2020 NFL Predictions

The MLB season is only in it's third month, but the NFL season is less than a week away.  Seems weird.  That's what happens when a global pandemic postpones or cancels different sporting leagues.  

I usually do fairly well with these predictions, so I will continue, going division by division, giving each team a predicted Win/Loss record.  I'll predict the playoffs under the new seven team per conference playoff format, and then some predicted award winners.

I usually go game by game for the Seahawks, but I'm usually way off.  The Hawks will no doubt win some games I predict them to lose, and they will lose a game or two (at least) that I predict them to win.  Instead, I will just talk about the team briefly and what I expect from each position group.  

So without further ado, the NFL win/loss record predictions:

* = Wild Card

AFC East
1. Buffalo Bills, 10-6
3. Miami Dolphins, 9-7*
3. New England Patriots, 7-9
4. New York Jets, 6-10

Summary: For the first time since 2000, Tom Brady does not enter the season as the Patriots starting quarterback.  This is a huge opportunity for anyone else to claim the division, and with Buffalo being a 2019 playoff team, they have the best opportunity.  I think they will be solid, if unspectacular.  The Dolphins surprise a lot of people and make the playoffs, riding a win streak after switching to Tua at QB.  The Patriots aren't awful, but they are a far cry from the team that won the Super Bowl a few years ago.  That leaves the Jets as the odd man out.  Sam Darnold does decently, but the defense falls apart and Adam Gase is fired.  

AFC North
1. Baltimore Ravens, 14-2
2. Pittsburgh Steelers, 10-6*
3. Cleveland Browns, 9-7*
4. Cincinnati Bengals, 3-13

Summary: The Ravens enter as clear favorites.  Can Lamar repeat his 2019 regular season success?  Odds are yes.  The Steelers, being a (mostly) veteran team and getting their veteran QB back, return to the playoffs and play solid ball.  The Browns barely make the playoffs, but only because the rest of the AFC is trash. The Bengals tread water but realize they like Burrow; it's just they need to get him help.

AFC South
1. Indianapolis Colts, 11-5
2. Houston Texans, 8-8
3. Tennessee Titans, 7-9
4. Jacksonville Jaguars, 1-15

Summary: Probably the weakest division in the AFC (again).  The Colts, with new QB Philip Rivers, claim the title.  The Texans struggle a bit without many offensive weapons.  The Titans realize they shouldn't have handed Ryan Tannehill that contract.  The Jaguars, meanwhile, struggle mightily but are a fun watch with Gardner Minshew, and they win their first game in week 17 against a Colts team whose playoff position is settled at that point.  

AFC West
1. Kansas City Chiefs, 12-4
2. Denver Broncos, 8-8
3. Oakland Raiders, 8-8
4. Los Angeles Chargers, 6-10

Summary: This might be the most surprising division I've predicted.  The Chiefs are still clear front-runners, although as defending champs they will be the target of many.  The Broncos aren't able to really make a statement as injuries and opt-outs hurt them.  The Raiders have an up and down season and they are still left with many questions (Is Carr the future?).  The Chargers bad luck rears its ugly head again (they've lost Derwin James to injury already again), and Tyrod Taylor is unable to do anything to right their sinking ship.  Justin Herbert is given the reigns in the later part of the season.

NFC East
1. Philadelphia Eagles, 9-7
2. Dallas Cowboys, 7-9
3. Washington Football Team, 6-10
4. New York Giants, 4-12

Summary: The worst division in football again.  The Eagles struggle with injuries and inconsistency again, but are decent enough to win the division.  The Cowboys are fun to watch for the most part, but are clearly missing their once dominant O-Line.  Washington is surprisingly good defensively, with Chase Young breaking Jevon Kearse's rookie sacks record.  The Giants aren't awful, but Daniel Jones has a set back and the Giants start to wonder if he's the future.

NFC North
1. Green Bay Packers, 11-5
2. Minnesota Vikings, 9-7*
3. Chicago Bears, 7-9
4. Detroit Lions, 7-9

Summary: Hell hath no fury like an Aaron Rodgers scorned.  The Packers as a whole aren't quite as good, but Aaron Rodgers clearly carries them to a few wins, as drafting a possible successor is enough to light a fire under him.  The Vikings keep pace all year but fall a tad short.  The Bears and Lions show flashes, but it's still not enough.  

NFC South
1. New Orleans Saints, 13-3
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 10-6*
3. Atlanta Falcons, 6-10
4. Carolina Panthers, 6-10

Summary: The Saints prosper in times of uncertainty, so why not now?  The Bucs with Tom Brady are fun to watch, but lose some games they probably should have won.  The Falcons struggle with the Todd Gurley experiment, and the Panthers aren't awful in Matt Rhule's first year as coach.  

NFC West
1. San Francisco 49ers, 11-5
2. Seattle Seahawks, 10-6*
3. Arizona Cardinals, 8-8
4. Los Angeles Rams, 8-8

Summary: In the NFL's most well-rounded division, the 49ers come out on top again.  They prove they are clearly too well-built to be a one-year wonder.  The Seahawks, meanwhile, fall one game short of the division title (again) as they lose in week 17 to those 49ers.  The Cardinals have some bright moments and surprise some teams, while the Rams falter down the stretch and are left scratching their heads.  

Before we get to the playoffs, what happens before the playoffs every year?  Oh yeah, "Black Monday".  The day many coaches get fired.  These are the following coaches I think will be fired by season's end:

Adam Gase, Jets
Doug Marrone, Jaguars
Matt Patricia, Lions
Dan Quinn, Falcons

And one coach resigns/retires...

Bill Belichick, Patriots

That's it.  Usually it's closer to half a dozen, but I feel the rest of the coaches are either a possible future hall of famer (Reid, Carroll, Harbaugh), will have or recently had success, or will be given more time to turn things around (any coaches hired this offseason, Taylor).  But yes, Bill Belichick retires after this season, not wanting to go through a rebuild.

Now the NFL seedings:

AFC
1. Ravens, 14-2
2. Chiefs, 12-4
3. Colts, 11-5
4. Bills, 10-6
5. Steelers, 10-6
6. Dolphins, 9-7
7. Browns, 9-7

NFC
1. Saints, 13-3
2. 49ers, 11-5
3. Packers, 11-5
4. Eagles, 9-7
5. Seahawks, 10-6
6. Buccaneers, 10-6
7. Vikings, 9-7

AFC Wild Card Round
(7) Browns at (2) Chiefs: Chiefs win
Would be a very high-scoring and exciting game, but the Chiefs come out on top, predictably.  The Browns aren't good enough in the back end of their defense to stop Mr. Mahomes.

(6) Dolphins at (3) Colts: Colts win
In a battle of a veteran against a rookie, the veteran usually wins in the playoffs.  That remains the case.  Colts advance.

(5) Steelers at (4) Bills: Steelers win
The Steelers beat the young Bills to prevent them from their first playoff win in 25 years.

NFC Wild Card Round
(7) Vikings at (2) 49ers: 49ers win
In a rematch of last year's divisional round game, the 49ers win again, although perhaps not quite as easily.  

(6) Buccaneers at (3) Packers: Packers win
Aaron Rodgers vs. Tom Brady in the playoffs, does it get better than that?  Rodgers prevails as Brady's old bones can't handle Lambeau's cold.  

(5) Seahawks at (4) Eagles: Seahawks win
Yet another rematch from last year (and at the same locale as well).  The Hawks prevail again, this time with a healthy Carson Wentz under center all game.  Russ goes off, hitting DK and Tyler for long bombs.  

AFC Divisional Round
(5) Steelers at (1) Ravens: Ravens win
Lamar Jackson finally gets his first playoff win in his third try.  The Ravens entire team is too much for the team from Pittsburgh.

(3) Colts at (2) Chiefs: Chiefs win
The Chiefs are too much for the Colts, but it's fairly close.

NFC Divisional Round
(5) Seahawks at (1) Saints: Saints win
Will there even be a crowd (and therefore crowd noise) in this instance?  Either way, I think the Saints beat the Hawks.  I can't remember the last time the Hawks won a playoff game in a dome (if ever).  

(3) Packers at (2) 49ers: 49ers win
The 49ers prove too much for the Packers yet again.  I think this would be a closer contest, but the same result as last year's NFC Conference Championship matchup.

AFC Championship Game
(2) Chiefs (1) Ravens: Ravens win
The Ravens take control early by harassing Patrick Mahomes and claim their first AFC Championship since 2012.

NFC Championship Game
(2) 49ers at (1) Saints: Saints win
Think of last year's matchup between these two teams in the regular season.  Exciting like that, except this time it's in the Saints' favor.  The Saints return to the big dance.  

Super Bowl LV
Ravens vs. Saints: Saints win
In a fantastic matchup, the Saints prevail, giving Drew Brees one more Super Bowl ring before he retires.  He rides off into the sunset a happy man.  

Well, if my Seahawks couldn't win it all, I'd be happy for the Saints and Drew Brees.  Now some award predictions:

MVP: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Offensive PotY: Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
Defensive PotY: Nick Bosa, San Francisco 49ers
Offensive RotY: Jerry Jeudy, Denver Broncos
Defensive RotY: Chase Young, Washington Football Team
Coach of the Year: Sean Payton


Seahawks: 

Well, I know they've made moves to try to reclaim the NFC division title (trading for Jamal Adams), but the 49ers are just going to be a tough hurdle to get over.  Plus, the line play will prevent the Hawks from soaring to heights or even establishing any kind of long winning streak.  Position by position though, here's what I think:

Quarterback - Russ will be magical once again.  He will have to be decisive and quick in his decision-making, and sometimes he won't be.  He'll be in the talks for MVP yet again, but without winning the division it will be difficult to even get votes.

Running back - Can Carson stay healthy all year?  Will we see Rashaad Penny at all?  How will Carlos Hyde be?  All those questions will be answered, and I think we'll get a mixed bag.  Carson will probably do another 1,000 yards or close to.  Deejay Dallas may even see some time and surprise, prompting for us to probably move on from Penny.

Wide Receiver - This may be the best receiving corps we've had in my time watching the Hawks.  We all know about Lockett.  DK should take a giant step forward this year, and hopefully he can hold on to the ball a bit better.  Dorsett should be like a flashier Jaron Brown.  Will we get Josh Gordon back?  Even if we do, he probably won't have a huge impact.

Tight End - This is an interesting group.  As long as either Dissly or Olsen are healthy, we should be fine, although preferably both remain healthy.  Hollister will make a good #3 or 2 if need be.  

Offensive Line - It will be interesting to see.  Can Duane Brown hold up still at his age?  Time will tell, but he might miss some games I feel.  I've never really liked Ethan Pocic, and I think he'll struggle.  Damien Lewis will be interesting to watch as he's a rookie.  As long as this line isn't god awful, the Hawks should be fine.

Defensive Line - Can they get some pressure on the quarterback this year, please?  I don't care who.  It sucks that another rookie lineman is again injured (Taylor), but hopefully Collier proves why we drafted him so high.  I just want the D-Line to be adequate, that's all.

Linebacker - Man what a loaded unit.  This group is so stacked Shaquem Griffin had to go to the practice squad.  Jordyn Brooks will hopefully get some time to shine.  Will Cody Barton get some time as well?  We shall see.

Defensive Backs - My what a stacked unit they've become.  Will Dunbar be able to start all year?  Hopefully.  And Jamal Adams... well I bet his impact will be felt quickly.  Can't forget about Diggs or Griffin, two very capable players. 

Special Teams: Jason Myers, don't miss gimmie field goals.  Mike Dickson, don't shank any punts.  Cover teams, don't allow any return touchdowns.  That's all I ask.  Thanks.

Well, that is it for my 2020 predictions!  Hopefully the Hawks exceed my predictions for them.  If the line play is decent and the rest of the units play to their potential, there's a shot the Hawks could get the division and a top seed.  Should be fun to watch (despite no fans, at least for now).  

Cam Newton, Grow Up!

The Denver Broncos defeated the Carolina Panthers 24-10 in Super Bowl 50, and in doing so Cam Newton was unable to be MVP and Super Bowl champ in the same season.  Cam Newton in his post-game interviews gave childish responses such as "What do you want me to say?"  He also stormed off in the most immature way possible.  Cam Newton is a man-child.  He's a kid in a man's body.  And for some NFL players, that's not a bad thing.  Many wide receivers and running backs embrace their immaturity.  But as the face of his team and now, one of the faces of the NFL, Cam Newton needs to grow the hell up.

One of the best pieces of advice a coach can give a player, really in any sport, is to not get too high when you win or too down when you lose.  When Cam wins, he gloats.  There's a difference between celebrating and gloating.  Cam gloats.  He rips down signs and flags from opposing teams and throws them to the ground.  He runs around his stadium like he's on cloud 9, just to make sure the opposing team can see him.  He gets too high when he wins.  So, when he loses, he gets too down and becomes sulky and to be frank, rude.  These are the characteristics of a child.  Children are given participation trophies nowadays so they don't get too down for losses... seems like Cam Newton needs one too. 

Cam, as an NFL MVP, you are now one of the faces of the entire sport.  Kids will look up to you and try to emulate you (that means to copy, man-child).  Sure, having a unique celebration like the Dab or the Superman pose is fun for children, but when you are immature off the field as well you send the message to your fellow youngsters that it's ok to whine and pout when you lose, and to gloat in the other team's face when you win. 

Cam, just take a look at your good friend and fellow black quarterback, Russell Wilson.  He's not even a year older than you, yet he acts four times the age that you act.  He's humble in victory and gracious in defeat.  You know how the media are constantly getting at you, Cam?  You know how you might think they're trying to make you out to be a bad guy?  It's not because you're black.  It's because you're an immature quarterback.  You're right, you are one of a kind.  Name me a quarterback you're more mature than.  Kinda hard, huh?  Be more of a good guy like Russell.  Otherwise not even the Carolina faithful will support your childish antics.  

2014 NFL Preview and Predictions

The 2014 NFL Season is almost here, and as a Seahawk fan, I am extremely excited.  The Seahawks enter a season for the first time as defending Super Bowl Champions, and they are hungry for another.  Let's take a look at how I think each team will do, just so I can see how wrong I was come end of the season.  I have calculated each team's record so that there are an equal number of wins and losses throughout the league.  Some may surprise.  Here are my predictions for each team's record, by division:

* = Wild Card Team

AFC East
1. New England Patriots: 11-5
2. Buffalo Bills: 7-9
3. Miami Dolphins: 6-10
4. New York Jets: 5-11
Summary: The AFC East won't be a particularly strong division, and the Pats will get a good chunk of their wins from their division rivals.  The Bills may entertain thoughts of the post-season for a while, but their playoff drought will continue.  The Jets and Fins will struggle without having competitive rosters.

AFC North
1. Cincinnati Bengals: 9-7
2. Cleveland Browns: 9-7*
3. Pittsburgh Steelers: 8-8
4. Baltimore Ravens: 6-10
Summary: You heard it here first, folks.  The Super Bowl Champs from just a year and a half ago will finish in last place.  The Ravens will be inconsistent on both sides and struggle (And they'll regret that contract they gave Flacco).  Expect the Browns to compete with an improving D and a fierce QB battle. 

AFC South
1. Indianapolis Colts: 12-4
2. Tennessee Titans: 7-9
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: 7-9
4. Houston Texans: 5-11
Summary: The Colts will benefit from inferior competition in their division (6-0 in division play is a possibility) and Andrew Luck will get even better.  The Jags and Titans will compete but it won't be enough.  The Texans, without a legit starting QB, will be in rebuilding mode.

AFC West
1. Denver Broncos: 11-5
2. San Diego Chargers: 8-8*
3. Kansas City Chiefs: 6-10
4. Oakland Raiders: 6-10
Summary: I was gonna say this division will be decent, but seeing as they play the NFC West, I don't think they'll do too well.  The Broncos offense will have a drop-off and they'll lose a few close games, especially to the NFC West.  The Chiefs and Chargers are likely headed for slightly worse seasons, and the Raiders will be... the Raiders. 

NFC East
1. Philadelphia Eagles: 9-7
2. Washington Redskins: 8-8
3. Dallas Cowboys: 7-9
4. New York Giants: 4-12
Summary: Expect this division to be competitive, for the most part, but don't expect to have any really competitive teams to emerge and do some damage in the playoffs.  There will probably be a team that falls apart and does horribly, and I'll pick the Giants (watch me be wrong), because they're in real bad shape if Eli Manning gets hurt. 

NFC North
1. Green Bay Packers: 11-5
2. Detroit Lions: 9-7
3. Minnesota Vikings: 7-9 
4. Chicago Bears: 5-11
Summary: Green Bay is one of the better all-around teams in the league... if they stay healthy.  Which they should, after dealing with a rash of injuries last season.  Detroit will smoke a lot of teams out but lose some shootouts.  The Vikings should surprise some people, while I'm picking the Bears to really struggle, especially if Cutler gets hurt.

NFC South
1. New Orleans Saints: 12-4
2. Carolina Panthers: 8-8
3. Atlanta Falcons: 8-8
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 7-9
Summary: New Orleans will have an improved D and a solid team.  Carolina will have a bit of a regression and miss the playoffs.  Atlanta will be improved, but not enough for the playoffs.  And the Bucos underwent too many changes to succeed overnight, but they'll have their moments.

NFC West
1. Seattle Seahawks: 12-4
2. St. Louis Rams: 10-6*
3. San Francisco 49ers: 9-7*
4. Arizona Cardinals: 6-10
Summary:  I think the Seahawks will go 12-4, which surprisingly will give them a two game lead over the 2nd place team.  The Rams are going to be the surprise team of the west and shock everyone.  The 49ers will deal with injuries and off the field issues, but will remain competitive.  The Cardinals, meanwhile, will lose a lot of close games and be the hard luck team of the league, perhaps the best 6-10 team in history.

And now, for the playoffs.  Do the Seahawks repeat as Super Bowl champs?  Let's find out.

Playoff Seedings
AFC
1. Indianapolis Colts (12-4)
2. New England Patriots (11-5)
3. Denver Broncos (11-5)
4. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7)
5. Cleveland Browns (9-7)
6. San Diego Chargers (8-8)

NFC
1. Seattle Seahawks (12-4)
2. New Orleans Saints (12-4)
3. Green Bay Packers (11-5)
4. Philadelphia Eagles (9-7)
5. St. Louis Rams (10-6)
6. San Francisco 49ers (9-7)

Wild Card Games
(6) Chargers at (3) Broncos: Broncos win
In a rematch of last year's division round game, the Broncos again get the upper hand... barely.

(5) Browns at (4) Bengals: Browns win
In what might be their first ever playoff meeting, the entire state of Ohio shows up and Browns fans take over Paul Brown stadium and the Bengals again fail to win a playoff game.

(6) 49ers at (3) Packers: Packers win
In another rematch of a division round game last year, the Packers this time get their revenge and beat the 49ers.

(5) Rams at (4) Eagles: Rams win
The Rams D proves too much for the Eagles high-flying offense, and Foles gets sacked several times.

Division Round Games
(5) Browns at (1) Colts: Colts win
The Colts have just enough magic and offense to power past the Cleveland D.

(3) Broncos at (2) Patriots: Patriots win
In what may be the final matchup between Brady and Manning, Tom Brady gets the upper hand and the Broncos are sent home disappointed... again.

(5) Rams at (1) Seahawks: Seahawks win
This game will be close and low-scoring, but the 12th man is just enough for the Hawks to squeeze out a win to move to the next round.  The Hawks have faced the Rams in the playoffs before (the year before the Super Bowl appearance against the Steelers, I believe) and they barely lost that one.  The same won't happen here.

(3) Packers at (2) Saints: Packers win
Aaron Rodgers is gonna have a career year after an injury-riddled 2013.  He's gonna be determined.

Conference Championship Games
(2) Patriots at (1) Colts: Colts win
Lucas Oil Stadium will be electric, and Tom Brady will be mad at his teammates for some reason.  Colts prevail in a shootout. 

(3) Packers at (1) Seahawks: Seahawks win
For the 3rd straight time, the Packers will lose an exciting game at Century Link Field, and the Seahawks punch their 2nd straight trip to the Super Bowl.  Should be as exciting as last season's NFC Championship game between the Hawks and Niners. 

Super Bowl XLIX in Phoenix, AZ:
Seahawks 30, Colts 21

In what will be the matchup of the two best QB's from the 2012 draft class, Wilson will prevail over Luck because Wilson won't be facing that tough of a defense, and the Hawks repeat as Super Bowl Champions!!!

Now, for some awards:

MVP: Earl Thomas, Seattle Seahawks
Going on a HUGE limb here, but if Earl leads us in tackles and interceptions, all the while our defense being the best in the league, again... it'd be hard to not include him in the conversation. 

Offensive Player: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Rodgers will have a career year and will have plenty of support and protection to go with it. 

Defensive Player: Robert Quinn, St. Louis Rams
He might set the sack record.  Twenty sacks is a very real possibility for Quinn.

Offensive Rookie: Bishop Sankey, Tennessee Titans
A bit biased, but I'd love to see Sankey, a running back, win Offensive Rookie of the Year, instead of a quarterback.  The quarterback crop isn't particularly strong, so this is definitely a possibility.

Defensive Rookie: Khalil Mack, Oakland Raiders
Regardless of how the Raiders do, they know they have a good one in Mack.  He'll lead them in sacks more than likely.

Coach: Jeff Fisher, St. Louis
If the Rams do as well as I predict them to, Jeff Fisher deserves Coach of the Year. 

Comeback Player: Robert Griffin III, Washington Redskins
His team may not too particularly well but I think RGIII will have a better season than the last.

Pepsi Rookie of the Year: Teddy Bridgewater, Minnesota Vikings
This always seems to go to a different rookie, so I'll go with Teddy Bridgewater to propel the Vikings... to 3rd place. 

Well, there you have it.  The Seahawks will repeat as Super Bowl champs, I predict.  If the 49ers somewhat struggle, and if the Hawks are able to win the division, a 2nd straight Super Bowl championship is a very real possibility.  Let's hope for a great season, and a 2nd straight Super Bowl win!  GO HAWKS!!!