NFL (2020-2024)

[SEWIGuy]

When I first saw that rant, I actually thought it was the Onion or something similar. He has been the GM of a team that has failed to get as far as the conference championship game for 28 consecutive seasons. Only the Commanders, Dolphins and Browns have had longer droughts - and they have all gone through multiple GMs because they hold people accountable for their poor performance.

[NWI_Irish96]

When I first saw that rant, I actually thought it was the Onion or something similar. He has been the GM of a team that has failed to get as far as the conference championship game for 28 consecutive seasons. Only the Commanders, Dolphins and Browns have had longer droughts - and they have all gone through multiple GMs because they hold people accountable for their poor performance.

Sounds like he's an extreme narcissist who can't admit his own faults and blames everybody but himself when things don't go well. He should run for President.

[epzik8]

Can't believe Nate Peterman is once again homeless

[epzik8]

We in Landover have gotten rid of two QBs today, Hartman and McSorley.

[Henry]

The dawn of a new era in Chicago is upon us, as Caleb Williams is set to make his debut at home against the Titans.

[hobsini2]

I'm very tempted to fork the Vikings right now, but I'll wait to see what they do at quarterback. I'll probably find eight teams more deserving of a fork.

No you can fork the Vikings. The division is so much better than them. Even the Bears have a legit shot at a playoff spot.
Packers and Lions will fight for the division crown. Each likely 12-5. Bears I can see being 10-7 or 9-8. Vikings will be lucky to be 4-13.

[JayhawkCO]

I'm very tempted to fork the Vikings right now, but I'll wait to see what they do at quarterback. I'll probably find eight teams more deserving of a fork.

No you can fork the Vikings. The division is so much better than them. Even the Bears have a legit shot at a playoff spot.
Packers and Lions will fight for the division crown. Each likely 12-5. Bears I can see being 10-7 or 9-8. Vikings will be lucky to be 4-13.

I'll take that bet for the over of 4.5.

[SEWIGuy]

Vikings have a quality defense. Still not entirely convinced on the Packers. I would not be surprised if they stayed about where they were last year.

[webny99]

The NFC North being one of the best divisions in the NFL and the Vikings being a pretty clear 4th team in their own division is an interesting plot twist. I'm looking forward to an exciting division title race for a change.

[hobsini2]

I'm very tempted to fork the Vikings right now, but I'll wait to see what they do at quarterback. I'll probably find eight teams more deserving of a fork.

No you can fork the Vikings. The division is so much better than them. Even the Bears have a legit shot at a playoff spot.
Packers and Lions will fight for the division crown. Each likely 12-5. Bears I can see being 10-7 or 9-8. Vikings will be lucky to be 4-13.

I'll take that bet for the over of 4.5.

I have zero faith in Sam Darnold. Aaron Jones can be a factor if he stays healthy. And the secondary for the Vikings is not good. Harrison and Smith are old. I think 4-13 is not out of the question. Look at the schedule.
@ NYG W
SF L
HOU L
@ GB L
NYJ (London) L
Bye
DET W (they always split with Detroit)
@ LAR L
IND L
@ JAX L
@ TENN W
@ CHI L
ARIZ W
ATL L
CHI L
@ SEA W
GB L
@ DET L

So by my count that is 5-12.

[JayhawkCO]

I'm very tempted to fork the Vikings right now, but I'll wait to see what they do at quarterback. I'll probably find eight teams more deserving of a fork.

No you can fork the Vikings. The division is so much better than them. Even the Bears have a legit shot at a playoff spot.
Packers and Lions will fight for the division crown. Each likely 12-5. Bears I can see being 10-7 or 9-8. Vikings will be lucky to be 4-13.

I'll take that bet for the over of 4.5.

I have zero faith in Sam Darnold. Aaron Jones can be a factor if he stays healthy. And the secondary for the Vikings is not good. Harrison and Smith are old. I think 4-13 is not out of the question. Look at the schedule.
@ NYG W
SF L
HOU L
@ GB L
NYJ (London) L
Bye
DET W (they always split with Detroit)
@ LAR L
IND L
@ JAX L
@ TENN W
@ CHI L
ARIZ W
ATL L
CHI L
@ SEA W
GB L
@ DET L

So by my count that is 5-12.

Harrison and Smith is the same person.

We also just signed Stephon Gilmore which would upgrade one of the corner spots. Like I said, I'm happy to throw a friendly water on +4.5, even happy to put it on +5.5 if you're interested.

[JayhawkCO]

Alright, time for predictions:

AFC East
New York Jets (11-6)
Miami (10-7)
Buffalo (9-8)
New England (3-14)

AFC North
Baltimore (12-5)
Cincinnati (10-7)
Cleveland (8-9)
Pittsburgh (8-9)

AFC South
Jacksonville (10-7)
Houston (9-8)
Tennessee (7-10)
Indianapolis (6-11)

AFC West
Kansas City (14-3)
Los Angeles Chargers (7-10)
Las Vegas (6-11)
Denver (4-13)

2. Baltimore vs. 7. Buffalo
3. New York Jets vs. 6. Cincinnati
4. Jacksonville vs. 5. Miami

1. Kansas City vs. 6. Cincinnati
2. Baltimore vs. 5. Miami

1. Kansas City vs 2. Baltimore

NFC East
Philadelphia (12-5)
Dallas (10-7)
Washington (6-11)
New York Giants (5-12)

NFL North
Detroit (11-6)
Green Bay (9-8)
Chicago (8-9)
Minnesota (7-10)

NFC South
Atlanta (11-6)
Tampa Bay (8-9)
New Orleans (7-10)
Carolina (5-12)

NFC West
San Francisco (13-4)
Los Angeles Rams (10-7)
Arizona (8-9)
Seattle (7-10)

2. Philadelphia vs. 7. Green Bay
3. Atlanta vs. 6. Dallas
4. Detroit vs. 5. Los Angeles Rams

1. San Francisco vs. 4. Detroit
2. Philadelphia vs. 3. Atlanta

1. San Francisco vs. 3. Atlanta

Kansas City over San Francisco, again.

[hobsini2]

I'm very tempted to fork the Vikings right now, but I'll wait to see what they do at quarterback. I'll probably find eight teams more deserving of a fork.

No you can fork the Vikings. The division is so much better than them. Even the Bears have a legit shot at a playoff spot.
Packers and Lions will fight for the division crown. Each likely 12-5. Bears I can see being 10-7 or 9-8. Vikings will be lucky to be 4-13.

I'll take that bet for the over of 4.5.

I have zero faith in Sam Darnold. Aaron Jones can be a factor if he stays healthy. And the secondary for the Vikings is not good. Harrison and Smith are old. I think 4-13 is not out of the question. Look at the schedule.
@ NYG W
SF L
HOU L
@ GB L
NYJ (London) L
Bye
DET W (they always split with Detroit)
@ LAR L
IND L
@ JAX L
@ TENN W
@ CHI L
ARIZ W
ATL L
CHI L
@ SEA W
GB L
@ DET L

So by my count that is 5-12.

Harrison and Smith is the same person.

We also just signed Stephon Gilmore which would upgrade one of the corner spots. Like I said, I'm happy to throw a friendly water on +4.5, even happy to put it on +5.5 if you're interested.

You're right. I meant Gilmore.

[hobsini2]

My predicitions:
AFC East
Miami 11-6
NY Jets 10-7
Buffalo 10-7
New England 2-15

North
Baltimore 13-4
Cleveland 11-6
Cincinnati 10-7
Pittsburgh 9-8

South
Houston 12-5
Indianapolis 10-7
Jacksonville 7-10
Tennessee 6-11

West
Kansas City 11-6
LA Chargers 10-7
Las Vegas 9-8
Denver 6-11

NFC East
Philadelphia 12-5
Dallas 11-6
NY Giants 9-8
Washington 5-12

North
Detroit 13-4
Green Bay 11-6
Chicago 10-7
Minnesota 5-12

South
Atlanta 10-7
Tampa Bay 9-8
New Orleans 6-11
Carolina 3-14

West
San Francisco 14-3
Seattle 11-6
LA Rams 7-10
Arizona 6-11

Seedings:
AFC                  NFC
1. Baltimore         San Francisco
2. Houston           Detroit
3. Kansas City       Philadelphia
4. Miami              Atlanta
5. Cleveland         Green Bay
6. NY Jets            Seattle
7. LA Chargers       Dallas

Playoffs:
AFC WC Houston over LA Chargers, Kansas City over NY Jets, Cleveland over Miami
AFC D Baltimore over Cleveland, Houston over Kansas City
AFC C Baltimore over Houston

NFC WC Detroit over Dallas, Seattle over Philadelphia, Green Bay over Atlanta
NFC D Seattle over San Francisco, Green Bay over Detroit
NFC C Green Bay over Seattle

SB Baltimore over Green Bay

[thspfc]

I gave up on record predictions but I'll share my power rankings:

1. Chiefs
2. 49ers (assuming Williams and Aiyuk are playing for them)
3. Bengals
4. Ravens
5. Eagles
6. Texans
7. Packers
8. Lions
(gap)
9. Bills
10. Cowboys
11. Bears
12. Jaguars
13. Seahawks
(gap)
14. Browns
15. Dolphins
16. Titans
17. Jets
18. Rams
19. Steelers
20. Falcons
21. Buccaneers
22. Saints
23. Colts
24. Vikings
25. Chargers
(gap)
26. Broncos
27. Raiders
28. Cardinals
29. Giants
30. Panthers
31. Commanders
32. Patriots

Based off that my playoff teams are:

AFC
1. Chiefs
2. Bengals
3. Texans
4. Bills
5. Ravens
6. Jaguars
7. Browns

NFC
1. 49ers
2. Eagles
3. Packers
4. Falcons
5. Lions
6. Cowboys
7. Bears

My Super Bowl pick is an Eagles/Chiefs rematch, won by the Eagles because why not (and, however dominant the Chiefs may be, it remains true that no team has ever three-peated). My MVP pick is probably Mahomes but that feels too easy so I'd also throw Burrow, Stroud, and Love in there. Fired coaches will be Saleh (NYJ), Daboll (NYG), Pierce (LV), Allen (NO), Bowles (TB), and unfortunately - or fortunately, depending on your point of view - McCarthy (DAL).

[jlam]

Alright, I'll share my absolute dogwater predictions, giving up on the postseason. I'll only fork 2 AFC teams, as the other 14 all have a trying chance at the playoffs currently.

NFC North:
y - Lions (11-6)
x - Packers (11-6)
Bears (9-8)
Vikings (5-12)

NFC East:
z - Eagles (13-4)
x - Cowboys (10-7)
Commanders (6-11)
Giants (6-11)

NFC South:
y - Falcons (10-7)
Buccaneers (8-9)
Saints (6-11)
Panthers (4-13)

NFC West:
y - 49ers (10-7)
x - Rams (10-7)
Seahawks (9-8)
Cardinals (7-10)

NFC Forks:
Panthers
Vikings
Giants
Saints


AFC North:
y - Ravens (11-6)
x - Browns (10-7)
Steelers (9-8)
Bengals (8-9)

AFC East:
y - Jets (11-6)
x - Dolphins (10-7)
x - Bills (9-8)
Patriots (3-14)

AFC South:
y - Texans (10-7)
Jaguars (9-8)
Colts (6-11)
Titans (5-12)

AFC West:
z - Chiefs (13-4)
Raiders (9-8)
Broncos (8-9)
Chargers (6-11)

AFC Forks:
Patriots
Titans

[jlam]

Alright, time for predictions:

AFC East
New York Jets (11-6)
Miami (10-7)
Buffalo (9-8)
New England (3-14)

Nice AFC East you got there 

[jgb191]

I'll reiterate my Texans prediction going ten or eleven wins this fall, and the six losses I predict are four on the road (at Colts, at Vikings, at Patriots, and at Jets) plus two at home (Jaguars and Ravens), and if my team were to match their record from last season, then I predict our seventh loss will be home vs Dolphins.  Will that record be good enough to make the playoffs this January?  The answer remains unknown until the New Year.

Also recapping my reasons for optimism: 1) Last years rookies now with real NFL experience; 2) slightly upgraded roster; and 3) Coach DeMeco Ryans we firmly believe in (so happy to have him back again!).

But also come reasons for concern:  1) Stefan Diggs; 2) Much tougher opponents; and 3) No more playing with house money.

I'd love to think with my heart and be overly optimistic, but I'm going to think with my head here.  Last year the Texans performed very well overall with no expectations; let's see how they do this year with real pressure on them.

The only way the Texans will regain any more house money is if they do something never before done in our 22-year franchise history -- win the Second Round (Divisional Game) of the playoffs; the only team in NFL History to have never done so.

[epzik8]

Sounds like Ricky Pearsall dodged a metaphorical bullet over the weekend.

[DenverBrian]

Sounds like Ricky Pearsall dodged a metaphorical bullet over the weekend.

Didn't dodge it, but apparently survived it.

[epzik8]

Sounds like Ricky Pearsall dodged a metaphorical bullet over the weekend.

Didn't dodge it, but apparently survived it.

Hence "metaphorical".

[webny99]

Sounds like Ricky Pearsall dodged a metaphorical bullet over the weekend.

Didn't dodge it, but apparently survived it.

Hence "metaphorical".

Since an actual bullet was involved, it is quite literally the only case where 'metaphorical' does not apply.

[NWI_Irish96]

My 2024 predictions and forks:

z = first round bye, x=division winner, y=wild card

x-BUF   11   6      x-PHI   10   7
y-MIA   10   7      y-DAL   10   7
NYJ   8   9      WAS   6   11
NE   6   11      NYG   3   14
                  
x-BAL   11   6      x-DET   11   6
y-CIN   11   6      y-CHI   9   8
CLE   9   8      GB   9   8
PIT   8   9      MIN   7   10
                  
x-HOU   10   7      x-ATL   9   8
y-JAX   9   8      NO   8   9
IND   9   8      TB   8   9
TEN   6   11      CAR   5   12
                  
z-KC   13   4      z-SF   12   5
LAC   8   9      y-LAR   9   8
LV   7   10      SEA   8   9
DEN   5   12      ARI   7   10

Forks: NYG, CAR, DEN, NE, TEN, ARI, MIN

[JayhawkCO]

I'm a more conservative forker this year:

NE, LV, DEN, NYG

[webny99]

It seems like there is less and less separating the contenders from the pretenders in the NFL these days, which makes the forking concept even more unpredictable. But there's no fun in being right all the time, so I attempted to bucket each conference into four groups of four, and whoever is in the last group will be forked.

AFC
Super Bowl contenders:
Chiefs, Bills, Bengals, Ravens
Quality playoff teams:
Browns, Dolphins, Jets, Texans
Chance of making the playoffs:
Broncos, Chargers, Colts, Jaguars
Forked:
Patriots, Raiders, Steelers, Titans

NFC
Super Bowl contenders:
49ers, Lions, Packers, Rams
Quality playoff teams:
Cowboys, Eagles, Falcons, Seahawks
Chance of making the playoffs:
Bears, Bucs, Giants, Cardinals
Forked:
Commanders, Panthers, Saints, Vikings


The tier concept seems reasonably bulletproof, but I still don't feel great about half of my forks. The exceptions are the Saints (they're adrift at sea awaiting a major reset at this point), Commanders (tough division, rookie QB, new coaching staff), Patriots (copy that, plus a tougher conference), and Steelers (extremely tough division, prime regression candidate, and a new/unproven offense helmed by two inconsistent QB's).

None of the other 28 teams would shock me as a playoff entry. I'd actually like to see the Panthers surprise some people and be this year's Texans, but I couldn't quite bump them up the list given their talent deficit and just how bad they've been the last few years. I think the Vikings have a chance too but they're in a really tough division now. It was down to the Vikings or Giants for the final NFC fork and I decided the Giants have slightly more upside and an easier path to a wild card. On the AFC side, I feel good about a second AFC West team and a second AFC south team being relevant but I have no idea which ones. Of the six, the Broncos, Raiders, and Titans clearly have the worst QB situations (barring health/injury concerns), and despite last year's fiasco the Broncos have the most talent and the most proven coaching staff of the three, so that's why I ended up giving the other two the fork.