I was wondering if after all these years you would like to meet.
Not really, but looks like it's Jordan Love season in Green Bay. This is a strange year for me; most times in August, I believe that the Green Bay Packers can challenge for the NFC North title and possibly even more. I don't know what to think this year. I've seen a few picks putting the Packers in 1st, and also a few that has them finishing behind the Bears in last place. I could see either scenario. So I guess we're meeting Jordan Love no matter what. Let's get to the predictions.
AFC East - I went back and forth on this one. I think the Bills have a team that should be coming out of the AFC and meeting someone in the Super Bowl. But they also might not win their own division. I love Mike McDaniel. If Tua doesn't get misappropriated during his concussions last year, they may have gotten a lot further. They still made the playoffs even botching his concussion protocol. I think and hope that McDaniel has learned from his errors, because even though they didn't have a first round pick, they had some of the best upgrades of the off-season (Jalen Ramsey, Chosen Anderson). This might be it though. Once they have to pay Tua, players will have to be let go. Happy Aaron got his move, but the Jets are weird. 3 of the best players in the League, but then a rather light roster everywhere else.
1. Miami Dolphins (4)
2. Buffalo Bills (5)
3. New York Jets
4. New England Patriots
AFC North - Deepest division in football? The Bengals could be the best team in the league, if they are right about their secondary. Ravens and Steelers are going to be really tough outs this year, especially if their QB's kick up another notch (Lamar will have too, with that money. They were able to build around him before, but now every draft pick and signing will be cruicial). And the Browns... if Watson is 75% of what he was at Houston, and Myles Garrett pushes for DPOY, then they could sneak into a playoff spot. It's going to be tough though.
1. Cincinnati Bengals (2)
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (7)
3. Baltimore Ravens
4. Cleveland Browns
AFC South - Weakest division in football? But if every team hits on their new QB, it could get strong in a hurry. I don't think the Jaguars will have to worry about it, as Doug Pederson linking up with Trevor Lawrence can make big waves. This probably isn't Belichick/Brady, but if they see this out, I think the Jaguars have a Super Bowl appearance in their future. Will Levis, Anthony Richardson and CJ Stroud all have high ceilings, but I think each one has a deficiency that doesn't make them a top prospect at the position.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars (3)
2. Tennessee Titans
3. Houston Texans
4. Indianapolis Colts
AFC West - There are things that I like about all four teams, but the Kansas City Chiefs are the only team that really stands out in this division. It starts and ends with Andy Reid and Patty Mahomes. Their chemistry is incredible. They find weapons that suit all of Mahomes' strengths. Knowing that they're always going to lose guys while they're paying Mahomes, they've drafted really well over the past couple of years. They have a couple of paper cracks, but really have to be considered favorites to win their 3rd in 5. Raiders, Broncos and Chargers are going to have to wait their turn for awhile, but I think Vegas is doing it right. Hang on with some veterans, hit the draft hard, and wait for the cornerstone QB and a window in the future.
1. Kansas City Chiefs (1)
2. Los Angeles Chargers (6)
3. Denver Broncos
4. Vegas Raiders
Playoffs:
Chargers 6 at Jaguars 3 - Rematch. Jaguars do it again.
Steelers 7 at Bengals 2 - I think Cincy will be cooking by now.
Bills 5 at Dolphins 4 - At the end of the day, division won't matter. Bills win.
Bills 5 at Chiefs 1 - Poor Buffalo. Best team yet, and it mounts to zero. Chiefs again.
Jaguars 3 at Bengals 2 - This is wild. These 2 QB's could be doing this for years to come. Bengals.
AFC Championship: Bengals 2 at Chiefs 1 - We haven't seen back to back champs since 2004. Players get too hungry, injuries amount to too many problems. If Mahomes is healthy all year, it will be hard to beat them. But I like Joey B. I think it's his time. Bengals.
NFC East - Eagles tried to become the most complete team in football this off-season, and all the while replaced two coordinators on their Super Bowl finalist staff. I think there are 2 camps on the thoughts of the Eagles. Some (not me) think Hurts is an MVP candidate, surrounded by the most explosive roster in the league and added D'Andre Swift. They have quite possibly the best CB tandem in the league in James Bradberry and Darius Slay. And they got one of the highest draft grades in the 2023 NFL draft. Then there are those (like me) that think they had an easy path to the Super Bowl, by beating the New York Giants all three times they saw them, played SF's 4th string QB in the NFC Championship game. We'll see how good they really are with a much more difficult schedule this year. Dallas's window is getting smaller, but the defense is very strong, and adding a Stephon Gilmore should be great for the locker room. Washington and New York leave much to be desired.
1. Philadelphia Eagles (2)
2. Dallas Cowboys (5)
3. New York Giants
4. Washington Commanders
NFC North - Maybe the most unpredictable division in the league. I've seen all four teams mentioned as a division winner, even the lowly Chicago Bears. I think it's Detroit's to lose; they've added some nice pieces and finally have a little continuity to push on and do some damage come playoff time. This feels like a last hurrah for the Vikings and the Kirk Cousins experiment. I think it's safe to say he's almost the perfect B+ QB; he can win your 4 to 5 games every year, but he will probably lose 1 or 2 on his own. It's just sad that it always seems to come around playoff time. The Packers are interesting, as I think they have a Super Bowl defense in waiting, but the offense is the most questionable in the league. Is it a new playbook? Will they rely mostly on the run, option or pass? I think these questions won't be answered until the regular season. Chicago? Could be the surprise package this year with a much better offense on paper, and the Edwards and Edmunds signings were great. If Eddie Jackson and Jaquan Brisker continue to excel together, this will be a tough team to beat.
1. Detroit Lions (3)
2. Minnesota Vikings (7)
3. Green Bay Packers
4. Chicago Bears
NFC South - Who cares?
1. Carolina Panthers (4)
2. New Orleans Saints
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
4. Atlanta Falcons
NFC West - Seahawks had my favorite draft. Devon Witherspoon and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, are you kidding me? What great additions to an already good football team. They rallied around Geno Smith, and he had his best season. Which makes you wonder, was it Russell Wilson or Pete Carroll? I still think the 49ers have some unfinished business after last year. You couldn't have seen any team winning the conference championship under those circumstances. I think they will fight together, and with a healthier season, could end up at the end. It already feels like Sean McVay gave up. Arizona might be the worst team in the league. They might even want to be that bad. (Caleb Williams)
1. San Francisco 49ers (1)
2. Seattle Seahawks (6)
3. Los Angeles Rams
4. Arizona Cardinals
Playoffs:
Seahawks 6 at Lions 3 - Seattle is building to go on a run. Detroit was happy to get here.
Cowboys 5 at Panthers 4 - Bryce Young has a great rookie campaign. But Dan Quinn is another level.
Vikings 7 at Eagles 2 - Probably the only team Cousins doesn't want. Slay, Darius, slay.
Seahawks 6 at 49ers 1 - I want to pick the upset here, but 49ers are too smart. They'll be ready.
Cowboys 5 at Eagles 2 - Two juicy division rival matches. But Eagles roll.
NFC Championship: Eagles 2 at 49ers 1 - NFC seems pretty straight forward, at least if no major players go down for the season. These two teams are the class of a weaker conference. If the 49ers have Brock and the home game, I think it'll be difficult for the Eagles to win.
Super Bowl: Cincinnati Bengals vs San Francisco 49ers. Two teams built completely different. But boy, if we can get this, it should be a special treat. Burrow vs Bosa. Taylor vs Shanahan. Cheers to hoping!
MVP: Joe Burrow
OPOY: CMC
DPOY: Micah Parsons
DPOY: Micah Parsons
OROY: Bryce Young
DROY: Joey Porter Jr.
Your predictions in the comments! Enjoy the season!
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