NFL: 2020 Season Predictions

For the past 3 seasons, I’ve gone game by game predicting all 32 teams’ records. Despite less research, I thought I would do it again. Here is my NFL Preview in this COVID-19 season. Note, there are 7 playoff teams in each conference now.

Divisions

AFC East

• Patriots (9-7 – 4 Seed) – Yep, even without TB12, the Pats’ defense will take this division. I do love BUF and will be rooting for them, but until you beat the champ you can’t be the champ.
• Bills (8-8 – Just Miss) – The Bills are a great story. Excellent defense, love Coach McDermott. They should win the division, but will they. My analysis says no.
• Dolphins (7-9) – Coach Flores really showed me something in 2019. With his management trying to tank, he got wins late including at NE. They will improve on that, and end the year with Tua ready to take the reins in 2021.
• Jets (3-13) – The Jets are one of 2 teams that will be unmitigated disasters. The Jamaal Adams departure really told me enough about this franchise. They have no WRs for QB Sam Darnold, and that defense is just ok. Hello #2 pick in April. Adam Tase will be fired after this season.

AFC North

• Ravens (12-4 – 3 Seed) – A moderate step back for BAL, but this team is super solid. I love their defense. I just worry QB Lamar Jackson does not stay healthy and/or the league will have a strategy to defend the 2019 MVP. They will be a tough out in the playoffs, though.
• Steelers (11-5 – 5 Seed) – With Big Ben back in the fold, the Steel City will be back in the playoffs for the first time in 3 years. That Defense should be Top 5, and the offense will be back to normal. Not sure they can best BAL for the division, but a dark horse for the Super Bowl in my view.
• Browns (9-7 – 7 Seed) – Cleveland can finally break their playoff drought this year. With a real coach in Stefanski, one of the most talented teams will have a direction and be tough week in and week out.
• Bengals (3-13) – The record is probably off here, as the Bengals will be better. They are just in a rough division, and rookie QB Joe Burrow will have his ups and downs. I will look for their bounce back next year.

AFC South

• Titans (13-3 – 2 Seed) – Not a popular pick for this division, but I trust Coach Mike Vrabel. I do think QB Ryan Tannehill will not have the year he did in 2019, but the formula that took the Chiefs to the brink will be successful again until the playoffs.
• Colts (9-7 – 6 Seed) – One of the biggest moves in the off season was the acquisition of veteran QB Philip Rivers. Rivers with Coach Reich should put up more points than 2019, and the defense is better. They will make the playoffs again this year.
• Texans (7-9) – I love QB Deshaun Watson. He is a winner, but the front office made a bad trade sending Hopkins to AZ for David Johnson. If he goes down to injury, then I don’t like their depth. Plus, all their WRs are small guys. They will get manhandled by the Titans and Colts guys.
• Jaguars (1-15) – Here is your worst team in the NFL. Shipping RB Leonard Fournette out for nothing was a clear sign they are tanking. I think they will be a punching bag. Coach Doug Marrone will be gone at the end of the year.

AFC West

• Chiefs (14-2 – 1 Seed) – The Super Bowl Champs should come out guns on fire Thursday night and not stop until they face a top squad like BAL or maybe TEN. Mahomes will be on a mission for the MVP. Hard to see this team not winning this division or hosting another AFC Title Game.
• Raiders (8-8) – The Raiders move to Vegas for their first season there, and I do see improvement. However, that is mostly due to key losses on the other 2 teams beyond KC in the division. I think they will be on the brink of the playoffs, but fall short. QB Derek Carr is the biggest reason for my lack of confidence in the LVRs.
• Chargers (8-8) – Another team that could be close, but that Derwin James injury hurts this defense. Sure, they should still be Top 10, but getting to Top 3 or 5 takes elite playmakers on each level. Plus, QB Tyrod Taylor is a placeholder. The heir apparent, rookie Justin Herbert, should move the needle further in 2021.
• Broncos (7-9) – I was much higher on the Broncos prior to the Von Miller injury. With him sidelined for the year or at least 3 months, the defense will be solid but not elite. You need that pass rush with the Chiefs in this division. I do like the weapons they have around 2nd year QB Drew Locke, but not enough firepower.

AFC Playoffs:

Wild Card Round:

Titans over Browns

Ravens over Colts

Steelers over Patriots

Divisional Round:

Chiefs over Steelers

Ravens over Titans

AFC Championship:

Chiefs over Ravens

NFC

NFC East

• Cowboys (11-5 – 2 Seed) – The Boys have a new Sheriff in town in Coach Mike McCarthy. I don’t like him, but this team has too much talent not to make the playoffs in 2020. Their defense was bad in 2019, but they should be better, and the offense will be more consistent. I like them a lot this year.
• Eagles (11-5 – 6 Seed) – Philly needs to get healthy, in fact, time to hire a new trainer. Once they get WRs Alshon Jeffery and Jalen Raegor back, then this offense can hum again. Improvements in the secondary should make them a lot stronger. As long as Wentz stays healthy, then this team is dangerous.
• WAS Football Team (5-11) – The record is not indicative of how much better this team will be. Coach Ron Rivera takes the helm, and that front line on defense will be nasty. The hold up will be the QB, but Haskins will be better than last year just not good enough in a loaded NFC. More positive movement in 2021.
• Giants (3-13) – The Giants may have switched coaches to Joe Judge, but this defense is terrible. I’m not sold on QB Daniel Jones, so it will be RB Saquon Barkley or bust, and they will bust more often than not. Hello #3 pick.

NFC North

• Packers (10-6 – 4 seed) – The Pack got lucky last year in winning the division, but this year, despite lack of weapons for QB Aaron Rodgers, I think they will be better. Why? Rodgers will play great, and the defense will be improved.
• Vikings (9-7 – 7 Seed) – The Vikings have been solid for a while now. I do like this coaching staff, but the Diggs departure hurts. They will make the playoffs barely and will fight GB to the end for the division.
• Bears (9-7 – Just Miss) – The Bears are right in the middle of the conference. I don’t like Mitch, but that Defense is still Top 5. A favorable schedule will put them on the cusp all season, but just outside based on conference record to the Vikes.
• Lions (4-12) – Please stop the Lions hype train. Their defense is not good. QB Matthew Stafford is not an MVP candidate. I do like the rookie RB Swift, but tell me how that defense stops anyone with losses like CB Darius Slay. Matt Patricia will be fired after this season.

NFC South

• Saints (11-5 – 1 Seed) – Yep, probably not going to happen, again, but the Saints have one more good run in them. I don’t think they will make it to the Super Bowl, but another nut punching loss at home in the playoffs is certainly possible. The team is talented, but unfortunately, I think QB Drew Brees is the detriment to getting to the Bowl.
• Bucs (8-8) – The Bucs hype train is almost as big as the 2019 Browns here. Yep, TB12 is in town, but does he really have the arm to get the ball to WRs Mike Evans and Chris Godwin deep? I don’t see it. They will be solid, but that Tampa D is not good. They need to be in this loaded NFC.
• Falcons (7-9) – The Falcons could actually be a dark horse. QB Matt Ryan has been very good despite his Defense falling apart in consecutive seasons. The offense is not the issue and could improve with RB Todd Gurley in his hometown. I just worry that the D will not hold up yet again. So, improvement, but not enough for the playoffs.
• Panthers (6-10) – Another new coach, Matt Rhule, tries to get the CAR team back in line. QB Teddy Bridgewater is a pro, and RB Christian McCaffery is the best, but can this defense stop anyone? I don’t see it. Rhule will get them there in time, but not in 2020.

NFC West

• 49ers (11-5 – 3 Seed) – The 49ers will not be a complete wash like the Rams did in 2019. However, QB Jimmy G needs to take a major step forward to get them back to the Bowl. Let’s see if he can do it.
• Seahawks (11-5 – 5 Seed) – QB Russell Wilson is on another level. I hope Coach Pete Carroll will let him play. I love their young D, and they will be competitive, but they need to get that home field advantage to advance in the playoffs.
• Cardinals (7-9) – Another improved team that is dangerous. 2nd year QB Kyler Murray should be fun to watch throwing to WR DeAndre Hopkins. The only issue is this team’s defense is not good, so it will take shootouts to win. Come December, that is not the way to win.
• Rams (6-10) – It is hard to believe this team will fall this far so quickly, but the issue I have with the Rams is their roster is top heavy. No money for depth or even top flight talent at RB or the defensive secondary. They will be a disappointment.

NFC Playoffs

Wild Card Round:

Cowboys over Vikings

49ers over Seahawks

Eagles over Packers

Divisional Round:

Saints over Eagles

Cowboys over 49ers

NFC Championship:

Cowboys over Saints

Super Bowl: Chiefs over Cowboys

Who you got?

Wegs