I work best with deadlines, so naturally I tend to make sports predictions mere hours (in some cases, minutes) before the first game of the season starts. Even if my Bears aren't challenging anyone this year, there's always another storyline to latch on in the NFL. Without further ado, my annual football forecast:
AFC NORTH
1. Bengals (11-6) Overachievers/must claw past improved rivals/Burrow won’t (h)airball.
2. Ravens* (10-7) Rejuvenated/and maybe healthy; birds won’t/drop six straight again.
3. Steelers (8-9) Will Tomlin’s streak end?/QB play, most curious/No questions on D.
4. Browns (6-11) Deshaun suspension/casts a pall; run-first O will/settle for Brissett.
AFC EAST
1. Bills (13-4) Madcap playoff loss/motivates; Allen isn’t/joshing; too much depth.
2. Dolphins* (10-7) Tua must grow up/all the other pieces are/here for playoff run.
3. Patriots (9-8) O-line questions wracks/Mac’s apple; no OC or/DC? I’m confused.
4. Jets (5-12) Gang Green upswing; Zach/and strong draft class will excite/but not contend yet.
AFC SOUTH
1. Titans (10-7) Tannehill for now/but Malik is the future/to serve King Henry.
2. Colts (9-8) WIll Matty Ice melt/under pressure? Playoff dreams/must be Taylor-made.
3. Jaguars (4-13) Did Urban ruin/T-Law? Lush free agent adds/for bonus baby.
4. Texans (2-15) Lovie among the/ruins; inexperience/makes for rough viewing.
AFC WEST
1. Chiefs (12-5) Fresh faces and tough/schedule vex Mahomes; they/just need good Juju.
2. Chargers* (10-7) The record deceives/Herbert became elite quick/in deep division.
3. Broncos (8-9) No top tier QBs/drafted since Elway; Russ won’t/make much difference.
4. Raiders (8-9) Offense upgrades might/finally help Carr; Crosby/takes D to the Maxx.
NFC NORTH
1. Packers (12-5) Run-happy offense/result of hefty Rodgers/deal; title or bust.
2. Vikings* (10-7) Top tier O always/undercut; pass rush upgrade/might not be enough.
3. Bears (7-10) Give Roquan that cash/new stadium drama means/two rebuilds in town.
4. Lions (6-11) Optimist Campbell/wants this team to be mmm, mmm/good; cats make small gains.
NFC EAST
1. Eagles (11-6) Several good drafts/offer youth and upside, but/AJ Brown don’t clown.
2. Cowboys* (9-8) Tyron Smith’s bum knee/might unspool the whole D; Dak/*better* stay healthy.
3. Commanders (8-9) Wentz under center/finally gives McLaurin/potential breakout.
4. Giants (4-13) Judge, executed/rebuild back at zero, not/unlike “Groundhog Day.”
NFC SOUTH
1. Bucs (12-5) Tom Brady’s portrait/ages in an attic; new/coach Oscar Wilde?
2. Saints (8-9) Bayou oddity/Who Dat D will carry load/not chancy Jameis.
3. Panthers (7-10) Are Baker and Sam/good or awful QBs? My/best answer is yes.
4. Falcons (3-14) Angelo and Pace/Chicago legends bring their/winning ways deep south.
NFC WEST
1. Rams (11-6) Status quo reigns, though/Matt is one year older; depth/is a concern, too.
2. Cardinals* (10-7) Kyler the bookworm/leads them through controversy/death, and bad PR.
3. Niners (8-9) Lance will be a lot/lack of free agent legroom/gives off win-now vibe.
4. Seahawks (6-11) Legion of Boom ends/with a fizzle; best QB/option is… Geno?
*denotes wild card
OTHER PICKS:
Offensive ROY: Chris Olave, Saints
Defensive ROY: Aidan Hutchinson, Lions
First Head Coach Fired: Matt Rhule, Panthers
Super Bowl LVII: Bills 30, Rams 27
(699)
You were right about Matt Rhule.
ReplyDelete