This year looks to be a promising one for the millions of fans of the NFL, as there are many different teams that were sort of “under the radar” last year who will now pop up and be considered powerhouses. Some teams like the Texans have supposedly made the climb and are ready for Super Bowl contention, while others are still trying to sort out their quarterback issues like the Jets and Eagles. Many storylines will be played out, such as RG3’s knee, the whole Jets’ organization’s many troubles, and Tom Brady’s receiving corps after losing Wes Welker and Aaron Hernandez. These and many more dramatic moments are in store for fans, and it will definitely be an entertaining and suspenseful year

The top 5 teams as we start the year are the Broncos, Patriots, 49ers, Texans, and Packers. Some people might have a problem with this list, as the defending-champion Baltimore Ravens aren’t a part of the it but, frankly, they lost their two defensive anchors and their mean streak culture in Ed Reed and Ray Lewis, and I don’t see them recovering in time to be a top team.

The middle of the pack consists of teams that are not quite at the “elite” level of the top 5 but who have proven that they are contention worthy. That is where the “middle of the pack” originates. The teams that are stuck between greatness and failure are the Redskins, Cowboys, Giants, Ravens, Steelers, Bears, Bengals, and Vikings. These teams all have a chance, no matter how small, of making a run for a Super Bowl bid. They are all one free agent move or injury recovery from becoming one of the elite teams in the league. The team that is most interesting to watch out of this group is the Washington Redskins. Drafting RG3 last season was one of the best moves in recent team history and, with his explosive and dynamic playmaking ability, the Redskins are a threat to any and every team. RG3 will be closely scrutinized this year as he is coming off of his 2^nd ACL surgery, and questions regarding his health will be abundant. As such, it is a little too early to put the Redskins among the elite. If healthy, the Redskins will become a problem for their opponents and, with a little luck on their side, could see themselves go to the NFC Championship game.

The Gutter: The remaining teams in the league simply put are in “The Gutter.” This miserable place is extremely easy to get into and almost impossible to get out of (just ask the Jacksonville Jaguars or the Oakland Raiders). When teams fall into this abyss, they rarely get out. The gutter is especially reserved for the teams that have no team chemistry or star power to help an organization win games and even dream of a playoff bid. Teams like the Jaguars and Raiders have been longtime members and continue to stay in the mess with bad personnel decisions and lackadaisical play from overly average players. Don’t get me wrong; some teams like the Kansas City Chiefs are moving in the right direction by signing winning coaches like Andy Reid and quarterbacks with a future, but there’s something about losing that makes it an extremely bad habit to break. Although they would rather not be a part of it, the teams in the gutter are the Dolphins, Bills, Browns, Raiders, Jaguars, Cardinals and the Carolina Panthers.

Overall, this season should be one for the ages, and I’m ready to sit back and watch it all unfold.