NFL Season Predictions
The NFL kicks off tonight, and with a brand new season of thrills and excitement comes our season’s predictions of seeding, and honors that will surely look myopic by February. And if by some miracle we’re spot on then we warned you.
NFC Seeding Predictions
- 49ers
With arguably the best roster in football it’s easy to see how they could run back the one seed. Fresh off the Superbowl they’ve had few losses and minor additions leading to a team that seems ready to get back to the big game or at least beat up on the rest of their division.
2. Lions
After the heartbreaker that ended their Superbowl hopes last year, the Lions took a step back and improved their team’s biggest weakness in the secondary. Beyond this, they’ve also managed to extend star offensive players (Namely St. Brown and Goff) to move into the season with a legit Superbowl contender
3. Cowboys
It has to be their year eventually, and while I doubt it is this one their roster remains proven in the regular season. They may have had one of the laziest offseasons of all time doing barely anything to improve, however, Dalvin Cooks is a great addition to this offense. Beyond this Dak Prescott and Micah Parsons are still fighting for extensions and Lamb is all set to prove his was worth the heavy price tag.
4. Buccaneers
Baker Mayfield seems to have finally found his team with the Bucs, and they are ready to make another postseason run. A solid defense mixed with a terrible division, Mayfield’s arm, and 10-season-straight-1000-yard receiver Mike Evans is a recipe for success for sure; now they just need to let Baker cook.
5. Rams
Into the first Wildcard spot we have the Los Angeles Rams. Sean Mcvay’s team may not be on the level of the 49ers, but they still look to make a big impact this year. Matthew Stafford plays as well as ever even with his age. Superbowl MVP Cooper Kupp and breakout star Puka Nakua make an outstanding duo, and Kyren Williams is off of an incredible second-year effort that finished him 3rd in rushing. The defense is the only concern, specifically with the loss of the future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald, how that works out for LA is yet to be seen.
6. Packers
The Packers have looked great under the Jordan Love era, which is a blessing for the Packers because they have been blessed with great QBs from Farve, to Rodgers, to Now Jordan Love who looks good under head coach Matt Lefluer. Green Bay is an improved NFC North division which will provide a tough test for not only the Packers but also the Bears. Look for the Packers to use the frigid temps in December to help sneak into the playoffs.
7. Falcons
Kirko Chains finally makes his Atlantic debut much to the dismay of the 8th overall pick benchwarmer Michael Penix Jr. Despite his pitiful one-playoff win career Cousins has the experience and leadership needed to start healing this sorry franchise. Beyond this new coaching without the unique ideas of Arthur Smith should allow for Drake London and Kyle Pitts to hopefully have their breakout seasons. Beyond this being able to beat up on the South certainly doesn’t hurt.
AFC Seeding
- Chiefs
This team needs no introduction, and neither does their mounting dynasty. In the last 5 years, they have won the Superbowl 3 times and appeared 4. Patrick Mahomes only seems to get better and dominate along with the Chris Jones-led defense. As much as we want to watch anyone else get it, the three-peat might be real.
2. Ravens
Lamar Jackson needs to lock in immediately. The MVP winner has everything he would ever need to finally start fixing his ugly 2-4 playoff record with an incredible defense, a great receiving core, and now Derrick Henry. They may have the best team in the AFC, but when it counts they tend to collapse leading to our 2nd spot.
3.Colts
They were one game away from the division last year with a backup quarterback for the majority of the season. With Richardson back they are looking to expand on flashes of greatness, and as long as he can learn how to get down properly the Colts have a playoff-ready team.
4.Jets
Aaron Rodgers is a shell of his former self but the entire division is down this year with the lack of offense in Buffalo and the turnover problems in Miami, the Jets are in a good position to make a run back to the playoffs with the defense as good as it appears to be. Garrett Wilson leads the WR room and Rodgers is known to improve those around him so that’s a positive sign in New Jersey.
5.Browns
Cleveland is coming off of a silly miracle season where a series of 5 backup quarterbacks took this team to the divisional round. Deshaun Watson is now back as the starter and the defense is still top of the country. No Chubb will hurt them, and they have a tough division, but they’ll be fine.
6.Texans
After completing the best rebuild of all time and managing to improve further with Diggs and Mixon, they are ready to get back in the playoff race. Demarco Ryans was frankly robbed of coach of the year and the 2023 DROY and OROY are ready to try and fix that this season.
7.Dolphins
They haven’t won a playoff game in our lifetime, but that won’t stop them from trying. A dominant offense with some of the league’s top speedsters receiving and rushing. While they struggle with consistency against better teams, they are a sloppy secondary worst fear sometimes to the tune of 60+ points.
MVP
Patrick Mahomes
He truly makes it look effortless. From his 3 rings to his stupidly good pocket presence and mobility, to his frankly silly side arm passes and behind-the-back one-handers that he pulls out seemingly at random. No one will be surprised if he takes home the MVP this year.
CPOTY
Aaron Rodgers: After some insane offseason hype he finally premiered on the Jets roster in 2023. Unfortunately he then promptly tore his ACL 4 snaps in. After recovering from this huge injury with as big a name as he has, even a lukewarm performance will most likely snatch him this honor.
OPOY
Tyreek Hill: A strong nominee from last season, Hill’s speed sets him up as a league-defining receiver. He is ripe to produce once more especially with the extension of Tagoviloa who knows just how much priority Tyreek deserves.
DPOY
T.J. Watt
Last year he spoke out about being robbed for DPOY, but this year he is ready to take it back. Not only does he have the performance expected from a DPOY, but due to an offense that is looking to struggle, he will have a lot of chances to prove it.
OROY
Caleb Williams
The hyped-up generational talent is coming into a program shaped specifically for him to succeed. Whereas other QBs are coming into struggling nightmares Caleb gets newly signed WRs and an RB to help him look good in his professional debut.
DROY
Dallas Turner
He is a 6’3” 250lb linebacker from Alabama. Beyond that, he is also on a team in Minnesota that is prime to let him shine in any way they can. The situation is good for him, he is incredibly skilled and has the build to match. He’s the favorite for a reason.
COTY
Dan Campbell
Dan Campbell is the heart and soul of the new Lions and has taken them from where every other Detroit team is to a real contender. His energy and spirit define the team and his Madden-esk playcalling is surprisingly successful. If he can learn to tone it back a little bit in the big moments to avoid throwing away games (i.e. NFC Championship) he can easily take this honor.
Superbowl Winner
San Francisco
They have to win one eventually right? After managing to take the Superbowl to overtime against the Chiefs they’ve lost essentially nothing. Brock Purdy only seems to get better each season and their defense is one of the best in the league. Nine Pro-Bowlers, Seven All-Pros, and a coaching staff that can get them to the big game. The only thing left is finishing the job for the first time in 29 years.
