Baltimore Ravens Preview

The Baltimore Ravens are looking to improve in a number of ways: Surrounding Joe Flacco with more talent, improving the defense, and adding enough wins to make the playoffs. Let's view the roster and determine if they have the roster to do so.

QB: Joe Flacco is coming off of one of his best statistical season in his career, throwing for 3,986 yards and 27 touchdowns. With  new incoming targets Breshad Perriman and Maxx Williams, Flacco will look to improve those numbers as well.

HB: Justin Forsett had a really good year this past season. Not predicted by many, Forsett ran for over 1,200 yards and 8 touchdowns. Forsett even made it to the pro-bowl this year. The challenge to repeat this kind of performance will be difficult because teams will be more prepared. Still, that doesn't mean he can't put up similar numbers.


WR: Steve Smith Sr. is the go-to receiver. Even at 5'9 , Smith has always found a way to be one of the most consistent receivers in the league. Having over 8 seasons of 1,000 yards or more, Smith will be productive. Opposite side of Smith is 1st round selection Breshad Perriman. Perriman should balance well with Steve Smith, being a large receiver that ran a sub 4.3 40-yard dash.  

Offense: The Ravens have one of the more overlooked offenses in the league. As long as they continue to improve , the Ravens can have the chance to beat anyone.

DL: Lineman Chris Canty, Brandon Williams, and Timmy Jernigan combined for a total of 5 sacks. If they can get more pressure on the quarterback, they will help the linebackers create even more havoc.

LB: Linebackers Terrell Suggs , CJ Mosley, and Elvis Dumervil are all beast in their own right. Dumervil had 17.5 sacks last season, Mosley had 133 tackles, and Suggs has been one of the best linebackers still in the league in the past decade. These linebackers are tenacious, and they get after it. They are the catalyst of the defense , and the numbers prove why.

CJ Mosley

DB: A relatively unknown secondary will start for the Ravens. With that being said , they are still very good. The Ravens ranked 3rd in passing defense this past season. They are one of the most cohesive underrated units in the league. With the Ravens linebackers applying so much pressure, the secondary is able to press up on opposing receivers which forces bad throws from the quarterback. This kind of help really goes a long way.

Defense: With the ability to stop both the run and the passing game, this defense gives the Ravens the chance to compete in any game against any defense. As long as they remain true to their schemes, they will force opposing teams to work hard for each point. 

New York Jets Preview

The New York Jets have had quite the off-season. From signing Darrelle Revis and drafting Leonard Williams, to starting quarterback Geno Smith's jaw being broken and missing 1/3 of the season all because of $600, this off-season is one to not forget. With all of the sudden changes, how will the Jets respond? Let's take a look at the team.

QB: With starting quarterback Geno Smith out ,  Ryan Fitzpatrick is slated to replace Smith. Fitzpatrick has had a little bit of success in the league, so the Jets remain optimistic that he can get the job done. If Fitzpatrick does well, Smith will have to compete for his job back. Behind Fitzpatrick is former Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty and Matt Flynn.

Ryan Fitzpatrick

HB: Chris Ivory is the starter at running back. Ivory is solid , averaging 6.8 yards per carry last season. His biggest problem is his consistency. He can have a huge game one week, then nearly disappear the next. The Jets hope that will improve this upcoming season.

WR: The Jets had a major upgrade this year, signing receiver Brandon Marshall. This will help the overall offense, and especially help the receiver opposite of Marshall: Eric Decker. Last season Decker had nearly 1,000 receiving yards and five touchdowns this past season. With Marshall on the other side, Decker's numbers should improve.

Offense: 
The offense will be very interesting to see how they gel together. Fitzpatrick has a few good targets that he can throw to, and a decent running back in Ivory. If the offensive lineman can hold up, the Jets can have a decent offense. If Fitzpatrick plays well and wins a couple of games, look out Geno Smith.

DL: With the addition of Leonard Williams, the Jets are hoping to get a help in both the run defense and the pass rush. The other two defensive lineman combined for only 5.5 sacks last season. That has to improve.

LB: Using a 3-4 scheme, the Jets have to find a way to fill the gaps quicker. They ranked 24th in passing , and 26th in rushing last season. Led by Demario Davis and David Harris, the linebacking core will look to find a way to improve these stats, whether it be through different blitzes or sitting in coverage more.

DB: By bringing back Darrelle Revis, the Jets may have the best cornerback tandem in the league. On the other side Revis lies stud cornerback Antonio Cromartie. With these two on the field , teams will have a tougher time throwing the ball. As long as the safeties and everyone play well, the passing defense should be much improved.

Defense: As long as the running defense improves,  the Jets can take a leap of improvement in the defense this year. They will need to do in order to staying afloat in games due to an unpredictable offense.

New England Patriots

With all of the off-field attention surrounding this team, it will very interesting to see how the Patriots respond. Not many people would bet against Bill Belichick , even in the toughest of situations. Let's take a quick look of the Patriots team.

QB: Two words: Tom Brady. Even with the four game suspension , Tom Brady will have ample time to make sure the Patriots are in a position to make the playoffs. If they are able to do so, the rest of the league has to bring their 'A' game when playing Brady and the Pats.

HB: LeGarrette Blount seems to be the go to guy in the backfield for the Patriots. With that being said, the Patriots never depend on just one person when it pertains to the running game. Look for James Develin to get a good amount of touches also in the season.

WR: From the receiving core, Julian Edelman is the #1 target outside of Gronk. Edelman has had a combined10 touchdowns the past two seasons. On the other side lies Brandon LaFell. LaFell nearly had 1,000 yards receiving last year to go along with 7 touchdowns. When Brady returns, look for this core's numbers to improve.

TE: This position goes to the man of the hour: Rob Gronkowski. Gronk is Brady's most reliable target. Gronk can average over 1,000 yards and over 10 touchdowns a year when healthy. Standing at 6'6 with a 4.68 40-yard dash speed, Gronk is nearly impossible for anyone to stop.

Rob Gronkowski

Offense: The biggest question will be how well the Pats can play without Brady throughout his 4-game suspension. Once Brady returns, it doesn't matter who's around him. Brady and Billicheck will do everything to make the offense successful.

DL: With the loss of longtime nose guard Vince Wilfork , the Pats will look to fill that void with defensive tackle's Alan Branch and Sealver Siliga. Between these two, they had a combined sack total of 2.5 sacks last year.

LB: Linebackers Jamie Collins and Donta' Hightower are tackling machines. Jerod Mayo stepped up his game during the playoffs. They will continue to be solid at this position.

DB: With the loss of Darrelle Revis , the Patriots secondary will take a hit. Malcolm Butler will step into a starting role as a starting cornerback. Logan Ryan is on the other side, and with McCourty and Chung, we will see if the Patriots can be as dominant.

Defense: With a few major pieces missing, they may spend the first few games figuring out what works and what doesn't. With that being said , at the end of the day, it's still the Patriots. They will find a way to be successful.

Seattle Seahawks Preview

QB: Russell Wilson: Wilson has just signed a new contract with the Seahawks longterm which should make Seahawks fans excited. Wilson is one of the games most reliable options at QB and has a cannon arm along with good decision making skills and mobility.

RB: Marshawn Lynch: Not much needs to be said about Lynch, he's one of the leagues top backs and has the power and speed that all teams desire. His age may be a concern.

Marshawn Lynch 

WR: Jermaine Kearse, Ricardo Lockette, Doug Baldwin: These receivers are all solid, but all lack that extra "stuff" that can bring them to the level of great receivers. They have reliable hands, but are not athletic freaks like a Dez Bryant or Calvin Johnson.

TE: Jimmy Graham. This is where the Seahawks really improved in the offseasons. They get arguably the top TE (or second) in the business. Graham has been a reliable source for TD's for the Saints for years so it's very confusing of why they would give him up. Wilson will now have a Redzone target that is sure handed.

OL: Max Unger is gone from the Seahawks as he was traded for Graham, but the Seahawks still boast some of the top linemen in the country.

DL: The Seahawks defensive line will still wreak havoc to opposing QB's. Avril and Bennett lead a group of a strong unit.

LB: Bruce Irvin leads a group of some of the best run stoppers in the game. The Seahawks look to stay solid in this department.

DB: The big names of the Seahawks defense are in this group. Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas return to the top secondary in the NFL. This team will shut down receivers and cause panic among QB's.