September 8, 2020 by Mike Madden

NFL Week 1

Its back! NFL Week 1 arrives after what seems like an age. The season starts on time, unaffected by the global pandemic. It will be interesting to see what games will be like without crowds; will that give the Jaguars an unfair advantage? Of course, Week 1 gives everyone the opportunity to predict how things will pan out, and at the start of the season everyone is equal. Personally, I cannot see beyond Mahomes, although I can also see several upsets along the way. The Cowboys could well dominate in the NFC, where Rodgers and the Packers will keep it close. The most competitive division looks to be the NFC West, with the weakest being the AFC South. So what do you think?

The Season Ahead

AFC East

Bills
Jets
Patriots
Dolphins

The Bills will be good enough on D to take this division, with Josh Allen just about delivering. Sam Darnold continues to improve, and just about makes a play off spot with an improved showing from Le’Veon Bell. The Patriots inevitable decline is hastened by the loss of key players in trades and Covid exclusions. Cam Newton gains a few wins but he is not the QB of old. The Dolphins look to switch to Tua, but this change will come too late to save their season. Howard and Breida fail to perform in the backfield.

AFC North

Ravens
Bengals
Steelers
Browns

The Ravens are heavily reliant on Jackson, and teams will get closer, but I still expect a stroll to the title. The Bengals make a surprise play off run on the arm of Joe Burrow and the welcome return of AJ Green. The Steelers D keeps them in the race despite a poor showing from Big Ben. The Browns still can’t weave all of their stars into a magical team as Baker Mayfield proves that he is not good enough at this level.

AFC South

Texans
Titans
Colts
Jaguars

The Texans were not quite at the highest level last season and now they have got rid of Hopkins. Perhaps its fortunate for them that they are in the AFC South. The Titans manage second position but it is difficult to get excited about Ryan Tannehill. However, it is even harder to enthuse about an ageing Rivers in Indy. The Jaguars stumble from crisis to crisis and their play off run in 2017 seems like a distant memory.

AFC West

Chiefs
Raiders
Broncos
Chargers

Mahomes will probably be the league MVP and there are some already giving the Lombardi trophy to the Chiefs. Hard to see past them – maybe a suspect D? The Raiders are not good but they have the boost of a new home. On the down side they are still persevering with the inconsistent Derek Carr. The Broncos have a reasonable set of skill players, but its doubtful that Drew Lock can get the best out of them. The Chargers are in transition and may have a few good days but not too many.

AFC Seeds

Chiefs
Ravens
Bills
Texans
Jets
Bengals
Steelers

AFC Play Offs

Ravens beat Steelers
Bills beat Bengals
Texans beat Jets

Chiefs beat Texans
Ravens beat Bills

Chiefs beat Ravens

NFC East

Cowboys
Eagles
Giants
Washington

The Cowboys will dominate this division with a new coach getting the best out of Prescott and Elliott. The Eagles are strong but there are huge doubts over Wentz at Quarterback. The Giants have Barkley but Daniel Jones needs a big step forward. Washington have no real backfield and a decidedly average group of QBs.

NFC North

Packers
Vikings
Lions
Bears

The Packers will again seal the title once Rodgers figures out who to throw to. The Vikings can be formidable, but I am not a fan of Kirk Cousins. They have lost Diggs but his production was on the wane. The Lions are pinning hopes on a big season for Matthew Stafford – but they have said that many times before. The Bears believe in Trubisky over Foles, I do not.

NFC South

Saints
Panthers
Falcons
Buccaneers

At some point Brees will fall off a cliff performance wise, and if that happens I doubt whether Jameis Winston can step up. However, whilst Brees is healthy they have nothing to worry about. The Panthers have given Teddy Bridgewater a well deserved chance and I think he will win more than his share of games. Ryan will continue to perform for the Falcons and it will be interesting to see what they can get out of Gurley. The Bucs have fallen into the trap of enticing big names, but Brady, Gronk and Fournette did not break any records last year and there is no reason to believe they will this year.

NFC West

Seahawks
49ers
Rams
Cardinals

Definitely the hardest division to call. The Seahawks rely heavily upon Wilson and he will again steer them to a title. The 49ers D will win them plenty of games but I have less faith in Garoppolo. Aaron Donald will continue to dominate, but Goff could struggle. Kyler Murray takes another step up and would be much more successful in a different division.

NFC Seeds

Cowboys
Packers
Saints
Seahawks
Eagles
49ers
Panthers

NFC Play Offs

Packers beat Panthers
Saints beat 49ers
Eagles beat Seahawks

Cowboys beat Eagles
Packers beat Saints

Cowboys beat Packers

Superbowl LV

Chiefs beat Cowboys

NFL Week 1 Predictions

Texans 14 Chiefs 35

Mahomes gets off to a flying start as Watson sees a long season ahead without Hopkins to aim for.

Eagles 24 Washington 17

Confidence boost for Wentz against a Washington team that have stumbled for several years and don’t yet seem to have a way forward.

Dolphins 10 Patriots 21

Cam Newton guides the Pats to an easy win as the debate around when Tua will start gains momentum.

Packers 31 Vikings 24

Rodgers proves the value of an elite QB over Cousins.

Colts 24 Jaguars 17

The Colts get a boost from Rivers as the Jags look to secure the No 1 draft pick.

Bears 17 Lions 31

Stafford gets a strong start as Trubisky looks over his shoulder at Foles.

Raiders 14 Panthers 31

Derek Carr is, well, Derek Carr as Bridgewater shines.

Jets 10 Bills 17

Closer than it could have been but the Bills defence holds firm.

Browns 14 Ravens 34

Jackson hits form early as the Browns start looking for a rethink.

Seahawks 13 Falcons 28

Wilson struggles to find form whereas Matt Ryan has no such problems helped by a healthy Todd Gurley (for now).

Chargers 14 Bengals 24

No Rivers and no joy for the Chargers, but Burrow gets his first W helped by the return of AJ Green and a powerhouse display from Mixon.

Cardinals 17 49ers 28

Promise from Kyler Murray but the 49ers D is too strong.

Buccaneers 13 Saints 27

The assortment of big name signings cant cope with a fully fit Brees.

Cowboys 31 Rams 24

New coach McCarthy gets the best out of his undoubted array of talent as Goff continues his downward trajectory.

Steelers 14 Giants 17

Jones started well last year and does the same here as questions mount against Big Ben.

Titans 10 Broncos 27

Titans struggle in the rarefied atmosphere of Mile High as the Broncos running game shows strength.