AFC EAST
Buffalo Bills
The Bills are all primed to finally take the division from the Patriots and have a ton of hype behind them. Here’s the thing though: Are we sure this team is ready? The defence can surely hold its own, but how much can we count on Josh Allen? This team is certainly in the mix for a wild card, but should be hurt by a lack of fans at home games.
Prediction: 8-8
Miami Dolphins
After winning some games in 2019 they weren’t expected to, the Fins went out and made some great additions in free agency. But with Ryan Fitzpatrick at the helm for the start of the season at least, it’s a bit too hard to picture this as a .500 team.
Prediction: 6-10
New England Patriots
Is this finally it, the season in which the Patriots fall from the top of AFC East? It certainly feels like it could be, with Tom Brady gone and the vaunted defence taking several hits via free agency and opt-outs. There’s still enough quality here though and Bill Belichick is more than capable of scheme this team to the playoffs once again.
Prediction: 9-7
New York Jets
All the Jets did this off-season was make the mistake of bring back subpar head coach Adam Gase and allow him to alienate two the biggest stars on the team. There’s little reason to believe he can lead this team anywhere.
Prediction: 5-11
AFC NORTH
Baltimore Ravens
Consistency should be a key for success this season and the Ravens have it in spades. They also have the reigning MVP a unique, hard-to-stop offence and a solid defence. It should add up to another division title for Lamar Jackson and Co.
Prediction: 11-5
Cleveland Browns
The hype train ran over the Browns in 2019 and now they’re being underrated coming into this season. Cleveland made some good additions in the off-season and are primed to make a run to the playoffs with a new, competent coach.
Prediction: 9-7
Cincinnati Bengals
Armed with No. 1 overall pick Joe Burrow, the Bengals should be able to tack on a few extra wins over their pathetic 2019. There’s no reason to believe that Cincy can’t have a similar uptick in Burrow’s first season like Arizona and Kyler Murray had in 2019.
Prediction: 6-10
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers suffered greatly after Big Ben was lost for the season in just Week 2. The defence did an excellent job, but the offence was just about as bad they come. With Roethlisberger back on the field, there’s no reason to think Pittsburgh won’t be playoff-bound.
Prediction: 10-6
AFC SOUTH
Houston Texans
Deshaun Watson is one of the most exciting players in the league, but his supporting cast leaves a lot to be desired. After trading away DeAndre Hopkins, this team will have to rely on unreliable players – due to injuries and otherwise – like Will Fuller, David Johnson and Brandin Cooks. It could be a tough season.
Prediction: 8-8
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts were thrown for a loop right before last season even kicked off with Andrew Luck announcing his surprising retirement. After struggling through 2019, Indy should bounce back towards the top of the division, led by Philip Rivers, an amazing offensive line and solid defence.
Prediction: 10-6
Jacksonville Jaguars
The tank is on. The Jags are tearing everything down and look set to compete in the Trevor Lawrence lottery. That’s just about the only thing that the Jags should be competing in this year.
Prediction: 2-14
Tennessee Titans
The Titans were buoyed by the emergence of Ryan Tannehill and the unstoppable force of Derrick Henry. But will the run-heavy strategy work for another season after losing some key pieces in free agency?
Prediction: 8-8
AFC WEST
Denver Broncos
The Broncos loaded up on skill-position players to help out sophomore QB Drew Lock, who started to gain some buzz. But with superstar pass rusher Von Miller being lost on the eve of the season, it seriously hurts the Broncos’ playoff chances.
Prediction: 7-9
Kansas City Chiefs
The defending champions are bringing back basically everyone, with 20 of 22 starters returning. And chief amongst those Chiefs is the incredible Patrick Mahomes, who should be in the running for MVP. Look for another explosive season from K.C.
Prediction: 11-5
Las Vegas Raiders
Coach Jon Gruden got some new fancy toys on offence and continues to build up the Raiders. But this is feeling like the last stand for Derek Carr, who has never really seemed to be a perfect fit for Gruden. The defence remains an average-at-best unit, too.
Prediction: 6-10
Los Angeles Chargers
The good news for the Chargers is that they’re used to playing in front of empty stadiums. The bad news is that Tyrod Taylor is their starting QB and key defender Derwin James is out for the season. The defence still has some stars, but you can’t trust Taylor to lead this team to the playoffs.
Prediction: 5-11
NFC EAST
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys vastly underachieved last season and finally parted ways with coach Jason Garrett, who squandered what was a great season by the team’s offence. With Mike McCarthy stepping in, that’s an instant upgrade for Dallas and should be enough to take this division.
Prediction: 10-6
New York Giants
The Giants have one of the best offensive weapons in the league in Saquon Barkley and did some work to upgrade their line and made a change at head coach. Daniel Jones showed some flashes last season and could make a big step with some consistency.
Prediction: 8-8
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles made some good moves in the off-season to shore up their weakest spots: At wide receiver and defensive back. But then the bad luck struck and Philly took some big losses due to injury on their offensive line. Protecting Carson Wentz could be a tough job.
Prediction: 9-7
Washington Football Team
Off the field, Washington had about as controversial an off-season as they come. On the field, it shouldn’t see too much reprieve, either. This is a team with a new coach and a QB that hasn’t shown much yet. The defence should cause some problems, though.
Prediction: 6-10
NFC NORTH
Chicago Bears
The drama surrounding the Bears’ QB spot isn’t getting better, with the team taking a half measure and acquiring Nick Foles in the off-season, only to stick with Mitchell Trubisky as starter. The defence should bounce back, but the offence is a big question mark.
Prediction: 6-10
Detroit Lions
The Lions were doing great until Matt Stafford broke his back last season and that led to some dreadful offensive performances from their backups. If Stafford can play at that MVP-candidate level, the playoffs are in reach, but we don’t trust coach Matt Patricia very much at all.
Prediction: 7-9
Green Packers
The Packers straight up refused to give aging wonder Aaron Rodgers any help for the passing game – even taking his eventual replacement. Green Bay got lucky with their 13 wins last season and should see some regression this time out, even with Rodgers out for blood.
Prediction: 9-7
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings made some big changes this off-season, trading disgruntled WR Stefon Diggs and remaking most of the defence. There could be some growing pains there, but this is a solid team overall that knows how to win.
Prediction: 10-6
NFC SOUTH
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons remain one of the best offensive units in the game and, if Todd Gurley can stay healthy, could be even better. The big question remains the defence, which hasn’t been able to generate a pass rush for a few years now.
Prediction: 8-8
Carolina Panthers
This is the beginning of a rebuild for the Panthers and it could get ugly at times. The defence lost superstar LB Luke Kuechly to retirement and will likely be in trouble. At least Christian McCaffrey will produce some huge numbers for fantasy managers once again.
Prediction: 4-12
New Orleans Saints
This should be the last hurrah for Drew Brees and he should make it count. The Saints are excellent on offence and the defence has been on the rise for a couple of seasons now. That lack of a crowd hurts their home-field advantage, but this is one of the most talented rosters there is.
Prediction: 11-5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
In case you haven’t heard, Tom Brady left the New England Patriots for the Tampa Bay Bucs. Crazy, I know. The Bucs were severely hurt by the amount of turnovers that ex-QB Jameis Winston committed and should see a big improvement from the living legend.
Prediction: 10-6
NFC WEST
Arizona Cardinals
Another hot sleeper pick, the Cards have the potential to take a big step this season after dealing for DeAndre Hopkins. But the defence still needs work and they play in a very tough division, which limits their ceiling for now.
Prediction: 8-8
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams are starting to feel the consequences of loading up on high-priced talent for a short-term run, with some holes showing in their lineup. But Sean McVay’s offence should be electric once again and can guide L.A. to a playoff return.
Prediction: 9-7
San Francisco 49ers
There’s to competing forces here: The value of consistency with limited off-season training and the realness of the Super Bowl hangover. The Niners surely have the talent to at least make the playoffs, but it could be a tough road to get there.
Prediction: 10-6
Seattle Seahawks
Will Pete Carroll take the chains off Russell Wilson and the offence? Whether he does or not, the Seahawks should be in playoff contention. The addition of Jamal Adams should help the defence get closer to what we’ve seen in the past, too.
Prediction: 10-6
THE BIG PICKS
NFC DIVISION WINNERS: New Orleans, Seattle, Dallas, Minnesota
NFC WILD CARDS: Tampa Bay, San Francisco, Green Bay
AFC DIVISION WINNERS: Kansas City, Baltimore, Indianapolis, New England
AFC WILD CARDS: Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Buffalo
NFC CHAMPIONSHIP: New Orleans over Dallas
AFC CHAMPIONSHIP: Baltimore over Kansas City
SUPER BOWL: New Orleans over Baltimore
MVP: Patrick Mahomes, KC
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Saquon Barkley, NYG
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: T.J. Watt, PIT
FIRST OVERALL PICK: Jacksonville Jaguars