2016 NFL predictions: Super Bowl XLXI and more

JJ: Bengals. The misery has to end in the playoffs some time, and as it happens to this team more or more in one way or another, I start to think that when it does come to an end, they will go all out and take the run all the way to the Super Bowl. It could have happened in 2015, but really, they got in their own damn way. Following the 2016 season, they will defeat none other than the New England Patriots and head off to the Super Bowl.

MV: Chiefs. The schedule aligns for Kansas City to win the division and perhaps be the AFC’s top seed. Combine that with the program being in the fourth year and young talent maturing, and this team is ready to roll.

MD: Steelers. They’re offense is a power house and should be fully healthy. Despite losing Ben Roethlisberger multiple times this season and Le’Veon Bell for the whole season, they still reached the playoffs and knocked off the Bengals. Imagine what they’ll do next year being healthy, and a chance to improve the defense going into 2016. The Steelers are back. The Chiefs are a formidable team that will play in a further weakened division with the decline of the Broncos, but they might not be enough to outgun the Steelers.

JH: Chiefs. The Tom Brady magic will wear off eventually and the Chiefs might have the best team they’ve ever had next year — or at least the best team in the AFC. This is where they prove that, and inviting the Pats into Arrowhead for the title game is Kansas City’s chance to exert their dominance over the conference.

JB: Pats over Steelers. Dynamic offenses, functional defenses. Brady, Roethlisberger, Belichick, Tomlin, Gronk, Brown. It’s a fun ride.

PA: Bengals. That’s right, after years of failure and an unfair injury in 2015, the Red Rifle gets his playoff revenge in a big way, leading the Bengals all the way to the big dance. 2016 is finally Cinci’s turn.

Next: NFC champion