Every year some NFL "contenders" have a disappointing season

It very well could be the Niners. Kaepernick looks like he hasn't developed at all from his rookie season, and they play in the toughest division in the NFL. Seattle, Arizona, and St. Louis all have defenses that can capitalize on his mistakes, so it'll be interesting to see how San Francisco handles it. Not having Bowman and Aldon Smith to start the season is going to make things very tough for them.

 

Niners play in a very tough division... probably the best in football.

That being said, the Saints are a Drew Brees injury away from looking terrible. And it wouldn't surprise me if any of the NFC North or NFC East teams were all good or all terrible. There's that much parity (or mediocrity) in those divisions.

For the AFC, the Chiefs could have a big let-down... as they've been a roller-coaster of a team the last several years. Same goes for the Colts. The Pats always feast on their weak division opponents, and I'll never count out a Belicheck-coached team even if they're decimated by injury/talent.

 

Is this the year when the Colts luck (no pun intended) finally runs out?

Reminds me of the Fisher-coached titans who I always thought would finally have a down year, but they never did.

 

The Eagles maybe. Not really sold on Nick Foles being THAT good. NFL defenses have had a year to study up on Chip Kelly tendencies.

 

its crazy how the NFC west went from easily the worst division in football to arguably the best in like 3 years...

 

The AFC is far too weak with the Jags, Texans, and Titans right now to really see Luck and the Colts falling off, IMO, but we'll see. I hope.

I think Carolina and San Francisco are two teams primed to fall off.

 

Seattle, Pats or Broncos probably.

If not all 3, then at least 2.

 

It seems like the Colts could considering they were actually outscored last year. But I don't see it happening.

Don't agree about Carolina. I think their offense will be better this year IF Stewart can stay healthy.
I think Kansas City and San Diego are primed to fall off and miss the playoffs this year along with San Francisco.

 

Panthers, new OL and WRs.

 

I don't think Carolina is going to be too affected by their change in WR. Benjamin and Avant are an upgrade from Steve Smith and LaFell at this point. They are replacing some guys on the line, but by all accounts it hasn't been too much of a trasition. Greg Olsen is still the constant there. Williams/Stewart/Tolbert remain. The defense is as nasty as ever.

 

Best candidates to flop (in order): 49ers, Chiefs, Panthers, Colts

49ers - Kaep is not good and the read-option is old news, division is brutal.

Chiefs - The Walrus is not surprising anyone this year.

Panthers - Dunno, just can't seem them repeating last year.

Colts - Absurdly fortunate, bouyed by weak division though.

 

The Chargers are a notoriously slow starting team and the back end of their schedule is brutal.

AT RAVENS
PATRIOTS
BRONCOS
AT 49ERS
AT CHIEFS

If they can't buck their slow starting trend (2011: 4-7, 2012: 4-7, 2013: 5-6), they just might be in position to draft Rivers' (he's in the final year of his contract) heir apparent.

 

Are the Eagles considered contenders?

 

Bro, you picked the three strongest teams in the league.

 

To be honest, Denver, Green Bay and Detroit have these problems as well.

 

You think both of the teams involved in last year's superbowl are going to do terribly?

I think the Pats will be even better this year - at least on offense. Brady had some really green receivers last year. It'll be fun to see the WR corp click with Brady this year.

 

Not to mention Gronk will likely be healthier this year.

 

Sure... but Brees is older than two of those other QB's and has yet to have an old man injury like Manning had (which forced him to change his game... which he did masterfully).

 

Care to share any reasoning behind this?