09-05-2019, 06:23 PM
(This post was last modified: 09-15-2019, 08:51 AM by goodvsevil1275.)
David Rector here with my first new article in quite some time. I’ve been so busy with the start of my first DSFL season that I haven’t had a chance to write anything, but seeing as the NFL season starts tonight with Packers at Bears for the 100th season I figured now was as good a time as any to write, and this article will mostly be a preview of this upcoming NFL season, but I will also briefly compare each team to a NSFL or DSFL team based solely on my opinion without any context, because I can. You may disagree with my opinions, and if you do please comment below and I will probably ignore you unless you bring up a good point.
The overarching point of this article is to determine which teams in the NFL are good enough to make the playoffs and which teams aren’t. I believe that any team that can make the playoffs can also win the Super Bowl, so I won’t be trying to dissect the difference between a team that can make the playoffs and a team that can win the Super Bowl because I believe they are one in the same. I will also end the article with my week 1 picks for fun, and to see how terrible I am at picking games.
**BIAS DISCLAIMER**
I am a die hard Carolina Panthers fan, so just keep that in mind when I speak about them or any team in the NFC South as I hate the Saints, Falcons, and Bucs with a fiery passion. Also, not a bias, but I have more knowledge about the NFC than the AFC, so my opinions on the AFC will probably be even more inaccurate than my opinions on the NFC. With all that said, let’s start with the NFC.
**NFC North**
The Chicago Bears won the NFC North last year, and definitely have the talent to repeat. The defense is still one of the best in football, and the offense adds rookie running back David Montgomery. Montgomery showed he has the ability to be an every down back in the NFL during the preseason, and with the electric Tarik Cohen he won’t even be asked to do that. These two could be one of the best one two punches at running back in the NFL. Cohen is one of the shiftiest players out in space, he is a YAC (yards after catch) machine. The biggest question mark on the Bears is quarter back Mitchell Trubisky. Coming into his third season he needs to prove he can be smart with his decision making and also not rely on his legs as much. He tends to panic under pressure and take off too often. If any player can ruin the Bears chance at getting back to the playoffs it is Trubisky. The Bears definitely have what it takes to make it to the playoffs this year. NSFL Comparison: Chicago Butchers
The Green Bay Packers are coming off a disappointing 2018 campaign that ended with the firing of long time head coach Mike McCarthy. Aaron Rogers is considered by many to be one of the greatest ever at the quarter back position, but lately he hasn’t been able to stay healthy and hasn’t really stepped up and been a leader when he needs to be. The offense has all the pieces that are needed to succeed, and hopefully a new coaching staff will be able to get everything out of the talent that is there. A very talented offensive line should increase the rushing output from last year which will open things up down the field for Rogers and his band of misfits. Other than Davante Adams the rest of the receiving corp for Green Bay is mostly unproven. Gone are the days of Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb. Now there is Geronimo Allison and Marques Valdez-Scantling, try and say that 5 times fast. They acquired Jimmy Graham last year, but he hasn’t been the same since he was traded from New Orleans a few years ago. Will this be the year he gets back on track? The Packers wisely spent most of their high draft picks on the defensive side of the ball. Rashan Gary from Michigan could end up being a staple on the defensive line and Darnell Savage already has the starting job at safety opposite Adrian Amos. This front 7 for the Packers isn’t particularly strong and I won’t be surprised if good run teams will be able to pound the rock right down their throats all game. Despite that it is impossible to count Aaron Rogers out if he stays healthy and that is why the Green Bay Packers can definitely make the playoffs this year. NSFL Comparison: Baltimore Hawks
The Minnesota Vikings are the last team in the NFC North that I believe are good enough to make the playoffs. SPOILERS: The Detroit Lions are garbage. After an insane playoff run in 2017 that included the Minneapolis Miracle, one of the greatest endings to a playoff game, the Vikings were a disappointment last year finishing 8-7-1. Two of those losses came late in the season to the Bears. The Vikings paid Kirk Cousins quite a lot of money last year and so far it hasn’t really worked out. Is that Cousin’s fault? I don’t really know. I think a big issue is the fact that the Vikings have one of the worst offensive lines in football. In fact, Sporting News ranked them at #22 coming into this season. I do think they have a potential to end the season ranked higher than that with the addition of NC State Wolfpack center Garrett Bradbury. Bradbury was the top center coming into the draft and the Vikings took him with the 18th pick. As an NC State alumnus I can’t speak highly enough about Bradbury. The other issue the offense has is that Dalvin Cook can’t seem to stay healthy. If he does I think the offense will have a good year. They have two great young wide receivers in Diggs and Thielen and if Cook can run the ball than the passing game will definitely open up. The defense is one of the better defenses in the league, and should bounce back from an unspectacular 2018. The Vikings are definitely good enough to make the playoffs this season. NFSL Comparison: San Jose SaberCats
The Detroit Lions are consistently the bottom dwellers of the NFC North. It’s kind of a confusing thing as they have talent at a lot of places but can never do anything with it. Matthew Stafford has been considered one of the better quarter backs in the league for a while now, but has never won a playoff game. They have a below average offensive line, but that shouldn’t stop Kerryon Johnson from success in the run game. The defense has a severe lack of talent. Matt Patricia is a great defensive mind, but he doesn’t have the talent he needs to keep points off the board. The Lions aren’t necessarily a bad team, but when you have to play the Bears, Packers, and Vikings twice it is hard to win enough games to make the playoffs. My Lions prediction is that they will beat one of their NFC North rivals late in the season and that will be the difference between that team making or missing the playoffs. NSFL Comparison: Colorado Yeti
**NFC South**
The New Orleans Saints are coming off of back to back division titles. Luckily they have nothing to show for it other than a new rule that allows pass interference to be reviewed. What can I say about the Saints that you don’t know? Probably nothing, so I’ll just regurgitate well known info. One of the best offensive lines in the league leads the way for a great running attack lead by Alvin Kamara. They also do an excellent job of keeping Drew Brees from getting hit. Michael Thomas is one of the best wide receivers in the league. Drew Brees is showing definite signs of age as he doesn’t hardly throw the ball down the field anymore and sticks to mostly short routes and dump offs. There is so much talent on both sides of the ball that Brees doesn’t really need to do much else, but I definitely wouldn’t want to be in a late game 2 minute drill where throwing the ball down field was a necessity. I don’t think he would get it done. There isn’t much to say about the defense other than they are very good and have a knack for getting to the quarter back. This team can definitely make it back to the playoffs this season. NSFL Comparison: Yellowknife Wraiths
The Atlanta Falcons were plagued by injuries across their entire defense last year. Matt Ryan quietly had a great season statistically, but it didn’t matter because they couldn’t stop anyone with that depleted defense. Devonta Freeman is back from missing almost the whole season from injury and Tevin Coleman signed with the 49ers. The Falcons spent a couple of first round picks on offensive linemen, so expect there to be some growing pains there, but they could definitely round out into form by the end of the season. Julio will be Julio and the defense won’t be as injured as it was last year. Even in a tough division the Falcons are definitely good enough to make the playoffs. NSFL Comparison: Arizona Outlaws
The Carolina Panthers had one of the weirdest seasons ever last year. Just go and watch the excellent All or Nothing to see what I’m talking about. This season Cam Newton seems to be ready to go and healthier than he’s been in a couple years. The offense under Norv Turner was excellent during that first half stretch last year, and hopefully a full year and offseason will only make it better. The offensive line should be good and playmakers Christian McCaffrey, DJ Moore, and Curtis Samuel all have big play ability. Greg Olsen has spent the last two seasons with foot issues and everyone in Charlotte is hoping his foot can stay intact for the entire season as the offense is much better when Greg is on the field. The defense was surprisingly bad last year. Ron Rivera, one of the best defensive minds in the league, has revamped the defense with a completely new scheme and is taking over play calling duty, which should be a big boost for Luke Kuechly and co. It is an odd year and if you don’t know the Panthers are almost always good in odd years. The Panthers are good enough to make the playoffs. NSFL Comparison: Orange County Otters
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are one of the least talented teams in the entire NFC. They did bring in Bruce Arians as a head coach, so that is positive, but Jameis Winston is one of the worst decision makers at quarter back I have ever seen. He throws an insane amount of interceptions and holds onto the ball too long. The offensive line is literally the worst in the league, and in a division that can get after the quarter back that isn’t something you want to have. The offensive line is so bad that the young running backs can barely make it back to the line of scrimmage before getting bombarded. The defense lost its long time leader in Gerald McCoy to the rival Panthers. I expect this time next year to be talking about how the Bucs are going to be tanking for Trevor Lawrence. No chance they are good enough for the playoofs. NSFL Comparison: Austin Copperheads
**NFC East**
The Cowboys won this division last year. Jerry Jones is trying to recreate the success of the 1990s Cowboys with Dak Prescott, the quarter back who mostly just hands the ball off to the talented running back and throws it down the field to the talented wide receiver on play action plays (Troy Aikman), Ezekiel Elliott, the extremely talented running back who is running behind one of the best offensive lines in the league so his stats make him look better than he actually is (Emmitt Smith), and Amari Cooper the big play wide receiver who is extremely inconsistent, but flashes big plays enough for people to forget that he disappears completely sometimes (Michael Irvin). The biggest thing holding the Cowboys back is the coaching staff. Garrett is a subpar coach that gets to coach one of the most talented teams top to bottom in the league and has nothing to show for it. The defense is also surprisingly one of the better units in the league and they only have one other team in the division that will challenge them for a playoff spot, so the Cowboys are definitely good enough to make the playoffs. NSFL Comparison: Austin Copperheads
The Philadelphia Eagles are the only other team in the division that can make the playoffs. They are probably the favorite to win the division as they are only two years removed from winning the Super Bowl. Unlike the Cowboys, the coaching staff for the Eagles takes advantage of every ounce of talent they have. How many coaches are good enough to win a super bowl with a backup quarter back? Not many, that’s for sure. The Eagles have one major issue and that is the health of Carson Wentz. Wentz hasn’t finished either of the last two seasons, and I fear they will miss the playoffs again if he can’t stay healthy all season. This team has proven it is good enough to make the playoffs. NSFL Comparison: Yellowknife Wraiths
The New York Giants are in a rebuilding mode. They need to vastly improve their offensive line and they just traded away one of the best receivers in the league. Eli Manning is a terrible quarter back who doesn’t deserve to be in the hall of fame someday despite being the quarter back on a team that won two super bowls against the Patriots. Saquon Barkley is one of the greatest talents at running back in the league, but it is being wasted on a team that has hardly any talent on the roster. The defense is serviceable at best and you have to wonder how much longer Eli will be starting when Daniel Jones looks like he is ready to go. There is no way the Giants make the playoffs. NSFL Comparison: New Orleans Second Line
The Washington Football team is notorious for having the worst owner in the league. They drafted Dwayne Haskins in the first round, but like the Giants would instead hand the reins to an old quarter back who isn’t any good. The defense is actually pretty good, but the offense is so bad it won’t matter. NSFL Comparison: Colorado Yeti
**NFC West**
Similar to the East I believe there are only two teams in this division that are good enough to make the playoffs. The LA Rams are coming off a highlight season that saw them go 13-3 and controversially make it to the super bowl where old man Bill and his big defensive brain completely shut down one of the best offenses in football. Coming off of a super bowl loss is hard for most teams. The Rams will be no exception. Don’t expect them to go 13-3 again this year. Todd Gurley has an arthritic knee and won’t be able to handle another 300+ touch season. The defense lost Ndomukong Suh and I expect the Rams will be in more shootouts than they were last year. Goff just got paid the big bucks and McVay is a great coach. The biggest thing they have going for them is honestly just the fact that two of the teams in their division aren’t very good. The Rams should have a pretty easy path to no worse than 5-1 in the division. NSFL Comparison: Yellowknife Wraiths
The Seattle Seahawks are hard to figure out. They have talent at the skill positions, but a mediocre offensive line definitely holds them back. The defense is stout, especially with the recent addition of Jadeveon Clowney. This team wants to run the ball, control the clock, and make you settle for field goals. They will be in a lot of games where neither team reaches the 20 point mark. Despite that they are still good enough to make it to the playoffs. NSFL Comparison: Chicago Butchers
The San Francisco 49ers make a huge mistake when they traded for Jimmy G and then signed him to a big deal. He’s overrated and can’t stay healthy. The offensive line isn’t great and is better when running the ball, but the defense isn’t very good, so there aren’t many games where the 49ers take a lead and can run the clock down by pounding the ball down the other teams throat. The 49ers won’t make the playoffs. NSFL Comparison – Philadephia Liberty
In a similar vein as the 49ers the Arizona Cardinals have many holes. They’ve spent the last two first round picks on quarter backs and hopefully Kyler Murray ends up being a star or that move is going to look awful. First time NFL head coach Kliff Kingsbury has a lot to prove as he tries to bring in a college system to the NFL, something that has been tried in the past and has never worked. This is another team with a putrid offensive line and they also aren’t very talented on the defensive side of the ball. There is no way they are making the playoffs. DSFL Comparison: Palm Beach Solar Bears
**AFC North**
The Ravens have always been known for their defense and that is still the case. The offense, lead by cheat code Lamar Jackson (can you imagine if the NCAA Football video games had been around during Jackson’s time at Louisville? He would have been like Madden 04 with Vick) will be running much more than passing. Jackson could break the record for rushing yards by a quarter back in a season. I will be surprised if he doesn’t break the 1000 yard mark rushing. With all that said I don’t want you to think I believe Jackson is a good quarter back, because he isn’t. He can’t throw for shit. His legs make up for his lack of passing, but a good defense will shut their running game down and make him beat you with his arm and I don’t see that happening. With how good this defense is though I do think the Ravens are good enough to make the playoffs. NSFL Comparison: Chicago Butchers
The Cleveland Browns are everyone’s favorite team to cheer for this year. They have been so bad for so long that most people just want to see the unimaginable happen. I don’t even need to talk about Baker and Odell and Chubb or the defense because everyone knows what the Browns have. There are two things that worry me with this team. The offensive line and the coaching staff. A new head coach rarely has playoff success his first season. With how hyped this team is I would honestly no be surprised if they finish anywhere from 4-12 to 12-4. I do think they are good enough to make the playoffs, but I also do think it’s a given like some people are saying. NSFL Comparison: Orange County Otters
The Pittsburgh Steelers had a bad year last year, but they’ve gotten rid of some players in that locker room that should definitely make them better. The defense has slowly been gaining talent and getting back to the dominant defense that won two super bowls not that long ago. Ben Roethlisberger is getting older, but can still get the ball to Juju with one of the best offensive lines in football. All these Browns fans that think they are gonna be able to run away with the division better stop counting their chickens before they hatch as the Steelers are definitely good enough to make the playoffs. NSFL Comparison: San Jose SaberCats
The Cincinnati Bengals are just plain bad. Andy Dalton is not a good quarter back. AJ Green is always hurt. The offensive line isn’t good. The defense doesn’t have the talent they used to. Other than Geno Atkins can you even name another player on the Bengals defense? They did finally get rid of Marvin Lewis, but it will take new head coach Zac Taylor some time to bring in talent before they are ready to compete again. I wouldn’t be surprised if they are one of the teams in the tank for Trevor race next year. DSFL Comparison: Kansas City Coyotes
**AFC South**
A lot has happened in this division in the past few days. To start the defending division champion Texans gave away two first round picks and a second round pick for left tackle Laremy Tunsil. Then they traded Jadeveon Clowney to the Seahawks for a third and traded away a backup guard for Carlos Hyde. The Texans are definitely in a win now mode, but I am not sure it will be enough. The defense will still be good without Clowney and if the improved offensive line can protect Watson better they will definitely be improved on that side of the ball as well. They are good enough to make the playoffs, but don’t be surprised to see them at the bottom of the division in a few years. NSFL Comparison: Arizona Outlaws
The Indianapolis Colts were a favorite to win the division just two weeks ago, but then the shot heard round the world happened as Andrew Luck announced his surprise retirement. Luckily the Colts have an excellent backup quarter back, now starting quarter back, in former NC State Wolfpacker Jacoby Brissett. The Colts are the most talented team in the division top to bottom and if Jacoby can even be a decent quarter back they should have no problem making the playoffs. NSFL Comparison: Baltimore Hawks
The Tennessee Titans are really hard to figure out. They have quite a lot of talent, especially on the defensive side, but they rarely win many games. Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston might be considered one of the biggest disappointments as far as quarter back draft classes ever. Don’t be surprised if the Titans are drafting a quarter back early in the 2020 nfl draft. No chance they make the playoffs. DSFL Comparison: Norfolk Seawolves
The Jacksonville Jaguars are one of the tougher teams to predict this year. The defense should still be great and the offense should be better with Nick Foles taking over and a healthy Leonard Fournette. Don’t sleep on the Jags just because they went 5-11 last year. There is a team almost every year that finished worst in their division the year prior that ends up in first place the next year and I think the Jaguars have the best shot of any team to do that this year. NSFL Comparison: Colorado Yeti
**AFC East**
The New England Patriots have one of the best defenses in the league. They are coached by the greatest coach in NFL history (I almost vomited typing that as I hate the Patriots, but I stand by my statement). They have an old quarter back similar to Drew Brees who doesn’t need to throw the ball down the field anymore. Just dump it off to Edelman or White and let them do the work. This team is going to pound the rock with Sony Michel and more than likely cruise to another easy division title and probable home field advantage. I hate them, but until proven otherwise they are making the playoffs. NSFL Comparison: Yellowknife Wraiths
The Buffalo Bills actually had one of the best defenses in the league last year, but they have a shitty offensive line and pair that with a young quarter back and the two don’t mix. They won’t be bad this year, but I also don’t think they are good enough to make the playoffs. NSFL Comparison: Austin Copperheads
The New York Jets are very similar to the Bills. So much so that all I will say is I could see them end up with a decent record, but it won’t be good enough to make the playoffs. I think both teams are one year away from being playoff ready. NSFL Comparison: Philadelphia Liberty
The Miami Dolphins have decided to embrace the tank and draft Tua or Justin Herbert with the #1 overall pick in the 2020 draft. I will be surprised if they win more than 2 games. DSFL Comparison: Palm Beach Solar Bears
**AFC West**
This division is similar to the NFC East. A clear separation from the top two teams and bottom two teams. The Kansas City Chiefs exploded last year with the start of Patrick Mahomes career. He threw for 50 touchdowns and won MVP. The defense is terrible though and they are going to have to win a lot of shootouts, which they can with the talent they have on offense. They are a lot of peoples favorites to win the whole thing this year. They are good enough to make the playoffs, but don’t forget the old mantra that defense wins championships. NSFL Comparison: Arizona Outlaws
The Chargers are lead by former NC State Wolfpack quarter back Phillip Rivers. He has like 17 children or something ridiculous at this point and I’m convinced he has discovered some secret to a long career that has to do with having more and more children. The Chargers have an amazing defense and also the offense will be just fine with or without Melvin Gordon. They are definitely good enough to make the playoffs.
The Broncos are only a few years removed from winning the super bowl, but John Elway has been terrible at his job and this team is going nowhere soon. The offense needs to be completely rebuilt and while they do that their defense will just get older and worse. Don’t expect them to be playoff contenders for at least a few more seasons. DSFL Comparison: Kansas City Coyotes
The soon to be Las Vegas Raiders are not good. Antonio Brown is potentially going to be suspended for a spat with GM Mike Mayock who if you didn’t know was a tv analyst that Jon Gruden decided would make a good GM because he was a good draft tv analyst. So far it’s not worked out very well. I don’t see this team having any success with Gruden or Mayock, but they’ll be given at least 2 or 3 more years before they are gone. DSFL Comparison: Palm Beach Solar Bears
That concludes my NFL Preview. If you are keeping track at home there are 10 teams in the NFC that I think are playoff worthy and 9 teams in the AFC. My predictions for division winners, wild card teams, and of course who I predict will be playing in the Super Bowl are:
NFC
NFC North: Vikings
NFC South: Saints
NFC East: Eagles
NFC West: Seahawks
Wildcard: Panthers and Falcons
AFC
AFC North: Steelers
AFC South: Jaguars
AFC East: Patriots
AFC West: Chargers
Wildcard: Chiefs and Browns
Super Bowl: Patriots v. Saints (barf)
Now, as promised I will post my Week 1 predictions:
Bears over Packers
Ravens over Dolphins
Falcons over Vikings
Bills over Jets
Eagles over Washington Football Team
Panthers over Rams
Chiefs over Jaguars
Chargers over Colts
Seahawks over Bengals
Cowboys over Giants
Lions over Cardinals
49ers over Buccaneers
Patriots over Steelers
Saints over Texans
Broncos over Raiders
See you next week when we get to see how terrible my predictions were.
The overarching point of this article is to determine which teams in the NFL are good enough to make the playoffs and which teams aren’t. I believe that any team that can make the playoffs can also win the Super Bowl, so I won’t be trying to dissect the difference between a team that can make the playoffs and a team that can win the Super Bowl because I believe they are one in the same. I will also end the article with my week 1 picks for fun, and to see how terrible I am at picking games.
**BIAS DISCLAIMER**
I am a die hard Carolina Panthers fan, so just keep that in mind when I speak about them or any team in the NFC South as I hate the Saints, Falcons, and Bucs with a fiery passion. Also, not a bias, but I have more knowledge about the NFC than the AFC, so my opinions on the AFC will probably be even more inaccurate than my opinions on the NFC. With all that said, let’s start with the NFC.
**NFC North**
The Chicago Bears won the NFC North last year, and definitely have the talent to repeat. The defense is still one of the best in football, and the offense adds rookie running back David Montgomery. Montgomery showed he has the ability to be an every down back in the NFL during the preseason, and with the electric Tarik Cohen he won’t even be asked to do that. These two could be one of the best one two punches at running back in the NFL. Cohen is one of the shiftiest players out in space, he is a YAC (yards after catch) machine. The biggest question mark on the Bears is quarter back Mitchell Trubisky. Coming into his third season he needs to prove he can be smart with his decision making and also not rely on his legs as much. He tends to panic under pressure and take off too often. If any player can ruin the Bears chance at getting back to the playoffs it is Trubisky. The Bears definitely have what it takes to make it to the playoffs this year. NSFL Comparison: Chicago Butchers
The Green Bay Packers are coming off a disappointing 2018 campaign that ended with the firing of long time head coach Mike McCarthy. Aaron Rogers is considered by many to be one of the greatest ever at the quarter back position, but lately he hasn’t been able to stay healthy and hasn’t really stepped up and been a leader when he needs to be. The offense has all the pieces that are needed to succeed, and hopefully a new coaching staff will be able to get everything out of the talent that is there. A very talented offensive line should increase the rushing output from last year which will open things up down the field for Rogers and his band of misfits. Other than Davante Adams the rest of the receiving corp for Green Bay is mostly unproven. Gone are the days of Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb. Now there is Geronimo Allison and Marques Valdez-Scantling, try and say that 5 times fast. They acquired Jimmy Graham last year, but he hasn’t been the same since he was traded from New Orleans a few years ago. Will this be the year he gets back on track? The Packers wisely spent most of their high draft picks on the defensive side of the ball. Rashan Gary from Michigan could end up being a staple on the defensive line and Darnell Savage already has the starting job at safety opposite Adrian Amos. This front 7 for the Packers isn’t particularly strong and I won’t be surprised if good run teams will be able to pound the rock right down their throats all game. Despite that it is impossible to count Aaron Rogers out if he stays healthy and that is why the Green Bay Packers can definitely make the playoffs this year. NSFL Comparison: Baltimore Hawks
The Minnesota Vikings are the last team in the NFC North that I believe are good enough to make the playoffs. SPOILERS: The Detroit Lions are garbage. After an insane playoff run in 2017 that included the Minneapolis Miracle, one of the greatest endings to a playoff game, the Vikings were a disappointment last year finishing 8-7-1. Two of those losses came late in the season to the Bears. The Vikings paid Kirk Cousins quite a lot of money last year and so far it hasn’t really worked out. Is that Cousin’s fault? I don’t really know. I think a big issue is the fact that the Vikings have one of the worst offensive lines in football. In fact, Sporting News ranked them at #22 coming into this season. I do think they have a potential to end the season ranked higher than that with the addition of NC State Wolfpack center Garrett Bradbury. Bradbury was the top center coming into the draft and the Vikings took him with the 18th pick. As an NC State alumnus I can’t speak highly enough about Bradbury. The other issue the offense has is that Dalvin Cook can’t seem to stay healthy. If he does I think the offense will have a good year. They have two great young wide receivers in Diggs and Thielen and if Cook can run the ball than the passing game will definitely open up. The defense is one of the better defenses in the league, and should bounce back from an unspectacular 2018. The Vikings are definitely good enough to make the playoffs this season. NFSL Comparison: San Jose SaberCats
The Detroit Lions are consistently the bottom dwellers of the NFC North. It’s kind of a confusing thing as they have talent at a lot of places but can never do anything with it. Matthew Stafford has been considered one of the better quarter backs in the league for a while now, but has never won a playoff game. They have a below average offensive line, but that shouldn’t stop Kerryon Johnson from success in the run game. The defense has a severe lack of talent. Matt Patricia is a great defensive mind, but he doesn’t have the talent he needs to keep points off the board. The Lions aren’t necessarily a bad team, but when you have to play the Bears, Packers, and Vikings twice it is hard to win enough games to make the playoffs. My Lions prediction is that they will beat one of their NFC North rivals late in the season and that will be the difference between that team making or missing the playoffs. NSFL Comparison: Colorado Yeti
**NFC South**
The New Orleans Saints are coming off of back to back division titles. Luckily they have nothing to show for it other than a new rule that allows pass interference to be reviewed. What can I say about the Saints that you don’t know? Probably nothing, so I’ll just regurgitate well known info. One of the best offensive lines in the league leads the way for a great running attack lead by Alvin Kamara. They also do an excellent job of keeping Drew Brees from getting hit. Michael Thomas is one of the best wide receivers in the league. Drew Brees is showing definite signs of age as he doesn’t hardly throw the ball down the field anymore and sticks to mostly short routes and dump offs. There is so much talent on both sides of the ball that Brees doesn’t really need to do much else, but I definitely wouldn’t want to be in a late game 2 minute drill where throwing the ball down field was a necessity. I don’t think he would get it done. There isn’t much to say about the defense other than they are very good and have a knack for getting to the quarter back. This team can definitely make it back to the playoffs this season. NSFL Comparison: Yellowknife Wraiths
The Atlanta Falcons were plagued by injuries across their entire defense last year. Matt Ryan quietly had a great season statistically, but it didn’t matter because they couldn’t stop anyone with that depleted defense. Devonta Freeman is back from missing almost the whole season from injury and Tevin Coleman signed with the 49ers. The Falcons spent a couple of first round picks on offensive linemen, so expect there to be some growing pains there, but they could definitely round out into form by the end of the season. Julio will be Julio and the defense won’t be as injured as it was last year. Even in a tough division the Falcons are definitely good enough to make the playoffs. NSFL Comparison: Arizona Outlaws
The Carolina Panthers had one of the weirdest seasons ever last year. Just go and watch the excellent All or Nothing to see what I’m talking about. This season Cam Newton seems to be ready to go and healthier than he’s been in a couple years. The offense under Norv Turner was excellent during that first half stretch last year, and hopefully a full year and offseason will only make it better. The offensive line should be good and playmakers Christian McCaffrey, DJ Moore, and Curtis Samuel all have big play ability. Greg Olsen has spent the last two seasons with foot issues and everyone in Charlotte is hoping his foot can stay intact for the entire season as the offense is much better when Greg is on the field. The defense was surprisingly bad last year. Ron Rivera, one of the best defensive minds in the league, has revamped the defense with a completely new scheme and is taking over play calling duty, which should be a big boost for Luke Kuechly and co. It is an odd year and if you don’t know the Panthers are almost always good in odd years. The Panthers are good enough to make the playoffs. NSFL Comparison: Orange County Otters
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are one of the least talented teams in the entire NFC. They did bring in Bruce Arians as a head coach, so that is positive, but Jameis Winston is one of the worst decision makers at quarter back I have ever seen. He throws an insane amount of interceptions and holds onto the ball too long. The offensive line is literally the worst in the league, and in a division that can get after the quarter back that isn’t something you want to have. The offensive line is so bad that the young running backs can barely make it back to the line of scrimmage before getting bombarded. The defense lost its long time leader in Gerald McCoy to the rival Panthers. I expect this time next year to be talking about how the Bucs are going to be tanking for Trevor Lawrence. No chance they are good enough for the playoofs. NSFL Comparison: Austin Copperheads
**NFC East**
The Cowboys won this division last year. Jerry Jones is trying to recreate the success of the 1990s Cowboys with Dak Prescott, the quarter back who mostly just hands the ball off to the talented running back and throws it down the field to the talented wide receiver on play action plays (Troy Aikman), Ezekiel Elliott, the extremely talented running back who is running behind one of the best offensive lines in the league so his stats make him look better than he actually is (Emmitt Smith), and Amari Cooper the big play wide receiver who is extremely inconsistent, but flashes big plays enough for people to forget that he disappears completely sometimes (Michael Irvin). The biggest thing holding the Cowboys back is the coaching staff. Garrett is a subpar coach that gets to coach one of the most talented teams top to bottom in the league and has nothing to show for it. The defense is also surprisingly one of the better units in the league and they only have one other team in the division that will challenge them for a playoff spot, so the Cowboys are definitely good enough to make the playoffs. NSFL Comparison: Austin Copperheads
The Philadelphia Eagles are the only other team in the division that can make the playoffs. They are probably the favorite to win the division as they are only two years removed from winning the Super Bowl. Unlike the Cowboys, the coaching staff for the Eagles takes advantage of every ounce of talent they have. How many coaches are good enough to win a super bowl with a backup quarter back? Not many, that’s for sure. The Eagles have one major issue and that is the health of Carson Wentz. Wentz hasn’t finished either of the last two seasons, and I fear they will miss the playoffs again if he can’t stay healthy all season. This team has proven it is good enough to make the playoffs. NSFL Comparison: Yellowknife Wraiths
The New York Giants are in a rebuilding mode. They need to vastly improve their offensive line and they just traded away one of the best receivers in the league. Eli Manning is a terrible quarter back who doesn’t deserve to be in the hall of fame someday despite being the quarter back on a team that won two super bowls against the Patriots. Saquon Barkley is one of the greatest talents at running back in the league, but it is being wasted on a team that has hardly any talent on the roster. The defense is serviceable at best and you have to wonder how much longer Eli will be starting when Daniel Jones looks like he is ready to go. There is no way the Giants make the playoffs. NSFL Comparison: New Orleans Second Line
The Washington Football team is notorious for having the worst owner in the league. They drafted Dwayne Haskins in the first round, but like the Giants would instead hand the reins to an old quarter back who isn’t any good. The defense is actually pretty good, but the offense is so bad it won’t matter. NSFL Comparison: Colorado Yeti
**NFC West**
Similar to the East I believe there are only two teams in this division that are good enough to make the playoffs. The LA Rams are coming off a highlight season that saw them go 13-3 and controversially make it to the super bowl where old man Bill and his big defensive brain completely shut down one of the best offenses in football. Coming off of a super bowl loss is hard for most teams. The Rams will be no exception. Don’t expect them to go 13-3 again this year. Todd Gurley has an arthritic knee and won’t be able to handle another 300+ touch season. The defense lost Ndomukong Suh and I expect the Rams will be in more shootouts than they were last year. Goff just got paid the big bucks and McVay is a great coach. The biggest thing they have going for them is honestly just the fact that two of the teams in their division aren’t very good. The Rams should have a pretty easy path to no worse than 5-1 in the division. NSFL Comparison: Yellowknife Wraiths
The Seattle Seahawks are hard to figure out. They have talent at the skill positions, but a mediocre offensive line definitely holds them back. The defense is stout, especially with the recent addition of Jadeveon Clowney. This team wants to run the ball, control the clock, and make you settle for field goals. They will be in a lot of games where neither team reaches the 20 point mark. Despite that they are still good enough to make it to the playoffs. NSFL Comparison: Chicago Butchers
The San Francisco 49ers make a huge mistake when they traded for Jimmy G and then signed him to a big deal. He’s overrated and can’t stay healthy. The offensive line isn’t great and is better when running the ball, but the defense isn’t very good, so there aren’t many games where the 49ers take a lead and can run the clock down by pounding the ball down the other teams throat. The 49ers won’t make the playoffs. NSFL Comparison – Philadephia Liberty
In a similar vein as the 49ers the Arizona Cardinals have many holes. They’ve spent the last two first round picks on quarter backs and hopefully Kyler Murray ends up being a star or that move is going to look awful. First time NFL head coach Kliff Kingsbury has a lot to prove as he tries to bring in a college system to the NFL, something that has been tried in the past and has never worked. This is another team with a putrid offensive line and they also aren’t very talented on the defensive side of the ball. There is no way they are making the playoffs. DSFL Comparison: Palm Beach Solar Bears
**AFC North**
The Ravens have always been known for their defense and that is still the case. The offense, lead by cheat code Lamar Jackson (can you imagine if the NCAA Football video games had been around during Jackson’s time at Louisville? He would have been like Madden 04 with Vick) will be running much more than passing. Jackson could break the record for rushing yards by a quarter back in a season. I will be surprised if he doesn’t break the 1000 yard mark rushing. With all that said I don’t want you to think I believe Jackson is a good quarter back, because he isn’t. He can’t throw for shit. His legs make up for his lack of passing, but a good defense will shut their running game down and make him beat you with his arm and I don’t see that happening. With how good this defense is though I do think the Ravens are good enough to make the playoffs. NSFL Comparison: Chicago Butchers
The Cleveland Browns are everyone’s favorite team to cheer for this year. They have been so bad for so long that most people just want to see the unimaginable happen. I don’t even need to talk about Baker and Odell and Chubb or the defense because everyone knows what the Browns have. There are two things that worry me with this team. The offensive line and the coaching staff. A new head coach rarely has playoff success his first season. With how hyped this team is I would honestly no be surprised if they finish anywhere from 4-12 to 12-4. I do think they are good enough to make the playoffs, but I also do think it’s a given like some people are saying. NSFL Comparison: Orange County Otters
The Pittsburgh Steelers had a bad year last year, but they’ve gotten rid of some players in that locker room that should definitely make them better. The defense has slowly been gaining talent and getting back to the dominant defense that won two super bowls not that long ago. Ben Roethlisberger is getting older, but can still get the ball to Juju with one of the best offensive lines in football. All these Browns fans that think they are gonna be able to run away with the division better stop counting their chickens before they hatch as the Steelers are definitely good enough to make the playoffs. NSFL Comparison: San Jose SaberCats
The Cincinnati Bengals are just plain bad. Andy Dalton is not a good quarter back. AJ Green is always hurt. The offensive line isn’t good. The defense doesn’t have the talent they used to. Other than Geno Atkins can you even name another player on the Bengals defense? They did finally get rid of Marvin Lewis, but it will take new head coach Zac Taylor some time to bring in talent before they are ready to compete again. I wouldn’t be surprised if they are one of the teams in the tank for Trevor race next year. DSFL Comparison: Kansas City Coyotes
**AFC South**
A lot has happened in this division in the past few days. To start the defending division champion Texans gave away two first round picks and a second round pick for left tackle Laremy Tunsil. Then they traded Jadeveon Clowney to the Seahawks for a third and traded away a backup guard for Carlos Hyde. The Texans are definitely in a win now mode, but I am not sure it will be enough. The defense will still be good without Clowney and if the improved offensive line can protect Watson better they will definitely be improved on that side of the ball as well. They are good enough to make the playoffs, but don’t be surprised to see them at the bottom of the division in a few years. NSFL Comparison: Arizona Outlaws
The Indianapolis Colts were a favorite to win the division just two weeks ago, but then the shot heard round the world happened as Andrew Luck announced his surprise retirement. Luckily the Colts have an excellent backup quarter back, now starting quarter back, in former NC State Wolfpacker Jacoby Brissett. The Colts are the most talented team in the division top to bottom and if Jacoby can even be a decent quarter back they should have no problem making the playoffs. NSFL Comparison: Baltimore Hawks
The Tennessee Titans are really hard to figure out. They have quite a lot of talent, especially on the defensive side, but they rarely win many games. Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston might be considered one of the biggest disappointments as far as quarter back draft classes ever. Don’t be surprised if the Titans are drafting a quarter back early in the 2020 nfl draft. No chance they make the playoffs. DSFL Comparison: Norfolk Seawolves
The Jacksonville Jaguars are one of the tougher teams to predict this year. The defense should still be great and the offense should be better with Nick Foles taking over and a healthy Leonard Fournette. Don’t sleep on the Jags just because they went 5-11 last year. There is a team almost every year that finished worst in their division the year prior that ends up in first place the next year and I think the Jaguars have the best shot of any team to do that this year. NSFL Comparison: Colorado Yeti
**AFC East**
The New England Patriots have one of the best defenses in the league. They are coached by the greatest coach in NFL history (I almost vomited typing that as I hate the Patriots, but I stand by my statement). They have an old quarter back similar to Drew Brees who doesn’t need to throw the ball down the field anymore. Just dump it off to Edelman or White and let them do the work. This team is going to pound the rock with Sony Michel and more than likely cruise to another easy division title and probable home field advantage. I hate them, but until proven otherwise they are making the playoffs. NSFL Comparison: Yellowknife Wraiths
The Buffalo Bills actually had one of the best defenses in the league last year, but they have a shitty offensive line and pair that with a young quarter back and the two don’t mix. They won’t be bad this year, but I also don’t think they are good enough to make the playoffs. NSFL Comparison: Austin Copperheads
The New York Jets are very similar to the Bills. So much so that all I will say is I could see them end up with a decent record, but it won’t be good enough to make the playoffs. I think both teams are one year away from being playoff ready. NSFL Comparison: Philadelphia Liberty
The Miami Dolphins have decided to embrace the tank and draft Tua or Justin Herbert with the #1 overall pick in the 2020 draft. I will be surprised if they win more than 2 games. DSFL Comparison: Palm Beach Solar Bears
**AFC West**
This division is similar to the NFC East. A clear separation from the top two teams and bottom two teams. The Kansas City Chiefs exploded last year with the start of Patrick Mahomes career. He threw for 50 touchdowns and won MVP. The defense is terrible though and they are going to have to win a lot of shootouts, which they can with the talent they have on offense. They are a lot of peoples favorites to win the whole thing this year. They are good enough to make the playoffs, but don’t forget the old mantra that defense wins championships. NSFL Comparison: Arizona Outlaws
The Chargers are lead by former NC State Wolfpack quarter back Phillip Rivers. He has like 17 children or something ridiculous at this point and I’m convinced he has discovered some secret to a long career that has to do with having more and more children. The Chargers have an amazing defense and also the offense will be just fine with or without Melvin Gordon. They are definitely good enough to make the playoffs.
The Broncos are only a few years removed from winning the super bowl, but John Elway has been terrible at his job and this team is going nowhere soon. The offense needs to be completely rebuilt and while they do that their defense will just get older and worse. Don’t expect them to be playoff contenders for at least a few more seasons. DSFL Comparison: Kansas City Coyotes
The soon to be Las Vegas Raiders are not good. Antonio Brown is potentially going to be suspended for a spat with GM Mike Mayock who if you didn’t know was a tv analyst that Jon Gruden decided would make a good GM because he was a good draft tv analyst. So far it’s not worked out very well. I don’t see this team having any success with Gruden or Mayock, but they’ll be given at least 2 or 3 more years before they are gone. DSFL Comparison: Palm Beach Solar Bears
That concludes my NFL Preview. If you are keeping track at home there are 10 teams in the NFC that I think are playoff worthy and 9 teams in the AFC. My predictions for division winners, wild card teams, and of course who I predict will be playing in the Super Bowl are:
NFC
NFC North: Vikings
NFC South: Saints
NFC East: Eagles
NFC West: Seahawks
Wildcard: Panthers and Falcons
AFC
AFC North: Steelers
AFC South: Jaguars
AFC East: Patriots
AFC West: Chargers
Wildcard: Chiefs and Browns
Super Bowl: Patriots v. Saints (barf)
Now, as promised I will post my Week 1 predictions:
Bears over Packers
Ravens over Dolphins
Falcons over Vikings
Bills over Jets
Eagles over Washington Football Team
Panthers over Rams
Chiefs over Jaguars
Chargers over Colts
Seahawks over Bengals
Cowboys over Giants
Lions over Cardinals
49ers over Buccaneers
Patriots over Steelers
Saints over Texans
Broncos over Raiders
See you next week when we get to see how terrible my predictions were.
[OPTION]Height: 6'1"
[OPTION]Weight: 195 lbs.
[OPTION]Birthplace: Raleigh, NC
[OPTION]Number: 22
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[OPTION]Career Stats
[OPTION]G || Tck || TFL || FF/FR || Sck || Int || PD || TD
[OPTION]141 || 597 || 1 || 5/1 || 6 || 30 || 163 || 3
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]Playoff Stats
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]Awards
[OPTION]S26 Defensive Player of the Year, S26 CB of the Year,
[OPTION]S23 Defensive Breakout Player, S23 Defensive Performance
[OPTION]Pro Bowls: S22, S26
[OPTION]===========================================