The Redskins are 0-0.
No one truly knows how the Washington Redskins, along with the rest of the NFL, will perform, and no one will get every record prediction right. The beauty of the NFL offseason is in its subjectivity. From draft season to preseason, no opinion, if founded on reason, is truly wrong.
In the lead-up to preseason, the hype has been building around the Redskins and their young core, and thus, record predictions for the Redskins span from three wins to thirteen. Many fans are still skeptical, as this team has sold false hope before. But emboldened followers have dared to peg the Redskins as a double-digit win team, and have spoken of future playoff exploits.
There’s just one problem with that optimism. There are 31 other teams in the NFL. Some of them need to win, too. Some of them deserve to win more. But how many?
To visualize where the Redskins fall in place in the NFL pecking order, and how the Redskins might finish the season, we used an NFL record predictor to play through all 256 regular season games. Can the Redskins fight for a playoff spot? Or will their winning ways be postponed for yet another year? Here are our 2019 NFL record predictions.
Buffalo Bills
The Bills are just such an interesting team. Brandon Beane has done a phenomenal job building a competent team in just two years, but the true ceiling of this squad remains to be seen. It’ll be up to a number of factors, none more pivotal than the explosive quarterback himself, Josh Allen.
Around Allen, the pieces have come into place. The Bills’ defense is elite, with top three potential in 2019. Beane put together a solid offensive line for Allen, with new additions Ty Nsekhe, Cody Ford, Mitch Morse, and Quinton Spain, and his offensive skill cast looks much better than it did a year ago, with Robert Foster, John Brown, Cole Beasley, Zay Jones, and Dawson Knox constructing an exciting personnel group.
Everything else is in place, so the final piece is Allen, and how Sean McDermott and Brian Daboll set him up to succeed. Allen was a punching bag for #DraftTwitter in 2018, but he showed surprising growth in his rookie year, while flashing his transcendent potential at the same time. Even if he’s a little sloppy, his immense athleticism and arm talent props up the Bills’ offense in creative, unorthodox ways.
In this record prediction, the Bills just missed the playoffs, losing in the tiebreaker for the sixth seed to an AFC South team. But things are looking up for Bills Mafia. They should finally earn the respect they deserve this year.
Buffalo Bills Record Prediction: 9-7
Miami Dolphins
You can like a team, and still acknowledge that they’re not ready to win yet. The slang term is “bad”, but I don’t want to call the Miami Dolphins bad. They’re certainly not “good”, if we’re sticking to the bland “bad-good” theme. But the Dolphins are a team in the infancy stages. They’re at the start of a full rebuild, and it’s going to take a year or two for everything to come together.
That said, the Dolphins have some surprising talent. Josh Rosen is a high-upside passer with franchise potential. On defense, Christian Wilkins and Davon Godchaux lay the groundwork for a budding interior defensive line, Raekwon McMillan headlines an intriguing linebacking core, and the secondary could very well be one of the league’s best, with players like Xavien Howard, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Reshad Jones, Bobby McCain, and Eric Rowe manning the ranks.
There’s a new vision in Miami with head coach Brian Flores, and I expect him to institute some of the no-nonsense, common sense attitude that the Patriots exude every year. The talent isn’t there. But in their four wins this year, we may see hints of future promise.
Miami Dolphins Record Prediction: 3-13
New England Patriots
Let’s start this prediction with a statement of facts. The Patriots still have Bill Belichick. The Patriots still have Tom Brady. Tom Brady’s only two decades away from getting social security checks, but he’s still Tom Brady.
We can start there, because as long as the machine’s engine is running, it doesn’t necessarily matter what the rest of the machine looks like; the Patriots have made the playoffs with dozens of different looks, with their two core pieces in tow.
That said, the machine looks pretty intimidating even without Belichick and Brady in the picture. They finally have a first-round talent at receiver in N’Keal Harry, and their offensive cast is as deep as their offensive line is dominant. On defense, there’s been a bit of turnover, but not enough to uproot the team’s foundation. Belichick, a defensive mastermind, will make do with what he has. He always does.
The Patriots end up as the 4-seed in this prediction, due to a midseason loss to the Browns. But make no mistake; the evil empire isn’t going anywhere just yet.
New England Patriots Record Prediction: 11-5
AFC 4-seed
New York Jets
Talent-wise, the Jets are an ascending team with a great deal of promise. Sam Darnold has a chance to be a part of the next generation of elite signal callers, and on defense, the Jets have stars in the making on all three levels.
That said, while the Jets talent-base is very exciting, the coaching staff has the opposite effect. Adam Gase is a supposed offensive guru who was an enigma at best in Miami. His offensive coordinator, Dowell Loggains, has consistently generated league-worst numbers from his units. And Gregg Williams is a defensive coordinator who’s bounced around the league, due to his personality and stringent defensive ideals, which sometimes get in the way of personnel fit.
The Jets may flash their potential often in 2019, but across the entire season, they’ll ultimately underachieve, due to coaching. The ascent of the Bills won’t help them, and the continued dominance of the Patriots will render them inert.
New York Jets Record Prediction: 6-10
Baltimore Ravens
If the Ravens reach their full potential, or come close to it in 2019, then they can easily overtake the AFC’s sixth seed and make the playoffs. Their defense has very impressive talent at the second level, and the Ravens’ secondary might be one of the best in the league.
But the Ravens have had a vaunted defense for a while now. That’s not going to change in 2018. What is going to change, for better or worse, is the offense. Lamar Jackson now has the reins all to himself, and he’ll need to grow as a quarterback and as a passer, in order to maximize the newfound unit’s talent.
The Ravens are expected to be creative with Jackson, and while I think that will yield very promising high points, there may still be substantial variance with this offense. They can prove me wrong and make the playoffs, but I expect Jackson to have his fair share of hiccups in his sophomore season, as the team puts more on his plate. It’s just part of the development process; perhaps next year, they’ll be primed to capitalize on their playoff window.
Baltimore Ravens Record Prediction: 8-8
Cincinnati Bengals
Just going off of first impressions, I like what Zac Taylor can bring to the Bengals franchise. He’s an eager, energetic offensive mind who should provide a nice contrast from Marvin Lewis’ monotony. The Bengals also have some intriguing talent in pockets.
That said, talent in pockets isn’t good enough in the NFL. Even with their team fully healthy, the Bengals were facing long odds to compete in 2019. Then first-round pick Jonah Williams went down, further clouding the team’s outlook.
This year isn’t meant to be a winning one for the Bengals. It’ll be tough to find tie-breaking victories against the Ravens, Steelers, and Browns. This year, Zac Taylor will work on laying the groundwork for his long-term vision. Maybe someday, the losses will be worth it.
Cincinnati Bengals Record Prediction: 4-12
Cleveland Browns
Many liken the 2019 Cleveland Browns to a “dream team” of sorts, in the context that one must eventually wake up, and surmise that reality is not as pleasant as the dream itself. But there’s no dream to wake up from here. Life is a dream for the new-look Browns, and they’re primed to compete in 2019.
With an offense stocked with talents like Baker Mayfield, Nick Chubb, Odell Beckham Jr., and Jarvis Landry, and a defense laden with game-breaking talent on all three levels, especially in the front seven, the Browns have a top five roster, and they have an incredible coaching combination as well. Freddie Kitchens and Todd Monken are both common sense offensive minds who should glean the best out of their talent cast, and Steve Wilks will dial up creative looks on defense.
The Browns are in a relatively tough division, pitted against two teams who should fight to keep stride with them, in the Steelers and Ravens. But the Browns ascend both, in terms of talent and coaching, and this is the year they’ll officially break free from their chains.
Cleveland Browns Record Prediction: 11-5
AFC 3-seed
Pittsburgh Steelers
Last year, I predicted this same record for the Steelers, and predicted that while the team was talented, and while their coach, Mike Tomlin, was an elite motivator, their trademark gaffes in crucial situations would deprive them of the playoff berth they’d been so accustomed to enjoying throughout the twenty-first century.
The record wasn’t as bad as I’d predicted, partly because the Browns couldn’t quite flip the switch until midseason. But the second part of the prediction came to pass; the Steelers didn’t win the game they needed to, and it cost them a playoff bid.
In 2019, I expect the same situational flaws to mar the Steelers campaign. They’ll show that they do have a good, not great, amount of talent at the skill positions, and their trenches will be solid. But the secondary is still a major concern, and without as much dynamic ability as years past, the Steelers might not be able to transcend their irreconcilable flaws. With the rise of the Browns and the Ravens, the Steelers fall, sending their future into fog.
Pittsburgh Steelers Record Prediction: 7-9
Houston Texans
There are some issues with the Texans. The offensive line might still be unsatisfactory, and health is spotty on both sides of the ball. There’s also uncertainty surrounding the ceiling of Bill O’Brien as a head coach; he led them to an 11-5 record last year, but they were smoked in the first round of the playoffs by the Colts.
O’Brien can get them back; Deshuan Watson is an exciting talent at quarterback, and he’s elevated the Texans’ offense before. They’ve also maintained their imposing defense from years past. J.J. Watt, D.J. Reader, Jadeveon Clowney, Whitney Mercilus, and Charles Omenihu comprise a fearsome front, while Zach Cunningham and Benardrick McKinney man the middle.
The Texans secondary gives me some doubts, but the core of the team is good enough to edge back into the playoffs. They likely won’t get far once they reach that point, but Deshaun Watson and J.J Watt will make sure they get there.
Houston Texans Record Prediction: 9-7
AFC 6-seed
Indianapolis Colts
Honestly. What’s not to like about the Indianapolis Colts? Let’s run through the checklist real quick. MVP-caliber quarterback? Check. Deep, elite offensive skill cast? Check. Mauling offensive line? Check. Budding defensive front seven with elite talent on the second and third levels? Check. A general manager who’s a boss? Check. And two coaches, in Frank Reich and Matt Eberflus, who are two of the best at maximizing their players, both physically and mentally?
Check.
The Colts are one of the few franchises in the running for “best team in the league” right now, and they have the luxury of playing the Titans and Jaguars twice a year. The Colts are my AFC 1-seed, and if you ask me who my Super Bowl champion pick is, I’ll give the same team.
Indianapolis Colts Record Prediction: 14-2
AFC 1-seed
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars still have a good amount of their defensive talent base left from their AFC Championship run. Myles Jack, Jalen Ramsey, and Calais Campbell are just a few names to mention. They’ve added some, lost some, but ultimately, there are too many things standing in the way for the Jaguars to get back to that stage, or frankly even close.
The list goes on. Nick Foles is a replacement-level quarterback who was paid based on an outlier season six years ago and a small sample playoff resume. The offense isn’t built well enough to support Foles, and their offensive philosophy is stuck in the stone ages, unlike the Eagles, where Foles experienced his success.
Doug Marrone tops the list, as his coaching style, harsh and no-nonsense to the extreme, has been known to give a jolt to teams that need it, and then fall flat. Coupled with the fact that the Jaguars play three teams just as, if not more talented, in their own division, and the Jaguars will sooner hit rock bottom than rock the AFC South crown this year.
Jacksonville Jaguars Record Prediction: 4-12
Tennessee Titans
This is one of the few predictions I feel genuinely bad about. The Titans have a good amount of talent, especially on the defensive side of the ball. With standouts like Jurrell Casey, DaQuan Jones, Harold Landry, Cameron Wake, Jayon Brown, Wesley Woodyard, Kevin Byard, Malcolm Butler, and Adoree Jackson, the Titans can reasonably field a top five defensive unit in 2019.
That said, in today’s NFL, offense reigns supreme, and I have reservations about a team whose backup quarterback is better than its starter, and whose coach has recently embraced an inefficient run-first philosophy. The Titans don’t have many glaring deficiencies, but the ones they do have are at areas of distinct importance. Their coaching staff hasn’t yet proven that they can transcend those deficiencies.
As they’ve been so often in years past, the Titans could very well be a case of talent wasted in 2019. Playing in a division with two legitimate playoff contenders doesn’t help matters. The margin for error in the AFC South is slim, and the Titans, while good, aren’t good enough to stand their ground.
Tennessee Titans Record Prediction: 6-10
Denver Broncos
I’m very excited to see where the Broncos’ long-term track takes them. They’ve done a great job siphoning new, young talent into the defense to keep that unit up to par, and on offense, there’s great potential for future success. Offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello comes from a very fruitful coaching lineage, and Drew Lock, the team’s franchise quarterback-to-be, has outstanding upside.
That said, while the potential is there, it hasn’t been uncased yet, and it may take time for all the pieces to come into place. In Vic Fangio’s first year as the Broncos head coach, the defense will be electric, but the offense, with Joe Flacco under center and an average offensive line, will have its inconsistencies.
In a division with the Chiefs and Chargers, two great offenses, the Broncos won’t be able to keep up. But with the foundation laid this year, perhaps they’ll come back and get revenge on their counterparts in the years to come.
Denver Broncos Record Prediction: 7-9
Kansas City Chiefs
People always like to throw out hot takes after a team has a historic season, and say “Hope you enjoyed that, because it’s not happening again”.
I’ll spare the theatrics with the Chiefs. They’re not going anywhere. Their fast offense got faster, their swiss cheese-esque defense got better, and they should get back to the second week of the playoffs, with a comfy bye week to keep them fresh.
Even with Patrick Mahomes due for a regression from his MVP numbers, the machine is firing on all cylinders, and in the AFC West, there’s a clear gap from No. 1 to No. 2.
Kansas City Chiefs Record Prediction: 12-4
AFC 2-seed
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers are a sturdy team, not necessarily because they’re built sturdily from a roster perspective, but because they have certain assets that keep them afloat. Their offensive line is thin and their secondary, outside of Derwin James, lacks depth as well. Those are two crucial parts of the modern NFL team.
That said, Philip Rivers is an institution, and he should keep having success with his skill cast. Anthony Lynn has proven himself as a solid motivator and game planner, and Gus Bradley can boast the same on the defensive side of the ball.
The Chiefs are more advanced than Los Angeles, both from a roster perspective and from a philosophy perspective. But the Chargers are solid nonetheless, and they should be in the thick of the playoff conversation, as they are every year. If injuries hit, however, they could be in for trouble quicker than most.
Los Angeles Chargers Record Prediction: 10-6
AFC 5-seed
Oakland Raiders
The Raiders are weird. Has an average to mediocre team ever received this much preseason hype? Granted, it’s not so much excitement for how good the Raiders will be, as much as it is excitement for how entertaining the Raiders will be, regardless of performance.
Jon Gruden, Antonio Brown, Hard Knocks. It all contributes to the perfect equation for audience growth. But while the people may tune in to watch Oakland in 2019, it won’t be to watch a playoff run. They’ll tune in to watch a spectacular crumbling.
It’s almost sad that the Raiders have already become this spectacle, because they do have talent. They used a lot of money to bolster their roster this offseason, and they have a great mix of youth and veteran utility. That said, Jon Gruden, brother of Redskins coach Jay Gruden, did nothing to sell me on his style in 2018, and there are just too many clashing personalities in the locker room for it to come together in 2019. It’s a master plan to everyone inside the Raiders organization, but a crash waiting to happen from those on the outside. All you can do is watch.
Oakland Raiders Record Prediction: 6-10
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are an intriguing franchise, always bouncing between true playoff contention and misleading mediocrity disguised as pursuit of a playoff bid. It’s still hard to get an accurate read on Jason Garrett and his coaching staff, but the Redskins arch rival needs to evolve if it wants to get the most out of its elite defensive talent base.
Let’s talk about that defense for a minute. It features one of the best linebacker duos in the NFL in Leighton Vander Esch and Jaylon Smith, and it promises plenty of potential on the first and third levels, with Trysten Hill, Demarcus Lawrence, Taco Charlton, Byron Jones, Chidobe Awuzie, Jourdan Lewis, and George Iloka all adding to the fun.
For once, it’s the offense that will have to live up to the expectations of the defense in Dallas. Dallas’ offensive line is still a top-tier unit, but behind that line, questions surrounding play calling and efficiency have plagued the Cowboys in the past. Until further notice, Kellen Moore is an unproven offensive mind, and if the Cowboys offense doesn’t cater to modern analytical methods, then they’ll be bested by the smarter teams. This team has the talent to mount a lengthy playoff run, but coaching could get in the way once again.
Dallas Cowboys Record Prediction: 9-7
New York Giants
The Redskins have been the trendy pick to be the bottom feeders, not just in the division, but in the NFL. In my opinion, (and I try to be subjective with these) the Redskins have too much talent to be steamrolled by the entire league. There is one divisional rival of the Redskins, however, that has dangerously bare cupboards, a precarious coaching situation, and a quarterback situation in flux.
That team is the Giants.
The Giants, unlike the Redskins, have a dangerous lack of talent and depth on the defensive side of the ball, and on offense, they’re a bit thin when it comes to starting talent. Saquon Barkley is the best running back in the league, but being the best running back doesn’t get you as much as it did twenty years ago.
Aside from Sterling Shepard, Evan Engram, and an aging Golden Tate, the Giants don’t have much to help out their quarterback on offense, and their quarterbacks might not be able to close the gap. If Eli Manning starts, then they’re guaranteed to see out this prediction. If Daniel Jones starts, things could be different; he showed promise in his first preseason game, but that sample size is a lot smaller than his collegiate file, which displays him as a quarterback with his fair share of warts, from accuracy to inconsistency with progressions.
Even I didn’t expect the prediction to end at 2-14 for New York, but they have a tough schedule. Wins against the Bengals and Dolphins would have made the Giants 4-12, but I see the Bengals as a tier above New York, and as I said earlier, I like certain qualities with the Dolphins. On the bright side, the Giants will have the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, and there, they’ll be able to reset, and keep building around Daniel Jones.
New York Giants Record Prediction: 2-14
Philadelphia Eagles
In a tiebreaker with a certain NFC South team, the Philadelphia Eagles take the NFC 2-seed, and not the 1-seed. But nothing about the Eagles says “runner-up”. They’re fielding a complete team, and they’re back to fight for a Super Bowl title.
On offense, Doug Pederson and Carson Wentz are primed to mount a resurgence of their 2017 brilliance, with players such as Alshon Jeffery, DeSean Jackson, J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, Nelson Agholor, and the awesome Zach Ertz in the lineup. The offensive line which facilitates the Eagles attack is one of the best in the league, and on the other side of the trenches, the Eagles have similar talent in Fletcher Cox, Timmy Jernigan, Brandon Graham, and Josh Sweat.
On the second level, the Eagles boast top-notch talent as well, and in the secondary, they’re elite at their best, and where they aren’t elite (cornerback), they’re at least deep, if uninspiring. There are few weaknesses on this Eagles team, and a great coach can iron out a certain amount of weaknesses. Doug Pederson is that coach, and he should have the Eagles ready to dominate the NFC East, with potential sweeps of the Redskins, Cowboys, and Giants incoming.
Philadelphia Eagles Record Prediction: 12-4
NFC 2-seed
Washington Redskins
The Redskins have talent. And it’s sad, because every offseason, that talent is disregarded nationally. Whether it’s the ineptitude of the offense, or the pomp and chaos of the front office, there’s always something to talk about in Washington besides the talent.
But let’s talk about the talent for a minute. The Redskins defense is intriguing, with a borderline elite defensive front bolstered by Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, Matt Ioannidis, Ryan Kerrigan, and Montez Sweat. The secondary has similar potential with disruptive defensive backs, and the inside linebacker position, manned by average, unproven players, is the defense’s sole weakness.
The Redskins offense will inevitably take a hit from the loss of Trent Williams for an unforeseeable amount of time, but Dwayne Haskins has genuine upside as a franchise passer, and his receiving core, often disregarded as one of the league’s worst, has similar potential in lesser-known players. Then there’s Jordan Reed, the shifty tight end. Derrius Guice, the relentless running back.
The Redskins have talent. But talent has never been the strongest factor in Washington. Something else is always at play. Whether it’s inexperienced youth, inconsistency, lackluster coaching, or unreliable player health, something will get in the Redskins way this season.
Don’t worry; better times could be on the horizon. The Redskins young core growing bigger with every excellent draft class, and with Haskins on a rookie deal, a window to compete will open fully soon. There will be a time for the Redskins. But that time is not 2019.
Washington Redskins Record Prediction: 6-10
Chicago Bears
The Bears dominance of the NFC North was impressive last season, but while I want them to have sustained success, as a candid Lions fan who’s seen the Bears’ roller coaster twenty-first century up close, there are too many questions surrounding this team for me to make them a playoff inclusion, especially in this tough division.
The Bears offense took a step up last year, and Mitchell Trubisky showed moderate growth, but the unit still ended up 21st in points per game and 20th in yards per play. Chicago’s success can be more attributed to its outright dominant defense; under Vic Fangio, the Bears allowed just 4.8 yards per play and 17.4 first downs per game, both the lowest allowed in the league by NFL defenses. They also generated a whopping 36 takeaways, five takeaways ahead of the next best defense.
Those defensive numbers are bound for a regression; the Bears defense is still talented, but it doesn’t have Vic Fangio anymore to maximize its potential with schematic brilliance. In the secondary, they lost Adrian Amos, one of the league’s most reliable safeties, and replaced him with former Redskins safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, achieving a stark downgrade. They also lost versatile cornerback Bryce Callahan, chipping away at their secondary just a bit more.
Don’t get me wrong; the Bears defense is still very good. But in 2018, they were elite in every way, and they carried the Bears inconsistent offense into the playoffs. That defense won’t be able to shoulder the entire weight this year, and thus, they’ll need consistent development from Trubisky. There are still some crucial mental hoops for Trubisky to leap before I can say he’s ready to lead a playoff run. He joined one in 2018. But soon, he’ll be asked to lead it, and I don’t think he’s ready yet.
Chicago Bears Record Prediction: 8-8
Detroit Lions
The NFC features some of the most competitive divisions in football. The NFC South figures to be a three-team race this season, and in the NFC North, no team is truly out of the race.
The Lions have a shot at post-season inclusion if Matthew Stafford returns to form; they added T.J. Hockenson to a solid offensive cast that included Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones, and Kerryon Johnson. They also have an impressive amount of talent on their defensive front seven, and in the secondary, Darius Slay, Quandre Diggs, Justin Coleman, and Tracy Walker all have the potential to be game changers.
Talent-wise, the Lions aren’t elite, but they’re good enough to compete. Unfortunately, a lot of teams that are good enough to compete end up being weighed down by coaching. I’m not sold on Matt Patricia yet; he was labeled as prickly at times last season, and his micro-management of the offense might not improve with Darrell Bevell in tow.
Patricia has time to change the perception around him, but he has to make the right choices with his authority. Even the slightest inefficiency can render a team eliminated in the NFL, and in a tight race for the NFC North crown, the Lions are the likeliest team to fall behind.
Detroit Lions Record Prediction: 6-10
Green Bay Packers
The shorthand explanation? Aaron Rodgers finally has a defense.
The longhand, because the Bears and Lions fans deserve it in a time like this: I like the Packers as one of two teams to make the playoffs from the NFC North. Yes, Matt LaFleur is in his first season with the team, but this wouldn’t be the first time Aaron Rodgers has transcended coaching in his career.
Rodgers may have been part of the problem, in regards to Mike McCarthy and his downfall in Green Bay, but a fresh start could help him maximize his arm while he still has some juice left. And even if LaFleur isn’t the great offensive mind he’s chalked up to be, Rodgers has plenty of weapons, and a very solid offensive line.
And defensively, the Packers have gone from dangerously thin to simply dangerous. Their front four has a new look with Rashan Gary, former Redskins edge Preston Smith, and ZaDarius Smith, and their secondary has elite potential, with Jaire Alexander, Josh Jackson, Darnell Savage, and Adrian Amos. The Packers stole an upgrade at safety from Chicago to complete a very well-rounded lineup, and it should help them, despite their coaching situation.
Green Bay Packers Record Prediction: 10-6
NFC 5-seed
Minnesota Vikings
Kirk Cousins and the Vikings have been subject to nonstop scrutiny ever since Cousins couldn’t get the team to the playoffs in his first year on the job. They paid him a lot of money to leave the Redskins and be the quarterback Case Keenum wasn’t, and while he easily showed such potential, there were hiccups along the way.
That said, Cousins has enough arm talent to make all the throws, and he’s a diligent worker. With his offensive line considerably improved from last season with additions like Garrett Bradbury, Dru Samia, and Josh Kline, and with much of his impressive skill cast the same from 2018, Cousins should have more familiarity and more confidence, as he takes play calls from Kevin Stefanski.
As for the defense, the Vikings still house an imposing unit. The front four boasts two top-tier edge rushers and a solid interior. The linebacking core has versatility and depth. And the secondary is elite at the top, and one of the deepest units in the league. It’s a close race, but I like the Vikings as the most talented team in the NFC North, and Mike Zimmer has been to the playoffs twice before, both after middle-of-the-road seasons. He knows how to adjust, in order to get back.
Minnesota Vikings Record Prediction: 11-5
NFC 3-seed
Atlanta Falcons
Look at Matt Ryan’s eyes. Those are danger eyes.
Part of me wanted to just end the description there. But that’s not what a responsible writer does. Instead, I’ll refer you to this quote from our own Jacob Camenker, who ranked the Falcons as one of his Super Bowl contenders in his recent NFL power rankings.
"More from Riggo's Rag What will Emmanuel Forbes bring to the Washington Commanders? Highlighting the best Commanders 2023 NFL Draft betting props 3 late Commanders rumors drawing buzz ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft 4 bold predictions for the Commanders 2023 NFL Draft Commanders News: Chase Young trade, draft day, CB riser and Sam Howell This may be a surprise to some, but the Falcons are a sneaky-good Super Bowl contender. They are playing 13 regular season games indoors, which Matt Ryan loves. Their offensive weaponry (Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, Mohamed Sanu, et al) is excellent. They upgraded their offensive line with first-round picks Chris Lindstrom and Kaleb McGary. And best of all, their defense is fully healthy after dealing with numerous key injuries last year."
I’m not quite as high on the Falcons as Jacob; their offense has always been exceptional with Matt Ryan, but ever since Kyle Shanahan left, the unit hasn’t been efficient enough on a consistent basis to rise above the best teams. The depth of the defense is also a modest concern on all three levels. Those factors bump the Falcons below the deeper Saints for me, and it was a coin toss as to whether the Falcons or the Panthers took the NFC 6-seed in this prediction.
Ultimately, Matt Ryan is a borderline-top five quarterback who always has his team in position, and as long as Dirk Koetter can keep Ryan comfortable, and as long as the defense stays healthy, the Falcons do have the potential to make another run at the Lombardi.
Atlanta Falcons Record Prediction: 10-6
NFC 6-seed
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers were another team that just barely missed the NFC playoffs in my prediction. I really like the Panthers. Norv Turner showed impressive creativity on offense with Cam Newton and Co, last year, and this year, they return all of their essential pieces, with a stout offensive line as the unit’s core.
On defense, the Panthers entered the offseason thin on all three levels, but they did a great job of adding talent; in the NFL Draft, they added generational pass rusher Brian Burns and versatile linebacker Christian Miller, and in free agency, at various points, they added Gerald McCoy, Tre Boston, and they retained playmaking safety Eric Reid.
The depth is still an issue for Carolina, particularly in the secondary, but they can easily make a playoff push this year. If they were in any other division, they likely would have made it in this simulation. But the NFC South is truly the gridiron of giants, and unfortunately, a good team is bound to stay home in January.
Carolina Panthers Record Prediction: 9-7
New Orleans Saints
Is it fair to say that people are sleeping on the Saints? A team that’s widely expected to return to the playoffs? I think it is, and so I’ll say it. People are sleeping on the Saints.
They were already one of the league’s most talented teams last season, and this year, they experienced a net gain in talent. They lost stalwart center Max Unger on the offensive line, but rookie Erik McCoy has the athleticism and the motor to fill that hole. The rest of the unit is very good, and it’ll help facilitate another seamless offensive campaign by Drew Brees and Co.
On defense, the Saints are excellent on the second and third levels, and while their front four sorely misses Sheldon Rankins, who’s recovering from an Achilles tear, they hope to get him back sometime during the season, to pair him with Cameron Jordan, Marcus Davenport, and Malcolm Brown.
The Saints are solid all-around, and they’re only going to get better. Sean Payton will have a chip on his shoulder after losing his Super Bowl bid to a controversial pass interference call. His well-oiled machine will remain just that, and they’ll reign supreme not just in the NFC South, but in the entire conference.
New Orleans Saints Record Prediction: 12-4
NFC 1-seed
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bruce Arians is a coach. Emphasis on “coach”. He’s a smart football mind, and he knows how to get the best out of the young men under his employ, on and off the field. He built a contender from the ground up in the Arizona Cardinals, and now, back from retirement, he could do the same in Tampa Bay.
That said, the Buccaneers aren’t ready to win yet. While Arians will instill a new culture, and put them on the right path, their defense is still dangerously porous, and on offense, there are looming questions, from the implementation of Byron Leftwich’s scheme, to the viability of Jameis Winston as a franchise quarterback.
These are questions that might take a season to explore and answer, and unfortunately, winning may not be a byproduct of that exploration. Competing in the unforgiving NFC South won’t help. But for Arians, it’s a long-term game in Tampa Bay. The goal is to get back to the Super Bowl. That never happens overnight.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Record Prediction: 5-11
Arizona Cardinals
Chalk this up as another “not yet” prediction. The Cardinals came into the offseason with the cupboard almost completely empty. Coaching, talent, depth; they had almost none of all those things.
They initiated a hard reset by hiring outsider Kliff Kingsbury as their head coach, and while the jury is still out on him, they did add a lot of talent in the NFL Draft, notching steals in almost every round, with a class that included Kyler Murray, Byron Murphy, Andy Isabella, Zach Allen, Hakeem Butler, Deionte Thompson, and KeeSean Johnson.
With this young core, the Cardinals should start to show signs of improvement. But this is the start of the rebuild. It’s not meant to be pretty. They lack depth on both sides of the trenches and with so much youth and so much uncertainty, this team is bound to be volatile, and prone to mistakes.
Arizona Cardinals Record Prediction: 3-13
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams could be due for a regression as the defending Super Bowl runner-ups, but for my money, they should be the favorites to take home the NFC West crown, with former Redskins coach Sean McVay leading the way.
The Rams got so far last year with a combination of offensive efficiency and defensive competence (and if not competence, then simply withstanding). This year, they have all of the pieces to their offensive puzzle still in tact, and on defense, they still have the game changers they need to field a competent unit.
In this prediction, the Rams achieve an 11-5 record, but they’re demoted to the NFC 4-seed as a result of the tiebreaker with the Minnesota Vikings, who finished with the same record. Still, with Jared Goff heading an explosive offensive attack, and with Aaron Donald and John Johnson punctuating an effective defense, the Rams can extend their playoff streak.
Los Angeles Rams Record Prediction: 11-5
NFC 4-seed
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers are another team I very much want to like. Kyle Shanahan is heading into his third season, and along the way, he’s tantalized onlookers with his play calling genius. He made an undrafted free agent quarterback potential trade bait in 2018, and in 2019, he’ll have his chosen quarterback back in the fold, to buoy an offensive cast featuring the likes of George Kittle, Jerick McKinnon, Dante Pettis, Deebo Samuel, Marquise Goodwin, Kendrick Bourne, and Matt Breida.
The offense isn’t the only area of excitement for San Franciso. Defensively, they’re on the uptrend. DeForest Buckner is an elite talent on the interior defensive line, and this season, he’ll have Dee Ford and Nick Bosa joining him on either side. The linebacking core has a promising duo in Fred Warner and Kwon Alexander, and the secondary is rife with potential; Jason Verrett is elite athletically, if he can stay healthy, and Akhello Witherspoon and Jaquiski Tartt are two ascending players.
At their best, the 49ers are a playoff contender, and in this simulation, they were in the playoff picture for a good portion of the season. Unfortunately, their below-average depth got the best of them later on, as they lost their last four games. But the 49ers can challenge for the crown this year, with a little bit of luck.
San Francisco 49ers Record Prediction: 7-9
Seattle Seahawks
Like a lot of teams in the NFL, the Seattle Seahawks have elite talent in pockets. Jarran Reed is the nucleus of an otherwise average defensive line. Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright headline the second level, and Bradley McDougald is a star in the making in an uncertain secondary.
On offense, the talent is less apparent and more developmental, with young, ascending players like Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf dotting the ranks. Overall, however, the Seahawks are average, with inconsistent depth and a fluctuating talent base. With an uninspiring coaching staff (Brian Schottenheimer is still the offensive coordinator), it might be hard to mount a playoff run. But there’s one player we haven’t mentioned yet. Russell Wilson.
Wilson is an elite quarterback. He’s not just one of the most dynamic players at his position; he’s one of the NFL’s most dynamic players, period. He’s dragged the Seahawks to the playoffs before, and he can do it again. At the very least, he’ll get them close. Wilson is a guaranteed contention card, and while the Seahawks might not break through the thick playoff wall of the NFC, they’ll be respectable, at the very least.
Seattle Seahawks Record Prediction: 8-8
Do you agree with the Redskins record, or do you think the Redskins season will play out a different way? Have qualms with other teams? Be sure to give us your thoughts on the Redskins, and the rest of the NFL, in the comments section below!