The NFL has reached its 100th Birthday in 2019 and it looks like being an exciting one as in the AFC you could present a case for 12 of the 16 teams having at least a chance of making the playoffs (not a great chance in some cases but still possible). Five teams look like genuine contenders to lift the Lombardy Trophy in Feb 2020 – the usual suspects plus Houston who has gone all-in with their latest trade, however, the Cleveland Browns after years in the doldrums will be hoping to crash that party too. Anyway, this is how we think the divisions will pan out in 2019.
AFC NORTH
1st PITTSBURGH STEELERS
The Steelers finished 2018 with a 9-5-1 record, narrowly missing out on the postseason. They had a fair bit of drama to contend with in the pre-season &and both Le’Veon Bell & Antonio Brown are gone. Many will view this as a negative given both are talented, however, the disruption they can cause in the locker room is significant. Now Pittsburgh has no distractions can settle down to the job of winning the division again. Ben Roethlisberger is still a franchise QB and they have added Donte Moncrief to the receiving corp. He will benefit from not having Blake Bortles tossing him the ball and rookie Diontae Johnson looked a star in the making at Toledo last year. Add in Running Back Benny Snell who helped make Kentucky significant in the SEC for a while last year, and you have a formidable-looking offence. The defense looks better too with Rookie Devon Bush who along with Mark Barron will add some depth at Linebacker. Four of last seasons losses came against playoff-bound reams and only one loss came by more than a TD. A bounce-back looks likely and they could challenge for a 1st round bye in the playoffs.
Predicted Record 11–5 & Third Seed
2nd CLEVELAND BROWNS
Third place with a 7-8-1 record would not normally herald a wave of pre-season hype, however, given that the Browns have won one game in the previous two seasons, that was a quantum leap. They had been hoarding draft picks and adding some good rookies during this run through and things have finally begun to take shape. Add to this the blockbuster trade with the Giants which brought a couple of likely pro bowlers and suddenly Cleveland has an impressive starting eleven on both sides of the ball. So why not division winners? Well the depth chart looks less impressive and they are inexperienced. Aso the offensive line no longer has Joe Thomas in it looks the weakest link and they are in a division where Defense rules. The schedule is pretty rough too with non-divisional trips to New England, San Fransisco, NY Jets & Denver slated, while visits from the Rams, Seattle & Buffalo are not easy. Sure they will win a few of these but probably not enough to overhaul Pittsburgh. The should finally end their postseason drought though.
Predicted Record 10–6 and a Wildcard Berth (6th Seed)
3rd BALTIMORE RAVENS
The Ravens won the division last year with a 10-6 record, and Lamar Jackson is now the no 1 QB after taking over in November. His stats were nothing to write home about, but like his predecessor Joe Flacco showed, there was not a whole lot to work with receiver wise. This has changed with the arrival of two highly regarded rookie WR’s – Marquis Brown & Miles Boykin so he won’t have any excuses in 2019. Despite this, we don’t see a whole lot of improvement roster wise and they could take a small step back. The schedule is pretty tough with home games against New England, Houston & San Fransisco and road trips to Kansas City, The Rams & Buffalo. Overall we are not convinced Lamar Jackson can make the offence work even with two top wideouts. Baltimore drafted Penn State QB Trace McSorley III so maybe they are not wholly convinced either.
Predicted Record 7-9
4th CINCINNATI BENGALS
The Bengals will have a rookie head coach in Zac Taylor this season and a whole host of questions roster wise on the offensive side of the ball. Is this QB Andy daltons last season? Will star WR AJ Green play any part? Overall their Offense looks to be in transition and although the defense looks solid, this will not be enough for them to challenge. They ended up 6-10 last year and that looks like their ceiling unless AJ Green is fit, but vying for the no 1 draft pick in 2020 is more probable
Predicted Record 3-13
AFC SOUTH
1st HOUSTON TEXANS
The Texans won the division last year and look set to repeat, thanks to their blockbuster trade with the Dolphins which sees them mortgaging their future by giving up next years 1sr round pick and 2021s first & second Pick! Still, they have sorted out their biggest issue, protecting Deshaun Watson, and have added another piece to an already loaded receiving corp. Laremy Tunsil will fill a gaping hole at Left Tackle which should stop Watson taking so many sacks and with their defense they could be contenders. The schedule is brutal to start but they get Carolina & Atlanta at home and it gets a bit easier after game six. If they can get by this 3-3 then the division should be theirs.
Predicted Record 9–7 & Fourth Seed
2nd TENNESSEE TITANS
The Titans go into 2019 with question marks over QB Marcus Mariota, who hasn’t really lived up to expectations after being drafted 2nd overall back in 2015. Still, they have brought in Ryan Tannehill and still have Derrick Henry to lean on when they need tough yards. The defence is still loaded especially in the secondary and they look good for a good season. The schedule includes tough road trips to Cleveland (never thought I would say that), Atlanta & Carolina. However, there are enough winnable game s for them to a least keep the pressure on Houston going into the final three games.
Predicted Record 8-8
3rd INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
The Luckless Colts are reeling from his decision to retire at such a young age. This means they only have Jacoby Brissett available to start, although Chad Kelly will be back from suspension for game three. The roster otherwise is not too bad though with a few nice rookie acquisitions added to the defense. They had a terrible start in 2018 going 1-5 before rallying to finish 10-6 and taking the final wild card slot. 2019 doesn’t start any easier and they won’t have Andrew Lucks’ experience to call upon. Four of their first five games are against teams with playoff aspirations (three on the road) and the schedule also includes trips to Pittsburgh & New Orleans. This looks like being a tough division and splitting these games looks the best they can hope for.
Predicted Record 7-9
4th JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Jacksonville were trendy Super Bowl picks in 2018, but that was before the real Blake Bortles stepped forward to scupper any hopes of a return to the AFC Championship game. This season they look much better at QB with super-sub Nick Foles likely starter and ex Washington State star Gardner Minshew offers some cover. The defense is loaded and arguably the best in the division but the offense has so many questions, including will Fournette get back to his old self after looking disinterested for much of last year and is Marquis Lee actually any good (8 TD’s so far in Four seasons). The schedule starts off tough but there are winnable games scattered through it. Overall the Jags are the hardest team to predict in 2019 and we have scenarios where they are a wild card and others where they are vying for the no one draft pick. Overall we see a losing season.
Predicted Record 5-11
AFC EAST
1st NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
What can we say about the defending Super Bowl Champions that has not already been said? They have the best clutch QB ever in Tom Brady, WR Josh Gordon is not suspended for once and the team is loaded on both sides of the ball. They even have a raft of rookies who have added depth. They are favourites to win the Superbowl again and providing Bradu doesn’t get injured they are as close as certainties for the division as you are likely to get. The open against Pittsburgh which won’t be easy and have tough road trips to Philadelphia & Houston, but overall they should get a first-round bye in the playoffs and very likely home-field advantage.
Predicted Record 12-4 & Home Field Advantage
2nd BUFFALO BILLS
Buffalo slipped back last year finishing 6-10, however, the schedule was rough and 7 of those losses came against teams who made the playoffs. They were also starting a rookie QB in Josh Allen who to be fair didn’t have a whole lot of weapons to play with. He did pretty well considering and the O-Line has been upgraded with the addition of Cody Ford. The receiving corp still lacks a true No one receiver and the running game may depend on whether rookie Devon Singleterry is as good as he looked at Florida Atlantic unless T.J Yeldon rediscovers his interest in the game in his new home. The one plus is on Defense and in Ed Oliver, they got one of the best players in the draft. He will anchor the D-Line and is a good bet for Defensive Rookie of the year. The schedule is tough and until they sort out their receiving corp we cant see them back in the playoffs
Predicted Record 7-9
3rd NEW YORK JETS
The Jets are starting to build the foundations of a roster which could eventually challenge New England – well once both Brady & Belichick depart. The 2019 draft added a nice piece to the defense in Quinnen Williams, however, they took a flyer on the red flag waving Line Backer Jachai Polite and it backfired badly and he has been released before the season has started. Still sometimes its better to cut your losses. Overall, they look a season away for competing for a playoff place and with a brutal schedule could struggle to get above 50-50. They have a hard start and will probably be favourites in only one of their opening seven games, and it will be interesting to see how Le’Veon Bell reacts to being on a team which is not winning regularly. Given he seems more interested in money tan success it probably won’t bother him too much.
Predicted Record 7-9
4th MIAMI DOLPHINS
The Dolphins look like they have taken a leaf out of the Cleveland Browns strategy guide, lets tank for a few years get loads of draft picks and win again in 2-3 years time. They have a decent prospect at QB in Josh Rosen, whom they will probably sit behind Ryan Fitzpatrick who will no doubt take a beating behind the depleted O-Line which will feature two rookies. The defense looks similarly incomplete and could again find that rookies are forced into play. The good news is that they will have loads of picks in 2020 and 2021 and coach Brian Flores can probably relax a bit as no one expects many wins. Despite the doom and gloom, we don’t see them going winless as they have enough winnable home games. However, finishing off the bottom would be a result.
Predicted Record 3-13
AFC WEST
Editorial credit: dean bertoncelj / Shutterstock.com
1st LOS ANGLES CHARGERS
The Chargers finished second in the division with a 12-4 record (not a typo!) in 2018 and there is no reason to believe they cant at least get back into the playoffs in 2019. Their roster has stacked both sides of the ball and even the loss of Russell Okung on the O-Line doesn’t seem an issue. None of their 2019 draft picks are likely starters straight away such is the depth and even with Running Back Melvin Gordon holding out there is no reason worry about the offense. On defense they have a formidable pass rush and the secondary is solid – even without Derwin James, who will miss a few games while his foot heals. Finishing second last year means the schedule is a little easier and they get Pittsburgh & Houston at home and although the interconference match up pitches them against the NFC North they get both Green bay & Minnesota at home. Overall it’s harder to spot the potential losses than the likely wins and a first-round bye is a strong possibility.
Predicted Record 12-4 & a First Round Bye
2nd KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
The Chiefs have arguably the best starting eleven on offence in the NFL. A repeat of 2018’s performance would have QB Patrick Maholmes in MVP contention and picking up LeSean McCoy has added both depth and experience at Running Back. If Offenses won Super Bowls they would be favourites, however, they sort of tore it up and started again on defense, with Justin Houston, Dee Ford & Eric Berry all moving on. Acquiring Frank Clark from Seattle has filled one of the holes, but the lack of draft picks meant that they were only able to make a few additions to a less deep defense. Safety Juan Thornhill looks like the most likely to start. The early schedule is not too taxing and the away game against the Chargers will be at a neutral location, but December looks tough and they might just fall short of winning the division.
Predicted Record 11-5 and a Wild Card Berth (5th Seed)
3rd DENVER BRONCOS
John Elway is going back to a proven veteran at QB after striking out on recent attempts to draft the face of the franchise. Picking up Joe Flacco looks like a shrewd move and fortunate to given the latest draftee 2nd round pick Drew Lock is on injured reserve. Anyway, Flacco played quite well last year until he got injured (well considering the lack of support he had) and he will arrive with something to prove. He will have no excuses this time as the receiving corp are talented and in Noah Fant he will have one of the most exciting young Tight Ends around. The O-Ling is ok and the Defense is loaded so if he can recapture his form of 2013 he could do a Peyton Manning for them. They finished 6-10 last year but lost 6 of those games by a TD or less and half their schedule was against playoff-bound teams. If Joe Flacco turns out to be an upgrade on Case Keenum then they could surprise a few teams.
Predicted Record 7-9
4th OAKLAND RAIDERS
Jon Gruden is into year two of his experiment which has involved a substantial turnover on the roster and the drafting of a lot of young talent. He has also caused a bit of buzz by trading for Antonio Brown, who could end up being a poison chalice given he is not the ideal role model for a youngish squad. If QB Derek Carr can strike up a partnership with Brown they could do ok, however, the squad still looks a bit lacking in depth and there is a lot of learning to do. They will win games but half the schedule is against teams who should be vying for a playoff spot and the rest are toss ups. Finishing off the bottom would be a good result in 2019.
Predicted Record 6-10
Postseason Predictions
Our way too early postseason predictions are as follows:
WILD CARD ROUND
3 Pittsburgh beats 6 Cleveland
4 Houston Beats 5 Kansas City
DIVISIONAL ROUND
1 New England Beats 4 Houston
2 Los Angles beats 3 Pittsburgh
AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
1 New England beats 2 Los Angles
Super Bowl LIV (54)
New England Lose To The New Orleans Saints