Durkin: 2015 NFL Season Predictions
By Dan Durkin--
(CBS) After an NFL offseason filled with soap opera-ish plots, the focus can finally, mercifully shift from what happens off the field to the on-field product.
The 2015 season kicks off this Thursday night when the Pittsburgh Steelers visit the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots. With Tom Brady cleared for action, do the Patriots have what it takes to repeat?
Here are my predictions for the 2015 season.
Division predictions
* Indicates division winner
** Indicates wild card
AFC North
*Pittsburgh: 10-6
Baltimore: 9-7
Cincinnati: 8-8
Cleveland: 3-13
The Steelers offense will be one of the league's most potent, and they'll need to score plenty of points to protect their porous secondary. The Ravens are counting on a mixture of rookies and aging vets on offense and went from Gary Kubiak to Marc Trestman, so they could be in for a bit of a slide. The Bengals will struggle to pressure opposing quarterbacks, and Andy Dalton remains average enough to keep a job. The bright side for Cleveland fans? Only seven months until the Browns are on the clock to kick off the 2016 NFL draft.
AFC South
*Indianapolis: 13-3
Houston: 6-10
Tennessee: 5-11
Jacksonville: 4-12
The Colts will dominate the worst division in football and have a playoff spot locked up by their bye week. The Texans defense is loaded, but they have one of the worst collections of offensive skill players in the league. The Titans are in the team photo for the worst collection of offensive skill players in the league and will cross their fingers that they got it right with rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota. The Jaguars defense should be improved, but like the rest of their non-Colt divisional counterparts, they have an unproven offensive attack.
AFC East
*New England: 12-4
**Miami: 10-6
Buffalo: 7-9
New York: 6-10
The Patriots "won" the Deflategate decision, but losing first- and fourth-round picks will sting an organization that constantly connects in the first round. New England's out for blood this season. The Dolphins have a nice collection of young playmakers on offense and a dominant defensive front. The Bills defense will be suffocating, but they have nothing going on offense. Ditto for the Jets.
AFC West
*Denver: 11-5
**Kansas City: 10-6
San Diego: 8-8
Oakland: 5-11
I'm curious to see what Peyton Manning has left in the tank, but the Broncos defense will be able to shoulder the load on days the offense doesn't have it. The Chiefs have a trio of playmakers on offense and a dominant pass rush. The Chargers have questions in the trenches on both sides of the ball. I like what the Raiders have done in their recent drafts, and they can rush the passer, but there are still too many holes on this roster to compete.
NFC North
*Green Bay: 12-4
**Minnesota: 9-7
Detroit: 9-7
Chicago: 6-10
Even without Jordy Nelson, the Packers are the cream of the crop in the NFC North. Considering what the Vikings did last season with a rookie quarterback and no Adrian Peterson, with that defense, a playoff bid isn't out of the question. The Lions suffered some big losses along their defensive front, and Matthew Stafford struggles against good teams. It's year one of a full-on rebuild in Chicago. They got the coaches right, now they need two-straight successful offseasons to rebuild their talent-poor roster.
NFC South
*New Orleans: 9-7
Atlanta: 8-8
Carolina: 7-9
Tampa Bay: 5-11
The Saints pass defense will be an adventure all season, and they're short on weapons in the passing game. However, they'll be able to run the football and eek out a division title. The Falcons are rebuilding under Dan Quinn, who should help resurrect what's been a non-existent pass rush for the past few seasons. The Panthers defense is legit, but per usual, they lack playmakers in the passing game. The Bucs tried to pay away their pains in the 2014 offseason and ended up with the top pick in 2015. Will Jameis Winston be worth the lost season?
NFC East
*Philadelphia: 11-5
**Dallas: 10-6
New York: 6-10
Washington: 3-13
The Eagles are doing it Chip Kelly's way, which means a lot of points in 2015. If Sam Bradford can stay healthy for the entire season, this team could be a NFC title contender. The Cowboys will try and replace DeMarco Murray (who flew north to Philly for the winter) with a troika of backs running behind an offensive line that can bully any defense in the league. The Giants defense is ravaged by injuries, and their only chance at generating a pass rush may not be available for a good portion of the season. The Redskins are in utter shambles and will be looking for a new head coach in four months.
NFC West
*Seattle: 12-4
Arizona: 9-7
St. Louis: 8-8
San Francisco: 5-11
The Seahawks' legendary secondary is dealing with uncertainty to two of its key contributors and lost a piece in the offseason. Despite questions along the offensive line, they remain one of the league's best. The Cardinals were able to weather the storm at quarterback last year and make a playoff push, but a brutal schedule and a leaky offensive line may prevent their return to the playoffs. The Rams defense is becoming one of the league's best, but they still don't have enough firepower on offense to contend. The 49ers endured one of the worst offseasons in recent memory and will suffer through the consequences this fall.
Playoff predictions
AFC Championship: New England over Indianapolis
NFC Championship: Green Bay over Seattle
Super Bowl: Green Bay over New England
Award predictions
Most Valuable Player: Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers
Offensive Player of the Year: Andrew Luck, QB, Indianapolis Colts
Defensive Player of the Year: Robert Quinn, DE, St. Louis Rams
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Amari Cooper, WR, Oakland Raiders
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Leonard Williams, DL, New York Jets
Comeback Player of the Year: Sam Bradford, QB, Philadelphia Eagles
Coach of the Year: Mike Zimmer, Minnesota Vikings
Dan Durkin covers the Bears for CBSChicago.com and is a frequent contributor to 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @djdurkin.