Jeremy Maclin 8 TD’s (no chiefs WR had a TD catch last year)
I know what you are saying… “Maclin had 10 TD’s last year, how is 8 this year a bold prediction”. Considering the fact that he is going from the Eagles fast paced offense to a Chiefs team that didn’t see a single TD pass thrown to a wide receiver last year, ya I would say it’s a bold prediction. Maclin brings a dynamic to this offense that they haven’t had in a while.
Obviously, the big issue here is Alex Smith, who seems to be unable to throw the ball further than 8 yards. If Smith can air it out just a little bit, Maclin should be able to see the end zone a few times. Travis Kelce will get most of the red zone targets so Maclin will either have to be a YAC monster or Alex Smith will have to learn how to put some zip on the ball.
The one thing this prediction has going for it is that the Chiefs don’t really have another viable option at wide receiver which makes Maclin the obvious go to guy for Smith. This prediction will either be spot on or way off. Maclin could finish the year with 3 TD’s or less if history repeats itself.
Demarco Murray will rush for under 1,250 yards (lead league in rushing last year with 1,845 yards)
Demarco Murray had a great year last year, I will give him that, but let’s not act like the majority of the credit doesn’t go to that stud offensive line. Demarco Murray averaged almost 2.5 yards before contact last season, which he won’t have the luxury of in Philadelphia.
Another thing to factor in is the fact that last year was the only time in his 4 year career that Murray played all 16 games. I feel confident in saying he will miss at least 1 or more games this year, couple that with the extra contact he will receive without the beast of a line in Dallas and you have the recipe for some extra wear and tear.
We also have the “370 curse” of any running back who goes over 370 carries falling off after that. While Murray has had a pretty impressing yards per carry average in his career I don’t see him duplicating or even coming close to his production of last year.
Falcons will have a 1,000 yard rusher for first time since Michael Turner in 2011
The signing of Steven Jackson ended up being a let down (as I predicted) and the Falcons run game has been a joke. Even Michael Turner’s last year in ATL was a disappointment as he failed to top the 1k mark, setting off the streak of some pretty bad years of rushing production. Luckily, Matt Ryan has had the Falcons passing game flying high, but the run game has held them back.
With the departure of Steven Jackson, came the arrival of rookie burner Tevin Coleman. Devonta Freeman was slated to be the lead back but Coleman came in and quickly made a competition out of it.
Shanahan has implemented a zone blocking scheme and the O-line looks to be slightly better than last year. The personnel they have seems more suited for the zone blocking so I think that will have a major impact this year.
Shanahan has also vowed to “balance out” the pass heavy Falcons offense which gives Tevin Coleman (who I expect to get the bulk of the carries by midseason) a very real shot at 1k.
Odell Beckham Jr. will have the same or less stats in a full year than he did in 12 games last year (91 catches, 1,305 yards, 12 TD’s)
Don’t get me wrong I think Odell is a bright young star in the league and will be a top WR for years to come. However, the pace he was on last year just will not be duplicated. If ODB were to play at the same pace for a full season (which people seem to think will be his norm) his stats for this season will be 121 catches, 1,740 yards, and 16 TD’s.
If you think he will repeat that production or even close to it you really have to be drinking the proverbial Kool-Aid. I think ODB will most likely end up with the same or slightly less stats this coming year for a full 16 game season. Victor Cruz will be back which will give Eli another target which will take away from Odell’s overall targets.
I think Odell will most likely reach 90+ catches again but he won’t top 1,300 yards and I don’t think he even cracks the double digit TD mark.
Offensive and Defensive ROY winners will both be players not drafted in the 1st round for the first time since Anthony Thomas and Kendrell Bell accomplished it in 2001
It’s been 14 years since this specific situation has happened. Every year since 2001 at least 1 of the ROY winners was drafted in the 1st round, and most of the time both Offensive and Defensive guys were 1st rounders. This is the year the streak is broken.
On the offensive side of the ball there are plenty of guys taken outside of the 1st round that are candidates. Obviously, there are 1st rounders that will be the favorites and will produce but I feel confident in TJ Yeldon, Dorial Green-Beckham, Maxx Williams, and Ameer Abdullah as legit contenders for the ROY crown.
On the defensive side there is plenty of 1st round talent that fell into the 2nd round. My favorites are Mario Edwards Jr, Eric Kendricks, and Randy Gregory. The 1st round saw plenty of big time defensive players taken so this one will definitely be tough to call.
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