2019-20 NFL Preview

The NFL’s centennial season begins September 5^th and with any season, there’s changes. But one thing that hasn’t changed is that the New England Patriots are favored to make it back to the Super Bowl in Miami this February. But will they raise their 7^th Lombardi Trophy in the Brady/Belichick era? Let’s get to the projections!

NFC East:

Philadelphia Eagles

2018-19 Record: 9-7

Playoff Result: Lost in Divisional Round to New Orleans

Assessment: 2 of their backup QBs went down during the preseason, forcing the Birds to sign Josh McCown until Nate Sudfeld recovers. Other than that, the group remains largely the same, save for a bolstered O-Line and receiving corps that should help QB Carson Wentz improve mightily on a somewhat mediocre 2018-19 season. If Wentz remains healthy, expect at least 10 wins for the Eagles this season.

Projected Record: 11-5

Projected Playoff Result: Lose Divisional Round to New Orleans

Dallas Cowboys

2018-19 Record: 10-6

Playoff Result: Lost in Divisional Round to Los Angeles

Assessment: The ongoing contract dramas with Amari Cooper, Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott may end up hampering the Cowboys. They’re good on both sides of the ball, but if they can’t settle those disputes, they may wind up being distractions from what really matters – putting together a winning football team.

Projected Record: 9-7

Projected Playoff Result: Miss Playoffs

Washington Redskins

2018-19 Record: 7-9

Playoff Result: Missed Playoffs

Assessment: The only addition to note is Dwayne Haskins at QB and he hasn’t shown that he’s ready for the NFL. However, if he can come into his own and prove himself, then the Redskins have their quarterback of the future and NASCAR great (and noted Redskins fan) Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be one happy man.

Projected Record: 8-8

Playoff Result: Miss Playoffs

New York Giants

2018-19 Record: 5-11

Playoff Result: Missed Playoffs

Assessment: Through the draft and free agency, not only did the Giants find their future quarterback in Daniel Jones, but they also bolstered their receiving corps with the sure-handed Golden Tate as well as bolstering the O-Line, their D-Line and their secondary. If the O-Line can hold things down up front and protect Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning, it should also open lanes for ‘The Machine’ – Saquon Barkley and bring the Giants back to the powerhouse they were in their 2008 and 2012 Super Bowl runs. However, they may lose games through no fault of their own and that may stifle their playoff chances.

Projected Record: 7-9

Projected Playoff Result: Miss Playoffs

NFC North:

Green Bay Packers

2018-19 Record: 6-9-1

Playoff Result: Miss Playoffs

Assessment: Just like the Giants, the key to this team is their QB – Aaron Rodgers. If he stays healthy and the O-Line protects him, the Packers can once again be a force in the North. If not, it’ll be another tough season in the Frozen Tundra of Lambeau Field. There is a however, though. Rodgers is on the wrong side of 30 and his performance is starting to drop. That may prove costly to the green and gold of the Packers.

Projected Record: 7-9

Projected Playoff Result: Miss Playoffs

Chicago Bears

2018-19 Record: 12-4

Playoff Result: Lost in Wild Card Round to Philadelphia

Assessment: DA BEARS! Mitchell Trubisky has really come into his own since being drafted by Chicago in 2017 and I think that if his receivers stay on the same page as well as his offensive line, another great season awaits the Bears and the Chicago faithful at Soldier Field.

Projected Record: 13-3

Projected Playoff Result: Lose Divisional Round to Los Angeles

Minnesota Vikings

2018-19 Record: 8-7-1

Playoff Result: Missed Playoffs

Assessment: That one draw…that one draw game did the Vikings in as far as the playoffs were concerned last season. Their offense was on point, but it was their defense that stifled them. If the Vikings’ defense can learn from the mistakes that they made last season, US Bank Stadium will be rocking come playoff time.

Projected Record: 10-6

Projected Playoff Result: Miss Playoffs

Detroit Lions

2018-19 Record: 6-10

Playoff Result: Missed Playoffs

Assessment: What can I say about the Lions except that they’ve been one of the laughing stocks of the NFC for the longest time. Ever since Barry Sanders retired, the Lions haven’t been the same and it’s just been embarrassing to watch. It’ll continue to be that way unless Matt Patricia can find a way to transition from offensive coordinator to head coach and do it fast! Otherwise, it’ll be another long winter in the Motor City.

Projected Record: 8-8

Projected Playoff Result: Miss Playoffs

NFC South:

New Orleans Saints

2018-19 Record: 13-3

Playoff Result: Lost Championship Round to Los Angeles

Assessment: That no-call against LA in the NFC Title Game will haunt the Saints for years to come. Best way to get over that is for Drew Brees, Alvin Kamara and the Saints to put up yet another good season and make the Super Bowl. I think they have the talent to do just that. But once again, Los Angeles may do them in.

Projected Record: 13-3

Projected Playoff Result: Lose Championship Round to Los Angeles

Carolina Panthers

2018-19 Record: 7-9

Playoff Result: Missed Playoffs

Assessment: It was just a season filled with bad luck for Cam Newton, just no other way to explain it. However, he has the talent and the coach – Ron Rivera – to turn it around.

Projected Record: 10-6

Projected Playoff Result: Lose in Wild Card Round to Chicago

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2018-19 Record: 5-11

Playoff Result: Missed Playoffs

Assessment: Unlike his fellow 2015 draftee, Marcus Mariota, Jameis Winston has yet to prove that he’s an NFL caliber QB. He must get over these growing pains, otherwise the Jolly Roger will just have to wait to be raised atop Raymond James Stadium.

Projected Record: 7-9

Projected Playoff Result: Miss Playoffs

Atlanta Falcons

2018-19 Record: 7-9

Playoff Result: Missed Playoffs

Assessment: Just like his fellow NFC South QB Cam Newton, Matt Ryan just found himself with a ton of bad luck. And just like Newton, he has the talent and coach to turn it around. It’s just a matter of can he do it.

Projected Record: 9-7

Projected Playoff Result: Lose Wild Card Round to Philadelphia

NFC West:

Los Angeles Rams

2018-19 Record: 13-3

Playoff Result: Lost Super Bowl to New England

Assessment: The Super Bowl loss to New England did sting the Rams, but it’s a new season and the Rams are no doubt going to use that loss as a motivator to make sure it doesn’t happen again. This time it’ll be second verse, different result as Goff and the Rams make a return trip to the Super Bowl, but this time…they’ll bring Lombardi to Tinseltown.

Projected Record: 14-2

Projected Playoff Result: Win Super Bowl

San Francisco 49ers

2018-19 Record: 4-12

Playoff Result: Missed Playoffs

Assessment: The 49ers will improve, but just not enough to match the Niners of Steve Young and Joe Montana. Give it 3-5 years and you’ll see them in the playoffs again.

Projected Record: 6-10

Projected Playoff Result: Miss Playoffs

Seattle Seahawks

2018-19 Record: 10-6

Playoff Result: Lost in Wild Card Round to Dallas

Assessment: The team that won the Super Bowl in 2014 is gone. There is no Legion of Boom. The defense that ranked first in the league in points allowed is gone. It’s just Russell Wilson and a revamped defense that barely scraped together a 10-6 record. They’ll do it again, but this time…there will be no playoffs in Seattle.

Projected Record: 10-6

Projected Playoff Result: Miss Playoffs

Arizona Cardinals

2018-19 Record: 3-13

Playoff Result: Missed Playoffs

Assessment: The drafting of Kyler Murray set this team forward about 5 years and under Kliff Klingsbury’s Oklahoma-style system, Murray will thrive. However, it’ll be another 2 or 3 years before the Cardinals will contend again.

Projected Record: 5-11

Playoff Result: Miss Playoffs

NFC Playoffs:

Wild Card:

Philadelphia over Atlanta

Chicago over Carolina

Divisional:

New Orleans over Philadelphia

Los Angeles over Chicago

Championship:

Los Angeles over New Orleans

AFC:

Playoffs:

Wild Card:

Browns over Bills

Chargers over Titans

Divisional:

Steelers over Chargers

Patriots over Browns

Championship:

Steelers over Patriots

Super Bowl:

Rams over Steelers

AFC East:

New England Patriots

2018-19 Record: 12-4

Playoff Result: Won Super Bowl

Assessment: Tom Brady and the Patriots are poised to make yet another deep playoff run, but the loss of Rob Gronkowski will hurt the Patriots. Can they win the Super Bowl? Yes. Will they? I say it’s possible…but not likely.

Projected Record: 12-4

Projected Playoff Result: Lose in Championship Round to Steelers

New York Jets

2018-19 Record: 4-12

Playoff Result: Missed Playoffs

Assessment: The Jets have vastly improved on both sides of the ball. Sam Darnold should come into his own this year and if he does, expect the Jets to contend for the AFC East title. However, they just don’t quite have enough to unseat the Patriots.

Projected Record: 9-7

Projected Playoff Result: Miss Playoffs

Buffalo Bills

2018-19 Record: 6-10

Playoff Result: Missed Playoffs

Assessment: Expect the Bills to surprise everyone this year. If they can remain healthy, QB Josh Allen should be able to lead the Bills to a playoff berth behind a revamped offense and a much tougher defense.

Projected Record: 10-6

Projected Result: Lose Wild Card to Browns

Miami Dolphins

2018-19 Record: 7-9

Playoff Result: Missed Playoffs

Assessment: Moving on from Tannehill was the start of the rebuild for the Miami Dolphins. However, the rest of the team needs to be rebuilt from the ground up for the Dolphins to be serious contenders in the AFC East. So Miami fans…wait 5 years.

Projected Record: 5-11

Projected Playoff Result: Miss Playoffs

AFC North:

Cleveland Browns

2018-19 Record: 7-8-1

Playoff Result: Missed Playoffs

Assessment: Cleveland Browns fans have a lot to cheer for this year between 2^nd year QB Baker Mayfield along with the additions of big play receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and Beckham’s LSU teammate Jarvis Landry. With a solid core on offense and a tougher defense, the Browns are poised to surprise everyone with a playoff push this season.

Projected Record: 11-5

Projected Playoff Result: Lose Divisional Round to New England

Pittsburgh Steelers

2018-19 Record: 9-6-1

Playoff Result: Missed Playoffs

Assessment: I have just one thing to say about this Steelers team and that is the AFC North is their division to lose. I don’t think the Steelers lose the North unless they epically blow up in the last month or so of the season.

Projected Record: 13-3

Projected Playoff Result: Lose Super Bowl to Los Angeles Rams

Cincinnati Bengals

2018-19 Record: 6-10

Playoff Result: Missed Playoffs

Assessment: Don’t expect much at Paul Brown Stadium this year. The Bengals have no direction, they have no clue where they want to take the team going forward and it’ll be another tough season in Cincy.

Projected Record: 4-12

Projected Playoff Result: Miss Playoffs

Baltimore Ravens

2018-19 Record: 10-6

Playoff Result: Lost Wild Card to Los Angeles Chargers

Assessment: After a surprising 2018-19 season in Baltimore, Joe Flacco is gone. In his place steps Lamar Jackson, a 2^nd year QB out of Louisville. Expect him to go through some growing pains this season, make some mistakes and learn from them but not in time to save the Ravens’ season.

Projected Record: 8-8

Projected Playoff Result: Miss Playoffs

AFC South:

Indianapolis Colts

2018-19 Record: 10-6

Playoff Result: Lost Divisional Round to Kansas City

Assessment: The Colts failed to learn their lesson from the Manning era. They built their team around Andrew Luck. Now with Luck gone, nothing but bad luck (no pun intended) will befall Jacoby Brissett and the Colts. Expect the Colts to contend for the top pick in next April’s draft.

Projected Record: 2-14

Projected Playoff Result: Miss Playoffs

Houston Texans:

2018-19 Record: 11-5

Playoff Result: Lost Divisional Round to Indianapolis

Assessment: With the Colts out of the picture, this is Houston’s division to lose, but I think they’ll run into a brick wall named Marcus Mariota.

Projected Record: 9-7

Projected Playoff Result: Miss Playoffs

Tennessee Titans:

2018-19 Record: 9-7

Playoff Result: Missed Playoffs

Assessment: The Titans barely missed the playoffs after losing a ‘win and in’ Week 17 battle against Indianapolis. With the Colts out of the picture due to Luck’s retirement, Marcus Mariota may just become the new marquee quarterback in the AFC South and possibly lead the Titans to a playoff berth.

Projected Record: 11-5

Projected Playoff Result: Lose Wild Card to Los Angeles Chargers

Jacksonville Jaguars

2018-19 Record: 5-11

Playoff Result: Missed Playoffs

Assessment: There’s nowhere to go but up for Jacksonville after a tough 2018-19 season which saw them go on a 7-game losing streak that took them out of playoff contention by Week 14. Under new quarterback Nick Foles, a former Super Bowl champion and MVP, the Jaguars will improve, but not enough to break into the playoffs.

Projected Record: 8-8

Projected Playoff Result: Miss Playoffs

AFC West:

Denver Broncos

2018-19 Record: 6-10

Playoff Result: Missed Playoffs

Assessment: While new QB Joe Flacco is a vast improvement over Paxton Lynch, he’s just not the QB he used to be. He’ll improve the Broncos offense slightly, but not to the playoff caliber it once was under Elway, Jake Plummer and even the great Peyton Manning.

Projected Record: 8-8

Projected Playoff Result: Miss Playoffs

Oakland Raiders

2018-19 Record: 4-12

Playoff Result: Missed Playoffs

Assessment: The last season for the Raiders in Oakland before they move to Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas brings renewed optimism and the hope that the Raiders can make playoffs one more time in Oakland. Can they do it? Yes. Will they? Odds say no and I’ll go with the odds here. But I’ve been wrong before and I’d love to see Oakland prove me and their future home wrong.

Projected Record: 9-7

Projected Playoff Result: Miss Playoffs

Los Angeles Chargers

2018-19 Record: 12-4

Playoff Result: Lost Divisional Round to New England

Assessment: It was a tough spring for the Chargers after their loss to New England in the Divisional Round, but Philip Rivers isn’t done yet. Expect him to use that loss to New England as a motivator for him to capture that elusive Super Bowl ring…but he won’t get it this year.

Projected Record: 13-3

Projected Playoff Result: Lose Divisional Round to Steelers

Kansas City Chiefs

2018-19 Record: 12-4

Playoff Result: Lost Championship Round to New England

Assessment: Expect Patrick Mahomes to go on hot streak after hot streak after hot streak, shattering records along the way. But here, the Chargers are just too hot to handle in the AFC West and that will just keep the Chiefs out of the playoffs. Chiefs finish with the same record as the Titans but lose out thanks to a Week 10 loss in Nashville.

Projected Record: 11-5

Projected Playoff Result: Miss Playoffs

Get ready for one wild season!