(Photo Courtesy of NFL.com)
1. Ezekiel Elliott will rush for 2,000 yards: The man just got paid and he's going to want to show that he's worth of every penny. Elliott has ran for 1,434 and 1,631 yards in his two full seasons. He also ran for 983 in a 2017 season that was shortened six games due to a suspension. He was on pace to rush for 1,572 yards if he played 16 games. Elliott will have the advantage of running behind a hopefully healthy behemoth offensive line and is primed to have a career year.
2. Patrick Mahomes will not lead the league in passing touchdowns or yards: Now before my fellow Chiefs fans get mad at me, this does not mean doom for Chiefs Kingdom. Mahomes was historic last season with 5,097 yards and 50 touchdowns. But some of his numbers were bloated because of an atrocious defense. The Chiefs defense figures to be better this year (it can't be worse), which means Mahomes won't have to rely on scoring as many points. The Chiefs also have a solid trio of running backs with Damien Williams, LeSean McCoy and Darwin Thompson to lean on. Mahomes can still be great and not put up the numbers he did last year. Both are possible, Chiefs fans.
3. The Rams suffer a Super Bowl hangover: The Super Bowl hangover is real. Just ask the 2016 Panthers, who were coming off a 15-1 2015 season, but struggled in 2016. I think the Rams, who might have played the Super Bowl drunk given their performance, will suffer the same fate. Todd Gurley and Aaron Donald will be their usual dominant selves if they can stay healthy, but I don't trust Jared Goff, who stunk it up in the Super Bowl. I don't think the Rams setbacks will be massive, they have a talented team, but they are coming off an embarrassing Super Bowl defeat and will stumble early with tough matchups against Carolina, New Orleans, Cleveland and Seattle. I have the Rams going 10-6 and narrowly missing the playoffs.
4. The Bengals unintentionally Tank for Tua/Justin Herbert: Man, I think there's going to be some really bad teams this year. I have five teams; the Raiders, Bengals, Dolphins, Giants and Cardinals, winning three games or less. The Bengals are probably the least likely of those five, but it's not like they lit it up the past few years under Marvin Lewis. Zac Taylor is now in charge and this team could see a complete rebuild. Andy Dalton continues to regress and their best player, AJ Green will start the year injured and it's unknown when or if he will play this season. All these elements toppled together will put the Bengals in prime position to replace Dalton with the franchise QB of their choice. Likely either Alabama's Tua Tagovailoa or Oregon's Justin Herbert.
5. Kirk Cousins will have an MVP-worthy season: Don't ask why, but I have a feeling that Cousins is going to have a career year. Cousins received a lot of undeserved flak for his performance last season. Cousins threw for 4,298 yards, 30 touchdowns and 10 picks last season. He set a career high for touchdowns and a career low for interceptions. Cousins put up better stats than Case Keenum did but won five less games than Keenum. Part of that should be attributed to a regression from the Vikings' defense, an offensive line that struggled to stay healthy. Cousins' has, in my opinion, the best receiving duo in the league with Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs, so the sky is the limit. I expect a big year for Cousins this season
Now, onto some awards
MVP: Ezekiel Elliott: I said Cousins will have an MVP-worthy season, not that he will be MVP. I also boldly predicted that Elliott would rush for 2,000 yards. He's the MVP if he does that, or at least he should be.I am going to save some space and also project Elliott to be the Offensive Player of the Year.
Defensive Player of the Year: Aaron Donald, Rams: The Rams will suffer a hangover, but Donald will not. He is the best player in the league and a generational talent, who I believe will win this honor for the third consecutive season.
Offensive Rookie of the Year: David Montgomery, Bears: The favorite will be Kyler Murray, but I think he'll suffer some growing pains while putting up serviceable numbers in his rookie campaign. I am super high on David Montgomery this season and I expect big things from the former Iowa State standout. The Bears traded Jordan Howard to Philadelphia this offseason and that will allow Montgomery to be the bell-cow alongside Tarik Cohen.
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Devin Bush. Steelers: Bush could end up being the steal of the draft. The Steelers will look to use Bush in a similar role to how they used Ryan Shazier, who was also pretty good. However, I think Bush has the potential to be better and he will show so this season
Now, the playoff predictions.
AFC Playoff Teams: Chiefs, Browns, Patriots, Texans, Steelers and Chargers.
AFC Championship Game: Patriots over Steelers
Honestly, I would have selected the Colts to win the AFC had Andrew Luck not retired, but he did. The Chiefs are the favorite to win the AFC, but I just cannot draw myself to pick them, so I won't. My predictions are usually wrong anyway. The Patriots will bore us with another trip to the AFC Championship Game, and ultimately the Super Bowl for what will seem like the 307th time.. Meanwhile, the Steelers will rely on James Conner and a top ten defense to make the conference title game despite a regressing, but still talented Ben Roethlisberger.
NFC Playoff Teams: Vikings, Seahawks, Eagles, Saints, Cowboys and Packers
NFC Championship Game: Saints over Eagles
Anyone of tHese six teams, along with the Bears or the Rams are smart picks to win the NFC, but I'm marching with the Saints. Alvin Kamara will be one of the best running backs in the league and Drew Brees will cement his legacy. I'm rolling with the Eagles to join them in the NFC Championship Game with a healthy Carson Wentz and one of the league's best defense, but in the end, give me the Saints to avenge last year's crushing conference title loss to the Rams.
Super Bowl LIV: Saints over Patriots
Drew Brees wins his second career Super Bowl nearly 10 years after and in the same stadium he won the first one in and retires a champion in the NFL's centennial season. Wouldn't that be neat? Other than the Patriots playing in another Super Bowl.
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