2019 NFL Predictions will answer many questions on New England, the AFC West, New Orleans, and more.
It is time for the annual predictions of the NFL's 2019 season. Last year saw a surprise team come out of nowhere to challenge for the AFC. The last two years have shown to never overlook teams that could shock the league like the 2018 Chiefs and the 2017 Jaguars and Rams. Last year, I whiffed on some of these major contenders while also over-projecting a team whose QB got hurt early in the season. These projections are not factoring any major injuries that could derail predictions, so I am putting it out there that an injury could change predictions.
The 2019 season is predicted to have a major bounce-back team and a team who pulled a Chicago-like move with a better roster just before the season starts. Are the Seattle Seahawks for real? Have they just changed the entire course of the NFC West? Will Kansas City maintain last year's explosiveness and pull off another top seed? They may realize it's not Tom Brady they need to worry about. So without further ado, let's go ahead and predict the season.
Take in mind, New England is in the driver's seat here, but home-field advantage is beginning to lose its firm grip it had for several years.
NFC
The Rams and Saints squared off for the NFC last year. They should return to the postseason with two other fellow playoff teams from last year, but both teams need to watch their backs in their own divisions. Seattle is a bigger problem on LA's end. And there is an elephant in the room.
NFC East
Philadelphia 13-3
Dallas 8-8
New York Giants 7-9
Washington 3-13
Dallas and Philadelphia have taken turns with this division recently. Dallas won the last one, and this time it's Philadelphia's turn. I am picking the Eagles to pull off a Lambeau upset. It will not change anything in the NFC North, however, and Philadelphia will not want to see Aaron Rodgers again in the same season. If Carson Wentz were to get hurt again, Philadelphia can confidently rely on the fact that the last five weeks consist of only one tough opponent: Dallas. At that point, if Wentz is healthy, it makes too much sense if these records hold up for Philadelphia to return the favor to Dallas after being swept.
Jason Witten should have stayed retired. He is not helping this team improve, at least not this season. Dallas's defense has not been consistent year to year, Jason Lee is injury-prone, and outside of Zeke, Dak, and Cooper, the rest of their offense is light years behind. Dallas is not a sexy team, but sexy teams don't always win. Dallas's offensive weaknesses showed last year in road games against playoff teams. If you get shut out by the Indianapolis Colts, you have some problems. Their home games are against more dangerous teams within the conference. Giants have a lot of uncertain teams on their schedule that are not great but not all bad. Those are the types of teams this team has matched up well against in recent memory. They lost a lot on defense, but they improved on the offensive line and the possibility of rolling out Daniel Jones if Eli struggles again. The Trent Williams situation took me off Washington and I have them finishing with a very bad record.
Seattle at Philadelphia
Compared to the Eagles having the number of the Rams, the Seahawks have their number. Playing Philadelphia a second time there and trying to win again is a tall task, but if anyone can do it Russell Wilson can.
The 2019 season is predicted to have a major bounce-back team and a team who pulled a Chicago-like move with a better roster just before the season starts. Are the Seattle Seahawks for real? Have they just changed the entire course of the NFC West? Will Kansas City maintain last year's explosiveness and pull off another top seed? They may realize it's not Tom Brady they need to worry about. So without further ado, let's go ahead and predict the season.
AFC
This conference has now taken the torch from the NFC as the more exciting conference with several teams all with super bowl potential. Kansas City and New England are the teams to beat on paper, but there are some new challenges along with one who needs to get the monkey off their back (we're not talking Indianapolis and New England here, RIP Andrew Luck).
AFC East
New England 13-3
New York Jets 9-7
Buffalo 5-11
Miami 1-15
These numbers do not reflect what I was thinking during the offseason outside of NE. NE's losses to me are pretty predictable based on this offseason and how their schedule is formulated. Their three losses will all come in a four-game/five-week span that starts from week 7 at the Jets until week 11 at the Eagles. The game that ultimately determines if NE gets home-field advantage is week 13 at Houston. Given how I see Houston's season going, I am picking the Patriots to win that game.
The New York Jets have made positive off-season moves, not only with talent but with coaching and personnel. Adding superstar L'eveon Bell, Jamison Crowder, CJ Mosely, and Greg Williams that should never be overlooked with a new team can only improve a team. While he was not so successful with Miami, Adam Gase is an offensive guy who is playing with arguably the best QB since Peyton Manning under his watch. The Jets benefit from a rather weak schedule consisting of teams like Miami, New York Giants, Washington, Cincinnati, and Oakland. In recent years this team has not had such an easier schedule. I don't have them beating all those mentioned teams, but I have them pulling off some other upsets. They will be improved, and that will carry momentum into the later part of the season. New York Jets will be in contention for the last wild card with a familiar team, Bell's former team.
AFC North
Cleveland 12-4
Pittsburgh 10-6
Baltimore 10-6
Cincinnati 5-11
Cleveland made a splash this offseason signing Beckham Jr and others. Their moves on both sides of the ball will make them a force to be reckoned with this season. Their first loss will be week five at San Francisco, and they will go on to lose to New England, Pittsburgh, and Baltimore. They deserve this prediction to win the AFC North.
Pittsburgh was 9-6-1 last year. They will still have six losses but should get the last wild card spot. As for the Ravens, they will fall just shy. They would be in third place still if they won one more game, and it's not impossible for them to turn around and beat KC and SF, games I have as losses.
AFC South
Jacksonville 11-5
Houston 7-9
Tennessee 6-10
Indianapolis 5-11
The Colts may not be as bad as 2017's showing without Andrew Luck, but the schedule is a lot tougher. Andrew Luck’s retirement was what Jacksonville needed in order to rebound from last season's 5-11 setback. I have Jacksonville pulling off the week 1 upset against Kansas City, but it's a game that really will have no effect on where they end up except for the postseason when they play them again.
Houston's schedule starts out with New Orleans, Jacksonville, Los Angles Chargers, Carolina, Atlanta, and Kansas City. Any chance they have of benefitting from Luck's retirement gets derailed by that start. Tennessee was looking to have a terrible season. They are predicted to go under .500, but if Luck did not retire, two home division games don't swing their way.
AFC West
Kansas City 12-4
This conference has now taken the torch from the NFC as the more exciting conference with several teams all with super bowl potential. Kansas City and New England are the teams to beat on paper, but there are some new challenges along with one who needs to get the monkey off their back (we're not talking Indianapolis and New England here, RIP Andrew Luck).
AFC East
New England 13-3
New York Jets 9-7
Buffalo 5-11
Miami 1-15
These numbers do not reflect what I was thinking during the offseason outside of NE. NE's losses to me are pretty predictable based on this offseason and how their schedule is formulated. Their three losses will all come in a four-game/five-week span that starts from week 7 at the Jets until week 11 at the Eagles. The game that ultimately determines if NE gets home-field advantage is week 13 at Houston. Given how I see Houston's season going, I am picking the Patriots to win that game.
The New York Jets have made positive off-season moves, not only with talent but with coaching and personnel. Adding superstar L'eveon Bell, Jamison Crowder, CJ Mosely, and Greg Williams that should never be overlooked with a new team can only improve a team. While he was not so successful with Miami, Adam Gase is an offensive guy who is playing with arguably the best QB since Peyton Manning under his watch. The Jets benefit from a rather weak schedule consisting of teams like Miami, New York Giants, Washington, Cincinnati, and Oakland. In recent years this team has not had such an easier schedule. I don't have them beating all those mentioned teams, but I have them pulling off some other upsets. They will be improved, and that will carry momentum into the later part of the season. New York Jets will be in contention for the last wild card with a familiar team, Bell's former team.
AFC North
Cleveland 12-4
Pittsburgh 10-6
Baltimore 10-6
Cincinnati 5-11
Cleveland made a splash this offseason signing Beckham Jr and others. Their moves on both sides of the ball will make them a force to be reckoned with this season. Their first loss will be week five at San Francisco, and they will go on to lose to New England, Pittsburgh, and Baltimore. They deserve this prediction to win the AFC North.
Pittsburgh was 9-6-1 last year. They will still have six losses but should get the last wild card spot. As for the Ravens, they will fall just shy. They would be in third place still if they won one more game, and it's not impossible for them to turn around and beat KC and SF, games I have as losses.
AFC South
Jacksonville 11-5
Houston 7-9
Tennessee 6-10
Indianapolis 5-11
The Colts may not be as bad as 2017's showing without Andrew Luck, but the schedule is a lot tougher. Andrew Luck’s retirement was what Jacksonville needed in order to rebound from last season's 5-11 setback. I have Jacksonville pulling off the week 1 upset against Kansas City, but it's a game that really will have no effect on where they end up except for the postseason when they play them again.
Houston's schedule starts out with New Orleans, Jacksonville, Los Angles Chargers, Carolina, Atlanta, and Kansas City. Any chance they have of benefitting from Luck's retirement gets derailed by that start. Tennessee was looking to have a terrible season. They are predicted to go under .500, but if Luck did not retire, two home division games don't swing their way.
AFC West
Kansas City 12-4
Los Angeles Chargers 12-4
Oakland 6-10
Denver 2-14
It will be very close at the top as LAC and KC once again fight tooth and nail for the division. KC comes out on top again. Many games could go either way, with the most crucial ones occurring weeks 8 and 9 for both KC and LA when they host the Packers. The victor over Green Bay wins the division.
Oakland 6-10
Denver 2-14
It will be very close at the top as LAC and KC once again fight tooth and nail for the division. KC comes out on top again. Many games could go either way, with the most crucial ones occurring weeks 8 and 9 for both KC and LA when they host the Packers. The victor over Green Bay wins the division.
Oakland had some notable moves this offseason, but the organization may not be on the right foot and talent alone is the only thing that can help them improve from last season's four-win season. If this team's coaching gets straightened out, then they could be better than this prediction. Denver does not seem to have their team organized and on a team with the least offensive talent, they have no chance against either KC or LA.
Take in mind, New England is in the driver's seat here, but home-field advantage is beginning to lose its firm grip it had for several years.
NFC
The Rams and Saints squared off for the NFC last year. They should return to the postseason with two other fellow playoff teams from last year, but both teams need to watch their backs in their own divisions. Seattle is a bigger problem on LA's end. And there is an elephant in the room.
NFC East
Philadelphia 13-3
Dallas 8-8
New York Giants 7-9
Washington 3-13
Dallas and Philadelphia have taken turns with this division recently. Dallas won the last one, and this time it's Philadelphia's turn. I am picking the Eagles to pull off a Lambeau upset. It will not change anything in the NFC North, however, and Philadelphia will not want to see Aaron Rodgers again in the same season. If Carson Wentz were to get hurt again, Philadelphia can confidently rely on the fact that the last five weeks consist of only one tough opponent: Dallas. At that point, if Wentz is healthy, it makes too much sense if these records hold up for Philadelphia to return the favor to Dallas after being swept.
Jason Witten should have stayed retired. He is not helping this team improve, at least not this season. Dallas's defense has not been consistent year to year, Jason Lee is injury-prone, and outside of Zeke, Dak, and Cooper, the rest of their offense is light years behind. Dallas is not a sexy team, but sexy teams don't always win. Dallas's offensive weaknesses showed last year in road games against playoff teams. If you get shut out by the Indianapolis Colts, you have some problems. Their home games are against more dangerous teams within the conference. Giants have a lot of uncertain teams on their schedule that are not great but not all bad. Those are the types of teams this team has matched up well against in recent memory. They lost a lot on defense, but they improved on the offensive line and the possibility of rolling out Daniel Jones if Eli struggles again. The Trent Williams situation took me off Washington and I have them finishing with a very bad record.
NFC North
Green Bay 12-4
Minnesota 10-6
Chicago 7-9
Detroit 3-13
Green Bay is not the team people want to pick to bounce back, but you cannot ignore that schedule. Five home games in six weeks, all winnable with the likelihood of just one loss. Week 10-14 consists of Carolina (in Lambeau), San Francisco (although improved but maybe not enough against this team), New York Giants, and Washington (in Lambeau but it doesn't matter this time). They are bouncing back big if Rodgers stays healthy.
Minnesota will return to the playoffs, but even with sweeping back Chicago and sweeping the NFC East, it won't be enough to win the division unless injuries derail the Packers again. As for Chicago and Detroit, Chicago is bound to regress with the way they won games last year, some against bad teams. No one knows what is going on in Detroit, and I'm not sure the players buy the system.
NFC South
New Orleans 11-5
Atlanta 9-7
Tampa Bay 9-7
Carolina 4-12
Any year New Orleans has a big season, it is usually followed by having to deal with their own division. Atlanta and Tampa Bay will not be pushovers, but Carolina could struggle again. New Orleans also has the benefit of having another strong season against the AFC, and they should win at home against Dallas, Arizona, and San Francisco. Atlanta does not play the Saints or any division rival until week 10. With no division games for that long, they must deal with beating teams like Minnesota, Philadelphia, Tennessee, Los Angeles, and Seattle. They will not win most of those. They then must play division games against New Orleans and Carolina in close order within three weeks each. Those odds of sweeping don't look good, and I believe Tampa Bay is due for a split.
Tampa Bay will be improved, but it won't be enough to make the postseason. As for Carolina, their schedule is brutal, consisting of some teams that can give Cam Newton a long day and teams that can outduel him, including Seattle and Green Bay. It's not going to be their year.
Green Bay 12-4
Minnesota 10-6
Chicago 7-9
Detroit 3-13
Green Bay is not the team people want to pick to bounce back, but you cannot ignore that schedule. Five home games in six weeks, all winnable with the likelihood of just one loss. Week 10-14 consists of Carolina (in Lambeau), San Francisco (although improved but maybe not enough against this team), New York Giants, and Washington (in Lambeau but it doesn't matter this time). They are bouncing back big if Rodgers stays healthy.
Minnesota will return to the playoffs, but even with sweeping back Chicago and sweeping the NFC East, it won't be enough to win the division unless injuries derail the Packers again. As for Chicago and Detroit, Chicago is bound to regress with the way they won games last year, some against bad teams. No one knows what is going on in Detroit, and I'm not sure the players buy the system.
NFC South
New Orleans 11-5
Atlanta 9-7
Tampa Bay 9-7
Carolina 4-12
Any year New Orleans has a big season, it is usually followed by having to deal with their own division. Atlanta and Tampa Bay will not be pushovers, but Carolina could struggle again. New Orleans also has the benefit of having another strong season against the AFC, and they should win at home against Dallas, Arizona, and San Francisco. Atlanta does not play the Saints or any division rival until week 10. With no division games for that long, they must deal with beating teams like Minnesota, Philadelphia, Tennessee, Los Angeles, and Seattle. They will not win most of those. They then must play division games against New Orleans and Carolina in close order within three weeks each. Those odds of sweeping don't look good, and I believe Tampa Bay is due for a split.
Tampa Bay will be improved, but it won't be enough to make the postseason. As for Carolina, their schedule is brutal, consisting of some teams that can give Cam Newton a long day and teams that can outduel him, including Seattle and Green Bay. It's not going to be their year.
NFC West
Seattle 12-4
Los Angeles Rams 11-5
San Francisco 9-7
Arizona 3-13
Seattle has been that type of team that won't go away lately. They were already an 8-10-win team before the preseason. Now they have added Clowney, which gives them one missing piece of what they used to possess in their glory days. They take the NFC West after two years of second place finishes and will contend for the super bowl.
Seattle 12-4
Los Angeles Rams 11-5
San Francisco 9-7
Arizona 3-13
Seattle has been that type of team that won't go away lately. They were already an 8-10-win team before the preseason. Now they have added Clowney, which gives them one missing piece of what they used to possess in their glory days. They take the NFC West after two years of second place finishes and will contend for the super bowl.
Los Angeles is looking to finish what they started last year. They will face a tougher NFC this time. San Francisco can win nine games if Garoppolo stays healthy. He's an improvement on the passing game with obvious improvements with their front seven. And with that pass rush, Richard Sherman may have a fountain of youth type of season. No need to get into Arizona, but I won't be surprised if they win more games.
It was difficult deciding on the NFC West. Green Bay has a lot of issues off the field with Rodgers, but a lot of stuff is highly exaggerated, and I pointed out that beneficial schedule. If anyone wants to beat New England should they reach yet another super bowl, the NFC needs to return to dominance by its powerhouse teams.
AFC Playoff Standings
1.New England
2.Cleveland
3.Kansas City
4.Jacksonville
5.Los Angeles Chargers
6.Pittsburgh
Kansas City over Pittsburgh
Certainly, Pittsburgh has had KC’s number, but KC cannot afford to go out this early with a lot on the plate.
Los Angeles over Jacksonville
Jacksonville will lose both meetings to the Chargers this season. The Chargers weaknesses are at home in playoff games. They have much more to play for here than Jacksonville.
Los Angeles at New England
Home field advantage is losing its grip, and New England found their selves in trouble against Jacksonville two postseasons ago. Last year, Phillip Rivers didn’t even put up a fight. The monkey needs to come off the back and this will be the last chance Rivers has. He goes down again.
Kansas City at Cleveland
Congratulations, Cleveland. You make the playoffs for the first time in forever. But the run stops here. No playoff win with a first-round bye for Baker Mayfield.
Kansas City at New England
KC will lose week 14 at New England and will have another shot here. Last year, KC lost a heartbreaker in OT to New England as Tom Brady went on to win his sixth Lombardi. New England has not dominated every home game in the postseason. In 2016, KC played a close game and that was with Alex Smith at QB and less playmakers. KC is the better team, and it’s time for a changing of the guard in the AFC.
AFC Champions: Kansas City Chiefs
NFC Playoff Standings
1.Philadelphia
2.Seattle
3.Green Bay
4.New Orleans
5.Los Angeles Rams
6.Minnesota
Green Bay over Minnesota
Like there was any chance Rodgers was losing to a division rival in the playoffs. Besides, he will have just played Minnesota, and lost to them, less than two weeks ago.
New Orleans over Los Angeles
It was difficult deciding on the NFC West. Green Bay has a lot of issues off the field with Rodgers, but a lot of stuff is highly exaggerated, and I pointed out that beneficial schedule. If anyone wants to beat New England should they reach yet another super bowl, the NFC needs to return to dominance by its powerhouse teams.
AFC Playoff Standings
1.New England
2.Cleveland
3.Kansas City
4.Jacksonville
5.Los Angeles Chargers
6.Pittsburgh
Kansas City over Pittsburgh
Certainly, Pittsburgh has had KC’s number, but KC cannot afford to go out this early with a lot on the plate.
Los Angeles over Jacksonville
Jacksonville will lose both meetings to the Chargers this season. The Chargers weaknesses are at home in playoff games. They have much more to play for here than Jacksonville.
Los Angeles at New England
Home field advantage is losing its grip, and New England found their selves in trouble against Jacksonville two postseasons ago. Last year, Phillip Rivers didn’t even put up a fight. The monkey needs to come off the back and this will be the last chance Rivers has. He goes down again.
Kansas City at Cleveland
Congratulations, Cleveland. You make the playoffs for the first time in forever. But the run stops here. No playoff win with a first-round bye for Baker Mayfield.
Kansas City at New England
KC will lose week 14 at New England and will have another shot here. Last year, KC lost a heartbreaker in OT to New England as Tom Brady went on to win his sixth Lombardi. New England has not dominated every home game in the postseason. In 2016, KC played a close game and that was with Alex Smith at QB and less playmakers. KC is the better team, and it’s time for a changing of the guard in the AFC.
AFC Champions: Kansas City Chiefs
NFC Playoff Standings
1.Philadelphia
2.Seattle
3.Green Bay
4.New Orleans
5.Los Angeles Rams
6.Minnesota
Green Bay over Minnesota
Like there was any chance Rodgers was losing to a division rival in the playoffs. Besides, he will have just played Minnesota, and lost to them, less than two weeks ago.
New Orleans over Los Angeles
NO will have to wait until January to get their revenge on the Rams as they will lose the regular season matchup. Back home, the Saints can rest easy after this.
New Orleans at Philadelphia
The history has been too clear. NO has never won a divisional road game, but they have won three straight playoff games against the Eagles. Road games are never easy, and NO is bound to lose to the Eagles. They were not winning two straight road games anyway.
Green Bay at Seattle
The Packers have had some road issues in recent memory in January, especially out west. Of course, Seattle with a first-round bye is a very dangerous home team. Green Bay will have to wait until next year.
New Orleans at Philadelphia
The history has been too clear. NO has never won a divisional road game, but they have won three straight playoff games against the Eagles. Road games are never easy, and NO is bound to lose to the Eagles. They were not winning two straight road games anyway.
Green Bay at Seattle
The Packers have had some road issues in recent memory in January, especially out west. Of course, Seattle with a first-round bye is a very dangerous home team. Green Bay will have to wait until next year.
Seattle at Philadelphia
Compared to the Eagles having the number of the Rams, the Seahawks have their number. Playing Philadelphia a second time there and trying to win again is a tall task, but if anyone can do it Russell Wilson can.
NFC Champion: Seattle Seahawks
Super Bowl 54
Kansas City vs. Seattle
KC will finally finish off what they didn't last year, but they already faced off with Russell Wilson before, and lost. This time, they have a better defense to watch out for. It won’t be the shootout it was on Christmas 2016, but Seattle will be motivated against the less experienced Chiefs at this level.
Super Bowl 54
Kansas City vs. Seattle
KC will finally finish off what they didn't last year, but they already faced off with Russell Wilson before, and lost. This time, they have a better defense to watch out for. It won’t be the shootout it was on Christmas 2016, but Seattle will be motivated against the less experienced Chiefs at this level.
Super Bowl Champions
Seattle Seahawks
So, there it is. Seattle is your super bowl champion. Some may think they are a year away but making a move like that last minute has the tendency to throw teams off. Chicago did it last year, and Seattle is an all-around better. In all actuality, three teams in the AFC and five in the NFC all have what it takes to get to the super bowl.
Seattle Seahawks
So, there it is. Seattle is your super bowl champion. Some may think they are a year away but making a move like that last minute has the tendency to throw teams off. Chicago did it last year, and Seattle is an all-around better. In all actuality, three teams in the AFC and five in the NFC all have what it takes to get to the super bowl.
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