Starting QB Predictions; Super Bowl LIII Prediction
Earlier in the year, I took a stab at predicting who the starting quarterbacks would be for each NFL team in Week 1.
Things have changed since my last post and with the season almost upon us it means it's time once again for everyone to make predictions that will inevitable be wrong.
With sports betting now legal in the U.S., just a fair warning that you probably don't want to make any bets based on what you're about to read.
Consider yourself warned.
Consider yourself warned.
Let's start in the AFC.
AFC East
Buffalo
Bills
Starting QB: Nathan Peterman
Why not start Allen? The Bills used the 7th
overall pick in the draft on their franchise quarterback and the trend in the
league over the past few years has been to throw the rookies into the fire on
Day 1. A.J. McCarron is gone, but with the rookie Allen on the bench, Peterman better play well if he wants to remain on the field.
Projected Record: 5-11
With a rookie QB and the Patriots in the division, even though the Bills made the playoffs last season, I see them taking a step back in 2018.
Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
Starting QB: Ryan
Tannehill
The Dolphins didn’t draft a QB, which tells me this is still Ryan Tannehill’s team. He’ll have to play well in 2018 though if this is going to be his team in 2019.
The Dolphins didn’t draft a QB, which tells me this is still Ryan Tannehill’s team. He’ll have to play well in 2018 though if this is going to be his team in 2019.
Projected Record: 6-10
Miami traded away their top playmaker in Jarvis Landry to Cleveland and replaced him with Albert Wilson and 32-year old Danny Amendola. I don't think that'll be enough, and like the Bills, the Dolphins still have the Patriots in the division.
New England Patriots
New England Patriots
Starting QB: Tom Brady
Tom Brady has hinted
this offseason that the end to his storied career is going to be over sooner
rather than later, but Brady has at least one more year left in him and he’ll
be the starter in Week 1. The Patriots drafted Danny Etling out of LSU, but I
highly doubt he’ll be the eventual successor to Brady when the time comes.
Projected Record: 12-4
Until Brady starts playing like a 41-year old, you'd be crazy to bet against the Patriots.
New York Jets
New York Jets
Starting QB: Sam Darnold
This will be Sam Darnold’s team and his for awhile. With the Jets trading Teddy Bridgewater to the Saints, Darnold is the clear choice to start the opener. Josh McCown is a great veteran to learn from and Darnold should play well in his rookie season.
Projected Record: 7-9
Look for Sam Darnold to lead the Jets to more wins than they had last year as they build for next season.
AFC North
Baltimore
Ravens
Starting QB: Joe Flacco
Heading into the draft, Joe Flacco knew he’d
have competition from Robert Griffin III, but now he’ll have another mobile
quarterback to duel with in rookie Lamar Jackson. Jackson is a tremendous
athlete and the two moves the Ravens made this offseason shows me they want to
have some speed and athleticism at the quarterback position. Flacco is signed
through the 2021 season, but I have a feeling he won’t be a Raven when his
contract expires. Flacco will start for now, but if he struggles don’t be
surprised to see Jackson in there.
Projected Record: 8-8
Not sure what to make of the Ravens in 2018. I didn't think they were impressive last year and they still managed to win nine games. I look for them to take a step back and hey, maybe we'll see Lamar Jackson start a game at the end of the season. I'd bet on it.
Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
Starting QB: Andy Dalton
The Bengals may have drafted Logan Woodside and signed Matt Barkley to backup Dalton, but Marvin Lewis is still a believer in Dalton. If the talent around him stays healthy and the offensive line is better, Dalton should have a good season.
Projected Record: 10-6
If the Bengals offensive line plays efficiently, they don't have to be great, the talent on the Bengals offense will make some plays. Give Andy Dalton some time and he has a whole host of young talent to get the ball too not to mention Pro Bowl WR A.J. Green. The defense should be better too with young guys getting a chance to play last year and a few rookies should see the field as DT Geno Atkins and DE Carlos Dunlap lead one of the better defensive lines in the game.
Cleveland Browns
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| The former Heisman Trophy winner will look to lead the Browns to a win this season. (Getty Images) |
Not that this has anything to do with LeBron
James bolting Cleveland for Hollywood, but Cleveland is ready for their next
star and for the Browns to win a damn football game. You don’t take a
quarterback number one overall and plan to sit him. Head coach Hue Jackson has
said that Tyrod Taylor will start, but look for Mayfield to impress the coaches
in the preseason and have the fans calling for him to start.
Projected Record: 4-12
Projected Record: 4-12
Just having WR Jarvis Landry should help the Browns win at least one or two games this season. Landry is a tremendous receiver and whether it's Tyrod Taylor or Baker Mayfield throwing the football, the Browns won't go winless in 2018.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Starting QB: Ben
Roethlisberger
Reports were that Roethlisberger
questioned the Steelers selecting Mason Rudolph in the third-round when they
could’ve gotten someone, “that can help this team now,” as Roethlisberger was
quoted as saying. Roethlisberger has a point, but when a franchise is uncertain
how much longer their star quarterback is going to play, you draft a guy to be
his eventual replacement. Roethlisberger has stated he wants to play 3-5 more
years, but maybe, like Brady, he’s closer to the end than Steelers fans would
like to think. Roethlisberger will be under center in Week 1, but we could see
Rudolph at some point as we all know Big Ben takes his share of shots during the season.
Projected Record: 9-7
This could be the year we see the Steelers decline. QB Ben Roethlisberger is 36 years old and RB Le'Veon Bell is holding out, which means he might be rusty when he finally decides to come back. Pittsburgh is like New England in that they always seem to be good, but I think their window for winning another championship in the Roethlisberger era is closing.
AFC South
Houston
Texans
Starting QB: Deshaun
Watson
Can’t
wait to see Year 2 of Deshaun Watson. If he’s healthy, he’s going to be
fun to watch in 2018 because he impressed everyone in his shorten rookie
season.
Projected Record: 8-8
If Watson is healthy and picks up right where he left off last season, teams are not going to want to play the Houston Texans. The only reason I don't have their win total higher is because of the uncertainty around the defense. J.J. Watt missed most of last year and if he is healthy the Texans defense should be solid.
Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts
Starting QB: Andrew Luck
Luck has finally gotten back on the field and if his shoulder holds up, he’ll be the starter. Jacoby Brissett is a capable backup if Luck suffers a setback, however.
Projected Record: 6-10
The return of a healthy Andrew Luck will help the Colts improve from last year's 4-12 record, but I don't think they have enough playmakers and a good enough defense to contend for a playoff spot.
The return of a healthy Andrew Luck will help the Colts improve from last year's 4-12 record, but I don't think they have enough playmakers and a good enough defense to contend for a playoff spot.
Jacksonville
Jaguars
Starting QB: Blake Bortles
Jacksonville passed on signing a quarterback in free agency and with them waiting until the 6th round to take a quarterback in the draft shows that they’re going to stick with Bortles. Despite all his flaws, the Jaguars were one win away from going to the Super Bowl last year and all that talent will be back on the field in Jacksonville this season.
Jacksonville passed on signing a quarterback in free agency and with them waiting until the 6th round to take a quarterback in the draft shows that they’re going to stick with Bortles. Despite all his flaws, the Jaguars were one win away from going to the Super Bowl last year and all that talent will be back on the field in Jacksonville this season.
Projected Record: 11-5
If Bortles plays well, the Jaguars could be a Super Bowl favorite and I'll have more on them later. Spoiler alert: I see them going to the Super Bowl.
Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans
Starting QB: Marcus Mariota
The
Titans did draft Luke Falk out of Washington State in the 6th round
and they signed Blaine Gabbert in free agency, but neither one of them will
challenge Mariota for the starting job. New head coach Mike Vrabel has said the
Titans are going to change their mindset on offense and are going to focus on
more option style plays that Mariota ran so elegantly at Oregon. If that’s the
case, then 2018 could be a breakout for Mariota.
Projected Record: 7-9
I know the Titans made the playoffs last year, but they still lack a dynamic wide receiver and their defense was average last season. They tried to address the defense in the draft by selecting linebackers Rasheen Evans (Alabama) and Harold Landry (Boston College), so that should help, but I would still be surprised to see the Titans back in the playoffs.
I know the Titans made the playoffs last year, but they still lack a dynamic wide receiver and their defense was average last season. They tried to address the defense in the draft by selecting linebackers Rasheen Evans (Alabama) and Harold Landry (Boston College), so that should help, but I would still be surprised to see the Titans back in the playoffs.
AFC West
Denver Broncos
Starting QB: Case Keenum
$25 million guaranteed to Case Keenum means that they’ll be the starter in Week 1. The Broncos seemed to have given up on the Paxton Lynch project and they’ll look to Keenum to get them back to where they were when Peyton Manning walked off into the sunset after winning Super Bowl 50.
Starting QB: Case Keenum
$25 million guaranteed to Case Keenum means that they’ll be the starter in Week 1. The Broncos seemed to have given up on the Paxton Lynch project and they’ll look to Keenum to get them back to where they were when Peyton Manning walked off into the sunset after winning Super Bowl 50.
Projected Record: 7-9
Keenum will be a tremendous upgrade to the quarterback position and if he plays like he did in Minnesota, then the Broncos could be better than I think. I'm excited to watch Von Miller and first round pick Bradley Chubb (N.C. State) on that defensive line for the Broncos. Good luck to the offensive lines in the AFC West in trying to block both of those guys.
Keenum will be a tremendous upgrade to the quarterback position and if he plays like he did in Minnesota, then the Broncos could be better than I think. I'm excited to watch Von Miller and first round pick Bradley Chubb (N.C. State) on that defensive line for the Broncos. Good luck to the offensive lines in the AFC West in trying to block both of those guys.
Kansas City Chiefs
Starting QB: Patrick Mahomes
All eyes will be on the
former gun-slinger from Texas Tech this season. With the Chiefs trading away
Alex Smith so Mahomes could have the starting job means that they’ll be a ton
of pressure on the second-year quarterback to play well.
Projected Record: 8-8
Everyone is high on Patrick Mahomes, but he has big shoes to fill in Alex Smith. Smith was an MVP candidate last year and I could be completely wrong, but even with the "game manager" out of K.C., I don't think the Chiefs will be as good on offense. Plus, the Chiefs lost their offensive coordinator in Matt Nagy, who took the head coaching job in Chicago, and their best defender in CB Marcus Peters.
Los Angeles Chargers
Starting QB: Philip Rivers
Without question, this is
still Philip Rivers’ team, but the Chargers did trade for Cardale Jones and
signed undrafted rookie Nic Shimonek (Texas Tech) this offseason. Rivers
will turn 37 in December, so much like Brady and Roethlisberger, we might be
seeing the last of a future Hall of Famer quarterback.
Projected Record: 8-8
In this decade, the Chargers have failed to win more than nine football games in a season. They've had seasons of 9-7, 8-8, 7-9, 9-7, 9-7, 4-12, 5-11, and 9-7 last season. That's 7.5 wins per season. They're the model of consistency, so I'll say they go 8-8.
Oakland Raiders
Starting QB: Derek Carr
No uncertainty out in
Oakland as Carr probably can’t wait to get the season started with Jon Gruden
taking over the Raiders again. And you can beat Gruden was ready for the season
to begin when he took the job back in January. I personally, can’t wait to see
what the Raiders do on offense with Gruden calling the plays.
Projected Record: 11-5
Having star defender Khalil Mack holding out and the chance of trading him increasingly likely, Jon Gruden may not have one of the best players in football when the season kicks off. The Raiders were so good two years ago, but for some reason the offense took a giant step back in 2017. Gruden will fix the offense and the Raiders will win the division.
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys
Starting QB: Dak Prescott
Dak Prescott will be the
starter, but he’ll have to find some new favorite targets with Jason Witten
retiring and Dez Bryant being released this offseason.
Projected Record: 9-7
Main reason I'm not picking the Cowboys to win more football games is because they'll be without TE Jason Witten for the first time in 15 years. Not only was he a security blanket for Prescott, but a leader in the locker room. You just don't replace a guy like that overnight. I do think the Cowboys sneak into the playoffs though.
Main reason I'm not picking the Cowboys to win more football games is because they'll be without TE Jason Witten for the first time in 15 years. Not only was he a security blanket for Prescott, but a leader in the locker room. You just don't replace a guy like that overnight. I do think the Cowboys sneak into the playoffs though.
New York Giants
Starting QB: Eli Manning
Kyle Lauletta was
drafted in the 4th round (Richmond) and the Giants haven’t
given Davis Webb much of a chance yet, but one of them could be the future
replacement for Eli in New York. With Ben McAdoo gone, however, the Giants and
new head coach Pat Shurmur won’t be benching Eli anytime soon.
Projected Record: 7-9
Just having guys stay healthy and head coach Ben McAdoo gone should net the Giants four or five more wins this season. RB Saquon Barkley (Penn State) should help the Giants wins some more ball games too.
Just having guys stay healthy and head coach Ben McAdoo gone should net the Giants four or five more wins this season. RB Saquon Barkley (Penn State) should help the Giants wins some more ball games too.
Philadelphia Eagles
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| Nick Foles (left) and Carson Wentz both led the Eagles to a Super Bowl championship last season. (Getty Images) |
Starting QB: Nick Foles
The Eagles are still playing the waiting game on whether Carson Wentz is fully healed from his knee injury or not. He’s not been cleared to go Week 1, but the Eagles are arguably the most talented team in the league and Nick Foles is still on the roster. Philadelphia would be smart to not rush Wentz back.
Projected Record: 11-5
The Eagles have all their key players from last year's Super Bowl win back in 2018 and with either Carson Wentz or Nick Foles running the offense I see the Eagles being good again.
The Eagles have all their key players from last year's Super Bowl win back in 2018 and with either Carson Wentz or Nick Foles running the offense I see the Eagles being good again.
Washington Redskins
Starting QB: Alex Smith
This is Alex Smith’s
team and it’ll be his team for the foreseeable future.
Projected Record: 6-10
Rookie RB Derrius Guice (LSU) was supposed to be the Redskins featured back for 2018, but a torn ACL in the first preseason game ended his season. Washington needed to improve a running game that was 28th in the league last year and not having Guice won't help first-year QB Alex Smith.
Rookie RB Derrius Guice (LSU) was supposed to be the Redskins featured back for 2018, but a torn ACL in the first preseason game ended his season. Washington needed to improve a running game that was 28th in the league last year and not having Guice won't help first-year QB Alex Smith.
NFC North
Chicago Bears
Starting QB: Mitchell Trubisky
Jordan Howard, Tarik Cohen, Allen Robinson, Taylor Gabriel and Trey Burton are some great weapons for Trubisky to get the ball to in his second season.
Jordan Howard, Tarik Cohen, Allen Robinson, Taylor Gabriel and Trey Burton are some great weapons for Trubisky to get the ball to in his second season.
Projected Record: 6-10
LB Roquan Smith (Georgia) is supposed to be the next Brian Urlacher and anchor a Bears defense that hopes to return to them dominate past. Smith signed well into training camp and has missed a ton of reps. It could take him awhile to get up to speed and even though the Bears had a top 10 defense last year, they still play in a tough division with three elite quarterbacks.
LB Roquan Smith (Georgia) is supposed to be the next Brian Urlacher and anchor a Bears defense that hopes to return to them dominate past. Smith signed well into training camp and has missed a ton of reps. It could take him awhile to get up to speed and even though the Bears had a top 10 defense last year, they still play in a tough division with three elite quarterbacks.
Detroit Lions
Starting QB: Matthew Stafford
Safe to say you can go
ahead and pencil in Stafford as the starter for the Lions in Week 1.
Projected Record: 6-10
Detroit was dead last in rushing last year and they tried to address that by signing LeGarrette Blount (Eagles) and drafting Kerryon Johnson (Auburn). I think both of those guys will help tremendously, but the Vikings and Packers are going to be tough to beat inside the division.
Detroit was dead last in rushing last year and they tried to address that by signing LeGarrette Blount (Eagles) and drafting Kerryon Johnson (Auburn). I think both of those guys will help tremendously, but the Vikings and Packers are going to be tough to beat inside the division.
Green Bay Packers
Starting QB: Aaron Rodgers
You can use a permanent
marker to mark down Rodgers as the starter for the Packers in Week 1.
Projected Record: 11-5
If Aaron Rodgers plays 16 games this year I'd bet on the Packers making the playoffs. They were lost on offense when he went down with a broken collarbone last year and he is the single most important player on the Packers. He'll be without his most trusted receiver in Jordy Nelson (Raiders), who was released in the offseason, but Rodgers has a new target in TE Jimmy Graham (Seahawks). Graham will probably be high on fantasy owners wish list's as he'll probably score a lot of touchdowns in the red zone this season.
If Aaron Rodgers plays 16 games this year I'd bet on the Packers making the playoffs. They were lost on offense when he went down with a broken collarbone last year and he is the single most important player on the Packers. He'll be without his most trusted receiver in Jordy Nelson (Raiders), who was released in the offseason, but Rodgers has a new target in TE Jimmy Graham (Seahawks). Graham will probably be high on fantasy owners wish list's as he'll probably score a lot of touchdowns in the red zone this season.
Minnesota Vikings
Starting QB: Kirk Cousins
Cousins will undoubtedly be the starter in Week 1 as he was given $84 million, fully guaranteed, to come to Minnesota.
Cousins will undoubtedly be the starter in Week 1 as he was given $84 million, fully guaranteed, to come to Minnesota.
Projected Record: 11-5
One player for the Vikings that I feel like people are forgetting about is RB Dalvin Cook. The rookie had 354-yards rushing with 11 receptions for 90-yards in four games last season before tearing his ACL. If Cook is healthy, he and Cousins will make a good Vikings offense even better.
One player for the Vikings that I feel like people are forgetting about is RB Dalvin Cook. The rookie had 354-yards rushing with 11 receptions for 90-yards in four games last season before tearing his ACL. If Cook is healthy, he and Cousins will make a good Vikings offense even better.
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons
Starting QB: Matt Ryan
Ryan is one of the best quarterbacks in the
league and he's hoping the addition of rookie WR Calvin Ridley (Alabama) helps improve his game from a year ago.
Projected Record: 8-8
The Falcons, like most NFL teams, live and die with the play of their quarterback. When the Falcons went to the Super Bowl two years ago, Ryan threw for 4,944-yards, 38 TD and only 7 INT. Last year, his numbers were down across the board with 4,095-yards, 20 TD and 12 INT. His completion percentage also dropped from 69.9% to 64.7%. If the Falcons are to make another Super Bowl run, it'll be up to the play of Matt Ryan.
The Falcons, like most NFL teams, live and die with the play of their quarterback. When the Falcons went to the Super Bowl two years ago, Ryan threw for 4,944-yards, 38 TD and only 7 INT. Last year, his numbers were down across the board with 4,095-yards, 20 TD and 12 INT. His completion percentage also dropped from 69.9% to 64.7%. If the Falcons are to make another Super Bowl run, it'll be up to the play of Matt Ryan.
Carolina Panthers
Starting QB: Cam Newton
Since the Panthers Super
Bowl run in 2015, in which Newton won MVP, Cam has combined to throw 41 TD and
30 INT in the past two seasons. He threw 35 TD and only 10 INT in his MVP
season. Newton will be the starter, but he must play better if the Panthers
have any chance of repeating their success in 2015.
Projected Record: 8-8
Solid defense if guys stay healthy and I look for RB Christian McCaffrey to have a breakout sophomore season. The key to the Panthers success is Cam Newton. Newton is talented, but I don't think he'll do enough for the Panthers to make the playoffs.
Solid defense if guys stay healthy and I look for RB Christian McCaffrey to have a breakout sophomore season. The key to the Panthers success is Cam Newton. Newton is talented, but I don't think he'll do enough for the Panthers to make the playoffs.
New Orleans Saints
Starting QB: Drew Brees
Enjoy the last few seasons of Drew Brees while you still can Saints fans. Brees turned 39 in January and after signing a two-year deal this offseason and one would think the end is near for the future Hall of Famer.
Enjoy the last few seasons of Drew Brees while you still can Saints fans. Brees turned 39 in January and after signing a two-year deal this offseason and one would think the end is near for the future Hall of Famer.
Projected Record: 12-4
New Orleans should be fun watch on offense again as second-year RB Alvin Kamara looks to build off his impressive rookie season. Kamara ran for 728-yards, caught 81 passes for 826-yards and had 13 total TD. Drew Brees, even at 39-years old, should also put up monster numbers in 2018.
New Orleans should be fun watch on offense again as second-year RB Alvin Kamara looks to build off his impressive rookie season. Kamara ran for 728-yards, caught 81 passes for 826-yards and had 13 total TD. Drew Brees, even at 39-years old, should also put up monster numbers in 2018.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Starting QB: Ryan Fitzpatrick
Jameis Winston needs to
get his act together. Winston has had some off the field issues in the past
while at Florida State and how he’s been suspended by the league or the first
three games of the season after an incident with an Uber driver in March 2016.
Veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick is expected to start for Winston while he’s suspended
and Winston better play good football once he comes back or the Bucs may start
looking to get rid of him.
Projected Record: 4-12
With QB Jameis Winston suspended for the first three games of the season and those games being against the Saints, Eagles and Steelers, the Bucs will probably be 0-3 and that's a tough hole to climb out of, especially in a good division like the NFC South.
With QB Jameis Winston suspended for the first three games of the season and those games being against the Saints, Eagles and Steelers, the Bucs will probably be 0-3 and that's a tough hole to climb out of, especially in a good division like the NFC South.
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals
Starting QB: Sam Bradford
I’ll say Sam Bradford for now, but with his injury history you can almost bet
that Bradford will get hurt at some point this season. If he does get injured
or simply doesn’t play like a $20 million quarterback, look for the Cardinals
to go to rookie Josh Rosen, who was taken with the 10th overall pick
and is certainly the future of the franchise.
Projected Record: 6-10
New head coach Steve Wilks will have big shoes to fill as former head coach Bruce Arians won 49 games in his five years in Arizona. Wilks will have a new quarterback running the offense as Carson Palmer retired this past offseason and I think they'll be some growing pains in his first season out in the desert.
New head coach Steve Wilks will have big shoes to fill as former head coach Bruce Arians won 49 games in his five years in Arizona. Wilks will have a new quarterback running the offense as Carson Palmer retired this past offseason and I think they'll be some growing pains in his first season out in the desert.
Los Angeles Rams
Starting QB: Jared Goff
Year two of Jared Goff running Sean McVay’s offense in L.A. should be entertaining. The Rams also traded for Brandin Cooks during the draft, so that offense will be better, if that’s even possible.
Year two of Jared Goff running Sean McVay’s offense in L.A. should be entertaining. The Rams also traded for Brandin Cooks during the draft, so that offense will be better, if that’s even possible.
Projected Record: 11-5
I'll have more on the Rams in a minute. In short, they're loaded and will contend for the Super Bowl.
I'll have more on the Rams in a minute. In short, they're loaded and will contend for the Super Bowl.
San Francisco
49ers
Starting QB: Jimmy Garoppolo
Garoppolo played only
six games for the 49ers last season and was rewarded with a $137.5 million
contract this offseason. It’s all up to Jimmy now.
Projected Record: 7-9
Yes, the 49ers were undefeated in games started by Jimmy Garoppolo last season. However, he started only five games. That's a small sample size and the 49ers lost their leading rusher in Carlos Hyde (Browns) this offseason. Don't expect Garoppolo to lead the 49ers to the Super Bowl just yet.
Yes, the 49ers were undefeated in games started by Jimmy Garoppolo last season. However, he started only five games. That's a small sample size and the 49ers lost their leading rusher in Carlos Hyde (Browns) this offseason. Don't expect Garoppolo to lead the 49ers to the Super Bowl just yet.
Seattle Seahawks
Starting QB: Russell Wilson
With
Richard Sherman now in San Francisco and Kam Chancellor retiring, the Legion of
Boom is no more. It’s all on Russell Wilson’s shoulders now and he better hope
the offensive line is better than it was last year or he’ll be running for his
life for the second year in a row.
Projected Record: 6-10
Not only is the Legion of Boom dead, but the Seahawks also lost their best redzone threat in TE Jimmy Graham (Packers). Seattle's offensive line was also in shambles last year and although the acquisition of Duane Brown helped, I still don't see that unit improving in 2018. QB Russell Wilson was leading rusher last season and that can't happen again. Rookie RB Rashaad Penny (San Diego State) should get a lot of carries to take the load off Wilson.
Playoff Recap
AFC
New England Patriots
Jacksonville Jaguars
Oakland Raiders
Cincinnati Bengals
Pittsburgh Steelers
Houston Texans
NFC
New Orleans Saints
Green Bay Packers
Los Angeles Rams
Philadelphia Eagles
Minnesota Vikings
Dallas Cowboys
AFC Championship
Jaguars vs. Patriots
NFC Championship
Rams vs. Saints
Not only is the Legion of Boom dead, but the Seahawks also lost their best redzone threat in TE Jimmy Graham (Packers). Seattle's offensive line was also in shambles last year and although the acquisition of Duane Brown helped, I still don't see that unit improving in 2018. QB Russell Wilson was leading rusher last season and that can't happen again. Rookie RB Rashaad Penny (San Diego State) should get a lot of carries to take the load off Wilson.
Playoff Recap
AFC
New England Patriots
Jacksonville Jaguars
Oakland Raiders
Cincinnati Bengals
Pittsburgh Steelers
Houston Texans
NFC
New Orleans Saints
Green Bay Packers
Los Angeles Rams
Philadelphia Eagles
Minnesota Vikings
Dallas Cowboys
AFC Championship
Jaguars vs. Patriots
NFC Championship
Rams vs. Saints
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| QB Blake Bortles and the Jaguars will face a tough opponent in the Rams during Super Bowl LIII. (Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) |
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Los Angeles Rams
If you watched the NFL last season, no matter who you root for, you would say that the Rams and Jaguars were not only two of most exciting teams to watch play, but two of the best in the league as well.
Think about what each did last year. The Jaguars were one win away from going to the Super Bowl. Jacksonville went up to New England and won the turnover battle, controlled the clock, held the Patriots to 10 points through three quarters, and QB Blake Bortles threw for more yards than Tom Brady. And they lost! Nine times out of 10 the Jaguars beat the Patriots if they're able to do those things, but last January just happened to be the one time.
Looking forward to 2018, the Jaguars did lose the Allen's on offense, wide receivers Allen Robinson (Bears) and Allen Hurns (Cowboys), but they were able to sign Donte Moncrief (Colts). Marqise Lee was expected to the primary receiver, but a knee injured suffered in the third preseason game ended his season. The receiving core may be thin, but Jacksonville returns just about everyone from the second-best defense in football apart from CB Aaron Colvin (Texans), but he'll be replaced with D.J. Hayden (Lions).
Injuries can always derail a season, but if guys stay healthy, the defense is just as good as it was last year, and Blake Bortles holds on to the football, I can honestly see the Jaguars defeating the Patriots in an AFC Championship and go to their first Super Bowl in franchise history.
As for the Rams, they're going all-in and it shows with what they did this offseason. They traded for WR Brandin Cooks (Patriots), CB Aqib Talib (Broncos), CB Marcus Peters (Chiefs), and signed DT Ndamukong Suh (Dolphins).
Wow.
Four Pro-Bowl caliber players, plus the Rams still have QB Jared Goff, RB Todd Gurley, WR Robert Woods, and WR Cooper Kupp on offense, the best special teams unit in the league in kicker Greg Zuerlein and punter Johnny Hekker, and once he gets an extension, they'll have arguably the best player in football back on the team in DT Aaron Donald.
And I haven't even mentioned they also have the best young coach in the league in Sean McVay.
A Rams/Jaguars Super Bowl would be wildly entertaining and this is one prediction of mine that I hope is right...I'd also like to see the Bengals in the Super Bowl too, just saying.
Come February 3rd, I see the Los Angeles Rams hoisting the Lombardi Trophy, in a close, physical game over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Rams 26, Jaguars 23.
But remember, don't bet on it.
Enjoy the season. It should be another fun one.
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