NFL Preview, Predictions, and More

It’s September and that means football is back! Football season is the best time of the year. This NFL season should be fun because there are lots of new faces in brand new places. The list includes superstars like Odell Beckham Jr. on the Browns, Antonio Brown with the Raiders, and Le’veon Bell with the New York Jets. There are also plenty of exciting rookies to look forward to like Kyler Murray, Quinnen Williams, or some underrated names like Josh Jacobs from Alabama, or D.K. Metcalf from Ole Miss.

In the NFL there are always the top dogs and the bottom feeders. The New England Patriots are a team who over the past 20 years have refused to even scratch the surface level of bottom feeder. This year they are ranked by many experts as the number one team once again. Tom Brady is 42 years old, but he is also still Tom Brady. There are also some other really good teams who should be at the top of everyone’s list for Super Bowl contenders. That list includes: the New Orleans Saints, who have continued to improve through the off season; the Kansas City Chiefs, who have a dynamic young MVP Patrick Mahomes at QB with a high-flying offense, and a new-look defense with Frank Clark leading; the Chargers who were high on everyone’s list until All-Pro second year safety, Derwin James, got hurt and Melvin Gordon began the contract holdout; and obviously the Los Angeles Rams, who are coming off of a very embarrassing Super Bowl loss in February with something to prove.

As for teams who could wake up during the season, the Jacksonville Jaguars are at the top of the list. The Jags were not good last season which was surprising after they were coming off of a 2017 season where they looked like they could be a loaded team for years to come. They now have Nick Foles at quarterback, who can be a bit overrated, but is miles better than what Blake Bortles could have ever been. The Oakland Raiders are also a team who I believe will surprise many people. It may not show on their record because of the fact that they were presented with the toughest schedule in the NFL, but I expect lots of improvement. The Raiders added the best wide receiver in the league, Antonio Brown which people seem to forget because everyone hates the Raiders. They also added some young, dynamic talent on defense for the first time in years. Another team I expect to live up to their full potential is the Minnesota Vikings. They are equipped with, arguably, the best receiver duo in the league and a defense who has lots of big playmakers including: Harrison Smith, Anthony Barr, and Danielle Hunter just to name a few. I don’t believe any of these teams will reach the Super Bowl, but they are definitely all capable of making some unexpected noise.

Super Bowl - Saints vs. Chiefs

WINNER: Saints

MVP: Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints

Drew Brees has one of the best backs in the NFL in Alvin Kamara, one of the league’s best young receivers in Michael Thomas. His arsenal only got stronger this offseason with a very underrated signing of tight end, Jared Cook. He has all the weapons to torture defense’s all year long and that is why he is my pick for MVP.

Honorable Mention(s): Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

Offensive Player of the Year: Saquon Barkley, New York Giants

Saquon Barkley is arguably the best running back in the NFL. He is barely entering his second season, but he runs like a veteran. The Giants aren’t expected to do much this season, but I expect Barkley to be one of the few bright spots this season. They have no legit receivers after trading away Odell Beckham and half of their top guys are either injured or suspended. The QB situation is foggy, to say the least but Saquon will get his carries. The Giants’ offensive line has improved over the years and he is destined for a huge season.

Honorable Mention(s): Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints and Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

Defensive Player of the Year: Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams

Yes, Aaron Donald has already won this award multiple times, but nothing has changed. Aaron Donald is downright dominant. I expect the slippery defensive tackle to make some noise this season. He should be playing with a bit of vengeance after fumbling away the Lombardi trophy in February.

Honorable Mention(s): Khalil Mack, Chicago Bears and Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Josh Jacobs, Oakland Raiders

A lot of people would pick Kyler Murray here… I’m not sold. Kyler Murray will struggle this season. It is already tough for a rookie quarterback to be thrown into the spotlight with high expectations, but he is also working with a rookie coach. Josh Jacobs is in a great situation. He has no pressure. He will start and he will dominate. The Raiders have an offense that looks great on paper. Antonio Brown is Antonio Brown, Tyrell Williams is a 6’4 speedster that was brought over this offseason, and Darren Waller is an underrated quick and big tight end. The Raiders offensive line is massive with their starting tackles both listed at 6’8. This lets the game come to Jacobs. He will ease into it with fresh legs. He may not be the fastest back, but he looks like the perfect runner on tape.

Honorable Mention(s): Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Quinnen Williams, New York Jets

Quinnen Williams, not Nick Bosa. Quinnen Williams has the play style of Aaron Donald along with being very quick and hard to block. I believe Nick Bosa’s rookie year will be hindered due to injuries. He will still be productive, but his lack of time on the field will hurt him. Williams is poised to break out with lots of help on the defense from newly added linebacker C.J. Mosely, Jamal Adams, and Leonard Williams. He was the number three pick in the draft, but he has a generational talent of a first pick.

Honorable Mention(s): Nick Bosa, San Francisco 49ers; Devin Bush, Pittsburgh Steelers; Jonathan Abram, Oakland Raiders; and Josh Allen, Jacksonville Jaguars

American Football Conference (AFC)

1. Kansas City Chiefs
2. New England Patriots
3. Cleveland Browns
4. Jacksonville Jaguars
5. Los Angeles Chargers
6. Oakland Raiders

Reasoning:

The Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, and the Denver Broncos are all teams that are capable of making the playoffs as a wildcard, but I believe that these are the teams who will barely miss.

STEELERS:

The Steelers aren’t as good as they once were. They are a young team at this point. They have some exciting young stars like James Conner, Juju Smith-Schuster, and Devin Bush Jr.. Ultimately though, they will be average. They lost their best receiver in the league this past offseason. Antonio Brown took lots of pressure off of Juju and let him perform as he did. Teams will figure James Conner out and he will be slightly worse than last season. Besides them, there aren’t too many weapons for aging Ben Roethlisberger at QB.

RAVENS:

The Ravens look great. Lamar Jackson is a rising star, but he isn’t the greatest pure quarterback. They signed arguably the best safety in the league, Earl Thomas, and a reliable back, Mark Ingram who isn’t used to carrying the load. They lost a lot of key players on defense this season in starting quarterback of the defense (middle linebacker) C. J. Mosley, pass rushers Terrell Suggs and Za’Darius Smith. They have virtually no weapons on offense besides Marquise Brown. The Browns will be the new kings of the AFC north.

TEXANS:

Deshaun Watson is really good. Deandre Hopkins is a top 3 receiver in the league. Watson’s pass catchers are great, but he lost his featured back Lamar Miller to a torn ACL. The defense isn’t great, and ultimately I don’t think it’s their year. The AFC south can go either way and maybe they can take the Jaguars spot as the #4 seed, but for now I have the Jaguars taking it.

National Football Conference:

1. Saints
2. Rams
3. Bears
4. Eagles
5. Cowboys
6. Seahawks

Reasoning:

The NFC is not as strong as the AFC. The only other teams I can see being in playoff contention are the 49ers, Falcons, and the Panthers depending on Cam Newton’s health situation.