AFC EAST
New England 13-3
Buffalo 7-9
N.Y Jets 7-9
Miami 3-13
Even with Gronk’s retirement, there’s no reason to expect anything other than a Patriots stroll here. The Jets have made some promising acquisitions, and should see Sam Darnold take the next step, but are weak in several key areas. Buffalo could surprise a few people, but Josh Allen will hold them back. Miami will contend for the 2020 #1 pick, whether they do it deliberately or not.
AFC NORTH
Pittsburgh 11-5
Cleveland 10-6
Baltimore 9-7
Cincinnati 6-10
Probably the toughest division to predict this year. Not fully buying the Browns hype, but I do think they’ll make the Playoffs. Despite losing Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown, I think the Steelers will bounce back to take the division. Baltimore could be anything this year, and should at least be fun to watch, but I don’t think they have enough in the passing game to challenge for a Playoff place. Cincinnati are a team going absolutely nowhere.
AFC SOUTH
Houston 11-5
Indianapolis 8-8
Jacksonville 6-10
Tennessee 5-11
Houston’s division to lose after Andrew Luck’s shock retirement, though Lamar Miller’s season ending knee injury will obviously set them back. Nick Foles gives Jacksonville some much needed legitimacy at QB, but I’m not expecting it to make much of a difference (if any) in the wins column. Tennessee were probably the worst 9-7 team in living memory last season, think they will fall away substantially this year.
AFC WEST
Kansas City 12-4
L.A Chargers 11-5
Oakland 6-10
Denver 5-11
It’ll be hard for the Chiefs to match last year’s Offensive output, and there remain several question marks Defensively, but they should still have enough to pip the Chargers for the Division title. Oakland should show signs of improvement, but are some way away from contending for a Playoff berth. Denver should be solid Defensively, but their Offense won’t cause many sleepless nights for opposing teams.
NFC EAST
Philadelphia 11-5
Dallas 9-7
Washington 5-11
N.Y Giants 5-11
Providing they can keep Carson Wentz upright, the Eagles should be the class of this division by a distance. The ongoing Ezekiel Elliott certainly doesn’t help Dallas, but even assuming he’s back by Week 1, a Wild Card is the best they can realistically hope for. It’s a coin toss for who finishes in the basement out of the Giants and the Redskins.
NFC NORTH
Minnesota 10-6
Chicago 9-7
Green Bay 8-8
Detroit 5-11
A slight surprise maybe, but I think the Vikings edge the division. Expecting some regression from the Bears, while Green Bay still look short of playmakers Offensively. Detroit are a lock for last place.
NFC SOUTH
New Orleans 13-3
Atlanta 11-5
Carolina 8-8
Tampa Bay 3-13
The Saints are the class of the NFC imo, and barring injuries or Drew Brees regressing, they should win the division with something to spare. Atlanta could be a dark horse in the Playoffs if they can find some improvement Defensively (especially from the pass rush). Carolina made some impressive additions Defensively, and it wouldn’t be a shock to see them push for a Playoff place, but I expect them to fall short. Tampa Bay will probably be Miami’s main rival for the 2020 #1 pick.
NFC WEST
L.A Rams 11-5
Seattle 9-7
San Francisco 5-11
Arizona 4-12
Despite the concerns over Todd Gurley’s knee, and their historically inept performance in last season’s Super Bowl, it’s hard to see the Rams failing to win the division again this time round. Seattle have lost some key personnel, but Russell Wilson and their notoriously tough HFA should see them challenge for a Wild Card. San Francisco could push them if they can get a full season out of Jimmy Garoppolo and he turns out to be as good as they think, but they have question marks in several positions. Arizona have had a solid offseason overall, but I have major concerns over how effective Kyler Murray can be in the NFL.
AFC WILD CARDS
PITTSBURGH v Cleveland
Houston v L.A CHARGERS
NFC WILD CARDS
PHILADELPHIA v Chicago
Minnesota v ATLANTA
AFC DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS
NEW ENGLAND v L.A Chargers
KANSAS CITY v Pittsburgh
NFC DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS
NEW ORLEANS v Atlanta
L.A Rams v PHILADELPHIA
AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
NEW ENGLAND v Kansas City
NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
NEW ORLEANS v Philadelphia
SUPER BOWL LIV
NEW ENGLAND v New Orleans
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