As we march on through this year of chaos, we've found our way to the beginning of another NFL season. Live crowds may be limited or non-existent for at least the start of it, but at least we're here. With a variety of off-season moves, it'll be interesting to see how things play out.
The Bills added a big piece in Stefon Diggs, so the pressure will be on for Josh Allen to rise to the occasion.
While the Jets and Dolphins may be also-rans, we'll see when Tua Tagovailoa starts for Miami.
1) Bills 10-6
2) Patriots 9-7
3) Dolphins 6-10
4) Jets 5-11
We could see a fierce battle among the top two in the North. The Ravens further strengthened their defense adding DE Calais Campbell for only a 5th rd draft pick; and in the draft they bolstered their RB depth with J.K Dobbins.
For the Steelers, anticipation runs high for the return of Ben Roethlisberger, who says he's injury free for the first time in nearly a decade following elbow surgery. The Steelers will be incredibly dangerous if their offense can rise up again along with their defense.
With another head coaching change, eyes will be on whether the Browns can finally do something productive, and the Joe Burrow era begins in Cincinnati.
1) Ravens 13-3
2) Steelers 12-4
3) Browns 8-8
4) Bengals 5-11
The Titans are sticking with Ryan Tannehill, who went on a tear during the back half of last season. While its unlikely he'll continue at that clip, he should still be a top 15 or so QB. They made a late signing that should greatly improve their defensive line with Jadeveon Clowney. Coming off an AFC Championship appearance, anything short of a playoff appearance will be seen as failure.
The Texans made some baffling moves in the off-season, trading DeAndre Hopkins to the Cardinals for RB David Johnson. They did add Brandin Cooks and Randall Cobb to their WR corps, but it'll be hard to make up for Hopkins' production.
Indianapolis made a big QB move adding Philip Rivers. Rivers seems to still have something left in the tank. He'll have some added offensive pieces with rookie WR Michael Pittman Jr and RB Jonathan Taylor. The Colts also swung a big trade, adding DT DeForest Buckner.
As for the Jaguars....they clearly seem to be in tank for Trevor Lawrence mode.
1) Colts 10-6
2) Titans 10-6
3) Texans 9-7
4) Jaguars 3-13
The Chiefs will be looking for a Superbowl repeat, and with the stability they're coming back with that very much could be in the cards. In the draft, they added RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire who appears to be the top man in the RB room.
The Chargers saw a big change with Rivers departing to Indianapolis. They added QB Justin Herbert in the draft, but it'll be Tyrod Taylor getting the start to begin the season.
Eyes are on Derek Carr as the Raiders brought in Marcus Mariota. With Alabama WR Henry Ruggs coming via the draft, the pressure will be on.
Going with Drew Lock, the Broncos gave him some offensive weapons in the draft with WR's Jerry Jeudy and K.J Hamler. On defense however, they saw a big loss recently with Von Miller suffering a season-ending ankle injury.
1) Chiefs 13-3
2) Broncos 8-8
3) Chargers 8-8
4) Raiders 7-9
Playoff Field
1) Chiefs*
2) Ravens
3) Bills
4) Colts
5) Steelers
6) Titans
7) Patriots
Wildcard Round
Patriots v. Ravens
Titans v. Bills
Steelers v. Colts
Divisional Round
Steelers v. Chiefs
Bills v. Ravens
AFC Championship
Ravens v. Chiefs
The pressure will be on the Cowboys as they start the Mike McCarthy era. Along with extending Amari Cooper, they landed Oklahoma WR CeeDee Lamb in the draft. Dak Prescott will also be playing for his future contract.
The Eagles will be hoping for some better health, as they were ravaged last year. Carson Wentz gets a lot of flack, but he didn't have much to work with towards the end of last season. They stacked up their defensive line in the off-season, signing former Steeler Javon Hargrave.
Washington finally ditched their racist team-name, and will go into the year as the "Washington Football Team". Rolls off the tongue doesn't it? They moved on from Adrian Peterson, going with Antonio Gibson more likely than not as the lead back down the line. In some uplifting news, Alex Smith is back from that gruesome leg injury.
The Giants will be seeing what Daniel Jones will look with his first full season as the starter.
1) Cowboys 10-6
2) Eagles 9-7
3) Giants 5-11
4) Washington 4-12
The Vikings traded Diggs and looked to replace at least some of his production with WR Justin Jefferson out of LSU. Will Kirk Cousins be able to reach that next level in the postseason?
The Bears have a mess on their hands at QB, with Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Foles. Neither provides much if any certainty.
The Packers made some head-scratching moves in the draft, selecting QB Jordan Love, and not giving Aaron Rodgers any more offensive weapons.
A lot of analysts out there seem high on the Lions. They saw some unluckiness last year, being without Matthew Stafford for a large portion of the season. They bolstered their RB depth late adding Adrian Peterson.
1) Vikings 11-5
2) Packers 10-6
3) Lions 9-7
4) Bears 4-12
Matt Ryan has been flying under the radar lately. Can the Falcons finally get it all together?
The Saints will be looking to go far this season, as Brees' window seems to be closing. They added WR Emmanuel Sanders, who was effective down the stretch for the 49ers.
There is suddenly a lot of hope in Tampa Bay, as they added Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski. Brady an incredible amount of options offensively, with Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Gronkowski to name a few.
The Panthers are definitely in rebuild mode, but they should have capable QB play with Teddy Bridgewater.
1) Saints 13-3
2) Buccaneers 11-5
3) Falcons 8-8
4) Panthers 5-11
The Seahawks were a game away last year from taking the division. They loaded up on defense swinging a big trade with the Jets to land Safety Jamal Adams.
We'll see how Kyler Murray develops entering his sophomore season. Murray will have a new favorite target I predict with Deandre Hopkins. And on defense, Isaiah Simmons will be interesting to see how he's utilized.
How much regression will the 49ers see? Like the Ravens, I don't think the 49ers' running game will continue at that 2019 clip. They gave Jimmy Garoppolo some added protection making a trade for OT Trent Williams.
The Rams moved on from Todd Gurley and drafted Cam Akers. With some hopefully healthy stability at RB, eyes will be on Jared Goff to try and live up to his contract.
1) Seahawks 12-4
2) 49ers 11-5
3) Rams 8-8
4) Cardinals 7-9
Playoff Field
1) Saints*
2) Seahawks
3) Vikings
4) Cowboys
5) Buccaneers
6) 49ers
7) Packers
Wildcard Round
Packers v. Seahawks
49ers v. Vikings
Buccaneers v. Cowboys
Divisional Round
49ers v. Saints
Buccaneers v. Seahawks
NFC Championship
Buccaneers v. Saints
I thought I had this prediction settled....until I realized where the Super Bowl is scheduled to be played......in Tampa Bay. Its a big assumption, but I think there would be a decent number of fans allowed by that time (here's hoping that call proves true). Being a first ever home super bowl.....I'm going with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
