Did you miss us? It’s only been a week, but the Binge SportsCast is back with a brand new episode. Where’s TM been and what kind of shenanigans has he been getting in to?
After some catching up, the boys jump right into it with a quick recap of the MLB over the last several weeks, ramping up for the playoffs. Who’s in and who’s got some work to do. Will the historic Cleveland Indians win streak be good for them in the long run and will Giancarlo Stanton get to 60 HRs? College football is discussed by PJ, while TM justifies his disinterest via Sounder! A quick recap of TM’s thoughts on the NFL season thus far, how he feels about his boy Jay Cutty, and which teams surprised him in that first week.
Around the League is a new segment with another new Sounder! Week 2 of the NFL was a much better watch, yet there was still some brutal play by a handful of teams. Are the Lions legit, or do the Giants just suck that much ass? We give our predictions and picks for week 3 and maybe, just maybe, another sounder pops up. Keep an eye out on twitter this weekend… TM and PJ will be sharing some Tailgate and Gametime tweets from our respective teams!
Keep an eye out for the Binge Sportscast on a weekly basis through the NFL season!
Check out our boy Jay Cutler and his Hail Mary attempt… it’s glorious
Welcome back to Binge Media Sports as I continue my look at the upcoming 2014 NFL season. We’ve gotten halfway through with previews of teams from the East (click HERE) and teams from the North (click HERE). Today, we head to the South so let’s get to it.
HOUSTON TEXANS
LAST SEASON: 2-14, FINISHED 4TH IN THE AFC SOUTH, MISSED PLAYOFFS
2014 PREVIEW: The offensive talent is there. Arian Foster still has the potential to contend for the rushing title, but he also might catch a few more passes this season out of the backfield as Bill O’ Brien has changed up the offense. Houston also has one of the top receivers in the league in Andre Johnson. The question is who is going to get him the football. Ryan Fitzpatrick has been named the starter, but if he struggles, will the newly acquired Ryan Mallett get his chance. After years of backing up Tom Brady, you figure he had to learn something, right?
On the defensive side, the Texans have the best player in the league in defensive end J.J. Watt, who if you haven’t heard, just got a $100 million dollar extension. The hope is that he doesn’t turn into Albert Haynesworth and let the money go to his head. He’ll be joined by the overall number one pick, linebacker Jadeveon Clowney. There’s always an adjustment from college to the pros, but Clowney has the tools. I don’t see the Texans winning this division, but I’m quite certain that they’ll get more than the two wins they got last year.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
LAST SEASON: 11-5, WON THE AFC SOUTH, LOST IN DIVISIONAL ROUND TO THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
2014 PREVIEW: Remember when the loss of Peyton Manning was supposed to set the Colts back by about six or seven years? Well, nobody told Andrew Luck. He’s got this team poised to make a deep playoff run in 2014. After an injury-plagued 2013, Reggie Wayne is still one of the smartest receivers in the league and should be healthy come Week 1. Hakeem Nicks will be looking to make a statement after being cut loose by the Giants, and T.Y. Hilton makes for a hell of a third option. Trent Richardson has to have a better season than he did last year, but he’ll be splitting time with Ahmad Bradshaw. Andrew Luck has options now, and that may lead to an MVP, maybe even a Super Bowl run.
The defense will have to pick it up, especially the first four games as Robert Mathis will be out to a failed PED test. But the addition of former Raven Arthur Jones brings more power to the front line. The secondary isn’t the strongest in the league, but even if they’re average, the offense may just pick up the slack anyway. The Colts are the clear favorite in this division.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
LAST SEASON: 4-12, FINISHED 3RD IN THE AFC SOUTH, MISSED PLAYOFFS
2014 PREVIEW: The Jags have added some offensive weapons at receiver in Marqise Lee and Allen Robinson to help out Cecil Shorts. For the time being, Chad Henne will be throwing them the ball, but he’s really just warming up the seat for the number three overall pick, Blake Bortles. The highly touted pick is still making his case to be the starter. They’ve got some interesting running options in Toby Gerhart and the versatile Denard Robinson. I’m not sure if this offense could be really good or really bad, but it will certainly be interesting to watch the progression.
Things are picking up on defense. They signed defensive end Red Bryant away from the Seahawks and he creates a ton of problems for the running game and also stole Chris Clemons, who can really attack the quarterback. The problem is that the rest of the team, while talented, is very young and are still a few years away from being dominant. The Jags are doing all the right things for the future, but it’s not in the cards for them to compete in 2014.
TENNESSEE TITANS
LAST SEASON: 7-9, FINISHED 2ND IN THE AFC SOUTH, MISSED PLAYOFFS
2014 PREVIEW: The quarterback situation is an interesting one in Tennessee. Jake Locker will be your Opening Day starter, but can he make it through an entire season? In three seasons, he’s started a total of 18 games. That kind of inconsistency will knock you out of the league pretty fast, so he needs a good year. Charlie Whitehurst is considered the backup for now, but sixth-round pick Zach Mettenberger out of LSU looked pretty good in the preseason. Whoever it may be, they’ll have decent, but not spectacular options to get the ball to in Justin Hunter, Nate Washington, and Kendall Wright.
Switching to a 3-4 this season, the defense will still struggle. There’s really no other way to say it. Outside of Jason McCourty on the outside, and Jurrell Casey on the inside, there’s really nothing to be overly hopeful about this year. The Titans were able to win seven games last year, but I don’t even know if they can reach that in 2014.
ATLANTA FALCONS
LAST SEASON: 4-12, FINISHED TIED FOR LAST IN THE NFC SOUTH, MISSED PLAYOFFS
2014 PREVIEW: Last year certainly wasn’t what the Falcons had in mind. Injuries hindered Atlanta last year as Julio Jones went down after a few weeks, Roddy White was never at full strength, Steven Jackson missed quite a few games, and the list goes on and on. With all those pieces back and healthy for 2014, quarterback Matt Ryan looks to move the Falcons back in the right direction. Expect a little more potency on the offensive side of the ball.
The defense has the talent to be good, but it’s another case of youth. Cornerback Desmond Trufant is quietly becoming one of the most dangerous in the league, but he’s only in his second year, as is Robert Alford on the other side. And with underrated defensive end Jonathan Babineaux leading the front line, the Falcons should be improved. They’re in a very tough division, but should at least double their win total from a year ago.
CAROLINA PANTHERS
LAST SEASON: 12-4, WON THE NFC SOUTH, LOST DIVISIONAL ROUND TO THE SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
2014 PREVIEW: With the Falcons moving forward, the Panthers may take a step back this season. They surprised everyone with twelve wins last year as they won this tough division. But with the loss of many key players, including locker room leader Steve Smith, Cam Newton will really have to step up and take control of this team. He’s still a huge threat to run the ball, but at some point that will go away. Jonathan Stewart’s health may still be an issue and the receiving core is not what it was a year ago.
The Carolina defense, however, is very strong. At defensive end, you have Charles Johnson and Greg Hardy, who alone had 15 sacks last year. And if you don’t watch a lot of Panthers football, do yourself a favor and tune in just to watch middle linebacker Luke Kuechly. In only his third year, he’s become the model for what a middle linebacker should be. The secondary may be a little weaker, which doesn’t help in this division. Overall, the Panthers are going to have to work very hard to repeat what they did last year.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
LAST SEASON: 11-5, FINISHED 2ND IN THE NFC SOUTH, LOST DIV. ROUND TO THE SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
2014 PREVIEW: The Saints are ready to go. Sure, they lost Darren Sproles to Philly, but Drew Brees still has plenty of weapons to work with, the first being his experience. He knows how to win in this league. Couple that with the amazing talent of tight end Jimmy Graham, target receiver Marques Colston, and Pierre Thomas out of the backfield, and you’ve got a recipe for putting up big yardage and big point totals.
Rob Ryan’s boys are starting to take a ton of pressure off of the offense. They don’t have a lot of household names on that side of the ball. Akiem Hicks is developing quite nicely, and they’ve got some speed on the inside, but the great thing about this defense is that they all work together in the schemes that Ryan gives them. The Saints will once again look to win this division.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
LAST SEASON: 4-12, FINISHED TIED FOR LAST IN THE NFC SOUTH, MISSED PLAYOFFS
2014 PREVIEW: When Jay Cutler went down in Chicago, 35-year-old Josh McCown stepped in and played extremely well in his absence. He played so well that Tampa and new head coach Lovie Smith named him the new starter after he signed a two-year deal. He’ll certainly have to use his knowledge and experience to work with the young guys he has alongside him. Doug Martin is hoping to bounce back from injury and get back to his rookie year form, where he ran for nearly 1,500 yards. Rookie receiver Mike Evans will look to learn from Vincent Jackson, but will be another threat in this offense.
Lovie Smith has always been a defensive-minded coach. He’s got some decent talent to work with in Adrian Clayborn and Clinton McDonald, and let’s be honest. The Bucs have nowhere to go but up. If they can stay healthy, there’s a chance that they could go from worst to first. But with all the talent in this division, they’re really going to have to play to their best each and every week.
Almost home kids. Check back next time for previews of the AFC and NFC West, which includes the two participants from the Super Bowl, the Seahawks and the Broncos. I’ll also be looking at the 49ers, Cardinals, Rams, Chiefs, Chargers, and Raiders. Who do you have in the South divisions?. Let us know below or follow me and tweet @THElukenorris.
Welcome back to Binge Media Sports coverage of the 2014 NFL season. Last time, we looked at the teams in the AFC and NFC East divisions. If you missed it, click HERE. We’re still having some trouble with the voting option, but hopefully it will be fixed soon. Today, we’ll be covering the North divisions, so let’s get to it.
BALTIMORE RAVENS
LAST SEASON: 8-8, TIED FOR 2ND IN THE AFC NORTH, MISSED PLAYOFFS
2014 PREVIEW: After a disappointing 2013, the Ravens look to get back on track and a few key free agent signings will give QB Joe Flacco more options. The running game was dreadful last year and if you haven’t heard, Ray Rice will miss the first two games of the season due to his suspension (don’t even get me started on that fiasco). Bernard Pierce will be the lead back in his absence. However, the offense this year may come through the air. The signing of longtime Panther Steve Smith is huge. If you’ve ever listened to him talk, then you know he thrives in situations in which people tell him he can’t do something. At 35, he’ll be looking to prove he’s got some gas left in the tank. With speedster Torrey Smith on the other side, and Owen Daniels and Dennis Pitts at the tight ends, you may see more passes this year from Flacco.
Baltimore fans are still getting used to not seeing Ray Lewis and Ed Reed dominating the defensive side of the ball, but the Ravens still have some good players. Terrell Suggs can still get to the quarterback and Elvis Dumervil is proving to be a nice pickup as well. Ravens football may look a little different these days, but I expect them to contend for this division.
CINCINNATI BENGALS
LAST SEASON: 11-5, WON THE AFC NORTH, LOST IN THE WILD CARD ROUND TO THE SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
2014 PREVIEW: So QB Andy Dalton got the big money contract. The question is whether or not he can live up to it. Don’t get me wrong, I think Dalton is a very efficient quarterback, but he’s not even close to being in that top tier. He’s also lost his offensive coordinator, Jay Gruden, who’s gone on to be the head coach in Washington, so he’ll have to learn a new system as well. A.J. Green is his best option to throw to, but I think this season, he’ll be handing the ball off a little more. Giovani Bernard is still young, but is very exciting to watch, and second-round pick Jeremy Hill will get his share of touches as well.
The defense is still very solid. However, much like the offense, they’ll have to get used to a new coordinator, as Mike Zimmer took the head coaching job in Minnesota. They’ve lost a few players to injury and free agency, but their 4-3 package is one of the best in football. The Bengals have made the playoffs for three straight seasons. If they can figure out all the new things they’re trying to do, they’ll be in a position to contend in this division.
CLEVELAND BROWNS
LAST SEASON: 4-12, FINISHED 4TH IN THE AFC NORTH, MISSED PLAYOFFS
2014 PREVIEW: The big question here is obvious. How many games will it take before Johnny Manziel takes over the starting quarterback job? While Brian Hoyer is more experienced, Manziel will continue to get the press. But no matter who the quarterback is, who are they throwing to? The talented yet moronic Josh Gordon is lost for the entire year due to another drug-related issue, leaving Miles Austin as perhaps the best option, and that’s if he can stay healthy. The run game is decent, however, with Ben Tate running behind a good offensive line.
The defense is going to have to try to keep the Browns in games. They’ve got a solid ground defense as Jabaal Sheard can get to the quarterback and Paul Kruger can stop the run. On the outside, you’ve got Joe Haden and rookie Justin Gilbert, but I just don’t think the Browns have enough quite yet. If they do improve upon the four wins they got last year, it won’t be by much.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
LAST SEASON: 8-8, FINISHED TIED FOR 2ND IN THE AFC NORTH, MISSED PLAYOFFS
2014 PREVIEW: A .500 record doesn’t sit well with Steelers fans and I’m looking for Pittsburgh to get back to the smashmouth style that defined them for years. One of the reasons for that is that Ben Roethlisberger doesn’t have an upper level wideout to throw to. Antonio Brown is efficient enough, as is newly acquired Lance Moore, but I think they’ll rely heavy on Le’Veon Bell out of the backfield. I will say that Big Ben has become a lot smarter in the way he approaches a game, and it will certainly help this offense.
Always the staple in the Steel City, defense will play a big part in Pittsburgh’s success this season. Troy Polamalu is still the big name here, but others are vying for that top spot. Lawrence Timmons is proving to be a great linebacker, both against the run and the pass. They drafted Ryan Shazier from Ohio State, and Jarvis Jones is crazy athletic. Overall, I think the Steelers are well balanced, and their continuing rivalry with the Ravens should make this a very interesting division race.
CHICAGO BEARS
LAST SEASON: 8-8, FINISHED 2ND IN THE NFC NORTH, MISSED PLAYOFFS
2014 PREVIEW: This is another case of the often criticized quarterback getting the big contract, and Bears fans seem to be torn on Jay Cutler. You can’t deny the big arm as it may be the strongest in football, and you can’t deny the weapons he has. Alshon Jeffery has become a dangerous threat, which should open the door for Brandon Marshall to play one-on-one a little more. Anchored by Kyle Long, the offensive line should give Cutler plenty of time to throw and provide some room for Matt Forte to sliver through. If these pieces can stay healthy, Chicago could have one of the most dangerous offenses in the NFL.
The health issue was a major problem for the defense last year. D.J. Williams and Lance Briggs combined to start thirteen games last year, not what you want from your linebackers. The defensive line will have a completely different look to it, with the biggest signing being Jared Allen, who surprised everyone by accepting the Bears’ offer. Cornerback Charles Tillman can still produce on the outside and will look to mentor first-round pick Kyle Fuller. The Bears have the talent. The question will be if this is the year they can finally put it all together.
DETROIT LIONS
LAST SEASON: 7-9, FINISHED 3RD IN THE NFC NORTH, MISSED PLAYOFFS
2014 PREVIEW: A new offensive system in Detroit will define the season for the Lions. They’re another team that has talented skill players. QB Matthew Stafford is still trying to live up to his full potential. Luckily, he has the best wide receiver in football to throw the ball to. Calvin Johnson remains the biggest threat in the NFL and combined with a solid 1-2 in the backfield in Reggie Bush and Joique Bell, the Lions will put up some points.
The problem they have is much like the problem the Dallas Cowboys have. They can’t stop anybody. Sure, Ndamukong Suh is a beast, albeit a dirty one, but until some of these first-round picks can learn how to play in this league, Detroit will hover around that .500 mark for a while.
GREEN BAY PACKERS
LAST SEASON: 8-7-1, WON THE NFC NORTH, LOST WILD CARD ROUND TO THE SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
2014 PREVIEW: As someone who roots for the Cowboys, but also pulls for Chicago, it pains me to say that the Packers are going to be really good. The Packers won the division last year, even with QB Aaron Rodgers on the sidelines for seven weeks with a broken collarbone. They did so by pounding the football with the surprising Eddie Lacy, who will become an even bigger force this season. All that’s going to do is open up the passing lanes for a fully healthy Rodgers. With Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb to get the ball to, expect an MVP type of season from Aaron Rodgers.
The defense should be pretty solid as well. They brought in Julius Peppers to fill a void at defensive end, and resigned cornerback Sam Shields to a hefty contract, and in this division, you need a great corner to match up with guys like Calvin Johnson and Brandon Marshall. As I said above, if the Bears can stay healthy, they’ll compete, but I still have to believe that the Packers are the slight favorite in this division.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
LAST SEASON: 5-10-1, FINISHED 4TH IN THE NFC NORTH
2014 PREVIEW: Rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is going to have to wait his turn as he’ll spend his time with a clipboard watching Matt Cassel control this offense that has Adrian Petersen and not much else. Norv Turner is going to have to work some of his magic for this offense to thrive.
There’s not much to say about this Vikings defense either. Rookie linebacker Anthony Barr could be fun to watch, but do the names Linval Joseph, Fred Evans, and Sharrif Floyd really get Vikings fans excited? Expect another season like last year.
Okay, we’re halfway there. Next time we’ll be looking at teams from the South. So if you or someone you know is a fan of the Panthers, Saints, Falcons, Bucs, Colts, Titans, Jags, or Titans, make sure to check back with Binge Media Sports for all your NFL needs. When we’re up and running with the vote, who are you going with in the North? Let me know why @THElukenorris.