I guess it`s that time again to take a look at my football preview!
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As a reminder you can listen each and every week to my Friday Night football broadcast `In the Zone` right here on Coosa Valley News as well as FM 101.7 or AM 900. We will start at 5:30 every Friday and will host our first show on August 28!
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So this week I will take a look at the NFL.
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Let`s start with the <b>NFL East</b>. The Eagles went out and grabbed some top notch players in running back DeMarco Murray and quarterback Sam Bradford. For the first time in Bradford`s pro career he will have a running back to help get the defense off of him. For Murray he goes from No Big Show Tony Romo to just play No Show Bradford. I think it`s a wash.
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We will find out how good Dallas will be not having the all-pro Murray in the back field. They will also be without Greg Hardy and Rolando McClain for the first month. Bad news for the Cowboys is that those games will be against four potentially elite offenses (Giants, Eagles, Falcons, Saints). Ouch.
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The Giants could get the finger this year. It`s a shame New York`s DE Jason Pierre-Paul will be missing his after blowing it off in the offseason. The chance at a .500 season will rest on if rookie T Ereck Flowers can protect Eli Manning`s blind side?
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The Redskins who finished last year 4-12 has put its hopes on new defensive coordinator Joe Barry and O-line guru Bill Callahan. Robert Griffin III`s future in the league is riding on it.
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<b>Potts`Pick: Philadelphia</b>
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The <b>NFC NORTH</b> is wide open I think.
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The Packers are hoping to get revenge following last year`s NFC title game loss. They season could be determined in the first few weeks of the year. They open on road against hated Bears before hosting Seahawks at home in NFC title game rematch.
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The Vikings are hoping that Adrian Peterson is rested and highly motivated. If so, he and second-year QB Teddy Bridgewater could take Minnesota to new level. Add that to the fact that they could have a potentially stacked defense looks ready to blossom.
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The Lions are always my favorite in the division. I`m not sure if it is because I watched a lot of Home Improvement growing up or the fact that Matt Stafford captains the ship. Last year`s No. 1 run defense will see Adrian Peterson (twice), Marshawn Lynch, Matt Forte, Jamaal Charles in first half minus Ndamukong Suh. I think it`s going to be a long season in D-town.
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The Bears, are well, da Bears.
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<b>Potts` Pick: Minnesota</b>
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Now everyone`s favorite <b>NFC SOUTH</b>.
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Folks, Cam Newton is healthy and the Panthers are starting to learn how to win. That is scary for the rest of the division. Plus, this is one of the best fan bases in football. It could get real interesting for Carolina this year.
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The Saints lost their final five games at Superdome in 2014 and still finished 7-9. They have a really favorable schedule and, theoretically, improved run game and D. Drew Brees will find out just how much TE Jimmy Graham meant to the team. They had better hope new running back CJ Spiller can take the heat off of him.
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The Falcons are hoping that new coach Dan Quinn is the answer. He has won every where he`s been, but he has never been a head coach. Say what you want, but Matt Ryan will never win a ring.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers put all their chips on Jameis Winston. Their first game will be against number two pick and fellow Heisman winner Marcus Mariota. I think we will find out real quick who the real `Ryan Leaf` is going to be.
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<b>Potts` Pick: Carolina</b>
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The <b>NFC WEST</b> is tricky.
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It is hard to go against the Seahawks who should have won the Super Bowl last year. So what did they do in the offseason? Go and pickup the best tight end in the world, Jimmy Graham. The question mark will be the defense. Who really was the leader, the Legion of Boom or coach Dan Quinn?
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The Rams brought in Nick Foles to lead the team. They also are banking on Todd Gurley to be the next big thing. I think they will hit a home run and the St. Louis Dawgs, I mean Rams, will impress.
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The Cardinals and 49ers will be looking for identity with a lot of turnover in the offseason. They are still a few years away from contending.
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<b>Potts` Pick: St. Louis</b>
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Now on to the AFC .
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In the <b>AFC East</b> the Patriots started off slow last year but turned it around. They will get a look at their future this year will Tom Brady serving a month suspension. ON top of that they will be without Darrelle Revis, Vince Wilfork and Shane Vereen. Coach Bill is not going to be a happy camper this year.
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The Bills are riding a 15-year playoff drought. Incoming this year are Rex Ryan, LeSean McCoy and Percy Harvin. I think that will be enough to end the sadness for Buffalo, being they just barely missed the dance last year.
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The Dolphins won`t see a playoff team from last year until Week 8, and only two before December. They will have a lot of time the Ryan Tannehill-led offense to get things going. They also added beast Ndamukong Suh to the D. Dan Marino will be smiling this year.
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The Jets added Darrelle Revis back to the fold. I think they will miss Rex and will take a few steps back from last year`s 7-9.
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<b>Potts` Pick: Dolphins</b>.
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The <b>AFC NORTH</b> should be fun.
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The Ravens will break in their fourth offensive coordinators in four seasons. Marc Trestman is the latest. Aside from receivers, there`s plenty of continuity throughout lineup. Opening with five of seven on road a major hurdle. Their could be a lot of rioting in Baltimore this season.
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The Bengals, like the Lions, have always been heavy on the red and black. Navigating NFC West-laden schedule could even leave them short of another one-and-done postseason. They do have the best wide receiver in the game. It`s a shame they also have one of the worst QB`s in Opie Taylor.
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Pittsburgh`s defense is undergoing a huge transition and seeking new leaders. Meanwhile, last year`s second-ranked offense won`t have all-pro RB Le`Veon Bell for first two weeks, making league`s toughest schedule more difficult to survive.
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Cleveland will open with a easy September. However, after September the only team they`ll see rest of way with a sub-.500 2014 record is the alwayscompetitive Rams. Looks like Johnny Manziel will get one more shot and being an NFL quarterback.
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<b>Potts` Pick: Cleveland</b>
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The <b>AFC SOUTH</b> seems like a lock.
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The Colts will again benefit from playing in the league`s weakest division. QB Andrew Luck looks to be a future Super Bowl Quarterback. It could happen this year.
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The Texans are looking for a leader on offense. They have the best defensive player in the game, but still can`t move the ball. Jadeveon Clowney could make the difference. Who needs a great offense when the other guys can`t move it past the 50.
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The Jaguars have a ton of young talent who has quickly improved. New coach Gus Bradley seems to have them practing hard. This could be a good season for the Jags. Mark Brunnell will be smiing.
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The Titans pulled the trigger and got Marcus Mariota. The bad part for Tennessee is that they will have to run the AFC East gauntlet. We could see Zach Mettenburger back under center by the halfway mark.
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<b>Potts` Pick: Indianapolis</b>
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<b>AFC WEST</b>
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How are you going to pull against Peyton Manning? I think this will be his final dance, and he wants to at least tie little brother`s ring count. They had better hope that it`s defense can pull its weight. If they do, they will be deadly since the team opted not to get a star and only go after cheaper guys.
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The Chargers will have to play three 1 p.m. ET kickoffs . If you have ever dealt with the time change you will know how that can affect a person. Their season will depend on rookie RB Melvin Gordon.
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The Chiefs are poised to make a run with RB Jamaal Charles and OLB Justin Houston. They have mega stars on both sides of the ball. They key to this year`s season will be its O-line`s ability to gell.
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The Raiders. Are the Raiders.
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<b>Potts` Pick: Chiefs<b>
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<b>AFC playoffs</b> – Broncos, Dolphins, Bills, Chiefs, Browns, Colts
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<b>NFC playoffs</b> – Rams, Panthers, Vikings, Eagles, Packers, Seahawks
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<b>Super Bowl 50: Seahawks def. Colts</b>
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Follow me on Twitter @TheTonyPotts
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<b>Tony Potts</b>