Now that preseason football is officially underway, it's time to make bets on which teams will be this year's Cleveland Browns and which will unexpectedly miss the postseason.
The best part of this year's predictions? The Packers play the all three teams expected to slide in 2021.
The Surprises
3. New York Giants: Joe Judge's tenacious personality sparked life in the Giants during his first season as head coach and allowed them to keep it close in games against the Bucs, Eagles and Rams. With Saquan Barkley now healthy and the addition of new receiving options for Daniel Jones, Judge and the Giants could quickly take control of the weak NFC East division.
2. Cincinnati Bengals: During Joe Borrow's rookie season, the Bengals were on the wrong end of some very close contests against the Browns, Colts and Chargers. But, by equipping the second-year quarterback with his former LSU target and the pass defense continuing to build on 2020 success, Cincinnati could breach the .500 mark for the first time since 2015.
1. Los Angeles Chargers: Just about every fan and analyst is predicting a big season out of second-year quarterback Justin Herbert. To increase his chance of sophomore success, L.A. added to an already talented supporting cast with the additions of OT Rashan Slater and WR Josh Palmer in the draft. This significant offensive upgrade from 2019 may be enough to finally push the Chargers into the playoff conversation.
Others to watch: Falcons, Panthers, Jaguars
The Slides
3. New Orleans Saints: Head coach Sean Payton has long shown comfort in the use of a Jameis Winston-Taysom Hill platoon to fill the shoes of Drew Brees. However, with Michael Thomas' availability in question for Week 1 - plus a difficult slate of early-season opponents that includes the Packers, Bucs and Titans - New Orleans could find themselves at home in January for the first time since 2015.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers: It was clear that the running game was a pain point masked in the Steelers' impressive 11-0 start to the 2020 season. However, even having addressed that need with Najee Harris in April's draft, one must question the fortitude of the Steelers defense, which allowed 23 or more points in each of their final six games of last season.
1. Seattle Seahawks: Russell Wilson was able to bail the Seahawks out in some very narrow victories last season before Seattle ultimately folded in the first round of the 2020 postseason. Lacking a defense with any semblance to those of their Super Bowl teams, Pete Carroll and the Hawks are shouldn't be seen as the team to beat in the NFC West heading into the regular season.
Others to watch: Dolphins, Titans, Vikings
Comments