My first rankings of the season and my three playoff scenarios:
(These rankings are subject to change as injuries and trades may happen in the preseason)
1. Kansas City Chiefs 0-0
Week 1: vs BAL
Kansas City is going to be great again. They upgraded the receiving corps and kept their most important players. Baltimore is a huge week 1 matchup though and could have major implications for seeding at the end of the year.
2. Detroit Lions 0-0
Week 1: vs LAR
Detroit was so close to going to the Super Bowl last season, and their main weakness was clear. The secondary. They attacked that need aggressively in the offseason and should be improved. They are my favorites for the NFC and should have an interesting playoff rematch with the Rams.
3. Baltimore Ravens 0-0
Week 1: at KC
The Ravens lost a lot on their defensive coaching staff, but the roster is still great. Adding Derrick Henry in the backfield on offense might end up being the biggest move of the offseason when it’s all said and done. The Ravens are a Super Bowl contender, and we’ll see if they’re legit after their road trip to Kansas City.
4. Philadelphia Eagles 0-0
Week 1: vs GB
I know what you’re thinking, the Eagles ended terribly last year, but they made some much needed changes. The coaching staff can only be better, and the roster is looking good on both sides of the all. I really like the addition of Saquon Barkley and their efforts in the draft to help out their secondary.
5. San Francisco 49ers 0-0
Week 1: vs NYJ
The 49ers will be really good again as this kind of seems like a last dance kind of season as they have to start paying everyone really soon. I don’t think losing Brandon Aiyuk will matter that much if the trade does end up happening. They are really good, but they definitely showed a lot of holes in the playoffs last year.
6. Miami Dolphins 0-0
Week 1: vs JAX
The Dolphins offense will be amazing again as they add Odell Beckham Jr and Jonnu Smith to bolster their depth in the receiving corps. Their defense has much more depth this year despite losing star DT Christian Wilkins. If Miami can see some development on both sides of the line, they could be a Super Bowl contender with the best offense in the NFL.
7. Houston Texans 0-0
Week 1: at IND
Houston was a pleasant surprise last year, and they should build on their unprecedented success this season. The offense is loaded with playmakers after adding veterans Joe Mixon and Stefon Diggs to their young corps. The defense is young and should continue to get better this year with the addition of Danielle Hunter on the D-line. I’m not sure if they are quite at contender status yet, but they’re getting there quickly.
8. Green Bay Packers 0-0
Week 1: at PHI
The Packers still have one of the youngest rosters in the NFL, and yet they are one of the best. Jordan Love is turning into a top 10 QB, the receiving corps is super young is rapidly improving, and Josh Jacobs was a good addition to the RB room. If the defense can be better than mediocre, they could be a real threat to the top of the NFC. Philadelphia will be a good test in Week 1.
9. Los Angeles Rams 0-0
Week 1: at DET
Losing Aaron Donald hurts, but they are still going to be really good. Especially now that they get Cooper Kupp to start the season this time around. I don’t think they have the overall depth to contend for a Super Bowl, but they could be a threat to knock someone out in the playoffs.
10. New York Jets 0-0
Week 1: at SF
Alright. The Jets have a great defense as usual. They attacked their needs on the O-line and should be at least mediocre. Garrett Wilson is very good at WR and Breece Hall is an underrated back. Their success all rides on the return of Aaron Rodgers. How good he plays will determine the Jets ceiling. They could make a deep run in the playoffs if he’s good, or they could miss the playoffs entirely if he’s washed. Only time will tell.
11. Cincinnati Bengals 0-0 vs NE
12. Cleveland Browns 0-0 vs DAL
13. Atlanta Falcons 0-0 vs PIT
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0-0 vs WAS
15. Dallas Cowboys 0-0 at CLE
16. Jacksonville Jaguars 0-0 at MIA
17. Buffalo Bills 0-0 vs ARI
18. Tennessee Titans 0-0 at CHI
19. Indianapolis Colts 0-0 vs HOU
20. Pittsburgh Steelers 0-0 at ATL
21. Seattle Seahawks 0-0 vs DEN
22. New Orleans Saints 0-0 vs CAR
23. Las Vegas Raiders 0-0 at LAC
24. Minnesota Vikings 0-0 at NYG
25. Chicago Bears 0-0 vs TEN
26. Washington Commanders 0-0 at TB
27. Los Angeles Chargers 0-0 vs LV
28. Arizona Cardinals 0-0 at BUF
29. Denver Broncos 0-0 at SEA
30. New England Patriots 0-0 at CIN
31. Carolina Panthers 0-0 at NO
32. New York Giants 0-0 vs MIN
Playoff Scenario 1
These are my playoff predictions based on my rankings. I am not taking schedules into account.
AFC
1 Kansas City Chiefs
2 Baltimore Ravens
3 Miami Dolphins
4 Houston Texans
5 New York Jets
6 Cincinnati Bengals
7 Cleveland Browns
NFC
1 Detroit Lions
2 Philadelphia Eagles
3 San Francisco 49ers
4 Atlanta Falcons
5 Green Bay Packers
6 Los Angeles Rams
7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Playoff Scenario 2
This scenario is based on schedules. I went through and predicted the winner of every game to come to my conclusion based on these standings:
Playoff Scenario 3
Every year there is an average of about 6-7 new teams in playoffs meaning 6-7 teams make the playoffs that did not make the playoffs the previous year, so I’ll take my best guess as to what those teams could be.
AFC
1 Kansas City Chiefs
2 Baltimore Ravens
3 Miami Dolphins
4 Jacksonville Jaguars
5 New York Jets
6 Cincinnati Bengals
7 Tennessee Titans
NFC
1 Detroit Lions
2 Philadelphia Eagles
3 San Francisco 49ers
4 Atlanta Falcons
5 Green Bay Packers
6 Seattle Seahawks
7 New Orleans Saints
Final Playoff Prediction
Looking at these three scenarios, its pretty safe to say that none of them will be perfectly accurate. I’ll try to keep all three criteria in mind and make the best possible final prediction:
Wildcard
2 Baltimore Ravens vs 7 Jacksonville Jaguars 28-17
3 Miami Dolphins vs 6 Cincinnati Bengals 33-28
4 Houston Texans vs 5 New York Jets 21-17
2 Philadelphia Eagles vs 7 Seattle Seahawks 31-21
3 San Francisco 49ers vs 6 Los Angeles Rams 30-27
4 Atlanta Falcons vs 5 Green Bay Packers 24-31
Divisional
1 Kansas City Chiefs vs 4 Houston Texans 28-14
2 Baltimore Ravens vs 3 Miami Dolphins 24-28
1 Detroit Lions vs 5 Green Bay Packers 35-31
2 Philadelphia Eagles vs 3 San Francisco 49ers 21-23
Conference Championships
1 Kansas City Chiefs vs 3 Miami Dolphins 35-31
1 Detroit Lions vs 3 San Francisco 49ers 31-28
Super Bowl
1 Detroit Lions vs 1 Kansas City Chiefs 38-37
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