NFC EAST:
1) Dallas Cowboys (10-6): A pretty interesting array of talent here, but since the "Triplets" era ended, this franchise has woefully underachieved. Once a staple to be in the NFC Championship Game, their last appearance was, can you believe it, 25 years ago?? If this defense can be top ten in the league, and the offense avoid the injury bug, maybe they give hope to Dallas fans everywhere that the streak ends in 2020.
2) Philadelphia Eagles (7-9): I want to like this team. I really do. I'm certainly rooting for K'Von Wallace, who I covered for years at Highland Springs as he begins his pro career in Philly. Will Carson Wentz still be upright in December? To me, everything revolves around the presence and performance of their quarterback. The pieces around him will go a long way to determining whether he's still slinging at Christmas, fighting for a playoff berth, or, on the bench, watching another promising season go by the boards.
3) New York Giants (6-10): Let's be honest. If the Giants don't take a step forward this year, what do you do? It's a bad time to be a new coach (Joe Judge), your quarterback must grow, significantly, and your star tailback better be able to play all sixteen games. The defense will be suspect, and that's always the Giants' achilles heel. When this franchise wins Super Bowls, they are monsters on defense, especially at the line of scrimmage. There's no Super Bowl in the cards for them this year.
4) Washington Football Team (6-10): Ron Rivera is a very good football coach. Washington is blessed to have him. I'm praying that he beats off cancer and is able to make significant contributions to the team's efforts this season. I'm not sure Rivera can make Dwayne Haskins "Cam Newton 2.0", but I do expect much better play from the quarterback and co-captain. And maybe Rivera knows what he has in the backfield since cutting Adrian Peterson. Letting young, unknown, hungry players run wild can produce some exciting and eye-raising results. The defense? Hmmm.....
NFC NORTH:
1) Minnesota Vikings (13-3): This team, this franchise, is long overdue for a significant season, and they have pieces together to make it happen, even with Stefon Diggs' departure to Buffalo. A steady dose of Dalvin Cook and top notch defensive play, and Kirk Cousins not overdoing it, could give the Vikings their best season since 1998. And Gary Anderson isn't their kicker this season, so maybe they can......
2) Green Bay Packers (11-5): Aaron Rodgers. How much longer does the magic last? Does he know the names of all of his receivers? If so, will he know all the replacement names in week fourteen? Can this defense stop anyone with consistency? Rodgers wills this franchise to victories, but after two horrible losses to San Francisco, they must take a big step forward if they want to try to get Aaron what Brett Favre never received: a second Lombardi Trophy.
3) Chicago Bears (6-10): This may not end well. After a promising first season under Matt Nagy, the fraying began last year, and, this year, it starts to fall apart. Trubisky isn't the answer, Foles normally does not perform well in these circumstances (taking over a losing franchise). I just don't see this working. Sorry Bears fans.
4) Detroit Lions (3-12-1): Goodbye Matt Patricia.
NFC SOUTH:
1) New Orleans Saints (13-3): This team will have a mighty chip on its collective shoulder. No miracles bounced them out of the playoffs last year; just a disappointing performance against Minnesota. I could see this as Drew Brees' last season, last try to return to the Super Bowl. If Alvin Kamara takes his "I want a new contract" attitude to the field and allow it to bear fruit, this team could finally reach the summit.
2) Carolina Panthers (9-7): The surprise team of the NFC this year. Teddy Bridgewater finally gets to shine, clicks big time with Christian McCaffrey, and a new, young, swarming set of defenders create a defense which will turn some heads. They may not make the postseason, but there will be games in December in Charlotte that are meaningful. That's a far cry from a year ago.
3) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8): This isn't going to work. The back half of 2019 showed that the Tom Brady of lore may be fading away. I believe he has some football left in him, but not with his usual consistency. This is reminding me of the New York Yankees of the 1980's where, every year, George Steinbrenner would buy the pieces he thought he needed to keep winning. The results were one World Series trip (in a strike year), which they lost, then nothing for 15 years. Who's their backup? Blaine Gabbert? Okay.
4) Atlanta Falcons (5-10-1): An extra season for Dan Quinn was not the answer. The Falcons are a franchise which have had moments of glory, but never an ascent to the ultimate goal. Tim Marzetti, the bartender, kicking five field goals on Monday Night Football. The great defenses of the late 70's and early 90's which made headlines, but not Super Bowls. The "accidental" Super Bowl in 1998 (thanks Gary!), and, of course, "28-3". A reboot will be needed in Atlanta for 2021 and beyond.
NFC WEST:
1) San Francisco 49ers (11-5): I think the injury bug may play a factor here this year, but there's plenty of talent to help the Niners win the division. I can't wait to watch another season of George Kittle. He's Dave Casper and Mark Bavaro with some bravado and slightly longer hair. He's also a joy to watch.
2) Seattle Seahawks (10-6): Seattle will always be in playoff contention so long as Russell Wilson is under center. I just hope this isn't the year where he goes down with a big injury. That team revolves around him like no other in the league.
3) Arizona Cardinals (7-9): Kyler Murray in year two, now with DeAndre Hopkins and Larry Fitzgerald? This will be fun to watch. If they've beefed up their defense, which was definitely a priority, and can have it so Murray can win games with 24 points rather than 35, the Cardinals could be a late factor. A slow start, though, may be their waterloo come end of December.
4) Los Angeles Rams (5-11): A shocking first season in the stadium of dreams. Does anyone else feel like this team peaked WAY too quickly? Injuries, and a disappointing season for Jared Goff spell doom for the Rams, but no worries for Sean McVay. He has capital there, plenty to stay and rebuild.
PLAYOFFS (New Format!)
#1 New Orleans (a Christmas Day win over Minnesota earns the top seed)
WILD CARD ROUND:
#2 Minnesota def. #7 Carolina
#6 Seattle def. #3 San Francisco
#5 Green Bay def. #4 Dallas
DIVISIONAL ROUND:
#1 New Orleans def. #6 Seattle
#5 Green Bay def. #2 Minnesota
NFC CHAMPIONSHIP:
#5 Green Bay def. #1 New Orleans
*****
AFC EAST:
1) Buffalo Bills (9-7): With the departure of Tom Brady, the AFC East is finally up for grabs, and this year will be a war of attrition to see who survives and ends up on top. Josh Allen won't go to the Hall of Fame, but he improves enough in year three to keep Cam Newton, Sam Darnold, and, eventually, Tua at bay. Plus, Buffalo's defense will be the best in the division.
2) New England Patriots (8-8): Splitting with the Bills will hurt, but, of all things, a January 3rd loss to the Jets will end the long playoff run of New England. Cam Newton, by the way, will have a very, very good season.
3) Miami Dolphins (6-10): Tua by Week 4 or 5 after one of Ryan Fitzpatrick's famous four-interception games. Tua stays healthy, takes his rookie lumps, and Miami will be in better position for 2021.
4) New York Jets (4-12): Goodbye Adam Gase. Why did they hire him?
AFC NORTH:
1) Baltimore Ravens (12-4): No twelve-game winning streaks, and defenses will do a better job containing Lamar Jackson, but the Ravens can adjust, too, and will do so to another division title with really no significant challenge there. The significant challenge? Not losing in the first round.
2) Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7): Big Ben is back, but he's back with a team that has gone through so much mentally in the past 18 months or so. They're good enough to fight for a playoff spot, but not much more.
3) Cincinnati Bengals (6-10): Hey Joe! Where you going with that football in your hand? New hope for the fans who actually get to come to Paul Brown Stadium, as, with a healthy A.J. Green, Zac Taylor finally gets to really work with a quarterback ready to learn and with nothing to lose.
4) Cleveland Browns (5-11): I don't know what it will take for this franchise to get back to, at least, the Bernie Kosar years. Baker Mayfield is way too inconsistent. Odell always makes noise. The ingredients here are not the right ones.
AFC SOUTH:
1) Houston Texans (10-6): Despite losing Hopkins, and with David Johnson so injury prone, Deshaun Watson still has an MVP caliber season. It carries the Texans to a division title. Can J.J. Watt return to pre-injury form? Are there other defenders to truly help him?
2) Indianapolis Colts (9-7): This is the best place for Philip Rivers. He may have five seconds, instead of 2.3, to find receivers and throw the ball. I really like this marriage, Frank Reich knows Rivers well. I hope to see Mo Alie Cox to play a bigger role at tight end.
3) Tennessee Titans (6-10): A one-year wonder. Derrick Henry can't do it all, and Ryan Tannehill returns to Miami form.
4) Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12): Squarely in the running for the Trevor Lawrence sweepstakes, and they'll be pining for him if "Minshew Magic" fades away. At least Tony Khan's other endeavor seems to be gaining traction....
AFC WEST:
1) Kansas City Chiefs (14-2): It's a cakewalk. The Chiefs are so far ahead of their division foes, it's not even funny. Last year, they had to scrap and claw, then make history against Houston, then avoided Baltimore in the AFC Championship. This year, the reqular season is a breeze. The playoffs will pose the high challenge, even with the lone bye.
2) Las Vegas Raiders (9-7): My Raiders will win just enough to keep Jon Gruden. AGAIN. If this is the best this regime can produce, can we just move on already?
3) Los Angeles Chargers (7-9): Tyrod Taylor overperforms, but we'll see Justin Herbert at some point. There's more talent here than people realize. They'll put scares in a lot of teams this season.
4) Denver Broncos (4-12): Losing Von Miller is devastating. Their defense had to carry a still developing offense, and now your engine is gone. Not good.
PLAYOFFS:
#1 Kansas City
WILD CARD ROUND: #2 Baltimore def. #7 Las Vegas
#6 Indianapolis def. #3 Houston
#4 Buffalo def. #5 Pittsburgh
DIVISION ROUND:
#1 Kansas City def. #6 Indianapolis
#2 Baltimore def. #4 Buffalo
AFC CHAMPIONSHIP:
#2 Baltimore def. #1 Kansas City
*******
SUPER BOWL LV: Green Bay 27, Baltimore 24 (OT): It's old school vs. new generation, but Aaron Jones grabs MVP honors as a field goal late in overtime finally gives Rodgers his second title, and the Packers their fifth Lombardi.
Enjoy the season everyone!
From a distance!
