chance to turn things around quickly and become the longshot for the playoffs.When the dust settles, I see Peyton Manning and an improved Denver defense heading up to Foxboro to battle the Patriots for the right to go to the Super Bowl. When I looked at both teams' schedules, the Broncos have to go into Foxboro on Nov. 2 and that will be the reason the Pats get home-field advantage throughout the playoffs and return to the Super Bowl.In the NFC, it feels like it is coming down to the Seahawks and Packers, which ironically is the opening game for the 2014 season. After watching Seattle and San Francisco this summer I like Seattle to win the division, but getting home-field advantage throughout the playoffs could be tough to achieve. The wild card in the NFC race for me is New Orleans. If the Saints ever get home field throughout the playoffs, it will throw my predictions for the NFC upside down.Finally, the Super Bowl will come down to Green Bay and New England. After watching the Patriots a few times this summer, they look ready to regain the world title.
