I originally had the Raiders ahead of the Chargers for no reason other than they might as well. Also I think their D is going to be better than decent. But Harbaugh has a history of having an immediate impact, so I’m going to say the Chargers and Raiders finish with the same record.
AFC South
Texans
Colts
Jaguars
Titans
I don’t really think the Texans are going to be that good, but they’re going to be fun to watch. Probably the division I care least about this year.
AFC North
Bengals
Ravens*
Browns
Steelers
A surprisingly competitive division last year and not the way you expected. I like the Bengals this year. I still like the Ravens.
AFC East
Dolphins
Jets*
Bills*
Patriots
This one’s the most difficult AFC division to figure out. I’ll be rooting for Josh Allen and the Bills, who I think I picked to win the Super Bowl each of the last three seasons, but who is he throwing the ball to? Too many exciting pieces on Miami and New York.
NFC West
Rams
49ers*
Cardinals
Seahawks
The Rams were so much better last year than people seem to remember.
NFC South
Falcons
Buccaneers*
Saints
Panthers
I feel silly picking the Falcons to win this division. No matter what they look like on paper, they finish the same: disappointments. I admit my pick here is a reflection of my impressions of Kirk Cousins on last year’s The Quarterback on Netflix. I really didn’t like him before, but now I do.
NFC North
Lions
Bears*
Packers
Vikings
Vikings will have the worst record in football, which makes me sad because I don’t think it’s going to be Sam Darnold’s fault. I flipped a coin on the Packers and Bears. I think Caleb just has to be decent in order for this team to win games. He is likely to be better than decent. Mina Kimes says this is going to be the most competitive division.
NFC East
Eagles
Cowboys
Commanders
Giants
If the Cowboys overperform and the Eagles underperform (as they did in the second half last year), the order at the top could be the other way, but who looks like the better team? Philly. Second place will just miss the wildcard.
—
AFC championship: Chiefs over Bills
NFC championship: 49ers over Lions
Super Bowl: 49ers over Chiefs
MVP: Christian McCaffrey
Comeback player of the year: Aaron Rodgers
I’m very out-of-touch with the NFL, but my guess is that the AFC North will be one the most competitive divisions. A lot depends on the level of play of DeShaun Watson and Russ. (For Russ, I think a lot depends on the Steelers OL.)
I no longer have gamepass, so I won’t be watching the games, but I hope Seattle’s defense is much improved. I hope their offense isn’t a spread passing attack in the run-and-shoot mold (but it’s looking like it will be).
Here are my picks. Wildcards have asterisks.
AFC Best
Chiefs
Raiders
Chargers
Broncos
I originally had the Raiders ahead of the Chargers for no reason other than they might as well. Also I think their D is going to be better than decent. But Harbaugh has a history of having an immediate impact, so I’m going to say the Chargers and Raiders finish with the same record.
AFC South
Texans
Colts
Jaguars
Titans
I don’t really think the Texans are going to be that good, but they’re going to be fun to watch. Probably the division I care least about this year.
AFC North
Bengals
Ravens*
Browns
Steelers
A surprisingly competitive division last year and not the way you expected. I like the Bengals this year. I still like the Ravens.
AFC East
Dolphins
Jets*
Bills*
Patriots
This one’s the most difficult AFC division to figure out. I’ll be rooting for Josh Allen and the Bills, who I think I picked to win the Super Bowl each of the last three seasons, but who is he throwing the ball to? Too many exciting pieces on Miami and New York.
NFC West
Rams
49ers*
Cardinals
Seahawks
The Rams were so much better last year than people seem to remember.
NFC South
Falcons
Buccaneers*
Saints
Panthers
I feel silly picking the Falcons to win this division. No matter what they look like on paper, they finish the same: disappointments. I admit my pick here is a reflection of my impressions of Kirk Cousins on last year’s The Quarterback on Netflix. I really didn’t like him before, but now I do.
NFC North
Lions
Bears*
Packers
Vikings
Vikings will have the worst record in football, which makes me sad because I don’t think it’s going to be Sam Darnold’s fault. I flipped a coin on the Packers and Bears. I think Caleb just has to be decent in order for this team to win games. He is likely to be better than decent. Mina Kimes says this is going to be the most competitive division.
NFC East
Eagles
Cowboys
Commanders
Giants
If the Cowboys overperform and the Eagles underperform (as they did in the second half last year), the order at the top could be the other way, but who looks like the better team? Philly. Second place will just miss the wildcard.
—
AFC championship: Chiefs over Bills
NFC championship: 49ers over Lions
Super Bowl: 49ers over Chiefs
MVP: Christian McCaffrey
Comeback player of the year: Aaron Rodgers
I’m very out-of-touch with the NFL, but my guess is that the AFC North will be one the most competitive divisions. A lot depends on the level of play of DeShaun Watson and Russ. (For Russ, I think a lot depends on the Steelers OL.)
I no longer have gamepass, so I won’t be watching the games, but I hope Seattle’s defense is much improved. I hope their offense isn’t a spread passing attack in the run-and-shoot mold (but it’s looking like it will be).