Revisiting 32 NFL Storylines

Four months ago, I wrote down my season-preview thoughts on every NFL team. I feel like I did a good job, but only one way to find out.

AFC

Patriots - With Tom Brady and good coaching, this team is always going to be a Super Bowl contender. Can they survive four games without Brady? Yep. They survived and then some, earning the top seed in the AFC. 

Bills - Tyrod Taylor, McCoy, Watkins...could the Bills actually be exciting? They were 8-8 last year, is this a wild card team? Their offense was good with a great rushing attack, but I don't think they ever reached exciting status. And with a broken defense, they didn't make the playoffs and fired Ryan. 

Dolphins - Will Tannehill continue to be mediocre or will ever break out? Through 5 weeks they were 1-4 with their only win over the Browns. Then they went 9-1 and made the playoffs despite a Tannehill injury. Nobody saw that coming. 

Jets - This seems like a clusterfuck. Will they look competent at all? Spot on. 

Bengals - They were good last year but stumbled in the playoffs. Are they actually good or was last year a fluke? I feel like most people bought into them, and I deserve credit for not believing in them. 

Steelers - They've been under the radar for a little while, but seem capable of manufacturing a deep playoff run. Will they? Fuck, I'm right so far with them. 

Ravens - Even more under the radar, but also have a history of bouncing back. Could they surprise people? I think they did surprise people and were just a few inches away from the playoffs. 

Browns - They're building something slowly. I doubt it, but could RG3 return to former success? What about Gordon? At least they won a game. 

Texans - Will Osweiler actually be good and give this team the thing they were missing? Nope. Just like last year they win their division without having a QB. 

Colts - Andrew Luck has got to turn into a top tier quarterback, right...is this the year it comes together? We keep waiting for Luck to carry this team to sustained success but it takes more than a QB. 

Jaguars - They're still a couple years away right? Yep. 

Titans - Is Mariota a bust or a rising star? Rising star! My Mariota stock looks pretty good right now. 

Broncos - The returning Champs turn to an inexperienced quarterback. If he's terrible, how long before the defense loses faith? Denver was 4-0 and 6-2. Playoffs seemed like a lock and this prediction seemed silly. But spot on again. Defense did lose faith in Week 15: "Broncos defense turns on offense in locker room after loss."

Chiefs - Poised to take the division...can they execute? Can they get a playoff bye? They did make the playoffs and still have a chance for they bye. 

Raiders - With Carr, they're going to be good some day. Will they contend this year? That day came early. 

Chargers - How many great years does Rivers have in him? He was good in moments but doesn't have the team. 

NFC

Cowboys - Is Dak the future? How good can Dak, Dez and Zeke be this year? Yes and pretty fucking good are the answers here. 

Giants - Manning to Beckham. That seems fun. It was!

Eagles - Seems like a rebuild is underway. Yep!

Washington - Another year of Kirk Cousins, will we like that? Only occasionally. 

Vikings - What could have been an up and coming team looks like a lost season. Uh huh. 

Packers - Every year with Aaron Rodgers, they can be a Super Bowl contender. Yet he only has 1 SB appearance. Will he get back there? TBD. 

Bears - How good is Langford? Still, yikes. Am I psychic or what?

Lions - Never won a playoff game with Megatron. How good can they be without him? TBD. 

Saints - Will Brees win the passing crown on a losing team again? YES! Holy shit, why aren't I making money off this?

Bucs - Is Winston going to turn into a Pro Bowl QB? Nope. 

Falcons - How much longer can Julio Jones be a dominant WR? This really wasn't the story as the Falcons offense as a whole turned into a barnburner. 

Panthers - Can they return to the Super Bowl? Nope!

Seahawks - Can they return to the Super Bowl? Maybe!

Cardinals - They went 13-3, but Palmer and Fitz are getting old. Do they have one more playoff run in them? Nope!

49ers - They're bad, right? Yep!

Rams - How good is Gurley? What's it like to finally have a team back in LA? Not as good as we thought and fucking awful.