[Note: the order reflects my prediction for each team’s standing in the division at the end of the season.]
AFC East
Patriots
Will Tom get his sixth?
They’re loaded like in ‘seven–
It ends the same way.
Dolphins
They’re not a bad team.
But they’re still just waiting on
Brady’s retirement.
Bills
Rebuilding again.
Could be good in a few years.
We’ve heard that before.
Jets
Usually they’re good
When they’re expected to stink.
But this time, they’ll stink.
AFC North
Ravens
I’m not giving up
On my belief in Flacco.
They win division.
Steelers
Big Ben will get hurt.
Without him, their offense tanks;
And defense is weak.
Browns
Believe it or not
They might be decent this year.
But still no playoffs.
Bengals
Finishing last place
Might get Coach Lewis fired.
But not a sure thing.
AFC South
Colts
It takes more than Luck
To build a consistent team–
Also needs some linemen.
Titans
Mariota is good
But Murray will get injured
And still no playoffs.
Jaguars
They will be awful.
That is, really, really bad–
As in, not too good.
Texans
Watson disappoints,
And a regressing defense
Causes a meltdown.
AFC West
Chargers
Last ride for Rivers?
Their injury luck changes
And they become good.
Broncos
Two seasons ago
Nationwide was on their side.
Life comes at you fast.
Chiefs
Alex Smith is like
Football’s Rodney Dangerfield–
No respect at all.
Raiders
Beast Mode will Bust Mode.
Lame-duck seasons aren’t pretty–
They will fall apart.
NFC East
Cowboys
Prescott is for real.
Behind powerful o-line
They win Super Bowl.
Redskins
Cousins will be great,
And management will be bad.
Will be wild card.
Giants
Still mediocre–
As they’ve been for a decade;
Save two playoff runs.
Eagles
Wonder where winning
Wentz went–he’ll regress this year.
Back to the cellar.
NFC North
Packers
Will better defense
Yield better playoff results?
No-lose title game.
Vikings
Won’t miss Peterson.
But they will miss Brdgewater
And the postseason.
Bears
Quarterback nightmare
Is the most Bears thing ever–
But without defense.
Lions
Stafford’s luck runs out.
Last year was just a mirage;
Meet reality.
NFC South
Panthers
Superman returns!
Cam Newton will lead a run
To division crown.
Buccaneers
They are the new Saints–
Fun offense, lousy defense.
8 and 8 finish.
Saints
Drew Brees’s last year;
Ends a great career on a
Real depressing note.
Falcons
A collapse like theirs
Is bound to cause hangover.
Foregone conclusion.
NFC West
Seahawks
Wilson is awesome.
But their window is closing–
Can’t beat the Cowboys.
49ers
They must be wishing
They could bring Jim Harbaugh back.
“Don’t know what you’ve got…”
Rams
Would have been awesome
Playing in the ’70s–
But now, not so much.
Cardinals
Palmer, Fitz are old–
Without a solid QB
Offense falls apart.
What an awesome, original way to predict! I love the “nationwide is on your side” line. However, in light of your past year’s football clapback, I’m going to ignore your Giants haiku.
Thanks, Barb! Glad you liked it. I’ve been doing these each preseason for about five years now. (The one for the Jaguars has been the same in all but one. 😀 )
In general, my track record hasn’t been great, so there’s hope for the G-Men. My proudest one was a few years ago when I correctly picked the Super Bowl match-up and winner.
Well kudos to you because it’s such an interesting and wildly unique way to compare and state your predictions.