No Fear, NFL Edition (2018-2019)

Fear my friends is a funny thing. It appears in all shapes and sizes. Everything from watching a scary movie to walking into a big test can create it. Personally, I know fear as that feeling in the pit of your stomach when you have absolutely no idea what is going to happen next. Today, we are going to talk about something that we’ve all been afraid of from time to time. That is of course the act of being wrong. Ideally, everyone wants to be right about everything, but unfortunately that just isn’t realistic. At the end of the day, we are all going to be wrong, and we need to get rid of that fear of getting something wrong. One place where you see this phenomenon quite a bit is in the area of sports media. Constantly I see the so called, “experts,” out there making timid statements and refusing to go out on a limb to make definitive predictions. That however is not something that I plan on putting you guys through. I have learned to honestly not care about looking like an idiot when I make a prediction that goes way wrong. That is why today, I am going to predict the entire NFL Season for you.

As we all know, the NFL Season is quite possibly the most fluid sports season in the world. Due to the fact that football is such a violent game, there is obviously a huge risk for injury. If injury strikes to one of a franchise’s star players, it can completely change the outlook of their season. There are tons of examples of this last season, but I think the most dramatic was the year the Green Bay Packers had. Per usual, many fans had high expectations for the Packers, some even going as far as picking them to win the Super Bowl. That of course was due to the fact that their quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, is in his prime and for my money a top 5 quarterback of all time. The guy can make every throw, and the Packers always have a chance when he’s on the field. Unfortunately for them however, Rodgers wasn’t on the field, and their Super Bowl hopes went completely out the window as a result. So in a league where injuries are a constant threat and just one can ruin a team’s season, predicting what will happen before the season kicks off can be difficult. That however is exactly what I am going to do. To do it, I used a website called playoffpredictors.com, which allows you to pick every single game of the season. I decided not to bore you guys with seeing my picks for each regular season game, so we’re going to start by talking about the various divisions. So without further ado, let’s get right into it!

AFC North

Steelers, 13-3 

Ravens, 6-10

Bengals, 5-11

Browns, 2-14

As it’s been the past couple of years, I expect that Steelers to absolutely roll in this division. One thing they have going for them is that the other teams in it are absolute messes to say the least. The Browns are always a dumpster fire while the Ravens and Bengals just aren’t going to be able to take that next step to seriously contend for a playoff birth. In terms of the Steelers, I think that they are going to be very good this season. Year 2 of Juju plus the usual suspects of Bell, Brown, and Big Ben are going to make their offense one of the best in the league. In particular, I think that Le’Veon is going to have a huge season, as this is most likely his last as a member of the Steelers. Due to him being on his way out, I believe they are going to absolutely run him into the ground, helping them rack up regular season wins. So to recap, the Steelers are going to be great, and the rest of this division will be mediocre at best.

AFC South

Titans, 9-7

Colts, 9-7

Jaguars, 7-9

Texans, 7-9

I think that this is going to be the division that most people get wrong. After what the Jaguars did last season, most are picking them to win this division again and they are even a trendy Super Bowl pick. That however is a huge mistake. Expecting the Jaguars to do exactly what they did last season when literally all 3 teams are going to be exponentially better is just unrealistic. As you can see by the fact that I have the worst team at 7-9, I think pretty highly of each of these 4 teams. Although none of them are true title contenders, I think they are all borderline playoff teams and it’s going to come down to a couple of division games. This one is going to be close, but I bet new offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur will turn Mariota’s career around, and the duo will lead the Titans to a playoff birth. They’ll get the win in a tiebreaker against the Colts, who will have a solid season behind Andrew Luck.

AFC East

Patriots, 13-3

Dolphins, 5-11

Bills, 3-13

Jets, 3-13

This is the division where you just have to be smart. I know I’m a Patriots homer, but you just have to look at the state of these other 3 teams. The Dolphins have a coach that I believe should be fired and a quarterback coming off of a major knee injury. The Bills in my opinion don’t have a starting quarterback on the roster. The Jets may have their guy in Sam Darnold, but the rest of their roster is so brutal that he won’t have a chance week in and week out. If the Bills and Jets switched quarterbacks, then we’d have something, but unfortunately that isn’t the case. In terms of my Patriots, no I’m not worried about the supposed turmoil involving Belichick, Brady, Kraft and Gronkowski. Everyone involved has always been extremely professional, and will continue to do so. Gronk and Brady also restructured their contracts, giving themselves tons of incentives that can really pay off if they hit. Don’t overthink it. The Patriots are going to win somewhere between 13-16 games, and the rest of the teams in the division are going to do nothing of note.

AFC West

Chiefs, 11-5

Broncos, 10-6

Chargers, 10-6

Raiders, 3-13

As far as I’m concerned, this is easily going to be the best division in the AFC. Yes, the AFC South’s worst team is going to be better than the West’s worst team, but the West has 3 legit teams who could all make the AFC Championship Game. First, there’s the Chiefs, who upgraded at WR and handed the keys to the car so to speak to Patrick Mahomes. I am definitely an Andy Reid believer, and if he thinks Mahomes was worth moving on from Alex Smith for, a guy they’ve been very solid with, then this kid is for real. You then have the Chargers, with their electric personnel on both offense and defense, including Keenan Allen, a guy who I think is incredibly underrated. Lastly, you have the Broncos, who I think are going to surprise a ton of people this season. This team is absolutely loaded on both sides of the ball, with their elite receiving corps, promising rookie running back, and always elite defense. The thing that’s different this year however is they finally have a quarterback. I am a Case Keenum apologist, and I am very confident that he is going to take the Broncos to new heights. The bottom line is the Broncos have the best quarterback they’ve had since the guy with the big forehead, and they are going to make some noise this season.

NFC North

Vikings, 13-3

Packers, 13-3

Lions, 4-12

Bears, 3-13

The NFC is absolutely loaded this year, and they have 6 teams that I think have a legit shot at winning the Super Bowl. So let’s start with the NFC North, which has 2 of those teams. We all saw the Vikings get crushed by Philly last year in the NFC Championship Game, but this year they are back with a vengeance. They upgraded significantly at running back, and their always great defense is still there. They also have a quarterback who I believe is capable of leading them to a Super Bowl in Kirk Cousins. Did they overpay? Probably, but this Vikings Team needs to win now, and Cousins just gives them a better chance than Keenum. Cousins is a makes everyone around him better kind of player, and you’ll see that first hand this season. In terms of the Packers, one thing I’ve learned in my years watching football is to never count Aaron Rodgers out. The guy is unbelievable, and the Packers also finally have some talent at running back to help take some pressure off of their star. This is going to be one of the best offenses in the league, and their improved secondary will help make them more of a threat in playoff games. In terms of the Lions, just look at how Bill Belichick coordinators have done as head coaches. I’m also still a little bitter about that awful Super Bowl Defensive game plan, and quite frankly don’t think highly of Patricia. The Bears are the Bears, and this division really only has 2 teams you should concern yourselves with.

NFC South

Saints, 13-3

Falcons, 12-4

Panthers, 9-7

Buccaneers, 1-15

Although this division contains my pick for worst team in football in the Bucs, I think it is one of the strongest in the league. 2 of those 6 teams I said have a legit shot at winning the Super Bowl are in this division, as the Saints will be seeking revenge after losing on a literal miracle in the playoffs last season. Drew Brees and the offense are ready to carry this team, and they have the firepower to stand up to any team in the league. The Falcons on the other hand seemed to finally figure it out late last season, and after another offseason in Steve Sarkesian’s System, the offense might finally start to look like the unit that led them to a near Super Bowl Victory 2 years ago. People forget that they were one Julio Jones drop away from beating the Eagles in the second round last year. In terms of the Panthers, I really like their team with their new additions offensively on the outside, the return of Olsen, and another year of McCaffery. Their defense is also unbelievable, but I just don’t think they can win consistently at the same level as the Saints or Falcons. The bottom line is that Cam just doesn’t stack up against Brees or Ryan, and that at the end of the day will be what decides this division.

NFC East

Eagles, 12-4

Giants, 9-7

Redskins, 7-9

Cowboys, 5-11

Here we have another stacked division in the NFC. Getting the sense of a theme here? First and foremost, everyone knows about the Eagles. They won a Super Bowl last season without their quarterback who was probably going to win MVP if he didn’t get hurt. They added Michael Bennett to their already loaded defensive line. Philly is going to be a force, and they could absolutely end up defending their title. I am a little higher on the Redskins than most, as I believe in Jay Gruden’s System, and Alex Smith’s ability to provide solid quarterback play that will allow them to still have a good year despite the overall lack of talent elsewhere on their roster. In terms of the Cowboys, I think they are going to be a mess this year. That elite offensive line is starting to get a little long in the tooth, and I am not a Dak Prescott believer. To make matters worse, their current top receiver wasn’t even a starter for the Jaguars last season.

With absolutely no talent offensively besides the line and Zeke, defenses will stack the box and Elliott will find no running lanes. The Cowboys underperforming is going to be a huge story this year, and they will wish they held onto Dez when they see just how ugly having a receiving corps headed by Allen Hurns truly is. In my humble opinion however, I think the real story in this division will be the Giants. After their awful season last year, I don’t think many people have high expectations for this team. That being said, I absolutely love their new coach Pat Shurmur. Although I don’t like the pick longterm, Saquon Barkley and Odell on offense is going to be stupid good, and they also have a star in every position group on the defensive side of the ball. Although they won’t make the playoffs due to the rest of the conference being so great, the Giants are going to be legit this season, and I might honestly be a bit too low on them. So the NFC East will be entertaining as always, with some surprises and meltdowns in Dallas along the way.

NFC West

Rams, 14-2

49ers, 12-4

Cardinals, 7-9

Seahawks, 6-10

Although not as top heavy as the other divisions, I think that the NFC West has a real argument for the best in the NFC. First, you have the Rams and their top 3 coach Sean McVay. What he did last year in LA was nothing short of magical, and after another year with his system in place, I think the results will be even better this year. The Rams also were seemingly unbound by the salary cap this offseason, as the acquired talented defensive rentals in Suh, Peters, and Talib. They also upgraded pretty significantly at receiver, snagging the multidimensional Brandin Cooks and rolling with him instead of the go deep only Sammy Watkins. The Rams are absolutely loaded this season, and that combined with their coaching makes me think they are going to be special. Yes, Jimmy G will eventually lose his first game as a starter. That being said, another great coach in Kyle Shanahan is poised to lead this team to new heights, and Jimmy is the quarterback to get them there. Although I have them finishing 2 games behind the Rams, 12-4 is absolutely nothing to scoff at. The Cardinals and Seahawks are two more of those solid, borderline playoff teams who are going to end up getting screwed by the incredible talent in the NFC this year. So the bottom line is that this division is stacked, something you’ve heard me say a lot when talking about the NFC.

AFC Standings

1. Patriots, 13-3
2. Steelers, 13-3
3. Chiefs, 11-5
4. Titans, 9-7
5. Broncos, 10-6
6. Chargers, 10-6

Last year, the Patriots didn’t really have to play anyone to make it to a Super Bowl. This season is going to be a lot different. Although not as good as the NFC, the AFC has 6 very good teams in the playoffs, all capable of winning games in January. The Colts in my opinion are the only real snub here, as they just lost on tiebreakers to the Titans. Most years, 9-7 is enough to get you in the playoffs, but this just isn’t most years. Aside from the Patriots and Steelers in the top 2 slots, the rest of it is absolutely wide open. The bottom line is that Wildcard Weekend is going to be a ton of fun in the AFC.

NFC Standings

1. Rams, 14-2
2. Saints, 13-3
3. Vikings, 13-3
4. Eagles, 12-4
5. Packers, 13-3
6. 49ers, 12-4

As good as the AFC is this season, it honestly doesn’t even hold a candle to the NFC. This conference is so deep that one of those 6 teams I mentioned having a chance to win the Super Bowl isn’t even going to make the playoffs! Although I don’t really understand tiebreakers past head to head, Matt Ryan and the Falcons are going to fall victim to them, as they miss the playoffs and the 49ers sneak in with the same 12-4 record. Missing the playoffs as a 12-4 team is something that is pretty much unheard of, but it is absolutely possible this year in the NFC. The conference is so deep and so talented at the top that every single week is going to be a dogfight. It is even to the point where I don’t think there are going to be any NFC Teams who have the luxury to rest their starters in week 17. The bottom line is that the NFL Regular Season is going to be incredibly fun and competitive this year, so buckle those seatbelts!

Wildcard Weekend

Broncos at Titans

Chargers at Chiefs

Packers at Eagles

49ers at Vikings

If you are a true football fan, you are very excited about all of these games. After the disgusting first round last year, we will all be thanking the Football Gods if these are the actual Wildcard Games. In our first game, I expect the Broncos to win in a close one against the Titans. Although the Titans had a good season, the Broncos are just more battle tested, as they still have several key players left over from their Super Bowl Victory. Mariota and LaFleur shouldn’t hang their heads too much though, as they’ll be back even better in 2019. Next, we have the Chargers at the Chiefs, a game that I found nearly impossible to pick. In the playoffs however, it all comes down to poise under pressure, and with that in mind I’m going with veteran Phil Rivers over a guy who is basically still a rookie in Patrick Mahomes.

In the NFC, we have what I think will be the most lopsided game of the weekend in the 49ers at Vikings. The Vikings are just too good on both sides of the ball and the 49ers will be completely and utterly shell shocked. Expect something similar to what happened to the Rams last year. The 49ers will start off a little bit slow, and when they finally snap out of it, they will have dug themselves a hole too deep to get out of. While they are going to be a good team, the 49ers just aren’t ready quite yet, but man will they be special someday. Last but not least, we have what I believe will be the best game of this electric Wildcard Weekend. The Eagles will be at home, ready to defend their Super Bowl Title. Unfortunately for the Philly faithful however, they are going up against number 12. Rodgers has always had a flair for the dramatic in the playoffs, and this year will be no different. Expect another Rodgers classic in this one, as he stuns the Eagles, losing in the first round with Wentz just 1 year after winning the title with their backup quarterback.

Divisional Round

Broncos at Steelers

Chargers at Patriots

Vikings at Saints

Packers at Rams

After a truly wild Wildcard Weekend, the best weekend in football will also live up to expectations in a big way. In our first game, we have Keenum and the Broncos taking a trip to Pittsburgh. Unfortunately for the surprise Broncos however, the Steelers aren’t going to come out flat just 1 game away from a matchup with Brady 2 years in a row. I expect the Broncos to put up one hell of a fight, but I just don’t think the Steelers are going to lose this game 2 years in a row. They are too good, and they just won’t be denied at Heinz Field this time. Next, we have the Chargers at the Patriots, a game that is just going to make me sad. The Chargers and Phil Rivers are probably my second favorite AFC Team, and it is going to make me feel incredibly conflicted seeing them get beaten badly by my Patriots. Throughout the years, seemingly every time Rivers thinks he has a shot at making a Super Bowl, he gets blown out by Brady. I expect this year to be no different, as the Chargers lose big in Foxborough, with Phil Rivers shedding a single tear as he walks off the field.

Going up against Aaron Rodgers is no easy task, but I think the Rams Defense is up to the challenge this season. Due to their combination of studs on the outside and the best defensive line in the NFL, Rodgers is going to have a tough time moving the ball in this game. The Packers Defense on the other hand isn’t going to be able to put up much of a fight against the well oiled machine that is the Rams’ attack, and that is going to decide the game. The Rams will win in a close one, as Rodgers fights back at the end, coming up just short. The best game of the weekend however will be the rematch of the Minneapolis Miracle. This time however, the game will be played in New Orleans, and this time, things will end a little bit differently. The Saints are just going to want this one more. Sometimes it is a battle of wills, and after thinking about that crushing defeat all offseason, I just don’t see any way they lose this game again. I think that it is going to be an amazing game, but at the end of the day, Brees will turn that frown from last year upside down this season.

Conference Championships

First of all, we have the seemingly inevitable matchup between Big Ben and Tom Brady. Brady has had his rivals over the years, but Ben has definitely been the biggest non-issue of them all. Throughout their rivalry, Brady is 6-2 against Ben including an undefeated record in the playoffs. Just like some of my other playoff predictions, I expect history to repeat itself, with the Patriots winning this game. However, I don’t think it is going to be a blowout by any means. This Steelers Team is getting old, and they are about to lose their star running back. In my opinion, this is the last year the Steelers have a chance at winning a ring with this corps, and they are going to go down swinging. Expect an absolute classic, but at the end of the day, don’t be surprised when Brady walks off the field headed towards his 3rd straight Super Bowl, and Ben walks off defeated.

In the NFC Championship, we have yet another elite offense led by a legend at quarterback matching up against the meat grinder that is the Rams Defense. As opposed to the Packers however, the Saints have a legit defense that can absolutely slow down the Rams. This may very well be the best game of the playoffs up to this point, and I had an incredibly hard time picking the winner. I sat there staring at my computer screen, unable to make a decision, and eventually settled on the Rams. Although he is great at getting the ball out quickly, Drew Brees is going to have a really tough time against the Rams’ Defensive Line. To make matters worse, Michael Thomas is going to have his hands full with Talib or Peters. Picking those minuscule nits is how I ultimately decided this one, but damn is it going to be close. Get ready for an electric Conference Championship Weekend in this historically fun playoff slate.

Super Bowl

We all saw Brady walk off the field as green confetti fell onto his shoulder pads. The guy played perhaps the best Super Bowl we’ve ever seen by a quarterback in the history of the game, and he still lost thanks to in my opinion the worst defensive game plan I have ever seen. That however won’t be the case this year. Although the Patriots’ Defense isn’t the most talented group in the league, they have Bill Belichick. After being out coached last season, I don’t see any way he lets it happen again. I expect the Patriots’ Defense to be the story in this game, as they somehow find a way to slow down McVay and the Rams. The reason I expect Brady to need his defense however is due to that absurd Rams pass rush. The biggest thing that Brady has struggled with throughout his career is interior pressure, and the Rams have plenty of that. This defensive line with Suh and Donald is reminiscent of that Giants team that had Brady on his back seemingly the entire game in that crushing Super Bowl Loss. Tom’s numbers aren’t going to look great here, and this one is going to be a physical, grind it out kind of game where you have to battle for every first down.

Although it won’t have the insane amount of scoring as the last couple, it will have the absurd tension that I’m sure will have me on the edge of my seat all night. At the end of the day however, I just trust Brady in this spot more than I do Goff. Look, I really like Jared Goff, and think that he is a great player, but he isn’t the greatest quarterback of all time. Although Goff has the better roster, I think that Belichick and Brady are going to find a way to pull this one out. McVay and Goff are absolutely the future of the National Football League, but this is still Brady and Belichick’s league for at least one more year. The Patriots win the Super Bowl in a close one, a game that may very well mark the end of Brady’s storied career. Although I would be tremendously sad to see Tom retire, I would love to see him walk out on top, and not like Peyton did. Manning was carried to that ring by his defense, barely able to throw the football. I want Brady to actually go out on top, and I think beating the future dynasty of the NFL would be a very poetic way to cap off his historic career.

Wrapping Up

So there you have it, my definitive predictions for the 2018-2019 NFL Season. Come Thursday Night, we will have officially started in my opinion the best time of the sports year. Look, I absolutely love basketball and the NBA. It was actually my first love when it comes to sports. Compared to the NFL however, it just doesn’t come close. Last year was a down year to say the least due to the massive amount of injuries and poor quarterback play, but I think that this year is going to be different. Assuming that star players for the most part stay healthy, I think that this is shaping up to be one of the most memorable NFL Seasons that I’ve ever witnessed. We have teams going 7-9 that might have had a chance to make a deep playoff run last year. The bottom line is that everyone should be extremely excited for this season. I know I am. So buckle up, because this is going to be a ton of fun!