NFL Season Preview

It's that time again, the new season is about to kick off. Like always, I'll take my shot at predicting the season in this preview, and probably get it all wrong (I mean, who saw the Eagles going as far as they did last year?)

 As it's been in the era of Brady, I don't think there's too much to over-analyze here. The one question is how Sam Darnold responds with the Jets. I think it'll be a bit of a mixed bag. Other than that, with the Bills rolling with Nathan Peterman, I think the Patriots easily take the division again, and contend for the #1 overall seed.


1) Patriots 12-4
2) Jets 7-9
3) Bills 6-10
4) Dolphins 4-12

 On paper, this should be the Steeler's division to lose, though there could be a few bumps in the road, with continued questions about their defense. If those get answered, then they'll be a surefire Super Bowl contender. I'm fairly blah on the Bengals, but the Ravens could be interesting on the other-hand. I could easily see, whether through injury or performance, Lamar Jackson taking the reigns in Baltimore and guiding a middling team to a postseason spot. And maybe its just I don't want to see them fall any further (don't think that's actually possible), but with Baker Mayfield, I think the Browns start to right the ship, so to speak.


1) Steelers 11-5
2) Ravens 9-7
3) Bengals 8-8
4) Browns 6-10

 Now this could be an interesting division. Will the Jaguars be able to replicate their 2017 success? How will DeShaun Watson look coming off that knee injury? Will he have the same effectiveness right off the gate? And the Colts will see Andrew Luck make his long awaited return.


1) Jaguars 11-5
2) Texans 10-6
3) Colts 8-8
4) Titans 5-11

 There's a new sheriff in town in K.C, Pat Mahomes. He'll take over for Alex Smith, looking to bring a more high octane passing game to the Chiefs offense. The Chargers seem to always go on and off like a switch. The Raiders defense faced a recent upheaval with the trade of Khalil Mack.

1) Chiefs 10-6
2) Chargers 7-9
3) Broncos 6-10
4) Raiders 6-10

Playoff Field

1) Patriots
2) Steelers
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3) Jaguars
4) Chiefs
5) Texans
6) Ravens


AFC Wildcard -
Ravens v. Jaguars

Texans v. Chiefs

AFC Divisional -
Texans v. Patriots
Jaguars v. Steelers

AFC Championship -
Steelers v. Patriots

The Cowboys will hope last year was just a one-off, in which they were without Ezekiel Elliott part of the time. However, without Dez Bryant, they look pretty barren at receiver. The world champion Eagles will be hoping to avoid that Super Bowl drought. It looks like Nick Foles will start Week 1, easing Carson Wentz back into the fold. It'll be interesting to see how that plays out. Exit Kirk Cousins, enter Alex Smith. How will he change Washington?

1) Eagles 10-6
2) Cowboys 7-9
3) Washington 6-10
4) Giants 4-12

The Packers will be looking to regroup after a down year in '17. With a fully (and handsomely paid Aaron Rodgers) they'll be looking to return to their contending ways. The Vikings will be seeing if they can get to that next level with Kirk Cousins at QB. You never know what you're going to get with the Lions (much like the Chargers).

1) Packers 12-4
2) Vikings 10-6
3) Lions 8-8
4) Bears 7-9

There always seems to be a different winner every year in the NFC South. I think we'll be seeing the Panthers, Saints & Falcons all in contention for playoff spots once again, with Tampa Bay just sort of stalling out.

1) Panthers 12-4
2) Saints 10-6
3) Falcons 9-7
4) Buccaneers 5-11

 Talk about a division in flux. After a significant overhaul, these Seahawks look like a shell of their former selves. The Rams will be hoping for continued improvement with Jared Goff who came to life last season. With maybe an actual effective QB, the Cardinals will be seeing what they can do. But its the 49ers that intrigue me. Jimmy Garoppolo really poured it on when he started down the stretch last year. What can he do over a course of a full season?

1) 49ers 11-5
2) Rams 9-7
3) Seahawks 6-10
4) Cardinals 5-11

Playoff Field

1) Panthers
2) Packers
---------------
3) 49ers
4) Eagles
5) Vikings
6) Saints

NFC Wildcard -
Saints v. 49ers
Vikings v. Eagles

NFC Divisional -
Saints v. Panthers
Eagles v. Packers

NFC Championship -
Packers v. Panthers


So that would set us up for a fascinating rematch of Super Bowl 45. The Steelers (forecast here to have a vengeful run to the super bowl with wins over the Jaguars and Patriots), and the Packers would both look to be hitting their stride.

Maybe I'm crazy......but I'm going with.........The Pittsburgh Steelers to win it all