Fansided
Fansided

ESPN Predicts Their 5 Best NFL Teams in 2017

By Erik Lambert

Sep 11, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Oakland Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio talks to quarterback Derek Carr (4) in the second quarter of their game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Oakland Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio talks to quarterback Derek Carr (4) in the second quarter of their game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 5
Next
Aug 27, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) talks with head coach Andy Reid during a time out during the first half of the preseason game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 27, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) talks with head coach Andy Reid during a time out during the first half of the preseason game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /

Who will be the best NFL teams this 2017 season? It might still be too early to ask that question, but ESPN decided to take a crack at it anyway.

Assembling every top writer across their network, the simple question was posed. What will the final record for your team be and why? Most stayed within the typical parameters. The 6-10 to 10-6 range. However, there were those with so much or so little confidence in their current teams that they showed no fear getting bold with their predictions. Here is a rundown of the five teams with the best record predictions.

Kansas City Chiefs (11-5)

"“The Chiefs may well be better than last season and wind up with an inferior record than their 12-4 from 2016 because of a difficult schedule. The .576 cumulative 2016 winning percentage of their opponents is second in the league. Much depends whether the Chiefs can have success again in the AFC West, where they were 6-0 last year, and whether they can break through at least once against two opponents who have been traditionally difficult for them — New England and Pittsburgh.”"

Quietly one of the most complete teams in the AFC. They don’t have many holes in their roster. The defense is loaded from front to back. Their running game has a pair of underrated backs. The receivers are littered with speed and the tight end is an absolute beast. Alex Smith, as usual, is the man who defines their success. He will protect the football but can he make more plays? At this stage it’s hard to believe that will happen. Nonetheless expect Kansas City to be a factor in the playoffs come January.

Home/NFL News