One caveat is that Tom Brady was on the last NFL team to repeat as Super Bowl champs, so the Bucs have that going for them as well. Besides the draft and free agency moves, another thing that has changed with the NFL is the number of games.
For the first time, the NFL will roll out a 17-game schedule. We will see how this impacts injuries and, of course, the statistics relative to the record books.
Can the Chiefs return to the Super Bowl for a third straight year, or will there be a new contender in the AFC such as the Buffalo Bills or Cleveland Browns? Can any team in the NFC challenge the Bucs, such as Aaron Rodgers' Green Bay Packers?
For the past few years, I have been utilizing the NFL Playoff Predictors app to help determine accurate records and standings predictions for the league, as well as picks for the playoffs and Super Bowl.
To keep things short and simple, I have embedded my record picks for each team below by division:
AFC
| # | AFC North | WLT | Div |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Ravens | 11-6 | 4-2 |
| 7 | Browns | 11-6 | 3-3 |
| 10 | Steelers | 8-9 | 3-3 |
| 12 | Bengals | 6-11 | 2-4 |
| # | AFC South | WLT | Div |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Colts | 12-5 | 5-1 |
| 5 | Titans | 11-6 | 5-1 |
| 14 | Jaguars | 4-13 | 1-5 |
| 16 | Texans | 2-15 | 1-5 |
| # | AFC East | WLT | Div |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Bills | 12-5 | 4-2 |
| 8 | Patriots | 10-7 | 4-2 |
| 9 | Dolphins | 10-7 | 4-2 |
| 15 | Jets | 3-14 | 0-6 |
| # | AFC West | WLT | Div |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chiefs | 14-3 | 4-2 |
| 6 | Chargers | 11-6 | 3-3 |
| 11 | Broncos | 7-10 | 2-4 |
| 13 | Raiders | 6-11 | 3-3 |
NFC
| # | NFC North | WLT | Div |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Packers | 12-5 | 4-2 |
| 12 | Vikings | 7-10 | 4-2 |
| 13 | Bears | 6-11 | 2-4 |
| 16 | Lions | 3-14 | 2-4 |
| # | NFC South | WLT | Div |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Buccaneers | 11-6 | 4-2 |
| 6 | Saints | 10-7 | 4-2 |
| 9 | Panthers | 8-9 | 2-4 |
| 10 | Falcons | 7-10 | 2-4 |
| # | NFC East | WLT | Div |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Cowboys | 8-9 | 4-2 |
| 11 | Football Team | 7-10 | 3-3 |
| 14 | Giants | 6-11 | 3-3 |
| 15 | Eagles | 6-11 | 2-4 |
| # | NFC West | WLT | Div |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Rams | 12-5 | 4-2 |
| 5 | Seahawks | 11-6 | 3-3 |
| 7 | Cardinals | 10-7 | 3-3 |
| 8 | 49ers | 10-7 | 2-4 |
Here is my predicted playoff bracket:
- Yes, I think Aaron Rodgers will have a true "Last Dance" type of run this year. I think he is pissed off since last year's Super Bowl should have been his based on his stellar regular season MVP performance. I think this is Green Bay's last chance.
- I am not fully high on the Bills bandwagon that they will surpass the Chiefs. The AFC will still go through Kansas City. I think the Browns will surprise folks come playoff time, as well as the Ravens despite their injuries to start the season.
- I think the Colts and Titans will be neck and neck for the AFC South crown. I think Indy will barely squeak by to claim the crown, despite concerns with injuries and COVID-19 protocols to begin the year. I think Carson Wentz will bounce back as well.
- I am definitely following some with the Rams bandwagon. They have what it takes to be a championship team, and I think they will show that by ending the Buccaneers' quest to repeat. It's so hard to repeat in the NFL, and I don't think TB breaks the curse.
- The Seahawks will have a tough season, but I think it will pay off in the playoffs. I just don't think they will have enough to get past the Packers come playoff time, though. Meanwhile, the Cowboys barely squeak by Washington for the NFC East crown.
- The Cardinals and 49ers will be neck-and-neck for the final playoff spot in the NFC. Arizona was disappointing last year, but they will make up for it this year. We will see if San Francisco utilizes Trey Lance during the year.
- The Saints will be able to make it work with Jameis Winston at QB, I believe. They will make the playoffs, but Winston will deal with the postseason growing pains there, which is why they will lose to the defending champs.
- I am clearly on the Chargers bandwagon. They look great on paper and will have a successful season. However, they are young and I don't think they will make as much of a run in the playoffs. But this is going to be a growing year for Justin Herbert.
- I think the rookie/young QBs will fare well overall, even if some don't make the playoffs. I think Justin Fields will eventually get some playing time, helping the Bears be 6-11 instead of where the Lions are at.
- Sam Darnold will bounce back in Carolina, having them as a fringe playoff team throughout the season—hence their 8-9 record. I think Joe Burrow will do some of the same with the Cincinnati Bengals.
- Don't sleep on the Patriots. Mac Jones is legit and Bill Belichick will know how to use him. It sucks the AFC is so stacked, leaving the 10-7 Pats and 10-7 Dolphins, led by Tua, missing the playoffs barely although they both had successful seasons.
- Big Ben might be washed, but I just don't see the Steelers recapturing their magic, so they're stuck at 8-9. Other teams that have playoff talent but just not enough due to their schedule or division will suffer too, such as Denver, Atlanta, Las Vegas, and Minnesota.
Awards
MVP: Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs
OPOY: Davante Adams, WR, Green Bay Packers
DPOY: Myles Garrett, DE, Cleveland Browns
Comeback Player of the Year: Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys
OROY: Mac Jones, QB, New England Patriots
DROY: Kwity Paye, DE, Indianapolis Colts
Coach of the Year: Brandon Staley, Los Angeles Chargers
Super Bowl LVI Pick: Packers over Chiefs, 42-38
Super Bowl MVP: Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers
Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams are in "Last Dance" mode with the Packers. I think he is going to go all out, especially come postseason time. Whether he leaves Green Bay or not after this season, the only way for this year to be successful is with a Lombardi.
The Chiefs and Packers do meet in the regular season this year, giving us a possible preview of the Super Bowl. This matchup was my pick last year, and it may end up happening for Super Bowl LVI.
I think the game is going to be close, high scoring, and very exciting. Both QBs can light it up and play similar styles. I think it is the perfect matchup for NFL fans.
This is Rodgers' year to make it happen. He had the MVP last year, but couldn't get the ring. Now he can have that, on top of the Super Bowl MVP he will likely win too. Mahomes will have to continue on the NFL MVP curse, though.
While the chances of my prediction or pick happening is low, just like anyone's pick, I would love to see this happen. However, I would not be shocked if the Ravens, Browns, Bills, or Colts pull through in the AFC. I could very well see the Rams or Bucs doing the same in the NFC.
As of today though, I got Chiefs and Packers to begin the NFL season. We shall see what my picks become when midseason and the playoffs approach.
Enjoy kickoff tonight.
