Well, the day we were never quite sure would ever get here, has arrived...
The NFL season has arrived, as the Texans visit the Chiefs at 8:20 p.m. on NBC.
Now that teams are out of their own bubbles and flu season is soon to hit, we'll see what happens. Basically...
We have fairly solid confidence the NFL will last the duration. Teams are basically their own bubbles during the season, and as long as the players can resist the urge to go out on the town, things should stay in good shape.
In that spirit, we offer our predictions for the entire season (you can do it yourself here), give our Week 1 rankings and dole out some awards.
The headlines:
- Patriots get off to a 4-6 start but rebound to win the AFC East ... again;
- Tom Brady and the Bucs don't go to the playoffs;
- Lamar Jackson and the Ravens finally win a playoff game ... and maybe a few more
On with the show.
PREDICTED 2020 SEASON STANDINGS
PLAYOFF BRACKET
PATRIOTS SEASON PREDICTION
Interesting that, similar to the last Tom Brady-less season in 2008, the Patriots feast off the weaklings (8-1) but come up short against the better teams.
I have the Patriots losing 5 of 7 after a 2-1 start to fall to 4-6 and, I think, two games behind the Bills. But then, as I said when the schedule was revealed, the schedule opens up for the Patriots a bit. But that Cardinals game is going to be no gimme and the whole season could hinge on it.
I have the Patriots closing with seven straight wins, including a home playoff win over the Steelers. That's typically how a season goes for a team that endures a lot of changes — new QB, some key opt-outs and some rookies who need to perform quickly. I don't think the Patriots should be any different.
This is the same record I predicted for the team before the opt-outs and before Cam Newton.
That being said, I have a history at BSJ of being one game too generous for the Patriots:
2019 Prediction: 13-3. Reality: 12-4. My excuse: Patriots had just acquired Antonio Brown. Belichick didn’t tell us they were going to play offense with zero tight ends
2018 Prediction: 12-4. Reality: 11-5. My excuse: Belichick didn’t tell us he was going to put Gronk back on that kickoff in Miami.
2017 Prediction: 14-2: Reality: 13-3 (I also got Tom Brady NFL MVP as well). My excuse: I wasn’t aware Stephon Gilmore was going to get spun around like a top vs. Carolina.
Just for giggles, I swapped picks in the Week 16 Monday night game at Gillette between the Bills and Dolphins. The result:
Patriots lose the lone AFC East spot to the Bills — just like New England did to the Dolphins in 2008. Yikes.
So, yeah, those Bills games are going to be very important this season.
WEEK 1 POWER RANKINGS
1. Ravens (15-1)
This team is just dripping with talent and depth. Can Eric DeCosta come home and run personnel?
2. Chiefs (14-2)
Always harder climbing the mountain again, but KC does a darn good job of it.
3. Saints (13-3)
Hey, look at that ... another great regular season that Drew Brees and Sean Payton can choke away.
4. Packers (12-4)
Not sure why everyone is sleeping on Green Bay, and Aaron Rodgers is still really good.
5. 49ers (11-5)
If there's any coach that can avoid the Super Bowl loser curse, it's Kyle Shanahan.
6. Steelers (11-5)
Big Ben is going to be comeback player of the year. Word is, he's looked sensational in practice.
7. Vikings (11-5)
Addition by subtraction when it comes to Stefon Diggs and his attitude.
8. Cowboys (10-6)
Going to be fun watching Dak Prescott operate a real NFL offense for once.
9. Titans (10-6)
Last season seems like an aberration, but Mike Vrabel is a good coach.
10. Patriots (10-6)
A lot of things need to go right for this team to be a real contender. It used to be just TB12 had to go right.
11. Seahawks (10-6)
Still doesn't have much of a line, although his weapons are a little better.
12. Cardinals (10-6)
Kyler Murray is the best player most of you have never seen.
13. Raiders (9-7)
It's only a matter of when things come together in Vegas for this talented team.
14. Colts (9-7)
Welcome to the Philip Rivers Experience, Indy. Expect a lot of turbulence.
15. Texans (9-7)
What else did you expect from the Texans?
16. Eagles (9-7)
Going to be another grinder of a season in Philly and for Carson Wentz.
17. Bills (8-8)
Buffalo keeps running into the same problem: Josh Tannehill Trubisky.
18. Buccaneers (8-8)
In the fog of Tom Brady & Co., people forget that Bruce Arians, after going 13-3 in 2015, completely crapped the bed in '16 with a talented team at 7-8-1. He's not a good team manager.
19. Lions (8-8)
Will this be enough to save Matt Patricia's job? Maybe. But this team could surprise.
20. Falcons (7-9)
The defense just isn't good enough.
21. Rams (6-10)
The personnel on defense is really thin and old in spots, and they just overpaid for Jalen Ramsey. Sean McVay can coach, can Les Snead run personnel well enough?
22. Bears (6-10)
Should be a fun winter with a raging QB controversy.
23. Broncos (5-11)
Von Miller's injury will torpedo a team that's really not that good.
24. Dolphins (5-11)
Brian Flores is a good coach, but this is only Year 2 of a complete teardown.
25. Browns (5-11)
Kevin Stefanski will be completely overmatched by the strong personnel in that building.
26. Chargers (5-11)
If this team was in another division, it might have a chance at battling for the top spot.
27. Panthers (5-11)
Total rebuilding project for Matt Rhule, but he has some good pieces in place.
28. Giants (5-11)
This team is probably a year away from being pretty good, but Dave Gettleman likely won't be around to see it come to fruition.
29. Jets (3-13)
No doubt Adam Gase is the first coach fired, and it could come early.
30. Jaguars (3-13)
Man, there are some really bad teams in the league if the Jaguars are 30th.
31. Bengals (2-14)
Don't ruin the QB. Don't ruin the QB. Don't ruin the QB.
32. Washington (2-14)
As if Ron Rivera didn't have enough to worry about with the internal investigations and his own battle with cancer, he has to suffer through Dwayne Haskins.
(Adams Richins for BSJ)SEASON AWARDS
MVP: Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs.
Got hurt last year so he couldn't win it during his breakout campaign. This will make up for it.
Coach: Bill Belichick, Patriots.
If any 10-6 coach should get it, it's Belichick with Newton replacing Brady, and being hit the hardest with Covid opt-outs.
Offensive player: Christian McCaffery, Panthers.
There's no better dual threat in the game.
Defensive player: Aaron Donald, Rams.
There's no better defender anywhere on the field.
Offensive rookie: Van Jefferson, Rams.
Not sure the league has ever seen a rookie receiver this polished.
Defensive rookie: Chase Young, Redskins.
He already beat out Ryan Kerrigan for a starting spot. He can be unblockable at times.
Comeback player: Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers.
Word on the street is that Big Ben has never looked better – and he was pretty darn good before his injury.
Executive: Eric DeCosta, Ravens.
Wait until you see their draft contribute heavily to a tremendous season.