It’s time to cast my lot and choose which teams will do what in the NFL’s 102nd season.
AFC NORTH
1. Baltimore (12-5) – Getting the edge because it knows how to win.
2. Cleveland (9-8) – Lots of talent, but little to no winning mentality or culture… yet.
3. Pittsburgh (7-10) – Rebuild shouldn’t take long, but for now, a step back.
4. Cincinnati (6-11) – A healthy Burrow means a few more wins.
AFC EAST
1.Buffalo (13-4) – A well-rounded team that came together nicely… and quickly.
2. Miami (10-7) – Brian Flores: most underrated head coach in the league.
3. New England (10-7) – Only one year down, but the league blew by New England.
4. NY Jets (4-13) – Wilson could fare quite well, but division got better.
AFC SOUTH
1. Indianapolis (11-6) – Wentz an upgrade over Rivers (if healthy); good line play on O and D.
2. Tennessee (10-7) – Henry shines again, but Tannehill comes back to earth.
3. Jacksonville (6-11) – New coach, new outlook, and a few more wins.
4. Houston (3-14) – The worst team in the league, and it fell quickly to get here.
AFC WEST
1. Kansas City (14-3) – New O-line; no reason not to expect another trip to the Bowl.
2. LA Chargers (11-6) – If healthy, a team can make a lot of noise.
3. Denver (8-9) – A very schizophrenic team; you never know which will appear.
4. Las Vegas (6-11) – Big plays on offense, but shoddy tackling doomed them in ’20.
AFC Playoffs
AFC seeds: 1. Kansas City 2. Buffalo 3. Baltimore 4. Indianapolis 5. LA Chargers 6. Miami 7. Tennessee
Wild Card Weekend: Buffalo over Tennessee, Baltimore over Miami, LA Chargers over Indianapolis
Divisional Round: Kansas City over LA Chargers, Baltimore over Buffalo
AFC Championship: Kansas City over Baltimore
NFC NORTH
1. Minnesota (11-6) – If healthy, an underrated, dangerous bunch.
2. Green Bay (10-7) – Window closing fast on prickly Rodgers and this team.
3. Chicago (6-11) – Last year, a playoff-berth mirage. In ’21, reality.
4. Detroit (5-12) – Combative rookie coach, below-par Goff mean… same old story.
NFC EAST
1. Dallas (11-6) – Healthy O, younger D in the division with no-repeat winner since 2004.
2. NY Giants (9-8) – Getting better in all the right places.
3. Washington (7-10) – Can’t deal with prosperity; offense not good enough yet.
4. Philadelphia (5-12) – Amazingly, a tough team fell quickly like Houston.
NFC SOUTH
1.Tampa Bay (13-4) – Every starter came back to a defending champ; rare, indeed.
2.Carolina (9-8) – New coach Ruhle could be the 2021 edition of Brian Flores.
3. New Orleans (8-9) – No Brees automatically means a huge drop-off.
4. Atlanta (6-11) – The defense has to be better, right?
NFC WEST
1. LA Rams (12-5) – A better all-around team than people think, but injury bug present.
2. Seattle (11-6) – ‘Hawks are the NFC’s Ravens, always in the mix.
3. San Francisco (9-8) – Trey Lance: a small-school QB who could surprise.
4. Arizona (8-9) – A respectable showing in a very tough division.
NFC Playoffs
NFC seeds: 1. Tampa Bay 2. LA Rams 3. Minnesota 4. Dallas 5. Seattle 6. Green Bay 7. New York Giants
Wild Card Weekend: LA Rams over New York Giants, Minnesota over Green Bay, Dallas over Seattle
Divisional Round: LA Rams over Minnesota, Tampa Bay over Dallas
NFC Championship: LA Rams over Tampa Bay
SUPER BOWL 56
Feb. 13, 2022; SoFi Stadium; Inglewood, California (NBC)
With another title in a three-year run (and counting?), the red-clad gang makes an early claim for “Team Of The Decade.”
Kansas City 41, Los Angeles Rams 33
