2015 NFL PREVIEW - Detroit Lions

DETROIT LIONS                                                          

2014 Record: 11-5-0 (2nd in NFC North)

HEAD COACH: Jim Caldwell

New Players in 2015 - DL Haloti Ngata; DL Phillip Hunt; OL Manny Ramirez; DB Josh Wilson; DL Tyrunn Walker.

OFFENSIVE RANK in 2014 - 19th in NFL (340.8 ypg)

DEFENSIVE RANK in 2014 - 2nd in NFL (300.9 ypg)

Offense:  Quarterback Matthew Stafford (4,257 passing yards with 22 touchdowns and 12 interceptions) will be the starter once again after a decent 2014 season. Either Kellen Moore or Dan Orlovsky will be the primary backup.
The running game will see Joique Bell leading the way after he led the team with 860 rushing yards (3.9 ypc average) and scored seven touchdowns. Rookie Ameer Abdullah (Nebraska) and Theo Riddick will fill in when needed.
The wide receiving tandem of Calvin Johnson (71 receptions for 1,077 yards with eight TD) and Golden Tate (99 receptions for 1,331 yards and four TD) is as good as any in pro football. Corey Fuller (14, 212, one TD), Lance Moore and TJ Jones are on hand as reserves. The tight ends are Eric Ebron (25, 248, one TD) and Brandon Pettigrew.
The line has center Travis Swanson, guards Larry Warford and either rookie Laken Tomlinson (Duke) or Manny Ramirez and tackles Riley Reiff and LaAdrian Waddle. 

Defense:  Haloti Ngata (two QB sacks) takes over up front at tackle for the departed Ndamukong Suh (now in Miami) while Tyrunn Walker (2 1/2 sacks) takes over for Nick Fairley, who also left after last season. The ends are Jason Jones (five sacks) and Ezekiel Ansah, who had 7 1/2 sacks last year.
The linebackers include Stephen Tulloch in the middle with Kyle Van Noy and DeAndre Levy on the outside. Tahir Whitehead and Travis Lewis provide depth.
The secondary has Rashean Mathis and Darius Slay (two interceptions) at cornerback while the safeties are James Ihedigbo (four picks) and Glover Quin, who led the NFL with seven interceptions last season.  Bill Bentley, Josh Wilson and rookie Alex Carter (Stanford) will backup at the corners while Isa Abdul-Quddus and Don Carey provide depth at the safety spots.

OUTLOOK FOR 2015 -  The Lions offensive production dipped last season as Stafford didn't put up the gaudy, eye popping numbers as in season's past.
A big reason the offense slipped was the running game ranked 28th in the league, averaging just 89 yards per game. The Lions will be counting on Bell and (rookie) Abdullah to get those numbers back to respectability.
Opposing defenses can tee off on Stafford (he was sacked 45 times a year ago) once again unless that running game keeps them on their heels. The Detroit wideouts are among the best in the NFL as Johnson and Tate each had over 1,000-yards receiving last year so that will be important once again for the team's offense as they put up over 600 passes.
The defense will be going through changes in personnel up front as the team's three leading tacklers from a year ago all are gone elsewhere and in their place are two proven defensive linemen in Ngata and Walker.
The secondary was solid, picking off 20 passes while the Lions accumulated 42 quarterback sacks. Their run defense ranked at the top of the NFL, giving up just 69 rushing yards per game. They key will be whether the Lions can do that again or at least come close to those numbers.
The team was steady under Head Coach Jim Caldwell and he would like to see more of the same this season as the team lost in a controversial filled finish to Dallas in the Wild Card round of the NFC Playoffs last year.
 An 8-8 finish is most likely to happen this season as the team will play a rough schedule. Playing in the NFC North along with their 2015 schedule will make it tough for the Lions to repeat their best record (11-5) since the 1991 season, but if they can get off to a good start, it's not out of the question.

2015 SCHEDULE
Week 1 - at San Diego Chargers
Week 2 - at Minnesota Vikings
Week 3 - vs. Denver Broncos
Week 4 - at Seattle Seahawks
Week 5 - vs. Arizona Cardinals
Week 6 - vs. Chicago Bears
Week 7 - vs. Minnesota Vikings
Week 8 - at Kansas City Chiefs (London, England)
Week 9 - BYE WEEK
Week 10 - at Green Bay Packers
Week 11 - vs. Oakland Raiders
Week 12 - vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Week 13 - vs. Green Bay Packers
Week 14 - at St. Louis Rams
Week 15 - at New Orleans Saints
Week 16 - vs. San Francisco 49ers
Week 17 - at Chicago Bears

2015 NFL PREVIEW - Chicago Bears

CHICAGO BEARS                                                       

2014 Record: 5-11-0 (4th in NFC North)

HEAD COACH:  John Fox

New Players in 2015 - LB Sam Acho; CB Alan Ball; WR/KR Eddie Royal; DL Jarvis Jenkins; LB Mason Foster; LB Pernell McPhee; DB Antrel Rolle.

OFFENSIVE RANK in 2014 - 21st in NFL (327.1 ypg)

DEFENSIVE RANK in 2014 - 30th in NFL (377.1 ypg)

Offense:  Jay Cutler returns as the starting quarterback after passing for 3,812 yards last season with 28 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. Jimmy Clausen (223 yards, two TD, one INT) will once again play the backup role.
Matt Forte (1,038 yards rushing, 3.9 ypc average and six TD along with 102 receptions for another 808 yards and four TD) will be the starting halfback with either Jacquizz Rodgers (217, 3.7 ypc, one TD with Atlanta) or rookie Jeremy Langford (Penn State) backing up.
The wide receiving corps took a hit in training camp when it was revealed that top rookie draft pick Kevin White (West Virginia) would need surgery for a leg injury and could miss the entire season.
Returning in 2015 will be Alshon Jeffery, who made 85 receptions for 1,133 yards with ten touchdowns. Along with Jeffery will be Eddie Royal, who made 62 receptions for 778 yards and seven touchdowns with the San Diego Chargers last year. Marquess Wilson (17, 140, one TD) is another option at wide receiver. The tight end is Martellus Bennett, who caught 90 passes for 916 yards and six touchdowns.
Up front on the offensive line is center Will Montgomery, guards Matt Slauson and Kyle Long and tackles Jermon Bushrod and Jordan Mills.

Defense: The Bears will be switching over to the 3-4 alignment this season and it looks like it will be Jeremiah Ratliff (6 1/2 QB sacks) at nose tackle. The ends will be Ego Ferguson (two sacks) and Jarvis Jenkins. Willie Young (ten sacks), David Bass (three sacks) and Will Sutton are being counted on as well.
The linebacking crew will have Jared Allen (5 1/2 sacks) and Pernell McPhee on the outside while Christian Jones and Shea McClellin will play the inside linebacker spots. Jonathan Bostic, Sam Acho, Mason Foster and DeDe Lattimore add depth.
Playing the corners in the secondary will be Tim Jennings and Kyle Fuller, who made four interceptions last season. The safeties are either Brock Vereen or Ryan Mundy (four picks), along with Antrel Rolle. Alan Ball and possibly rookies Al Louis-Jean (Boston College) and Adrian Amos (Penn State) will rotate in when needed.

OUTLOOK FOR 2015 - With a complete overhaul taking place this season, the Bears will not be expected to contend for the NFC Playoffs.
New Head Coach John Fox has had success in the past with Carolina and Denver, taking both teams to the Super Bowl during his tenures.
The offense needs to improve after averaging just under 20 points per game last season and this could very well be quarterback Jay Cutler's final chance in the Windy City. On the plus side, Matt Forte is a solid running back who is also an excellent receiver out of the backfield, making 102 catches last season. He is the heart and soul of the Bears' offense.
It was a tough break for the new regime to have their top draft pick (WR Kevin White) need surgery in the pre-season.
The Bears are hopeful that White could recover quickly enough to see some action this season, which would give the team a dynamic duo with him and Alshon Jeffrey at the position.
The defense was a mess last season, finishing 30th overall while also finishing 31st in scoring defense, giving up just under 28 points per game. At the midpoint of the 2014 season, the Bears were lit up for 50-plus points in successive games.
Ouch!
The Bears find themselves in a rare position of being overwhelming underdogs in the NFC North division, where the Green Bay Packers loom large. Detroit made the playoffs last season and the Minnesota Vikings also look to be much improved heading into the 2015 season.
However, the Bears can surprise if Cutler plays within the system and Forte and Jeffery continue to put up the numbers as they have the past two seasons.
The big question marks will be with the new 3-4 defense the team will employ this year. The Bears did have 39 QB sacks a year ago, so that is a plus. They need to avoid giving up too many big plays as they did last year.
All in all, it looks to be a rebuilding year in Chicago, so a 6-10 record would be an improvement from last season as the Bears look to a better future.

2015 SCHEDULE
Week 1 - vs. Green Bay Packers
Week 2 - vs. Arizona Cardinals
Week 3 - at Seattle Seahawks
Week 4 - vs. Oakland Raiders
Week 5 - at Kansas City Chiefs
Week 6 - at Detroit Lions
Week 7 - BYE WEEK
Week 8 - vs. Minnesota Vikings
Week 9 - at San Diego Chargers
Week 10 - at St. Louis Rams
Week 11 - vs. Denver Broncos
Week 12 - at Green Bay Packers
Week 13 - vs. San Francisco 49ers
Week 14 - vs. Washington Redskins
Week 15 - at Minnesota Vikings
Week 16 - at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 17 - vs. Detroit Lions

2015 NFL PREVIEW - Pittsburgh Steelers

PITTSBURGH STEELERS                                         

2014 Record:  11-5-0 (1st in AFC North)

HEAD COACH: Mike Tomlin

New Players in 2015 - DeAngelo Williams

OFFENSIVE RANK in 2014 -  2nd in NFL (411.1 ypg)

DEFENSIVE RANK in 2014 -  18th in NFL (353.4 ypg)

Offense:  What will quarterback Ben Roethlisberger do for an encore this season?
All he did in 2014 was throw for a team record 4,952 yards along with 32 touchdowns and just nine interceptions.
The running game is equally strong with Le'Veon Bell (suspended for the first two games) starting after a big year in which he gained 1,361 rushing yards (4.7 ypc average) with eight touchdowns along with making 83 receptions for 854 yards and three touchdowns. DeAngelo Williams was signed as a free agent and Dri Archer is also back to provide depth.
The wide receivers are led by All-Pro Antonio Brown, who led the league with 129 receptions for 1,698 yards and 13 touchdowns. Along with Brown are Martavis Bryant (26 receptions for 549 yards, 21.1 tpc average and eight touchdowns) and Markus Wheaton, who had 53 catches for 644 yards and two touchdowns.
The tight end is veteran Heath Miller, who is one of Big Ben's favorite targets. He caught 66 passes last year for 761 yards and three touchdowns.
The line has center Maurkice Pouncey, guards Ramon Foster and David DeCastro and tackles Kelvin Beacham and Marcus Gilbert.

Defense:  The line will have Steve McLendon playing at the nose tackle with Cameron Heyward (tackle) and defensive end Stephon Tuitt in the 3-4 alignment. Heyward led the team with 7 1/2 QB sacks last year.
Ryan Shazier and Lawrence Timmons man the inside linebacker spots while Arthur Moats (four sacks) and Jarvis Jones will play outside linebacker. Veteran James Harrison (5 1/2 sacks) is back to provide depth along with top rookie draft pick Brad Dupree (Kentucky), Sean Spence and Vince Williams.
The secondary will see William Gay (three interceptions) and Cortez Allen (two picks) at cornerback. Shamarko Thomas and Mike Mitchell play safety. Robert Golden, rookies Senquez Golson (Mississippi) and Doran Grant (Ohio State) and Antwon Blake will also be available.

OUTLOOK FOR 2015 - While the Steelers offense has made significant strides in the last few years, the defense has taken a step back from their usual greatness.
The run defense was decent last year, but the pass defense was terrible, ranking 27th while allowing 253 yards per game and also giving up numerous big plays of 40-plus yards.
Head Coach Mike Tomlin is defensive minded, so if Pittsburgh wants to return to the post-season and go further, the defense must improve, especially in the pass happy NFL.
With Ben Roethlisberger at the helm, the Steelers should once again be among the best offenses in the league. Le'Veon Bell will miss the first two games (suspended) this season, but he should once again be among the top running backs in the game. He is also very adept as a receiver out of the backfield.
The targets available in the passing game provide Pittsburgh with big play capability as Big Ben knows he can chuck it down the field at any time. He threw for back-to-back 500-plus yard games last season and opposing defenses know they can't keep eight men in the box when the Steelers offense is on the field.
The Steelers will once again be competitive in the AFC North and have a chance to make it two straight division titles. An extremely difficult schedule will push the team and a 9-7 finish wouldn't be surprising at all in what could very well be another three-team division race to the wire.

2015 SCHEDULE
Week 1 - at New England Patriots
Week 2 - vs. San Francisco 49ers
Week 3 - at St. Louis Rams
Week 4 - vs. Baltimore Ravens
Week 5 - at San Diego Chargers
Week 6 - vs. Arizona Cardinals
Week 7 - at Kansas City Chiefs
Week 8 - vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Week 9 - vs. Oakland Raiders
Week 10 - vs. Cleveland Browns
Week 11 - BYE WEEK
Week 12 - at Seattle Seahawks
Week 13 - vs. Indianapolis Colts
Week 14 - at Cincinnati Bengals
Week 15 - vs. Denver Broncos
Week 16 - at Baltimore Ravens
Week 17 - at Cleveland Browns

2015 NFL PREVIEW - Cleveland Browns

CLEVELAND BROWNS                                            

2014 Record: 7-9-0 (4th in AFC North)

HEAD COACH: Mike Pettine

New Players in 2015 - QB Josh McCown; WR Dwayne Bowe; WR Brian Hartline; TE Rob Housler; DB Tramon Williams; DL Randy Starks.

OFFENSIVE RANK in 2014 - 23rd in NFL (324.6 ypg)

DEFENSIVE RANK in 2014 - 23rd in NFL (366.1 ypg)

Offense:  Josh McCown comes over to play quarterback for the Browns this season after a sub par season with Tampa Bay, where he thew for 2,206 yards with just eleven touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Johnny Manziel will be the backup after seeing limited action in his rookie season.
The running game has a good tandem with Terrance West (673 rush yards, 3.9 ypc and four TD) and Isaiah Crowell, who gained 607 yards (4.1 ypc) and scored eight touchdowns.
The receivers will be led by Andrew Hawkins (63 receptions for 824 yards and two scores) and Dwayne Bowe (60 catches for 754 yards with Kansas City) while Brian Hartline, another free agent, is a third option after making 39 catches for 474 yards and two touchdowns with Miami last year. Taylor Gabriel (36, 621, one TD) gives the team a deep threat.
The tight end will likely be Rob Housler, who was signed after Jordan Cameron left to go with Miami this season. Housler had only nine receptions last season with Arizona.
The O-Line is decent, as All-Pro Joe Thomas and Mitchell Schwartz play the tackle positions. The center is Alex Mack and the guards are John Greco and Joel Bitonio.

Defense:  The Browns will have Desmond Bryant (five QB sacks) and Randy Starks playing the end spots while the nose tackle will probably be rookie Danny Shelton (Washington), the team's top draft choice this year.
If Shelton isn't quite ready, then Phil Taylor is capable of doing the job. Xavier Cooper, another rookie (Washington State) may also see time up front at the tackle spot.
The linebackers are Barkevious Mingo and Paul Kruger (eleven QB sacks) on the outside while the inside spots go to 12-year veteran Karlos Dansby (three sacks) and Craig Robertson (two INT). Rookie Nate Orchard (Utah), Armonty Bryant, Tank Carder and Chris Kirksey will rotate in when needed to.
In the secondary, the Browns will see Joe Haden (three interceptions) and Tramon Williams at the corners while AFC interception leader Tashaun Gipson (six picks) and Donte Whitner play the safety positions.

OUTLOOK FOR 2015 -  The Browns will be looking to build off last year's 7-9 finish, which was better than anticipated. However, the Browns fell apart down the stretch, losing their final five games to finish last in the AFC North once again.
Head Coach Mike Pettine knows his defense can keep the team competitive, but the run defense was the worst in the NFL a year ago, giving up 142 yards per game and that must improve. The pass defense was good, picking off 21 passes (second in NFL) while finishing eight overall.
The offense will have yet another field general calling the plays this season as Josh McCown gets the chance to show he is better than the effort he had with Tampa Bay in 2014. McCown has been around the block and knows how to handle the duties. The running game is solid with West and Crowell pounding away and two new wide receivers should help bolster the passing attack.
The team needs to score more, as they averaged just over 18 points per game while allowing 21 points. The key for the Browns to improve will be winning more close games after playing in eight games decided by one score a year ago.
The AFC North is a tough division, as shown a year ago when three of the four teams made the AFC playoffs.
The Browns will likely be looking up at all three division foes once again this season as they face a hard schedule and will be counting on a new QB and new receivers to mesh quickly to avoid a slow start.
That may be asking too much for the young Browns, so a 5-11 record looks to be in order this season as they will attempt to surprise their opponents and possibly move up in the standings.

2015 SCHEDULE
Week 1 - at New York Jets
Week 2 - vs. Tennessee Titans
Week 3 - vs. Oakland Raiders
Week 4 - at San Diego Chargers
Week 5 - at Baltimore Ravens
Week 6 - vs. Denver Broncos
Week 7 - at St. Louis Rams
Week 8 - vs. Arizona Cardinals
Week 9 - at Cincinnati Bengals
Week 10 - at Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 11 - BYE WEEK
Week 12 - vs. Baltimore Ravens
Week 13 - vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Week 14 - vs. San Francisco 49ers
Week 15 - at Seattle Seahawks
Week 16 - at Kansas City Chiefs
Week 17 - vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

2015 NFL PREVIEW - Cincinnati Bengals

CINCINNATI BENGALS                                           

2014 Record: 10-5-1 (2nd in AFC North)

HEAD COACH: Marvin Lewis

New Players in 2015 -  DL Michael Johnson; WR Denarius Moore; LB A.J. Hawk; DL Pat Sims; QB/WR Terrelle Pryor.

OFFENSIVE RANK in 2014 -  15th in NFL (348 ypg)

DEFENSIVE RANK in 2014 -  22nd in NFL (359.3 ypg)

Offense: Andy Dalton (3,398 passing yards, 19 touchdowns and 17 interceptions) returns to start at quarterback again this season and A.J. McCarron will be the backup.
Jeremy Hill emerged as the top running back for the Bengals last season, going for 1,124 yards (5.1 ypc average) and scored nine touchdowns. Gio Bernard (680, 4.0 ypc and five TD and 43 receptions for 349 yards and two TD) gives the team a strong second option in the backfield.
A.J. Green (69 receptions for 1,041 yards and six touchdowns) and Marvin Jones, who missed the entire 2014 season with injuries, will be the starters. Jones made 51 receptions for 712 yards and ten touchdowns in 2013.
Mohamed Sanu (56, 790, five TD), Brandon Tate (17, 193, one TD) and Denarius Moore (12 receptions with Oakland in 2014) will provide depth. The tight end is Tyler Eifert, who missed most of last season after making 39 catches for 445 yards and two scores in 2013.
The offensive line is made up of center Russell Bodine, guards Clint Boling and Kevin Zeitler and tackles Andrew Whitworth and Andre Smith.

Defense: Carlos Dunlap (eight QB sacks) and Michael Johnson will play defensive end and the tackles will be Domata Peko and Geno Atkins (three sacks) up front in the 4-3 set.
Rey Maualuga is the middle linebacker while Emmanuel Lamur and Vontaze Burfict man the outside spots. A.J. Hawk comes over from Green Bay to give a boost to the linebacking unit along with reserves Marquis Flowers and Vincent Rey. Rookie linebacker Paul Dawson (TCU) will get a shot as well.
The secondary is solid, finishing third in the league with 20 interceptions last season. The corners are Leon Hall and Adam (Pacman) Jones (three interceptions) with Dre Kirkpatrick (three picks) also a strong corner man. The safeties are Reggie Nelson (four picks) and George Iloka, who had three interceptions. 

OUTLOOK FOR 2015 - The Cincinnati Bengals are a consistent football team. Each of the last four seasons, they play well during the regular season and make the playoffs and then lay an egg and get chased in the first round.
Head Coach Marvin Lewis would love to see that trend change should his team make it back to the post-season once again this year.
The offense is decent and has balance with Dalton leading the way and A.J. Green his main target in the passing game. Jeremy Hill and Gio Bernard give them a solid one-two punch in the running game and their line does a good job in both areas.
The defense was fair a year ago, down from recent seasons, but does enough to keep the Bengals in most games. They need to get after enemy quarterbacks more this year as they only had 20 sacks in 2014, which was the worst in the league.
Cincinnati should compete with Pittsburgh and Baltimore once again the rugged AFC North division, where they finished second a year ago after winning the division a year earlier.
The good but not good enough tag has to change if they want to be taken as serious contenders in the AFC. That likely will not happen once again this year as the Bengals finish 8-8 while looking up at both the Steelers and Ravens.

2015 SCHEDULE
Week 1- at Oakland Raiders
Week 2 - vs. San Diego Chargers
Week 3 - at Baltimore Ravens
Week 4 - vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Week 5 - vs. Seattle Seahawks
Week 6 - at Buffalo Bills
Week 7 - BYE WEEK
Week 8 - at Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 9 - vs. Cleveland Browns
Week 10 - vs. Houston Texans
Week 11 - at Arizona Cardinals
Week 12 - vs. St. Louis Rams
Week 13 - at Cleveland Browns
Week 14 - vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 15 - at San Francisco 49ers
Week 16 - at Denver Broncos
Week 17 - vs. Baltimore Ravens

2015 NFL PREVIEW - Baltimore Ravens

BALTIMORE RAVENS                                          

2014 Record:  10-6-0 (3rd in AFC North)

HEAD COACH: John Harbaugh

New Players in 2015 - CB Kyle Arrington; DB Kendrick Lewis; QB Matt Schaub.

OFFENSIVE RANK in 2014 - 12th in NFL (364.9 ypg)

DEFENSIVE RANK in 2014 - 8th in NFL (336.9 ypg)

Offense:  Quarterback Joe Flacco (3,986 passing yards with 27 touchdowns and 12 interceptions) will be back for his eighth season as the Ravens' starter. Matt Schaub was signed on to be the backup.
The running game got a huge shot in the arm last season when Justin Forsett stepped in for Ray Rice, who had all kind of off-season turmoil and issues. Forsett played huge for Baltimore, going for 1,266 yards (5.4 ypc average) and scored eight touchdowns. He also hauled in 44 receptions for 263 yards. The backup RB is likely to be rookie Javorius Allen (USC).
The wide receiving corps will be led by veteran Steve Smith, who is calling it a career after this season.
Smith led Baltimore with 79 receptions for 1,065 yards and six touchdowns last year. Along with Smith will be rookie Breshad Perriman (Central Florida) and/or Marlon Brown, who had 24 catches for 255 yards in limited action.
The tight end will likely be another rookie, Maxx Williams (Minnesota) after Owen Daniels left for Denver in the off-season. Veteran Dennis Pitta, coming off hip surgery, is hoping to return to the field in the 2015 season.
The offensive line is made up of center Jeremy Zuttah, guards Marshal Yanda and Kelechi Osemele and tackles Eugene Monroe and Rick Wagner.

Defense:  The strength of the team for many seasons has been the defense and they will have a new man playing the nose tackle spot in 2015 as Brandon Williams take over for Haloti Ngata, who was traded to Detroit. The tackle is Timmy Jernigan (four QB sacks) and the end is Chris Canty. Rookies Carl Davis (Iowa) and Za'Darius Smith (Kentucky) will look to get playing time.
Playing outside linebacker will be All-Pro Terrell Suggs (12 QB sacks) and Elvis Dumevil, who had a whopping 17 sacks while splitting time with Courtney Upshaw. The inside backers are C.J. Mosley (three sacks, two interceptions) and Daryl Smith.
The secondary has Lardarius Webb and Jimmy Smith playing the corners with Kendrick Lewis and Will Hill playing safety.

OUTLOOK FOR 2015 - The Ravens come into the 2015 season feeling very confident despite the fact they will have players with no pro experience playing key positions on offense.
They did battle New England to the wire in the AFC Playoffs last year, and Head Coach John Harbaugh has been very successful in his seven seasons with the team, including the Super Bowl title just three years ago.
No wonder Joe Flacco and company are a confident bunch as they battle with Pittsburgh and Cincinnati in the AFC North.
As long as Flacco is healthy and protected (he was sacked just 19 times last season), the Ravens can move the football. Add in the running game, led by resurgent Justin Forsett and Baltimore should be pretty potent once again after they averaged just under 26 points per game last season.
Their defense always gives them a chance and this year should be no different as Suggs and Dumervil should once again wreak havoc against opponents.
Look for a 9-7 season as the Ravens battle it out for the AFC North title and another trip to the playoffs. A deep run in the post-season depends on how well Flacco is playing when the chips are down.
Stay tuned.

2015 SCHEDULE
Week 1 - at Denver Broncos
Week 2 - at Oakland Raiders
Week 3 - vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Week 4 - at Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 5 - vs. Cleveland Browns
Week 6 - at San Francisco 49ers
Week 7 - at Arizona Cardinals
Week 8 - vs. San Diego Chargers
Week 9 - BYE WEEK
Week 10 - vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 11 - vs. St. Louis Rams
Week 12 - at Cleveland Browns
Week 13 - at Miami Dolphins
Week 14 - vs. Seattle Seahawks
Week 15 - vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Week 16 - vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 17 - at Cincinnati Bengals

2015 NFL PREVIEW - Seattle Seahawks

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS                                                 

2014 Record:  12-4-0 (1st in NFC West)

HEAD COACH: Pete Carroll

New Players in 2015 - TE Jimmy Graham; CB Will Blackmon; CB Cary Williams; DL Ahtyba Rubin.

OFFENSIVE RANK in 2014 -  9th in NFL (375.8 ypg)

DEFENSIVE RANK in 2014 - 1st in NFL (267.1 ypg)

Offense:  Quarterback Russell Wilson received a new contract as training camp began and is the unquestioned leader of the offense.
Wilson passed for 3,475 yards last season with 20 touchdowns and seven interceptions. In addition, Wilson rushed for 849 yards (7.2 ypc average) and scored six rushing touchdowns.
The running game is all about Marshawn Lynch, who ran for 1,306 yards (4.7 ypc average) and scored 13 touchdowns while also making 37 receptions for 367 yards and four touchdowns. Robert Turbin  (310 yards, 4.2 ypc) backs him up.
The receivers are Doug Baldwin (66 receptions, 825 yards, three TD) and Jermaine Kearse (38, 537, one TD) while Paul Richardson (29, 271, one TD) and Ricardo Lockette (11, 195, two TD) will provide depth. The tight end is All-Pro Jimmy Graham, who comes over from New Orleans after making 85 receptions for 889 yards and ten touchdowns. Luke Willson (22, 362, three TD) is a solid backup at tight end.
Patrick Lewis plays center on the offensive line. The guards are Alvin Bailey and J.R. Sweezy and the tackles are Russell Okung and Justin Britt.

Defense:  The league's best defense has Michael Bennett (seven QB sacks) and Cliff Avril at the end positions in the 4-3 set while Brandon Mebane and Tony McDaniel are the tackles. Jordan Hill rotates in at tackle and had 5 1/2 QB sacks last season.
The linebackers are newly signed Bobby Wagner in the middle with outside backers K.J. Wright and Bruce Irvin, who had 6 1/2 sacks and two interceptions.  
The secondary is loaded with All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman (four interceptions) and Cary Williams playing the other corner spot. The safeties are Earl Thomas and Cam Chancellor. Providing depth will be Will Blackmon, Jeremy Lane, Dion Bailey, Marcus Burley and DeShawn Shead.

OUTLOOK FOR 2015 - After coming ever so close to a second consecutive Super Bowl title, the Seahawks are chomping at the bit for the 2015 season to atone for the worst play call ever in the history of the Super Bowl.
Head Coach Pete Carroll knows his team and they play a fast and loose style on both ends of the football.
The defense is the best in the NFL, ranking first overall in yardage and scoring defense (for the third straight season) while also ranking third in the league against the run and first against the pass.
Russell leads the offense and is very adept at keeping opposing defenses on their toes with his accurate passing and his legs. Marshawn Lynch is one of the top running backs in pro football and he exudes the confidence as well.
The wide receivers don't get a lot of credit, but they showed they can play their game and balance the offense so defenses can't pack eight men in the box against the running game. Oh, and there is yet another weapon for the Seattle offense in tight end Jimmy Graham, who will draw lots of double coverage, allowing the other receivers to get open.
After surviving Green Bay in the NFC Championship Game, the Seahawks blew the Super Bowl, losing a ten-point lead and then watching the infamous pass play call that was intercepted at the New England one-yard line in the final minute that cost them the Super Bowl title.
Needless to say, Seattle wants to get back to the Super Bowl for the third straight year and win it again.
That may very well happen, but the Seahawks must first take care of business in the NFC West and then most likely would play Green Bay once again in the NFC Championship Game.
Barring injuries to any key players, look for the Seahawks to go 12-4 once again and face the Packers in January.
Another Super Bowl appearance and title is very possible for this team.

2015 SCHEDULE
Week 1 - at St. Louis Rams
Week 2 - at Green Bay Packers
Week 3 - vs. Chicago Bears
Week 4 - vs. Detroit Lions
Week 5 - at Cincinnati Bengals
Week 6 - vs. Carolina Panthers
Week 7 - at San Francisco 49ers
Week 8 - at Dallas Cowboys
Week 9 - BYE WEEK
Week 10 - vs. Arizona Cardinals
Week 11 - vs. San Francisco 49ers
Week 12 - vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 13 - at Minnesota Vikings
Week 14 - at Baltimore Ravens
Week 15 - vs. Cleveland Browns
Week 16 - vs. St. Louis Rams
Week 17 - at Arizona Cardinals