NFL Predictions: Making the Case for All 32 NFL Teams to Win the Super Bowl This Year
Super Bowl 50 is still months away, but predictions are being made by many already. Don't think your team has a chance? Think again.
We're in an extra positive mood today. Team by team, here's a rundown of the reasons why each of the NFL's 32 teams has a chance to win the Super Bowl in the 2015-2016 season.
New England Patriots
Bill Belichick -- enough said.
New York Jets
Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie will (again) create an elite secondary for the Jets. They'll win a lot of low scoring games just like they did in the Mark Sanchez era and be competitive in the playoffs.
Miami Dolphins
The pressure is all-time high in South Beach. Joe Philbin is on his last leg, and it's time for Ryan Tannehill to take that next step. The Dolphins will take advantage of a Brady-less Patriots team and finally win the AFC East. From that point on, just three or four wins remain to ring No. 3.
Buffalo Bills
An elite defense got better with Rex Ryan in town, and now you add LeSean McCoy on offense. Who needs a quarterback?
Pittsburgh Steelers
Ben Roethlisberger has won two Super Bowls for a reason.
Cleveland Browns
Is it finally Johnny Manziel time yet? If the Browns can simply survive the regular season, they can easily make it through the postseason. Why? They will be battle tested from playing in the AFC North and ready for a Super Bowl run even if they're a wild card team.
Baltimore Ravens
You just can't count out Joe Flacco in the playoffs. He's very inconsistent, but he shows up in the postseason.
Cincinnati Bengals
It's now or never for Marvin Lewis. Andy Dalton is a very underrated quarterback, considering what he has accomplished on the field. The Bengals have made the playoffs the last four seasons for a reason.
Tennessee Titans
Marcus Mariota could do what Robert Griffin III, also a No. 2 overall pick, did his rookie year: unexpectedly lead a terrible team to the playoffs. The Titans don't have a very tough schedule this year, so they'll have to take advantage of that.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts have improved every season under Andrew Luck, and now they have Andre Johnson and Frank Gore. Get ready for a big home-field advantage in the AFC.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Blake Bortles now has a new target to throw in Julius Thomas, who was signed after becoming a free agent from the Denver Broncos. The Jaguars will have to take advantage of a weak AFC South division this season.
Houston Texans
Can J.J. Watt play quarterback? We might find out soon enough.
Oakland Raiders
Derek Carr can play. The Raiders also made the move to add Michael Crabtree this offseason. Getting rid of Darren McFadden will also bring more stability to the running game, because of so many past injuries. Justin win baby.
Denver Broncos
Peyton Manning is a machine who has made it to three Super Bowls in his career. The Broncos will be in the mix because of him, not to mention the team's great defense led by Von Miller.
San Diego Chargers
This could be the last season for Philip Rivers in San Diego. Rivers has been one of the best quarterbacks in the league over the last 10 years, but the pressure to produce has finally reached its apex. Expect Rivers to be in another MVP discussion this year.
Kansas City Chiefs
Quarterbacks on the opposing side of KC should be scared -- very scared. Justin Houston and Tamba Hali could very well lead the top defensive squad this upcoming season. Last year, the Chiefs beat the Patriots and Seahawks, both of whom ended up in the Super Bowl.
Philadelphia Eagles
Chip Kelly has incorporated the fastest offense in the league. On top of that, the Eagles now have Tim Tebow, who did, after all, win two BCS National Championships. The signing of cornerback Byron Maxwell was a big one for the Eagles' chances this year as well.
New York Giants
As history shows, anything is possible when you have Tom Coughlin and Eli Manning. Anything.
Washington Redskins
The Redskins have a great team, at least on paper. A No. 2 overall pick quarterback, great wide receivers, an outstanding running back and an average defense. This is the year the Redskins could finally put all that paper talent to wins and make that Super Bowl run.
Dallas Cowboys
Dez Bryant and Tony Romo still feel like they got robbed against the Packers in the NFC playoffs last year. With the defense dramatically improving under Rod Marinelli, this Cowboys squad is ready to hoist Super Bow No. 6 this year. They also have the best offensive line in the NFL.
Green Bay Packers
Aaron Rodgers paired up with a great running back and two sharp wide receivers? What's not to love? The Packers are being picked by many for obvious reasons. Lambeau Field will be freezing cold come playoff time in January.
Minnesota Vikings
Adrian Peterson is back on the field, and the Vikings already have one of the best offensive lines in the league. Let's also not sleep on Teddy Bridgewater and Mike Wallace. The Vikings will put up some points.
Chicago Bears
Matt Forte is the most elusive back in the league. If Jay Cutler can just cut down on the turnovers, the Bears defense won't be on the field nearly as much. John Fox knows what to do having coaching multiple teams to the Super Bowl before.
Detroit Lions
When you have the best wide receiver in the league, you always have a chance. Matthew Stafford can also hold his own, having passed for at least 20 touchdowns the last four consecutive seasons. Detroit fans don't have much to look forward to this baseball season anyway.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jameis Winston is now the franchise quarterback in Tampa Bay. He's won a BCS National championship, and he could very well do it again in the pros. The Buccaneers also have a head coach who has made it to the Super Bowl. Oh, and they play in the putrid NFC South.
Atlanta Falcons
It's been a rough fall, but let's forget this Falcons team was just minutes away from the Super Bowl not that long ago. Matt Ryan has plenty left in the tank, and the Falcons have one of the best wide receiver duos in the league in Julio Jones and Roddy White.
New Orleans Saints
Drew Brees has won the Super Bowl before. You need a quality quarterback to win the big one in today's NFL, and the Saints have an elite one. We might see another 40 touchdown, 5,000 yard season from Brees.
Carolina Panthers
They've won the NFC South the last two consecutive years, so you know they'll always be in the mix come playoff time. Cam Newton won a BCS National Championship, and he's one of the best mobile quarterbacks in the game. Oh, and Kelvin Benjamin is a beast.
San Francisco 49ers
Sometimes addition by subtraction is best. The 49ers have still made it to the conference championship game in three of last four seasons, and Colin Kaepernick is looking sharp in practice.
St. Louis Rams
Arguably the best defensive line in the league, and now they have Nick Foles. What's not to love? This is an old school football team.
Seattle Seahawks
Defense wins championships. The Seahawks have the best defense in the league led by Richard Sherman.
Arizona Cardinals
Carson Palmer was undefeated last season before getting injured. If Palmer can stay healthy, look out. Don't count out Larry Fitzgerald just yet.
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