NFL: AFC & NFC Preview

With less than 24 hours to go until the start of the 2013 season DYRT has taken a look at this seasons’ most pivotal gridiron battles and who will top their division to make the play offs.

AFC East – Patriots vs. Bills

The pats and bills get straight into it with a Sunday matchup in week 1. Tom Brady’s Patriots are my favourite for this division and with the news that Juggernaut tight end Rob Gronkowski is back at practice the scales tip that bit further in New England’s favour. Bills’ running back C J Spiller is tipped to make a big impact this season and rookie QB EJ Manuel will have a chance to show what he can do after being given the green light to start so we should see some interesting scraps between these two.

AFC North – Ravens vs. Bengals

This one may attract some criticism as one of the most exciting match ups in recent history has been the Ravens’ vs. the Steelers however the Bengals have been slowly building a strong roster over the past few years and have made the play-offs two years running. With stand out wide receiver A J Green likely to put up massive numbers and a very strong draft from the Bengals backroom staff my nod is going to the guys in Cincinnati.

AFC South – Colts vs. Texans

Tough one to call either way, Texans running back Arian Foster is arguably the best running back (sorry to all you Vikings fans out there, your objections are noted) and wide receiver Andre Johnson posted a 1500+ yard season in 2012 so a couple of real weapons there. The Colts however have the quality trigger man in Andrew Luck who led the colts out of darkness to the play-offs last season. Under extreme duress I give this one to the Houston Texans.

AFC West – Broncos vs. Chiefs

Giving this one to the guys at mile high stadium, the Broncos will be in a lot of people’s minds a real super bowl contender this year but with one of the best QB’s of all time at the helm who could expect anything less. Chiefs are really mentioned here for the sake of the article as Bronco’s vs. anyone would have looked lazy but the chiefs may surprise and clinch a wild card slot this season.

NFC East – Redskins vs. Cowboys

I have a feeling this one will go down to the wire with both teams battling for divisional supremacy all season long. Cowboys made some positive coaching changes in the off season and the Tony Romo – Dez Bryant will continue to be deadly in the coming Season.

The return of RGIII will fire an already smouldering redskins’ line up and with stand out RB Morris entering his second season we will no doubt see many edge of seat plays from the Washington offense. I’m going to go with the redskins here but Dallas will most likely secure a wild card slot.

NFC North – Packers vs. Bears

I’m taking the packers on this one, I can see Aaron Rodgers hooking up with Randall Cobb all season for monster yards and with a defensive unit like Clay Matthews coming at you I can see the defence being a strong influence. Bears will be a force to be reckoned with this season with love to hate him QB Jay Cutler no doubt launching bombs at wide receiver Brandon Marshall and the running game will eventually make room for Forte once he comes back from injury. The Bears defence needs no commentary or introduction.

NFC South – Falcons vs. Saints

Most people will tip the Atlanta Falcons for this division and I have to agree. The falcons looked really strong last season and if anything Matt Ryan and co will be even hungrier for the Lombardi trophy giving how close they came to getting it right last year. QB Drew Brees is also one of the all time greats to play the game and his arm will continue to confuse and dismay defences all season long, Tight End Jimmy Graham is one of the best in his position league wide and the Saints are loaded with talent at in the wide receiver position.

NFC West – 49ers vs. Seahawks

Either of these two teams could top their division and go on to the super bowl. Whoever finished second in the west will no doubt clinch a wildcard spot. This match up has the most potential of any divisional rivalry to shock and amaze. I’m going with the 9ers all be it tentatively, QB Kaepernick is coming into his first full season after taking his franchise to the super bowl last season and with a frightening defence that should secure plenty of turnovers he’ll have a lot of time on ball to run his option offense that he is famous for. Further up the west coast are the hungry Seattle Seahawks who have found their franchise player in QB Russell Wilson, Wilson had a fantastic rookie Season last year leading his outfit to the playoffs. The Seahawks have a lot of weapons on offense not the least of which is veteran running back Marshawn Lynch who many are tipping for a big season.

Super Bowl Prediction, San Francisco 49ers over Cincinnati Bengals.