Jeff Risdon - Football Analysis

The Jets are a team close enough to tantalize as a serious threat but far enough away to need another offseason to get there. The schedule is not in their favor and health will play a big role due to a lack of depth. Read more »

For the lack of national love and attention they get, this is a strikingly solid team. The playoff win drought stands a fair chance of ending after 25 years, though it's something we find ourselves always saying. Read more »

Tyrod Taylor should build upon his outstanding debut season, and his starting weapons are very impressive, but they've also lost a number of expected starters due to injury. The Bills may have unfortunately peaked last season. Read more »

This is almost unquestionably the most improved team in the AFC... on paper. If Blake Bortles can protect the ball and all those impressive weapons stay healthy, the offense here is good enough to outscore most opponents, plus the defense has improved. Read more »

The Cowboys' offensive triplets are incredibly skilled and benefit from playing with the NFL's best line, but they also have a defense that will give up a lot more points than last season. Read more »

There are two cogs here that are very impressive, the running game and the defensive front four. But they have a difficult schedule and an offense line that will do no favors for Jared Goff or Case Keenum. Read more »

There is a fair share of talent here, even without retired wideout Calvin Johnson. But there are too many questions not to be pessimistic. Read more »

While the Manning/Beckham pairing has been fantastic, it hasn't led to wins. The running game must improve, and someone else must step up to balance the reliance on Beckham in the passing game. Read more »

The cold reality is this Indianapolis team will need a great deal of luck to even match last year's eight wins. There are a scant few players on this roster in their prime years, seasons 4-8 of their careers. Read more »

There's a lot of "should be” or "could be" qualifiers in looking at the Eagles. Given all the changes to the coaching staff and overall team culture, the frank truth is it's hard to ascertain just how well these Eagles are going to play. Read more »

Look at the last five years: 13, 7, 11, 7 and 7 wins. These Saints have been consistently solid, too talented and potent on offense to fall into the lower realms. A little defensive improvement keeps that win floor at 7 as long as Drew Brees continues to work his magic. Read more »

Josh Gordon will miss the first four games of the season as he is given what is essentially his ninth chance to remain on the straight and narrow. Read more »

Despite believing in Hue Jackson and remaining fairly optimistic Robert Griffin will be the best Browns QB since the Derek Anderson miracle year back in 2007. The young playmakers from the last two drafts could gel into something pretty nice. But it isn't likely to happen in 2016. Read more »

The core team returns largely intact from a squad that ripped off 10 straight wins after a rocky start. Winning the playoff game over Houston should give them confidence heading into 2016. Read more »

The over/under win totals for Notre Dame, Iowa, North Texas, South Carolina, Syracuse and Western Michigan represent good value to gamblers. Read more »

Every win will matter, and the tougher schedule will keep those wins more elusive than last year. The difference between a disappointing 8-8 or a repeat 11-5 and potential playoff glory is Teddy Bridgewater. Read more »

Washington's core talent is better than advertised. They should be a good team even with a slight fallback from Kirk Cousins and the special teams, which dramatically upticked in 2015 as well. Read more »

Being from Northeast Ohio is indescribably complex. There is such an odd juxtaposition of area pride and self-loathing. Sports pain is an acute part of our persona, something deeply ingrained. We hate it, yet we celebrate it and protect it. Nobody else can have it or possibly understand it unless you’ve experienced it. Read more »

On Andrew Luck's contract talks, Eugene Monroe and medicinal marijuana, Breshad Perriman, Fletcher Cox and a note on Father's Day 2016. Read more »

On the Texans' new running game without Arian Foster, whether Jadeveon Clowney finally delivers, their underrated secondary, the continued superhuman production of J.J. Watt and finally if Brock Osweiler is the answer at quarterback. Read more »