* – Division Winner
+ – Wild Card Winner
AFC
1. Buffalo Bills*
2. Cincinnati Bengals*
3. Denver Broncos*
4. Houston Texans*
5. Kansas City Chiefs+
6. Baltimore Ravens+
7. Los Angeles Chargers+
NFC
1. Los Angeles Rams*
2. Philadelphia Eagles*
3. Chicago Bears*
4. Carolina Panthers*
5. Seattle Seahawks+
6. San Francisco 49ers+
7. Detroit Lions+
Continue reading1. Los Angeles Rams
You know they really want to win another Super Bowl when they go and get the best defensive player in Myles Garrett. Shoring up their secondary was a must and now there is talk that Aaron Donald might comeback from retirement (spoiler, he did). Oh and QB Matthew Stafford is coming off a MVP season as well.
2. Seattle Seahawks
The defending Super Bowl champions know that their task to repeat won’t be easy. They play in a tough division and they lost RB Kenneth Walker to free agency. That defense is stacked though and QB Sam Darnold has finally found a forever NFL home.
3. San Francisco 49ers
Like every team health is a major concern, but especially so for the Niners who have been so close to winning a Super Bowl title under this current regime.
4. Arizona Cardinals
They have some intriguing pieces on offense, but that defense needs a lot of work still. Will first time head coach Mike LaFleur have success in this role as opposed to his time as an offensive coordinator?
Continue reading1. Carolina Panthers
This isn’t to say I consider them a contender for the Super Bowl, however they did look a lot better last season than in previous ones. Another step forward is well within the cards for them.
2. New Orleans Saints
The biggest surprise of last season was the show QB Tyler Shough put on during his rookie season. The expectation is that he will be the guy going forward and they added some new weapons in the backfield and at receiver.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It’s been a letdown the last few seasons and the losses of franchise stalwarts, WR Mike Evans and LB Lavonte David to free agency and retirement respectively have put them in a state of flux.
4. Atlanta Falcons
I admire what they’re trying to do, but ultimately they are most likely going to have to look for a new quarterback after this season. QB Michael Penix hasn’t lived up to his billing and neither has QB Tua Tagovailoa from his previous time at Miami.
Continue reading1. Chicago Bears
If QB Caleb Williams tones down taking too many unnecessary chances, maybe this current roster will find success towards a possible run at a Super Bowl.
2. Detroit Lions
This is still a team that has so many weapons on offense and a solid front seven on defense. With improvements on the offensive line that should shore things up there, but that secondary is a glaring weakness.
3. Green Bay Packers
The late game collapses last season were prominent, but they decided to give head coach Matt LaFleur another chance. Mainly because of the early successes he had when he was first hired in 2019 and had three consecutive seasons of 13 wins in Green Bay.
4. Minnesota Vikings
There is plenty to like about this team, but QB J.J. McCarthy had a rough go in his first full season as the starter. And I don’t think bringing in former Cardinals first round pick QB Kyler Murray will be any better.
Continue reading1. Philadelphia Eagles
This somewhat tumultuous era has had a lot of uncertainty, but they have made the playoffs every year with head coach Nick Sirianni and made two Super Bowl appearances with one victory. Chances are high that they will make a sixth consecutive playoff appearance this season.
2. Dallas Cowboys
Their defense has got to be better than it was last year if they are to get back into the playoffs. Owner Jerry Jones expects constant success, but even he seems to have tampered expectations this time around.
3. New York Giants
In the last 10 seasons they have had 9 different head coaches, counting interim ones. Hiring John Harbaugh to be the head coach brings some much needed experience and what they hope is some stability to this franchise.
4. Washington Commanders
A surprising NFC Championship game appearance two seasons ago and a horrendous crash last season has them in a state of flux currently. A lot has to go right, but if QB Jayden Daniels stays healthy that will help immensely.
Continue reading
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