The 2017 Hall of Fame Game between the Cardinals and Cowboys is set to kickoff at 8 p.m. ET Thursday, and with it begins the preseason.
Predictions this time of the year are both commonplace and silly. Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill went down with a knee injury on a non-contact play just a few hours before publication of this post, a demonstration of how quickly fortunes could change for a team. There are still overarching storylines from the offseason to discuss, as well as general analysis of how a team got to this point in the year.
So with that, here are overviews of each team in the NFL, written by the editors and contributors of the NFL Football Games.
AFC NORTH
Baltimore Ravens
Record in 2016: 8-8 (missed playoffs)
Key acquisitions: S Tony Jefferson, RB Danny Woodhead, WR Jeremy Maclin, CB Brandon Carr, CB Brandon Boykin, CB Marlon Humphrey (draft), OLB Tyus Bowser (draft), DE Chris Wormley (draft)
Notable losses: LB Zach Orr (retirement/injury), TE Dennis Pitta (injury), FB Kyle Juszczyk, RT Rick Wagner
Ravens prediction for 2017 record: 10-6
Cincinnati Bengals
Record in 2016: 6-9-1 (missed playoffs)
Key acquisitions: LB Kevin Minter, WR John Ross (draft), RB Joe Mixon (draft), OLB/DE Carl Lawson (draft)
Notable losses: LT Andrew Whitworth, OG Kevin Zeitler, DT Domata Peko
Bengals prediction for 2017 record: 11-5
Cleveland Browns
Record in 2016: 1-15 (missed playoffs)
Key acquisitions: WR Kenny Britt, RG Kevin Zeitler, C J.C. Tretter, QB Brock Osweiler, DE Myles Garrett (draft), safety Jabrill Peppers (draft), safety Calvin Pryor, TE David Njoku (draft), QB DeShone Kizer (draft), CB Jason McCourty
Notable losses: WR Terrelle Pryor, QB Josh McCown, QB Robert Griffin III, TE Gary Barnidge, LB Demario Davis
Browns Wire prediction for 2017 record: 5-11
Pittsburgh Steelers
2016 record: 11-5 (lost conference championship)
Key acquisitions: DL Tyson Alualu, CB Coty Sensabaugh, RB Knile Davis, WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (draft), RB James Conner (draft)
Notable losses: TE Ladarius Green, LS Greg Warren
Steelers record prediction: 12-4
AFC SOUTH
Houston Texans
Record in 2016: 9-7 (AFC divisional round)
Key acquisitions: QB Deshaun Watson (draft), ILB Zach Cunningham (draft), RT Breno Giacomini
Notable losses: CB A.J. Bouye, QB Brock Osweiler, NT Vince Wilfork (retirement), OLB John Simon, safety Quintin Demps, RT Derek Newton (injury)
Texans prediction for 2017 record: 9-7
Indianapolis Colts
Record in 2016: 8-8 (missed playoffs)
Key acquisitions: DT Johnathan Hankins, OLB Jabaal Sheard, OLB John Simon, S Malik Hooker (draft),
Notable losses: TE Dwayne Allen, OL Joe Reitz, LB Robert Mathis, LB Erik Walden, LB D’Qwell Jackson, S Mike Adams, P Pat McAfee
Colts prediction for 2017 record: 9-7
Jacksonville Jaguars
Record in 2016: 3-13 (missed playoffs)
Key acquisitions: DE Calais Campbell, CB A.J. Bouye, S Barry Church, OT Branden Albert (trade) RB Leonard Fournette (draft), OT Cam Robinson (draft), DE Dawuane Smoot (draft)
Notable losses: TE Julius Thomas (trade), SS Johnathan Cyprien
Jaguars prediction for 2017 record: 9-7
Tennessee Titans
Record in 2016: 9-7 (missed playoffs)
Key acquisitions: CB Logan Ryan, SS Johnathan Cyprien, WR Eric Decker, WR Corey Davis (draft), CB Adoree’ Jackson (draft), WR Taywan Taylor (draft)
Notable losses: CB Jason McCourty, OL Chance Warmack, WR Kendall Wright
Titans prediction for 2017 record: 10-6
AFC EAST
Buffalo Bills
Record in 2016: 7-9 (missed playoffs)
Key acquisitions: DB Micah Hyde, CB Tre’Davious White (draft), WR Zay Jones (draft), FB Patrick DiMarco, RB/FB Mike Tolbert, S Jordan Poyer, WR Andre Holmes, WR Corey Brown
Notable losses: CB Stephon Gilmore, RB Mike Gillislee, WR Robert Woods, LB Zach Brown, S Aaron Williams, S Corey Graham, CB Nickell Robey-Coleman
Bills prediction for 2017 record: 6-10
Miami Dolphins
Record in 2016: 10-6 (AFC wild-card round)
Key acquisitions: LB Lawrence Timmons, DE William Hayes, S Nate Allen, S T.J. McDonald
Notable losses: OT Branden Albert, TE Dion Sims
Dolphins prediction for 2017 record: 10-6
New England Patriots
Record in 2016: 14-2 (Super Bowl champions)
Key acquisitions: WR Brandin Cooks, CB Stephon Gilmore, LB David Harris, TE Dwayne Allen, DE Kony Ealy, RB Mike Gillislee, RB Rex Burkhead
Notable losses: RB LeGarrette Blount, TE Martellus Bennett, CB Logan Ryan
Patriots prediction for 2017 record: 15-1
New York Jets
Record in 2016: 5-11 (missed playoffs)
Key acquisitions: OL Kelvin Beachum, CB Morris Claiborne, QB Josh McCown, S Jamal Adams, S Marcus Maye, TE Jordan Leggett, LB Demario Davis, K Chandler Catanzaro
Notable losses: C Nick Mangold, WR Brandon Marshall, WR Eric Decker, CB Darrelle Revis, LB David Harris, K Nick Folk, OL Ryan Clady, S Calvin Pryor, S Marcus Gilchrist, OL Breno Giacomini
Jets prediction for 2017 record: 3-13
AFC WEST
Denver Broncos
Record in 2016: 9-7 (missed playoffs)
Key acquisitions: DL Domata Peko, OG Ron Leary, DL Zach Kerr, OT Garett Bolles (draft), DE DeMarcus Walker (draft)
Notable losses: DL Sylvester Williams, OT Russell Okung, DB Kayvon Webster
Broncos prediction for 2017 record: 9-7
Kansas City Chiefs
Record in 2016: 12-4 (AFC divisional round)
Key acquisitions: DT Bennie Logan, TE Gavin Escobar, OG Andrew Tiller, RB C.J. Spiller, QB Patrick Mahomes (draft), DL Tanoh Kpassagnon (draft), RB Kareem Hunt (draft)
Notable losses: DT Dontari Poe, WR Jeremy Maclin, RB Jamaal Charles, DL Jaye Howard, QB Nick Foles
Chiefs prediction for 2017 record: 11-5
Los Angeles Chargers
Record in 2016: 5-11 (missed playoffs)
Key acquisitions: S Tre Boston, LT Russell Okung, WR Mike Williams (draft), OL Forrest Lamp (draft), C Dan Feeney (draft), CB Desmond King (draft), S Rayshawn Jenkins
Notable losses: T King Dunlap, WR Stevie Johnson, OL D.J. Fluker, CB Brandon Flowers, OL Orlando Franklin, RB Danny Woodhead
Chargers prediction for 2017 record: 10-6
Oakland Raiders
Record in 2016: 12-4 (AFC wild-card round)
Key acquisitions: RB Marshawn Lynch, WR Cordarrelle Patterson, DTs Treyvon Hester (draft) and Eddie Vanderdoes (draft), DB Gareon Conley (draft), LB Marquel Lee (draft)
Notable losses: RB Latavius Murray, LBs Perry Riley and Malcolm Smith
Raiders prediction for 2017 record: 13-3
NFC NORTH
Chicago Bears
Record in 2016: 3-13 (missed playoffs)
Key acquisitions: QB Mike Glennon; QB Mitchell Trubisky (draft); WR Markus Wheaton; WR Kendall Wright; WR Victor Cruz; S Quintin Demps; CB Prince Amukamara; CB Marcus Cooper
Notable losses: QB Jay Cutler; WR Alshon Jeffery
Bears prediction for 2017 record: 6-10
Detroit Lions
Record in 2016: 9-7 (NFC wild-card round)
Key acquisitions: RG T.J. Lang, RT Rick Wagner, WR Kenny Golladay (draft), LB Jarrad Davis (draft), CB D.J. Hayden, CB Teez Tabor (draft)
Notable losses: WR Anquan Boldin, RG Larry Warford, RT Riley Reiff, LB DeAndre Levy
Lions prediction for 2017 record: 10-6
Green Bay Packers
Record in 2016: 10-6 (NFC championship game)
Key acquisitions: TE Martellus Bennett, CB Davon House G Jahri Evans, CB Kevin King, S Josh Jones, DL Ricky-Jean Francois, OLB Vince Biegel, TE Lance Kendricks
Notable losses: G T.J. Lang, CB Sam Shields, RB Eddie Lacy, DB Micah Hyde, OL JC Tretter, TE Jared Cook, RB James Starks
Packers prediction for 2017 record: 11-5
Minnesota Vikings
Record in 2016: 8-8 (missed playoffs)
Key acquisitions: RB Dalvin Cook, T Mike Remmer, T Riley Reiff, C Pat Elfein, WR Michael Floyd, DE Datone Jones
Notable losses: RB Adrian Peterson, LT Matt Kalil, WR Cordarrelle Patterson, WR Charles Johnson, CB Captain Munnerlyn, RG Brandon Fusco
Vikings prediction for 2017 record: 10-6
NFC SOUTH
Atlanta Falcons
Record in 2016: 11-5 (lost Super Bowl)
Key acquisitions: DT Dontari Poe, WR Andre Roberts, DE Takkarist McKinley
Notable losses: DE Dwight Freeney, DT Jonathan Babineaux, RG Chris Chester
Falcons prediction for 2017 record: 10-6
Carolina Panthers
Record in 2016: 6-10 (missed playoffs)
Key acquisitions: RB Christian McCaffrey (draft), OT Taylor Moton (draft), WR Curtis Samuel (draft), DE Julius Peppers, CB Captain Munnerlyn, S Mike Adams, OT Matt Kalil
Notable losses: OT Michael Oher, S Tre Boston, WR Ted Ginn Jr., LB A.J. Klein
Panthers prediction for 2017 record: 9-7
New Orleans Saints
Record in 2016: 7-9 (missed playoffs)
Key acquisitions: RB Adrian Peterson, G Larry Warford, CB Marshon Lattimore (draft), S Marcus Williams (draft), RB Alvin Kamara (draft), LB A.J. Klein, WR Tedd Ginn, T Ryan Ramczyk (draft)
Notable losses: WR Brandin Cooks, DT Nick Fairley (injury), LT Terron Armstead (injury), S Jairus Byrd, RB Tim Hightower
Saints prediction for 2017 record: 8-8
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Record in 2016: 9-7 (missed playoffs)
Key acquisitions: TE O.J. Howard (draft), WR DeSean Jackson, WR Chris Godwin (draft), S Justin Evans (draft), DT Chris Baker, S J.J. Wilcox
Notable losses: S Bradley McDougald, WR Russell Shepard, WR Vincent Jackson (who is still a free agent)
Bucs prediction for 2017 record: 10-6
NFC EAST
Dallas Cowboys
Record in 2016: 13-3 (NFC divisional round)
Key acquisitions: DE Taco Charlton (draft), CB Chidobe Awuzie (draft), CB Jourdan Lewis (draft), S Xavier Woods (draft), WR Ryan Switzer (draft), CB Nolan Carroll, DE Damontre Moore
Notable losses: CB Brandon Carr, S Barry Church, CB Morris Claiborne, DT Terrell McClain, S J.J. Wilcox
Cowboys prediction for 2017 record: 11-5
New York Giants
Record in 2016: 11-5 (NFC wild-card round)
Key acquisitions: TE Evan Engram (draft), DE Dalvin Tomlinson (draft), WR Brandon Marshall, TE/FB Rhett Ellison, OL D.J. Fluker
Notable losses: OL Marshall Newhouse, DT Johnathan Hankins, LB Kelvin Sheppard, PK Robbie Gould, CB Coty Sensabaugh, WR Victor Cruz, RB Rashad Jennings, FB Nikita Whitlock
Giants prediction for 2017 record: 10-6
Philadelphia Eagles
Record in 2016: 7-9 (missed playoffs)
Key acquisitions: WR Alshon Jeffery, WR Torrey Smith, DT Timmy Jernigan, RB LeGarrette Blount, DE Chris Long, DE Derek Barnett (draft), CB Rasul Douglas (draft), RB Donnel Pumphrey (draft)
Notable losses: DT Bennie Logan, CB Leodis McKelvin, CB Nolan Carroll, WR Dorial Green-Beckham
Eagles prediction for 2017 record: 10-6
Washington Redskins
Record in 2016: 8-7-1 (missed playoffs)
Key acquisitions: WR Terrelle Pryor, S D.J. Swearinger, LB Zach Brown, DL Stacy McGee, DL Terrell McClain, DL Jonathan Allen (draft)
Notable losses: WR DeSean Jackson, WR Pierre Garcon, DL Chris Baker
Redskins prediction for 2017 record: 9-7
NFC WEST
Arizona Cardinals
Record in 2016: 7-8-1 (missed playoffs)
Key acquisitions: K Phil Dawson, LB Karlos Dansby, S Antoine Bethea, LB Haason Reddick (draft)
Notable losses: DT Calais Campbell, S Tony Jefferson, CB Marcus Cooper, S D.J. Swearinger
Cardinals prediction for 2017 record: 10-6
Los Angeles Rams
Record in 2016: 4-12
Key acquisitions: Andrew Whitworth (LT), Robert Woods (WR), Connor Barwin (LB), Lance Dunbar (RB), Kayvon Webster (DB), Nickell Robey-Coleman (DB), John Sullivan (C)
Notable losses: Kenny Britt (WR), Brian Quick (WR), Case Keenum (QB), William Hayes (DL), Eugene Sims (DL), Tim Barnes (OL), Greg Robinson (OL), T.J. McDonald (DB)
Rams prediction for 2017 record: 6-10
San Francisco 49ers
Record in 2016: 2-14 (missed playoffs)
Key acquisitions: QB Brian Hoyer, WR Pierre Garçon, WR Marquise Goodwin, DE Elvis Dumervil, DL Solomon Thomas (draft), LB Reuben Foster (draft), HC Kyle Shanahan, GM John Lynch
Notable losses: QB Colin Kaepernick, QB Blaine Gabbert, WR Torrey Smith, WR Quinton Patton, SS Antoine Bethea, HC Chip Kelly, GM Trent Baalke
49ers prediction for 2017 record: 6-10
Seattle Seahawks
Record in 2016: 10-5-1 (NFC divisional round)
Key acquisitions: Free agents: RB Eddie Lacy, OL Luke Joeckel, OL Oday Aboushi, CB Shaquill Griffin (draft), DT Malik McDowell (draft), OL Ethan Pocic (draft)
Notable losses: K Steven Hauschka, OL Bradley Sowell, OL Garry Gilliam, LB Mike Morgan
Seahawks prediction for 2017 record: 11-5
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