NFL Championship Game PlayOff Picks 2021 (January 24th)

The 2020 NFL season may have been played during a pandemic, but we are down to the final four as the Championship Games are played this weekend.

It is all credit to the NFL we have gotten here and I know I am grateful to the players for putting themselves out there for our entertainment- I have little doubt how much more difficult life would have been without the breaks given to us by the various sports and the NFL has really been a blessing over the last several months.

We will have a small break after this weekend with the Super Bowl scheduled to be played on Sunday 7th February at Raymond James Stadium and it looks like it is going to be a very strong game regardless of which two teams are going to compete in it.

Last week the NFL Picks had a bounce back week after the really poor showing in the Super Wild Card Round and I do look like completing a very strong season. To be fair it had been a poor run before the Divisional Round when the Picks went 3-1 and I am looking to back it up with the two Championship Games to be played on Sunday before the Super Bowl in two weeks time.

I do think these four teams are the best ones in the NFL and I would be disappointed if either game is a blow out. My feeling is that the Number 1 Seeds will prevail, but both road teams are not to be taken lightly as you will be able to tell when reading my thoughts below.

Before the Super Bowl my plan is to have my first Mock Draft ahead of the NFL Draft which will take place in April. I do think I will be able to create a couple of Mocks before the Draft as the Senior Bowl and Combine news comes out, while I would not be surprised to see some major trade moves made before the Draft takes place.

Teams will look a lot different by the time the NFL rolls back around next September and I am also trying to be as hopeful as possible as to how the 2021 season will look for the fans as well as the players.

My hope would be that fans will be back in greater numbers and that the International Series could be back too which means London will be fortunate to have some live NFL again.

Personally I am also keen on getting over for at least one game next year with the Dolphins playing road games in New Orleans and Las Vegas, and it is these kinds of dreams which can help the days tick along while we are all having difficulties through our day to day lives.

After the positive Divisional Round selections, you can read my Championship Picks below.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Green Bay Packers Pick: They might not be the top two Seeds in the NFC, but it does feel like the Green Bay Packers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the best two teams in the Conference at this time in January.

The Buccaneers have had to win two road games against Divisional Winners to earn their spot in the Championship Game and now they are one win away from adding another piece of history to Tom Brady's long list of accolades in the NFL. Winning would mean Brady would be the first Quarter Back to play a Super Bowl in his home Stadium and there is a feeling the Buccaneers have picked up their play as each week has passed in the first with Tom Brady at the team.

After reports Brady and Bruce Arians were not on the same page, wins over the Washington Football Team and the New Orleans Saints have taken the Buccaneers to the Conference Championship Game. When Tom Brady was signed that would have been the minimum expectation for the Buccaneers in the 2020 season and the veteran Quarter Back doesn't look like he has missed a beat even at his advanced age.

Tampa Bay have won six in a row and they humiliated the Green Bay Packers in the regular season, although it did not dent the confidence of the Packers. That defeat was a bad one, but Green Bay finished with the Number 1 Seed in the NFC and that means they are the only team in the Conference who have earned a Bye Week and they secured a comfortable home win over the Los Angeles Rams to earn their spot in the Championship Game.

As good as Tom Brady has been, Aaron Rodgers has been playing at MVP level for the Green Bay Packers and that is almost despite the lack of support given to him by the team. If the Packers had picked a top Receiver in the Draft last year I would have had them down as favourites to win the Super Bowl, but Rodgers is playing at an elite level and that is bringing out the best of those around him.

However I do feel just as much credit has to be given to the Green Bay Offensive Line which has been able to dominate the trenches despite the injuries they have picked up over the course of the season. David Bakhtiari is absent, but that did not stop the Packers from running over a very power Los Angeles Defensive Line last week and they have also protected Aaron Rodgers which has allowed the future Hall of Fame Quarter Back ample time to dissect teams down the field.

The battle in the trenches is going to be incredibly fun to watch on this side of the ball- the Packers Offensive Line have bullied teams and opened up big holes for the running game, but this week they are facing a Tampa Bay Defensive Line bolstered by the likely return of Vita Vea who has been activated and is ready to play according to all reports.

His presence on the Defensive Line might just give the Buccaneers a boost having been strong against the run all season, but showing some signs that there was some wear on the players up front. Now having a healthy Vea back will only make it that much more difficult for Aaron Jones, Jamaal Williams and the Green Bay Offensive Line to have the same kind of success they have been enjoying in recent weeks.

This is the key to the game on this side of the ball- if the Packers can get any kind of a run game going I do think they will open the field for Aaron Rodgers against a Tampa Bay Secondary which has given up some big yards. Last week the Buccaneers were able to expose the deterioration of Drew Brees who looks set to move into retirement, but Aaron Rodgers is playing as well as he has throughout his career.

Stopping Aaron Rodgers is a far bigger challenge than Drew Brees at this stage of their careers and I do think Green Bay will be able to move the sticks through the air. Davante Adams is a big time Receiver for the Packers and he was schemed up to pick up 66 passing yards and a Touchdown in the win over the tough Rams Secondary in the Divisional Round.

Other Receivers have stepped up to make plays for Rodgers when Adams has not been open and I do think Green Bay can have success through the air. The key for Aaron Rodgers is avoiding the turnovers that Tampa Bay used to blow out the Packers in Week 6 of the regular season, but he will feel he is playing at a much better level now and I think Green Bay will have success and find better balance than some may believe in light of the Vita Vea return for the visiting team.

It does sound like it will be cold and possibly snowy in Green Bay at kick off on Sunday, but I think the Packers will be able to at least stay in front of the chains behind this Offensive Line.

Those conditions may not be ideal for teams coming from warmer climates to play in, although Tom Brady has plenty of experience from his time with the New England Patriots. It will be up to his team-mates to show they can cope with what could be difficult field conditions to run on, but Tampa Bay are playing well and their own Offensive Line may feel they can have success if they pick up from where they left off in the Divisional Round.

Namely run the ball.

Leonard Fournette had a strong game against the New Orleans Saints Defensive Line despite the fact the Saints had been playing the run pretty well all season. He backed up the change in pace at Running Back through Ronald Jones and it will be up to the Tampa Bay Offensive Line to try and move people around and give the two Backs a chance of keeping Tom Brady and the entire Offense in front of the sticks.

Stopping the run has been one of the weaknesses of the Green Bay Defensive unit which has played pretty well all season. In the Divisional Round Cam Akers led the Los Angeles Rams to over 5 yards per carry against this Green Bay Defensive Line and it will be important for the Buccaneers to not only keep their own team in third and manageable spots, but also keep Aaron Rodgers freezing on the sidelines by extending drives and controlling the time of possession.

I expect the Buccaneers will have some success with the two Running Backs they will trot out onto the field, but ultimately this game will still come down to Tom Brady and the vast amount of weapons he is working with these days. Antonio Brown looks set to be ruled out which is a blow, but Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Rob Gronkowski are viable threats down the field and will give Tom Brady an opportunity to reach yet another Super Bowl.

They will be facing the power of the Green Bay Defense though with an ever improving Secondary and a decent pass rush up front that may be able to at least rattle the Quarter Back. It won't be easy to get to Brady, but injuries on the Tampa Bay Offensive Line have not cleared up and so the likes of Preston Smith and Za'Darious Smith should be able to at least get Tom Brady to throw the ball quicker than he likes when he is in obvious passing downs.

And then that will be Tom Brady throwing into the Green Bay Secondary which has some serious talent and an ability to at least slow some of the top Receiving options for the veteran Quarter Back. Stopping Tampa Bay completely looks out of the question with the experience they have at Head Coach and Quarter Back, but Green Bay will certainly feel they can do enough on both sides of the ball to eventually earn their place in the Super Bowl.

The elephant in the room has to be that Week 6 game between these teams which saw the Tampa Bay Buccaneers score thirty-eight points in a row to erase an early deficit and beat the Green Bay Packers 38-10 at home. The Packers were undone by turnovers that day, but over the years we have seen a number of occasions where the team hosting the Championship Game was beaten in the regular season by their opponent and on the road.

Those teams are 14-8 outright and they are 4-3 against the spread in the last seven after the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Tennessee Titans in that spot last season. Even those that have been blown out (loss by ten or more points) in the regular season game have recovered for a 5-3 against the spread in the Championship Game and that should encourage the Green Bay Packers.

I have to respect Tom Brady and his ability, while Tampa Bay have a decent record as an underdog in recent games in that spot including winning outright last week at the New Orleans Saints. However, the Green Bay Packers are a strong home favourite and they have been a very good team to back in recent PlayOff Games even though Aaron Rodgers is just 2-2 against the spread in his four previous NFC Championship Games.

Two of those losses for Aaron Rodgers have come on the road though and he is a much better Quarter Back at home and I think his Packers team will find the balance to have the edge. Tom Brady is just 6-7 against the spread in his thirteen previous Championship Games with the New England Patriots and I think the Green Bay Packers will find the plays to edge to the win here, although it should be a really good game to watch.

In recent years the team that have won the regular season game have tended to do the same in the Championship Game rematch, but I think there are enough factors to believe the Green Bay Packers can overcome that. The conditions should suit the home team, they should have the superior balance Offensively even with the likely improvement in the Tampa Bay Defensive Line and I think Aaron Rodgers will play well enough at home to avoid the turnovers which have fuelled the Buccaneers in their win the regular season as well as the one over the New Orleans Saints in the SuperDome in the Divisional Round.

Buffalo Bills @ Kansas City Chiefs Pick: The top two Seeds in the AFC have long looked the best teams in this Conference and I think this Championship Game was the more predictable of the two we are going to see on Sunday.

The Kansas City Chiefs were able to hold on to beat the upstart Cleveland Browns in the Divisional Round and it was a case of holding on when Patrick Mahomes went down with an injury. That saw the Quarter Back entering the concussion protocol, but Mahomes has been on the practice field all week and he is set to go on Sunday.

That win came after the Chiefs received the one and only Bye Week in the PlayOffs on the AFC side of the bracket towards the Super Bowl. The Chiefs did what they needed to, but the Buffalo Bills have arguably looked more impressive in their wins over the Indianapolis Colts and Baltimore Ravens, especially the latter victory, although both games were played at home and it is a different ask having to travel to Arrowhead Stadium to earn a big result.

Those wins have been well deserved and the Buffalo Bills have won eight in a row which will give them a confidence boost. They will need all of that to beat the Kansas City Chiefs who may not be dominating teams, but the Super Bowl Champions have won eleven of their last twelve games and the sole loss came in Week 17 of the regular season when they rested key starters.

It will not be the case on Sunday in the Championship Game and there is a hope that important skill players like Sammy Watkins and Clyde Edwards-Helaire could be available with both being limited in practice. Those two players will be important to give the Chiefs a bit more balance Offensively, but the Offensive Line may also be back to full health which is very important to Patrick Mahomes and the entire Chiefs team.

A fully functioning Offensive Line will give the Chiefs an opportunity to establish the run and especially if Edwards-Helaire and Le'Veon Bell are ready to play. With Patrick Mahomes at Quarter Back you know the Bills will concentrating on shutting down the passing lanes, but that did not work out very well for them when these teams met in the regular season and the Defensive Line have not really been able to contain the run as well as they would have liked in recent games.

The Bills will point out the successes they had against the Baltimore Ravens in the Divisional Round, but they did not respect Lamar Jackson's passing ability as much as they will have to respect what Patrick Mahomes can do and that is a vital difference. It should mean Andy Reid is able to scheme up plays to move the ball on the ground, although I imagine Mahomes is not going to be keeping too often in this one to avoid any more unnecessary hits that could see him knocked out of this game.

Buffalo have a strong Secondary in terms of the pure talent on the roster and a Head Coach who is Defensive minded, but there have been holes in this unit which are sure to be exposed by Patrick Mahomes. If the Bills do decide to contain the run, Mahomes should have a big game and this really is a 'pick your poison' kind of day for Buffalo.

It will mean there is a pressure on the Buffalo Bills Offensive unit to potentially have to keep up in a shoot out and for Josh Allen to show he belongs with the elite Quarter Backs in the NFL. I have to admit I have been largely impressed with the development of Josh Allen in the 2020 season, but he has also been helped by the moves made by the Buffalo Bills which have improved the Receiving options considerably for the young Quarter Back.

Gabriel Davis is not expected to suit up for the Bills, but Stefon Diggs has been huge for them since being traded from the Minnesota Vikings. Cole Beasley, John Brown and Dawson Knox do offer Josh Allen some serious Receiving threats, but Josh Allen will know it will be far from easy against this Kansas City Secondary and he will have to show what he has learned from the regular season game against the Chiefs when Buffalo were held to 206 yards and Allen has just 122 passing yards.

Most of the problems come from the fact that Buffalo have not really run the ball as effectively as they would have liked and that can be a big problem when we get to January. It hasn't cost them so far and Buffalo have looked good, but Josh Allen will need his team to keep him in front of the sticks and his legs will be as important as his arm in this one.

There are some holes on the Kansas City Defensive Line which does allow teams to establish the run, but Buffalo have schemed away from that and it will aid the Chiefs. I still expect Josh Allen to lead some nice drives, but he will be under pressure from the Kansas City pass rush and this is a Chiefs Secondary that are capable of making some big plays when necessary as they showed when stopping the Cleveland Browns on the goal-line before half time in the Divisional Round win.

The feeling is that we are going to get a close game here, but Kansas City have the mental edge having deservedly beaten the Buffalo Bills in the regular season. Now they get to host the AFC Championship Game and they will certainly believe they can build on the 7-2 record teams who won the regular season match up have built in the Championship Game rematch.

On the scoreboard the regular season game was competitive, but Kansas City had over double the total yards of the Buffalo Bills and I still think they have the superior team.

The key is Patrick Mahomes- he has stated he is out of the concussion protocol and will play on Sunday, but if the Chiefs have to go with Chad Henne I am not at all convinced about their chances of winning this game. With Mahomes at Quarter Back I think they will have too much scoring power and especially if the Offensive Line is intact after injuries over the last few weeks.

Buffalo are 7-1-2 against the spread in their last ten as the road underdog and they are 9-1 against the spread in their last ten overall which are numbers that have to be massively respected.

At the same time Kansas City have been failing to perform to the level of 'good teams win, great teams cover' as they have not managed to do that in their last four as the home favourite and are just 1-8 against the spread in the last nine overall. That includes failing to cover against the Cleveland Browns in the Divisional Round, but they may have felt their options were greater if Patrick Mahomes had played the whole game.

Even then the Chiefs have not been covering which is a concern, but I think this spread is low enough to be a manageable one for them. Not many teams have gotten the better of the Bills in the 2020 season, but Kansas City handled them really well on the road and I think they are looking pretty healthy right now which will give them the edge.

Buffalo can come again in 2021 with Josh Allen having another year under his belt, but for me the defending Super Bowl Champions will be able to make it repeat, not revenge, in this AFC Championship Game after beating the Bills in the regular season.

Covering small spreads as favourites has not been a winning formula in the last ten seasons with none of the three favourites of less than 3.5 points being able to do that. However I think Patrick Mahoms is an elite Quarter Back which is underlined by his 26-14 record against the spread when favoured by less than double digits and I expect him to come out and dominate this game against a challenger to his throne in Josh Allen.

The team which won the regular season meeting is 5-2 against the spread in Championship Game rematches and I think Kansas City will extend that after the Green Bay Packers get the better of that trend.

MY PICKS: Green Bay Packers - 3.5 Points @ 1.91 Bet Fred (2 Units)

Kansas City Chiefs - 3 Points @ 1.83 Bet365 (2 Units)

Divisional Round: 3-1, + 3.36 Units (8 Units Staked, + 42% Yield)

Wild Card Round: 1-5, - 8.18 Units (12 Units Staked, - 68.17% Yield)

Week 17: 4-5, - 3.10 Units (18 Units Staked, - 17.22% Yield)

Week 16: 5-5, - 0.88 Units (20 Units Staked, - 4.40% Yield)

Week 15: 3-4-1, - 2.38 Units (16 Units Staked, - 14.88% Yield)

Week 14: 5-3, + 3 Units (16 Units Staked, + 18.75% Yield)

Week 13: 5-5, - 0.82 Units (20 Units Staked, - 4.10% Yield)

Week 12: 5-4, + 0.86 Units (18 Units Staked, + 4.78% Yield)

Week 11: 4-5, - 2.72 Units (18 Units Staked, - 15.11% Yield)

Week 10: 4-3-1, + 1.46 Units (16 Units Staked, + 9.13% Yield)

Week 9: 2-6, - 8.36 Units (16 Units Staked, - 52.25% Yield)

Week 8: 6-2, + 6.60 Units (16 Units Staked, + 41.25% Yield)

Week 7: 4-3-1, + 1.26 Units (16 Units Staked, + 7.87% Yield)

Week 6: 6-4, + 3 Units (20 Units Staked, + 15% Yield)

Week 3: 8-3, + 8.64 Units (22 Units Staked, + 39.27% Yield)

Week 2: 7-3, + 7.10 Units (20 Units Staked, + 35.50% Yield)

Week 1: 6-3-1, + 4.62 Units (20 Units Staked, + 23.10% Yield)

Season 2020: 78-63-4, + 13.46 Units (292 Units Staked, + 4.61% Yield)

NFL Play Offs Championship Game Picks 2019 (January 20th)

I had a pretty awful Divisional Round of the Play Offs for the second season in a row and I know exactly where I went wrong.

If I do the same next season I deserve to go 0-4 for the third year in a row.

Idiot selections aside, we have reached the NFL Championship Games and I think the four most deserving teams make up the final quartet. Home Field should be the difference maker, but you can see how closely the teams are matched that the layers are hesitant to give the home team more than the three points that is standard practice when beginning to compile spreads.

I do think both games will be fascinating and we won't see the blow outs like we did in a couple of the Play Off Games played in the Divisional Round.

Below you can read my selections for the Championship Games.


Los Angeles Rams @ New Orleans Saints Pick: Back in Week 9 of the regular season the New Orleans Saints beat the Los Angeles Rams at home and that not only ended the unbeaten run of the visitors, but it also meant the Saints were able to secure home field advantage through the Play Offs. Even after the game in Week 9 the feeling was that the two teams would meet again in the NFC Championship Game and that has proven to be the case.

Both received a Bye in the Wild Card Round which would have been a huge help, but the Saints and Rams showed they are the two best teams in the NFC with the performances in the Divisional Round. The Rams dominated the Dallas Cowboys at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, while the New Orleans Saints survived being punched in the mouth early in the game with the Philadelphia Eagles and overcame a 0-14 deficit to earn their spot in the Championship Game.

Two Offensive minded Head Coaches will receive plenty of media attention during the week, but it is going to be the play of the Defensive units which decide this game. While the Saints and Rams have been capable of lighting up the scoreboard, the two Defensive units have played their part at pivotal moments and that is going to be all important in this one.

Beating the Saints in the SuperDome may be one of the biggest challenges in the NFL and they proved that through the season. A Week 1 upset to Tampa Bay and a Week 17 loss to the Carolina Panthers with rested starters should not cloud the difficulty the Los Angeles Rams have in winning here on Sunday afternoon.

The Rams Defensive Line was huge for them against the Dallas Cowboys in the Divisional Round as they clamped down on Ezekiel Elliot. However Wade Phillips has seen his Defense struggle against the run all season and I don't think one game is enough to suggest things would have changed significantly.

When they played here in Week 9 Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara had big games for the Saints and I do think the two dynamic Running Backs can do the same here. Ultimately the Rams have to respect the quality Quarter Back Drew Brees and his ability to make plays through the air and that may lead to more holes for the New Orleans Offensive Line to exploit and set the team up in third and manageable situations.

Michael Thomas had a monster game in Week 9, but I think the Saints will be looking to other options with Aqib Talib back. Drew Brees has been able to throw many unfamiliar names open and I do think play-action and short passes to the likes of Kamara coming out of the backfield will keep the chains moving and put some pressure on Jared Goff and the Los Angeles Rams to keep up in what could be another shoot-out.

Last week the Rams were able to establish both Todd Gurley and CJ Anderson in their win over Dallas and they had some really long, time consuming drives which may be the game plan for this one too. Keeping Brees and company off the field and cooling them down would be huge for the Rams, but they are playing an under-rated New Orleans Defensive unit that may feel they have the talent to make some big plays.

There has been a key injury on the Saints Defensive Line which may have a big impact on the game. Sheldon Rankings is done for the season and is a big body in the middle of the Saints Defensive Line which helped them hold teams to 3.6 yards per carry through the season. Now the Saints have to face Gurley and Anderson without him having seen the two prove huge in the win over the Cowboys in the Divisional Round and that could be where this game is won and lost.

New Orleans will feel they have enough playmakers to win this game if they can stop the run like they have for the season, but it looks a big ask. That makes things a little more comfortable for Jared Goff who has not maintained his form from the first half of the season through to the second half.

Goff has not been asked to do a lot with the run game working as well as it has for the Rams and he will need all the support he can get again if they are going to win this game. There are holes in the New Orleans Secondary to exploit, but those are much easier to attack from third and manageable than third and long so Gurley and Anderson have to have a big game and Los Angeles can't afford to fall into a big hole on the scoreboard.

It is a difficult game to predict because you simply can't know how the loss of Rankings is going to affect the New Orleans Saints. If the Rams can run the ball effectively they will be very difficult to beat, but what I do think is that we are not going to get the same time of shoot out as we did in Week 9.

Both teams will look to run the ball and I don't think the Saints will get the chunk plays through the air as they did last time. Running the ball means the clock gets worn down that much quicker and long, effective drives will be the order of the day for the Rams.

It is a big total with many expecting the teams to pick up from where they left off in Week 9, but both Offensive units have not been as explosive in the back part of the season. The Championship Game looks a good one, but one where I will look for the total points line to be a touch on the high side.


New England Patriots @ Kansas City Chiefs Pick: There is another rematch in the Championship Round of the Play Offs, but this time the Kansas City Chiefs will get to host the New England Patriots having lost in Foxboro in the regular season. This is the second of the Championship Games to be played on Sunday and the layers are finding it very difficult to split the teams with home field being given the three points that is the general rule for those layers creating the spreads.

It was the New England Patriots who won the regular season game in another shoot out, but the second half performance from the Kansas City Chiefs will be a big encouragement to them. Patrick Mahomes grew in that game and has proven to be a level headed Quarter Back that can play at a very high level no matter the intense nature of the NFL.

The Chiefs comfortably handled the Indianapolis Colts in the Divisional Round at home and having the chance to host this one at Arrowhead is a huge advantage for them. They have won eight of their nine games played at home in the 2018 season and Kansas City will be very confident against a New England Patriots team that were only 3-5 on the road.

There were a lot of people writing off the Patriots and the Los Angeles Chargers were a popular pick to beat them last week in the Divisional Round. It was never a contest though and the Patriots dismissed the Chargers, but for once they are not hosting the AFC Championship Game and that does feel like a difference maker.

In recent years the Patriots have been very vulnerable when losing home advantage in the Play Offs and I really do think that could be the case again. I don't want to write off Bill Belichick and his brilliant mind especially as he has seen Patrick Mahomes once this season and likely compiled a great game plan to limit the young Quarter Back, but I love the way Mahomes has handled all situations.

There is no doubt that there has been an improvement in the levels the New England Defensive unit have been operating at, but those performances have been with home comforts. It has been a very different story on the road and I do think the Chiefs can find a very good balance on the Offensive side of the ball which will make it very difficult to stop them.

Damien Williams and Spencer Ware are not as good as Kareem Hunt, but both are solid enough Running Backs who should be able to have success in this one. Andy Reid is someone who will look to establish the run in different ways so Tyreek Hill running a jet sweep will also have an impact on this game, while Mahomes is an athletic Quarter Back too, but I would expect Williams and Ware to have success against the Patriots Defensive Line despite the recent strength shown up front.

Patrick Mahomes has been put under pressure at times by the opposing pass rush and that may be the case again in this one, but third and long doesn't faze him. There have been too many occasions when those have been converted into First Downs to think he is 'lucky' so I do think Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs will have success moving the chains as they did when these teams met in the regular season.

Beating Tom Brady and Bill Belichick in the Play Offs is a huge test for any team in the NFL and you know these two men are unlikely to put New England in a spot where they beat themselves. You just know Brady is itching to keep proving the doubters wrong after hearing his thoughts following the dominant win over the Chargers and the Patriots did score 43 points against the Chiefs at home.

With Josh Gordon gone, New England have been happy to lean on their Running Backs either as Receivers coming out of the backfield or pounding the ball down at the line of scrimmage. Sony Michel has been a huge success for the Patriots and have a big game in the Divisional Round, but both James White and Rex Burkhead get their touches too and the Patriots will feel they can establish the run.

This is huge for New England who know that the one thing Kansas City do very well is rushing the passer and putting them under intense pressure. It has proven that the best way to beat Brady in the Play Offs is with a strong pass rush which leads to the future Hall of Famer just getting a little edgy inside the pocket and perhaps makes him feel some phantom pressure that lead to mistakes.

That pressure for the Chiefs has been a key reason the Secondary have improved as the weeks have gone on in the NFL. While Brady will have some success, I do think the Chiefs have the edge with the pass rush that can at least stall some drives and give Patrick Mahomes and the Offensive unit every chance of reaching the Super Bowl.

As you can tell I do like Kansas City, although some of the enthusiasm is taken away when you think of the Coaching battle. I like Andy Reid, but he has Coached some poor Play Off games which would concern me against someone like Bill Belichick.

However Reid seems to hold all the Aces in this one and my favourite to win the Super Bowl is Kansas City so I do believe they win this one. Backing the home team to cover against the Patriots in the Play Offs may seem dangerous, but New England are 1-4 in their last five road Play Off games and they are also 1-4 against the spread in that time.

MY PICKS: New Orleans Saints-Los Angeles Rams Under 56.5 Points @ 1.91 Bet Victor (2 Units)
Kansas City Chiefs - 3 Points @ 1.85 Bet365 (2 Units)

World Cup Qualifier Picks 2017 (October 5-7)

Over the next few days the final World Cup Qualifiers in the Groups around the world are being played before the Play Offs in November will determine which teams are making up the next World Cup Finals.

I am going to split up the picks from the two rounds of fixtures with the picks from the penultimate fixtures placed in this thread for games to be played from Thursday through to Saturday.

The final set of World Cup Qualifiers will be placed in a thread I should have ready to go on Saturday evening which will cover games that are played from Sunday through to the following Wednesday.

I've written a short piece about Manchester United and what has been a strong start to the season which you can read here.


Syria v Australia Pick: Asia have already provided four representatives for the World Cup Finals next summer, but surprisingly Australia were not one of them. They have not played well in the Qualifiers and that means Australia have to negotiate a Play Off in the Asian Qualifiers before facing the team who will end up 4th in the CONCACAF Confederation which may easily be the United States.

It won't be easy for Australia who would have hoped they could have finished in the automatic Qualification spots on offer.

They are facing a team in Syria who are playing with 'house money' which does make them dangerous, but having to deal with a two Legged tie without any home advantage is difficult. Despite having to travel to host home games, Syria are unbeaten in 8 games and they have won 5 of those.

Syria ending up drawing 3 of their 5 'home' Qualifiers in the final Round and it has to be said that Australia's poor away form is why they were unable to finish higher than 3rd in their own Group. Missing out on a top two berth on goal difference can be directly linked to failing to win any of their last 4 away Qualifiers and 3 of those ended in draws.

Draws were what hurt Australia, but a draw here before the home Leg in Sydney next week might not be the worst result for the favourites in this Play Off Qualifier. This does feel like it will be a tight First Leg and the draw has been a big result when these two teams have been playing in the World Cup Qualifiers and that looks a real player here too.

I can't have Australia as odds on to win this First Leg with their away struggles in recent months and the draw does look a big price here. It is certainly worth a small interest.


Armenia v Poland Pick: The 4-0 loss to Denmark last month has just put some pressure on Poland in their bid to finish top of the Group, although they are still in a position of strength. It does mean Poland can't afford to drop more points with a home game against Montenegro to come, and they should have enough to do that in Armenia.

This has proven to be a tough place for Poland to visit over the years with a couple of previous Qualifiers here ending 1-1 and 1-0 to Armenia. They can't have that happen again and this is a Poland team that have looked stronger than the one that would have played here ten years ago.

Armenia have also been guilty of folding in matches recently as shown by the couple of heavy home losses they have had in the Qualifiers. The last fixture saw Armenia go down 1-4 at home against Denmark and they have conceded at least three times in 4 losses in their last 8 home Qualifiers.

The side also conceded four times in a defeat in Montenegro in June and that has to be a concern when considering Poland had scored at least twice in 4 consecutive away Qualifiers before their thumping in Denmark.

Poland are not the easiest side to trust away from home, but they have been better in their last couple of Qualifying campaigns. They look like they have goals in the squad which makes them dangerous and I think they can record a big win in Armenia that will put Poland on the brink of confirming their place in Russia for the World Cup Finals next June.

If Armenia lose heart as they have in heavy home losses to Romania and Denmark, Poland should be able to take advantage and I will look for them to cover a big Asian Handicap.


England v Slovenia Pick: There simply isn't the same level of expectation for England heading towards a major international tournament as there has been over the years and that might work out well for Gareth Southgate. He will be looking for England to finish this Group on a high and try and improve the Ranking which could improve Seeding for the World Cup Finals assuming England will be playing there next summer.

It would need a couple of big upsets for England to miss out from automatic Qualification for the Finals, and in all honesty they should be securing their spot at the end of this round of fixtures.

Slovenia will have something to say about that as they try to at least finish 2nd in the Group and earn a Play Off berth. However this is a team who have not travelled as well as they would have liked and losing back to back games to Slovakia and Scotland by the same 1-0 scoreline has hurt Slovenia.

Now they have to earn some kind of result at Wembley where England have won 13 home Qualifiers and have scored at least twice in each of those wins. With Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford in the form they have displayed for their club sides, it would perhaps be a bigger surprise if England don't reach that number of goals again.

I fully expect England to be too strong for Slovenia in this one and confirm their spot in the World Cup Finals. Slovenia will be hoping they are still alive in the Group depending on what has happened in the game between Scotland and Slovakia being played at the same time, but I don't think they will be able to help themselves in this World Cup Qualifier and I will back England to win by a couple of goals on the evening.


Northern Ireland v Germany Pick: Playing at Windsor Park has become a real challenge for any visiting team and Northern Ireland have used that as the foundation for their performance in the Group. In fact it has been a key to their successes over the last few years which have enhanced the reputation of manager Michael O'Neill who sounds very committed to the national team.

Getting Northern Ireland to the World Cup Finals would be a huge achievement for O'Neill, but it does mean they have to negotiate a Play Off as Germany have dominated this Group. A win will give Northern Ireland an outside chance of finishing above Germany, but the focus has to be to get ready for the Play Off they are likely to face next month.

Northern Ireland have been very good at home which should give Germany a challenge to make it 9 wins out of 9 in the Group. However Germany have won in Czech Republic and Norway already in the section and they have scored plenty of goals which has been factored in by the layers who do make them big favourites to win here.

That is the most likely result, but Northern Ireland's performances have to be respected. They have made it hard for Germany in the two matches against one another over the last sixteen months even if both have resulted in German wins, while you can't forget that Germany were beaten at the Republic of Ireland in the Euro 2016 Qualifiers.

Ultimately I do think Germany will find a way to win here and I think they are worth backing to win by a one goal or two goal margin. They do have the quality to win by a wider margin if at their very best, but I think Northern Ireland have played well enough at home to make this competitive and Germany know a point is enough to win the Group so may not take undue risks.

Backing Germany to win those margins returns just short of odds against and it does feel the most likely outcome from this fixture.


Scotland v Slovakia Pick: England may have moved clear in this Group, but there is plenty to play for for the three teams immediately behind them with a potential Play Off berth on the line.

This is a fixture that could start to determine which of those nations will be likely to finish in 2nd spot in the Group as Scotland host Slovakia in a really important game for both nations.

With Slovenia playing in England, this is the fixture that could see the winning side move into a commanding position in 2nd spot assuming England will beat Slovenia. A Scotland win will give Gordon Strachan's men the confidence to take into Slovenia next week, but anything less than a victory would likely mean Slovakia have virtually assured themselves of 2nd spot with Malta to come at home.

It is a difficult fixture to read because Scotland have been decent at home, but are also under pressure to win the game. They likely need 2 wins to make it into 2nd place over the coming days and pushing too far forward could see Slovakia punish them on the counter attack.

However I can't ignore how strong Scotland have been at home in recent Qualifiers with only Germany having won here over the last couple of Qualifying campaigns. The points dropped against England may hurt Scotland considering they conceded the equaliser deep into injury time, but they will feel they can earn the win here.

I won't back Scotland outright, but will look to back them on the Asian Handicap here. Slovakia have lost both away games at England and Slovenia and I think they will be playing not to lose which may give Scotland the impetus to get on the front foot and find a way to win this one.

It will likely be very close, but I will back Scotland on the Asian Handicap which at least returns half the stake if this fixture finishes in a draw.


Georgia v Wales Pick: The loss of Gareth Bale is a big blow for Chris Coleman and Wales who need at least 4 points over the next few days to earn their place in the Play Offs for the World Cup Finals. Winning the Group looks to be beyond them now, but 2nd place is up for grabs if they can make up for the loss of their one world-class talent.

Coleman's successes as Wales manager have come based on a solid foundation which has made them very difficult to beat. They have remained a tough team to crack during these World Cup Qualifiers as Wales are unbeaten, and they have not conceded a lot of goals.

The problems have been at the other end and that is where losing Bale is a bitter blow, but I think Wales may still have enough to beat Georgia.

Georgia will be respected having drawn with the Republic of Ireland in this Group and beating Scotland in the Euro 2016 Qualifying campaign. However this is a team who have lost to Austria and Serbia and I will be looking for Wales to show enough strength defensively which can lay the foundation for success here.

They will believe they can create chances in Georgia and I think that the Wales price is looking appealing since Bale was ruled out and there was a drift on the price for the away win. They did win both World Cup Qualifiers last month and Wales will be looking to keep their noses in front of the Republic of Ireland before hosting them next week.

It won't be an easy game for Wales, but I am looking for them to have the advantages at both ends of the field that lead to a narrow victory here.


Austria v Serbia Pick: You can only be disappointed with the way Austria have played over the last twelve months which has seen them way short of the three teams above them in the Group. Failing to hit the expectations at the last European Championship seems to have had a negative lingering effect on the squad and Austria have looked way short of what the other top teams in this Group have been able to produce.

There is an outside chance for Austria to finish in the top two, but they need some big upsets to go for them and I simply don't think that is going to happen. Playing spoiler is all Austria have left going for them, but that won't be easy against a Serbia team that have travelled so well in the Group.

The 0-1 win in Dublin last month has put Serbia in complete command of the Group and they are just a win away from guaranteeing their place in Russia next summer. This is a team that have also won in Georgia and Moldova and earned a draw in Wales, and Serbia have to be feeling confident against an Austria team that have underwhelmed since Qualifying for the Euro 2016 Finals.

Austria have been behind in eventual draws with Wales and Georgia here and Republic of Ireland won in Vienna. I think Austria may just struggle to get back into the game with Serbia if they fall behind here considering how the latter have played away from home.

The home team have simply not performed well in this Group and I think Serbia will be the latest to take advantage of their poor levels of confidence.


Turkey v Iceland Pick: With just 2 points separating the top four nations in this Group and only a couple of World Cup Qualifiers still to play, there really isn't much room for mistakes for Croatia, Iceland, Turkey and Ukraine to make if they wish to be playing in Russia next June.

Croatia will head to the Ukraine in a few days time, but in this penultimate round of UEFA World Cup Qualifiers it is Turkey who host Iceland in a big game.

Anything less than a win for Turkey is likely to not be good enough to help them finish in the top two places in the Group, especially as both Turkey and Iceland will be favourites to win their final Group game. With Croatia hosting Finland on Friday, Turkey will know three points are key for them.

That won't be easy to earn, but Turkey have been playing better at home as shown when they beat Croatia 1-0 here last month. They are also facing an Iceland team who have lost half of their away World Cup Qualifiers in this Group and who were surprisingly beaten 1-0 in Finland in their last away Qualifier which may be the result that costs them a top two finish.

I have a lot of respect for how Iceland have developed their football team, but I do think they will struggle to earn a result here. Turkey have played well at home and beat Iceland 1-0 here during the Euro 2016 Qualifying Group and the confidence should be high enough in the squad to earn a similar result.

It will likely be a tight and competitive game that goes down to the wire, but I will back Turkey to earn a vital win which puts them in pole position for at least 2nd place in the Group.


Costa Rica v Honduras Pick: This is far from an easy game for Costa Rica against a desperate Honduras team who have been in better form than their recent results indicate.

Honduras have been difficult to beat and you can't ignore the fact that Costa Rica need just a point to move through to the World Cup Finals. That could mean a more cautious approach from a team who have drawn 2 of their last 3 home World Cup Qualifiers and who have met Honduras in two tight games already in 2017.

Being at home is important for Costa Rica considering Honduras have lost 3 of their last 7 away World Cup Qualifiers. They took a couple of heavy losses in that time, but this Costa Rica team have not shown they are capable of really battering teams at the moment.

Costa Rica have beaten Honduras in their last 2 meetings in the World Cup Qualifiers in Costa Rica and I do think the home team can win this one. I would keep stakes to a minimum when you think of how close the matches between these teams in 2017 have been, especially knowing a draw will suit the home team and likely the away team too.

However I think the fans can urge their team on a little more and I will back Costa Rica to win this one.


Bulgaria v France Pick: There really shouldn't be as much pressure on France as there is at the moment after they somehow failed to beat Luxembourg at home last month. That result has opened the door for Sweden to potentially finish above them in the Group, although both France and Sweden have a very tough away Qualifier still to play.

Sweden's away Qualifier against the Netherlands may determine who finishes higher in the Group in a few days time, but France's difficult trip comes on Saturday as they head to Bulgaria. While Bulgaria are unlikely to finish in the top two places in the Group, they have remained in touch with the leaders thanks to winning all 4 home World Cup Qualifiers they have played in this Group.

That makes Bulgaria a team that deserves respect, especially as France have not scored a lot of away goals. They have 5 in their 4 away Qualifiers in this Group and it does make me feel that the home team are getting too much of a head-start on the Asian Handicap.

Visiting Bulgaria has been very difficult for France over the years with 6 previous visits ending in 5 defeats and a draw. A draw may not be the worst result for France with a home game against Belarus to come, but they will want to avoid the pressurised atmosphere that would bring by finding a way to the three points here.

It will be far from easy and I think Bulgaria deserves full respect for the way they have played in the Group. Even a narrow France win would see Bulgaria return as a winner on the Asian Handicap, but I do think they are good enough to earn a positive result at home and I will back Bulgaria with the start.


Switzerland v Hungary Pick: This Group looks like it will come down to the Portugal vs Switzerland fixture to come next week, but Switzerland will know all the pressure will be on the home team if they can win this one. Overall goal difference is leaning towards Portugal, but a Switzerland win on Saturday will mean they can afford a draw to finish top of the Group.

That is for another day and Switzerland have to be focused on the three points on offer in this penultimate World Cup Qualifier. They are facing a team who are in 3rd place in the Group, but Switzerland and Portugal have been very much clear of the rest of the teams in the section.

Switzerland have won all 4 home World Cup Qualifiers which means they have won 8 home Qualifiers in a row and have kept clean sheets in 7 of those games. Hungary have failed to score in 3 of 4 away Qualifiers in the Group and have lost 3-0 at Portugal and 1-0 at Andorra in their last couple of away Qualifiers.

The last two times Switzerland have hosted Hungary have also led to home wins with clean sheets and the stats are all pointing to Switzerland winning with a clean sheet in this one too.

The defensive foundation has been key for Switzerland through this Group and Hungary have scored almost half of their goals in the Group against bottom placed Latvia. The struggles away from home in front of goal can't be ignored and I will look for Switzerland to win to nil.

MY PICKS: Syria-Australia Draw @ 5.00 Sky Bet (1 Unit)
Poland - 1.75 Asian Handicap @ 2.01 Bet365 (2 Units)
England - 1.5 Asian Handicap @ 2.10 Paddy Power (2 Units)
Germany to Win by 1 or 2 Goals @ 1.94 Sky Bet (2 Units)
Scotland - 0.25 Asian Handicap @ 2.06 Bet365 (2 Units)
Wales @ 2.05 Bet Fred (2 Units)
Serbia @ 2.15 Bet Fred (2 Units)
Turkey @ 2.00 Bet Fred (2 Units)
Costa Rica @ 1.80 bet365 (1 Unit)
Bulgaria + 2 Asian Handicap @ 1.77 Bet365 (2 Units)
Switzerland Win to Nil @ 1.86 Ladbrokes (2 Units)

NFL Conference Championship Play Off Picks 2016 (Sunday 24th January)

After a week in which all of the road teams won their Play Off games, the Divisional Round saw all of the home teams win.

You can't say there have been too many upsets in the post-season so far with all of the games being won by the favourites aside from the Green Bay win in Washington when the home team were favoured by a single point.

Now we have reached the Conference Championship Games and this time we have one small home favourite and one small home underdog as the Number 1 Seeds host the Number 2 Seeds in both the AFC and NFC Championship Games.

I have to say I am looking forward to both games and I have picks from both.


New England Patriots @ Denver Broncos Pick: The Denver Broncos stole the Number 1 Seed in the AFC from under the New England Patriots' noses, but I don't think it was ever a big concern for Bill Belichick to host the Championship Game. That was particularly the case with the injuries New England had been dealing with in the final two weeks of the regular season, but they are a lot healthier now and will be seeking revenge for a loss here in the regular season.

It hasn't been a familiar position for the New England Patriots in recent years as their AFC Championship Games have mainly been held at home during the Bill Belichick-Tom Brady era. The Patriots haven't really enjoyed the last two times they have had to travel for the AFC Championship Game as they have lost both of those, ironically to the Quarter Back they will be facing on Sunday.

Peyton Manning helped the Denver Broncos beat the New England Patriots here two seasons ago and was also Quarter Back of the Indianapolis Colts when they beat New England at home in 2007. However, I don't think it is really making any grand statement to say that Manning is not the same as even the Quarter Back that played in the Championship Game two seasons ago and his career in Denver is winding down.

He would love to go out on a high, but Manning will have to be better than he was in the win over the Pittsburgh Steelers when only a busted decision from the referees helped Denver come back and win that game. Manning was somehow allowed to get up from a 'self Sack' and then throw the ball for a 40 yard gain, but it was mainly a poor passing day for the future Hall of Fame player, while his Receivers haven't helped with too many drops.

I don't want to be overly critical of Peyton Manning who has had a wonderful career, but I am not sure he has enough to lead Denver to a win in this one. The Patriots have a lot of respect for Manning too, but they will use a fierce pass rush to rattle the Quarter Back and make sure he does not have the time to throw the ball to his Receivers down the field.

The deep ball is gone anyway, but Manning might have some success if the quick passes can be caught by his Receivers and that might be the best way they can get the running game established. Manning is more reliant on the likes of CJ Anderson and Ronnie Hillman than he has been on other Running Backs over the last few years as he can't move the chains with his arm alone, but the New England Patriots will clamp down on the run like the Steelers did in the Divisional Round and will almost dare Manning to beat them with his arm.

There will be a lot of coverage about Peyton Manning in this one, no less so because he is facing his old adversary Tom Brady who is still playing up to the level he has set for himself. Brady will be very glad that he has got all of his Offensive weapons back and he has had one look at the Denver Defensive unit already this season and has the likes of Julian Edelman in the starting line up this time.

Brady played well in the first game considering the supporting cast, but that shouldn't be an issue this week. The likes of Edelman and Rob Gronkowski create match up problems no matter where they line up, but Denver will have faith in the Defense that has been so important to their success all season.

It will be up to Brady to make the plays because the New England Patriots are not going to have a lot of success lining up and traditionally running the ball. This is the one area that Denver have been strong through the season and it was a big hit against Fitzgerald Toussaint when he tried running the ball that became the key play of their Divisional Round win over Pittsburgh.

Now Josh McDaniels won't want to drop Brady back and have him throw fifty times a game, but I can see New England using a number of players similar to Pittsburgh to move the ball on the ground. That is getting Danny Amendola, Brandon LeFell and Julian Edelman taking some end arounds to find themselves in space, while Brady will be happy to make the short passes to keep the Offensive unit in third and manageable spots through the game.

As much as Denver have enjoyed getting the pressure on the Quarter Backs they have faced, it has been possible to throw the ball against them, while New England's Offensive Line is healthier now. I expect they will give Brady just enough time to make his plays and I do think it will be difficult for Peyton Manning to keep up barring his Defense giving him a couple of short fields with turnovers or big Special Teams plays.

The Patriots will have to change some recent history as eight of the last nine AFC Championship Games have been won by the team hosting. However, favourites in the Conference Championship Game of three points or fewer have a very strong 11-3 record against the spread going back to 1986.

One area New England have thrived in is the revenging a same season loss and they have gone 12-4 against the spread under Bill Belichick in that regards. Add in the fact that teams that won the last regular season game are just 7-11-1 against the spread in the last couple of years in post-season games.

 I do think New England will have learned a lot about Denver from their first game and it is hard to see Peyton Manning generating enough points to win this game unless Tom Brady turns the ball over two or three times.

New England are an experienced bunch and I think they are looking healthier while I can see them earning revenge over Denver by beating them in the AFC Championship Game at the same venue they were beaten by the Broncos two seasons ago.


Arizona Cardinals @ Carolina Panthers Pick: This was the game that I always felt was most deserving of the NFC Championship Game and I hope the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals are over their nervy finishes to the Divisional Round.

The Panthers were very close to blowing their 31-0 half time lead to Seattle who might have won the game if they could have pushed it to Overtime with all the momentum behind them. On the other side of the coin was the Arizona Cardinals giving up a Hail Mary pass that forced their game into Overtime before a couple of huge plays from Carson Palmer to Larry Fitzgerald won it for the Cardinals against the Green Bay Packers.

Carson Palmer had a horrible start to the game with the Packers as he couldn't shake the nerves that come for a player that has had zero Play Off success before last week. That win in the Divisional Round should loosen Palmer up and he and Bruce Arians must have been excited to see what the Seahawks were able to do when they were forced to pass in the second half to get back into the game.

It is not the first time the Panthers have allowed a furious comeback this season- the Green Bay Packers and the New York Giants both rallied before ultimately coming up short as Seattle did last week when the time, rather than the Carolina Defense, beat them. This is now a Carolina Secondary that have given up over 300 passing yards per game in their last three games and face an Arizona team that love throwing the ball and are very successful at doing that.

There will be some pressure on Palmer from the pass rush that Carolina generate and he has to be aware of trying to take away the mistakes that have blighted him in recent games. This is a ball-hawking team that looks to create turnover and every possession is going to be key for Arizona to pull the upset.

Bruce Arians will know his team matches up well Offensively with Carolina even if it is unlikely that Arizona will be able to run the ball effectively, but he should also have faith that the Defensive unit can slow down Cam Newton and the Panthers. Newton has been immense when you think of what he has been working with, while Jonathan Stewart looked strong after missing a couple of games through injury.

I do think Carolina can establish the run in this game which is vital for them if they are going to win this game. Both Stewart and Mike Tolbert will be able to find space against Arizona who have struggled against the run in recent games, although that could be down to facing three very good passers and so losing the focus.

Either way  I do think Carolina will have some joy running the ball with Newton using the read-option to good effect, but the key will be whether they can make the big plays through the air which has been a feature of their games all through the season. One aspect where Arizona have improved in each passing week is getting some sort of pass rush generated, although getting to Cam Newton is far from easy, but Arizona also know they have a Secondary that can shut down Receivers.

It is a shame that Tyrann Mathieu is out for the Cardinals, but this is still a team that has used the pressure up front to make the Secondary look even more effective. It has been a struggle at times for Carolina to make the plays through the air that they would like to, especially in recent games, and I think Arizona may have learnt something from the way Seattle approached the second half to slow down what the Panthers wanted to do.

As soon as this game was set I knew I wanted to back the Arizona Cardinals if they were given at least three points here, even though the statistic I pointed out in the Denver-New England pick points to a trend that would favour the home favourites. Unlike the AFC Championship Game, hosting the NFC Championship Game hasn't meant all that in recent seasons with those teams going 4-4 straight up, but they were 2-4 before Seattle's two consecutive wins in the last two seasons although just 1-1 against the spread in those wins.

Carolina have been very dominant as the home underdog of three points or fewer as I pointed out when backing them to beat Seattle, but this Arizona team is 15-7 against the spread as the road underdog over the last couple of seasons, while they are 4-0 against the spread when set as the road underdog of three points or fewer.

I also think the time of the game is significant for Arizona as it will match what they might be used to on the West Coast even though this game is played in Carolina. It could be cold which is an issue for an indoor team playing outdoors, but I think Arizona earn some revenge for their Play Off loss to the Panthers last season when injuries bit them hard.

This should be a really fun game to watch but I think enough factors are pointing to the Cardinals in this one and I will take the points being offered.

MY PICKS: New England Patriots - 3 Points @ 2.00 Paddy Power (2 Units)
Arizona Cardinals + 3 Points @ 2.o0 Sporting Bet (2 Units)

NFL Season Preview 2015 (September 10th)

The NFL season is now just a couple of days from beginning and my opening post for the new season will be a quick preview of the coming season ahead and what teams I perhaps favour to make their way to the Play Offs and potentially Super Bowl success.

It doesn't feel like there has been a lot of time since we saw Pete Carroll and the Seattle Seahawks make a call at the end of Super Bowl 49 that will have people still shaking their heads in disbelief. For the life of me, I will never understand why they chose to throw a ball instead of giving it to Marshawn Lynch on the one yard line and it is a decision that will likely haunt that fanbase for many years to come.

Of course Seattle will be amongst the favourites to get a shot at winning the big prize again this time around so without further ado, I will get on with the preview for the 2015 NFL season.

AFC East

Where else can I start but with the Division in which my favourite team, the Miami Dolphins, reside? It could be exciting times for Miami fans for the first time in a few years as the team looks to finally have made the kind of moves that could make them a contender in this Division.

There have been a few false dawns in recent years and Miami have perhaps underachieved when you consider how close they have been to a return to the Play Offs, but there definitely feels more positive vibes at the beginning of this season. The huge signing of Ndamukong Suh in Free Agency gives Miami one of the best Defensive Lines in the NFL, while they have shifted some of the unwanted big contracts, for example Mike Wallace, as well as the players with character concerns, for example Mike Wallace.

The schedule looks a good one for the Dolphins to try and chase down the New England Patriots who still seem to be the team to beat in the Division. The reigning Super Bowl Champions have made a number of personnel moves in the off-season though and they definitely don't look as strong as last season, although they will have Tom Brady playing after a judge overturned the four game suspension he was given after the 'Deflategate' saga was seemingly drawn to a close.

Players like Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner have moved on from the Secondary, while you don't replace the huge presence of Vince Wilfork on the Defensive Line easily. Tom Brady is a year older and the Patriots might be their most vulnerable in the Division since before Brady took over as the full-time starter.

I think the Patriots will just about hang on to their AFC East Division, while the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets could be the also rans behind New England and Miami.

Both of those teams will know all about Rex Ryan as the former Jets Head Coach takes over in Buffalo and while there is a lot to be excited about when it comes to the Bills, the Quarter Back is not one of them. Some Buffalo fans will point out the success Ryan had with the New York Jets and Mark Sanchez under Center, but they are opening the season with Tyrod Taylor at Quarter Back and he is a lot lower down the totem pole than Sanchez.

Taylor can run the ball and Ryan will be looking for LeSean McCoy to reinvigorate his career in Buffalo having traded for him from the Philadelphia Eagles. Buffalo will be a ground and pound team and have a very special Defense, but a difficult schedule and inconsistency from the Quarter Back may mean they struggle to break into a winning season.

It is still likely to be better than the New York Jets who have become such a mess that their starting Quarter Back is missing the first few games because a team mate punched him and fractured his jaw. Ryan Fitzpatrick at Quarter Back is not the answer as the likes of Buffalo and Houston will tell you and the Jets will be heavily reliant on a returning Darrelle Revis to plug holes in the Secondary.

It looks like a real rebuilding job for Todd Bowles and finishing outside the basement of this Division would constitute a successful season.

AFC North

The Pittsburgh Steelers are the current AFC North Champions, but they were not happy with the way things were going on the Defensive side of the ball and that saw Dick LeBeau leave his post as Defensive Co-Ordinator. A real feature of the Steelers is gone with that decision and Keith Butler will have some big shoes to fill, and he is also having to deal with an ageing unit that have slipped in the Defensive rankings in each of the last two seasons.

Unlike the Steelers of old, this team will look for the Offense to score enough points to keep them moving forward and there are some big playmakers here which make Pittsburgh dangerous. However, they have to make do without Martavis Bryant and, more importantly, Le'Veon Bell for a couple of games, while a more difficult schedule means the Steelers might drop off considerably from the 11 wins they achieved last season.

So who can perhaps take over from the Pittsburgh Steelers as Division Champions? One of the two teams looking to do that are the Baltimore Ravens who have won at least 10 games in four of the last five seasons including last season when they were barely beaten by the New England Patriots in the Play Offs.

However, they too have made some big moves in the off-season that doesn't look like they have improved the team for this season, barring new faces stepping up to the mark. Torrey Smith is gone from the Offensive side of the ball and Haloti Ngata is a big loss on the Defensive side, although that unit looks the better of the two.

If Joe Flacco can get on the same page as new Offensive Co-Ordinator Marc Trestman, this Baltimore team can match the 10 wins they earned last season with the schedule looking a good one even though it begins with a rough road game in Denver.

The Cincinnati Bengals will be looking to be in the mix again and you have to think Marvin Lewis and Andy Dalton have to give the franchise a Play Off win at the end of this season if they are going to start 2016 at this team. I give the Bengals a lot of credit for their 31 regular season wins over the last three seasons, but they haven't won a Play Off game since 1990 and that is the next step to prove this Head Coach and Quarter Back are going to get things done.

Cincinnati have kept their key pieces in place for another run to the Play Offs, but theirs is another schedule that will need them to produce a couple of surprising wins if they are going to get back to the 10 win mark and a fifth consecutive Play Off berth.

All three teams will feel they have much better chances than the Cleveland Browns who continue to fail to get out of their own way when it comes to building a team capable of consistent success. The Johnny Manziel experiment is not quite over, but Josh McCown has been brought in as the starting Quarter Back and that looks a terrible decision after seeing the veteran struggle badly in Tampa Bay last year.

Their Defensive unit still looks the better of the two on the team, but Cleveland remain some way off their three Divisional rivals with the moves made this off-season and the Browns might be one of the teams 'chasing' the Number 1 overall Draft Pick next year.

AFC South

One of the favourites to win it all this season resides in the otherwise pretty awful AFC South, but the Indianapolis Colts won't care as it gives them a great chance to wrap up the Number 1 Seed in the AFC. With Andrew Luck likely to be Indianapolis for the next decade, this isn't the only window for the Colts to win another Super Bowl, but they have made some off-season moves to definitely take that step now if they can.

Andrew Luck means you are going to get plenty of points so adding Andre Johnson and Frank Gore to this Offense should only make them more potent. Defensively the Colts still look a little unsure, but they have the capability of outscoring all of their rivals, while a big regular season game is hosting the New England Patriots and proving they can beat that team.

It is the Patriots who have demolished the Colts in the Play Offs in the last two years so winning that game at home might be key for them mentally to prove they are ready to go all the way to the Super Bowl. Indianapolis do have to play the other Division winners, but this Division is paired with the NFC South and there are plenty of 'easy' games on slate for them to finish with the best overall record in the NFL.

The closest challengers to the Colts in the Division look to be the Houston Texans but they are similar to the Buffalo Bills in looking to be a team that might be over-reliant on their Defensive unit. Brian Hoyer has experience of the Bill O'Brien Offense from their time together at New England and he looks to be someone who can produce some special games, but also not too far away from really having a hard time as we all saw in Cleveland last year.

You can have no doubt that the Defensive Line is going to be nasty with JJ Watt patrolling and Vince Wilfork and Jadeveon Clowney alongside him and that is going to inspire the entire Houston Defense. However, winning games comes down to scoring points too and I think the schedule means there is a chance they even take a step back from the 9 wins they achieved in 2014.

With Indianapolis and Houston leading the way, the other two teams in the AFC South are still playing catch up as they continue turning around franchises. Gus Bradley has seen an improvement in the way the Jacksonville Jaguars have been playing even if the record books didn't show that improvement in terms of wins in his second season.

He now has Blake Bortles in his second year as a starter and the Jaguars have made some fine moves in Free Agency and the Draft to show an improved number of wins this time around. The Defense being built looks a strong one and Jacksonville might just have found the Running Back of the next few years in taking TJ Yeldon from Alabama in the Second Round, but they still look a little short of Offensive playmakers.

I think the Jaguars will surpass their three wins from last season, but most of their winnable games are on the road which might mean Bradley has to settle for another losing season. It should be better than the Tennessee Titans to avoid finishing in the basement of the Division for the third year in a row as Ken Whisenhunt continues to get time to rebuild in Nashville.

Marcus Mariota has been picked as the future franchise Quarter Back for the Titans, but the rookie will experience teething problems and the Offensive Line has been rebuilt and might take time to bed in. Dick LeBeau has joined the staff to improve the Defensive unit too, but Tennessee might be looking at a very high Draft Pick again next season with the way the schedule has come down.

AFC West

A couple of one and done' seasons meant the Denver Broncos moved on from John Fox despite those years being sandwiched by one Super Bowl appearance. The Broncos made the move to sign Peyton Manning three seasons ago because they wanted to WIN a Super Bowl and merely getting there once in three seasons with two other disappointing Play Off losses was not enough for John Elway.

Gary Kubiak comes in as the new Head Coach and Manning remains along with most of his key Offensive weapons although Julius Thomas was lost in Free Agency. That might not matter as Kubiak will look to run the ball more to try and power this Offense and Denver look to have a decent balance Offensively if CJ Anderson and Ronnie Hillman can pick up from where they left off at Running Back last season.

It is on the Defensive side of the ball that Denver looks especially strong and Wade Phillips will be very happy with the players he has to organise into his 3-4 system. The Broncos could generate a lot of pressure up front to create turnovers and make sure their Offense is not relying on Peyton Manning to throw 40 times a game to win.

Denver still look by far the best team in the Division and I expect them to be challenging for a bye in the Wild Card Round of the Play Offs.

The main rivals to Denver look to be the Kansas City Chiefs who finished second in the Division in 2014 and have had winning records in back to back seasons under Andy Reid. The big question for the Chiefs is whether Alex Smith has enough to carry them back into the Play Offs at Quarter Back although I do think Jeremy Maclin is a big upgrade at Receiver and there will be a TD thrown to a player in that position this time around.

Jamaal Charles is a huge player for Kansas City if they can keep him healthy, but the schedule makers haven't exactly been kind to the Chiefs who could easily find themselves in a 0-4 hole after taking on Houston, Denver, Green Bay and Cincinnati to open the season. If they can manage to get out of that at 2-2, Kansas City have a solid Defensive unit that can perhaps carry them into a Wild Card spot, although a poor start will lead to their first losing record under Reid.

I am not so sure what to make of the San Diego Chargers who have considerable talent on both sides of the ball but can be guilty of struggling to put it all together. They are relying on a rookie in Melvin Gordon to spark the running game which would make Philip Rivers more dangerous, and the rebuilt Offensive Line looks one that will give the Quarter Back time to find the likes of Antonio Gates, Malcom Floyd, Stevie Johnson and Keenan Allen.

The Chargers have looked to improve the Defensive unit through the last Draft and if they have managed to do that, they can overtake the Kansas City Chiefs in the Division. San Diego look to have the better schedule between themselves and the Chiefs, but they might need an upset or two to make the Play Offs after missing out last year.

The Oakland Raiders might have to settle for another place in the basement of this Division, but they look an improving team who are finally looking to rebuild in the right way rather than throwing bad money on top of bad money. Derek Carr looks to be a potential franchise Quarter Back and I love some of the Draft Picks they have made on both sides of the ball in the last couple of years.

Khalil Mack looks a stud Linebacker and I am expecting big things from Amari Cooper at Wide Receiver, while Latavius Murray might give Oakland a genuine threat out of the backfield.

The change in Head Coach (Jack Del Rio looks an excellent appointment) means a change in systems and that might knock Carr from a big improvement this season. However, this is an improving team that might surpass the number of wins they have had in each of the last three seasons and potentially double their win total from last season (3) if making a strong start to the new season and buying into Del Rio's methods.

NFC East

Every where you look it seems like people are very high on the Philadelphia Eagles to reclaim the Division they lost last season, and I think that has a lot to do with their schedule compared to their rivals. A late season inexplicable collapse cost the Philadelphia Eagles a return to the Play Offs last season, but they are all in with Chip Kelly who has jettisoned some more of the big playmakers including LeSean McCoy and Jeremy Maclin this off-season.

It is all about belief in the system for Kelly who also traded for oft-injured Sam Bradford to be his new Quarter Back in a big trade with the St Louis Rams that saw Nick Foles go the other way.

DeMarco Murray was the other big move made by the Eagles that would have caught the attention and Philadelphia look solid on both sides of the ball. The big thing that goes in their favour has to be the schedule too and they could easily go into their bye week unbeaten and then work their way through to double digit win and perhaps even surpass the number they have achieved in each of the two seasons under Chip Kelly (10).

No doubting that the biggest rivals to the Philadelphia Eagles in this Division are the NFC East winners from 2014, the Dallas Cowboys who believe they can overcome the loss of leading rusher Murray to the Eagles.

With an Offensive Line that has been built through very good Draft Picks, Dallas believe the likes of Joseph Randle, Lance Dunbar, Darren McFadden and Christine Michael can produce solid numbers at Running Back. I'm a fan of Michael and returning to the State where he starred in College could be exactly what he needs to get something going in his NFL career having struggled at Seattle to make an impact.

I have little doubt Dallas will score plenty of points with the Offensive Line wearing down Defenses up front by opening holes for the Cowboys to run the ball down their throat. That only makes Tony Romo more of a threat knowing he doesn't have to push too much and the likes of Terrance Williams, Cole Beasley, Jason Witten and Dez Bryant are much more than a supporting cast.

The issues for Dallas are clearly on the Defensive side of the ball, especially the Secondary with Orlando Scandrick a huge loss having been their best player in Training Camp. Plus winning the Division means taking on the likes of Seattle, Green Bay, while Dallas have road games in Miami and Buffalo compared with the Eagles who those at home.

All of that combined means I don't believe the Cowboys match the 12 wins from last season, but I do think they can get to double digits which might be enough to reclaim the Division if Sam Bradford struggles/is injured for the Eagles, while a Wild Card spot is the minimum this team should expect.

There isn't much to say about the Washington Redskins who look in complete disarray at the moment and have benched RG3 with the likelihood he is traded away soon. I simply don't think Kirk Cousins is the answer at Quarter Back, especially not behind an Offensive Line that simply stinks, while the Defensive unit have too many new faces to really be expected to gel together and form a cohesive unit immediately.

Jay Gruden is under some pressure as the Head Coach and some consider Washington to be the worst team in the NFL, while the schedule doesn't make for great reading and I think this team reaching 4 wins to match 2014 would be pretty remarkable alone.

The New York Giants don't seem to be in as much of a mess as Washington, but who does to be honest, but they haven't really made the moves that can see them close in on the top two teams in the NFC East. Eli Manning does have Victor Cruz back to pair up with breakout Odell Beckham Jr, and I expect they will score points, but there are questions about the Defensive Line and the Secondary that don't seem to be answered.

With an Offense that should be able to score lots of points, I expect the Giants will have a couple of surprise wins, but I also won't be surprised if they are upset a couple of times too. All of it leads me to thinking that New York might end with their third straight losing season under Tom Coughlin and perhaps part with their two time Super Bowl winning Head Coach.

NFC North

I don't think the Green Bay Packers will ever forget the way their 2014 season ended as they somehow snatched defeat from the jaws of victory in the NFC Championship Game in Seattle. Whether it was the onside kick they failed to recover, the Interception that inconceivably was not even bothered to be returned, or the conversion of a two point play, the Packers have to feel they should have been playing in Super Bowl 49 and perhaps even adding another Championship to the rafters.

Most teams might fail to pick themselves up, but the Packers still look the team to beat in the NFC North with Aaron Rodgers at Quarter Back and some key pieces returning including BJ Raji. Even the injury to Jordy Nelson is unlikely to stop the Packers as I am a big fan of Davante Adams and think he is going to have a huge season.

James Jones has also been re-signed and should add decent depth, while the Packers look like they can have a disruptive Defense that will force teams to throw on them when playing catch up to Rodgers and his Offense. I fully expect the Green Bay Packers to win at least 10 games and I think they will be challenging for the Number 1 Seed in the Division as they host the Seattle Seahawks and the Dallas Cowboys.

The closest rival in the Division is likely to be the Detroit Lions again, but I am interested to see how they do on the Defensive side of the ball having lost a dominant force like Ndamukong Suh as well as Nick Fairley in the middle of the Defensive Line.

Haloti Ngata has been brought in to fill the big shoes Suh has left behind and I think the Secondary might just be exposed now the pressure is perhaps not as strong up front as it was.

However, Detroit still possess a top Offensive unit that should be able to score plenty of points. They will be looking for someone to take on in the running game and Draft Pick Ameer Abdullah could be the man to do that, but it is clear that the Offense will continue to rely upon the arm of Matt Stafford and the catching ability of Calvin Johnson, Golden Tate and hopefully an improved Eric Ebron.

A tougher schedule will need Detroit to secure an upset or two if they are going to make it back to the Play Offs for a second consecutive year, but they have the scoring power to do that if Ngata can fill in for Suh on the Defensive Line.

I do love what the Minnesota Vikings are doing under Mike Zimmer and the return of Adrian Peterson to the fold will only aid second year Quarter Back Teddy Bridgewater who already looked pretty comfortable in his rookie season.

I am a fan of Bridgewater and think he was harshly treated to fall so far down the First Round in the Draft of 2014, but the Vikings will be the beneficiary of having him here. Signing Mike Wallace to provide another deep threat for Bridgewater might sound good on paper, but the locker room needs to keep the moody Receiver from breaking the confidence of the young Quarter Back.

Jerome Felton has moved on as Full Back and he was a key in aiding Adrian Peterson to come close to breaking the season rushing record, but the return of the star Running Back and a young cast around him makes the Vikings dangerous. With Mike Zimmer known for the way he crafted the Cincinnati Defense in recent years, he has already had a big impact with the Vikings Defense and this looks a team that might potentially challenge in the Division or for a Wild Card spot.

The problem is a difficult looking schedule and a poor record against their Divisional rivals last season which may mean Minnesota are still a year away from competing barring some big upsets early in the season to build confidence and momentum.

A complete rebuilding job is going to need to be done with the Chicago Bears who have a new Head Coach in John Fox, but have some major holes in both Offensive and Defensive units to make up. Jay Cutler is still the starting Quarter Back, but I am not convinced he has the support of everyone in the organisation, although he needs to be better protected to produce better numbers.

Brandon Marshall has moved on though and the second weapon of choice for Cutler was Kevin White before an injury has knocked him out too. Tim Jennings and Charles Tillman are gone from the Defensive unit and Vic Fangio is going to have to work some magic to make them a competent team on that side of the ball too.

John Fox can turn things around with Fangio as Defensive Co-Ordinator and Adam Gase as Offensive Co-Ordinator, but this looks a transition season and even matching the 5 wins from last season might be beyond them in 2015.

NFC South

The NFC South had never seen a repeating Champion since being form in the Division re-alignment of 2002 and that was the case going into 2014. Somehow, the Carolina Panthers managed to win their last four games of the season to actually repeat as NFC South Champions with a 7-8-1 record, but a three-peat looks like it will be beyond them.

They still look a force on the Defensive side of the ball, but the injury to Kelvin Benjamin has taken away a big weapon from Cam Newton and it is hard to see them consistently moving the chains Offensively.

Jonathan Stewart is the main Running Back these days having previously shared the duties with DeAngelo Williams, but he is injury prone and another losing record looks like it will be the result for the Panthers, but one that won't produce a Division win in 2014.

You have to think that Lovie Smith and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are still not ready for a push in the Division having picked Jameis Winston with the Number 1 overall Draft Pick in May to become the franchise Quarter Back. While Winston has some big targets to aim for in Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson, he will have some rookie teething problems.

Doug Martin has looked good in the off-season and a return to form from the Running Back would be a big boost for Winston, while the conversion back to the Tampa-2 Defense is in its second year and may see an improvement on that side of the ball where the Buccaneers have some talent.

Tampa Bay potentially get out of the NFC South basement for the first time in three years if they take advantage of some of the weaker games on their schedule and I expect an improvement on their 2 wins from 2014 although not enough to challenge in the Division.

Picking a winner in the NFC South hasn't proved easy in recent years but I think the game in Week 17 between the Atlanta Falcons and the New Orleans Saints may be the decider and I would give the edge to home field advantage and the Falcons.

Dan Quinn has taken over from Mike Smith as Head Coach of the Atlanta Falcons and he has built his reputation on what he created at the Seattle Seahawks as their Defensive Co-Ordinator in 2013 and 2014. Assuming he can get some improvement out of this Falcons Defensive unit that struggled in 2014, Atlanta might be the team to beat.

Brooks Reed, Adrian Clayborn and Vic Beasley are all expected to have an impact for the Falcons on the Defense with the former two being brought in during Free Agency and the latter as a top Draft Pick. Dan Quinn has been blessed with a strong Offensive unit so doing what he did in Seattle will give Atlanta every chance of winning the Division.

Matt Ryan and Julio Jones are two very strong players to have on the Offense, but Atlanta will be hoping Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman can give the Falcons something of a running game to keep the pressure off of Ryan and allow him to have time to make his passes.

Compared with Atlanta, the New Orleans Saints look to be changing their philosophy on Offense and have traded away Jimmy Graham to Seattle in exchange for Max Unger. The Center could be huge for the Saints who want to move to a power running team with Mark Ingram, but the key will be keeping the Running Back healthy, while any team with Drew Brees at Quarter Back is going to be a threat.

Brandin Cooks looks to be the big threat at Receiver as New Orleans moved on Kenny Stills to Miami too with salary cap issues hurting them. The Saints will be hoping Rob Ryan can fix the Defensive problems of 2014 and the big challenge for Ryan will be to incorporate all the new faces at Linebacker and in the Secondary into his system.

If the likes of Dannelle Ellerbe and Brandon Browner can make a big impact coming in, New Orleans might be a better team than I initially expected from them. Drew Brees the Offensive Line to protect him now as the Saints look to run the ball to keep their Quarter Back in manageable down and distance, but they might have to win a road game in Atlanta in Week 17 to get into the Play Offs.

NFC West

The two teams that made the Play Offs last season are expected to be challenging in the NFC West in the coming season.

The Seattle Seahawks have to show there is no Super Bowl hangover after losing the big game in the most excruciating and mind boggling ways possible. That is going to be tough to pick themselves up from, while I am not sure the trade for Jimmy Graham is going to be considered a good one at the end of the season knowing how much they struggled to run the ball without Max Unger last year.

Graham is a big target, but he simply doesn't run block effectively and Seattle remains a team committed to pounding the ball with Marshawn Lynch at Running Back. The Offensive Line has a few questions to answer too and Russell Wilson may have to make a lot more plays with his legs if they can't hold up protection.

Defensively they still look strong, although Kam Chancellor is unhappy and threatened to hold out unless given a pay rise. If Chancellor was to miss time, that would mean two of the four 'Legion of Boom' players from last season are gone after Byron Maxwell moved on, and Earl Thomas has been banged up. The Seahawks still look like the best team in the Division and they have won at least 11 games in their last three years and can expect to challenge for the Number 1 Seed in the NFC for a third consecutive season.

Their main rivals this season look to be the Arizona Cardinals who have surpassed expectation the last couple of years under Bruce Arians and will be looking for better health to reach the levels the fanbase may expect this time around. Carson Palmer returns at Quarter Back after injuries to that position saw Arizona have less than 80 Offensive yards in the Play Offs last season after a positive start to the season looked to have put the Cardinals in a position to win the NFC West.

If Palmer is back to the level he was producing, the Cardinals look solid on both sides of the ball and they are going to be one tough team to knock off during 2015. Arizona have won at least 10 games in each of the last two seasons and the Cardinals will challenge for a Wild Card spot in the NFC although they might need a surprise win or two to reach double digits in terms of wins this season.

The St Louis Rams haven't had a winning record since 2003 and only twice have they finished even, but Jeff Fisher has built a solid roster and has to start producing wins to keep the owners from perhaps think about making changes. Rumours about an impending move to Los Angeles has to be another distraction for the entire franchise, but St Louis can't let that be an excuse for them to fail again.

Nick Foles has been traded for to replace Sam Bradford and St Louis will be hoping for better luck at the Quarter Back position than they had with the former Number 1 overall Draft Pick. Foles had a really big year for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2013 and has to show he is more than a product of the Chip Kelly system and he does have some playmakers on this side of the ball.

However, the majority of the big time players the Rams have are on the Defensive side of the ball and they will keep this team in every game as long as Foles doesn't give it away when the Offense has the ball in their hands.

There is every chance that the St Louis Rams can finish with their first winning season if they can record a couple of big wins in home games later in the season, but challenging for the Division still looks a little while away.

Finally we get to the dysfunctional San Francisco 49ers who have replaced Jim Harbaugh with Jim Tomsula as Head Coach and this looks a real transitional season for the team. The Offensive side of the ball has seen the Offensive Line continue to struggle to protect Colin Kaepernick who has an ageing Anquan Boldin and inconsistent Torrey Smith as his main weapons along with Vernon Davis.

While that side of the ball is going to suffer through some inconsistencies, the Defensive unit has been decimated by retirements and off field issues of some huge players. Justin Smith, Patrick Willis and Chris Borland have all retired, Ray McDonald has been released, while Perrish Cox and Chris Culliver have left in Free Agency.

Vic Fangio has also moved on as Defensive Co-Ordinator and the 49ers now look a mess in a unit that was a strength for them in recent seasons. It is a tough situation for Tomsula to walk into and I am not sure he can motivate this team to get anywhere near a winning record.

With the schedule as it is, I think there is a fairly high chance that the San Francisco 49ers halve their number of wins from 2014 and they could be one of the teams picking high in the next Draft if making a poor start to the season.