I have thirty-two questions (one for each team) and one prediction. I think eight teams will contend for Super Bowl LIV.
As a diehard NFL fan, I’m counting the seconds ’til opening kickoff. It will be NFL season #100! Happy centennial, pro football!
It has been quite a journey, too. From leather helmets, to the mouthpiece, the first overtime game, the ‘Ice Bowl,’ the Fog Bowl, the ‘Immaculate Reception.’” the AFL/NFL merger, free agency, Ronnie Lott cutting off his finger mid-game just so he could play, the advent of instant reply, rule changes, the posters of countless star athletes we hung s on our walls as kids–to the modern day–of air it out, point-scoring machines that have enamoured fans around the world.
It all adds us to make NFL football America’s game. Baseball isn’t ‘America’s Pasttime’ these days. Plain and simple.
And like any other time (like now) when a season draws near, there are questions, lots of questions, about teams, players, coaches, and (of course) who will win it all. Yes, there are questions, questions, and more questions, like…
Can the Patriots win another Super Bowl? Will any team be able to go from worst-to-first? What will happen to the Dallas Cowboys? (always a story there). Who’s the favorite to win the league MVP? Will Eli Manning finally hang it up? Will Aaron Donald break Michael Strahan’s ‘fake’ sack record? Can Aaron Rodgers shoulder the load in Green Bay…again? Who’s the best quarterback…running back…wide receiver? Who will win the two divisions and, ultimately, claim the Lombardi Trophy?
We ask questions, but all we can offer is best-educated guesses. For those in middle school, that’s called a hypothesis. We look at rosters, previous success, head coaches, and talent among other attributes, and make conjectures.
What we know for sure is that no team is perfect, even Belichick’s Patriots. Every team has multiple flaws, and some have more than others.
I have more questions, too. Here’s my primary query for each team that has ‘NFL’ on its jersey.
Patriots: Will the defense pick up where it left off last season?
Jets: How quickly will Le’ Veon Bell return to being the back he was in Pittsburgh?
“You don’t think I’m worth it?!” (photo, Behind the Steel Curtain)
Bills: Who will step up on offense to help Josh Allen be the QB we think he can be?
Dolphins: Can this team finally find a starting QB to stick with?
Steelers: Will the departure of Brown and Bell end up being positive or negative?
Browns: Can Cleveland meld individual talent into cohesive units on both side of the ball?
Ravens: Does the coaching staff really want Lamar Jackson to run the ball 15+ times every Sunday afternoons?
Bengals: Will Andy Dalton survive as the starting QB?
Tick, tick, tick? (photo, MSN.com)
Colts: Does Andrew Luck have enough offensive talent around him for Indianapolis to make a Super Bowl run?
Texans: Can this team keep QB DeShaun Watson upright all season?
Jaguars: Is the addition of Nick Foles what’s needed to put this team in contention?
Titans: If Marcus Mariota doesn’t get off to a good start, will see Ryan Tannehill take over the Titans?
Broncos: Can the defense carry the load on another championship run?
Chiefs: Can the Chiefs defense hold opponents to fewer points than what Patrick Mahomes’ offense will generate?
Chargers: Was last year a one-off?
Read for another run? (photo, Zimbio)
Raiders: Can Jon Gruden get his players to buy into his team concept?
Giants: How soon will it take for Daniel Jones to take over for Eli Manning?
Eagles: Can Carson Wentz stay healthy all season?
Redskins: Is Dwyane Haskins the future QB in waiting?
Cowboys: Can the ‘the ‘Boys’ be a viable contender without Ezekiel Elliott?
Bears: Will the loss of DC Vic Fangio hurt the Bears defense?
Vikings: With a roster full of talent and Super Bowl expectations, will this be it for Mike Zimmer if the team falls short?
Lions: Can Matthew Stafford finally lead the Lions to postseason success?
How good is Stafford? (photo, CBSSports)
Packers: How will the relationship between Aaron Rodgers and Matt LaFleur play out?
Falcons: Can this team address its bug-a-boo, that is, losing to the bad teams?
Panthers: Isn’t it time for Christian McCaffery (and not Cam Newton) to become the offensive focal point?
Bucs: Can HC Bruce Arians get Jamies Winston to reach his potential?
Saints: Can Alvin Kamara carry the load at RB?
Rams: Can Todd Gurley return to 2017 form and propel the Rams on another SB run?
Todd Gurley at his best (photo, Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Seahawks: Can the ‘Hawks produce another version of ‘The Legion of Boom?’
49ers: Will Jimmy Garopollo show that he’s worth his contract value?
One of the storylines to watch this season is how eight new head coaches will perform. But no matter how they do, I see eight teams capable of reaching the Super Bowl. My criteria include who’s the QB, team stability, quality of head coach, and stoutness of defense. My eight picks are Patriots, Colts, Chiefs, Eagles, Cowboys, Saints, Vikings, and Rams. As you can see, my list is overweighted with NFC teams. That’s because I believe the Lombardi Trophy will go to one of those teams.
But, then again, you can never count out the Patriots until Brady and Bill hang it up…in…???! How about 2045?
