2018 Picks

9.6.18

It’s game day and the kickoff of the 2018 NFL Season. There are a lot of hopes and Super expectations across the league. Some teams look great on paper and others may surprise us. Here are my picks from start to finish, from AFC to NFC.

In the AFC East, I expect New England to win the division again but they will be challenged by the improved Jets team. The Bills and Dolphins will bring up the rear.

In the AFC North, Cleveland is much improved and the Ravens have to figure out when to sit Flacco. The Bengals might be at the bottom at the end of the season. Pittsburgh will win the division again, if they are health and play smart football.

In the AFC South, there is a contender in the Jaguars and Houston with their comeback QB. The Titans look to right the ship and the Colts are Lucky again. Healthly QBs will be a determining factor for all four. If all things stand, Jags win the division with the Texans right behind them.

In the AFC West, watchout for the lightning in LA with the Chargers who had a good run at the close of the 2017 season. Oakland is on watch under their new head coach over which are lingering questions and uncertainties. Denver will struggle. But KC can win the division.

Now for the NFC East, the beast is in the East which is the only division with all four teams holding Super Bowl championships. The Giants are loaded. The Cowboys got their RB back but issues remain. Washington might be better than the bottom. The Eagles are just as talented as last year but they must overcome history to win the division again. Eagles finish first again with the Giants right on their heels.

In the NFC North, the Packers have their guy back at QB but WRs need to show up. The Bears are better and hopeful. Detroit could surprise and break out as a legitimate contender. Minnesota is the best and will top the division with Cousins at QB, but the Pack will fight them for it.

In the NFC South, the Saints have unfinished business after last years heart-breaking defeat to the Vikings. The Panthers have offensive coordinator Turner but it’s gotta work with QB Cam Newton. Questions remain. Atlanta will try to do what they couldn’t do last year and get back to the Bowl. Tampa will be at the bottom still working out QB issues.

In the NFC West, the Rams are the favorites to win the division and make it to Bowl. The 49ers have high expectations with QB Jimmy Garoppolo. Seattle is rebuilding may finish at the bottom where they will fight with the Cardinals.

There are always surprise teams and pretenders. There will be no surprise from the LA Chargers. Expect Chicago to surprise but they might be a consolation door prize along with the Kansas City, Washington, New York Jets, Houston, and San Francisco. These teams will be better, but I don’t know if they can sustain it through the season.

The final standings:

The AFC will be represented in the playoffs by the Patriots, Steelers, Jaguars, Chargers, Texans, and Chiefs.

The NFC will be represented in the playoffs by the Rams, Vikings, Saints, Eagles, Giants, and Packers.

For the Super Bowl we must always turn to the Philadelphia Eagles schedule. It never fails. The Eagles always play one or both the Super Bowl contenders, or else they are in the big game. This hasn’t failed for three decades. So from what I can deduce, the potential Super-Bowl-bound teams could be the Falcons, Vikings, Giants, Jaguars, Saints, Rams, Texans, and Colts. I’m giving the Saints, the Rams, and the Texans the edge. The Eagles might repeat, but there’s a lot of history against them. If not, here are my picks to make the Super Bowl: Saints/Rams vs Jaguars/Texans/Patriots/Pittsburgh. If I had to narrow it down, Saints vs Patriots.