Wishes, predictions, whatever.
AFC East
New England Patriots
Miami Dolphins
New York Jets
Buffalo Bills
I’m not sure about you guys, but I’m leaning heavily towards the team with the clear-cut best QB, and that’s Derek Carr. He’s hit 99 AWR and already showed he can have a great season with less. I expect the Carr-Quick-Cruz trio to repeat their success—especially with the formidable running game headed by Doug Martin, who possesses a rare combo of high AWR(90) and SPD(96) that are the main reasons why he’s had 1.2k yards every year except his injury-shortened sophomore season despite a modest 85 BTK. The Dolphins are ahead of the Jets at this point, but primarily because I have very little faith in Wentz performing well enough to have them competing this season. Miami QB Marcus Mariotta did exceptionally well considering his mid-80s AWR. Dolphins receivers aren’t all 7ft this time around but they’re still pretty good and only getting better. Bills end up in last place because I’m still both confused and jealous of CB Burris fetching a 1st and 2nd in a draft day deal.
AFC North
1.
Pittsburg Steelers
2.
Baltimore Ravens
3.
Cleveland Browns
4.
Cincinnati Bengals
It’s the QB position once again so the Steelers lead the way this year, pushed by the heat of the hot seat. The offense should be very consistent, led by regressing veterans QB Brady Quinn, WR Dez Bryant and HB Darren McFadden. They’ve all lost a step but they’re still capable of having huge games. On the defensive side of the ball things are improved, most notably and importantly in the secondary, as they added FS Mark Barron in a deal with the Titans, as well as tossing some serious cash to chase off the Raiders for restricted free agent CB Dontae Johnson. Baltimore is a close second with their well-rounded team but Jimmy G isn't ready to carry them just yet, and WR Ashlon Jeffrey is still among the top very few studs in the league. Cleveland is an aging club but if Brohm stays healthy they may still compete. The Bengals are in last place as QB Goff still has a long way to go progression-wise.
AFC South
1.
Tennessee Titans
2.
Houston Texans
3.
Jacksonville Jaguars
4.
Indianapolis Colts
Apolo likes to tell me it’s Jacksonville’s year but I remember him saying the same about the Texans last season. Nah, Tennessee is still too good. They will undoubtedly add to their lacking WR depth but that defense is as good as ever, and even deeper in the secondary. Texans might compete for a playoff spot with a bit of luck as they’re solid on both sides of the ball, though I think they could use an upgrade at OLB and figure out how to make the best of their two talented left ends, Mingo and Judon(trade one!). Jags’ QB Winston is close to hitting an AWR level where some consistency can be expected so perhaps if they hang around long enough they can make some noise as the season(and Winston) progresses. The Colts are looking to turn to young QB Nate Sudfeld as their QB of now and the future, so some growing pains are expected.
AFC West
1.
Kansas City Chiefs
2.
San Diego Chargers
3.
Denver Broncos
4.
Oakland Raiders
Daddy is back from getting some milk last season, and his AFC West babies are now on a timeout. Chiefs improved at QB in a trade for star Harnish and got deeper at WR after last season’s injuries. Rookie OLB Tremaine Edmunds is expected to make an impact early as he will get many opportunities to chase the QB in their 34 defense. San Diego got better simply because their young studs continue their progression and they didn’t trade/lose any of their top players. Denver may end up last if they decide to start rookie QB Lamar Jackson this year, but I’m thinking he’ll only get spot starts unless they fall out of contention completely. Oakland is Oakland, which means Henne will get popped once again and miss considerable time.
AFC Playoff Seeding
1.
Kansas City Chiefs
2.
Tennessee Titans
3.
Pittsburg Steelers
4.
New England Patriots
5.
Houston Texans
6.
San Diego Chargers
NFC
NFC East
1.
Dallas Cowboys
2.
New York Giants
3.
Philadelphia Eagles
4.
Washington Redskins
Dallas is just too good. If you were a division rival, you’d have to hope their QB Glennon goes down to have a chance, but then there’s his 99 INJ and TGH shield you’d have to pierce. The Giants are trying to compete for a wild card spot at this point while rebuilding at key positions. Former Packers CB Eric Rowe gives them a pretty solid core at CB alongside another former first round draft pick, Jalen Ramsey. They have former Super Bowl QB Jordan Palmer and enough talent at WR and RB to be in contention. Philly has gotten better and more entertaining following the hire ex-49ers GM Peter Fenger, who earned ring with that club. But it’s just year one and the team needs more ammunition to become serious contender in my eyes.
NFC North
1.
Detroit Lions
2.
Minnesota Vikings
3.
Chicago Bears
4.
Green Bay Packers
I’ll admit I do like the Vikings overall roster a bit better but we’re talking about the Lions here. They’re supposed to win every year. Detroit has excellent young corners that are about to hit their prime in Byron Jones and James Bradberry, plus veteran Aqib Talib can still get the job done. The Bears bring back some pieces but also have a few regressing players, on top of an overall lacking WR unit. Oh and Blake Bell was a better value than their new TE, Mark Andrews.
Green Bay got their QB of the future in Sam Darnold so it looks like he’ll get extended time this season, as he should.
NFC South
1.
New Orleans Saints
2.
Tampa Bay Bucs
3.
Atlanta Falcons
4.
Carolina Panthers
The Saints finally get a good QB in Stanton and earn a little taste of winning football. Good secondary, plenty of high TAK players on D, and WR Chark/Hollins plus the consistent HB Mikel LeShoure. Tampa Bay could easily win this division but that would be kinda boring. Falcons will be a tough out as Bortles inevitably reaches elite tier, but that might be the 2019 campaign. The Panthers appear to be committed to making QB Dak Prescott the next franchise QB.
NFC West
1.
San Francisco 49ers
2.
Seattle Seahawks
3.
St Louis Rams
4.
Arizona Cardinals
9ers still have the best roster so barring Orton going down, they should take the crown. I can’t believe the Seahawks paid what they did for Thigpen if they didn’t plan on starting him full time and also mentoring rookie Josh Rosen. The Rams may try developing Kizer is they lose early, while the Cards are STILL going through Barkley growing pains.
1.
Dallas Cowboys
2.
Detroit Lions
3.
New Orleans Saints
4.
San Francisco 49ers
5.
Tampa Bay Bucs
6.
Minnesota Vikings
Super Bowl:
vs
Champs:
Superbowl MVP: HB Charles Sims
DPOY: DE Dion Jordan
OPOY: QB Chandler Harnish
SFL MVP: QB Chandler Harnish
