2019 NFL Playoff Preview

Summer has come and gone, Labor Day has passed, and that dreaded 4 week pre-season is finally over, which means regular season football is back. The season opens up tomorrow night with the Chicago Bears hosting the Green Bay Packers, two hopeful playoff teams, with a riviraly that goes back to 1921. The Packers hold the edge over the Bears 96-94 on head to head matchups. Arguably the best rivalry in football, the matchup should be a great kickoff to the beginning of the 2019-2020 NFL season. 

Every team starts with the same record at 0-0, but many teams will slowly fade from the playoff picture and some teams will separate themselves from the pack. Now time for predictions of playoff teams, Conference Champions, and of course the Super Bowl winner. 

AFC

1 seed: New England Patriots 

The defending Super Bowl champions will win the AFC East with ease, the only question is if they get the number 1 or 2 seed. Their division includes 3 rebuilding teams, where they can easily go 5-1 or 6-0 against them. The Patriots are known for starting slow in September and a week 1 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers is a tough challenge out of the gate. Their defense is younger than previous years and their leader, Tom Brady has shown no sign of slowing down even at age 42.

2 seed: Kansas City Chiefs

 Arguably the best team in the AFC, the most complete offense in the AFC without question are the Chiefs. Their coach, quarterback combination of Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes have a year together under their belt and look to improve on their impressive debut year together. Mahomes, the reigning MVP, still has a ton of offensive firepower around him, including pro bowlers, Tyree Hill and Travis Kelce. Their defensive line is still a force behind Chris Jones and Frank Clark. They also signed Tryann Mathieu to bolster their secondary, which last year was their weakness.

3 seed: Pittsburgh Steelers 

One of the more intriguing division in football is none other than the AFC North. The reigning division champions, Balitmore Ravens believe they are still the best division and the new improved Cleveland Browns are entering the season with Super Bowl aspirations. And now enter the Pittsburgh Steelers, the best team in the division over the last 10 years. They lost their number one distraction this offseason, Antino Brown and addressed their number one weakness, linebacker. They drafted Devin Bush 10th overall in this year’s draft. Their defensive line is still the best in the division and a year after leading the league in passing yards Ben Roethlisberger is poised for another big season.

4 seed: Jacksonville Jaguars

The departure of Andrew Luck has opened up the AFC South. No other team benefits more than Andrew Luck retiring than the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars addressed their biggest weakness from last season, where they had high hopes but ended the season 5-11. They released Blake Bortles and signed Super Bowl MVP, Nick Foles to a 4 year contact. The Jaguars still have one of the best defenses in football headlined by their cornerback duo of Jalen Rasmey and A.J. Bouye. They also added to a strength of theirs, their defensive line. They drafted Josh Allen, the S.E.C. defensive player of the year last year 7th overall. Learnord Fournette is also in the best shape of his NFL life after a disappointing season last year and is ready for his breakout year. Nick Foles, however, is the difference maker the Jaguars needed to compete with the very best and is motivated to show his time with the Eagles was not a fluke. 

5 seed: Cleveland Browns

The hype is real with the Browns. Their starting 11 on offense and defense can challenge any teams in football, their maturity is what is at question. They are a very young with not much experienced with the position they currently find themselves. Baker Mayfield is ready to take a huge leap in year 2. He has many great offensive pieces surrounding him. The newest Brown, Odell Beckham is set up for success with Mayfeild, the best quarterback he has played with. Their defense is young, but very talented. If they can play up to potential there is no reason the Browns should not make the playoffs.

6 seed: Los Angeles Chargers

Melvin Gordon seems to have played his last football with the Chargers unless he decides to play under his current contact. He has requested a trade within the past few days, and the Chargers have allowed him to speak with other teams. However, the Chargers have great depth at running back with Autin Eckler and Justin Jackson manning the backfield now. Philip Rivers is one of the best quarterbacks of the past decade and deserves more respect. They lost a key defensive piece, Derwin James, for at least 3 months, which is a huge loss but with 2 rebuilding teams in their division and their great ability to play on the road the Chargers find themselves in the playoffs once again.  

 

NFC

1 seed: Philadelphia Eagles

The deepest team in the NFC and arguably football. They bring back their stellar defensive line headlined by Fletcher Cox, and also added Malik Jackson to it. The secondary a season ago was riddled by injuries, but still played well down the stretch to keep them in games. Malclom Jenkins still leads the group and is their vertern, vocal leader on defense. Carson Wentz is back and healthy. The biggest concern is quarterback depth behind Wentz, which can be scary with Wentez’s injury history, but if he can stay healthy and continues to grow his already impressive game their offense will be hard to stop. DeSean Jackson gives Wentez a great deep threat and big time playmaker. The biggest thing with the Eagles is their health, if they can stay healthy, especially Wentz they are too talented to not win the NFC East.

2 seed: Los Angeles Rams

For being in the entertainment capital of the world, the Rams offense last season sure was entertaining to watch. This season should be no different. They signed Jared Goff to a 4 year 134 million dollar extension days before the season started, which is a huge weight off their shoulders. Their wide receiver trio of Robert Woods, Copper Cup, and Brandin Cooks is one of the best in football. Their defense still holds many big names with none bigger than Aaron Donald. 

3 seed: Green Bay Packers

The Aaron Rodgers comeback season is in full force once again. After battling with injuries and a relationship with his head coach that went south quickly, Rodgers is back and still one of the most talented quarterbacks in football. The upgrades they made on defense is what makes this Packers team so intriguing. They added Preston Smith, Za’Darius Smith upfront, and Ardian Amos to an already young and greatly improving secondary. Matt LaFleur has a tough challenge in front of him, handling Aaron Rodgers, but Rodgers, one of the smartest players in football should mesh well with a young, freshvoice.

4 seed: New Orleans Saints

Back to back years of heartbreaking playoff losses, the Saints’ window may be closing sooner than later. Drew Brees is not getting any younger and his play declined towards the end of last season, however, he is the best leader in football and the Saints will try to minimize his workload throughout the season. They have the luxury to do so because Alvin Karma stands besides Brees in huddle. Karmam, a very dynamic running back has turned himself into one of the best running backs in football. They also have one of the best wide receivers in football Micheal Thoimas, who also was rewarded with a new contact extension last month. Their defensive strength is still their defensive line and their secondary will keep them in games for their high powered offense. 

5 seed: Chicago Bears 

A year after their breakout season which included the NFC North division championship, the Bears are eager for more. Their defense was their strength to their football team last season, and it will be again this season. Mitchell Trisukey made great strides last season, playing as mostly a game manger and he did what he needed to do. Their running game lost a big weapon in Jordan Howard, but they drafted David Montermery to fill his shoes. Tarik Cohen also is a speedy, dynamic back who is very capable of the big play. The Bears’ defense will need to play the way they are capable of to make the playoffs in a crowered NFC conference, but with Khalil Mack leading the group I have all the confidence in them to do so.

6 seed: Dallas Cowboys

The key piece has finally fallen into place. Ezekiel Elliott and the Cowboys have finally come together on a contract extension 4 days before their season opener. He is pivotal for their success this season and for years to come. Their defense has stars at every level and has shown the moment is not too big for them. Dak Prescott is exactly what the Cowboys need, someone who can make plays with his feet and is not going to throw the game away. He plays smart and gets better as the game continues. Dallas is a very well rounded team and now with their best player back they should get back into the playoffs for a second straight season. 

 

AFC Championship Game

1 seed New England Patriots vs. 2 seed Kansas City Chiefs

The rematchup of last seasons AFC Championship game, but this time it takes place in Foxborough. New England has made 8 straight AFC Championship games and won 5 of them. Their coach quarterback duo is no stranger to big games in the postseason and while the Chiefs have another year of experience under their belt and have experienced facing the Patriots in the playoffs, I have learned to never bet against the Patriots in the playoffs at home.

NFC Championship Game

1 seed Philadelphia Eagles vs. 3 seed Green Bay Packers

Home field plays no bigger role than in this matchup here. Philly is no easy place to play in general, now add the chance to go back to the Super Bowl Aaron Rodgers and the Packers will be changed early and often by the Philly faithful. The Packers have the offensive firepower behind Rodgers, of course, to keep up with the Eagles and Wentz, however their defense is young and the moment will be too big for them on the road in the hostile environment.

Super Bowl

1 seed New England Patriots vs. 1 seed Philadelphia Eagles

The rematch of Super Bowl LII, 2 years ago. The Eagles and Nick Foles outlasted the Patriots 41-33. This year the Eagles will have Carson Wentz under center in his first Super Bowl appearance and squaring off against Tom Brady in his 10th Super Bowl. He is currently 6-3 in his first 9 appearances. Bill Belichick on two weeks of time to prep for the game will be studying that 2018 Super Bowl against the Eagles. His team and more importantly defense will be ready.

Winner: New England Patriots