NFL training camp previews for all 32 teams.

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Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks open training camp on July 30 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Washington. Here’s a closer look at the Seahawks' camp:

Top storyline: Can the Seahawks put the offseason drama behind them and compete for a Super Bowl while their core is still together? Pete Carroll and John Schneider openly shopped cornerback Richard Sherman after his tumultuous 2016 campaign, but everyone said the right things during the spring. Sherman and quarterback Russell Wilson said their relationship is fine. And Carroll dismissed an explosive ESPN The Magazine report as old news. Last year's camp featured frequent scuffles among teammates, a byproduct of Carroll's competitive culture. With Kam Chancellor and Jimmy Graham entering the final years of their deals and Sherman's future with the team uncertain, the sense of urgency will be high again this summer. Team chemistry will be the No. 1 storyline at camp and during the season.

QB depth chart: Seattle did very little to address the backup quarterback spot even though Wilson battled through three injuries last year. The Seahawks brought Colin Kaepernick in for a visit but didn't sign him. Instead, it'll be Austin Davis and Trevone Boykin competing for the backup job behind Wilson. The Seahawks generally keep only two quarterbacks on their 53-man roster.

Bubble watch: The Seahawks decided to take a flier on 2013 No. 3 overall pick Dion Jordan, but he could have a tough time making the team. Jordan weighs in the 280s, Carroll said, and will be looked at as a rotational defensive lineman. But he had knee surgery after joining the Seahawks and did not participate in any spring activities. Given that Seattle used two draft picks on defensive linemen, Jordan faces an uphill climb to a roster spot.

That rookie could start: The coaching staff raved about cornerback Shaquill Griffin during spring practices. With DeShawn Shead unlikely to be ready for the start of the season, the competition at right cornerback is open. The most likely scenario is Jeremy Lane starting there and sliding inside in nickel, with Griffin playing the outside. But if Griffin shows he can effectively play the ball in the air during training camp, he has a chance to steal the starting spot from Lane.

<article class="ad-300"></article>Offensive line musical chairs: Tom Cable said he thought the personnel staff "nailed" the offseason in regard to offensive-line moves. But this remains the biggest question mark on the roster. The Seahawks signed Luke Joeckel and Oday Aboushi. They spent a second-round pick on Ethan Pocic. But did they do enough? Seattle needs big leaps from second-year players George Fant and Germain Ifedi. The offensive line doesn't have to be elite, but if this group can improve, the Seahawks are Super Bowl contenders.

Regaining an identity: The Seahawks aggressively pursued running back Eddie Lacy in free agency and are hoping he'll jump-start their running game, which struggled in 2016. A healthy Wilson will help, and Thomas Rawls and C.J. Prosise will carve out their own roles, but Lacy is expected to be the lead back. He'll have another weigh-in incentive early in camp. And the Seahawks want Lacy at 245 or lighter during the regular season. The veteran running back is on a one-year contract and will look to earn a longer-term deal with a strong performance in 2017.

 

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RGIII to work out for Chargers:

 

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Teddy Bridgewater expected to start camp on PUP list:

 

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Eagles sign former Rugby player.

The time between a job interview and job offer are typically days, weeks and, in some cases, months full of anxiety. Rugby player Adam Zaruba only had to endure a few hours before finding out he got the job as tight end for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Zaruba, who played for Canada's national rugby sevens team, tried out for the Eagles over the weekend and impressed them enough to earn a contract offer Monday.
The 26-year-old last played organized American football in high school. Zaruba is 6-foot-5, 265 pounds. For comparison purposes, Rob Gronkowski is 6-foot-6, 265 pounds.
"It will be a really awesome thing for me as an athlete," Zaruba told The Province when asked about the opportunity to play in the NFL. "The window here is very small."
Zaruba is trying to follow in the footsteps of Jarryd Hayne, who played professional rugby league in Australia before joining the San Francisco 49ers as a running back in 2015.
While a longshot to make the Eagles' 53-man roster, good for Zaruba. Not many could say they made an NFL roster -- even in July.

 

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13 potential surprise cuts during traning camp.

1) Brock Osweiler, QB, Cleveland Browns: Within hours of acquiring Osweiler, the Browns were reportedly making calls in hopes of trading him away while swallowing part of his salary. There were no takers, but the potential awkwardness of a $16 million backup hasn't changed. The subject of some soft-focus OTA stories, the scarcity of Osweiler's snaps with the first-team offense spoke louder than any Hue Jackson quote. If rookie DeShone Kizer and second-year man Cody Kessler look ready early in camp, the Browns could start calling around regarding Osweiler again or simply cut him outright.

2) Lamarr Houston, OLB, Chicago Bears: Signed by the previous Bears regime in free agency, Houston is due a lot of money for someone who has been unable to stay on the field. The same type of thing could be said for teammate Pernell McPhee, but Houston's extreme injury history sets him apart. Coming off a second torn ACL in three years, Houston has to show well in August to earn $5.95 million and stick at a crowded position in Chicago.

3) Jamaal Charles, RB, Denver Broncos: One of most unappreciated players of his era, Charles has a sneaky foundation to build a legit Hall of Fame case around. He's also at a career crossroads. Two lost seasons in a row left Charles released by the Chiefs and greeted in free agency with nothing better than a one-year contract with zero guarantees included.
The contract says the Broncos don't know if Charles can still play, because no one knows if Charles can still play. Everything is on the table here. It won't be shocking if Charles turns Denver's deal into the bargain of the offseason, because he's a legend, and that's the type of thing legends do. It also won't be surprising if Charles' knees, which prevented him from working in team drills this offseason, cut short a career with brilliant peaks.

4) Ryan Mathews, RB, Philadelphia Eagles: The NFL is a brutal business. Mathews is still recovering from neck disc surgery because of the repeated trauma he's suffered running the football. The Eagles are fully expected to release him before paying his $4 million salary, but they need to wait until he can pass a physical to avoid owing him the money. Philadelphia coach Doug Pederson announced Sunday that Mathews is excused from training camp. Essentially, Mathews is working hard at getting healthy so the team can promptly fire him.

5+6) Torrey Smith and Nelson Agholor, WR, Philadelphia Eagles: Based on the breadth of his career, Smith came at a discount (three years, $15 million) in free agency. Based on last year's play in San Francisco and the minimal $500,000 guaranteed in his contract, Smith isn't even a total lock to make the roster. Positive offseason reports indicate that Smith should be safe, although teammate Nelson Agholor inspired even more shorts-and-shirts optimism.
The team's first-round pick in 2015, Agholor is currently slated to be Philly's fourth receiver -- at best. He can't take a step back in camp or he'll risk going the way of so many other Chip Kelly acquisitions.

7) Dion Lewis, RB, New England Patriots: For seven brilliant games in 2015, Lewis was as dynamic as any running back to play behind Tom Brady since Corey Dillon blessed Foxborough. Since then, Lewis has continued his career-long struggle with injuries and watched the Patriots sign roughly 47 competitors at the position. Rex Burkhead, Mike Gillislee and James White are all locks to make the roster, meaning Lewis will need to show that old spark in August to ensure he's safe.

8) Alfred Morris, RB, Dallas Cowboys: Ezekiel Elliott's uncertain status for the start of the season looms over the entire running back position, but Morris could be in trouble even if Elliott ends up getting suspended for the opener. With Darren McFadden expected to be the primary backup, Rod Smith and Keith Smith provide more versatility and special teams value than Morris.

9) Branden Albert, OT, Jacksonville Jaguars: At some point after the Jaguars drafted Cam Robinson No. 34 overall, Albert realized he didn't have as much leverage as he thought. It's worth wondering if Albert realized it too late. He showed up to mandatory minicamp after skipping OTAs and giving Robinson a head start in the battle for the left tackle job. It's not like the Jaguars have much invested in Albert. Due $8.875 million coming off a down year plagued by injuries, Albert was acquired in a trade for only a seventh-round pick. His status could be out of his hands. If Robinson looks ready to go, another trade of Albert isn't out of the question.

10) Sammie Coates, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers: A year ago at this time, Coates was expected to fill the shoes of Martavis Bryant as the team's prime deep threat. Coates did so with 21 catches and a league-leading "drop rate," according to Pro Football Focus. Now Bryant is back and Eli Rogers is locked into the slot receiver role, leaving Coates, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Justin Hunter and Cobi Hamilton to fight for jobs. Offseason groin surgery didn't help Coates' case. Neither did the second-round selection of JuJu Smith-Schuster.

11) Victor Cruz, WR, Chicago Bears: Third-year pro Cameron Meredith is the best bet to be Chicago's top wide receiver this season. Kevin White, Markus Wheaton and Kendall Wright all have significant guarantees in their contracts. That doesn't leave much room for Cruz -- unless he can reproduce the preseason magic that first had Rex Ryan talking a blue streak back in 2010.

12) Ahmad Brooks, OLB, San Francisco 49ers: Brooks specializes in escaping lists like this unharmed, having survived off-field concerns and four head-coaching changes in San Francisco. Penciled in as a starter to open camp, Brooks is 33 years old and has a cap number over $6 million for a team that is rebuilding. A strong camp by some younger teammates could leave Brooks vulnerable.

13) Carlos Hyde, RB, San Francisco 49ers: Coach Kyle Shanahan was going to be "sick" and dreaming of rookie Joe Williams if the team didn't draft him, according to the MMQB's Peter King. So general manager John Lynch wound up trading up to get a guy in Williams who wasn't even on his draft board.
Compare that investment -- emotional and otherwise -- with the team's lukewarm appraisals of Hyde this offseason. A talented and extremely elusive runner, Hyde has one year left on a contract signed three head coaches ago. He's admittedly the biggest long shot to lose his job on this list, but Shanahan and Lynch are just starting their extreme makeover and have proven they are ready to act with conviction.

 

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Back to school.....Hello Carolina!

 

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Kenneth Dixon to undergo surgery after suffering meniscus tear.

Baltimore Ravens running back Kenneth Dixon enters his second season facing more adversity. NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday that Dixon suffered a tear in his meniscus, according to a source informed of the situation. He'll have surgery today. The hope is that it's just a trim of the meniscus and not more invasive. The Ravens will know more after the procedure.
The Baltimore Sun first reported the news.
Dixon was already slated to miss the first four games of the season due to suspension for violating the league's performance enhancing drug policy.
The injury sets him back even further.
Meniscus tears generally come with a six- to eight-week recovery period, but can be longer depending on the severity of the damage. Dixon dealt with a knee injury to open last season.
The suspension, coupled with the injury, puts a damper on what could have been an optimistic second season for the 23-year-old running back. At 5-foot-10, 212 pounds, Dixon combined power and speed for 4.3 yards per carry on 88 totes with 30 receptions for 162 yards as a rookie. With a powerful lower body, Dixon owns the ability to churn out yards while remaining elusive in the open field.
There were inconsistencies and he dealt with injuries as a rookie, but the Ravens expected him to make strides in Year 2 after improving down the stretch in 2016.

 

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Dalvin Cook, Latavius Murray: We're not RB Peterson.

The biggest position battle at Minnesota Vikings training camp happens to be a tussle to replace an all-time great. Latavius Murray, Dalvin Cook and Jerick McKinnon will vie for snaps to take the job Adrian Peterson held for a decade as the Vikings' workhorse.
Cook was selected in the second round of the draft. Murray was signed as a free agent. One of the two will likely swipe the primary duties during camp, but Murray will start training camp on the PUP list. Neither, however, has any illusions that they will replace Peterson.
"He is a future Hall of Famer," Cook said Sunday, via the team's official website. "In my first year in the NFL, I am not as close to him, so I cannot compare myself to him at all because he is going to go down as one of the greatest backs in history probably so I just have just got to go out there and work and I cannot have that in my head."
Added Murray: "To be honest, I don't think anyone's looking at it that way. I think obviously we know that that guy was great in that uniform, but I think for everyone in the running back room right now, it's about the individual."
Cook enters camp with a lead on the top tailback role. Murray sat out offseason workouts after undergoing ankle surgery, but said Sunday his "health is really good."
The rookie boasts the most talent from the backfield, and coach Mike Zimmer cooed about Cook's vision, speed and tackle-breaking ability this summer. If Cook continues his ascent when the pads come on, he could run away with the starting gig.

 

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AFC bold predictions: Tom Brady breaks barrier, Raiders roll.

Baltimore Ravens: Joe Flacco throws for more yards than any quarterback in the AFC. I can hear you now: Uh ... to whom? The Ravens lost Kamar Aiken and Steve Smith, Sr., the latter of whom now works with me, and Dennis Pitta is also gone. But the thing is, at its zenith, the Ravens' ground game is mediocre (28th in the NFL last year). So Flacco's right arm will generate the majority of the buzz in this offense. The addition of Jeremy Maclin should compensate for a portion of the WR defections. Benjamin Watson has started practicing -- he was Pitta insurance last year before tearing his Achilles tendon. And then you add Danny Woodhead -- a mid-tier signing of the type no one notices until he grabs 80 balls -- to the mix. With Marshawn Lynch in Oakland, Derek Carr might throw less. Ditto Philip Rivers with Melvin Gordon's ascension with the Chargers. It's becoming increasingly difficult for Ben Roethlisberger and Andrew Luck to play 16 games. As far as Tom Brady is concerned, it's reasonable to assume Flacco will be trailing in more games and attempting more throws. Thus, Flacco could be your passing leader. Really.

Buffalo Bills: LeSean McCoy leads the NFL in rushing.
For whatever reason, not too many folks realize how effective McCoy was last season. Despite missing almost two full games, the uber confident tailback backed up his football bravado with 1,267 yards, 14 total touchdowns and a sterling 5.41 yards per carry, which was third in the NFL. He also caught 50 balls. Funny, nobody ever thinks of McCoy as much of a receiver. McCoy seems to fly under the radar amid the widespread fascination with David Johnson, Ezekiel Elliott and Le'Veon Bell, but he should absolutely be mentioned in their company among the league's elite. The Bills led the NFL in rushing last year. Tyrod Taylor's running ability demands opposing defenses to play 11-on-11. The run-first philosophy in Buffalo shouldn't change much under new Sean McDermott. Thus, fans might tap the brakes before anointing DJ, Zeke, and Lev Bell the rushing champs.

Cincinnati Bengals: They finish with a worse record than last season (6-9-1).
This hasn't happened since 2010, the year of the T.O.-Ochocinco marriage. So what gives? It's not because of the wide receiver group, which should be just fine with A.J. Green and rookie John Ross. No, the issue on offense is the offensive line, a group that didn't play particularly well last season. That group lost its two top players (Kevin Zeitler and Andrew Whitworth) during the offseason, which doesn't bode well for the skill positions. Sure, Ross boasts a tremendous 40 time, but by the time he gets downfield, Andy Dalton could very well be on his back. Many draftniks touted second-round selection Joe Mixon as a steal. But he won't be if he's running through some of the same holes Jeremy Hill saw last season. Cincinnati missed Hue Jackson's guidance on offense last season. Leadership on defense has been lacking. Wins could be similarly rare.

Cleveland Browns: They win at least five games.
Whew doggie. Not even Randy Quaid is crazy enough to predict the Browns winning more than a couple of games. Quarterback remains, well, a mess -- at least until Hue Jackson decides on one. Whoever starts (Cody Kessler, please) will retain Kenny Britt and Corey Coleman outside, with first-round pick David Njoku at tight end. Not bad, but it's far from Webster Slaughter, Brian Brennan and Ozzie Newsome. Isaiah Crowell will be once again expected to carry the load at running back. These are good players. The offensive line will be better, with the additions of Kevin Zeitler and JC Tretter, plus the depth provided by fifth-round pick Roderick Johnson. The defense added the premier player in the draft in Myles Garrett, along with another first-round pick in Jabrill Peppers. Not to mention the Browns play the AFC South, NFC North and the Jets. The schedule is, as they say, an ally.

 

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Denver Broncos: Shane Ray racks up 13 sacks and makes the Pro Bowl.
While many are predicting a fantastic season for the Von Miller/Shane Ray combo, this prediction is a little ambitious. Consider the other OLB pass rushers currently residing in the AFC. Justin Houston is fully healthy. Khalil Mack is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year. Jadeveon Clowney (a true hybrid) was the queen on the chessboard for the Texans last season. Brian Orakpo was fantastic last season for the Titans. And, of course, there's Miller. None of these names include the talented group of 4-3 OLBs in the AFC right now, either, like Telvin Smith and Lorenzo Alexander. That said, remember how productive Ray was in 2016 when DeMarcus Ware was unavailable? The Thursday night game versus the Chargers comes to mind. Ray has learned for two years at the collective elbow of the best pass-rush duo in football, and he amassed eight sacks in part-time duty last year. He's ready.

Houston Texans: Deshaun Watson is the AFC's Offensive Rookie of the Year.
This prediction is not intended to be overly pro-Texans or anti-Tom Savage. It's just that Watson should have every opportunity to wrestle the job from Savage, whose career has been marred by one injury after the other. More importantly, if Watson takes the job, he'll have DeAndre Hopkins, Lamar Miller and other talented young players on offense at his disposal. Most importantly, Watson won't feel the pressure to put up 30 points per game or force too many throws. Remember, Houston's defense finished tops in the league in yards allowed without J.J. Watt, who will be back in action this season. OK, I cheated -- there's no official award for this. I picked Carolina running back Christian McCaffrey to take home the actual Offensive Rookie of the Year award over in the NFC file. That said, I could see Watson being the top newbie in his conference. Side note: As much as we hear about the measurables, particularly in regards to the NFL Scouting Combine, there is much to be said for what John Fox once called "competitive greatness." Watson would seem to own that intangible in spades.

Indianapolis Colts: Frank Gore becomes the second RB in NFL history to run for 1,000 yards in Year 13.
Gore -- who limped past the 1,000-yard barrier last season -- is certainly not an ascending player. But the veteran running back made, and continues to make, a career on patient running based off his vision and feel. So while he might not be able to dash through an opening a la DeMarco Murray, Gore finds seams that other players don't, which is precisely why he's been an RB1 for over a decade. (This also sometimes makes the Colts' line look better than it is.) Indy's youthful right side of the line showed potential late in 2016, contrary to what you hear in the media. (Fake news?) By the way, only five players have surpassed 1,000 yards rushing in their 12th seasons: John Riggins, Walter Payton, Emmitt Smith, Franco Harris and Gore.

Jacksonville Jaguars: They finish with a top-10 scoring defense for the first time in 10 years.
Contrary to what you might think, the Jaguars can't suck forever. There is too much talent on this team for them to go 3-13 again in 2017. That includes an excellent mix of youth and experience, with a no-nonsense head coach (Doug Marrone) and an even more no-nonsense EVP (Tom Coughlin). Veteran free-agent signee Calais Campbell should add as much to the locker room as he does to the defensive line. Fellow signee A.J. Bouye played like one of the best corners in the league last year with the Texans ... because he was one of the best cornerbacks in the league last year. Newcomer Barry Church has been a steady performer in Dallas for several seasons. Jalen Ramsey enters Year 2. Myles Jack is the wild card here. If he plays to Ramsey's level last year, look out. Drafting Leonard Fournette means a healthier running game and a less-winded defense. We'll all take 8-8 this year.

 

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Kansas City Chiefs: Alex Smith starts every game and posts a 100 passer rating.
Only once in his career has Smith soared past a 100 passer rating, and that came in an injury-shortened campaign. Of course, speaking of soaring, that's exactly what Smith's detractors say his passes don't do -- i.e., that Smith is a dump-off king. Perhaps Smith takes the safe route more often than not, but given the strong ground attack the Chiefs have featured during his time there (K.C.'s run game has ranked 15th, sixth, 10th and 10th the past four seasons), it hasn't always been necessary for Smith to put much air under the ball. Nor has Kansas City possessed a DeSean Jackson- or Torrey Smith-type of receiver. The risk of drafting Patrick Mahomes raised many eyebrows around the league -- almost certainly none more than those of the incumbent starter. That's why Smith will put together his best all-around campaign in Chiefs red. Will it be enough to get the team to the next step, the AFC Championship? No answer in this blurb, folks.

Los Angeles Chargers: Keenan Allen returns from a torn ACL to catch more passes than anyone in the league.
Going all in on Allen this year. Again. While I'm excited for first-round pick Mike Williams, there has been some concern that the big-time talent is already lagging behind, given the time he missed because of back trouble. (UPDATE: NFL.com's Mike Garafolo reported Wednesday that Williams is likely to start camp on PUP list following a second epidural for a herniated disc in lower back.) Allen's career has been a living train wreck the last two seasons, but keep in mind that before getting injured in the eighth game of the 2015 season, Allen had already caught 67 passes. That extrapolates to about 140 receptions. With the further development of tight end Hunter Henry and receiver Tyrell Williams, perhaps less targets will go Allen's way. But attention from opposing DBs should also diminish. Bias alert: I am majorly rooting for Allen. He's endured tough luck thus far in a short career.

Miami Dolphins: They feature a top-10 offense for the first time since 1995.
You read that right. The Miami Dolphins haven't fielded a top-10 attack since Dan Marino was the field general, Bernie Parmalee -- a part-time UPS driver -- was one of the feature backs and O.J. McDuffie was catching a ton of balls. Oh yeah, don't forget Irving Fryar and the massive Eric Green at tight end. Don Shula was the head coach, for crying out loud. Ah, but last year, the offense made real strides under first-year head coach Adam Gase, improving from 27th to 17th in points scored. That was with backup Matt Moore playing significant time at quarterback, while all the starters were taking in Gase's system for the first time. Miami also faces the so-so defenses in the NFC South, a bit easier task then the NFC West units (Seahawks, Cardinals, Rams) they saw last year. Most interesting? How far QB1 Ryan Tannehill comes along.

New England Patriots: Tom Brady becomes the first 40-year-old QB in NFL history to be named first-team All-Pro.
No quarterback has ever crossed the Year 40 plateau and been named the top player at this position. Sonny Jurgensen led the NFC in passer rating in his last season, but he shared duties with Billy Kilmer that year. Vinny Testaverde played really well for the Jets when he turned 40 (90.6 passer rating), but he started less than half the games because of the presence of Chad Pennington. Brett Favre produced an incredible season, easing past 40 years of age for the 2009 Vikings (107.2 passer rating), but he couldn't edge out Peyton Manning for first-team All-Pro or MVP honors. Many QBs have played that long, from Hall of Famer Len Dawson to Hall of Very Gooder Jim Hart. Yet, none match Brady, who is still the best player in pro football. Considering the arrival of Brandin Cooks in New England and Brady's diet and workout regimen, I wouldn't bet against Brady.

 

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New York Jets: Jamal Adams is Defensive Rookie of the Year ... too!
Yes, I know I picked Cowboys defensive end Taco Charlton for this honor in the NFC file. But I think Adams will play well enough to force a tie. While there's not a lot of encouraging news emanating from the Jets this offseason, I challenge you to find me anyone who didn't like the Adams pick this year. Much like with Leonard Williams a couple of years back, all of the board-game strategy that presents itself on draft day manifested itself again ... in the Jets' favor, again. Adams found himself falling to Todd Bowles and Co. at No. 6, even though the 49ers (who picked third) or Bears (second) certainly could have used a playmaking safety with leadership skills. When the various draftniks came out of the woodwork in May, the AFC rookies that were circled immediately were Leonard Fournette, Deshaun Watson and, for entirely alternative reasons, Patrick Mahomes. Yet, Adams has a better opportunity than any of them to start Day 1. The fact that the Jets look poised to struggle only spotlights Adams, a player full of talent on a team mostly devoid of it otherwise.

Oakland Raiders: Oakland makes it to the AFC Championship Game.
I'm riding the Raiders hype train all the way through summer camp, preseason, 17 weeks of football and on through January. All eyes are on Marshawn Lynch, and for good reason. The guy is a certifiable star, and at this stage of his career, perhaps a borderline Hall of Famer. From a purely strategic standpoint, Lynch's presence could work wonders for Oakland's defense. With Latavius Murray, the Raiders' ground game was full of peaks and valleys. In fact, you couldn't count on anyone in Oakland's backfield last year to close out games. In Lynch, the Raiders may have found their Dennis Eckersley. Even if Lynch isn't a closer, he could provide Oakland pass rushers with the extra rest they need, a la Zeke Elliott's effect on a verrrrry mediocre defense in Dallas last season. We forgot to mention that Derek Carr is an MVP candidate. We also forgot to mention Khalil Mack is an MVP candidate.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Le'Veon Bell plays all 16 games (gulp), leads league in yards from scrimmage.
Steelers fans must be thinking what if regarding the last three postseasons. Le'Veon Bell's injury in Week 17 of the 2014 season derailed a red-hot Steelers team ready to make its move. In 2015, Bell missed more than half the season, while the rest of Pittsburgh's walking wounded made a valiant effort to make it to the Divisional Round. Then last year, with a Super Bowl berth at stake, Bell couldn't get through the first half of the AFC Championship Game in Foxborough before getting hurt. I think the Steelers will look to reduce Bell's workload a bit in an effort to keep him fresh. He's not 22 anymore, after all, but rather a 25-year-old star still looking for a long-term deal. He'll put 16 games and 360 touches on his resume this season.

Tennessee Titans: The Titans win the AFC South for first time since 2008.
Hey, why not? Why can't the Titans supplant the Texans, who've had a stranglehold on the AFC South despite being the headless horseman, a team without a viable quarterback? That isn't a problem for Tennessee, especially considering Marcus Mariota showed real signs in Year 2. The running game outpaced everyone but the Cowboys and Bills in the NFL last season, while the passing game has added rookie Corey Davis and vet Eric Decker. The Colts might not be good enough on the defensive side of the ball to be in the race come Week 17. The Jags? Well, that's always the question, isn't it? When the Titans had an opportunity to make a play for the division last year, they laid a gnarly egg versus Jacksonville. They were losing by two scores before Mariota went down with a fractured fibula. They must raise their level of play as a squad when the moment arrives this year.

 

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NFC bold predictions: Lions win North, Drew Brees slows down.

Arizona Cardinals: They reach the NFC Championship Game.
It felt weird to see 7-8-1 sitting next to Bruce Arians' Cardinals in the standings last season, given that Arizona averaged 11 wins per year the previous three seasons. Then I realized that that feeling was weirder, given that Arizona sucked in the three years prior to Arians' 2013 arrival. (Plus, there's the fact the franchise won one playoff game in 60 -- 60! -- seasons prior to Kurt Warner earning the full-time QB gig in 2008.) With the team now healthy, the most productive RB in the bidness in place and new, young talent on defense, why can't the Cards overtake the depleted Cowboys, inconsistent Packers or bickering Seahawks?

Atlanta Falcons: Julio Jones, not Matt Ryan, wins league MVP.
No wide receiver has ever won the MVP award. While Ryan became the first Falcon to take home the hardware last year, his game might slip with the departure of offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan. Jones, however, was elite before Shanahan came on the scene -- and he seemed to turn his game up a notch last season. If Ryan regresses, and he uses his running backs less in Steve Sarkisian's attack, who do you think the quarterback will look to? Jones' 2017 could end up looking like Calvin Johnson's 2012: with the receiver pushing 2,000 yards. Also of note: I think Atlanta wins the NFC South again, making this candidacy more possible.

Carolina Panthers: Christian McCaffrey is Offensive Rookie of the Year. Much was made of how high the Panthers took McCaffrey in the draft. Eighth overall ... yeah, that's showing some hefty praise (and spending some significant coin) for a kid who is supposed to see the ball in bite-sized chunks -- unless McCaffrey forgoes the role of Darren Sproles 2.0 and takes on more than the typical third-down-back workload. McCaffrey can handle 20 touches per game, plus he owns that Gale Sayers-esque nifty ability to turn a short gain into a chunk play. The presence of Cam Newton, rushing threat also forces defenses to play 11-on-11 against Carolina. Well, guess who that helps?

Chicago Bears: Jordan Howard rushes for more yards than Ezekiel Elliott.
Howard had himself a year in 2016 -- though it didn't look like he was going to, not early on. The fifth-round pick out of Indiana had recorded just 12 carries heading into October. Who could've guessed he'd finish the season with 1,313 yards? Howard produced those numbers despite moderate shuffling on the offensive line and major rejiggering at quarterback. What can he do with a full training camp as the starter and continuity on offense? John Fox wants to Run. The. Football. Losing receiver Alshon Jeffery in free agency practically demands the Bears coach embrace that strategy. Couple that with Elliott missing two starting offensive linemen in Dallas from a year ago, and Howard might be running away with a rushing title.