WIN STEEM PLAYING "STEEMIT NFL PICK 'EM"

I have always loved NFL football, and follow it closely. I’ve been successful at Fantasy Football as well and would like to try my hand at predicting the outcome of this year’s season. My hope is to predict more right than wrong. Please understand that using these prognostications for any gambling purposes could prove detrimental to your bank account. I invite you to enjoy reading this post as we all prepare for another outstanding NFL season.

Also I’m writing Sports for @thedailysteemit and will be running a weekly NFL column. I will make weekly NFL game picks and also post the picks of a guest Steemit celebrity (Steem-lebrity). My friend @papa-pepper has agreed to be the guinea pig for week 1. I’m asking for volunteers to make future Steem-lebrity picks, everyone is eligible, please comment and indicate that you are interested.

STEEM prizes awarded to the weekly winners of “STEEMIT NFL PICK ‘EM.” Entries made in comments @paradise-found blog page (more info coming soon).

COMING SOON

• “STEEMIT NFL PICK ‘EM” info soon!!
• Fantasy Football special issue coming Thursday
• AFC predictions for 2017-18 coming next Sunday
• Playoff and Super Bowl picks coming next Sunday

NFC predictions for 2017-18

NFC Playoff seeding

1. Green Bay Packers
2. Dallas Cowboys
3. Atlanta Falcons
4. Seattle Seahawks
5. NY Giants
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

NFC Power Rankings (8/20/17)

1. Green Bay Packers
2. Dallas Cowboys
3. Atlanta Falcons
4. Seattle Seahawks
5. NY Giants
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
7. Arizona Cardinals
8. Carolina Panthers
9. Detroit Lions
10. Minnesota Vikings
11. Philadelphia Eagles
12. Washington Redskins
13. New Orleans Saints
14. LA Rams
15. Chicago Bears
16. SF 49ers

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys
Will RB Ezekiel Elliot’s suspension be upheld? Will QB Zak Prescott have a sophomore slump? These are big questions for the Cowboy faithful leading into the 2017 season. One thing is certain, brute force on the offensive line is the Cowboys strength. They should be fine but I can’t put them out in front of Green Bay, for now.
NY Giants
QB Eli Manning now has a bookend to the amazing WR Odell Beckham in WR Brandon Marshall. This downfield threat will open things up for the running game as well. They must continue to have a strong pass rush to compete with the Cowboys. In the end this is a playoff team, threatening the Cowboys, but coming up short.
Philadelphia Eagles
Carson Wentz will begin looking like the franchise QB they drafted him to be. The addition of WR Alshon Jeffrey and DE Chris Long could possibly propel this team into contention. Paradise thinks they are one or two years away, but could surprise and contend in 2017.
Washington Redskins
It was a crazy offseason for the front office in Washington. The GM was abruptly fired 6 weeks before the draft, creating an awkward situation. Add to this a new offensive coordinator, new play caller, and new quarterbacks coach. Although they were in the playoff hunt until the last week in 2016, this year will not be as kind.

NFC North

Green Bay Packers
It seems as though the Packers just reload each year for another shot at the coveted Lombardi Trophy. With MVP candidate Aaron Rodgers at the helm they will be frontrunners again. The addition of TE Martellus Bennett, should help the already potent passing game. Anything other than a deep playoff run would be a disappointment for this team in 2017.
Detroit Lions
The Lions finished last season with 4 straight losses, and this has become their MO. Contending and competing until the last month when the wheels come off. If they rid themselves of this terrible habit, they could actually be a playoff caliber team. Sorry, this is a major trend for consecutive years, I’m going to have to see it to believe it.
Minnesota Vikings
This team is hard to predict. They have a decent, although aging defense, plus talent on offense at WR and TE. Drafting RB Dalvin Cook was a great move. And if QB Sam Bradford can have his best year, they could contend. I’m predicting Bradford falls short and the Vikings end up at 8-8.
Chicago Bears
The Bears surprised nearly everyone when they drafted QB Mitch Trubisky. Some say they reached to get this rookie QB, trading up to get him. I say, let’s wait and see. However, the likely-hood of Trubisky helping in 2017 is not good. So with Mike Glennon the starting QB, it will be a long year for Chicago Bear fans.

NFC West

Seattle Seahawks
The defense is still solid and with Russell Wilson behind center the Seahawks will contend. They are not as dominant as they were a few years ago, but nobody rushes the passer with their front 4 better than the Seahawks. If this team gets on a roll, they could move to the top of the power rankings by season end.
Arizona Cardinals
It was hard placing this team out of the playoffs in my predictions. QB Carson Palmer and WR Larry Fitzgerald are not getting younger. Signing aging free agents SS Bethea and ILB Dansby doesn’t help. I’m afraid time is running out on their chances.
LA Rams
The word is that QB Jared Goff has been looking impressive in camp. RB Todd Gurley has as well. If they can continue to have a stalwart defense, the Rams are a team on the rise. They aren’t ready to contend yet, but appear to be a year or two away.
SF 49ers
Last season the 49ers finished 1-15, so there is nowhere to go but up. The coaching carousel continued and they hired Kyle Shanahan, former Falcon OC. This should be an improvement if they give him time, as this is a rebuilding project. Also, the draft went very well and they got a boatload of talent including DE Solomon Thomas

NFC South

Atlanta Falcons
This team was leading in the Super Bowl 28-3 last season, before succumbing to the biggest comeback in Super Bowl history. They also return all the major pieces for another run at the title. How will they respond to the devastating loss? We will certainly find out.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This is my NFC surprise team for 2017. Jameis Winston makes the jump to franchise QB, leading this team into contention. The defense has been making strides and this year will jell. Look for WR Evans and TE Brate along with RB Martin to help Winston lead the ‘Bucs into the playoffs.
Carolina Panthers
Cam Newton needs help beyond TE Olsen, his main offensive weapon. Will the defense have a return to greatness? They have a pass rush, but inexperience in the secondary could plague them again in 2017. Potentially a contender, but I don’t believe so.
New Orleans Saints
QB Drew Brees and Coach Peyton have had their share of success, but not recently. Losing WR Cooks to free agency really hurts, as he was their best playmaker on offense. The defense will give up more points than the offense can score. The losses will add up, maybe reaching double digits.

Comments

Please feel free to comment your opinions on my prognostications. I will warn you in advance, vulgar language will be flagged. I’m sure there will be opposing views, but we can all voice our opinions here without the nasty 4 letter words or demeaning name calling. Thank you.

Resteeming will help

get more players & higher payout when "STEEMIT NFL PICK 'EM" starts!

Thanks for visiting, please follow, comments are free.