2018 NFL Season Predictions - AFC & NFC South

NFC South

Atlanta Falcons (10-6)

The Falcons are probably one of the most complete teams in the league from offense, to defense, to the coaching staff. On offense they have the best receiver in the game with Julio Jones, he is a game changer in so many ways. On the opposite side of the field Sanu has been a great second option if Julio is in double coverage and if Matt Ryan has any trouble finding any one of his many receivers, he always has the option to hand the ball off to Davonte Freeman. The defense has been a silent killer over the years and actually helped drive their Super Bowl run from a couple of seasons ago. The Falcons are in one of the toughest divisions in the league and will have to battle it out for a playoff spot, but this deep roster is definitely an advantage over the rest of the teams in their division.

New Orleans Saints (10-6)

Drew Brees has turned into an ageless wonder. It seems his game is never off, and as long as that continues the Saints are always in it. Alvin Kamara set the league on fire last season in his rookie year and he will have to carry more of the load with Mark Ingram’s suspension to start the season. The area of concern with the Saints will be their defense because it’s a whole bunch of new guys and we have no idea how they are going to play together. Overall the Saints are a good team not only because of what Drew Brees brings to the team, but also the coaching staff. They have some of the best coaches in the league and that always makes a difference when the game is on the line.

Carolina Panthers (8-8)

The Panthers have not been the same since they lost the Super Bowl a couple of seasons ago. Ever since that loss they have lost the confidence and swagger they had, now this team is not intimidating at all. On offense Cam Newton can still ball, but he has no receivers and the ground game is all him. Cam is a great athlete, but the pressure can’t all be on him. The defense has turned to absolute shit and I really don’t see any improvement with them from last season. The Panthers will probably have another Jekyll and Hyde type of season where they are on one game and off the next. I expect nothing but inconsistencies from the Panthers.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12)

There is literally nothing good to write about when it comes to the Bucs! Even if Jameis Winston wasn’t suspended to start the season this team is a straight up dumpster fire!

AFC South

Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4)

The Jaguars are coming off of one of their best seasons in the history of the team and I believe they will continue to build off of that. Overall this is a solid team, especially on the defensive side of the ball. The defensive line has quarterbacks running for days, the linebackers are locked down in coverage, and the secondary has been known to not only cause a turnover, but also take it back for some points! The offense is not bad, but you definitely have to hold your breath when Blake Bortles is your quarterback. Leonard Fournette has proven he can carry this offense and if he stays healthy he will continue to be the work horse for the offense. The Jaguars look to be one of the teams to beat going into this season.

Indianapolis Colts (10-6)

The Colts finally have Andrew Luck back and from what it looks like he will have his arm strength back. I expect him to be a little rusty, but once he shakes it off I have a feeling he will have the Colts playing at a much higher level than last season. The problem will be on the defensive side of the ball. Right now the Colts defense is a bunch of no-names and that can change, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it ends up holding them back in tight games. I have a feeling the Colts will be in the thick of the playoff teams battling it out to the end.

Houston Texans (8-8)

The Texans have accomplished one thing in their history as a team and that is…NOTHING! Every year people keep hopping on this band wagon like they are about to do something and they never do a damn thing besides disappoint. J.J. Watt is only getting older and seems to have a problem staying healthy, so trying to rely on him is not going to work anymore. DeShaun Watson looks promising and should have a good future with the Texans, but until this team proves they can be trusted I won’t be picking them for anything besides a top spot in next year’s draft!

Tennessee Titans (7-9)

The Titans are not a bad team, but overall they aren’t that impressive. They are going to be a good enough to win some upsets, but in the end they probably won’t even sniff the playoffs!

2018 NFL Season Predictions - AFC & NFC North

NFC North

Minnesota Vikings (12-4)

I think the Vikings made the perfect move by letting Case Keenum go and by signing Kirk Cousins because while the Vikings were a damn good team last year, I think they are now even better! Kirk Cousins has proven he is a reliable quarterback with his time in Washington and now that he has signed with the Vikings he has quite a few weapons to work with on offense. The Vikings have a solid receiving core and Dalvin Cook is back from injury and ready to pick up right where he left off last season in the backfield. The Vikings defense is one of the best in the league and that will be a huge incentive for Cousins and the offense. I believe the Vikings will build off of what they did last season and continue to dominate again into this season.

Green Bay Packers (9-7)

The Packers continue to run through one player and one player only, Aaron Rodgers. Don’t get me wrong he is a great quarterback, but it’s been proven that he cannot win it all unless you get him some help. The receivers are mediocre, the running game is mediocre, and the offensive line is straight up garbage! The Packers will be lucky if he is able to avoid injury since the entire offense will run through him. The defense is old and has been shit for years now so there will be no help from them either. Good luck Aaron Rodgers this should be a fun season for you!

Chicago Bears (6-10)

I’m looking over the Bears roster and they should be lucky that I’m even giving them six wins on the season. It feels like the Bears have been rebuilding their team for the past 10 years and I don’t think things are going to get any better this year.

Detroit Lions (3-13)

I hope the Lions fans enjoyed those three seasons they were kind of competitive because that shit is over! It’s back to the dumpster for the Lions!

AFC North

Pittsburgh Steelers (13-3)

I expect the Steelers to be one of the best teams in the league this season. They have two of the most talented players in the league with Antonio Brown and LeVeon Bell, either of one of them can take over a game at any time. You can’t forget about Ben Roethlisberger who has already led the Steelers to two Super Bowls in the past and has always been one of the most solid quarterbacks in the league. Offense is not an issue for the Steelers, it’s their defense that is the issue. The Steelers used to be known for their amazing defense, but over the past couple of seasons they have been fairly mediocre on the defensive side of the ball. They really didn’t do much to improve that over the offseason so it should be interesting to see how that goes. Although, I still think the Steelers will dominate even with a mediocre defense because in the end they will be tough to keep up with on offense.

Cincinnati Bengals (9-7)

The Bengals have always been consistent with one thing and that is being mediocre. They actually have quite a few really good players, but for some reason they have never been able to capitalize on that. Until the Bengals go out onto the field and prove they can actually compete with the big boys I can’t take them seriously.

Baltimore Ravens (5-11)

The Ravens seem to get older and more mediocre every passing season. It feels like they haven’t signed any noteworthy players since God knows when and it seems they still think Terrell Suggs is going to carry this defense like he used to. Unfortunately for them Suggs is a shell of himself, every time he gets healthy he gets injured all over again. The dude is a beast and I’ve always respected him as a football player, but it may be time for him to hang it up. The Ravens offense is just atrocious Joe Flacco has no one to throw to, no one to hand off the ball to, and I really question whether or not his offensive line will leave him standing upright? Overall the Ravens are going to be a sorry ass team this year!

Cleveland Browns (2-14)

For some odd reason the media is over hyping the Browns up like there is something going on here. Until the Browns win some games…they ain’t shit!

2018 NFL Season Predictions - AFC & NFC East

NFC East

Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)

I really want to wish that last year for the Eagles was some kind of fluke, but I know it wasn’t. Unfortunately, I believe it was only the beginning. The Eagles were the best team last season and only got better in the offseason. Carson Wentz status for return is still up in the air, but I don’t think that is going to be a problem because I imagine he won’t be out long, if he’s even out at all. Overall the offense will be the same and so is the defense, they just added quite a bit of depth on the defensive side with the additions of Michael Bennett and Haloti Ngata. It’s always difficult for the Champs to repeat, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Eagles right back in the thick of things come playoff time!

Dallas Cowboys (10-6)

The Cowboys lost a couple of key players this offseason with Jason Witten retiring and the release of Dez Bryant, the offensive burden has shifted more towards Dak Prescott. With Ezekiel Elliot back in full force this season I expect this to be a run heavy offense and that is a good thing for Dak. The defense is much improved from last season led by Demarcus Lawrence who I believe will have an MVP type season. The secondary has improved, but there are still questions on whether or not they will be able to hold it down with the game on the line. The Cowboys should be a solid team this year, but when Jason Garrett is your coach you tend to hold your breath and hope that his predictable play calling doesn’t cost them in the end.

New York Giants (8-8)

When I look at the Giants roster for the upcoming season there is only one word that comes to mind…MEDIOCRITY! They are going to be good enough to shake things up for a few games, but overall I don’t see the Giants doing much of anything besides being mostly mediocre. I think Giants fans better prepare themselves for the “frustrated Eli face” all season long!

Washington Redskins (2-14)

The Redskins have pretty much nothing going on at all at any position. They downgraded at quarterback by trading for Alex Smith, who is only getting older and is not that great to begin with. They just signed Adrian Peterson who is over the hill and on the defensive side of the ball there isn’t a damn thing happening. I think the Redskins are going to be one of the worst teams in the league this season!

AFC East

New England Patriots (10-6)

Every year when the season begins it’s always difficult to ever count the Patriots out. First of all Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are there and also their division is just awful! I don’t care how much drama surrounded them during the offseason because it’s always business with them once it’s the regular season. It doesn’t matter who else is on offense because as long as Tom Brady continues to play well then they always have a shot. While I believe the Patriots will have a good season, I don’t believe they will be as dominant as they normally are when compared to the rest of the league. On the defensive side of the ball there really isn’t much going on and I have a feeling that will cost them some games, but other than that unless something drastic happens the Patriots will keep on winning!

New York Jets (8-8)

The Jets seem to be headed in the right direction. With that being said they won’t be a competitive team at least as far as this season goes. Sam Darnold is the future and so far from what I’ve seen he looks pretty solid as a quarterback, but we will see how he handles all of that New York pressure once he has to carry the load. Overall the Jets are a mediocre team just like the other football team in New York! They may shake some things up from time to time, but overall I don’t expect much from them!

Buffalo Bills (5-11)

The Bills are a team that are currently rebuilding. They are excited about their rookie quarterback Josh Allen, but when that’s what you’re most excited about during the offseason that usually means your regular season is going to be horrible! That really isn’t anything new for the Bills though!

Miami Dolphins (4-12)

The Dolphins are awful…that is all!