The NFL regular season is just a little over two weeks away. What can we expect this season? Do the Eagles have a chance to repeat as Super Bowl champions? Will the Patriots regain their spot at the top? What other teams have the best chance to make it to the big game? Here’s my picks for the top six teams in each conference.
NFC
1. Philadelphia Eagles
Carson Wentz has been ahead of schedule in his recovery from knee surgery and will be close for whether or not he is ready for week one against the Falcons.
If he’s not, the Eagles are in capable hands with Nick Foles, after winning MVP of the Super Bowl. Their over/under in wins of 10.5 is second to New England and are 10-1 odds to repeat, again second to the Patriots. Philadelphia ended last season “burning hot” on the Team Strength Oscillator and +30 on the Power Ranking Indicator. The defending Super Bowl champions lost some key components this off season in LeGarrette Blount, Torrey Smith, Donnie Jones, Mychal Kendricks, Trey Burton, Patrick Robinson and Vinny Curry. However, Darren Sproles, Jordan Hicks, Carson Wentz and Jason Peters will return from injury. They should have a potent red zone combination with tight end Dallas Goedert, drafted in the first round, teaming up with Zach Ertz.. In addition they signed wide receiver Mike Wallace, linebacker Corey Nelson, defensive tackle Haloit Ngata, as well as former Seattle defensive end Michael Bennett. They have a first place schedule and likely will see each team’s best, as they are now the hunted instead of the underdog. However, there is enough talent for the Eagles to win the division and have one of the top seeds in the conference, barring a post Super Bowl letdown.
2. Los Angeles Rams
Behind running back Todd Gurley and quarterback Jared Goff, the Rams won the NFC West last season for the first time in 14 years, They are tied for third in over/under for wins at 10 and tied with the Eagles, Steelers and Vikings with 10-1 odds to win the Super Bowl. They ended last season “burning hot” on the Tea Strength Oscillator and +22 on the Power Ranking Indicator. Although not stellar overall on either side of the ball, the Rams were a solid 10th in points scored and 12th in points allowed last season. Los Angeles had 11 overall picks in the draft, adding to their depth but didn’t have a first or second round pick. However, they did add a few key pieces in the off season in defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, center John Sullivan, wide receiver Brandin Cooks and corners Nickell Robey-Coleman and Sam Shields. Very similar to the Eagles, the have a more daunting schedule, but have a young quarterback taking them to the top. Don’t be surprised to see a Goff-Wentz showdown in the NFC Championship game.
3. Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota’s defense was the cream of the crop in the NFC last season, but was shredded in the NFC Championship game against the Eagles. The Vikings are currently 10-1 odds to win the Super Bowl and their over/under of 10 wins is tied with the Rams and Packers for fourth in the NFL. They ended last season “burning hot” on the Team Strength Oscillator and +19 on the Power Ranking Indicator. The Vikings believe their offense will be more potent with the addition of Kirk Cousins, who was signed to a three-year contract. Latavius Murray and Dalvin Cook lead a solid running a game. Minnesota will likely rely on Cousins getting the ball to Kyle Rudolph, Adam Thielen, Stephon Diggs .and Kyle Rudolph. Although the Vikings added defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson this off season, much of the core defensive group remains intact. Playing in a division with a healthy Aaron Rodgers and improved Lions and Bears will make things more difficult this time around. Don’t expect another 13 win season. Ten wins should be expected, which should be enough to win the division. Minnesota’s strong defense is capable of taking them deep into the NFC playoffs.
4. New Orleans Saints
As long as Drew Brees is under center, the Sains remain dangerous. Arguably the most potent backfield in the NFL with Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara, the Saints are capable of going the distance. New Orleans was fourth in the league in scoring and 10th in points allowed last season. They ended the season +15 on the Power Ranking Indicator and “average up” on the Team Strength Oscillator. At 14-1 odds to win the Super Bow and 9.5 over/under win total, the Saints are definitely a team to watch.Continuing to upgrade defensively, the Saints added safety Kurt Coleman, linebacker Damario Davis and cornerback Patrick Robinson. Facing Atlanta twice and Carolina twice along with the first place schedule makes a return to the top a tall order. It a tough division, 10 wins might take it and the Saints appear to be the slight front runners heading into the regular season.
5. Green Bay Packers
The return of Aaron Rodgers immediately make the Packers a threat. In addition, they benefit from a fourth place schedule. They are tied with three other teams in over/under for wins at 10. Clearly in the mix for a Super Bowl run, the Packers are 12-1 odds to win the Super Bowl, sixth best in the NFL. Green Bay ended last season at +7 on the Power Ranking Indicator and “ice cold up” on the Team Strength Oscillators. Those should improve quickly as the season progresses. They lost wide receiver Jordy Nelson, but upgraded at tight end with the signing of veteran and former All-Pro Jimmy Graham to a three-year deal. To avoid constant pressure on Rodgers, Jamaal Williams must pick up from his 556 yards on the ground last season. Defensively the Packers ranked 24th in points given up. That must improve drastically for the team to make a serious push. The NFC North is never easy with battles against the Vikings, Lions and the improved Bears. However, Green Bay is a strong playoff contender and should they make the post season, become very dangerous with Rodgers at the helm.
6. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons are always dangers with Matt Ryan back calling the signals and perennial All-Pro Julio Jones as his main target. Devonta Freeman and Devin Coleman provide a very good ground attack. Atlanta has an over/under for wins this season at 9. The ended last season “burning hot” on the Team Strength Oscillator and +23 on the Power Ranking Indicator. At 16-1 odds to win the Super Bowl, the Falcons are tied with Jacksonville for eight in the league. Very good on both sides of the ball, the Falcons ranked eighth in both scoring and points allowed last season. Excellent in the draft, they also had several key signings, including safety Ricardo Allen, defensive tackle Dontari Poe, cornerback Justin Bethel and guard Brandon Fusco, A playoff berth isn’t a certainty, but should the Falcons sneak in they are team that could make some noise.
AFC
1. New England Patriots
Despite falling short in the Super Bowl last season, Tom Brady put up record breaking numbers against a tough Philadelphia defense. New England enters 2018 as favorites to win the Super Bowl, at 6-1 odds. They are also tops in over/under of 11 wins.They ended the season last year +26 on the Power Ranking Indicator and “burning hot ” on the Team Strength Oscillator. Although losing wide receiver Danny Amendola to the Dolphins and trading wide receiver Brandon Cooks, the Patriots added key components to bolster their roster. Running backs Rex Burkhead and Jeremy Hill were signed, along with defensive end Adrian Clayborn, linebacker Marquis Flowers and offensive tackle LaAdrian Waddle. Playing in a relatively weak division also plays in New England’s favor. With no real threats to overtake them in the division, expect one of the top seeds, if not the top seed and a deep run in the post season.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers
Of all the teams in the AFC, the Steelers have the best chance to overthrow the Patriots. Tied with the Eagles, Vikings and Rams at 10-1 odds to win the Super Bowl and 10.5 over/under for wins, the Steelers will likely be a one or two seed in the conference. They ended last season +19 on the Power Ranking Indicator and “burning hot” on the Team Strength Oscillator. Pittsburgh’s moved this off season were mostly to add depth, and their draft was quite mediocre according to CBSSports.com. The Steelers were in the upper tier in points scored and points allowed last season, at 8th and 7th, respectively. With the top wide receiver in the league in Antonio Brown and veteran Ben Roethlisberger back under center, the Steelers remain the team to be in the AFC North. A match up against the Patriots in the AFC Championship game is not only out of the question, but in my opinion, the most likely scenario.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars sneaked up on opponents last season, claiming the AFC South. They ended last season +14 on the Power Ranking Indicator and “burning hot” on the Team Strength Oscillator. They are a solid bet to win the Super Bowl at 16-1 and their over/under for wins is 9. Fifth in points per game offensively and second defensively in 2017, the Jaguars were one of the biggest surprises in the league last season. Jacksonville should be a strong contender again in 2018, despite what should be an improved Houston Texans team this season. Quarterback Blake Bortles and running back Leonard Fornette lead the offense, while Calais Campbell and Yannick Ngakoue should create havok for opposing offensive linemen. Jacksonville looks to show everyone around the league that last season wasn’t a blip on the radar.
4. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs had a wacky season which saw them at the top of the league before a skid and a late four-game winning streak to secure the division.They are currently at 8.5 on the over/under for wins and 20-1 odds to win the Super Bowl. They were +18 on the Power Ranking Indicator and “burning hot” on the Team Strength Oscillator at the end of last season. Kansas City was fifth in points score last season, but just 15th in points allowed. The Chiefs currently have second year man Pat Mahomes first on the depth chart at quarterback. The Chiefs may have to rely on a run game lead by Kareem Hunt, to take the pressure off the passing game. However, there is no secret that a mediocre defensive showing last year must improve for the Chiefs to make a serious run. The Chargers will push the Chiefs in the division and could overtake them if Kansas City’s defense doesn’t improve. The best bet is for the Chiefs to find a way to make the playoffs as a wild card.
5. Houston Texans
Despite a 4-12 campaign last season, the Texans look poised to make a playoff run. The reason is simple, the return of all-pro J.J. Watt and Deshaun Watson should be enough to put Houston in position for a wild card berth. The oddsmakers are seeing this as well, as the Texas over/under for wins is at 8.5 and a decent 20-1 odds to win the Super Bowl. The Texans ended last season +1 on the Power Ranking Indicator and “dead” on the Team Strength Oscillator. Throw all that out the window for now. The last place schedule will help and the division is not the strongest, which all play in Houston’s favor.. A push for the division title with the Jaguars is expected, pending the successful return of Watt and Watson. Should those superstars fail to return to their former level, the Texans will continue to struggle.
6. Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers rebounded last season after a terrible start and finished within a game of the Chiefs in the AFC West. They ended last season “burning hot” on the Team Strength Oscillator and +28 on the Power Ranking Indicator. The Chargers are 9.5 over/under for wins and 16-1 odds to win the Super Bowl. Defense was a strength last season, ranking 3rd best in points allowed. However, the offensive was just a little better than average, ranking 13th in points scored. Top players on the offensive side of the ball include quarterback Phillip Rivers, running back Melvin Gordon and wide receiver Keenan Allen. In what will likely be the tightest division in the NFL, nine or ten wins could be enough to take it. All four teams could finish within two games of each other. Don’t be surprised if the Chargers come out of the AFC West.
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