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2017 NFL Predictions: Division winners, playoff standings, etc.

By Keith Rivas

Sep 1, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) warms up before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) warms up before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /
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AFC East

Aug 26, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) talks with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) prior to the game against the Carolina Panthersat Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 26, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) talks with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) prior to the game against the Carolina Panthersat Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

Even while being suspended, Patriots QB Tom Brady can’t seem to stay out of the headlines.

Due to his role in the “Deflate Gate” debacle, the league succeeded in finally suspending Brady for the first four games of the season.

As a result, New England will have to turn the keys over to Jimmy Garoppolo.

The Patriots have two divisional games in that four game span, with Week 2 and Week 4 featuring home games against Miami and Buffalo, respectively.

Those games seem within reach, but the other two match ups are an opening night clash with the highly talented Arizona Cardinals and a Week 3 battle with the hectic Houston Texans.

Brady’s absence will be felt, but it won’t keep the Patriots out of the playoffs — they’ll just make it as a wild card.

The surprise team to really keep an eye on here is the New York Jets.

After dominating the division for as long as most millennial fans can remember, the reign of the Patriots could easily be extinguished by Todd Bowles and company.

Ryan Fitzpatrick returned to New York in the off-season and can lead the Jets to some serious success.

The only problem?

New York’s schedule in the first four games aren’t much easier than New England’s slate.

Opening night for the Jets is a home game against the Bengals before road games in Buffalo and Kansas City with the finale of that stretch being a home game versus the Seahawks.

While there’s plenty of work ahead of them, expect the Jets to exceed expectations down the stretch.

Division Predictions:
Jets (11-5)
Patriots (10-6)
Bills (8-8)
Dolphins (8-8)

Next: AFC South

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