2014 "Experts" Predictions

**TTK** · 09-02-2014, 11:13 AM

ESPN

NFL Nation predicted records for all teams

http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/138134/nfl-nation-season-predictions

NFL Nation reporters give their season predictions for the teams they cover. These projections were made independent of each other, so the total number of wins and losses are not equal.

AFC WEST
Broncos (12-4): The schedule is daunting with road games against five playoff teams from a year ago. The Broncos are deep, they have Peyton Manning in an offense that may have improved, and they won 13 games last year despite five defensive starters being on injured reserve by the time they went to the Super Bowl. -- Jeff Legwold

Chargers (10-6): If San Diego remains healthy, the defense should be better than last year's unit, which played pretty well in the backstretch of 2013, helping the Chargers make a surprising postseason run. San Diego has several playmakers on offense and should put up enough points each week for this team to compete with Denver for the top spot in the AFC West. -- Eric D. Williams

Chiefs (8-8): A win total somewhere between seven and nine sounds about right for the Chiefs. They aren't as good as their 9-0 start from last season and not as bad as their 2-6 finish. A difficult schedule dictates a lesser win total than in 2013. -- Adam Teicher

Raiders (6-10): The veteran leadership the team acquired should help late in the season. The talent on the roster is much improved, but I'm not sure if it translates to many more victories with such a killer schedule. Still, the Raiders should be able to make progress in the win column. -- Bill Williamson

**TTK** · 09-02-2014, 11:16 AM

More ESPN

2014 NFL Preview: Analysis, predictions, more

http://espn.go.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/11377732/2014-nfl-season-preview-analysis-game-game-predictions-more-every-team

2014 NFL preview: Dig deep into the new season with ESPN NFL Nation expert insight, statistical analysis and more for every team.

NFL Nation

http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/tag/_/name/2014-nfl-nation-season-predictions-afc

San Diego Chargers game predictions

By Eric D. Williams | ESPN.com

Week 1: at Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals have a handful of new starters on defense. Two of Arizona's best players on that side of the ball definitely will not play in linebacker Daryl Washington (suspension) and defensive end Darnell Dockett (injury). San Diego appears to be catching the Cardinals at the right time. Prediction: Win

Week 2: Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks' 41-14 manhandling of San Diego a month ago during preseason play at CenturyLink Field was not a good showing for the Chargers. The starters for both teams will play in this one, and the game is at Qualcomm Stadium. However, the Seahawks will have 10 days of rest after the team's season opener against Green Bay, while the Chargers are playing on a short week after a Monday night game in Arizona. Prediction: Loss

Week 3: at Buffalo Bills

The Bills are improved, with one of the better defensive front sevens in the NFL. They have a nice 1-2 punch at running back in C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson and a human highlight film in receiver Sammy Watkins. But EJ Manuel remains inconsistent at quarterback. Prediction: Win

Week 4: Jacksonville Jaguars

This game could be the first start for rookie quarterback Blake Bortles if Chad Henne struggles early. The Chargers haven't lost to the Jaguars at Qualcomm, but Jacksonville's defense should be better with the addition of defensive ends Red Bryant and Chris Clemons. The Jaguars also get after the football defensively. Prediction: Win

Week 5: New York Jets

Will Michael Vick be the starting quarterback for the Jets instead of Geno Smith by Week 5? No matter the signal-caller, Rex Ryan will lean on the run game -- his Jets were one of 12 teams to rush for at least 2,000 yards in 2013. The Jets averaged just 15 points a game on the road in 2013. Prediction: Win

Week 6: at Oakland Raiders

The Chargers lost 27-17 on the road against an awful Oakland team last year. San Diego will be ready and bring more effort this time. However, the Raiders do have a bye before this game, so they will be rested. Prediction: Win

Week 7: Kansas City Chiefs

San Diego has not lost to Kansas City at Qualcomm Stadium since 2007. That streak should continue, although the Chargers can't rely on a Ryan Succop missed field goal to bail them out again. Prediction: Win

Week 8: at Denver Broncos

A nationally televised game against the best team in the AFC last year will be a good, midseason test of where this team stands. San Diego traditionally plays the Broncos tough in Denver -- the Chargers are 6-3 against the Broncos in Denver, including the playoffs, since 2006. Prediction: Loss

Week 9: at Miami Dolphins

The Chargers let one slip away at Miami last year. The Chargers haven't won a regular-season game in Miami since 1980. Prediction: Loss

Week 11: Oakland Raiders

San Diego players should be well-rested for the Raiders coming off of a bye week. Since 2003, the Chargers are 9-2 at Qualcomm Stadium against Oakland. Prediction: Win

Week 12: St. Louis Rams

The Rams have one of the most dominant defensive fronts in the NFL, but Shaun Hill does not instill fear in the hearts of NFL defenders. Prediction: Win

Week 13: at Baltimore Ravens

This game is the beginning of a brutal stretch of games to finish the season. San Diego has never defeated the Ravens in Baltimore. Prediction: Loss

Week 14: New England Patriots

New England runs the football, has an improved defense and one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game. And that Bill Belichick is a pretty good coach. Prediction: Loss

Week 15: Denver Broncos

This game is a late-season AFC West battle that the Chargers likely will need to win in order to stay in playoff contention. Expect San Diego to play with urgency in this one. Prediction: Win

Week 16: at San Francisco 49ers

You can't discount how San Diego's defense handled San Francisco's offense in the preseason matchup between these two teams. But Jim Harbaugh should have his team playing much better by December. Prediction: Loss

Week 17: at Kansas City Chiefs

For a second straight season, the Chargers finish against the Chiefs, but this time on the road. Since 2004, San Diego is 6-4 at Kansas City. Prediction: Win

Predicted Record: 10-6

**TTK** · 09-02-2014, 11:20 AM

CBS

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/24676065/nfl-season-preview-wholl-be-the-best-worst-here-are-our-picks

Coach of the Year:

Ryan Wilson -- Mike McCoy, Chargers: I'm already on record as saying the Chargers will take down the Broncos and win the AFC West, and that alone is worth coach-of-the-year recognition for the second-year coach.

**QSmokey** · 09-02-2014, 11:27 AM

MVP

Peter King: Aaron Rodgers
Greg Bedard: Philip Rivers
Jenny Vrentas: Aaron Rodgers
Robert Klemko: Tom Brady
Emily Kaplan: Aaron Rodgers
Andy Benoit: Andrew Luck

WTF? As long as SOMEONE named "Peyton Manning" is able to complete finish a season healthy, the MVP is his. I am SHOCKED that no one picked him for MVP.

**TTK** · 09-02-2014, 12:05 PM

PFF News & Analysis | PFF

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2014/09/02/pffs-2014-predictions

The latest football news, analysis, and rankings from PFF. Featuring data-driven rankings and stats for NFL, fantasy football, and the NFL Draft.

Den clean sweep of AFC West (8/8). Chargers picked by 4/8 to get a wildcard spot.

**Heatmiser** · 09-02-2014, 12:16 PM

Jets in the playoffs? Really? At least only one of these guys put that down.

TG

**Guest** · 09-02-2014, 01:05 PM

Id love to watch Manning have an LT like sudden decline on National TV this year. It would be fucking great.

**Panama** · 09-02-2014, 02:32 PM

Originally posted by QSmokey View Post

WTF? As long as SOMEONE named "Peyton Manning" is able to complete finish a season healthy, the MVP is his. I am SHOCKED that no one picked him for MVP.

I'm surprised you didn't think it would be Emmitt Smith or Johnny Unitas.

**QSmokey** · 09-02-2014, 02:52 PM

Originally posted by Panama View Post

I'm surprised you didn't think it would be Emmitt Smith or Johnny Unitas.

I knew Y.A. Tittle...and Panama...you are no Y.A. Tittle.

**Panama** · 09-02-2014, 02:56 PM

Originally posted by QSmokey View Post

I knew Y.A. Tittle...and Panama...you are no Y.A. Tittle.

I like YA Tittle. 18+.

**Mister Hoarse** · 09-02-2014, 04:56 PM

Salma Hayek logo:

2014 "Experts" Predictions

2014 "Experts" Predictions

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment