NFL madness Sixteen teams to spotlight for the 2019 season

NFL madne s! Sixteen teams to spotlight for the 2019 season Published: Mar 27, 2019 at 08:47 AM Contributing Columnist Like every other living, breathing sports fan in America, I absolutely cherish the NCAA tournament. I'm obse sed. To the point where the tourney bleeds into every single aspect of my existence -- including this here role as an columnist! So, with a nod to the Sweet 16, I'm here to provide my annual rundown of the 16 NFL teams to watch in the coming season. But before we dive into the meat of this file, I wanted to quickly addre s a few questions that could arise from the concept of this piece ... No, this is most certainly NOT a Power Ranking. This is a way-too-early prediction of the six playoff teams -- plus a couple bubble teams -- in each conference for the 2019 campaign. I'm handling this like playoff seeding, organized by W-L record, with division winners earning the top four spots in each conference. NO. Please don't. We haven't even gotten to the 2019 , which will definitely impact the way I view the league hierarchy. This is meant to be a fun exercise a se sing where the league stands , after a few head-spinning weeks of free agency. Alright, without further ado, let's get into it: AFC REGION 1) Kansas City Chiefs: Whenever my guy is on the field, the are expected to win. And think . After all, they fell Kevin Durant Jersey just short of Sunday last season, Mahomes' first as the team's starter. The reigning MVP is the best and most mesmerizing player in the NFL today. And I have no i sue with the defense -- which is transitioning to new coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's system -- moving forward without , and . Don't forget: This unit has ranked 24th, 28th and, most recently, 31st over the past three years in total defense. Meanwhile, was an excellent move. 2) New England Patriots: is the best tight end to ever play in the NFL, and the will mi s his clutch play. But don't get it twisted: Landry Shamet Jersey With Bill Belichick and in tow, this team is capable of winning the . The Pats knew they would lose in free agency, so they . walked -- -- in free agency. Fortunately, the Pats selected with the 23rd overall pick of last year's draft. After mi sing his entire rookie campaign with an Achilles injury, Wynn will be ready to fill the void at tackle in the fall. Long story short: The roster might look a little different, but New England will be the same old powerhouse. 3) Indianapolis Colts: I loved to shore up Indy's pa s rush. General manager Chris Ballard and coach Frank Reich have swiftly established a remarkable team-oriented culture of winning. And a healthy and dominant helps, too. 4) Cleveland Browns: Cleveland is the most talented team in the AFC North -- bar none -- after , highlighted by the Jr. heist. is going to be in the mix for MVP this season, with all the weapons around him and a season of NFL quarterbacking already under his belt. And the defense features a number of emerging playmakers, most prominently second-team All-Pro . 5) Los Angeles Chargers: With fresh off one of the best seasons of his career, the window is closed. Remember how close the were this past regular season to getting the No. 1 seed? And that was with mi sing the first nine games of the season. Yes, L.A. in the Divisional Round. But the can easily be considered the most talented team, 1 through 53, in the AFC. 6) Jacksonville Jaguars: replacing is akin to flying first cla s over taking a horse and buggy. Foles' ability to lead and, unlike Bortles, complete the forward pa s are exactly what the doctor ordered in Jacksonville. I still very much believe in the core and talent of this team. After a disastrous, 5-11 letdown of a season, Foles will get this train back on the tracks. BUBBLE TEAMS: 7) Buffalo Bills: I'm loving the makeup of this squad. The offensive line is revamped, with C and OT joining the fray. The receiver position actually has some juice, with the additions of and . How much will all of this help second-year QB , a player whose star power I firmly believe in? Lastly, Sean McDermott's stamp is all over this defense, which quietly finished last season at No. 2 in total D. 8 Buck Williams Jersey ) Baltimore Ravens: Baltimore's defections got the headlines, and I get that. This happens when notable players like , , and leave the building. But I'm loving GM Eric DeCosta's first big acquisitions in the big chair. is a winner and can still play at his level. In many ways -- with his talent, attitude and demanding accountability of teammates -- Thomas is the quinte sential and cla sic Raven. Meanwhile, I love Baltimore's upgrade at running back. The ' offense was at its best last year when Ingram was involved. John Harbaugh is a fabulous coach. And will take a major step forward in Year 2. NFC REGION 1) Los Angeles Rams: and are smart veteran pieces for coordinator Wade Phillips' defense. This team's obviously in win-now mode, and those are two win-now additions. And for the sake of this conversation, I'm going to a sume that is healthy and Sean McVay's offense will hum. After opening the season at 11-1, the appeared to run out of steam a little bit down the back stretch. But hey, they still reached the . I expect McVay's bunch to hit the fall as a team hellbent on taking care of unfinished busine s. 2) Dallas Cowboys: Dallas' defense is fantastic. is a star. With out wide on Day 1 of the season after racking up 53 catches, 725 yards and six scores Joe Harris Jersey in nine games as a trade acquisition last year, is poised to turn in his best NFL campaign yet. And I love the profe sionalism and bring. 3) New Orleans Saints: So close last year. (In related news, fans probably don't mind .) Sean Payton is a coach. still has it, too. And now he has a new toy to play with: tight end . This squad is loaded and highly motivated, as always. 4) Chicago Bears: Chicago's defense is elite, even after the departure of the best coordinator in the busine s today, with Vic Fangio taking the ' head-coaching gig. showed great improvement in his first season under Matt Nagy, and 2019 is the year he becomes a star. Also, I love the stable of backs at Nagy's disposal, with free-agent pickup joining and . 5) Philadelphia Eagles: It's 's show, as it should be. And a healthy Wentz will be back at his MVP form. Philly cleaned up in the past few weeks, as per usual under Howie Roseman, adding and to an already-stacked roster. 6) Green Bay Packers: The added three new starters/upgrades on defense: safety , as well as pa s rushers and . And a new coach in Matt LaFleur. Oh, and is healthy. Enough said. BUBBLE TEAMS: 7) San Francisco 49ers: San Fran made some really smart signings, starting with RB and DE . These are big-time talent upgrades. Coleman played for Kyle Shanahan in Atlanta and will fit in perfectly alongside a healthy . I also liked the inking of CB on -- that's a low-risk, high-reward move, with a really talented player who's dominant when his body isn't failing him. Now, is certainly pricey, but a suming his ACL recovery continues as planned, he's another major talent upgrade at a position of need. And of course, Jimmy G will be back under Reggie Perry Jersey center after having his 2018 season ruined by an ACL injury of his own. Consider San Francisco the Oregon basketball of the NFL -- Kyle Shanahan is a super coach who will get this team to overachieve. 8) Seattle Seahawks: I slept on Pete Carroll's team prior to last season, and the 'Hawks went 10-6 and returned to the playoffs. Will they make the playoffs in 2019? I don't know. But I certainly won't overlook their potential. This article has been reproduced in a new format and may be mi sing content or contain faulty links. Please use the Contact Us link in our site footer to report an i sue.
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