Who will be the surprise team in 2015

[Tharvot]

I say the Browns every year. Bound to be right one of these years!!

 

[cdumler7]

Surprise team can go both ways.

I can see Seattle and Indy taking a step back this year.

I like this...Looking at it in the reverse of who is a team at the top that could surprise people with falling off big time or at least out of the playoffs.

I see Pittsburgh being that team. With the injury to Pouncey, Bell being suspended to start the season, and them playing in a pretty tough division plus tough schedule I just see them taking a step back.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Not sure it is a huge surprise but I could see Atlanta bouncing back.

Say we set the surprise bar @ 10 wins.

Because of the past couple seasons I think 10+ wins would be a surprise...ATL would be my choice as well.

MIN would not shock me...have to watch out for the soph jinx w/ TB, but they're looking solid with young play makers on both sides of the ball.

I think 10 is out of reach, but imo a team lot of people are not going to want to play TB...OL & running game is not going to be good enough to make it easy on Winston...he's going to have some 3 pick games, but that DEF is going to beat up on some people...I think the same about the Jets.

 

[VFL1995]

I say the Browns every year. Bound to be right one of these years!!

Go Browns

 

[The Derski]

Rams

 

[Manster7588]

If the Broncos yield fewer than 20 points per game -- and I think they have a legitimate shot at doing so -- then I suspect they will surprise some folks.

Not quite sure you understand what the question is asking. A preseason playoff pick wouldn't be a surprise if they win. It will be a surprise it they find a room in the cellar.

 

[bksballer89]

The Saints

11-5 and first round bye

 

[TDs3nOut]

Not quite sure you understand what the question is asking. A preseason playoff pick wouldn't be a surprise if they win. It will be a surprise it they find a room in the cellar.

Thanks for your concern, but I'm pretty sure that I understand the question. Many fans hang their hats on Manning choking in the playoffs, so I stand by my post that if Denver's defense holds teams to under 20 points on average, the Broncos will surprise a lot of people.

 

[Manster7588]

Thanks for your concern, but I'm pretty sure that I understand the question. Many fans hang their hats on Manning choking in the playoffs, so I stand by my post that if Denver's defense holds teams to under 20 points on average, the Broncos will surprise a lot of people.

What do you think their odds are of making the playoffs?

 

[TDs3nOut]

What do you think their odds are of making the playoffs?

Pretty good, but I don;t think that making the playoffs will surprise anyone. Rather, as I initially posted, I think that an outstanding Broncos defense, if that is forthcoming (and I think that's likely), is a good candidate to surprise folks.

 

[Rod Smart]

Thanks for your concern, but I'm pretty sure that I understand the question. Many fans hang their hats on Manning choking in the playoffs, so I stand by my post that if Denver's defense holds teams to under 20 points on average, the Broncos will surprise a lot of people.

That's a fair surprise. A team's record being what people expected a teams record to be, but for a totally surprising record.


It wouldn't be surprising if the Panthers went 9-7 and snuck in the playoffs.
It would be shocking if the Panthers went 9-7... and had three receivers post 1,000 yard seasons.

 

[TDs3nOut]

That's a fair surprise. A team's record being what people expected a teams record to be, but for a totally surprising record.


It wouldn't be surprising if the Panthers went 9-7 and snuck in the playoffs.
It would be shocking if the Panthers went 9-7... and had three receivers post 1,000 yard seasons.

I don't see a lot of Carolina games, but I think that their division is pretty wide opened, so it doesn't strike me as too surprising if they win 9+ games. From what I did see of them last year, however, I think that their biggest challenge might be to find ways to give Newton a better chance for success than he has last year. Benjamin is certainly a good player, but I didn't really get why they let Steve Smith and Brandon LaFell get away.

Also think that RB might be an issue for the Panthers. Always liked Stewart and Tolbert, but they are getting kind of old. Who else does Carolina have to run the ball?

 

[Wamu]

The Browns will surprise everyone & leave the NFL for the CFL.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

I like this...Looking at it in the reverse of who is a team at the top that could surprise people with falling off big time or at least out of the playoffs.

I see Pittsburgh being that team. With the injury to Pouncey, Bell being suspended to start the season, and them playing in a pretty tough division plus tough schedule I just see them taking a step back.

For obvious reasons I hope you're wrong on that one.

Pouncey...that is a blow, but unfortunately the Steelers have had to play several games w/o him in the past with decent success...this one won't be the reason the Steelers don't repeat as AFCN champs.

Bell...now missing 2 games...I think Haley will be better prepared to play w/o Bell this time. Williams is a better back up...1-1 at worst over the 1st two is my hope. Shouldn't be a huge factor either.

CIN can't be ruled out, but I think the DIV still comes down to BAL and PIT...if they don't get at least back to that point...my reason would be...the young players on DEF, Shamarko Thomas, Tuitt, Shazier and McCullers did not take another step in progression.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

I don't see a lot of Carolina games, but I think that their division is pretty wide opened, so it doesn't strike me as too surprising if they win 9+ games. From what I did see of them last year, however, I think that their biggest challenge might be to find ways to give Newton a better chance for success than he has last year. Benjamin is certainly a good player, but I didn't really get why they let Steve Smith and Brandon LaFell get away.

Also think that RB might be an issue for the Panthers. Always liked Stewart and Tolbert, but they are getting kind of old. Who else does Carolina have to run the ball?

I wouldn't be surprised at 9 wins by CAR either...they have the best front 7 in the DIV and probably top 10 in the NFL...the problem I see is scoring the football. Olsen is a great possession guy, Benjamin looked to be a top shelf player...the other tall rookie WR (Funchess) they got is going to have to step early for them to be a factor.

Smith...GM felt like he was finished and kind of dissed him going out the door...LaFell...a WR3 or 4 on most teams...but, if you forget about him, he can make a play on you.

 

[ducky]

I'm interested in seeing who everyone thinks will be a surprise team in 2015. In my opinion the biggest surprise team in 2015 will be the Minnesota Vikings. I think Teddy Bridgwater will be even better this year, Adrian Peterson returns, the offensive line should be improved and the defense has lots of talent

The OL is going to be pathetic. Probably one of the worst in the league. We already lost our RT (Loadhold - Achilles) for the season and are starting right side at this point is a RG who has never started a game at RG and a RT rookie. And on the best OL that we had left on the roster after Loadholt's injury, our center Sullivan, is having back spasm issues.

...and all that is happening on an OL that wasn't going to be a good OL to begin with.

Our GM needs to make a trade or a FA signing for another quality OL (if one gets cut because of $$$) before the season starts or the OL has the potential to kill what looks to be a promising team in other areas.

You can already write OL as the 1st round selection for the Vikings in the 2016 NFL draft. We need to completely rebuild the OL starting next year (and won't have a lot of other really glaring needs).

 

[night]

The OL is going to be pathetic. Probably one of the worst in the league. We already lost our RT (Loadhold - Achilles) for the season and are starting right side at this point is a RG who has never started a game at RG and a RT rookie. And on the best OL that we had left on the roster after Loadholt's injury, our center Sullivan, is having back spasm issues.

...and all that is happening on an OL that wasn't going to be a good OL to begin with.

Our GM needs to make a trade or a FA signing for another quality OL (if one gets cut because of $$$) before the season starts or the OL has the potential to kill what looks to be a promising team in other areas.

You can already write OL as the 1st round selection for the Vikings in the 2016 NFL draft. We need to completely rebuild the OL starting next year (and won't have a lot of other really glaring needs).

Why didn't Minnesota attempt to sign Evan Mathis? I know he is older but he can still contribute.

 

[ducky]

Why didn't Minnesota attempt to sign Evan Mathis? I know he is older but he can still contribute.

My guess is that they did but he didn't want to come to MN for a little extra cash when he can go to Denver and play for a SB contending team in a scheme that fits him and his skillset to a T.

In the NFL cash is king (the cap doesn't mean a god damn thing) and the Viking's and every other team that needed Mathis didn't have enough cash left over in their 2016 budgets to be able to pony up the $20M it would have taken to get him to agree to a multi year deal.

 

[Delphic1]

I like this...Looking at it in the reverse of who is a team at the top that could surprise people with falling off big time or at least out of the playoffs.

I see Pittsburgh being that team. With the injury to Pouncey, Bell being suspended to start the season, and them playing in a pretty tough division plus tough schedule I just see them taking a step back.

I hope you are wrong, but I don't see missing Pouncey and Bell as that much of a disadvantage.

We have an adequate back up in Wallace. The cohesive nature of the line is not much impacted with Pouncey's absence. Also, with Wallace the team went 3-1 during their final four games in 2013.
Without Bell the worst the team can do is 1-1. Plus, Williams is a good backup and the team will be prepared for Bell's absence, unlike last year where they had no idea who the secondary RB was going to be.

Now our defense is a legitimate concern this year. You can very well make an argument that the Steelers might miss the playoffs because of the defense.

 

[boogiewithstu2007]

Seahawks going 7-9

surprise!

Surprise team can go both ways.

I can see Seattle and Indy taking a step back this year.

I don't see that ... Seattle's D is more stacked this year than last year... D line rotation is back, secondary is the best in football still ... We do have a dam tough schedule though ... Bring it! Let's play some football!