A different-looking NFL Season will start this season, as 2020 will feel a sense of normalcy. The regular season will begin on its scheduled day of September 10, as the Kansas City Chiefs will start their title defense against the Houston Texans. Super Bowl 55 is scheduled to take place in Tampa, Florida on February 7, 2021.
As with the MLB Season prediction, this NFL prediction was used with the aid of NFL Playoff Predictor. Anyone can input their prediction for who will win and predict their champion. However, there can only be one team that lifts the trophy at the end of the season.
Why the Baltimore Ravens Will Win the Super Bowl
The Baltimore Ravens were the story of the NFL last season until they weren’t. They are led by Lamar Jackson, the reigning NFL Most Valuable Player. However, Jackson and the Ravens’ regular season success did not translate into postseason success, as they lost to the Titans in a 28-12 clunker.
Many have criticized Lamar Jackson’s two postseason performances. The Ravens fell behind early in both games, which they did not experience a lot of, especially during the 2019 regular season. Some may label this team as frontrunners, but they made some adjustments in the off-season.
.@markingram21 was voted Best Personality in the NFL…
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 6, 2020
because, well, duh.: https://t.co/kZiO7ZQV15 pic.twitter.com/bg9zgVVZcZ
The Ravens had an eventful off-season because of one player: Earl Thomas. The team released him after he punched defensive lineman Chuck Clark in an altercation during practice. It will be interesting to see how the Ravens as a team respond to this, but they have the pieces to possibly make a championship run. If Lamar Jackson shows even more improvement in his throwing abilities, the Ravens will have a chance and should be the favorites to win the Super Bowl. My prediction is that they will beat the New Orleans Saints in Tampa Bay.
Why the New Orleans Saints Are Too Easy of a Pick to Make the Super Bowl
1 week from now
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) September 6, 2020#Saints #TBvsNO pic.twitter.com/lJxtp8tyUo
It may be hard for fans to be confident in the Saints to win big games in the playoffs. They will be judged on their postseason performance this year. The past three years, they arguably should have gone at least one round further. It’s Super Bowl or bust in New Orleans.
However, the NFC has been an arena of unpredictability the past few seasons. The 49ers ended up making the Super Bowl last year, which was a surprise. While they had dealt with injuries, their running game proved lethal and almost vaulted them right to the top of the league. Some teams get to go from a losing record to the mountaintop, like the Eagles did in the 2017 NFL Season.
Others, such as the Saints, have to play the long game of making the playoffs every year and being disappointed. A Super Bowl has to happen for this era of Saints football, right? They have been among the NFC favorites for three seasons running now. This year may be the last chance with Drew Brees to win the championship.
Overall Standings Prediction For 2020 NFL Season
Here were the overall standings in the prediction:
AFC North
(1) Ravens 12-4
Steelers 8-8
Browns 7-9
Bengals 3-13
AFC South
(4) Titans 11-5
(5) Texans 11-5
Colts 8-8
Jaguars 2-14
AFC East
(3) Patriots 11-5
(6) Bills 10-6
Dolphins 5-11
Jets 4-12
AFC West
(2) Chiefs 12-4
(7) Broncos 9-7
Raiders 7-9
Chargers 4-12
NFC North
(3) Vikings 11-5
(7) Packers 10-6
Lions 5-11
Bears 5-11
NFC South
(1) Saints 12-4
(5) Buccaneers 12-4
Panthers 8-8
Falcons 4-12
NFC East
(4) Eagles 10-6
Cowboys 7-9
Washington 5-11
Giants 4-12
NFC West
(2) Seahawks 12-4
(6) 49ers 11-5
Cardinals 9-7
Rams 7-9
The Two Teams People Are Underestimating for 2020 NFL Season: Patriots and Cardinals
Apparently Bill Belichick is not the greatest coach of all time. All I am hearing is that the Patriots will not be as good this year. While on paper their roster is not necessarily scary, Belichick and his staff always get the best out of their players. They have simply made the Super Bowl too often to be counted out already.
In 2016, when Tom Brady was suspended, the Patriots went 3-1 with quarterbacks Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett making their first career starts. Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is one of the best in the league at maximizing his talent. Cam Newton is going to make the Patriots running back corps a bigger threat. While James White is no Christian McCaffery, he plays similarly. Also expect Sony Michel to have the best season of his career. If Cam Newton stays healthy, the New England offense will be a threat.
Another team that no one will want to play is the Arizona Cardinals. Kyler Murray is going into his second season and now has DeAndre Hopkins to throw the football to. Having both Hopkins and Larry Fitzgerald will help Murray build upon his first season. While the Cardinals may not make the playoffs due to a packed NFC conference, they will be a tough out every week. Their offense will be lethal.
Cowboys Among Mediocre Teams Looking to Break Through
The Cowboys might have four wins already against the Giants and Washington this season. However, they will still struggle to win their division. Expect their offense to be better, but the x-factor for them will be how the defense does under first-year head coach Mike Nolan. Everything this team does is scrutinized. It is hard to evaluate Dak Prescott as a quarterback because of the team he plays for. New head coach Mike McCarthy will be able to get more out of him this season. However, Prescott is not the type of player who can carry a team.
Did we get the prediction right? What team’s prediction did we butcher? Let us know by tweeting us @unafraidshow. Here’s to a safe and successful 2020 season.