Top 10 NFL Logos

Honorable Mention: Dallas Cowboys: Since 1964, the Dallas Cowboys have left their logo untouched, and the Dallas star is a clear symbol of this billion dollar franchise. "America's Team" has won 5 Super Bowls starting in 1971, and throughout the highs and lows, their logo stayed the same. The Dallas star originates from Texas' nickname,"The Lone Star State", and is regarded as one of the most well-known logos in all of sports. Everything is bigger in Texas, or so the saying goes, but in this case, the Dallas Cowboys believe a simple logo is the way to go.

10. Indianapolis Colts: It may be an extremely simple design, but the horseshoe seen on Indianapolis' helmet is a perfect symbol of the Colts franchise. The blue-and-white combination looks great on the uniforms, and the logo is not too overwhelming. Apart from a slight tweaking to the logo in 2002, the Indianapolis Colts have left the horseshoe virtually untouched since 1984. The simplicity and history associated with Indianapolis' logo makes it well deserving of the tenth spot on our countdown.

9. Philadelphia Eagles: In 1996, the Philadelphia Eagles organization transformed their logo from a realistic eagle clutching a football in its talons, to a cartoon version of a bald eagle's head. Despite its cartoony design, the Eagles' intimidating glare makes this logo a masterpiece. The silver and green go well together, and just like the insanely popular app Angry Birds, this bird is here to stay.

8. San Diego Chargers: After their logo featured the San Diego Chargers helmet from 1974 to 2001, the San Diego organization decided to simplify things by transitioning to a lone lightning bolt. Originally, the bolt was white with a yellow outline, but in 2007, the bolt turned yellow with different shades of blue lining the edges. Whatever a "Charger" may be, the yellow and blue lightning bolt is a perfect symbol of this electric San Diego franchise.

7. Green Bay Packers: In 1961, or so the story goes, legendary Packers coach Vince Lombardi asked his equipment manager for a team logo, and the result was the Packers "G". The "G" stands for Green Bay, and its shape supposedly models after the irregular shape of a football. The green and yellow was not added to Green Bay's logo until 1980. The Packers organization have their design heavily copyrighted, as they believe their design is one of the best in sports. I love the story associated with this logo, and the colors look extraordinary as they outline the Green Bay "G".

6. Oakland Raiders: After changing their logo three times in five years, the Oakland Raiders finally found their logo in 1964 that is the same general design seen on the uniforms today. Al Davis changed the color scheme to black and silver, and after several minor changes, the logo consisted of a silver pirate wearing Oakland's helmet. In contrast with the silver pirate was a black shield, where the word "Raiders" was etched at the top. The general design has been left untouched for close to 50 years, and is regarded as one of the best in the National Football League.

5. Atlanta Falcons: The top 5. This is where we start to analyze some of the best logos in sports. The Atlanta Falcons logo shows a red and black hawk soaring through the air, talons at the ready. This falcon is shaped like the letter "F", a creative addition to an already fantastic logo. The red and black duo looks absolutely fantastic, and this logo is clearly deserving of a top 5 spot.

4. Minnesota Vikings: For the first time since 1966, the Minnesota Vikings organization has decided to modify their logo. Though the changes are rather small, the bold black streaks through theViking's hair adds a certain crispness to this logo. Purple and gold is a unique color tandem in the National Football League, and the designer of this particular logo had some creativity in order to successfully include both colors into the design. Though I like the current Minnesota helmets that just feature two horns on either side, these logos are too good to not be seen on every helmet.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers: In 1969, a Republic Steel based in Cleveland recommended to the Steelers organization that they adopt the industry logo. This logo features three astroids, where the three different colors represent the the ingredients needed to make steel; red for iron ore, blue for scrap steel, and yellow to make coal. The original industry logo had the word steel inscribed inside, but Steelers gained permission to add E-R-S to their brand new logo. Unlike other logos in the league, the Pittsburgh Steelers have a complicated story behind the symbol of their franchise, which is why the Pittsburgh Steelers logo ranks number three on our list.

2. Detroit Lions: The Detroit Lions' logo is very straightforward; an intimidating lion on its hind legs, ready to do battle. Minor details were added in 2009 to this logo, which clearly makes the logo look more realistic. Though I am sure there is no such thing as a blue lion living in the wild, the "honolulu-blue" mixed with white makes this logo a tasteful masterpiece. The minor changes in 2009 helped this logo sky-rocket upwards in terms of popularity, and with only one logo left to be named in our countdown, the Lions organization should be happy with a number two ranking.

1. Denver Broncos: Though I am a huge fan of the Denver Broncos logo from the 70s and 80s, today's logo is the best in all of football. The glistening orange mane incorporates Denver's primary color, while the blue shadows streaking through its white hair includes the secondary color. Since the logo was introduced by the franchise in 1997, this particular logo has been one of my favorites in all of sports. The grimacing look of sheer determination seen on the Broncos face represents the kind of attitude organizations look for in their players. I would not be surprised if some people do not agree with my first choice, so be sure to comment your rankings in the comment section below.

2015 NFC Playoff Seeding Predictions

1. Green Bay Packers (13-3): The Packers are basically a lock for winning the NFC North for the fifth straight year due to a lack of competition within their division. Green Bay suffered no major losses in the offseason and managed to re-sign receiver Randall Cobb to create a solid receiving corp for Aaron Rodgers. And even though the Packers must play all four NFC West teams this year, the game against the mighty Seahawks will be in Lambeau.

2. Seattle Seahawks (12-4): After appearing in the past two Super Bowls, the Seahawks are poised for a return to the Big Game in 2016. Quite possible the weakest part of Seattle's depth chart was its receiving corp, but by trading for All-Pro tight end Jimmy Graham, dual threat quarterback Russell Wilson will lead one of the most productive offenses in the league. The Legion of Boom lost cornerback Byron Maxwell to free agency, but the core of this legendary secondary remains intact. The Seahawks are bound to earn a first round bye for the third year in a row.

3. Carolina Panthers (10-6): Cam Newton suffered career lows in almost every single major statistical category last season after losing receiver Steve Smith. The receiving corp has some great young talent lead by second year player Kelvin Benjamin, along with rookie Devin Funchess. Meanwhile, Carolina's defense is still very solid, especially with the 2013 Defensive Player of the Year Luke Kuechly being one of the league's best players. The race for the NFC South title last year was more or less a pillow fight, but expect the Panthers to see a lot more difficult competition next season as they look for a third straight division title.

Panthers expect Kelvin Benjamin to be full go in training camp. The 2nd year WR was limited in participation in OTA's

— Best Nfl Matchups (@best_nfl) July 23, 2015

4. Dallas Cowboys (10-6): The loss of DeMarco Murray to the division rival Eagles could be detrimental to the Cowboys next season, especially with such a massive hole now at the running back position. Murray's incredible season with the help of the NFL's best offensive line took plenty of pressure off of quarterback Tony Romo and the rest of Dallas' offense. Moreover, a successful running game gave the defense more time to rest off the field, so it will be interesting to see if the Cowboys can continue to remain relatively solid on defense without Murray.

5. Arizona Cardinals (11-5): Hopefully, Arizona's defense will still be able to find success as last year's defensive coordinator leaves for the head coaching job in New York. Bruce Arians is one of the best head coaches in football, and if quarterback Carson Palmer is able to stay healthy, the Cardinals will have yet another chance to dethrone the Seahawks from atop the NFC West.

6. New York Giants (9-7): Second year wide receiver Odell Beckham appears to be one of the most talented young players in recent memory, and with Victor Cruz returning from a season-ending injury, as well as the addition of running back Shane Vereen, New York's passing game has the potential to be lethal in 2015. New York's pass rush lacks the same talent seen by the two Championship winning teams of the past, so it will be interesting to see if Eli Manning can succeed with more pressure on the offensive side of the ball.

2014 NFL Power Rankings: Post-Draft (32-21)

21. New York Giants: Even though the New York Giants lost their first 6 games of 2013, they were still in the race for the Division Title until the last few weeks of football. New York is a dangerous team, but Eli Manning needs to avoid throwing costly interception in order to have a consistent passing game. Hakeem Knicks has left for Indy, but receivers Victor Cruz and recently drafted Odell Beckham Jr. are able to provide Manning with plenty of weapons on offense. 

22. Dallas Cowboys: 2014 will bring another chapter in the Dallas Cowboys chronicles. For the second year in a row, Dallas was one win away in Week 17 from a spot in the postseason, yet was unsuccessful in converting. Dallas drafted Zack Martin, an offensive lineman out of Notre Dame, to help benefit the passing game led by quarterback Tony Romo and wide receiver Dez Bryant. The NFC East has been one of the weaker divisions as of late, so the Cowboys have the opportunity to earn a playoff spot in this upcoming season.

23. Houston Texans: With the first overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans decided to not select a quarterback, but rather boost their defensive line by drafting star defensive end Jadeveon Clowney and defensive tackle Louis Nix III. The Texans' pass rush will be incredible next season as Clowney and Nix join JJ Watt and young pass rusher Whitney Mercilus. Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins had a notable rookie season, but in the event that Andre Johnson leaves Houston before the season opener, Ryan Fitzpatrick will likely struggle in 2014.

24. Buffalo Bills: Sammy Watkins, now a member of the Buffalo Bills, is the most talented player of the 2014 NFL Draft, and will join Mike Williams and Marquis Lee offensively to provide young quarterback EJ Manuel with many new weapons. Buffalo's pass rush ranked 2nd in the league last season, where three defensive passers had 10 sacks or more during the year, and it is also important to mention their incredibly talented rushing-duo of CJ Spiller and Fred Jackson. The Bills are a dark horse to do well in 2014.

25. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Buccaneers did plenty during this offseason to boost their offensive depth chart. Mike Evans, a 6'5"receiver out of Texas A&M, and Austin Seferian-Jenkins, a 6'6" tight end from Washington, will join Vincent Jackson (6'5") to create one of the tallest receiving corps in the league. Josh McCown proved he can win games when he took over in Chicago, so the Bucs may be competitive in the race for a spot in the Wild Card Round.

26. Tennessee Titans: 2014 is bound to be Jake Locker's last season if his game does not improve from last year, and Tennessee is doing their best to supply Locker with talented, yet relatively cheap, wide receivers. Nate Washington, Kendall Wright, Dexter McCluster, and Justin Hunter are all good offensive weapons, but not enough to bear the burden of this entire offense.

27. Minnesota Vikings: I am a huge fan of the Vikings selecting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater with the 32nd overall pick. Bridgewater is a very talented passer who can take pressure off of Adrian Peterson, quite possibly the best player in the NFL today; on the other hand, if Matt Cassel and Christian Ponder continue to take the majority of the snaps in 2014, there is no way the Vikings will manage to crack .500. Anthony Barr was selected defensively in order to fill the pass rushing void left behind by All-Pro defensive end Jared Allen, another great selection for Minnesota.

28. Miami Dolphins: Miami managed to sign cornerback Cortland Finnegan and Randy Starks within the past few months, but apart from that, Miami had a relatively quiet offseason. Ryan Tannehill likely has one more year before he is on the hot seat, seeing how he managed to improve in 2013 from his rookie year. This lackluster franchise is unlikely to improve much in 2014.

29. Washington Redskins: After their miraculous road to the postseason in 2012, Robert Griffin III clearly suffered from a sophomore slump, where even though RGIII had more attempts on offense, his statistics suffered. With 12 interceptions and a 20.2 point drop in his passer rating compared to the rookie season, many Washington fans were disappointed with their quarterback's performances week in and week out. The Redskins had to give up their second overall pick because of their decision to trade up for RGIII two years earlier, yet they did manage to get Trent Murphy in the draft, as well as wide receiver DeSean Jackson in the offseason. Still, things aren't looking good for Washington in 2014.

30. Oakland Raiders: The Raiders made several sneaky transactions during the offseason. Defensively, the Raiders took a step in the right direction by adding Justin Tuck, Charles Woodson, Antonio Smith, and Khalil Mack all within this past offseason. On offense, rookie quarterback Derek Carr and wide receiver James Jones were both added to the depth chart; however, the inconsistencies of Matt Schaub at quarterback will hinder their progress next year. Looking forward, Raiders fans should remain hopeful.

31. Cleveland Browns: The biggest storyline coming out of the draft was clearly Johnny Manziel falling to the 22nd overall pick in the draft to Cleveland. Although this new selection gave Cleveland fans a glimmer of hope for next season, Josh Gordon faces a looming suspension due to substance abuses. Justin Gilbert at cornerback was a great selection in the draft, and  both Miles Austin and Nate Burleson will be two great weapons for Manziel, in the event that he wins the starting job.

32. Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jaguars are hoping that rookie quarterback Blake Bortles will be able to send Jacksonville to the postseason for the first time since 2007. Unfortunately for the rookie quarterback, Jacksonville has an extreme lack of talent on their depth chart, so much so that not a single player was selected to play in the Pro Bowl last season. Jacksonville has many more years before they will be a competitive football team.

Week 13 Predictions (Thanksgiving Day)

On Thanksgiving Day, you eat an abundance of food, spend time with your family, listen to this strange stories from your weird Uncle Joe, and give thanks for all that you have; however, one of the greatest traditions of Thanksgiving is the football being played throughout the day. This year, the games  are not quite as good as in years past, but they are still worth watching in a day filled with food and laughter. The NFL Report wishes all of you a Happy Thanksgiving!

Packers @ Lions: This game would be ten times more interesting if Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers was in the starting lineup, but it seems as though Matt Flynn will be the starting quarterback for Green Bay for the first time since December 31, 2011. Last Sunday, Flynn replaced an injured Scott Tolzien, where Flynn overcame a 16 point deficit, eventually tying the game and sending it into overtime. In the end Green Bay tied the game, but Matt Flynn's comeback was a good sign for Packers fans. Meanwhile, the Detroit Lions have lost back to back games, where their most recent loss came against the struggling Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The passing game is clearly the strength of this team, where the connection between Stafford and Calvin Johnson is by far the best in the NFL. Already tempers are flaring between these two teams, where Green Bay Packers lineman Josh Sitton accused Detroit's defense of taking "cheap shots all the time." These division rivals clearly do not like one another, so we can expect a decent amount of drama on Thanksgiving. A minor side note: Tomorrow marks the two year anniversary for Ndamukong Suh's infamous stomp against the Packers in 2011.
Prediction: Lions over Packers 31-17

"Their entire defense takes cheap shots all the time. That's what they do. That's who they are" - Packers Josh Sitton on the Lions defense
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) November 27, 2013

Raiders @ Cowboys: This game between the Cowboys and the Raiders appears to be somewhat of a mismatch, where the 4-7 Raiders are taking on the NFC-East leading Cowboys. The Dallas Cowboys are coming off of an emotional victory over their division rivals, the New York Giants. Even though many accuse Tony Romo of choking in the clutch, he was able to drive down the field, setting up a game winning field goal as time expired by kicker Dan Bailey. Dallas' defense this season has been atrocious, ranking 30th overall in passing yards allowed and 31st in the league in rushing yards allowed. The Oakland Raiders are 1-3 in their last four games, one of which was a loss against the New York Giants. With quarterback Terrelle Pryor still injured, the Raiders will have Matt McGloin start on Thanksgiving against the Cowboys. The Cowboys are the clear favorites in this matchup; if Dallas ends up losing tomorrow, they are completely undeserving of a spot in the playoffs.
Prediction: Cowboys over Raiders 28-14

Steelers @ Ravens: The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens were the best of rivals throughout the start of the 21st century. But the rivalry is no longer the same, where both teams are aging, and several key players have either left or retired. Both Baltimore and Pittsburgh are 5-6 in 2013, so a win on Thanksgiving will keep the playoff hopes alive. Ray Rice, who served as the core of Baltimore's offense during their Super Bowl run, has rushed for just 470 yards with 4 touchdowns in 2013, averaging 2.9 yards per carry. Even quarterback Joe Flacco is having a down season, which is worrisome considering the Ravens signed him to a six year deal worth $120.6 million. After starting the season with a 0-4 record, the Pittsburgh Steelers have truly turned their game around, as their record stands at 5-2 in the past 7 games. I only wish this game took place 5 years ago on Thanksgiving Day, back when both teams were fierce competitors in the AFC North. In 2013, however, these two aging teams will do battle so they can remain in playoff contention.
Prediction: Steelers over Ravens 30-27 (OT)

2014 NFL Predictions (NFC)

1. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): With Colin Kaepernick leading the way, this offense is one of the best in the league, especially running the ball. The many big names on defense makes San Francisco the most well-rounded team in football.

2. Atlanta Falcons (12-4): Despite their highly competitive division, the Atlanta Falcons receiving corp gives Matt Ryan an abundance of options when passing the ball. Newly acquired Steven Jackson is an excellent running back, but he also gives Ryan an extra receiver out of the backfield. Atlanta repeats as the NFC South champions.

3. Green Bay Packers (12-4): Acquiring running backs Eddie Lacy and Johnathan Franklin through the draft drastically improves the Packers running game. The receiving corp will remain strong even though Greg Jennings and Donald Driver are gone, and Aaron Rodgers is still the most reliable quarterback in the game.

4. Dallas Cowboys (9-7): The Cowboys??? Sure the Washington Redskins have a young, capable team, but we believe the Cowboys have all the tools needed to win the NFC East. Wide receivers Dez Bryant, Miles Austin, and Jason Witten give quarterback Tony Romo plenty of options on offense. A new look on defense may be Dallas' key to success.

5. Seattle Seahawks (12-4): The Seahawks defense, statistically speaking, was the best in the league in 2012, and Seattle will likely remain dominant on the defensive side of the ball in 2013 thanks to an enhanced defensive line. Quarterback Russell Wilson was excellent as a rookie later in the season, but the offense looks almost identical to the one seen in 2012.

6. New Orleans Saints (10-6): Drew Brees and the Saints offense are clearly going to improve now that head coach Sean Payton returns from his suspension. The main problem for New Orleans will be on defense, a unit that ranked dead last in total defense last season.

Update: Correct regarding 4 out of the 6 NFC teams to make the playoffs

Opening Kickoff

Tonight, we will watch the NFL season opener between inter-division rivals known as the New York Giants and the Dallas Cowboys. Seven long, boring months went by since the last NFL game took place, and this evenings opener is sure to not disappoint. New York is coming off of a Super Bowl victory, where as the Dallas Cowboys missed last season's playoffs yet again, and are looking to rebound from their disappointing season. Sunday afternoon's symbolize the relaxation incorporated with watching football, and are something we will look forward to each week for the next several months. Surprises, upsets, and disappointments are a part of the game, and only adds to this great sport. So grab some popcorn, sit down on the couch, and turn on this evening's game. Are you ready for some football?

Prediction: Giants over Cowboys 27-16

2012 NFL Predictions (NFC East)

1. Philadelphia Eagles (12-4): On paper, the Eagles have one of the most well rounded teams in the NFL. However, they were unable to live up to the hype in 2011, and missed the playoffs entirely. Michael Vick injured his ribs just three games into the preseason this year, and could be a sign of things to come. If he were to stay healthy, the quarterback would thrive, especially when passing to DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, and Brent Celek. The running game exploded last year thanks to LeSean McCoy's outstanding performance, and is likely to continue into 2012. Defensively, there are bug names on this roster such as Jason Babin and Trent Cole (combined 29 sacks), along with star corner Nnamdi Asomugha. The defense has done extremely well this preseason, ranking 1st overall in total defense. The talent is there, all they need is a little push.

DeSean Jackson (Lynne Sladky/AP Photo)

Week 1: Eagles @ Browns W

Week 2: Ravens @ Eagles W

Week 3: Eagles @ Cardinals W

Week 4: Giants @ Eagles W

Week 5: Eagles @ Steelers L

Week 6: Lions @ Eagles W

Week 7: BYE

Week 8: Falcons @ Eagles W

Week 9: Eagles @ Saints L

Week 10: Cowboys @ Eagles W

Week 11: Eagles @ Redskins W

Week 12: Panthers @ Eagles W

Week 13: Eagles @ Cowboys L

Week 14: Eagles @ Buccaneers W

Week 15: Bengals @ Eagles W

Week 16: Redskins @ Eagles W

Week 17: Eagles @ Giants L

2. New York Giants (10-6): The reigning champions came close to missing the playoffs altogether in 2012, but managed to beat Dallas at home in Week 17. There have been few changes made throughout the off season, but New York remains dangerous as Super Bowl contenders. It all starts with quarterback Eli Manning, quite possibly the most clutch player in the NFL. Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks are two spectacular wide receivers, making up one of the league's best wide receiver corps. Though Brandon Jacobs has left for the west coast, Ahmad Bradshaw and rookie David Wilson will do just fine when running the ball this September. Similar to Philadelphia, the Giants have an elite pass rushing duo, consisting of defensive ends Jason Pierre-Paul (16.5 sacks) and Justin Tuck (an off-year for Tuck, racking up just 5 sacks. Unfortunately for the Giants, all the other 31 teams will be gunning for them, so it will be more difficult for them to repeat their 2012 performance.

Justin Tuck (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Week 1: Cowboys @ Giants W
Week 2: Buccaneers @ Giants W
Week 3: Giants @ Panthers L
Week 4: Giants @ Eagles L
Week 5: Browns @ Giants W
Week 6: Giants @ 49ers W
Week 7: Redskins @ Giants W
Week 8: Giants @ Cowboys L
Week 9: Steelers @ Giants W
Week 10: Giants @ Bengals W
Week 11: BYE
Week 12: Packers @ Giants L
Week 13: Giants @ Redskins W
Week 14: Saints @ Giants W
Week 15: Giants @ Falcons L
Week 16: Giants @ Ravens L
Week 17: Eagles @ Giants W




3.  Dallas Cowboys (8-8): The Dez Bryant situation ruined this team's chances from the start, putting Dallas in a state of despair. General manager Jerry Jones showed his frustration after wide receiver Dez Bryant was arrested on assault charges. Dallas missed out on the playoffs by one game in 2011, and will look to rebound in 2012. The defense has stars scattered around the field, most notably Demarcus Ware, a former Defensive Player of the Year. The offense has its moments, especially when passing the football. Tony Romo has the option of throwing to Bryant or pro-bowler Miles Austin, as well as pounding their run game with young rusher DeMarco Murray. There is too much chaos in Dallas, and things must be done in order for this years team to make the post season.

Dez Bryant (Elsa/Getty Images)

Week 1: Cowboys @ Giants L
Week 2: Cowboys @ Seahawks W
Week 3: Buccaneers @ Cowboys W
Week 4: Bears @ Cowboys W
Week 5: BYE
Week 6: Cowboys @ Ravens L
Week 7: Cowboys @ Panthers L
Week 8: Giants @ Cowboys W
Week 9: Cowboys @ Falcons L
Week 10: Cowboys @ Eagles L
Week 11: Browns @ Cowboys W
Week 12: Redskins @ Cowboys W
Week 13: Eagles @ Cowboys W
Week 14: Cowboys @ Bengals L
Week 15: Steelers @ Cowboys L
Week 16: Saints @ Cowboys W
Week 17: Cowboys @ Redskins L




4. Washington Redskins (5-11): Washington sacrificed a lot in order to draft Heisman winner Robert Griffin III, and are hoping he can be their savior. Arm strength, accuracy, and speed is what won him college football's greatest honor. The wide receiver corp is decent, but over time, the Washington Redskins will likely try and add more weapons for their rookie quarterback. Running back Roy Helu was meant to be starter, but an Achilles injury sidelined him for the previous two preseason games. Assuming he can bounce back, the running game will do just fine. The defense fared well in 2011, led by linebacker London Fletcher. The NFC East is more competitive than ever, and the Washington Redskins will need an exceptional rookie season from RGIII if making the playoffs in 2012 is their goal.

London Fletcher (Tony Sandys/Washington Post)

Week 1: Redskins @ Saints L
Week 2: Redskins @ Rams W
Week 3: Bengals @ Redskins L
Week 4: Redskins @ Buccaneers W
Week 5: Falcons @ Redskins L
Week 6: Vikings @ Redskins W
Week 7: Redskins @ Giants L
Week 8: Redskins @ Steelers L
Week 9: Panthers @ Redskins W
Week 10: BYE
Week 11: Eagles @ Redskins L
Week 12: Redskins @ Cowboys L
Week 13: Giants @ Redskins L
Week 14: Ravens @ Redskins L
Week 15: Redskins @ Browns L
Week 16: Redskins @ Eagles L
Week 17: Cowboys @ Redskins W

Preseason: Players to Watch (NFC East)

New York Giants: RB David Wilson: With the loss of Brandon Jacobs still fresh in the minds of New York fans everywhere, rookie David Wilson must fill the void left by the two time Super Bowl champion. Wilson was selected with the 32nd overall draft pick out of Virginia Tech because of a spectacular combine and accomplished college career. His numbers led all running backs in broad jump and vertical, while posting a 40-yard dash time of 4.40. Wilson won ACC Player of the Year, not only because he ran the ball well (1,709 rushing yards, 5.9 yards per carry), but also because of his flashes of brilliance when it came to catching the football. Ahmad Bradshaw remains the definite starter, but Wilson is the face of New York's future running game.

Robert Griffin III (Bill Wippert/AP)

Philadelphia Eagles: LB DeMeco Ryans: Five years ago, DeMeco Ryans won AP Defensive Rookie of the Year thanks to his 156 combined tackles, 3.5 sacks, and lone interception. However, his statistics gradually worsened each year until 2010, when Ryans suffered a season ending Achilles tear. By the time he returned for all 16 games in 2011, Ryans was clearly not the same defensive player, only racking up 64 combined tackles. The Texans did not want to deal with their once rising star, and traded him away to Philadelphia. Ryans will clearly start by the time Week 1 rolls around, but it is a matter of whether or not he can get back to the player he once was.

Washington Redskins: QB Robert Griffin III: Like Andrew Luck, RGII is one of several rookies that everyone will be eyeing when it comes time to their regular season debut. Many have compared this Heisman winner to the likes of Michael Vick; arm strength, mobility, and accuracy are all apparent attributes among the two. Washington Redskins fans are calling RGIII "the guy," meaning he is supposed to be their savior, hopefully giving them a shot at the playoffs. Can he succeed in the NFL even though Baylor didn't make it to a major bowl game? If he begins to struggle in the preseason, maybe it wasn't such a bad move in drafting quarterback Kirk Cousins last April.

Dallas Cowboys: WR Dez Bryant: Jerry Jones and wide receiver Dez Bryant have clearly shown their differences over the course of the off season, starting with Bryant's arrest last July. Jones was quoted as saying Bryant needed to grow up, otherwise the Cowboys will move on. The big question is how Bryant will be affected by these problems in the past. Supposedly the two have come to terms, but it is never a good sign when a team owner and a player get into a scuffle. 

A Cowboy Standoff

    "It's very serious....he's got to grow up" This is only a portion of the words spoken by Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones when asked about wide receiver Dez Bryant's struggles at home. Bryant has been battling with off the field issues, most recently a domestic violence crime filed by his own biological mother. Though he may be Dallas' number one weapon at wide receiver, Jerry Jones is fed-up with his behavior. The Cowboys, who missed the playoffs last season after a loss to New York, are not off to a great start in 2012, and this ongoing feud is the main problem.
     Dez Bryant attended Oklahoma State University for a football scholarship, and was named one of the nation's top wide receivers. After a monstrous sophomore year, Bryant was ruled ineligible to play as a junior once he lied to NCAA investigators. The fact that he missed the majority of his final season hurt his draft stock by the time April rolled around. In fact, the All-American fell to the 24th overall spot, a pick acquired by the Dallas Cowboys. 1,489 receiving yards later, Bryant was charged for assaulting his mother on July 16th, 2012. This was not the first time Bryant got in trouble with the law; in March of 2011, two lawsuits were filed against the star wide receiver for not paying for hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of jewelry. Obviously, these brand-new assault charges were the last straw for Jerry Jones. "The reason I hadn't talked to him is because I'm so pissed that I'm not ready to talk to him. When I get all my stuff together, I'll talk to him." Traditionally, a fight between a player and a team official in any sport never fares well for either side.
     Luckily, the two have taken major stride towards being more cooperative with each other since the fight. Bryant and Jones have met, talked about the incident and hopefully are on the same page. We will see how the recent events affects the Dallas Cowboys' play in 2012, but it will be hard for the Dallas franchise to forget about this cowboy standoff.

    

    

Top 10 NFL Logos: Dallas Cowboys

Honorable Mention: Since 1964, the Dallas Cowboys have left their logo untouched, and the Dallas star is a clear symbol of this billion dollar franchise. "America's Team" has won 5 Super Bowls starting in 1971, and throughout the highs and lows, their logo stayed the same. The Dallas star originates from Texas' nickname,"The Lone Star State", and is regarded as one of the most well-known logos in all of sports. Everything is bigger in Texas, or so the saying goes, but in this case, the Dallas Cowboys believe a simple logo is the way to go.