Jeff Risdon - Football Analysis

Aaron Rodgers, Sean Payton, Darrelle Revis and Peyton Manning make returns of varying kinds in an exciting slate of Week 1 games. Read more »

On Tom Brady as a Golden God, Texans' defense, ineptitude at the bottom of the AFC, the fate of the Bears, Browns and more. Read more »

The Saints, Jets, Bengals, Chargers, Panthers and Steelers have all been left vulnerable by oddsmakers to savvy gamblers. Read more »

These Giants are under the radar in a loaded NFC and they'll use that to their advantage. They do not disappoint, going 10-6 and getting back into the playoffs where a hot QB can make all the difference in the world. Read more »

Predictions on RG3, Kaepernick, Adrian Peterson, Geno Atkins, Nick Fairley, Brian Cushing, Drew Brees, Montee Ball, London and more. Read more »

The 2013 season will be that ugly, bitter end after the early unexpected success of Rex Ryan. This team has far and away the weakest assembly of offensive talent in the NFL. Read more »

On the Packers' offensive line and signing of Vince Young, Tyrann Mathieu, the Riley Cooper incident and the Bills' QB situation. Read more »

The Lions have premium talent at a lot of key positions, enough that simply eliminating the dumb penalties and sloppy fundamentals makes them a legit playoff contender. It's up to Jim Schwartz and the leadership on the team to draw the most from that talent and clean up the mental weakness. Read more »

This is the most talented, balanced roster in the league on paper. The giant hole at wide receiver and questions in the secondary mean there is some vulnerability for San Francisco, but they're still our Super Bowl pick. Read more »

On the injuries to Jeremy Maclin, Dennis Pitta and Dan Koppen, Chip Kelly's decision to close camp to media, confidence in Bill Belichick and more. Read more »

The Ravens' offense is going to have to cover for the lack of chemistry and cohesion on defense. Because they are so well coached and well managed, they will still compete for the AFC North title. Read more »

Points. Lots of points. That is the primary forecast model for both the Saints' offense and efense this season. The only real question is how frequently the offense will be able to score more than the copious amount the defense surrenders. Read more »

With major change comes heavy losses, and the Raiders are not done taking those losses. This roster very strongly resembles what a modern expansion team would look like, stocked with journeymen, castoffs, and marginal young talent punctuated by an occasional bright spot. Read more »

Good news Titans fans! The team is on the definite upswing after a frustrating down patch. The rather hefty investment in the defense the past few drafts is showing signs of paying off. Read more »

For the gamblers, this piece examines the over/unders for Oklahoma, Michigan, Oregon, Florida State, TCU, N.C. State and more. Read more »

The Seahawks unquestionably have one of the most talented rosters in the league, and they clearly enjoy playing for Pete Carroll and his underlings. Russell Wilson gives them a chance to win any game, anytime, anywhere. Read more »

The Texans have won a playoff game in both those seasons. Those teams were built on a dynamic ground game, efficient passing from Matt Schaub, and an aggressive, playmaking defense spearheaded by JJ Watt. All those facets return. The question is, can they make the jump in the AFC pecking order and get past the divisional round of the playoffs? Read more »

The Bengals may have the best overall roster in the AFC with the biggest concern coming at the most critical position on the field at QB. Read more »

Barring a sensational season from Jay Cutler and another 40+ turnovers forced by the defense, this is a last place team in the NFC North. Chicago falls to 5-11 in Marc Trestman's first season, leading to more radical changes next spring. Read more »

On family, growing older, the commonality of football and more in a special Father's Day piece. Read more »