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John Wilson
September 9, 2021
AFC NORTH
1. Baltimore Ravens (11-6)
The Ravens identity on offense is to work the offense through the run game. Their offensive line is a massive group and will heavily influence the run game. They also brought in wide receivers Sammy Watkins and Rashod Bateman to improve the passing game. The loss of J.K. Dobbins will hurt the homerun hitting aspect of the run game, but Gus Edwards is still a solid back, and Lamar Jackson is obviously an elite runner, as well as a solid passer. Defensively, they have some new faces, but should still be a promising unit. The interior of the defensive line, led by Calais Campbell, should still be solid. At the linebacker position, they return Tyus Bowser, and hope that him and Patrick Queen can elevate their games to the next level and be consistent impact players. They also have rookies Odafe Oweh and Daelin Hayes, who could make an impact from a rotational standpoint. Marcus Peters and Marlon Humphrey is a great cornerback pairing, and their depth at the position is alright. Chuck Clark and DeShon Elliott is a young safety pairing, but the Ravens will hope they can step up and play well. The division is always tough and grueling, and the Ravens style goes along well with that, and I expect them to win the division, and even if they do not, they should still make it in a wild card position.
2. Cleveland Browns (10-7)
The Cleveland Browns have one of the best all-around rosters in the league. They have a top 5 offensive line full of road graders, which is great for their run-first play style. Baker Mayfield played well last season and the Browns hope he can continue to grow his game so that they can expand the passing aspect of their offense. and Odell Beckham Jr. is back and healthy and the rest of the weapons at running back, wide receiver, and tight end are all very high quality. Myles Garrett is my prediction to win DPOY because of his dominant pass rushing ability and he is extremely valuable to the defense’s success. The addition of rookie Jeremiah Owusu-Koromoah will make an impact on the defense, as he can be used as a versatile weapon. Denzel Ward and John Johnson III are great players in the secondary, but the Browns need Greedy Williams, Greg Newsome, or somebody else to step up at the other cornerback position.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)
The Steelers will be a competitive team in the AFC playoff race but will ultimately fall short. Head Coach Mike Tomlin is always a great leader and this team definitely has talent, but there are some holes on the roster. With Najee Harris being picked in the first round, the Steelers want to improve their run game, but the offensive line is not great and that could hurt the consistency of the run game later in the season. The front-7 is strong and has depth. As for the secondary, besides Minkah Fitzpatrick it is not great. I would not be surprised if the Steelers made the playoffs, but the division and conference will be crowded.
4. Cincinnati Bengals (3-14)
Joe Burrow coming off of a torn ACL and mentioning in training camp that he had to get right mentally, regarding the injury, does not convince me the Bengals will have much success this year. To add to that is the fact that their offensive line is not good and will have trouble protecting Burrow. The weapons are very impressive, with Joe Mixon, Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd, and 5th overall pick Ja’Marr Chase, but with Burrow of the knee surgery and a weak O-line, it could be difficult for them to have consistent success. Defensively, the roster is also poor. The front 7 is not a good unit and the secondary is not impressive either. Jessie Bates III and DJ Reader are the better players on this defense, but the unit as a whole has a lot to prove if they want to be good. The Bengals need to build their roster more before they can be competitive in one of the tougher divisions in the league.
AFC SOUTH
1. Tennessee Titans (11-6)
The Titans have been consistently good the past few years but seem to struggle to take the next step and become a Super Bowl contending team. The addition of Julio Jones could help them take the next step. Defenses will have a difficult time guarding him and AJ Brown, as well as defending the run against Derrick Henry. Taylor Lewan returns to a nice offensive line group after tearing his ACL last season. The offense is set up to be a top 10 unit. Defensively, they have solid pieces but will need players to step up. Jeffery Simmons is a dominant player and could have a breakout season. Denico Autry and Janoris Jenkins were good additions in free agency. Rashaan Evans is a solid linebacker in the middle of the defense and Kevin Byard consistently plays at a high level. Rookies Caleb Farley and Elijah Molden will likely be contributing to the defense and could make a big difference towards the end of the season. Players like NT Teair Tart, OLB Harold Landry, CB Kristian Fulton, and Safety Amani Hooker will need to step up if the defense wants to be a complete unit and contend against the powerhouse offenses in the AFC.
2. Indianapolis Colts (11-6)
The Colts have a solid roster with a mix of quality starters and depth. Last season, they were 11-5 with an older Phillip Rivers, who held the offense back in the downfield passing game. This year, the pressure is on Carson Wentz to have a bounce-back season after a poor 2020 season. The Colts strong roster surrounding him should help elevate his game back to what it was each year prior. The Colts have a strong defense, led by Darius Leonard and DeForest Buckner, with a solid secondary, and will hope that Kwity Paye can be productive off the edge. Offensively, the O-Line is one of the best groups in the league and will lead a great running game, which will help Carson Wentz because he won’t be forced to do too much. The Colts hope Running Back Jonathan Taylor and Wide Receiver Michael Pittman will emerge as stars after both coming off promising rookie years. Besides the Titans, the AFC South does not provide much of a threat, so the Colts have a good shot at winning the division if Wentz returns to being an adequate option at quarterback.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-14)
I believe the Trevor Lawrence will pan out, but I expect the Jaguars to struggle to win games as a team. The roster has a few nice players, but overall, it is not very talented. The offensive line is a weakness and will not be very good. Although, rookie Walker Little has looked good in camp, so I would expect him to get on the field. The offensive weapons are a solid group, with promising 2nd year talent in James Robinson and Lavish Shenault Jr., as well as Marvin Jones and DJ Chark. Defensively, Urban Meyer has made it clear they want to build through the defensive line. Josh Allen leads the way for the group, but the rest of the group is not overflowing with talent. Myles Jack is a consistent, high quality player at linebacker, but the Jags will need K’Lavon Chaisson to step up his play. The secondary is very underwhelming. Shaq Griffin can be good, but is also inconsistent, but the rest of the group is not impressive. They will have to hope young players in CJ Henderson, Andre Cisco, and Tyson Campbell can show some talent and give them hope for future seasons. In Meyer’s first season, they will try to find young talent to build a culture.
4. Houston Texans (1-16)
The Texans have a few solid players, but they are lackluster at too many positions and lack depth. With Tyrod Taylor leading the charge, he can be average, but will not elevate the offense. The offensive line and weapons as a whole are not amazing. Defensively, the roster lacks proven talent at all three levels. Whitney Mercilus is on the downside part of his career, and Zach Cunningham is a nice player at linebacker, but the defensive unit as a whole will struggle. The better players on the roster, Brandin Cooks being one, have a good chance of being traded before the trade deadline (They already began this process by trading CB Bradley Roby to the Saints). The Texans new regime will look to build their ideal version of the roster for the future.
AFC EAST
1. Buffalo Bills (15-2)
The Buffalo Bills are in a great position to have a very strong season. Josh Allen is coming off of a spectacular season where he finished second in MVP voting. I expect him and the Bills offense to expand on their lethal passing game and light up the scoreboard consistently. As for the defense, it should be solid. The defensive line is not phenomenal, but it could be pretty good, and if AJ Epenesa can develop his game and Gregory Rousseau can produce as a rookie, they could round into form towards the end of the season. Matt Milano and Tremaine Edmunds can be productive at linebacker, and the secondary should be good, with Tre’Davious White, Micah Hyde, and Jordan Poyer leading the way. The Buffalo Bills are my pick to win the Super Bowl.
2. New England Patriots (13-4)
The New England Patriots will bounce back this year. They had a strong free agency class, most notably with the likes of Matthew Judon, Jonnu Smith, Hunter Henry. Throughout the roster, the Patriots have a ton of depth. 13-4 may sound difficult with a rookie as the starter, but Mac Jones is NFL-ready and has picked up the offense quickly. The Patriots will not struggle to win games with Jones as the quarterback. The offensive line should be very good. The passing game will include many two-tight end sets and will be difficult for defenses to match up with, and Jakobi Meyers could improve his game and be a solid receiving option. The wide receiver room does not have any stars, but it has quality depth. The run game will be solid. On the defensive side of the ball, the Patriots are always versatile and have a great ability to be flexible in how they matchup with different opponents. The defensive line should be pretty good. The linebacking core will be very good, with Dont’a Hightower returning, Kyle Van Noy back on the team, and free agency signing Matt Judon, as well as potentially solid depth in Josh Uche and Ja’Whaun Bentley. The secondary will miss Stephon Gilmore for the first 6 weeks, but JC Jackson will be able to hold down the #1 cornerback spot the group is filled with great depth. Bill Belichick will have this team bounce back and be very competitive.
3. Miami Dolphins (9-8)
The Dolphins roster is very well-rounded and talented. Offensively, the line is young but talented and could be a solid group. Myles Gaskin was a good running back last year, when healthy, and they will want to have a consistent running game. The receiving options are high quality, with DeVante Parker, Will Fuller IV, rookie Jaylen Waddle, and Mike Gesicki, and they have depth at the receiver position. Now to the quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa. He did not play horrible in his rookie campaign, but he was not very good either. He will have to elevate his game and utilize the protection and weapons he has and prove he is the right guy for the franchise. Defensively the Dolphins have a very nice unit. Head Coach Brian Flores loves drawing up creative blitzes and has a very intricate scheme. The defensive line is a powerful group, led by Christian Wilkins, and they have depth. The linebacking core does not have any household names, but guys like Jerome Baker, Sam Eguavoen, and Andrew Van Ginkel can play their roles well. First round pick Jaelan Phillips could also use his strong, athletic Fram to make an impact coming off the edge. The secondary is one of the best in the league, led by shutdown corner Xavien Howard. Byron Jones will need to step up his game and play up to the contract he signed last offseason. Jason McCourty, Eric Rowe, and Justin Coleman are a few players that complete the secondary. Also, look for versatile rookie Jevon Holland to make a big impact on this defense. The Dolphins have a shot at making the playoffs, they just need Tua to improve his game.
4. New York Jets (5-12)
The New York Jets have some promising young talent, but still have some weak spots on their roster. Zach Wilson is a rookie of the year candidate and will be able to show off his impressive arm this season. His blindside will be protected by Mekhi Becton, who was impressive last year as a rookie. The Jets also traded up this year to draft Alijah Vera-Tucker to help protect against the interior pass rush and for run game purposes. The rest of the O-line is lacks top talent and could struggle. The receiving core is a promising group and added Corey Davis and Elijah Moore in free agency and the draft, respectively. Defensively there are a few talented players, but the group will struggle. Carl Lawson was having a great training camp, but unfortunately tore his Achilles. Recent trade addition Shaq Lawson could be a solid fill in for that position, and Quinnen Williams improved last season and could continue that momentum into this season. First year Head Coach Robert Saleh wants to build through the defensive line. CJ Mosley returns this season and should be back to his normal self, but the rest of the linebacking core is inexperienced. Marcus Maye should play well at the safety position, but the cornerback position is very lackluster, with Bryce Hall likely covering opposing teams’ best receiver. The Jets will likely show some promise, but the roster needs work before they can compete.
AFC WEST
1. Kansas City Chiefs (14-3)
The Chiefs are coming off a tough loss in the Super Bowl, where they were held to 9 points and could not score a touchdown. A big reason for the loss was the weak offensive line heading into the game. To try and solve this, they traded for LT Orlando Brown Jr., signed LG Joe Thuney, and drafted Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith in the draft, who all start the season as starters on the depth chart. RT Lucas Niang returns this season after opting out last season and is all slated to start. They also have the luxury of having the best quarterback in the league in Patrick Mahomes. They hope third year wideout Mecole Hardman can take the next step in his career and be a reliable starter opposite of Tyreek Hill. Even with some uncertainty on the line and Hardman now starting, I do not expect the Chiefs offense to struggle. Defensively, they are not strong at every position, but defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo usually rounds his unit into shape by the end of the season. Chris Jones will be used more versatile this season, as he moves the left defensive end position on the depth chart but will probably move inside sometimes on pass rushing downs. Frank Clark needs to step up his play on the opposite end, as he has played alright, but only has 14 sacks since joining the chiefs, yet he has a $25.8 million cap hit. The secondary should solid, with Tyrann Mathieu and L’Jarius Sneed leading the unit, but will have to hope their depth steps up. The linebacking core is average, but they will likely be playing in a 4-2-5 formation more often than a 4-3. Even with a defense that does not look great on paper, they can win games with their offense and are still one of the best teams in the league.
2. Los Angeles Chargers (10-7)
2020 Rookie of the Year Justin Herbert is heading into his 2nd season and looks to improve off of his rookie campaign. The Chargers selected Rashawn Slater in the first round to protect his blindside, as well as signing Corey Linsley at center, so they are serious about protecting their investment. Bryan Bulaga is a solid option at right tackle, but they will need guards Matt Feiler and Oday Aboushi to step up so that the whole line can be a productive unit. They have solid weapons in Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Austin Ekeler, Jared Cook, and young guys in Jalen Guyton and Josh Palmer will see the field as well and be able to make an impact. Defensively, Joey Bosa leads a defensive line group that has potential to be in the better half of the league. They hope that Jerry Tillery can take his game to the next level and that Uchenna Nwosu can play at a high level on the opposite edge. Kenneth Murray was solid in his rookie year and could be on track to be a standout player on the defense. Derwin James is back and will make an impact, as he is one of the most talented safeties in the league. The cornerback position is slightly shaky, with an older Chris Harris Jr. and Michael Davis on the outside, as well as rookie Asante Samuel Jr., who will also see playing time. The Chargers have young talent and have a chance to compete in the playoffs.
3. Denver Broncos (9-8)
The choice to name Teddy Bridgewater the Week 1 starter at QB over Drew Lock tells us to how the Broncos want to play; control the clock with a ground and pound run game and a short-to-intermediate passing game and allow their talented defense to keep other teams from scoring. Starting with the defense, they have quality players at all three levels. Shelby Harris stands out on the defensive line in the Broncos 3-4 scheme, and Mike Purcell and Dre’Mont Jones also play well in their roles in eating up blocks and filling gaps in the run game consistently. Bradley Chubb and Von Miller can be lethal off the edge, and Alexander Johnson and Josey Jewell can be solid inside linebackers. The secondary is filled with talent and depth, as they brought in Kyle Fuller, Bryce Callahan, Ronald Darby, and first-round draft pick Patrick Surtain II, to go along with star safety Justin Simmons. Offensively, the receiving options are young and talented, led by Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy, with KJ Hamler in the slot and Noah Fant manning the Tight end position. Melvin Gordon III and rookie Javonte Williams should be a solid running back tandem for the Broncos physical play style, and the offensive line should be good enough to win most of their battles. The playoffs will be difficult to make in the AFC and their division should be difficult, but I would not be surprised if the Broncos earn a wild car spot.
4. Las Vegas Raiders (5-12)
The Raiders are a strange team to evaluate heading into this season. They have a mix of many new faces and similar, but unproven faces throughout the team. Quarterback Derek Carr had a very good 2020 season and I could see him having another one this year, even if team success does not correlate. Darren Waller leads the group of weapons and could also have another great season. Josh Jacobs is a talented running back and will play well, as long as he stays healthy. The left side of the offensive line is very good, with Kolton Miller and Richie Incognito, while the right side of the line is unproven as quality starters. We will have to see how they progress throughout the season. 2020 first round pick Henry Ruggs III needs to show progression this season, and the Raiders will also hope that 2020 third round pick, Bryan Edwards, can step up and play a starting role. Overall, the offense will still be solid and win the team some games. The defensive side of the ball is where I worry. Maxx Crosby and Yannick Ngakoue have the potential to be a solid pass rushing unit, but the interior of the defensive line lacks top-end talent. Cory Littleton is a pretty solid linebacker, but the group as a whole is not great. Casey Hayward is now on the north side of 30, and Trayvon Mullen and Damon Arnette have not shined much in their young careers. Jonathan Abram needs to be more consistent and reliable, but it will be exciting to see what rookie Tre’Von Moehrig can bring to the team. Overall, the team could be underwhelming because of the lack of talent on the defense.
NFC NORTH
1. Green Bay Packers (13-4)
The Packers are coming off of back-to-back 13-3 season, and I do not envision much of a different result this upcoming season. For one, the Packers have Aaron Rodgers, in what could possibly be his last season as a Packer, and he is definitely motivated to do as well, or even better than he was last season. Rodgers makes the game look easy, and their offense should continue to be highly efficient. Although the offensive line includes a rookie center in Josh Myers and David Bakhtiari is coming off of a torn ACL and may begin the season on the PUP list, the line should hold up. As for the defense, it is not great, although it has the ability to be good, but needs to be able to step up in big moments. Za’Darius Smith is a great pass rusher, and Rashan Gary and Preston Smith should provide for a quality pass rush rotation on the opposite edge. Kenny Clark leads the interior of the defensive line and should provide high quality play, as he is paid to do so. Jaire Alexander is a top 3 cornerback in the league and can shutdown many receivers. Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage should be a solid safety tandem. On the opposite side of the field, the defense will need Kevin King to have a bounce back year, or first-round pick Eric Stokes needs to step up and take the opposite starting cornerback spot. The Packers should run the table in their division, as no team poses much of a threat besides maybe the Vikings. The Packers should be in the playoffs again and could contend for a super bowl.
2. Minnesota Vikings (8-9)
The Vikings have a tough schedule this season. On offense, they work through the run and play action game, and Dalvin Cook is a great back for that. Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen are also a great pair of wide receivers, although the depth at the receiver position is not great. The loss of Irv Smith Jr. for most or all of the season hurts, as he seemed to be on track for a breakout season. The offensive line does not look too promising and there are no standouts in the unit. First round pick Christian Darrisaw is currently listed as a backup on the depth chart, but I would expect him to get on the field at some point this season. As for the quarterback, Kirk Cousins has always been good when the play runs smoothly, but when plays break down he tends to struggle, which is good reason for why the Vikings often have success but struggle to take the next step to being a Super Bowl Contender. On the defensive side of the ball, the Vikings are glad to have elite pass rusher Danielle Hunter back, as he is a dominant force on that defense. Michael Pierce and Dalvin Tomlinson should be solid in the interior part of the defense, and on the opposite end, DJ Wonnum is still young and could improve. Eric Kendricks is a great linebacker and Anthony Barr always plays his role well, so the front seven could be solid. In the secondary, Harrison Smith is really good, but we will have to see if Patrick Peterson is still capable of playing at a high level and if Bashaud Breeland can play well enough on the other side. The Vikings should be an interesting team to watch this year, and I would not be surprised if they made the playoffs in a wild card position, but they would have to perform well consistently.
3. Chicago Bears (5-12)
Andy Dalton starts the season as QB1, although many people believe Justin Fields will be on the field sooner rather than later, including myself. Regardless, the team will struggle to win games consistently. Allen Robinson, Darnell Mooney, David Montgomery, and Cole Kmet is a promising group of weapons and definitely have talent, but the offensive line is poor and could hold the offense back from producing. Defensively, the front seven includes Akiem Hicks, Eddie Goldman, Khalil Mack, Roquan Smith, and Robert Quinn, which is a very solid group. The secondary, on the other hand, is not good. Jaylon Johnson had a promising rookie season and could improve on that, but he will have to guard every team’s #1 receiver, which is a tall task week in and week out. Eddie Jackson did not have his best season last year but is still a solid player and could bounce back. The rest of the secondary has a lot to prove if they want to compete with the best teams in the league.
4. Detroit Lions (1-16)
The Lions are trying to implement a new culture and play style, but do not quite have the talent to be successful yet. Offensively, Jared Goff takes over at quarterback, which is a downgrade from former Lions QB Matt Stafford., but they will want to run the offense through the run game. The offensive line has potential talent and will help with that and the new culture that embraces physicality. On the defensive side of the ball, the Lions will be implementing a 3-4 scheme. The Lions hope that rookies Alim McNeil and Levi Onwuzurike can show promise in their rookie campaigns. Trey Flowers has not been a great addition since arriving in Detroit, but maybe a new scheme can shine a new light. Romeo Okwara was had a good 2020 season and will hope to keep that momentum going into 2021. The same cannot be said about 2020 3rd overall pick Jeff Okudah, who had a poor rookie season, and will need to improve. The Lions area young football team and will go through a rough season, but hopefully they learn and get better in order to be better in the future.
NFC SOUTH
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (13-4)
The 2020 Super Bowl Champions enter the 2021 season with an even better roster. They return every starter from last season and added rookies who could make an impact. They also have Antonio Brown for a full season and OJ Howard returning from injury. Tom Brady has an elite group of offensive weapons to utilize, as there are a variety of talented rushing and receiving options. Rookie Jaelon Darden could also add a spark in the offense. This offense is dangerous and should be exciting to watch. Defensively, the unit is still talented and could be elite. Vita Vea missed time last season, but starts this season healthy, and the Bucs are happy to have him back in the interior of the defense. Lavonte David and Devin White are phenomenal in the middle of the defense and Shaq Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul are a great pass rushing duo. The team also added Joe Tryon-Shoyinka in the first round of the draft, who will provide solid depth in the pass rush rotation. Carlton Davis, Jamel Dean, and Sean Murphy-Bunting are a quality group of young corners, and Antoine Winfield Jr. and Jordan Whitehead are a young, solid safety tandem. This roster is the best in the league and the team should be great this season.
2. New Orleans Saints (10-7)
Drew Brees retired and they Saints could not resign some guys because of salary cap issues, but they still return quality players and will be competitive this season. The Saints are beginning a new era with Jameis Winston at quarterback. With Winston, Sean Payton will be able the expand the offense and utilize a downfield passing game. Jameis Winston’s touchdown throw to Marquez Callaway in the preseason game vs. the Jaguars was the longest pass through the air by a Saints quarterback since 2016 (53 yards) which speaks to how the offense can expand. Callaway has looked good in preseason and they will hope Tre’Quan Smith and Deonte Harris can step up until Michael Thomas returns. The offensive line returns all five starters and should continue to be very good, and Alvin Kamara should get a great deal of touches and produce heavily. Defensively, the Saints pass rush should be solid, with Cameron Jordan, and they hope former first-round pick Marcus Davenport can step up, and they have a good rotation. DeMario Davis leads the group of linebackers, which could be good, as Kwon Alexander is also a solid player, and they hope Zack Baun can improve. Marshon Lattimore will hold down the #1 CB spot, but the recent trade acquisition of Bradley Roby will help the secondary significantly. Ken Crawley and Paulson Adebo are the backups on the outside, which is not great, but it is serviceable. Malcom Jenkins is now 33 years old and his coverage skills are not great, but he can still be a good box safety. C.J. Gardner-Johnson can play safety and the nickel corner spot and is versatile, and Marcus Williams is a quality safety, so they are good in those positions. The Saints are one of the more interesting teams to watch this season.
3. Carolina Panthers (7-10)
Sam Darnold has the best group of offensive talent thus far in his career and should look better than he has in the past, as he has talent, but has never been in a great situation. Christian McCaffery returns at running back, which will help Darnold with the run game and his passing catching ability. DJ Moore, Robby Anderson, and Terrace Marshall Jr. is a great group of receivers. The offensive line is not great, but it is not bad either. The offense should have success. Defensively, it is a young group, but it has talent. Brian burns is very good pass rusher and is the standout player on the defensive line. Derrick Brown is heading into his second season and will be looking to have a breakout year. Shaq Thompson is solid at linebacker, and the team will hope free agency acquisition Haason Reddick can make an impact. Jeremy Chinn had a very good rookie season and should look to improve on that. Eighth overall selection Jaycee Horn will be exciting to watch in his rookie season. The Panthers have potential, but are still a young team, so they will improve off of last season, but it will still be difficult for them to earn a playoff spot.
4. Atlanta Falcons (5-12)
Offensively, this team could still have success, even with the loss of Julio Jones. Calvin Ridley is still a premier threat on the outside, and the addition of Kyle Pitts will be difficult for defenses to prepare for both of them. New Head Coach, Arthur Smith, will want to emphasize the run game, and Mike Davis is a solid running back. The offensive line is good but could struggle at times throughout the season. Matt Ryan still has gas left in the tank and could play well enough this season where the offense still looks good. The defensive side of the ball is where this team will struggle. Grady Jarrett is a great player and Deion Jones is also pretty good, but besides that, there is not too much to be excited about. Dante Fowler is a solid player, but not exactly what a team would want for their best edge rusher. The rest of the front seven is not very good. In the secondary, Duron Harmon is a solid veteran, but the cornerback group is young. They will hope AJ Terrell can play well consistently in his second season and prove his first-round draft status. This could be a tough year for the Falcons, but Arthur Smith will lay his foundation.
NFC EAST
1. Washington Football Team (10-7)
The Washington Football Team could arguably have the best defense in the league. Chase Young, Da’Ron Payne, Jonathan Allen, and Montez Sweat will be a lethal bunch and will give any offensive coordinator nightmares trying to prepare a game plan. They also have Matt Ioannidis for depth. The linebacker group is not outstanding, but the starters can definitely play their roles well, and could be led by athletic rookie Jamin Davis. The secondary is a very good group, with William Jackson III and Kendall Fuller on the outside and Landon Collins and Kamren Curl providing quality play at the safety spots. Also, a great pass rush almost always makes a secondary look even better than it is. As for the offense, the offensive line is an adequate group lead by Brandon Scherff. Samuel Cosmi has looked good in preseason and will likely get the starting job at right tackle. Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel, and Antonio Gibson are great weapons for the offense, and look out for third-round wide receiver Dyami Brown coming along throughout the season and providing a spark. All pressure lies on Ryan Fitzpatrick to play up to par and take care of the football. He played well last season with the Dolphins when they had a solid roster supporting him, and I envision a similar situation this year for him.
2. Dallas Cowboys (9-8)
The Cowboys offense has the potential to be electric. Dak Prescott returns this season, which is crucial to the teams’ success. Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb, and Michael Gallup is an elite combination of receivers, so the aerial attack is a big threat to defenses. Ezekiel Elliott has been trending downwards over the last couple seasons, but he can still be quality starter, and the threat of the passing game could help the run game. The offensive line welcomes Tyron Smith back, which is great for the unit. Zack Martin remains one of the best guards in the league. La’el Collins, Connor Williams, and Tyler Biadasz round out the starting group, and can all play at a quality starting level. The offense could be one of the better units in the league. The defensive side of the ball is where I have some concerns. Despite low sack numbers the past two seasons, Demarcus Lawrence has still made an impact in pressuring the quarterback and causing disruption on running and passing plays, so he is still a nice piece on the line. The rest of the front four has to step up their play if they want to help improve the defense. I anticipate Micah Parsons to come in and make an impact on the defense right away, as he has versatile attributes and can play sideline to sideline. Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch did not have great 2020 seasons, but they are in a new scheme this year and have the talent to return to a higher level of play. The secondary looks pretty weak. Trevon Diggs showed flashes of talent last season and the Cowboys hope he can show that talent more consistently so that he can be a confident #1 corner. The rest of the unit is average and will have to improve if they want to stop opposing offenses. The offense should be good, but the defense needs to step up if this team wants a shot at a playoff run.
3. New York Giants (5-12)
The Giants have an interesting roster. Although they only went 6-10 last year, they showed signs of playing quality football and Joe Judge implemented a physical and hard-nosed mentality to the team. Although, there are still important questions that surround the team, such as the offensive line, which seems to still be a weakness and could hurt the offenses chances of improving. Having Saquon Barkley back is great for the offense, as he is an elite weapon. The addition of Kenny Golladay should help the wide receiver group, which is solid. Daniel Jones has showed flashes of being a worthy starting quarterback, but he needs to be more consistent to solidify that role in what could be a make-or-break season for him. Defensively, they have potential to threaten opposing offenses. Leonard Williams and Dexter Lawrence are a great combination on the line. The linebacking core is alright, and second round pick Azeez Ojulari could make a contribution to that group. The secondary has a decent amount of talent, led by James Bradberry, arguably a top five cornerback in the league. Adoree’ Jackson on the other side is nice addition to the group, and second year cornerback Darnay Holmes can be a quality nickelback. Jabrill Peppers and Logan Ryan is a talented safety tandem, and the young depth in Xavier Mckinney and Julian Love is good for the group. The Giants roster has potential, but the schedule is not easy, but they will remain in many close games.
4. Philadelphia Eagles (3-14)
The strength of the Eagles roster is the trenches on both sides of the ball. The offensive line group should be the best aspect of their team, with Jason Kelce, Brandon Brooks, Lane Johnson leading the charge, as well as solid depth. The defensive line is led by Fletcher Cox, Brandon Graham, and Javon Hargrave, as well as a potential pass rushing rotation at the right end position with Josh Sweat and Derek Barnett and could wreak havoc on some offensive lines. These are two big reasons why the Eagles could win up to 6 or 7 games, but the rest of their roster lacks talent. Alex Singleton is a willing tackler and solid at defending the run, but besides him, the linebacking group is weak. Darius Slay had a good 2020 season but struggled against some of the league’s top end receivers, and the rest of the secondary is not very talented. On the offensive side of the ball, Miles Sanders is a homerun hitter at running back but needs to be more consistent in the passing game. Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert are a great tight end pairing and could help their young quarterback. DeVonta Smith should help the passing game immensely, but the rest of the receivers have a lot to prove because currently, it is not a talented group. Finally, quarterback Jalen Hurts has a ton to improve on if he wants to prove he is a franchise quarterback. Last season, he showed a few flashes of talent, but still struggled to be a consistent passer and take care of the ball, although it was a small sample size. His arm talent is not great, so he needs a great coach to set him up for success, so we will have to wait and see what first-year Head Coach Nick Sirianni will draw up for him and the offense. I could see the Eagles winning more than three games, but they begin the season with a tough schedule, and it will be difficult for this team to reach .500.
NFC WEST
1. Los Angeles Rams (13–4)
The addition of Matthew Stafford is refreshing for Sean McVay, as he can now implement his entire offense, because his new quarterback can make all the necessary throws. The loss of Cam Akers hurts the run game, but Darrell Henderson and Sony Michel should be able to get the job done, to some capacity. The wide receiver group includes Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, Van Jefferson, DeSean Jackson, and TuTu Atwell, which is a talented group. The offense is fueled for a great season. Defensively, there are still a few spots that remain questionable, but they also have the luxury of having Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey, two of the best defensive players in the league. The defensive line besides Donald is slightly above average, but his impact on that line is key to its success. The Rams retained Leonard Floyd this offseason, which was a great decision because he is a high-quality pass rusher. Kenny Young will be a solid inside linebacker, and rookie Ernest Jones has the chance to make an impact as well. Darious Williams had a great 2020 campaign and is a solid corner opposite of Jalen Ramsey. Jordan Fuller and Taylor Rapp is not the most talented safety group, but they can play at an adequate level. The Rams are a team to be reckoned with this season and have a good shot at being a Super Bowl contender.
2. Seattle Seahawks (11-6)
The Seahawks return many of their core players for the 2021 season. In the offseason, there was turmoil surrounding Russell Wilson and the Seahawks, but that matter seemed to get cleared up, at least for now. Shane Waldron is new Offensive Coordinator, who comes from being the Rams passing game coordinator, so there should be new concepts and an expansion of the Seahawks offense, which should please Russell Wilson. The seahawks return an excellent group of weapons in Chris Carson, D.K. Metcalf, and Tyler Lockett, and rookie D’Wayne Eskridge could be a new, sneaky weapon for the offense. The offensive line is solid with Duane Brown, Damien Lewis, and new arrival Gabe Jackson. Tight End Gerald Everett should also help the offense this season. On the defensive side of the ball, there are a few standouts in Bobby Wagner, Jamal Adams, and Quandre Diggs, but the group as a whole could struggle. The cornerback group is not very impressive, as the Seahawks return Tre Flowers and D.J. Reed to start on the outside. The Seahawks hope Jordyn Brooks can step up and be a solid linebacker for them alongside of Wagner, but the group as a whole is not enticing. The defensive line will not scare many teams either. Last season, the defense started off very poor, but turned it around in the second half of the season, and I could see a similar situation happening this season. Since the “Legion of Boom” era has ended, the Seahawks have seemed to be in a similar situation many times. This gives me faith that the Seahawks can once again have a quality offense and Pete Carroll can round the defense into shape by the end of the season so that they can still be competitive and make the playoffs.
3. San Francisco 49ers (11-6)
The 49ers have a very strong roster. Whether Jimmy Garoppolo or Trey Lance starts, this team can win games. Kyle Shanahan will start with Jimmy G because it seems like he still trusts Garoppolo to run his offense how he wants. Although, I would not be surprised if Lance is named the starter at some point. Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, and Raheem Mostert are a phenomenal group of weapons as Shanahan’s disposal. The line is also great for the run and pass game, as it includes Trent Williams, Alex Mack, and Mike McGlinchey. The offense should be very productive with the mix of talent and Kyle Shanahan calling the plays. Having Nick Bosa back will help the defense tremendously. The D-line also includes Arik Armstead, Javon Kinlaw, and Dee Ford in rotation, which has the potential to be an elite front. At the linebacker position, Fred Warner is arguably the league’s best and Dre Greenlaw is also a solid and plays a key role on the defense. The secondary is the weakest part of the defense, but still has Jimmie Ward and Jaquiski Tartt at safety, which can be an above average pairing. Jason Verrett is also a good cornerback, when healthy, but the rest of the group is not great. Although, the talented front seven should help the weaker secondary. The 49ers are in a tough division but have the potential to win it and should definitely earn a playoff spot.
4. Arizona Cardinals (8-9)
The Cardinals are another interesting team going into the 2021 season. Coach Kliff Kingsbury could be on the hot seat after the season if they do not make the playoffs. Kyler Murray is a very talented quarterback, but the offense struggled towards the end of the 2020 season, with some of the blame landing on Kingsbury’s shoulder, as his play calling seemed to get bland. Rodney Hudson was a key addition to the offensive line, but it is still not a great group. At the receiver position, they have one of the league’s best in DeAndre Hopkins, and added AJ Green and Rondale Moore in the offseason, which could help the passing attack. The running back position is headed by Chase Edmonds and James Conner, which is not the best pairing. The offense has the ability to be lethal but needs to be more consistent and stay fresh. Defensively, they added JJ Watt to the defensive line, who has the chance to make an impact if he stays healthy, but the rest of the line is not very impressive. Chandler Jones should continue to be a valuable pass rusher off the edge, which will help the defense. Isaiah Simmons showed flashes of talent last season, but must improve this season, and Zaven Collins has the potential to be a good linebacker and will be thrust into a starting role early in the season. Besides Budda Baker, the secondary is not great and is a weakness of the team.
AFC CONFERENCE | NFC CONFERENCE |
1. Buffalo Bills (15-2) 2. Kansas City Chiefs (14-3) 3. Tennessee Titans (11-6) 4. Baltimore Ravens (11-6) 5. New England Patriots (13-4) 6. Indianapolis Colts (11-6) 7. Los Angeles Chargers (10-7) | 1. Green Bay Packers (13-4) 2. Los Angeles Rams (13-4) 3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (13-4) 4. Washington Football Team (10-7) 5. Seattle Seahawks (11-6) 6. San Francisco 49ers (11-6) 7. New Orleans Saints (10-7) |
8. Cleveland Browns (10-7) 9. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) 10. Miami Dolphins (9-8) 11. Denver Broncos (9-8) 12. Las Vegas Raiders (5-12) 13. New York Jets (5-12) 14. Cincinnati Bengals (3-14) 15. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-14) 16. Houston Texans (1-16) | 8. Dallas Cowboys (9-8) 9. Minnesota Vikings (8-9) 10. Arizona Cardinals (8-9) 11. Carolina Panthers (7-10) 12. Atlanta Falcons (5-12) 13. Chicago Bears (5-12) 14. New York Giants (5-12) 15. Philadelphia Eagles (3-14) 16. Detroit Lions (1-16) |
AFC Wild Card 5. New England Patriots Vs. 4. Baltimore Ravens 6. Indianapolis Colts Vs. 3. Tennessee Titans 7. Los Angeles Chargers Vs. 2. Kansas City Chiefs | NFC Wild Card 5. Seattle Seahawks Vs. 4. Washington Football Team 6. San Francisco 49ers Vs. 3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7. New Orleans Saints Vs. 2. Los Angeles Rams |
AFC Divisional 6. Indianapolis Colts Vs. 2. Kansas City Chiefs 5. New England Patriots Vs. 1. Buffalo Bills | NFC Divisional 3. Tampa Bay buccaneers Vs. 2. Los Angeles Rams 5. Seattle Seahawks Vs. 1. Green Bay Packers |
AFC Championship 2. Kansas City chiefs Vs. 1. Buffalo Bills | NFC Championship 2. Los Angeles Rams Vs. 1. Green Bay Packers |
Super Bowl
Buffalo Bills, 34 Vs. Green Bay Packers, 28
AWARDS
MVP: Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills
OPOY: Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints
DPOY: Myles Garrett, DE, Cleveland Browns
OROY: Zach Wilson, QB, New York Jets
DROY: Patrick Surtain II, Denver Broncos
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