Atlanta Falcons: I’m glad they held onto Dan Quinn. He’s a very good coach, and he probably would’ve quickly been given another head coaching opportunity elsewhere had he been fired, much like Ron Rivera. Their defense needs to improve greatly in 2020 as that is Quinn’s specialty. Matt Ryan continues to put up numbers, but doesn’t seem quite capable of carrying a team when things are kind of going bad, like Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson can. I do expect them to improve in 2020 because of how well-run they generally are.
Arizona Cardinals: Not a bad first year for Kyler and Kliff. With a few more additions, they may avoid the NFC West basement in 2020. Unfortunately, the Seahawks, Rams, and 49ers are all well-built teams with elite head coaches, so it will be tough to avoid 4th place no matter how much the Cards improve. I like Kyler Murray a lot, and I wouldn’t be shocked to see him take a Lamar Jackson-type leap in 2020, although I don’t expect the Cardinals to be as good as the Ravens have been in 2019.
Carolina Panthers: Firing Ron Rivera was a very questionable move, but I just think the new owner wanted a fresh change (and perhaps an offense-focused head coach). I'd give David Tepper, the owner, a grade of B for hiring David Tepper. He's a proven college coach, but will that translate to the pros? It didn't for Nick Saban, that's for sure. We'll see if Matt Rhule will want to work with Cam Newton at all, or find his own guy. I don’t expect the Panthers to be awful in 2020, but it will take another year at least to get back to playoff contention… I think.
Chicago Bears: The way the last calendar year has gone for the Bears has not been pretty. They lose in heartbreaking fashion in the playoffs and followed that up with a lackluster season. Is Trubisky really their guy at QB? Matt Nagy’s stubbornness to stick with him may cost him his job some day. In a tough division, the Bears will have to improve at least slightly in 2020 or changes may be on the way. I think Trubisky needs someone pushing him and someone Nagy could go to if he struggles. Perhaps Marcus Mariota? He would fit well in Matt Nagy's schemes.
Cincinnati Bengals: Having the number one pick can turn a franchise around pretty quickly (See Indianapolis in 2012). Is Joe Burrow capable of doing that? He’s not a sure-fire QB prospect like Andrew Luck, though. I’d say he’s more in the mold of a Matthew Stafford/Matt Ryan, and he will probably get to being in the top half of QB’s in the league. Don’t expect the Bengals to succeed right away, but I wouldn’t be shocked to see Zac Taylor work some magic with their new QB, especially in his first year or two.
Cleveland Browns: So, they fire their coach and general manager, after a season in which the players didn’t perform up to expectations… ok. I understood firing Freddie Kitchens, but not Dorsey. It would take a terrific hire at both spots in order for this team to compete in 2020. They should be hopeful for an 8-8 or 9-7 season in 2020, with a legit shot at the playoffs maybe coming in 2021. Whoever they hire as head coach is going to have his hands full and has to be able to discipline his players and keep them in check. And Baker Mayfield has got to bounce back from his lackluster 2019 season, even though he will technically be on his fourth head coach in his third season in the NFL.
Dallas Cowboys: Hiring Mike McCarthy is a very "meh" move. Yes, he's a proven winner as a coach, but he's very much like Jason Garrett and might not challenge his players or take risks when need be. Meanwhile, Dak had his best statistical season and needs to be re-signed to a long-term contract. I think things will work well in the first year because everything will be new to the players and they'll respond well to McCarthy at first. But after that, we'll have to wait and see.
Denver Broncos: Drew Lock is already the best young quarterback John Elway has found, although that is not saying much at all. I think Lock has a fairly low ceiling, but I see the Broncos as a team that could surprise people in 2020 if they draft right and maybe fill a couple holes. It will be interesting to see how Lock does in his first full season next year. As for Vic Fangio, he is constantly lauded for being one of the best defensive minds in the game, and next year he needs to prove it, or he might go the route of Vance Joseph.
Detroit Lions: I’m pretty surprised they gave Matt Patricia another year, but the Lions were playing really competitive football before Stafford’s injury. If not for a couple bad calls, they would have beaten the Packers in Green Bay, and they almost beat the Chiefs. Next year, this Lions team, provided Stafford can stay heathy, needs to compete and get at least near .500, or Patricia will be gone. I like their offensive weapons, and their defense isn’t bad, so if they can play inspired and healthy football, they will be a hard team to beat in 2020.
Indianapolis Colts: I’m sorry, but Jacoby Brissett is not a franchise quarterback. I do, however, think he makes one of the best backup QBs in the game. The Colts need to find someone to compete with Brissett for the starting QB job. They would be wise to draft someone, and Brissett could start while they learn, or they could go after someone like Teddy Bridgewater or Philip Rivers. The Colts were just instantly screwed in 2019 when Andrew Luck suddenly retired, and they still have a lot of good, young players. Once that offense gets its franchise QB, these Colts will be back.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Doug Marrone was one of a few coaches I thought for sure was getting fired. Nope. Instead, they fired Executive VP Tom Coughlin. They may forgive Marrone for this season because of the injury to Nick Foles, and he was the coach to lead them to the AFC Championship game just a couple seasons ago, but they can’t ignore how it seems the team quit on him in the second half of the season. If I’m being honest, I think the Jags might be one of the worst teams in the NFL in 2020 and will get a top pick in the 2021 draft. Then the rebuild can commence with a new coach and QB.
Los Angeles Chargers: They’re in a weird spot. They have a lot of talent still, but an aging quarterback whose contract is up. They had perhaps the worst luck of any team in 2019, losing a ton of games by one score. If they are unable to find a legit QB for 2020, expect another 6-10/5-11 type season from them. Anthony Lynn seems to be a decent coach, but may fall victim to being the coach of a team in the middle of a transition at QB.
Los Angeles Rams: They were the only 9-7 team to not make the playoffs, so that’s something. But it certainly was a disappointing follow up to a Super Bowl appearance. Sean McVay and Jared Goff are safe for now, but what if they regress even more next year? They do play in a very competitive division, with the Cardinals looking to improve in 2020. Someone has got to be in last place. There is a major problem lurking in the future with this team: They mortgaged a lot of their future by trading away some first-round picks, and they have a lot of money tied up to a few players, so there is a possibility this team could see a major collapse in the next couple seasons.
Miami Dolphins: Boy they sure turned their season around. After starting out the year getting blown out by everyone, they finished the season with five wins, including beating the division champion Patriots in Foxborough. They will need to find their future at QB in the draft, as it apparently isn’t Josh Rosen. Fitzpatrick seems to be the starter in 2020 until their future starter takes over. Brian Flores, meanwhile, will probably be given plenty of time to turn this team fully around after turning the 2019 season around for them.
New York Giants: Apparently Pat Shurmur is a really good offensive coordinator, but not a good coach. They are struggling now to find a good coach since Tom Coughlin left. It is very risky hiring Joe Judge, who had never been a head coach anywhere before. Meanwhile, Daniel Jones started out great, but then kind of fizzled out. We’ll see how he does with Joe Judge in 2020, but I expect something similar to what we saw from Sam Darnold in 2019: Just not enough talent around him, and the offensive mind not be enough help. Their roster is also still lacking compared to their division rival Cowboys and Eagles.
New York Jets: Speaking of Sam Darnold, he looked good at times in 2019, but he is now third at best in terms of QB’s from his draft class, trailing Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson. Hopefully he can get some help on the offensive side of the ball, mainly on the offensive line. Perhaps Adam Gase isn’t that great of a coach as Peyton Manning says he is? Ryan Tannehill on the Titans sure seems to be doing better without him. I don’t have a ton of confidence in this team going into 2020 right now.
Oakland Raiders: For a brief stretch, the Raiders seemed to be playing some really good football. Perhaps a new environment will be able to motivate them all season long? I think they are headed in the right direction, but they certainly need to take a legit step forward in 2020. Derek Carr is definitely an above average quarterback, but Jon Gruden may want something more. I wouldn’t be shocked if they drafted a mid-round QB. Next season is pivotal for them; a winning season would be huge.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Big Ben should be able to play in 2020, but they have to find his successor and soon. In my “NFL Quarterbacks Who Will Get New Homes in 2020” post, I predicted they will draft Jacob Eason out of Washington. They’re not at code red to find a new quarterback, but the sooner (and earlier in the draft) they draft one, the better. Mike Tomlin did a great job in 2019 with what he had, and I expect them to return to form in 2020, as long as Big Ben stays healthy.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Either they need to replace Jameis or get him to make smarter throws. That latter option may not be possible, however. They may want to go after a QB who protects the ball better, someone like Teddy Bridgewater. They’ve got a decent roster and a really good head coach, but it’s uncertain who the leader of this team is if not Jameis. Bruce Arians has done well with veteran quarterbacks in the past (Big Ben, Carson Palmer), so perhaps the Bucs will go after a veteran, maybe Philip Rivers?
Washington Redskins: What’s this? The Redskins making good decisions?! They hired Ron Rivera to be head coach and Jack Del Rio for defensive coordinator. That defense next year should be much better. As for their offense, well, they’ve got some pieces. They can’t rely on an aging Adrian Peterson anymore, and they need a legit QB. I don’t think that’s Dwayne Haskins. I predicted they might sign Jameis Winston, who I think could have success there, especially under Ron Rivera, who led Cam Newton to the playoffs many times (and to the Super Bowl once).
Before I conclude, I want to pick my top 3 teams from this list and bottom 3 teams. The top 3 teams are teams that I expect to bounce back and have good 2020 seasons and probably make the playoffs. The bottom 3 teams are teams I expect to continue to struggle and probably even get worse. First, the bottom 3, to get that out of the way:
3. Cleveland Browns
Unless they hire someone who is absolutely perfect (and let’s face it, we have no reason to believe they will), they will probably struggle again next year. Baker Mayfield doesn’t seem capable of carrying a team, and there are too many undisciplined players on this team. It could get ugly. Cleveland has a bad track record of turning hopefulness into absolute despair.
2. New York Jets
I just don’t trust the Jets front office. I don’t like Adam Gase as a head coach. He is one of the coaches I predict to be fired next season. And they play in a division with the Patriots, a good young Bills team, and a Dolphins team that’s slowly improving. It could go either way, but my gut tells me it won’t go the way they want.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars
Number one pick incoming? That’s my prediction, at least. They just don’t seem like their old 2017 selves anymore. They will regret bringing Doug Marrone back for another season. However, if they do get that number one pick, it could result in drafting Trevor Lawrence if he declares for the draft in 2021. Trevor Lawrence is talked about being the best quarterback prospect since Andrew Luck.
All right, and now for my top 3 teams to make a turnaround next season:
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
Whenever they have an off season, they always bounce back. They are just too well-run of an organization to struggle for long. If they have a legit QB in 2020 (Big Ben, probably), they will more than likely be a playoff team. I think they could battle Baltimore for the division crown next year.
2. Atlanta Falcons
Hopefully Quinn can lead these guys back to playoff contention. With Tampa and Carolina having uncertain futures, and New Orleans being due for a disappointing season, the division could be there for the taking. The defense will be the biggest question. They showed flashes in 2019 (stopping the Saints offense in New Orleans for one), but will need to play more consistently in 2020, and I think they will.
1. Dallas Cowboys
I think the Cowboys players will be playing extremely motivated in 2020. What Jason Garrett was telling them and coaching them about was probably getting old and stale. But with a new head coach in Mike McCarthy, they could become one of the best teams in the NFL in 2020. I see them having a year like the 2019 Packers; new head coach brings fresh and positive results. They have a really good roster still, just needed the coach to match. It will also be interesting to see how McCarthy uses Dak and Zeke next year. He's never had a running back of Zeke's caliber.
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