NFL Predictions 2019

Last year my predictions were pitiful. I got every division winner wrong aside for New England and the Rams, I didn’t even get one Super Bowl team. I was done in more by under achievers more so than over achievers. I’m sure it will happen again this year, but surprises are part of what make sports fun to watch, unless of course your favorite team under performs. So let’s start with the AFC and work our way to the NFC.

AFC East

1. New England  12-4
2. New York Jets  8-8
3. Buffalo  5-11
4. Miami  3-12

 

Tom Brady has shown no indication he is ready to retire. Neither has Bill Belichick. Which is something everyone outside of New England is looking forward to. This year will be more difficult for the Patriots with the retirement of Rob Gronkowski, but the team always finds a way to win. They will be Super Bowl favorites once again, and they will easily win the division and get a first round bye. After New England this is one of the more interesting divisions, not because it’s competitive, but because this division would be the worst in football if not for them.

The Jets have made a lot of changes, bringing in arguably the best running back in the league as a free agent, and making an eye opening head coaching hire in Adam Gase. Sam Darnold will get better, but it won’t be enough to make the playoffs. Though if there was one team that I wouldn’t be surprised to sneak into the playoffs, it’s the Jets.

Buffalo and Miami are two of the worst teams in the league. Miami’s quarterback situation is questionable at best. And Buffalo still doesn’t have the offensive personnel (even before cutting LeSean McCoy) around Josh Rosen to help him win. Both defenses are towards the bottom of the barrel, which only makes things more difficult on their quarterbacks and offense as a whole. To makes matters worse for the Bills, I see this being a make or break season for head coach Sean McDermott, and he may take more risks hoping to get as many wins as possible to save his job if he’s feeling the heat.

 

AFC North

1. Cleveland  10-6
2. Baltimore  9-7
3. Pittsburgh  8-8
4. Cincinnati  3-13

 

Almost everyone is high on Cleveland, myself included. And we’re all right to be. But I still don’t have both feet completely in the bandwagon. I have them winning the division simply because the rest of the division took a step back. Probably the biggest hurdle for the Browns is keeping the locker room in check. There are a lot of egos in there now, with lots of big personalities. I don’t love their head coaching hire, but it’s not all bad because they promoted from within.

Honestly it was a toss up for me as to who finishes second in this division. I’m giving the nod to Baltimore because they have a more talented roster. Both teams’ schedules are equally difficult. It was about time Cincinnati got rid of Marvin Lewis, but it’s going to be another difficult season. Andy Dalton is not looking like the next great quarterback as he did earlier in his career. And other than AJ Green, the Bengals simply don’t have any talent. And guess what? AJ Green will miss significant time yet again with another injury.

 

AFC South

1. Houston  9-7
2. Tennessee  8-8
3. Indianapolis   7-9
4. Jacksonville  5-11

I was going to pick Indy to win the division. They have a talented roster, with most of it returning from last year’s surprising success. But they live and die with Andrew Luck. And since he abruptly retired, they are going to have a long season. The fact that he was booed off the field during the third pre-season game says it all. So Houston wins the division almost by default.

I never know what to make of the Titans. They’re a middle of the road team with average quarterback play, but have a strong running game and a good offensive line with an adequate defense. They benefit most from the Luckless Colts, but it’s still not enough to make the playoffs.

It wouldn’t surprise me if Jacksonville exceeds expectations. This will be a true test of Nick Foles’ ability. The Jaguars will almost certainly be better without Blake Bortles under center, but how much better remains to be seen. Their defense only seems to show up when they want to, and their running game needs a bounce back season.

AFC West

1. Kansas City 13-3
2. Chargers 12-4
3. Oakland 6-10
4. Denver 5-11

The most top laden division in the league, it will be a battle between the Chiefs and Chargers. Neither team made significant improvements, but neither had significant losses in free agency. After them it’s a crapshoot. I won’t rock the boat and have the Chargers leapfrog the Chiefs. I think we can call agree that the two Chiefs and Chargers matchups this season will be two of the must watch games of the season, especially the Week 17 game, which may decide the division and who gets a first round bye or possibly home field advantage.

I know there is a lot of drama and distractions in Oakland right now. But I just don’t see Denver having the offense to win enough games to finish ahead of the Raiders. Denver’s offensive line is bad, and newly acquired Joe Flacco is not the best fit for the Broncos’ new scheme. Plus he doesn’t have anybody to throw the ball to. It’s a good situation for Drew Lock to sit behind and learn, but don’t be surprised if he’s thrust into action too soon, further hurting the Broncos’ record.

 

NFC East

1. Dallas 11-5
2. Philadelphia  10-6
3. Giants  4-12
4. Washington  3-13

In recent years the NFC East has been an up and down division. This year I see it being middle of the road. Philadelphia’s season hinges on Carson Wentz staying healthy more than ever since they let Nick Foles leave in free agency. The Cowboys offensive stars have a lot to play for, as Dak Prescott wants a big money new contract and so does Ezekiel Elliot (if he doesn’t get an extension prior to the start of the season or early on). Plus the Cowboys get a great slot receiver with the addition of Randall Cobb. Pairing him with Amari Cooper was a smart pickup by Dallas’ front office. Cobb’s best years in Green Bay came playing in the slot next to Jordy Nelson. I’m picking Dallas to win the division because a lot has to go right for Philly to find success.

Both the Giants and Redskins are in rebuild mode. Both have awful veteran quarterbacks in place ahead of first round rookies. Both have awful offenses with questionable defenses. Maybe the most intriguing story in the NFL this season will be who finishes last in the NFC East.

 

NFC North

1. Minnesota  11-5
2. Green Bay 10-6
3. Chicago  9-7
4. Detroit  7-9

 

This is the tightest division in football, and will produce two playoff teams. Last year I went all in with Minnesota. Mainly because I thought they finally had a good quarterback. Yes Kirk Cousins didn’t meet expectations in terms of wins, but he didn’t have an awful season. He threw for over 4,000 yards with 30 touchdowns to only 10 interceptions. I see the Bears coming back down to earth, which will further help the Vikings. Green Bay is another question mark this season.

The Packers filled a lot of holes. The offensive line looks better. They not only actually spent money in free agency, but did so on defense. Surprisingly my only question is the offense. Aaron Rodgers doesn’t have much talent to throw to, plus he has to adjust to a new scheme which might have him limit his hallmark ingenuity out of the pocket. And I’m still not convinced by the running game. But complacency, the buzz word in Green Bay during the offseason, should be squashed with the new coaching changes. And I think another year under Mike Pettine will help the much improved defense

Detroit will be improved, but not enough to contend in any division, let alone this one. Matt Patricia will continue to try and bring New England to Motown, but it’s still another year or two away from taking off. They may steal some wins here and there, but the Lions simply don’t have the personnel to contend

 

NFC South

1. New Orleans  13-3
2. Atlanta  9-7
3. Carolina  7-9
4. Tampa Bay  5-11

 

Drew Brees and the Saints will once again reign over this division. Atlanta will give them a bigger challenge this year, but they won’t be consistent enough to mount a serious threat to New Orleans’ crown. Carolina doesn’t have the passing game required to compete in this division, let alone the league as a whole, and there are still questions about Cam Newton’s health. Tampa Bay will be better under new head coach Bruce Arians, but only slightly. The Browns job was a better destination, and come December Arians will likely be wishing he was shoveling snow than sitting on the beach.

 

NFC West

1. Rams 13-3
2. Seattle  9-7
3. San Francisco  8-8
4. Arizona 4-12

 

The Rams will run away with this division again. While Seattle and San Fran battle it out for second place, which ultimately will only cost them a better draft pick and a tougher schedule in 2020. I will admit success in San Francisco depends on their health, while Seattle’s schemes are becoming more and more antiquated. But the trade for Jadeoveon Clowney sent shock waves around the NFL, not only because Seattle gave up next to nothing for him, but because they somehow managed to replace pro bowler Frank Clark (a head scratching move in the offseason), with a more productive pass rusher. Because of this trade I have Seattle finishing just ahead of the Niners.

I have no clue what Arizona is doing. They literally burned a first round pick on a quarterback. How many teams even contemplate that. Not only new head coach, but NFL rookie coach (head coach or otherwise) Kliff Kingsbury has likely been given too much control on roster decisions, as evident by giving up on 2018 first round pick Josh Rosen to select Kyler Murray number one overall.

 

 

 

Rashan Gary is already looking like a bust, not getting any tackles during the pre-season despite playing significant minutes. Aaron Rodgers has nobody to throw to. Teams will double Davante Adams, taking him away, forcing the other receivers to make plays, which won’t come. There is still no running game. The offensive line is a mess. The defense has a lot to prove. And the rest of the division is getting better, if it hasn’t already passed Green Bay by.

 

 

AFC Playoffs

Wildcard Round

Cleveland vs. Chargers

Houston vs. Baltimore

 

Cleveland made leaps and bounds this season, but it will be a rude awakening in the playoffs going up against a hungry Chargers team and veteran quarterback Philip Rivers. Houston and Baltimore is a battle of mediocrity, but with much needed offensive line support, Deshaun Watson and the Texans offense will exploit a depleted Ravens defense to advance.

 

Divisional Round

Kansas City vs. Chargers

Houston vs. New England

 

Once Again Rivers and the Bolts come up short, while New England cake walks into the Conference Championship game for what feels like forever

 

Championship Game

Kansas City vs. New England

NFC Playoffs

Wild Card Round

Minnesota vs. Philadelphia

Dallas vs. Green Bay

 

This is all of course assuming Carson Wentz remains healthy for the entire season. If not it could be a mystery team facing the Vikings. Regardless, I still see Minnesota getting past the Eagles, but it will be a close game. Dallas won’t let another playoff game against Green Bay slip their grasp. They will play this game at home, with a chip on their shoulder, and with an Ezekiel Elliott (assuming he signs an extension at some point during the season) that did not play a 16 game season. Dallas creates matchup problems, and Green Bay can be easily shut down on offense due to a questionable receiving corps and offensive line.

 

Divisional Round

Rams vs. Minnesota

New Orleans vs. Dallas

The Rams should once again reach the Conference Championship game, easily getting past the Vikings at home. New Orleans will do the same at home against Dallas. Not a very intriguing NFC round of games here.

 

Championship Game

New Orleans vs. Rams

After everything that happened in the NFC Championship game last season, there will be a lot of scrutiny on this matchup. I feel like the Saints will play above it though. The Rams are good, but the Saints are just better. And if Dallas is playing with a chip on their shoulder in their Wild Card matchup against Green Bay, New Orleans is playing with an even bigger one throughout the entire playoffs.

 

Super Bowl

Kansas City vs. New Orleans

This will be an epic Super Bowl should my predictions hold true. Two high powered offenses with more than adequate defenses? Who breaks first? New Orleans at first, but they will come from behind (but not by much) to take home the Lombardi Trophy in what may be Drew Brees’ final season. I see KC attempting some big plays to start off the game, but once New Orleans gets their head back on straight, they rally back to win. Even if this isn’t a high scoring game, it will still be far more exciting than last year’s snooze fest of a Super Bowl.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2019 MLB Predictions

In years past I have gone as far as to predict win totals/win-loss totals. I’m not going to be doing that anymore, at least for baseball. I may give a ballpark for wins, but won’t break things down as far as say Team X will finish 92-70.

 

AL East

Red Sox

Yankees

Rays

Blue Jays

Orioles

Lots of people are high on the Rays, and rightly so. But in this division they won’t be able to contend. Put them in any other division in the league and they would be able to contend for a Wild Card spot if not the division. They have a better roster than last year though, and if there is one surprise team to steal a Wild Card spot it’s the Rays. I wouldn’t be stunned by it, but I just don’t see it happening. The Yankees and Red Sox are the class of this division. The Yankees made some moves in the offseason, but not the right ones. They did not add a marquee starter the team needed to reach the World Series, which is typically the goal for every season. So once again their rotation will be what holds them back. And that is before even accounting fur Luis Severino’s injury (which will keep him out till at least May), CC Sabathia’s (who should not have even been re-signed) suspension and injury. They can hit all the home runs they want, it won’t help in the end.

The Red Sox made little moves in the offseason, frankly because they didn’t need to. They’re set up not only for now, but for the long haul. Without being tied down to long, expensive contracts to the likes of Bryce Harper or Manny Machado, they will be able to add pieces as they need to.

Toronto learned this the hard way, as they saw their window to win and went for it, but it ultimately didn’t work out. They had many player friendly contracts cluttering up their roster, and had to cut ties with all of them in order for the financials and on field expectations to sync up. At least what they’re doing makes sense. At this point I have no clue what the Orioles are doing. I understand getting rid of aging stars, but you still need to field a competitive roster. So yet another last place finish for them.

 

AL Central

Indians

Twins

White Sox

Royals

Tigers

The easiest division in baseball the past couple seasons remains just that; the easiest division in baseball. The Indians will run away with it simply because no other team is ready to contend. Scratch that, the Tigers and Royals will be contenders; for the worst record in baseball. Just a couple seasons ago the Twins were the darlings of baseball by earning a Wild Card spot. Two seasons later though they move on from the manager who led them to that Wild Card berth, and lose one of their best players in free agency. They did add some pieces to fill out roster holes, but it still won’t be enough to contend in the division. But if there is one team to sneak up on Cleveland it will be the Twins.

 

AL West

Astros

A’s

Angels

Rangers

Mariners

Both the Angels and A’s weak spots are their rotation. Neither of them have a bonafide  front line starter. I just can’t count Shohei Ohtani because he is not a dedicated pitcher, regardless of him being out for 2019 due to Tommy John surgery. I can easily see both of teams battling it out for one of the two Wild Card spots though. With the A’s to their lineup and rotation being slightly better. The Astros are still the best team in this division if not the league. Even with the subtractions to their rotation. Nobody else comes close to them in this division. You can pencil them in now as one of the teams in the ALCS.

Seattle is in rebuild mode, finally recognizing that the Robinson Cano signing was a mistake. I don’t think they had to give up one of the up and coming closers in the game though in that same deal though. Texas is a bit of an oddball, as they don’t seem to be doing much of anything. They’re not exactly in rebuild mode, but they’re not in contention either. They still have a better roster than the Mariners though.

 

NL East

Phillies

Nationals

Braves

Mets

Marlins

The Phillies came very close to winning the division last season, and came out of nowhere to do so. They overachieved, and what does that usually spell? A front office that overspends and overreaches in the offseason to bulk up the roster. Philadelphia admitted they would be big players in the market, and boy did they follow through. Landing arguably the best free agent in history, stealing a young quality catcher from a division rival, adding yet another former MVP to their outfield and a quality veteran late reliever to bolster their bullpen. Their only weak spot appears to be their rotation, which could use another quality arm. But that is an area that can be easily addressed by the trade deadline.

Rotation depth is Atlanta’s weak spot though, and their lineup additions simply aren’t enough to compete with the Phillies. Washington lost their best player in the offseason and decided to take the money they could’ve used to re-sign him to beef up their already beefed up rotation. The Nationals will be forever haunted by not trading Bryce Harper at the 2018 trade deadline, as they got absolutely nothing for him. For a team that has been on the cusp of a pennant for quite a while now, the additions of starter Patrick Corbin, catcher Yan Gomes (granted it fills a long time hole in the lineup) second basemen Brian Dozier (yet another lineup hole) simply won’t be enough in this division. Washington has missed their window, as the rest of the division has caught up to them.

With all that said, sadly the Mets will be the odd man out in this division. They’re good, which is more than Mets fans have been able to say for pretty much the team’s entire existence, but it’s still not enough. Matt Harvey flamed out, they’re still paying Bobby Bonilla, and they still have holes to fill. Maybe their youngsters will pan out, but it won’t be in 2019. And which Robinson Cano shows up is anyone’s guess.

The Marlins clearly showed where their priorities lied with a completely unnecessary rebrand in the offseason. A new logo does not mean a fresh start in Miami, as it’s more of the same tear down and relying on luck more than talent to finish with a .500 record. They will be far and away the worst team in baseball, if not shooting for the worst record in history. There is no nobody left in Miami; Giancarlo Stanton, Christian Yelich, Marcell Ozuna, J.T. Realmuto, Justin Bour, Dee Gordon and Jose Fernandez are all lone gone. Can anyone even name one player in the Marlins’ projected opening day lineup? If this was happening in any other city in the nation, there would be regular protests and marches in the street or outside the ballpark/team facilities. But remember, this is a place where you can buy field box seats for $12.50 and offers free shuttle service to and from the game, and even then, the ballpark is at least 90% empty every game.

 

NL Central

Brewers

Cardinals

Cubs

Reds

Pirates

 

This division is a tossup between the Brewers and the Cardinals. I will give the edge to the Brewers right now, because I think their rotation is slightly better (glaring weak spots for both teams) . Health will be a major factor in how this division plays out. Whichever team has the least amount if injuries will go a long way in deciding this division. The Cubs capitalized on their window, winning their first World Series title in over 100 years a couple seasons ago. But now, that roster is aging, and they depleted their farm system in order to win that elusive ring. But can you really blame them? Cincinnati is finally showing signs of awakening from their hibernation. Making bold moves in the offseason. But it still won’t be enough. This division has been one of the toughest in baseball for the past decade or so. Not because one team perennially dominates is, but the exact opposite actually. All these teams have been contenders within the last decade, and their success and downfall has been contingent on each other.

Pittsburgh fans will once again be left wondering why. As ownership doesn’t seem to care and just doesn’t get it. Their lineup is a joke. Why they traded for Chris Archer is anyone’s guess. And when it was on the heels of giving up their best pitcherin ages (Gerrit Cole) last season , for next to nothing, makes the move even more puzzling. The Pirates will get burned by the Reds getting markedly better.

 

NL West

Dodgers

Rockies

Diamondbacks

Padres

Giants

While the Dodgers have a great deal of subtractions, they’re still far and away the best team in this division.  My only concern is their pitching, as Clayton Kershaw has shown signs of age, Kenley Jansen has had some nasty injuries. The D’backs lost bigger pieces, the Rockies pitching will never be enough to seriously contend due to Coors Field, and the Giants simply don’t have the roster to contend.

The Padres made one of the two biggest splashes in free agency with the signing of Manny Machado, but it still won’t be enough. There simply aren’t enough pieces around him and Hosmer (who signed as a free agent last winter), to contend. While the Padres are making moves, they’re not the right moves. While baseball has no salary cap, being tied to one player for so much money really limits what a small market team can do. Especially in a city that recently lost their NFL team to relocation and has no other big 4 pro league franchises. Now San Diego’s hands are completely tied, if they weren’t tied enough already with the Hosmer signing last winter. They have no pitching, their farm system is not where it needs to be to rebuild and their ballpark plays as one of the biggest in MLB so which slugger will be foolish enough to sign with them…

 

AL Playoffs

Wild Card Game

Yankees vs A’s

 

Division Series

Red Sox vs Indians

Astros vs Yankees

 

Championship Series

Astros vs Red Sox

 

National League Playoffs

Wild Card

Cardinals vs Rockies

 

Division Series

Phillies vs Brewers

Dodgers vs Cardinals

 

Championship Series

Dodgers vs Phillies

 

World Series

Astros vs Dodgers

 

Astros are World Series Champions