2020 NFC Season Preview
By Peyton Schultze
After another crushing playoff defeat in 2019, the New Orleans Saints enter the new year with redemption fresh on their mind (via Houma Today).
At last, football is almost upon us. After one of the most turbulent offseasons in league history that had many people wondering if there even would be any NFL football played this season, we sit just a single week out from the league’s 101st year of existence and the kickoff game between the Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs.
So what exactly will 2020 look like? Will Tom Brady’s Buccaneers shock the world and make a run toward this year’s Super Bowl? Are the Vikings and Packers destined to duke it out in the NFC North, or will another team challenge them? Can the 49ers and Seahawks find a way to sneak by the rest of the conference and get into the Super Bowl? Or will a team like the Cowboys or Eagles stun the world and emerge as serious contenders in the conference? The NFC is absolutely loaded in 2020, and it should be fun to watch some of the best teams in the league compete for a title all year long.
With that being said, here’s our team-by-team breakdown and predictions for the upcoming season in the AFC. In addition, please check the bottom of this post for award predictions and a key statement on the outlook on the upcoming season. Enjoy, and the countdown toward kickoff on September 10th continues now!
NFC North
1. Green Bay Packers
Aaron Rodgers enters the 2020 with a ton of noise surrounding the organization, but expect even more greatness from him once again (via Acme Packing Company).
It is a crazy thing to say that a team coming off a 13-3 record may be the most underrated team in the league entering the new year, but that is the exact position that Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers find themselves in. Green Bay did have a shaky offseason that had many heads shaking after they decided to take quarterback Jordan Love in the first round of this year’s draft, but there’s not a lot standing in their way in the NFC North other than a very good Minnesota team. With that being said, all of the attention is on Aaron Rodgers this year. The veteran quarterback appeared to take a slight step back in 2019 with an improved running game, but this is still one of the game’s elite players that can make any throw on any given night. Adding running back Aaron Jones and wide reciever Davante Adams to the equation once again only helps to make it easier for Rodgers’ offense, and there is a reasonable chance that this unit takes a step forward in Year 2 of Matt LaFleur’s offense. On the other side of the ball, the Packers once again return a solid unit that played better than expected in 2019. Pass rushers Preston and Za’Darius Smith are the group’s lethal weapons on the outside, and their ability to wreck games for opposing quarterbacks is a major strength for the D. In addition to this, the Packers boast a very solid secondary featuring Kevin King, Jaire Alexander, Darnell Savage, and Adrian Amos, and they should take another step forward after finding their groove late last season. It is realistic to think that Green Bay will take a slight step back from last year with a much harder schedule in front of them, but there is no reason to believe that this isn’t a Super Bowl contender right now. The Packers will face plenty of heat as they usually do, but don’t be stunned if this season ends with Rodgers hoisting another MVP Trophy… and maybe even another Lombardi Trophy if things go well.
Record: 11-5
Team MVP: Aaron Rodgers
2. Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota’s solid backfield figures to carry the load for the Vikings’ offense throughout the 2020 season (via ESPN).
The Minnesota Vikings pulled off one of the bigger upsets of the 2019 season when they beat the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Wild Card Round, but can they take another step forward this season? That’s the big question for the team this year, especially as they enter the season with higher expectations that they can finally get over the hump and back to the Super Bowl. But if this is going to be the case, the Vikings will surely count on the play of quarterback Kirk Cousins all year long. The Vikings do possess a very solid backfield featuring the supreme talent of running back Dalvin Cook, but there is plenty of pressure relying on Cousins and the Vikings’ passing attack to take this team to the next level. And especially now that fellow receiver Stefon Diggs is now relocated in Buffalo, many people will be counting on Cousins to rally this offense and get the ball into the hands of playmakers like Cook, wide reciever Adam Thielen, and rookie speedster Justin Jefferson even more often. But even with concerns over their offense, the Minnesota defense figures to be one of the best in all of football once again. The defensive line even took a major leap forward this week with the trade for monster pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue, who will help a solid front seven led by players like Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks. Meanwhile, the secondary should at least be competent again with safety Harrison Smith still roaming around the field. The defensive back unit certainly faced some lapses throughout the 2019 season, but look for head coach Mike Zimmer to shore up this profound weakness in the upcoming year. The Vikings are a good team all-around, but are they a great team worthy of winning a Super Bowl? It remains to be seen if they can truly reach that level, but it should at least be another good year worthy of a playoff spot in Minnesota.
Record: 10-6
Team MVP: Dalvin Cook
3. Chicago Bears
It looks like all defense once again in the Windy City for the Bears, who face a difficult road toward the postseason in 2020 (via Chicago Tribune).
Is there any more confusing team entering the season than the Chicago Bears? After looking like a Super Bowl for one second in 2018 and looking like a college football team for one second in 2019, the Bears enter the season with a ton of major question marks surrounding the organization. However, most of these questions are pinned on the team’s uninspiring quarterback play, which currently sits in a fierce competition between Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Foles. Neither option is considered elite, but the young Trubisky figures to still have some room to grow after a poor season for head coach Matt Nagy’s offense in 2019. Nevertheless, don’t be shocked if the Bears decide to start Foles if they think it gives them a better shot at immediately winning right now. If this is the case, Foles will be joined by a group of impact offensive players such as star receiver Allen Robinson, tight end Jimmy Graham, and running back David Montgomery, who is due for a much better second year after a disappointing rookie campaign. But the Bears are still solely built around their elite defense, which should continue to play at a high level in 2020 despite several elite offenses in the conference. With the all-world talents of players like Khalil Mack, Eddie Jackson, Roquan Smith, and Akiem Hicks, the Bears should be able to roll out a very good defense capable of finishing in the top-five in terms of points allowed by the season’s end. However, this once again turns attention back on the offense. If the Bears can get anything from their quarterback play, this is a team that matches up well with some of the best teams in the NFC and could make a deep run. But if Trubisky or Foles fails to impress and head coach Matt Nagy falls even deeper onto the hot seat, the Bears could be in for a rough season that has them sitting in the middle of the standings.
Record: 8-8
Team MVP: Khalil Mack
4. Detroit Lions
Even with a weak roster around him, quarterback Matthew Stafford remains a very good option at the position (via USA Today).
When head coach Matt Patricia was hired as the future leader of the Detroit Lions, many expected the defensive guru to make an immediate impact on a defense that has struggled for years. Since then, it’s been quite the opposite for Detroit, and Patricia enters the 2020 on the hot seat for an organization sitting in misery. Luckily for the coach, the Lions still have quarterback Matthew Stafford, who could be in for a career season with wide reciever Kenny Golladay serving as his top target on offense. Stafford has not always been the most recognizable quarterback in the league, but there is no denying that he is a very good option when healthy, which should at least keep the Lions in games this year. However, the signal caller will definitely need some help this season from his supporting cast, which includes a questionable offensive line, tight end T.J. Hockenson, and rookie running back D’Andre Swift. If some of these lesser known players can take a leap forward and really give an assist to their franchise player, maybe the Lions will be better than expected in 2020. But after a porous year in 2019 on the other side of the football, everyone’s attention is on the Lions’ defense. And now after losing elite cornerback Darius Slay to the Eagles, Detroit will need to fill his presence in the secondary in hopes of finding some immediate success. The team was able to add Desmond Trufant and draft Jeff Okudah to clean up the secondary, which should help this unit out quite a bit. In addition, the team still has elite defensive end Trey Flowers on the defensive line to get after quarterbacks in the conference, so it’s not all bad for this defense despite some low ranks last year. But even though they have some nice players who can make a difference for this team, are they capable of making any noise in the crowded NFC North? It’s hard to imagine that whatsoever, even if Stafford plays at a high level, which means that it will likely be another year with the Lions sitting on the sidelines of the NFC playoffs.
Record: 5-11
Team MVP: Matthew Stafford
NFC South
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Expect great things from Tom Brady and the Buccaneers this year in Tampa Bay (via Sporting News).
There have been plenty of spectacular offseasons in recent NFL history, but few match up to what just happened in southern Florida over the course of 2020. And for these Buccaneers, after signing arguably the greatest quarterback and the tight end in the history of the sport, things all of a sudden look dreamy and bright for their upcoming season outlook with some notable newcomers heading down to Tampa Bay for the winter. Leading the charge among everyone is the Bucs’ new starting quarterback in Tom Brady, someone who looks as if he can be the franchise’s difference maker with his late-career dominance that still has him playing at a high level. But even if Brady may be out of his element a bit in Florida for the start of the year after departing his longtime home in New England, don’t expect any kind of drop-off in his play with the talent surrounding him this season. Of course tight end Rob Gronkowski is the star most recognized among his new weapons, but the Bucs also roll out the league’s best wide reciever duo in the form of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. And with recently signed running back Leonard Fournette now joining the fray in Tampa, this offense has a real chance to finish the season as the top unit in the league and compete for a chance at the Super Bowl with a lethal offense led by head coach Bruce Arians. However, the Buccaneers do not appear to just be a one-trick pony after how well their defense played toward the end of last season. Led by the pass rushing talents of Shaquil Barrett, Jason Pierre-Paul, Vita Vea, and Ndamukong Suh on Tampa Bay’s defensive line, the Bucs have a chance to wreck some havoc for opposing quarterbacks. The defense also produces a solid linebacking duo of Lavonte David and Devin White in the middle of the field, while running out an improving secondary that had some bright late-season moments. So are the 2020 Bucs really ready to compete for the NFC South crown? Certainly, and they may even be able to compete with teams like the 49ers and Seahawks for the title of the NFC throne, which could see the Bucs finish the season by becoming the first team to ever appear in a Super Bowl in their home stadium.
Record: 13-3
Team MVP: Tom Brady
2. New Orleans Saints
After one of the best receiving season of all-time in 2019, Michael Thomas expects to have another dominant year for the Saints (via USA Online Sportsbooks).
2019 was another disappointing postseason run for the New Orleans Saints, but don’t discontinue the potential of this team once again in the upcoming season. With most of last year’s offense intact as led by quarterback Drew Brees, the Saints’ offense figures to once again be a major strength for the team. This is largely due to the trio of Brees (who worked on his arm strength in the offseason), reciever Michael Thomas, and running back Alvin Kamara, but the Saints have plenty of other options across their roster such as tight end Jared Cook and new receiver Emmanuel Sanders. But with Brees aging and still playing behind a very good offensive line, expect a much more run-centric and short passing approach from head coach Sean Payton to prepare New Orleans to finally get over the hump late in the season. On defense, the Saints once again return several star players who have the ability to change the game on a week-to-week basis. Chief among these players is defensive end Cameron Jordan, a player who does everything for this defense and has been a consistent block on this defense for years. However, Jordan is not alone on this unit, especially on the defensive front where they’ll run out players like Marcus Davenport and Malcom Brown to go along with a solid lienbacker group featuring Demario Davis. With that being said, New Orleans’ biggest challenge on defense will be in the secondary this year with so many elite passing attacks in the conference. The Saints have the talent in the back end to match up well with the likes of Tom Brady, Matt Ryan, Russell Wilson, and Aaron Rodgers, but only time will tell if they can hold up and become a real challenge for opposing offenses. This Saints’ roster is built to win right now, and with Brees quickly fading into the sunset, 2020 could be their last real chance at a ring for the foreseeable future. They might not finish with the best record in the NFC by year’s end, but this is a team with legitimate Super Bowl aspirations once again.
Record: 11-5
Team MVP: Michael Thomas
3. Atlanta Falcons
After a down year in 2019, the Falcons have some serious boom-or-bust potential once again this season (via DraftKings Nation).
The Falcons were one the strangest teams to follow throughout last season with failed expectations and injuries across the board, so their play this year should be a story to watch. But other than the addition of running back Todd Gurley and pass rusher Dante Fowler Jr., Atlanta’s team looks very similar to theirs from a year ago, which could be a concerning factor for some. Nevertheless, even with many people doubting how good this team can be in 2020, they still have a major advantage of being able to start quarterback Matt Ryan and reciever Julio Jones every single week when healthy. The duo of Ryan and Jones is one of the best combinations in recent NFL history, and their statistical output should not take any kind of dip this season after strong play from both in 2019. However, this Falcons’ offense needs some other members to step up in a big way. With Gurley aiming for a career resurgence after a concerning 2019 season with the Rams, the Falcons’ run game will need to improve in a big way to compliment the passing attacks featuring Jones, agile wide receiver Calvin Ridley, and tight end Hayden Hurst (who will fill in for new Browns’ tight end, Austin Hooper). But if the Falcons really want to get back into the postseason, all eyes will be on a defense that struggled mightily in 2019. Linebacker Deion Jones is the leader of this defense and his return to play will be a major boost, along with other solid members such as Grady Jarrett and Keanu Neal being counted on for big seasons. However, if this defense can’t improve upon their poor showing in 2019, head coach Dan Quinn is likely on his way out the door despite a successful tenure in Atlanta. The Falcons may be more underrated by us than any other team in the league heading into the season, which should make their play on the field an interesting development to watch in a crowded NFC South.
Record: 6-10
Team MVP: Julio Jones
4. Carolina Panthers
Carolina may be too young to compete for a playoff spot, but they should be fun to watch with Christian McCaffrey leading the way for the Panthers (via Yahoo! Sports).
With low expectations and not a ton of eyes on them entering the 2020 season, the Panthers may be near the bottom of the list of teams that people expect to be in the playoffs. That’s not a slight toward the direction of the franchise though, especially as they enter the first year with head coach Matt Rhule at the helm with an interesting offense. Newly signed quarterback Teddy Bridgewater enters the picture as the Panthers’ starter, and his connection with receivers like DJ Moore, Curtis Samuel, and Robby Anderson should be interesting to watch after solid years in New Orleans as Drew Brees’ backup. But make no mistake about it: the Panthers are Christian McCaffrey’s team. McCaffrey is arguably one of the ten best players in all of football, and you can guarantee he will put up incredible numbers once again for the Panthers if Rhule uses him early and often. But even if the Panthers’ offense emerges as an impact unit, is there really any hope for one of the league’s worst defenses? That question has to linger throughout the organization following Luke Kuechly’s stunning retirement, which has left the Panthers with a lack of defensive resources across the board. Linebacker Shaq Thompson and and defensive tackle Kawann Short still figure to be leaders of this defense, but the 2020 season could see plenty of struggles on that side of the ball. Carolina does not seem like a team with a high ceiling that could see them finish in first place in the NFC South, but they don’t seem like one of the worst teams in the league by any means either. With that being said, even with a likely poor record coming their way, the 2020 season should give Panthers’ fan a chance to see what head coach Matt Rhule has in store for the next era of football in Carolina.
Record: 5-11
Team MVP: Christian McCaffrey
NFC West
1. San Francisco 49ers
Niners’ quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is begging for another chance at a Super Bowl ring after San Francisco’s crushing loss in February to Kansas City (via Yahoo News).
The 2019 regular season almost entirely belonged to the physical and dominant San Francisco 49ers, who rode their momentum from the season into last year’s Super Bowl down in Miami. The Niners would lose that game at the hands of a fourth quarter comeback from Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, but that surely does not mean that these 49ers are not a serious contender once again in the NFC heading into the 2020 season. With that being said, this team, as evident throughout last season, is purely built on defense, and San Francisco should rank among the top-five units in football once again on that side of the ball. With budding superstars such as Nick Bosa, Richard Sherman, and Fred Warner ranking among the best at their respective positions in the league and likely playing at a high level once again, this defense should be set up for plenty of success in 2020. However, the Niners’ main focus for improvement comes on offense, which was sometimes inconsistent last year. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo headlines the unit under massive criticism from his play in last year’s playoffs, but the confident signal caller should take a step forward from last year and improve his numbers across the board for head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense. And with other star players like tight end George Kittle, stud running back Raheem Mostert, and speedy reciever Deebo Samuel helping out to take some of the pressure off their quarterback, San Francisco should be in an even better position to take that next step toward a championship in the 2020 season. This team will surely face its fair share of criticism throughout the season, even if they keep producing wins at a high level. But make no mistake: this is the NFC’s best team until proven otherwise.
Record: 12-4
Team MVP: Nick Bosa
2. Seattle Seahawks
Russell Wilson had an MVP-type year in 2020 despite Seattle’s flaws, and should only continue to put up similar numbers from his last campaign (via Yakima Herald).
Even though their fellow NFC West rivals stole most of the headlines in the 2019 season, the Seahawks had plenty of success and may have been a few injuries shy of making a run toward the Super Bowl. Most of this is due to the magnificent play from quarterback Russell Wilson, who enters this year as one of the most recognizable and respected players in all of football. Although Wilson often has to carry the load for this offense with his accurate deep ball and unique scrambling ability, he will have some solid help on offense in 2020. The offensive line protecting him is still rather shaky, but weapons such as receivers DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett should be in for major statistical seasons if the Seattle offense truly lets Wilson unleash his talent. Meanwhile, although they struggled mightily at times in 2019, the Seahawks’ defense lucked out in landing one of the league’s top defensive backs in safety Jamal Adams. The star safety is a game-changer for any defense he is a part of, and his presence in a strong Seahawks’ locker room should bring plenty of swagger to a team led by the elite talents of all-world linebacker Bobby Wagner. With both sides of the ball looking as dangerous as ever, there’s a great chance that Pete Carroll’s team could represent the NFC in this year’s final game. And even though Seattle is a pretty top-heavy roster that will struggle at times versus lesser teams, these Seahawks have a chance at beating any team in the league on a week-to-week basis for as long as Wilson stays in town.
Record: 11-5
Team MVP: Russell Wilson
3. Los Angeles Rams
The Rams had a down year in 2019 based off their recent success, but there’s a least some sort of optimism heading into the year for this team despite a loaded division (via Ramblin’ Fan).
Head coach Sean McVay has been the talk of the league since he entered the Rams’ organization after the firing of controversial coach Jeff Fisher, but the young coach finally faced some real criticism after Los Angeles missed the playoffs in 2019. Now, as the Rams have moved on from star running back Todd Gurley and are looking forward to moving into a flashy new stadium in Inglewood, there are plenty of question marks surrounding McVay’s team that sits in the middle of the best division in the NFL. Like Seattle, this team has stars all over the field, especially on a defense that should not have struggled as much as it did in 2019. But with franchise cornerstones in elite cornerback Jalen Ramsey and the giant in the middle known as Aaron Donald, this team has a chance to rank among the best in the league with pure game wreckers like them on the field. They still need some real help in a secondary that has thinned out with recent departures, but the Rams’ defense should at least be more than competent in 2020. With this in mind, all attention turns toward quarterback Jared Goff and the Rams’ offense. Goff has been one of the most criticized players in the sport in recent seasons, but with loaded receiving talents like Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, and tight end Tyler Higbee being deployed at his disposal, there’s no reason Goff can put up some big numbers. Add in the fact that the Rams’ offensive line seems to have slightly improved and fresh legs in their backfield should take pressure off the poised signal caller, and good things could be on the way in LA. However, this division and the Rams' opponents in the NFC may be too great to overcome this season. This isn’t to say that this team can’t win a lot of games against quality opponents, but the obstacles in front of them may just be a little too difficult to overcome in the 2020 season.
Record: 8-8
Team MVP: Aaron Donald
4. Arizona Cardinals
All eyes are on star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins in his first year in the desert alongside young quarterback, Kyler Murray, in an emerging offense (via Bleacher Report).
As one of the more popular picks to emerge on both sides of the ball and make a run at a playoff berth in the 2020 season, the Arizona Cardinals enter the new year with high expectations for the first time since the Bruce Arians and Carson Palmer era of football in the desert. Largely due to some major moves in terms of offensive personnel, the hype could be well-deserved, and it’s only a matter of time before we see exactly what Kyler Murray can do in the second year of his young career. Now, with two other playmakers in wide reciever DeAndre Hopkins and versatile running back Kenyan Drake helping out the youngster, Murray should be able to put up even bigger numbers despite plenty of stiff competition among defenses in the conference. It is a mystery if Murray can live up to what many people think could be a MVP-type season, but it does not seem too far fetched to say that the quarterback could become one of the better players at the position in the league in 2020. Meanwhile on the Arizona defense, expect some kind of improvement with some nice players across the board. Defensive end Chandler Jones is the team’s best overall player and one of the best pure pass rushers in the league, but he does have some additional help in 2020 with some intriguing, young players like safety Budda Baker and rookie linebacker Isaiah Simmons. If this defense can emerge and challenge the solid quarterback group found in the NFC West, despite an iffy secondary that still features a future Hall of Famer in Patrick Peterson, maybe this is a playoff team that is being underestimated by some. But this is a major if, and there may be too high of expectations this early on in Kliff Kingsbury’s tenure as head coach, especially considering the lack of depth and harsh schedule they face. Arizona has a bright future ahead of them with Murray leading the way, but their emergence may be just a year or two away from now considering the power of the NFC.
Record: 6-10
Team MVP: Chandler Jones
NFC East
1. Philadelphia Eagles
After leading the Eagles to the postseason despite plenty of injuries across the board, quarterback Carson Wentz is looking to attract MVP voters once again with another big year (via USA Today).
Things were not perfect by any means for the Eagles in 2019, but something happened that turned the tide of the NFC East: Carson Wentz stepped up to the plate. Criticized for often being injured and not developing into the superstar that many projected him to be, Wentz carried the Eagles on his back and into the postseason despite a battered offensive core and an at-times miserable defense that took a step back a season ago. Now, as Philadelphia looks to once again return to the postseason under head coach Doug Pederson, 2020 could be a year where the Eagles are ready to make some noise again and get back to the Super Bowl. The headliner will be the talents of Wentz once again, but at full health, he is surrounded by several great weapons on offense. Running back Miles Sanders and tight end Zach Ertz figure to have major seasons once again for the Eagles, and an often-injured offensive line returns most of its starters despite longtime tackle Jason Peters taking a step back in the rotation this year. But if Philly really wants to be a top tier contender in the NFC in 2020, though, they’ll need their defense to rebound in a major way. Luckily for them, they made a great offseason move in acquiring shutdown corner Darius Slay to help lead a decent secondary with other players such as Jalen Mills and Rodney McLeod. This should not only bolster their secondary, but help to create even more pressure on opposing passers having to face a solid pass rush featuring veteran studs like Fletcher Cox, Derek Barnett, and Brandon Graham. Philadelphia showed plenty of promise even with all of their major injuries last season, so it looks like this is a team poised to take another step forward in the NFC. They’ll face competition from the Cowboys in the division, but expect big things from Philly in 2020.
Record: 12-4
Team MVP: Carson Wentz
2. Dallas Cowboys
As usual, Jerry Jones’ Dallas Cowboys face a ton of pressure to step up and make a run at the Super Bowl this season (via Dallas Morning News).
Contract talks, offseason injuries, and a new head coach aside, this Cowboys’ roster should rank among the best in all of football. So without a ton of change or improvement across the board, how can the Cowboys improve from last year’s disappointment? Owner Jerry Jones better hope his new leader of the clubhouse is the answer to that problem, because time appears to be quickly running out for the core of these Cowboys to finally challenge the NFC elite and make a run toward the Super Bowl. Head coach Mike McCarthy enters the picture this year to put a jolt into quarterback Dak Prescott, who is coming off arguably his best season as a pro. The quarterback has some nice targets across the board in rookie CeeDee Lamb, veteran star Amari Cooper, and solid third option Michael Gallup, and McCarthy should bring some more creativity to the offense after putting up with Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay. But with Prescott dealing with a concerning contract situation and without full trust being thrown in his direction, expect the Cowboys to turn their attention to once again getting the ball in the hands of running back Ezekiel Elliott, one of the league’s special talents. But after posting some huge numbers on offense in 2019, maybe Dallas’ biggest problem is not on that side of the ball. The Cowboys’ defense faced a lot of injuries in 2019, and they better hope that the injury bug doesn’t bite this unit again with some solid playmakers. Leighton Vander Esch and Jaylon Smith make up an elite linebacking core to help out a defensive line led by DeMarcus Lawrence and newly-acquired end Everson Griffen, but the secondary has problems with Bryon Jones now in Miami. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Xavier Woods will likely have to carry the load in the back end, and they will have the ultimate task of stopping some of the best quarterbacks in the league on their schedule this year. Dallas isn’t a bad team by any means, but they aren’t really an encouraging one at this point in time. Always expect chaos when it comes to this team, but Dallas may not meet expectations once again and fail to deliver a postseason appearance in McCarthy’s first season in Big D.
Record: 8-8
Team MVP: Ezekiel Elliott
3. New York Giants
New York has two exciting building blocks in Barkley and Jones on offense, but they still have some concerning question marks throughout the organization (via USA Today).
Maybe it was due to the team’s star power or immediate brand recognition across the league, but the 2019 season never felt like a massive failure for the Giants despite a bad 4-12 record. Sure, the controversy surrounding quarterback Eli Manning and his prodigy, Daniel Jones, was something mentioned all year long, but Jones ended up having a solid rookie season and the offense produced some nice numbers when healthy. But with Dallas and Philadelphia ruling the NFC East in recent seasons, the Giants have a big season on their hands as they look to finally rise up and get back into the playoffs. If every team was only based on their offensive talents, the 2020 Giants would enter the year with a lot of promise. Jones looks like a solid franchise quarterback and Saquon Barkley may be the most talented running back in all of football. And even though their offensive line is one of the worst units in the league, Jones should improve on his tendency to hold onto the ball in his second year. However, looking over to the defensive side of the ball, New York might be one of the worst units in the leagues. It is hard to think they will be as bad as they were in 2019, especially considering their solid offseason signing of linebacker Blake Martinez, but their pass rush and secondary remain weak units outside of safety Jabrill Peppers and fellow defensive ends in Dexter Lawrence and Leonard Williams. It is not quite all bad for the Giants’ defense, but there needs to be a serious improvement on defense in 2020 if they want to reach the playoffs. With that being said, there have been some concerning rumblings from Giants’ camp so far about the authority of new head coach Joe Judge. If this becomes a lingering issue among the team and their recent losing causes massive waves throughout the New York media, this could be a truly disappointing year for the New York Football Giants despite a weak NFC East. And without a ton of confidence in the organization right now to begin with, more trouble could quickly be on the horizon for a team struggling to find their footing in recent years despite a solid cast of young talent.
Record: 5-11
Team MVP: Daniel Jones
4. Washington Football Team
Washington looks like it is on its way to one of the worst records in the league following a terrible offseason full of chaos and controversy (via Hogs Haven).
Following a team re-branding and plenty of front office disruptions from all over the place, the Washington Football Team enters the 2020 season at the bottom of the league in terms of on-the-field hope for success. Yes, the team did make a great choice in drafting defensive end Chase Young, a rookie sensation that should actually make Washington’s defensive line a very dangerous unit. But outside of that addition and the signing of an experienced head coach in Ron Rivera, could the offseason really have gone any worse for this organization? At the very least, following an unpromising rookie year, Washington fans will get another look at the promise of quarterback Dwayne Haskins, who enters the year as the clear-cut starter. Haskins’ running game isn’t amazing with veteran Adrian Peterson and rookie back Antonio Gibson likely to get touches, but there’s hope that they’ll take some pressure off behind a decent, yet injury-prone, offensive line. With wide reciever Terry McLaurin emerging as Washington’s best offensive option to help Haskins reach his potential, fans should get a look at the future if the team decides to stay the course and work with these young players. On the other side of the ball, at least Washington has a little more promise for some future success. The Washington defensive line is truly the ultimate strength of this team, especially with the addition of young into a rotation of studs that can get after passers like Ryan Kerrigan, Daron Payne, and Jonathan Allen. However, the team still lacks a lot of depth at the linebacker and defensive back positions, with safety Landon Collins roaming around the field arguably as the team’s best player. In the end, it’s hard to find anyone that thinks this team can make a ton of noise this season, especially considering the tumultuous events in recent weeks. Washington is quickly on their way to another poor season, and don’t be surprised if their consolation prize is the chance to select Trevor Lawrence or Justin Fields in next year’s draft.
Record: 2-14
Team MVP: Chase Young
Season Predictions
The on-going battle of NFC West powerhouses in Seattle and San Francisco figures to be a major part of the NFC’s race to Super Bowl LV (via Yahoo! Sports).
Wild Card Round
#1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (13-3) BYE
#2 San Francisco 49ers (12-4) over #6 Minnesota Vikings (10-6)
#6 Seattle Seahawks (11-5) over #3 Philadelphia Eagles (12-4)
#5 New Orleans Saints (11-5) over #4 Green Bay Packers (11-5)
Divisional Round
#1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (13-3) over #6 Seattle Seahawks (11-5)
#2 San Francisco 49ers (12-4) over #5 New Orleans Saints (11-5)
Conference Championship
#2 San Francisco 49ers (12-4) over #1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (13-3)
NFC Champions
#2 San Francisco 49ers (12-4)
Super Bowl LV in Tampa, FL
#1 Baltimore Ravens (14-2) over #2 San Francisco 49ers (12-4)
Super Bowl LV Champions
#1 Baltimore Ravens (14-2)
Award Predictions
Superstar defensive end Aaron Donald is a yearly lock to be a contender for the Defensive Player of the Year award (via USA Today).
MVP: QB Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
Dark Horse: QB Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
After capturing the first championship of his short career in the past year, the Chiefs’ star quarterback has to be considered the favorite for the MVP if he can stay healthy for all 16 games. Players like Lamar Jackson and Russell Wilson will give him a run for his money, but the right-handed gunslinger should be in a great position to take home his second award. Nevertheless, if there’s one narrative that could capture award voters’ attention, it’s Tom Brady’s first year in Tampa Bay. If he can lead the Bucs to great success and put up a serious statistical season, the award could easily become Brady’s to lose.
Offensive Player of the Year: RB Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers
Dark Horse: RB Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders
After one of the most insane statistical seasons in recent memory as the focal point of the Carolina offense, McCaffrey figures to be in for another spectacular year. With serious skills as a pass-catcher and runner on the outside, the versatile running back remains one of the best weapons in the league with the ability to take over any game. But watch out for Vegas’ own star running back in Josh Jacobs, especially since head coach Jon Gruden figures to feed him the ball at a astonishingly high rate in 2020.
Defensive Player of the Year: DE Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams
Dark Horse: CB Tre’Davious White, Buffalo Bills
There’s not a single better player on the defensive side of the ball in the NFL than Donald, so it’s only fitting that he is once again the favorite for Defensive Player of the Year. With rare speed and strength for an interior pass rusher, expect Donald to once again reach somewhere near the 20 sack mark once the season comes to a close. However, after Tre’Davious White’s breakout 2019 season, expect another leap forward on one of the league’s best defense. If the Bills get off to a roaring start and once again reach the top of the AFC East, their best player could easily gain serious recognition for the award.
Offensive Rookie of the Year: QB Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
Dark Horse: RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City Chiefs
Even though the Bengals aren’t expected to make much noise in the AFC, rookie quarterback Joe Burrow has all of the NFL tools ready in his arsenal to make an immediate impact in the league. Coming off his special Heisman season in his senior year at LSU, Burrow’s confidence and unique traits as a quarterback should lead to plenty of immediate success. One of the many explosive offensive talents from the 2020 NFL Draft could also capture home the award (someone like Denzel Mims of the Jets or Clyde Edwards-Helaire of the Chiefs could immediately become focal points on offense), but this is Burrow’s award to lose at the moment as he is already locked in as Cincy’s Week 1 starter.
Defensive Rookie of the Year: LB Isaiah Simmons, Arizona Cardinals
Dark Horse: DT Javon Kinlaw, San Francisco 49ers
Arguably the most talented player from the 2020 NFL Draft alongside defensive end Chase Young, Cardinals’ linebacker Isaiah Simmons figures to be in a great position to be a star from Day 1. As one of the best players already on an otherwise-shallow Cardinals’ defense, Simmons has the talent and tools to help turn this defense around and get Arizona back into the NFC playoff hunt. Javon Kinlaw of the 49ers could make some big noise on a title contender or Chase Young could dominate from the get-go, but Simmons could be this year’s star rookie on the defensive side.
Coach of the Year: Frank Reich, Indianapolis Colts
Dark Horse: Vic Fangio, Denver Broncos
Even though he gained some fair recognition as a contender for the award for most of last season, this could be a resurgent year for Frank Reich and the Indianapolis Colts. With a wide-open path toward the top of the AFC South and a loaded roster full of studs on both sides of the ball, Indy could become a contender in the conference and present a real challenge to the Ravens and Chiefs. Also, keep out eye out for Denver’s Vic Fangio, especially after a very strong finish to the 2019 season. If the Broncos turn it around and get back into the postseason, there’s a real chance Fangio could take home the award for his defensive wizardry.
A Statement from The Golden Angeleno
*re-issued from last week’s AFC Season Preview
Black Lives Matter.
It is a statement that sounds so obvious that it is truly shocking that we have to keep mentioning it time and time again. Yet there are too many things that keep happening in this country that prove that some people think otherwise. Remember these names, all recently slain at the hands of police officers around the country. George Floyd. Breonna Taylor. And now, Jacob Blake.
It’s not okay. And at this point, it’s not okay to simply let things slide for as long as a certain group, race, or community is constantly being treated unequally.
Everyone is tired of the excuses. These people do not deserve to die behind systemic racism and a twisted justice system that isn’t treating its citizens with constant love, honor, and respect for all. It’s easy to ignore something that is uncomfortable to talk about, but that doesn’t mean it’s right. What everyone wants is change, and what significant change and reform can provide is freedom, justice, and equality for every race all across the country.
Take what the late, great Kobe Bryant preached. Expand your capabilities and be better, no matter the cost. Whether it’s football, parenthood, baseball, writing, or anything else important to your own life, be better.
Take this lesson, and look toward the past to find solutions for the future. And as someone who knows a fair amount about the history of the Los Angeles Dodgers, themes of equality and fighting for what you believe in resonate throughout the fan base and to many people throughout Los Angeles.
On April 15th, 1947, a 28-year old second baseman named Jackie Robinson debuted for the Brooklyn Dodgers and broke the color barrier for the first time in professional sports. Despite major threats and the sport being segregated for over 50 years, Robinson stepped inside Ebbets Field and changed the world forever with his strength, courage, and will to make a difference in the world.
On October 6th, 1965, and Game 1 of the 1965 World Series, perhaps the game’s greatest pitcher and a proud Jewish man, Sandy Koufax, opted to sit out the first game of the matchup between the Dodgers and the Twins as it fell on the same day as Yom Kippur. Koufax faced backlash for sitting out of the first game, but chose his faith over his career without much hesitation. Just six games later, those same ‘65 Dodgers would win the World Series over the Twins after falling behind 0-2 in the series. And the World Series MVP? None other than the great Koufax.
We saw something similar this past week with the Milwaukee Bucks boycotting the fifth game of their first round playoff series versus the Orlando Magic. Although it had nothing to do with a religious holiday or a major hurdle, the Bucks made a statement to the country that they were willing to put their careers and reputations on the line if it meant standing up and attempting to fight for what they believe in.
As we enter the upcoming NFL season, these messages need to be as clear as ever. This is not a political issue; this is a human-being issue with some major implications at every step. Make a difference. Fight for equality. Rise up and cause good trouble. And of course, be better.
For more information, here are some important links if you’d like to help out or become more educated on certain subject matters. Thank you.
California Voter Registration: https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/
How to Register to Vote: https://www.usa.gov/register-to-vote
How to Demand Justice for Jacob Blake: https://www.elle.com/culture/career-politics/a33753261/jacob-blake-police-shooting-wisconsin-how-to-help/
Justice for Breonna Taylor: https://www.change.org/p/andy-beshear-justice-for-breonna-taylor
How to Help the Black Lives Matter Movement: https://time.com/5849721/how-to-help-black-lives-matter-protests/