2021-22 NFL Preseason Predictions

AFC East:

1. Buffalo Bills
2. New England Patriots (X) 
3. Miami Dolphins
4. New York Jets

AFC North:

1. Baltimore Ravens
2. Cleveland Browns (X)
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
4. Cincinnati Bengals

AFC South

1. Tennessee Titans
2. Indianapolis Colts
3. Jacksonville Jaguars
4. Houston Texas

AFC West

1. Kansas City Chiefs
2. Los Angeles Chargers (X) 
3. Las Vegas Raiders
4. Denver Broncos

NFC East

1. Washington Football Team
2. Dallas Cowboys
3. New York Giants
4. Philadelphia Eagles

NFC North

1. Green Bay Packers
2. Minnesota Vikings
3. Chicago Bears
4. Detroit Lions

NFC South

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2. New Orleans Saints (X)
3. Atlanta Falcons
4. Carolina Panthers

NFC West

1. Los Angeles Rams
2. Seattle Seahawks (X)
3. San Francisco 49ers (X) 
4. Arizona Cardinals

Super Bowl Prediction: Rams over Chiefs

Best Future Bets:

Los Angeles Rams to Win Everything:

People tend to have short memories in football which is why they’ve forgotten that the Rams were in the Super Bowl just a few seasons ago. Sean McVay leads an extremely talented team into this year with the best quarterback he has ever had. I am a firm believer that had Matt Stafford not been stuck in Detroit for the past decade plus we would have talked about him as a generational talent and a first ballot hall of famer. Unlocking his true potential in McVay’s offense with the best weapons he's ever had at his disposal will create one of the best offenses in the league. Let's also not forget that Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey are arguably the best inside-outside threat (to borrow a term from basketball) in the league as they are the best in their position in regards to pass rush and pass coverage. I am betting on the Rams to win their Division, Conference, and the Super Bowl. This could be a special year in the City of Angels.

NFC Champion-Tampa Bay Buccaneers:

The reigning Super Bowl champs have returned nearly their entire team and coaching staff from a year ago, an impressive feat. Tom Brady is back at the helm of the offense with complete understanding of the playbook and 3 elite receivers running routes for him. The defense is as strong as last year and the young players along the front 7 have made leaps from good to great. This is a truly scary team that is capable of going back-to-back but I am worried about a super bowl hangover as complacency is bound to set in at some point. The NFC is deep but it isn’t very top heavy and that should give the Bucs a strong chance to get back in the big game. (Obviously this is a hedge here with my Rams picks.)

AFC Champion-Buffalo Bills:

Buffalo was a game away from the Super Bowl last year and they did it in Josh Allen’s breakout year. Now he is established and ready to roll this squad back through a deep playoff run. The Bills boast the strong combo of a high scoring offense and physical defensive front with a true shutdown corner. Buffalo will have something extra to play for this year as well as the future remains uncertain in regards to their stadium and location and their diehard fans will be in the seats throwing dildos, getting drenched in ketchup, and crying about how good bleu cheese is. 

Washington Football Team to Make Playoffs:

The Football Team is the closest thing to this year's Buccaneers there is. You have a rather new head coach changing the culture with a former head coach coordinating the defense. You have a young defense led by its line with a rookie linebacker at captain that is only getting better. You have multiple weapons on offense and strong guard play to block. And you have a veteran QB who can come in and provide improvement at the most important position in the sport. Now Ryan Fitzpatrick is no Tom Brady but the fact that the Football Team made the playoffs last year at 7-9 with quite literally the worst QB play in the league shows that even a 50% improvement at that position and this team should win at least 10 games if not more. 

New Orleans Saints to Make Playoffs:

Drew Brees has retired but that is actually a good thing for New Orleans and here is why. First of all let me state that I am the lead conductor on the Jameis Winston bandwagon. As I said earlier in this piece, people have a short memory in football. Jameis Winston won the Heisman Trophy, was the 1st overall pick, and was one of the most prolific passers in the NFL in his first 5 seasons in Tampa before they decided to let him go for nothing. Now yes, he had massive turnover problems, throwing for 30 interceptions in his final season in Tampa. But he also threw for over 30 touchdowns that year and over 5000 yards. The biggest issue with Jameis’ turnovers was his vision, literally. He could not see linebackers when he threw over the middle and that was because his eyesight was bad. He has had Lasik surgery, has had a year learning behind Drew Brees and under Sean Payton, and now he is ready to take the league by storm. My bold prediction for fantasy this year was he finishes as QB1 and I think it is totally possible. If it weren't for the Bucs being so darn good I would be putting a future in for the Saints to win the division as well.

Los Angeles Chargers to Make Playoffs:

The Chargers have always been my AFC team but this is no homer pick. The best rookie in football last year not named Chase Young was Chargers QB Justin Herbert. Thanks to the worst doctor performance of all time in week 1, the Oregon product got the chance to burst onto the scene and never looked back. He threw for over 30 touchdowns and over 4000 yards and solidified himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the league. I think he is just scrapping the surface and with a full, normal offseason under his belt he will only be better this year. Los Angeles has a history of underwhelming as soon as expectations come about but 1st year head coach Brandon Staley has the poise to navigate these fresh waters for LA and lead them to meaningful games in January. Additionally, if you can find a line for coach of the year, bet on Staley.