1 TABLE OF CONTENTS: PRESEASON POWER RANKINGS……….....………………………………..3 FEATURE ARTICLES.........……………………….…………………………..12 FILM BREAKDOWN………….………………………………………………...28 32 TEAM QUESTIONS....……………………………………………………...41 32 TEAM PREVIEWS …..........…………………………………………….....53 VEGAS ODDS & OVER/UNDER PREDICTIONS…………………......….225 TOP 10 GAMES TO WATCH THIS SEASON……………………………..235 2013 POSTSEASON PREDICTIONS……...........…………………………244 About the Author - Steve Shoup: Fanspeak.com Content Manager Steve has been a football fan since 1992 (when he was just 9 years- old). He is our resident NFL/NFL Draft Expert, and is a credentialed member of the media for multiple NFL Draft Scouting Events, to include the Senior Bowl and East-West Shrine Game. He’s been on several The FAN and ESPN Sports Talk Radio affiliates around the country analyzing the NFL & NFL Draft. And now he loves sharing his analysis with you diehard football fans! Special Thanks to Contributing Writers: Fanspeak.com Staff Writers John Manuel, Alan Zlotorzynski, PJ Moran, Mark Bullock, Tajh Jenkins, Bill Shoup & Parks Smith all contributed articles for the 2013 NFL Guide. A special thanks to them and their excellent insight. 2 3 By Steve Shoup: 1. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): The 49ers came up just short last season in the Super Bowl, but figure to be the premier team heading into this season. Despite already losing WR Michael Crabtree to injury, the 49ers boost one of the most talented rosters in the league. The 49ers have a tough schedule, but they have a stout defense and a talented offense to carry them through. 2. Denver Broncos (13-3): The Broncos went all in this offseason in boosting their offensive line and adding Wes Welker to their receiving corps. They were the 1st seed in the AFC last year, and figure to make a strong run this year as well. The suspension of Von Miller looms large early in the season, but this team should be more than capable of overcoming his absence. 3. Green Bay Packers (12-4): The Packers have added balance to their running game and much needed depth to their offensive line. The loss of left tackle Bryan Bulaga is big, but this team is capable getting by without him. If a couple of their defensive players step up in their 2nd year in the league, they should be an elite team. Regardless of their overall defense, when a team has Aaron Rodgers and Clay Matthews Jr. they are always a threat. 4. Indianapolis Colts (12-4): The Colts look to be one of the most up-and-coming teams, with a lot of young, high- upside talent. With their players a year older and some key free agent acquisitions the Colts could challenge for the AFC South title. Andrew Luck should break out this season with an offensive scheme that makes use of his greatest attributes. 4 5. New England Patriots (12-4): The Patriots are still favorites to win the AFC East, but how far they go will be determined by how their receivers and tight ends perform this year. Even if there is a drop off among Tom Brady's pass catchers, this team has in addition to Brady, a strong offensive line, rushing attack and a promising defense. If the defense can make a big jump this year they should maintain their place atop these rankings. 6. Atlanta Falcons (11-5): The Falcons look to be one of the better teams in the league especially with the addition of Steven Jackson at running back. Their offense should be one of the better units in the league, with a dynamic passing attack and strong running game. Their defense could take a step back this season, but it won't be so bad that it cripples their postseason chances. 7. Cincinnati Bengals (11-5): This could be the year where the Bengals jump from being a wild card contender to taking the AFC North. Defense typically wins this division, and it looks like the Bengals have a truly elite unit. Andy Dalton made big strides from year one to year two, and if he continues to develop this team could be a threat in the AFC. With an improved rushing attack and A.J. Green, the Bengals should have enough weapons to support Dalton this year. 8. Houston Texans (11-5): The Texans should be in a neck-and-neck race for the AFC South this year, but even if they miss on the division they should be able to make it as a wild card team. Matt Schaub struggled down the stretch last season, and will need to be more consistent this year for the Texans to be a bigger threat in the AFC. Houston's defense should improve as it gets some key guys back from injury. 5 9. Seattle Seahawks (10-6): The Seahawks have one of the stronger teams in the league, with a premier defense, a top running back and Russell Wilson who burst onto the scene last year. The Seahawks need to get a more consistent pass rush on defense, particularly given the talent they have in the secondary. On offense Seattle needs a receiver to step up now that Percy Harvin is out with injury. 10. New Orleans Saints (10-6): The Saints should have a bounce back year with Sean Payton back on the sidelines and some improvements to their defense. The running game needs to improve to add balance back to this offense, but otherwise it is up to the defense with how this team improves. If they can just be slightly better, Drew Brees is capable of carrying this team far into the playoffs. 11. Washington Redskins (10-6): More so than most teams the Redskins season will be decided by the injury report. They already have 8 starters and numerous contributors coming back from serious injuries. If the majority come back strong and stay healthy the Redskins could be a real threat in the postseason. If they have a moderate return, the Redskins should make the playoffs, but likely won't be a significant threat. If too many guys suffer a set back the Redskins could plummet in the standings. Regardless of health, the secondary and offensive line remains the two biggest question marks for this team. 12. Baltimore Ravens (10-6): The Ravens are the defending Super Bowl Champions, but that status didn't make the Giants any better last season. The Ravens have dealt with a lot of turnover this offseason and while they did well to fill those needs, they may have some issues meshing together. They should still be a strong threat this year, but likely not the top threat. The biggest issue facing them might 6 be who Joe Flacco will be throwing the ball to on a consistent basis. Until that question is answered, it is hard to think they will win their division. 13. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6): The Steelers should expect a bounce back season as they get healthier and add the drafts premier pass rusher to a defense that has fallen off in that area. The Steelers biggest question marks remain in the trenches as they've been under-performing (or injured) the last couple of seasons. 14. New York Giants (9-7): The Giants figure to be in a battle with the Redskins for control of the NFC East and could have their fate decided the final week of the season. New York figures to have a strong offense once again, but the question remains how strong is this defense. They made some changes this year, but it is unclear how much of a positive impact it will have. 15. Kansas City Chiefs (8-8): The Chiefs figure to be the team that rises the most this season as new coach Andy Reid hopes to get the most out of the talent on this team. The Chiefs figure to have a strong offensive and running game and their passing attack should be improved with Alex Smith at the helm. The Chiefs defense already has a number of star players they just need to find a way to become more consistent. 16. Miami Dolphins (8-8): The Dolphins went out and were big spenders in free agency, but they also lost a considerable amount of talent. While they definitely are improved from a weapons standpoint, Miami's offensive line and running game probably took a step back and will negate some of the pick-ups. The Dolphins 7 also face a very brutal schedule this year, and could have a tough time winning more than 8 games. 17. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): The Cowboys weren't able to add much this offseason due to their cap situation. While their passing attack figures to be one of the best in the league, their running game and offensive line is still filled with question marks. Defensively they are transitioning to a 4-3 and it will be interesting to see how that move impacts their level of play. Without a dramatic improvement on defense or in the running game it will be hard for Dallas to rank higher than 3rd in the division. 18. Minnesota Vikings (8-8): The Vikings should still be a strong team and could finish 2nd in the NFC North, but could have a tough time making it back to the playoffs in what looks to be a tougher NFC race this year. Though they made some improvements to their passing game, this team will still live and die with Adrian Peterson's legs. The Vikings defense should be good, but the secondary is still questionable. 19. St. Louis Rams (7-9): The Rams are one of the ore promising young teams in the NFL with an offense that has the potential to be elite and an improving defense.