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An offensive overhaul took place this off-season for the Houston Texans, making them an intriguing team entering the 2016 NFL season. The Texans won the AFC South in 2015 with a 9-7 record and look to be an improved team with the addition of former Denver Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler and former Dolphins running back Lamar Miller. The Texans also drafted two wide receivers in the first three rounds of the NFL Draft, Will Fuller from Notre Dame and Ohio State’s Braxton Miller to pair with second-year receiver Jaelen Strong and All-Pro wideout DeAndre Hopkins. Hopkins is a top-tier wide receiver and his jersey sales are among the top selling online, as are his signed mini helmets and signed footballs. The Texans’ other All Pro selection from 2015 was defensive end J.J. Watt, who is regarded as being the NFL’s best overall player. Watt is an unstoppable force on the defensive line, excelling as a pass rusher and run stopper. He teams with veteran defensive tackle Vince Wilfork to form a stout defensive line. Former first overall pick Jadeveon Clowney looks to improve entering his third NFL season as a push rusher. Behind them is star linebacker Brian Cushing and outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus, who comes off a breakthrough season in 2015. Houston has one of the better cornerback tandems in the league with Jonathan Joseph and Kareem Jackson, making this one of the NFL’s most dominant defenses. The Texans will compete with the Indianapolis Colts and young and talented Jacksonville Jaguars in their attempt to repeat as AFC South division champions. If the new additions to the offense pan out and the defense performs as expected with Watt as the leader, the Texans will have a chance to contend in the AFC.

The Pittsburgh Steelers ‘Steel Curtain’ days, where the defense dominated the league, has shifted to one of the top-rated offensive attacks. Pittsburgh had relied on their defense for years, but now it’s the offense that leads the way. The Steelers finished the 2015 season at 10-6 and made the playoffs as a wild card team, beating rival Cincinnati Bengals before the Denver Broncos defeated them in the AFC Divisional Round. Quarterback Ben Rothlisberger returns for his 13th season and benefits from having arguably the best wide receiver in the game in Antonio Brown. Brown is a star and was ranked among the top players in the entire NFL; expect Rothlisberger and Brown to connect early and often in 2016. The Steelers also have one the NFL’s top running backs in Le’Veon Bell, who will miss the first three games due to suspension. Filling in for Bell will be veteran DeAngelo Williams, who is more than capable after being forced into that role last season after Bell tore his MCL. Bell and Brown are explosive players, and both of their jerseys are among the top sellers online, and both players’ autographs are coveted memorabilia, especially on signed mini helmets, signed footballs, and photos. The Steelers’ defense should be improved entering the 2016 season, as the team made an emphasis to address the unit in the Draft, selecting defensive players with their first three picks. The defense will need more consistent play from linebackers Ryan Shazier, Bud Dupree, and Jarvis Jones, who all start alongside veteran Lawrence Timmons. James Harrison will still be in the mix too, as he and defensive end Cameron Heyward provide pass rush from the end. The Steelers are good enough to compete for a Super Bowl berth in the AFC in 2016, and should be in a tight battle for top of the NFC North with the Cincinatti Bengals. Steeler Nation will be waving their Terrible Towels and will have plenty of reason for optimism that Pittsburgh can make a deep playoff run.

The Seattle Seahawks reload heading into the 2016 NFL season with as good a chance as any team in the NFL to return to the Super Bowl. The Seahawks missed the Super Bowl for the first time in three seasons, falling short in the NFC Championship to the Carolina Panthers, after finishing the regular season in second place in the NFC West with a 10-6 record. Behind head coach Pete Carroll, quarterback Russell Wilson, and the most feared defense in the NFC, Seattle remains a major contender. Add that with the “12th Man,” one of the loudest and most passionate fan bases, and the Seahawks are a scary team. Russell Wilson continues to improve each season, and entering his fifth in the league, he has proven to be one of the top quarterbacks. Seattle will miss the presence of running back Marshawn Lynch, who surprised everyone with his abrupt retirement. Filling the void will be a combination of Thomas Rawls and Christine Michael, who have big shoes to fill. Wide receiver Doug Baldwin had a breakout season in 2015 and returns Wilson’s top target. Tight end Jimmy Graham returns healthy and ready for his breakout year in 2016. Receiver Jermaine Kearse and second-year receiver Tyler Lockett look for bigger roles in the offense. Seahawks fans should be excited about the 2016 rookie class, which includes projected starter guard Germain Ifedi from Texas A&M, Alabama defensive tackle Jarran Reed, Ohio State tight end Nick Vannett, and Arkansas running back Alex Collins. The Seahawks offense has never had to put up too many points with a defense that continuously ranks among the top in the league. The defense had five players selected to the Pro Bowl, including defensive end Michael Bennett, safety Kam Chancellor, cornerback Richard Sherman (also All Pro), safety Earl Thomas, and linebacker Bobby Wagner (also All Pro). The “Legion of Boom” returns just as dominant and will shut down opposing offenses. The Seahawks will compete with another Super Bowl contender within their own division, the Arizona Cardinals, but it would be shocking for Seattle to miss the playoffs and not make a run at another title in 2016.

With quarterback Drew Brees still playing at an elite level, the New Orleans Saints are always a threat in the NFC. After a 7-9 setback in 2015, the Saints are eager to return to the top of NFC South. The offense is never a problem in New Orleans, with Brees leading the way and running back Mark Ingram emerging as one of the more productive NFL backs. Top targets for Brees are wide receiver Brandin Cooks, who looks to continue to improve, and receiver Brandon Coleman and tight end Coby Fleener. The Saints are excited about their 2016 Draft class, which features two former Ohio State stars, wide receiver Michael Thomas and safety Vonn Bell. New Orleans is hoping for major input from Thomas, who could emerge as the number two target for Brees. Former Louisville defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, the teams’ first round pick, suffered a fractured fibula in preseason, but expects to return this season. Rankins was expected to be an impact player on the defensive line alongside tackle Nick Fairley and Pro Bowl defensive end Cameron Jordan. The Saints will rely on former St. Louis Rams top pick linebacker James Laurinaitis to lead a mostly unproven group. The Saints do have one of the best safety tandems in the league in Kenny Vaccaro and Jairus Byrd, with the rookie Bell looking to make an impact as well. The Saints will improve from their 7-9 finish and look to return to the playoffs after missing out for two consecutive years. The Carolina Panthers are considered the favorites in the NFC South, but the division is wide open behind them. The Saints should find themselves battling the young Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons for ranks in the division and a wild card berth.

The Indianapolis Colts look to bounce back after an 8-8 finish to the 2015 NFL season. When you have a true franchise quarterback like Andrew Luck, every season is expected to be a playoff year, and this was the first time since 2011 that the Colts failed to reach the postseason. Luck missed most of the 2015 season after suffering a lacerated kidney and partially torn abdominal muscle, and entering his fifth NFL season, he looks to regain his dominance in 2016. The Colts will look for running back Frank Gore to carry the load much like he did for most of his career with the San Francisco 49ers for a balanced offensive attack. Look for rookie running back Josh Ferguson to lighten the load for Gore at times. Luck’s top targets are wide receivers T.Y. Hilton and Donte Moncrief, and tight end Dwayne Allen. Luck’s autograph is a highly sought after collectible, typically on signed footballs, full size and mini helmets, and photos. In order to contend this season, the Colts will need to protect Luck better than previous seasons. Center Ryan Kelly is a consistent lineman, and Indianapolis hopes to get production out of the rest of the group. Defensive end Robert Mathis and cornerback Vontae Davis are the big names on a defense that looks to improve. In a wide open AFC South, the Colts should compete for the ranks atop the division. The Houston Texans are returning division champions, and the Jacksonville Jaguars look to be much improved, but the Colts will be right in the mix.