I have been remiss with my blog due to some minor surgery and a hurricane. I’m walking again and Dorian gave us only a glancing blow, so all is well in this part of the planet. I am however back, just in time for the kickoff of the 2019 NFL season. With so many marquee teams operating with legitimate hope for success, and with a handful of star players beginning fresh eras with new franchises, the 2019 NFL season is ripe for the kind of drama and excitement that's worthy of the league's celebration of its 100th year. There are 256 games in the NFL season, so strap yourself in and get ready for a wild ride. Here are my predictions… AFC North 1.Cleveland Browns(11-5) 2.Pittsburgh Steelers(9-7) 3.Baltimore Ravens(8-8) 4.Cincinnati Bengals(5-11) There is no question Cleveland has been the hype team of this offseason. I struggled with 11 wins, not sure they are THAT good, but the Steelers aren’t that good either, the schedule-makers didn't do them a favor. AFC South 1.Indianapolis Colts(10-6) 2.Tennessee Titans(8-8) 3.Houston Texans(5-11) 4.Jacksonville Jaguars(4-12) With Luck gone, not so sure the Colts are as good as many say they are. Mediocre division for sure. But on paper, the Colts still look like the class of this division. Even with Foles over center, the Jags still stink. AFC East 1.New England Patriots(13-3) 2.New York Jets(9-7) 3.Buffalo Bills(5-11) 4.Miami Dolphins(3-13) BREAKING NEWS…The New England Patriots are going to win the AFC East. Again. Still rebuilding, the Jets play five games against 2018 playoff teams and four against clubs with double-digit wins. Nine wins might be a stretch. AFC West 1.Kansas City Chiefs(14-2) 2.Los Angeles Chargers(11-5) 3.Oakland Raiders(5-11) 4.Denver Broncos(4- 12) The Kansas City Chiefs were fun to watch in 2018—a wildly prolific offensive team led by a magical young MVP quarterback in Patrick Mahomes. But as good as the Chiefs were offensively, they were equally awful on defense, and that defense cost them the AFC Championship Game. The Chargers could be the upset pick to win the division…Maybe. NFC North 1.Green Bay Packers(12-4) 2.Chicago Bears(11-5) 3.Minnesota Vikings(9-7) 4.Detroit Lions(5-11) Another tough pick. This division race is even more intriguing than usual. Will Rogers bounce back with a new head coach? Are the Bears for real? Are the Vikings cable of winning 9 games with the 10th toughest schedule in the league? NFC South 1.New Orleans Saints(13-3) 2.Carolina Panthers(8-8) 3.Atlanta Falcons(8-8) 4.Tampa Bay Buccaneers(4-12) Even with the Bucs, this might be the best division in the NFL. Defending-champion New Orleans is the favorite to win. On paper, the Saints are one of the league's more complete teams, and they have a chip on their shoulder (think-playoff non-call). NFC East 1.Dallas Cowboys(12-4) 2.Philadelphia Eagles(11-5) 3.New York Giants(5-11) 4.Washington Redskins(4-12) Dallas faces a number of legitimate Super Bowl contenders during the latter portion of the regular season—the Rams at home in Week 15, the Bears on the road in Week 14 and the Patriots on the road in Week 12. Yeah I know- Elliot is back. I really want to believe the Giants are better than last year. But, I can’t. Manning is on his last legs and the defense is a hot mess. How many games till Jones starts? (I hope none) NFC West 1.Los Angeles Rams(11-5) 2.Seattle Seahawks(8-8) 3.San Francisco 49ers(8-8) 4.Arizona Cardinals(3-13) The Rams won 13 games and the NFC Championship Game last year, but all is not sunny in La La Land this offseason. There are several questions marks-Todd Gurley's balky knee being the biggest concern for the team. The 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and tailback Jerick McKinnon are healthy now (or getting there), and general manager John Lynch was aggressive again this offseason in adding talent like linebacker Kwon Alexander. Ok, that’s it…don’t hate me. Next time, play off predictions.
1 Comment
Stanley
9/6/2019 12:03:01 am
Can't see Colts on top without Luck , Can't see Jets with 9 wins , maybe 7 , and Giants will win more than 5 games , let's say 8 or 9....
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