The NFL Season is back. Is it Showtime for LA’s team (or two)? Or does Philly keep flying?9/30/2018 By: Adith Gopal AFC:
EAST Patriots (11-5) Jets (7-9) Dolphins (7-9) Bills (2-14) SOUTH Jaguars (10-6) Texans (10-6) Colts (8-8) Titans (7-9) WEST Chiefs (10-6) Chargers (9-7) Broncos (9-7) Raiders (6-10) NORTH Steelers (10-5-1) Ravens (9-7) Bengals (9-7) Browns (6-9-1) The New England Patriots have shown their dominance in this division since the 21st century, and that should continue onto this year. As long as Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, and Rob Gronkowski are in New England, the Patriots should be a heavy favorite every year to win the AFC East. Deshaun Watson’s rise last year, along with the ever-consistent DeAndre Hopkins, former All-Pro DE JJ Watt, and potential breakout Will Fuller V, show enough promise to win the AFC South this year. Beating the Jags both times this year will provide enough of a push to win this division. The Texans have too many weapons to not break out this year. Patrick Mahomes has lit up the first two games of this season, as he’s thrown 10 TD passes, the most ever during a two-game stretch. This Chiefs offense has potentially the best offense in the NFL, with speedster receiver Tyreek Hill, NFL rushing leader Kareem Hunt, and, of course, Pro Bowl TE Travis Kelce. This division will be won at the end of the year, with the Chargers closing the year strong, but will regret not closing out games in the first half of the season. The Steelers always remain competitive in the AFC North, as future HOF QB Ben Roethlisberger has been the best QB in that division since 2005. Paired with All-Pro WR Antonio Brown, this team should have no problem scoring point, despite having contract issues with dynamic RB Le’Veon Bell. The issue will be preventing other teams from scoring, as without LB Ryan Shazier and a porous secondary, this squad will give up lots of points. The division title will only be decided at the end of the regular season, but Roethlisberger’s experience will prove too much for an up-and-coming Bengals team. NFC: EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH Eagles (11-5) Saints (10-6) Rams (12-4) Packers (10-5-1) Cowboys (9-7) Falcons (10-6) 49ers (8-8) Vikings (10-5-1) Redskins (6-10) Panthers (9-7) Seahawks (6-10) Bears (8-8) Giants (6-10) Buccaneers (7-9) Cardinals (3-13) Lions (7-9) The defending NFC East champs (and Super Bowl champs) should find themselves as the NFC East champs again. With the return of Pro Bowl QB Carson Wentz from season-ending ACL and LCL surgery, the Eagles should find themselves rolling and more of an offensive threat than with Nick Foles. This Eagles defense, if anything, improved on defense, with the recovery of Pro Bowl LB Jordan Hicks and the addition of DE Michael Bennett from the Seattle Seahawks. A brutal schedule makes a 13-3 season hard to achieve, but 11-5 is more accurate. After a heartbreaking end to the season last year, Drew Brees and the rest of this Saints team find themselves motivated and looking for revenge. Despite the suspension of RB Mark Ingram, dynamic RB Alvin Kamara seems more than capable of filling his shoes. A defense headed by DE Cameron Jordan and CB Marshon Lattimore should be able to slow down enough offenses to win the division. Potentially the best division in the league, there is no way a team in this division will get 13 wins. But the Saints at 10-6 seems reasonable. Just when you thought the Rams couldn’t get better, they did. They traded for top CBs Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters, while signing Ndamukong Suh to pair with DT Aaron Donald as partners-in-crime. Sean McVay also traded for another toy to play with in speedster WR Brandin Cooks. Another offseason means more development for young QB Jared Goff, while Todd Gurley III continues to show why he’s, arguably, the best RB in the NFL. The only potential weakness of this roster is maybe their LBs, as they traded away Alec Ogletree and Robert Quinn. Despite that, this is a roster that has the potential to win 14-15 games. There was one reason as to why the Vikings signed QB Kirk Cousins: to go to Green Bay and beat Aaron Rodgers. But on one leg, Aaron Rodgers once again showed his greatness, tying the Vikings in his building 29-29. As long as Rodgers is in Green Bay, the Packers always have a chance to win against anybody. But outside of Rodgers, this Packers team doesn’t have many players to support Rodgers. An easier schedule will boost this squad with wins, while a tough win against the Vikings in Minnesota will push them over the top. A playoff prediction will be provided once the playoffs get close. In the meantime, it’s time to sit back and watch the NFL regular season play out, while trying to micromanage your fantasy football team. This season will be one of the best we’ve ever had. It’s time to enjoy!
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