5 Trending Topics in College Football 10-16-2023
Photo Credit: (ABC Sports).
5)Is it payback time for Alabama?
Photo Credit:(ESPN.Com).
On Saturday the No.17 Tennessee Volunteers (5-1) will travel to Tuscaloosa to take on the No.11 Alabama Crimson Tide (5-1). Last year Tennessee defeated Alabama 52-49 in overtime. Â So far, Nick Sabanâs offense has struggled to say the least. They are ranked 109th in total yards per game. They will have to slow the Volunteers down if they want to avenge their loss from 2022.
4)Is this the year Penn State wins the Big 10?
Photo Credit: (YouTube).
James Franklin has compiled a record of 84-36 at Penn State. He has a good program, but they have never been great. His best record was in 2016 when his team went 8-1 in conference and 11-3 overall. Is this the year they finally win the BIG-10 and make it to the Final Four? We will know Saturday, after they play No.3 Ohio State in Columbus.
3)Lincoln Riley will always be Lincoln Riley:
Photo Credit: (NBC Sports).
#10 USC got embarrassed Saturday night in South Bend. They lost to #21 Notre Dame 48-20. This game was never competitive. The Fighting Irish led at halftime 24-6 and outscored the Trojans 17-7 in the 4th quarter. Riley is a great offensive coach, but he has no concept on how to build or play defense. When you face better competition, you must be able to get stops. His defense struggled when he was at Oklahoma and that has carried over to Los Angeles. The Trojans are fun to watch but not a serious contender for a national championship.
2)Where does Georgia go from Here?
Photo Credit: (CBSSports).
The Bulldogs are the No.1 team in the country. They have won back-to- back national championships. The last team do win 3 straight was Minnesota from 1934 to 1936. Georgia's star TE Brock Bowers will be out, maybe for the season. He is getting ankle surgery this week. Bowers has won two rings. There is no reason for him to rush back and play. He could be the next great TE in the NFL. He should rest up and prepare for the next level. At this point he owes nothing to Georgia.
1)Dan Lanning failed the Ducks against Washington:
Photo Credit: (San Diego Tribune).
No.8 Oregon lost to No.7 Washington 36-33 in a classic PAC-12 matchup. The Ducks had a chance to send it into overtime with a 43-yard field goal, but it sailed wide right, giving the Huskies the victory. Lanning refused to kick a FG at the end of the 1st half that would have cut the lead to 1. He refused to kick a FG in the 3rd quarter as well. At the end of the game on a 4th and 3 at the 50 yard line he had Bo Nix roll out to his left, (not his strong side) and throw across his body for an incompletion. Washington scored right away. Lanning is supposed to be a defensive coach but some of his play calling was atrocious on Saturday. In the 1st half, Huskies' quarterback, Michael Penix was 0-4 when pressured. Lanning, in the 2nd half, would only rush 3-4 players. It is almost as if he has no feel for the game on both sides of the ball. The Ducks should have won the game, but their coach let them down.
It might be an All PAC-12 cast in New York for the Heisman Trophy Ceremony:
Photo Credit: (PAC-12 Network):
5. Are the Kentucky Wildcats for real?
Kentucky is 5-0 and absolutely dominated No. 22 Florida, 33-14. Wildcats running back, Ray Davis, rushed for 280 yards on 26 carries. The senior from San Francisco, California is averaging 7.8 yards per carry on the season. Mark Stoopsâ team will be tested next weekend as they travel to Georgia to take on the No.1 Bulldogs in Athens.
4. Colorado and Coach Prime lose again:
Photo Credit: (Fox Sports):
USC jumped out to a 34-14 lead at halftime before winning, 48-41. USC was outscored 27-14 in the 2nd half and 14-0 in the 4th quarter. Lincoln Riley had these problems when he coached at Oklahoma. His offense is always elite, but his defense continues to give up a ton of points. Nothing has changed with his formula. For USC to win games they will have to score over 40 points per contest. As for Colorado, they are who I thought they were, a 7â8-win team.
3. The Red River Showdown (Oklahoma vs Texas):
Photo Credit: (LongHorn Network):
The 5-0 Oklahoma Sooners will take on the 5-0 Texas Longhorns in the Red River Showdown. The first game ever played between Texas and Oklahoma was in 1900. Texas holds the all-time Red River Showdown series record at 63-50-5, but the Sooners have overpowered the Longhorns as of late. Since the year 2000, Oklahoma has won 16 out of the last 24 games. The winner of this contest should have the inside track to get to the Final Four. This will be an epic battle and should be the best environment for this rivalry in years. Both teams have National Championship aspirations.
2. What is LSU going to do with Brian Kelly:
Photo Credit: (LSU Wire):
In 2021, Ed Orgeron and LSU agreed to part ways, granting the National Championship winning coach a $17.1 million buyout. Brian Kelly left Notre Dame to come to LSU and they signed him to a 10-year, $95 million dollar contract. The Tigers are now 3-2 and lost to Ole Miss, 55-49 and were outscored 21-7 in the 4th quarter. LSU fans are already clamoring for Kelly to be fired. But LSU has 95 million reasons not to fire him. Like it or not, he has 8 more years on his contract.
1.The PAC-12 will eat their own:
Photo Credit: ( PAC-12 Network)
As of October 1st, The PAC-12 has 6 teams ranked in the top 20.
#7 Washington
#8 Oregon
#9 USC
#13 Washington State
#15 Oregon State
#18 Utah
Most of these teams still have to play each other along with UCLA who is 3-1. It will be very difficult for any team to go undefeated but, a 1 loss PAC-12 team should make the Final Four Playoffs.
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5 Things We Learned About College Football. 9-23-2023
The Pac-12 has 4 Teams in this weekâs top 10 list.
By Monte Perez
Photo Credit: (College Football GameDay).
5 Things We Learned About College Football
5)Donât forget about Alabama:
The Crimson Tide have not looked impressive all season long. But that changed quickly on Saturday. Alabama outscored No. 15 Ole Miss 18-3 in the 2nd half enroute to a 24-10 victory. Nick Saban has not forgotten how to coach and if they win the SEC the loss to Texas wonât mean anything. They could still get to the final four.
4)Is Clemsonâs ACC dominance over?
Since 2015, Clemson has won the ACC Championship 7 out of 8 years. That will not be happening this season. Dabo Swinney and Clemson lost to Duke, 28-7 and to Florida State in overtime 31-24. Dabo will not be lifting a championship trophy this season or anytime soon. Teams have caught up to him with talent and coaching.
3)Notre Dame has a bad loss at home:
Photo Credit: (NBC Sports).
The No.9 ranked Fighting Irish of Notre Dame lost to No.6 Ohio State Buckeyes at home in the final seconds. Notre Dame only had 10 men on the field when Ohio Sate scored the final touchdown. Terrible mistake by head coach Marcus Freeman. There comes a point in time where fans must realize that ND is not an elite program. They are good, not great. The last time they won a National Championship was 1988 and I don't see them winning another title anytime soon.
2)No.7 Penn State dominates No.24 Iowa 31-0:
Photo Credit: (Penn State College.Com).
At their âWhite Outâ game, the Nittany Lions beat a good Hawkeyes team 31-0. Penn State led 10 at halftime and outscored Iowa 21-0 in the 2nd half. Is this finally the year that James Frankling finally surpasses Michigan and Ohio State to win the Big-10 title and get to a Final Four? That is the only thing missing from his resum
1)#10 Oregon Dominates #19 Colorado:
There is now video of the Colorado Buffaloes talking trash on the field before the game against Oregon. They were also wiping their cleats on the Ducks O symbol at the 50 yard line. Dan Lanning gave one of the most intense speeches I have ever heard before the game.
Offensively, defensively, and special teams, the Ducks humiliated Colorado from start to finish. They won ,42-6, Â but it wasnât that close. In everyway at this point in their coaching careers, Lanning is a better recruiter and coach than Deion Sanders. The Pac-12 is so talented I donât think any team goes undefeated. But, who ever wins the Pac-12 should make it to the Final Four.
#19 Colorado vs #10 Oregon... Preview and Prediction
Photo Credit: (Fox Sports).
By Monte Perez 9/19/2023
Game: #19 Colorado (3-0) at #10 Oregon (3-0).
When: 3:30 PM @ Eugene, Oregon.
TV: ABC TV.
Betting line: The Ducks are favored by 21 points.
Photo Credit: (CBSSports.Com).
The 3-0 Colorado Buffaloes will travel to the Pacific Northwest to take on the Oregon Ducks.
Deion Sanders' squad is averaging 41.3 points per game which is 15th in the country. Shedeur Sanders has been incredibly accurate, and Colorado is 2nd in college football, throwing for 418 yards per game.Shedeur is completing 78.7 % of his passes with 11 total touchdowns and only 1 interception. This offense lives and dies by the passing game. They have talent at the running back position, but they are only rushing for 61 yards per contest. That is ranked 251st. The Colorado defense is a work in progress. They give up 30 points per game and canât seem to get off the field on 3rd down. Right now, this team only knows one way to win, outscore their opponents.
Photo Credit: (PAC-12 Network).
The Ducks are 3-0 and have played two cupcake teams. They defeated Portland State 81-0 and Hawaii 55-10. Their only test came against a bad Texas Tech Team. They were lucky enough to win on a late turnover in Lubbock, Texas, 38-30. Bo Nix continues to be the best quarterback in the country that no one talks about. This is not the same player that was at Auburn. Since his arrival in Eugene, he is completing over 73% of his passes has 51 touchdowns and only 7 interceptions. Bucky Irving and Jordan James are both averaging over 7.4 yards per carry, and they have 8 touchdowns combined. Troy Franklin, Gary Bryant Jr are a dynamic 1-2 punch at the WR position. The top 4 wideouts for the Ducks all average over 14 yards per reception, and they have 10 touchdowns in 3 games. Before Dan Lanning accepted the head coaching job at Oregon, he was the defensive coordinator for the Georgia Bulldogs. This defense has not been great since his arrival and that needs to chance if the Ducks want to win the PAC-12.
Prediction.
Photo Credit: (FanBuzz).
The Colorado Buffaloes have been the feel-good story of the college football world. Deion Sanders has brought back passion, discipline, and swag to Boulder. The team will be without one of their best players on defense and offense. Travis Hunter the star WR and DB suffered a lacerated liver in the Colorado State victory. This will no doubt affect both sides of the ball. The Ducks offense should give Colorado fits. I expect them to exploit their defense with a ton of crossing routes and for Bo Nix to throw for well over 300 yards.
Crossing Routes:
Oregon can run and throw, Colorado can only throw. This will be a high scoring game with a ton of big plays. The Spread is 21 points, I donât think Dan Lanningâs team will win by 21, but they dominate from start to finish.
Oregon 44 Colorado 21
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I grew up as a New York Jets fan. It wasnât my choice. I am the youngest of five kids and my older siblings and parents liked the Jets. It was like an arranged marriage; I had no choice in the matter. My earliest sports memory was The Jets at the Dolphins on January 23rd, 1983. I didnât even know football at the time, but I remember Richard Todd throwing 3 interceptions and the Jets losing in a mud bowl, 14-0. It ruined my day. The Jets were 1 game away from playing in the Super Bowl and they laid and egg.
Photo Credit: (Sports Illustrated).
I should have known early on that liking this team was filled with red flags. I want everyone who is reading this article to read this next paragraph out loud to fully understand it.
As a Jets fan, I never thought, at the start of the season, that New York had a chance to win the Super Bowl. It was always the same philosophy. If our defense plays well and we can run the ball, we can make the playoffs. For over 40 years, The Jets have never had a chance to win a Championship.
The last time the Jets had an elite quarterback in their prime was Joe Namath. Coincidentally, it is the last time the Jets won a ring. New York defeated the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III, 16-7.
Photo Credit: (CBSSports).
It was the only time they have ever played for a title. I wasnât even born yet.
Here is a list of some of the quarterbacks and players this team has drafted and who they could have picked.
In 1976 The Jets drafted Alabama quarterback, Richard Todd with the 6th pick in the draft. He was rumored to be the next great quarterback out of Alabama. Following in the footsteps of Namath and Ken Stabler. Todd never reached his potential and finished his career with 124 touchdowns and 161 interceptions.
In 1980 The Jets drafted WR, Johnny âLamâ Jones with the No.2 pick in the draft. They could have selected hall of fame lineman Anthony Munoz or hall of fame WR, Art Monk. Jones never lived up to the No.2 draft pick and was average at best.
Photo Credit: (New York Post).
In 1983 The Jets drafted QB, Ken OâBrien with the No.24 pick in the draft. They could have selected hall of famer, QB Dan Marino or hall of fame defensive back Darrell Green.
In 1989 The Jets drafted DE Jeff Lageman, with the no.14 pick in the draft. They could have selected hall of fame safety Steve Atwater or WR Andre Rison
Photo Credit: (USA Today).
In 1990 the Jets drafted RB Blair Thomas with the No.2 pick in the draft. One of the worst #2 picks in the history of the NFL. The Jets could have selected Hall of fame players, Cortez Kennedy, Junior Seau, Emmitt Smith, or Leroy Butler.
Photo Credit: (ABC Sports).
In 2009 The Jets drafted USC quarterback, Mark Sanchez with the 5th pick in the draft. Sanchez is known for the âButt Fumble.â
In 2017 the Jets drafted Safety, Jamal Adams. They could have selected, Christian McCaffrey, Patrick Mahomes, or Deshaun Watson.
In 2021 the Jets drafted QB Zach Wilson with the NO.2 overall draft pick. They could have selected JaâMarr Chase, Jaylen Waddle, Justin Fields, or Micah Parsons just to name a few.
Over the past few season the Jets have built this roster to be one of the best in all of football. The fans were ready to explode Monday night against the Buffalo Bills. Unfortunately, for the City of New York, they got to see the best quarterback they ever had on the field for 75 seconds.
Photo Credit: (Yahoo Sports).
Aaron Rodgers is done for the season. It will now be up to Zach Wilson to help this team reach the playoffs. The Sports Godâs have not been kind to the Jets over the years. I thought with Rodgers at the helm, New York could make a deep playoff push. Those dreams were squashed 5 minutes into the first game of the 2023 season.
Once again, year after year...It Sucks being a Jets fan.
5 Things We Learned This Week (9-9-2023) In College Football
By Monte Perez
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Photo Credit: (ESPN.Com).
In 1964 Bob Dylan released his legendary hit song, âThe Times They Are A-Changin'.â This could be the theme for the 2023 College Football Season.
Top 5 Things We Learned About Week 2 In College Football:
5)Can we trust #7 Penn State?
Rich Franklin has made The Nittany Lions a legitimate top 20 program, but are they a threat to win the Big-10 title this year? Michigan and Ohio State stand in their way. Penn State will play at Ohio State on October 21st and at home against Michigan November 11th. Is this they year they finally break through and get to a college football final four? These questions will be answered over the next 2 months.
4)The Best Quarterbacks in the Country are in the PAC-12?
Photo Credit: (CBSSports).
The PAC-12 could have 4 candidates for the Heisman Trophy at the end of the season.
Bo Nix, 2 games. Â (Oregon): over 700 total yards, 77% completions, and 5 TDâs in just over 6 quarters.
Caleb Wills, 3 games (USC): 878 passing yards, 78% completions, and 12 TDâs.
Michael Penix Jr. 2 games (Washington):Â 859 yards, 73% completions, and 8 TDâs.
The Pac-12 is breaking up next year. Several teams will join other conferences, but they are going out with a bang.
3)Wisconsin fans⌠Relax:
In 2014, Aaron Rodgers had a simple, yet direct message for Green Bay Packers fans who are panicking over the team's 1-2 record and the quarterback's own slow start. Roger told listeners, "Five letters here just for everybody out there in Packer-land: R-E-L-A-X," The same must be said about Wisconsin fans when it comes to Luke Fickell and the Badgers. #19 Wisconsin lost to Washington State on the road, 31-22. Fickell will turn this program around, but it will take some time. In 2 or 3 years they will be a legitimate contender.
2)Are Texas and Oklahoma back?
Photo Credit: (Fox Sports).
No.11 Texas dominated No.3 Alabama 34-24 in Tuscaloosa. Steve Sarkisian became the first former assistant to beat Alabama head coach Nick Saban assistant in Alabama. Â Oklahoma is now 2-0 under second year coach Brent Venables. The former Clemson defensive coordinator has the âBoomer Soonerâ Nation believing again. These two powerhouses will play in the Red River Showdown on October 7th. The winner of this game could have an inside track to the final four playoffs.
1)Is the Saban and the Alabama Dynasty over?
Photo Credit: (USA Today).
Nick Saban has won 7 National Championships, 1 with LSU and 6 at Alabama. Over the past few years, the talent gap between the Crimson Tide in the SEC and across the country has gotten closer. Players no longer want to sit on the bench for a year or two before they play. They want to start right away and earn money off NIL (name, image, and likeness). The days of programs have 2-3-4 deep at each position are a thing of the past. Over the past few seasons we have not seen Alabama dominate elite opponents like they use to. This could be the âback-9â of Sabanâs coaching career.
The AFC Football Conference is much more balanced this year than the NFC. There will be several teams competing to get to the AFC Championship.
16)Indianapolis Colts: (Projected record, 3-14).
The Colts are a mess, Jonathan Taylor will miss the 1st four games and rookie, Anthony Richardson will start at quarterback. Michael Pittman Jr. is a good wide receiver who doesnât have a lot of talent around him. Shane Steichen is a creative offensive mind, but this team will struggle to put up points.
15)Houston Texans (Projected record, 4-13).
The Texans are clearly in a rebuilding mode. Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud and DeMeco Ryans are a good building block for this team to be successful in the future. Ryans will get his team to play hard and Stroud should get better as the year goes on. This offense doesnât have enough playmakers to win more than 4 or 5 games.
Photo credit: (SI.Com).
14)Las Vegas Raiders: (Projected record, 6-11).
Josh McDaniels has a career record of 17-28. The Raiders have talent at the skill positions and Jimmy Garoppolo should put up some decent numbers with Devante Adams. This team has way too many holes to compete in a good division and their coach is a proven loser.
13)New England Patriots: (Projected record, 7-10).
When was the last time Bill Belichick entered a season as the 4th best team in the division? NE defense should be very competitive, Coach Belichick is a genius when it comes to coaching that side of the ball. He specializes in taking away the No.1 option for any offense. The Patriots have added some upgrades on the other side of the line of scrimmage. JuJu Smith Schuster, Ezekiel Elliott, and TE Mike Gesicki should add some depth. That should help quarterback Mac Jones, but he is a game manager, and he is the 4th best QB in the division that has Aaron Rodgers, Josh Allen, and Tua Tagovailoa. The Patriots donât have a great amount of team speed on offense. They will have to move the chains methodically and wonât be able to score quickly. If the Patriots do not make the playoffs, coach Belichick could be in the hot seat. He is 78-83 without Tom Brady. It might be time for a new voice in the locker room.
12)Tennessee Titans: (Projected record, 7-10).
The Titans peaked a few seasons ago under Mike Vrabel. Derrick Henry will continue to be the focal point of their offense and they will try and win with defense. The good news for Tennessee fans⌠they are in a very bad division with Houston and Indianapolis.
11)Pittsburgh Steelers: (Projected record, 9-8):
Photo Credit: (CBSSports.Com).
Mike Tomlin has never had a losing season as a head coach. That is an amazing stat. The AFC North could be one of the best divisions in all of football. Kenny Picket is now the Steelers franchise quarterback and I expect WR George Pickens to have a big season. Pittsburgh has a chance to make the playoffs.
10) Denver Broncos: (Projected record, 9-8):
Sean Payton has talent on both sides of the ball. He must find away to right Russell Wilson who had a terrible season in 2022. This team could compete for the wildcard.
9)Cleveland Browns: (Projected record, 10-7).
The Browns are one of the biggest questions marks of the 2023 season. Deshaun Watson has talent around him in Nick Chubb, Amari Cooper, and David Njoku. If this offense clicks, they could win their division.
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8)Baltimore Ravens: (Projected record, 10-7).
Photo Credit: (Fox Sports).
The Ravens are always well coached and will always have a dominant running game with Lamar Jackson and J.K. Dobbins. Can Odell Beckham Jr. give Jackson another reliable weapon? Mark Andrews is an elite TE.
7)Miami Dolphins: (Project record 10-7):
The Biggest question mark to the Miami Dolphins has been the health of their quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa. He suffered multiple head injuries last season and many so called âexpertsâ wanted him to retire. Tua has come back this off-season with a chip on his shoulder and a ton of team speed around him. Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson and Salvon Ahmen make up the fasting running back group in the NFL. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle had 196 total catches, over 3,000 receiving yards, and 15 touchdown receptions. This offense should be top 5 in scoring, but the question is, can this defense hold up their end of the bargain? Jevon Holland, Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips, and Xavien Phillips could all make plays on the defensive side of the ball. I expect the Dolphins to make the playoffs in a very competitive division.
6)Los Angeles Chargers: (Projected record, 11-6).
The Chargers have talent and playmakers on both sides of the ball. Austin Eckler is the best running back that no one talks about. Justin Herbert should have a great year if head coach Brandon Staley doesnât get in his way. If the Chargers donât win a playoff game, Staley should get fired.
5)New York Jets: (Projected record, 11-6).
Photo Credit: (NBC Sports).
The Jets defense will once again be a top 5 unit in the NFL. Sauce Gardner is a bigger, faster, stronger version of Darrelle Revis. Yes, he is that good. At 6â3, 220lbs WR's can't push him around or outjump him for a ball in the RedZone. CJ Mosley is 31 years old, but players still look at him to be the leader. This unit is fast, aggressive and plays with swag. They play exactly how Robert Saleh coaches.
Offensively the Jets offensive line is a work in progress. This unit will not be great, but they must be good enough to give Aaron Rodgers time to make plays. Breece Hall and Dalvin Cook could be the best 1-2 punch at the running back position. Garrett Wilson had over 1000 yards in his rookie season. Allen Lazard and Mecole Hardman Jr. should make up a formidable receiving group. This team should make the playoffs, there are no more excuses for Coach Saleh and his staff. If they donât make the postseason, he will be out of a job next season.
4) Buffalo Bills: (Projected record, 12-5).
The Buffalo Bills have become the Green Bay Packers with Aaron Rodgers. They are a very good regular season team, but they are not a legitimate threat to win the Super Bowl. The Bills rely too much on quarterback Josh Allen. Against bad teams this works, against good teams, not so much. Allen threw for over 4600 yards last season and rushed for over 700 yards. Stefon Diggs had 108 receptions in 2023 and I expect him to put up those numbers once again. The defense of the Bills could be a very productive unit. Gregory Rousseau could have a breakout season. Ed Oliver and Von Miller could both make the pro bowl this year. Buffalo will take a step back, but they are still good enough to make the postseason.
The Jags are in the worst division in the NFL. The Titans, Texans and Colts will struggle to be .500 on the year. Trevor Lawrence could be the MVP of the league this season. The problem with this team will be their defense. They should score points but like the Dolphins they will struggle to stop the opponent.
2)Cincinnati Bengals: (Projected record, 12-5).
Photo Credit: (YouTube).
Other than Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow could be the best quarterback in the NFL. JaâMarr Chase has 22 touchdown receptions in 2 years. The Bengals and the Jaguars are two teams that could compete against the Kansas City Chiefs for the AFC Championship
1)Kansas City Chiefs: (Projected record, 13-4):
Patrick Mahomes has a record of 27-3 vs the AFC West. During that time the Chiefs have been to 5 straight AFC Championship games, 3 Super Bowls and won 2 Titles. KC has the best quarterback, TE, and head coach combination in the NFL. Travis Kelce doesnât appear to be slowing down anytime soon. The Chiefs outscored the Eagles 24-11 in the 2nd half of the Super Bowl last year. Andy Reid put on a coaching clinic in the 3rd and 4th quarter. If the Chiefs stay healthy, they will get back to a 6th straight AFC Championship game.
FAU's head coach Tom Herman compiled a record of 22-4 at the University of Houston. He spent four years in Texas and the Longhorns were 32-18 during his tenure. Expectations were high coming into this season for the FAU Owls, and the team did not disappoint. In their opening game, The Owls dominated Monmouth University, 42-20. The team that hosts its games in Boca Raton had over 490 yards in total offense and led from start to finish.
Casey Thompson was 20-25, threw for 280 yards and had 5 touchdown passes. As a team, FAU rushed for over 200 yards.
Photo Credit: (The Full Monte Sports Show).
I spent about 30 minutes with Coach Herman in the press room asking questions and listening to him speak about his program. From his first answer, you could tell how intense, passionate, and focused he is as a head coach and leader. His players have bought into his message.
Video Credit: (The Full Monte Sports Show).
This team has a tough schedule coming up. They host Ohio University and then travel to Clemson and Illinois. This is a great opportunity for Coach Herman to evaluate his team over the next 3 games to see where they are at and what needs to improve for the Owls to be successful.
I expect this team to win at least 8 or 9 games and be in a competitive Bowl at the end of the season. FAU is in great hands with Coach Herman and his staff on the sidelines and in the locker room. They are bringing accountability, passion and wins back to Boca Raton. It should be a fun season.
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The NFC is top heavy this season. There are only two teams who can legitimately compete for the Super Bowl. The rest of the conference will be competing for a playoff spot. Â The AFC will be much more competitive this year with teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Cincinnati Bengals, and Baltimore Ravens just to name a few.
Bottom Tier:
16)Arizona Cardinals: (Projected record,3-14).
Over the past 7 years the Cardinals have had 1 winning season. Kyler Murray has been a bust so far as the No.1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft. He canât stay healthy and when he does play, he is too inconsistent. The Cardinals have no elite players on their roster, and they could be the worst team in the NFC.
15)Green Bay Packers: (Projected record, 4-13).
It is never easy to replace a legend. Aaron Rodgers is gone from Green Bay and the Jordan Love era has begun. This will be a quick marriage between the team and Love. The Packers will be looking for a new quarterback next season. This team will be able to compete in most of their games because of running backs AJ Dillion and Aaron Jones. But they wonât be able to win in shootouts. Love is a game manager and back up QB at best.
14)Tampa Bay Bucs: (Projected record, 4-13).
Photo Credit: (CBS Sports).
I expect WR Mike Evans to be traded by the deadline. Todd Bowles is a good coordinator, but he is a terrible head coach. He has a career record of 34- 50 and has only had 1 winning season as a head coach. How does he have a job with that record? Baker Mayfield is Tampaâs starting quarterback, that is all you need to know about this team.
13)Carolina Panthers: (Projected record, 6-11).
Frank Reich comes over from the Indianapolis Colts and has rookie, Bryce Young, out of Alabama as his quarterback. This team has some offensive weapons. Miles Sanders is a good dual threat running back. Adam Thielen put up great numbers in Minnesota and DJ Chark Jr and Terrance Marshall Jr. are young WR with a lot of potential. If everything goes right, the Panthers should be able to win 7 or 8 games.
12)Atlanta Falcons: (Projected record, 7-10).
The Falcons have young, talented skill position players. Desmond Ridder is now their franchise quarterback. Bijan Robinson is a talented back out of Texas. The Falcons selected him as the No.8 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Drake London and TE Kyle Pitts should be able to put up big numbers. The problem with this team is their head coach Arthur Smith. He coaches like it is 1973 and lives and dies with the running game. Until they fire Smith, this team will never be a contender. They have the talent but not the coaching.
The Commanders have a new ownership group which includes Los Angeles Lakers legend, Magic Jonhson. They wonât be patient if Ron Rivera has a losing season. Eric Bieniemy comes over after being the offense coordinator with the Kansas City Chiefs. He will do a good job but will realize very quickly there is a big difference between Patrick Mahomes and Commanders starting quarterback, Sam Howell. Brian Robinson Jr. could win rookie of the year. The Running back from Alabama has all the tools to be the next great back in the NFL. If They donât make the playoffs, Rivera will be out of a job.
In The Playoff Hunt:
10)New York Giants: (Projected record, 9-8).
Brian Daboll did a great job in his first year as the Giants head coach. The New York Giants went out and signed quarterback Daniel Jones to a $160 million contract. The Giants paid Jones like he is a top 10 quarterback, the problem is, he is not even a top 10 QB in the NFL. Saquon Barkley is the key to the Giants offense, but New York does not treat him like he is. They gave him a one-year contract worth $10,091.000 million. Jones is a totally different player without his star running back.
Photo Credit: (YouTube).
The Giants should be competitive and have an outside chance of making back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time since 2007-08.
9)New Orleans Saints: (Projected Record, 9-8).
The Saints are playing in a bad division and their quarterback, Derek Carr, is coming into this season with a chip on his shoulder. If Michael Thomas can stay healthy, this WR group can be very good. Chris Olave should have an outstanding year and this defense should be top a 5 unit and wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks in their division. Saints will be the only team to make the playoffs in the weak NFC South
8)Chicago Bears: (Projected record, 9-8).
Photo Credit: (Bears Wire).
The Bears are my sleeper team this season, Justin Fields could have a breakout season. DJ Moore, Chase Claypool, and Cole Kmet could make a great WR/TE combination. Khalil Herbert averages 5 yards per carry for his career. Their defense should be better and if their offensive line holds up they can be a playoff team.
7)Los Angeles Rams: (Projected record, 9-8).
The Rams will be better than most of the so called âexpertsâ think. Sean McVay didnât suddenly forget how to coach. He has a career record of 60-38 and only 1 losing season running a team. Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp and Aaron Donald are all back and healthy. This team could make the playoffs.
6)Detroit Lions: (Projected record, 11-6).
Like the New York Jets, this team has talent on both sides of the ball. They should be able to make the playoffs and win 11 games. I am one of the few broadcasters in the country who arenât on the Dan Campbell bandwagon. He is 17-28-1 as a head coach. The Lions have enough talent to win despite Campbell and should make the post-season.
5)Seattle Seahawks: (Projected record, 11-6).
Photo Credit: (Espn.Com).
Most NFL experts thought the Seahawks would take a huge step back after losing Russell Wilson. They did not, they thrived without him. Pete Carroll has done a remarkable job of rebuilding this team on the fly. Geno Smith should continue to manage the game with playmakers all around him. Dk Metcalf and Tyler Lockett can still be an elite WR Group. The addition of WR Jake Bobo and RB Zach Charbonnet from UCLA should help their depth. Donât be surprised if Kenneth Walker Jr has over 1200 rushing yards this season. Â Seattle should be a wild card team.
4)Minnesota Vikings: (Projected record, 11-6).
Justin Jefferson is the best WR in the NFL and he is getting better every year. That is a scary scenario for opposing defenses. TJ Hockenson is becoming an elite TE and Alexander Mattison takes over for Dalvin Cook as the featured back. I donât think this team is a Super Bowl contender, but they will win a bunch of regular season games.
3)Dallas Cowboys: (Projected Record, 11-6).
The Cowboys have player makers all over the field. Tony Pollard takes over the starting role at running back. Ezekiel Elliott signed with New England last week. Cee Dee Lamb has proven he can be the No.1 option in their passing game. He had 107 receptions last season. Can Brandin Cooks catch 60-70 balls as the 2nd option? Every year Dak Prescott has a 3-game stretch where he looks like the best quarterback in the NFL. He follows that up with 2 or 3 games where he looks like a game manager. Mike McCarthy is now taking over the play calling for this team. Many experts thought Dan Quinn would be a head coach this season in the NFL. He returns to the Cowboys as their defensive coordinator. Micah Parsons continues to be one of the best defensive players in the NFL and he should continue that role with the help of newly acquired Stephon Gilmore. The Cowboys should make the playoffs, but I donât expect them to make a deep playoff run. This is a team that has not been to the Super Bowl since 1995.
Championship or Bust:
Photo Credit: (NBC Sports).
2)San Francisco 49ers: (Projected record, 12-5).
San Franciso is loaded with talent. They have a top running back in Christian McCaffrey, a top TE in George Kittle and the best defensive player in the NFL in Nick Bosa. The problem with the 49ers is their upper management and coach. They got rid of Jimmy Garoppolo because he was a game manager. Brock Purdy is a game manager. I would not be surprised if Sam Darnold becomes the starter at some point during the season. The 49ers rosters is good enough to win a Super Bowl but their quarterback will be their downfall.
1)Philadelphia Eagles: (Projected record, 14-3).
The Eagles lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl last season, 38-35. Philadelphia has one of the best rosters in all of football and they could enter this season with a chip on their shoulder. Jalen Hurts had a magical season in 2023. He threw for over 3700 yards, rushed for over 700 yards, and had 35 total touchdowns and only 6 interceptions. The Eagles have a great dual threat at the wide receiver position. DeVonta Smith and AJ Brown combined for 183 receptions and 18 touchdowns. The running game should be greatly improved with the acquisition of DâAndre Smith.
Their defensive got a great addition by drafting Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith. Carter has a great chance to win defensive rookie of the year. I had him as the best player in the 2023 draft. This team has very few weaknesses. If Hurts goes down for any length of time, they are still in good hands with backup quarterback Marcus Mariota. and I would be shocked if they donât get back to the NFC Championship Game. This team is playing with confidence and attitude and that is a nightmare scenario for the rest of the league.
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The 2023 AFC East should be the most competitive division in all of football. There are some glaring questions that need to be answered before a division winner can be crowned.
AFC East Preview and Prediction:
Photo Credit: ( New York Post).
New England Patriots: (Projected record, 7-10).
When was the last time Bill Belichick entered a season as the 4th best team in the division?  NE defense should be very competitive, Coach Belichick is a genius when it comes to coaching that side of the ball. He specializes in taking away the No.1 option for any offense. The Patriots have added some upgrades on the other side of the line of scrimmage. JuJu Smith Schuster, Ezekiel Elliott, and TE Mike Gesicki should add some depth. That should help quarterback Mac Jones, but he is a game manager, and he is the 4th best QB in the division that has Aaron Rodgers, Josh Allen, and Tua Tagovailoa. The Patriots donât have a great amount of team speed on offense. They will have to move the chains methodically and wonât be able to score quickly.
If the Patriots do not make the playoffs, coach Belichick could be in the hot seat. He is 78-83 without Tom Brady. It might be time for a new voice in the locker room.
Miami Dolphins: (Projected record, 10-7).
Photo Credit: (NFL.Com).
The Biggest question mark to the Miami Dolphins has been the health of their quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa. He suffered multiple head injuries last season and many so called âexpertsâ wanted him to retire. Tua has come back this off-season with a chip on his shoulder and a ton of team speed around him. Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson and Salvon Ahmen make up the fasting running back group in the NFL. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle had 196 total catches, over 3,000 receiving yards, and 15 touchdown receptions. This offense should be top 5 in scoring, but the question is, can this defense hold up their end of the bargain? Jevon Holland, Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips, and Xavien Phillips could all make plays on the defensive side of the ball. I expect the Dolphins to make the playoffs in a very competitive division.
New York Jets: (Projected record, 11-6).
Photo Credit: (CBSSports.Com).
The Jets defense will once again be a top 5 unit in the NFL. Sauce Gardner is a bigger, faster, stronger version of Darrelle Revis. Yes, he is that good. At 6â3, 220lbs WR's can't push him around or outjump him for a ball in the RedZone. CJ Mosley is 31 years old, but players still look at him to be the leader. This unit is fast, aggressive and plays with swag. They play exactly how Robert Saleh coaches.
Offensively the Jets offensive line is a work in progress. This unit will not be great, but they must be good enough to give Aaron Rodgers time to make plays. Breece Hall and Dalvin Cook could be the best 1-2 punch at the running back position. Garrett Wilson had over 1000 yards in his rookie season. Allen Lazard and Mecole Hardman Jr. should make up a formidable receiving group. This team should make the playoffs, there are no more excuses for Coach Saleh and his staff. If they donât make the postseason, he will be out of a job next season.
Buffalo Bills: (Projected record, 12-5).
Photo Credit: (The Associated Press).
The Buffalo Bills have become the Green Bay Packers with Aaron Rodgers. They are a very good regular season team, but they are not a legitimate threat to win the Super Bowl. The Bills rely too much on quarterback Josh Allen. Against bad teams this works, against good teams, not so much. Allen threw for over 4600 yards last season and rushed for over 700 yards. Stefon Diggs had 108 receptions in 2023 and I expect him to put up those numbers once again. The defense of the Bills could be a very productive unit. Gregory Rousseau could have a breakout season. Ed Oliver and Von Miller could both make the pro bowl this year. Buffalo will take a step back , but they are still good enough to make the postseason.
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When The University of Wisconsin announced that they hired Luke Fickell as their head coach, I had a Tom Cruise moment from the movie Rain Man.
Photo Credit: (IMDB.Com).
Cruise finds out his millionaire father only left him rose bushes in his dadâs will and Cruise blurts out, âCan you repeat that, because I canât believe my (bleeping) ears. I said that out loud, verbatim, when ESPN announced Fickell will be the Badgers next head coach. I was so happy for the University of Wisconsin because they finally hired a coach who can compete with any program in the Big-10 and on the National level as well.
In Fickellâs 1st year at The University of Cincinnati he compiled a record of 4-8. What followed is the stuff legends are made of.
Photo Credit: (ESPN.Com).
2018: 11-2
2019: 11-3
2020: 9-1
2021: 13-1
2022: 9-3.
Fickell Went 57-18 with 2 AAC Titles and a Final Four playoff appearance. He built a top 10 program in Cincinnati, Ohio. That is a state where every kid who plays football dreams of suiting up for the Ohio State Buckeyes. Fickell getting players to attend Cincy in a state that worships Ohio State Football was beyond impressive.
The Badgers new coach is a great recruiter, a great game coach and does a tremendous job in getting players better from the time they arrive on campus until they graduate or turn pro. There were not a ton of high school All-Americans signing to play for the Bearcats. Yet, he made it to the Final Four playoffs in 2021 before losing to Alabama, 27-6.
Photo Credit: (The Athletic).
I donât expect Wisconsin to compete for a National Championship this season but give this coaching staff time and they should be a powerhouse in the Big-10 and make the playoffs on a consistent basis.
Wisconsin you finally go your man, an elite coach for years to come.
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Last season the entire NFL world thought the AFC West with the Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Denver Broncos, and Las Vegas Raiders would be the best division in football. That was obviously not the case. Watch out for the NFC East this year. All four teams have a great chance to make the postseason.
Washington Commanders (Projected Record, 7-10):
Photo Credit: (ESPN.Com).
The Commanders may not want to admit this, but they are clearly rebuilding. They have a new ownership group which includes Magic Johnson and a new starting quarterback, in Sam Howell. Eric Bieniemy left Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs to be the Commanders offensive coordinator. Brian Robinson Jr. should provide a consistent running game and Terry McLaurin had over 1000 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns last season. The strength of this team should be their defense. When healthy, Chase Young could be an elite defender who has been dominant at times. Head coach Ron Rivera is on the hot seat. If this team does not compete for a playoff spot, the ownership group will make a change at the end of the year.
New York Giants (Projected Record, 9-8):
Photo Credit: (AP News).
The New York Giants went out and signed quarterback Daniel Jones to a $160 million contract. The Giants paid Jones like he is a top 10 quarterback, the problem is, he is not even a top 10 QB in the NFL.
Saquon Barkley is the key to the Giants offense, but New York does not treat him like he is. They gave him a one-year contract worth $10,091.000 million. Jones is a totally different player without his star running back.
Photo Credit: (USA-Today).
TE Darren Waller should be an added dimension for this offense and help them in the Red Zone. Brian Daboll did a tremendous job in making Jones better, but he is still the 3rd best quarterback in the NFC East. Kayvon Thibodeaux could be the defensive breakout player in the NFL. The defensive end from Oregon has all the tools to be an all-pro. The Giants should be competitive and have an outside chance of making back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time since 2007-08.
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Dallas Cowboys (Projected Record, 11-6):
Photo Credit: (SI.Com).
The Cowboys have player makers all over the field. Tony Pollard takes over the starting role at running back. Ezekiel Elliott signed with New England last week. Cee Dee Lamb has proven he can be the No.1 option in their passing game. He had 107 receptions last season. Can Brandin Cooks catch 60-70 balls as the 2nd option? Every year Dak Prescott has a 3-game stretch where he looks like the best quarterback in the NFL. He follows that up with 2 or 3 games where he looks like a game manager. Mike McCarthy is now taking over the play calling for this team. Many experts thought Dan Quinn would be a head coach this season in the NFL. He returns to the Cowboys as their defensive coordinator. Micah Parsons continues to be one of the best defensive players in the NFL and he should continue that role with the help of newly acquired Stephon Gilmore. The Cowboys should make the playoffs, but I donât expect them to make a deep playoff run. This is a team that has not been to a Super Bowl since 1995.
Philadelphia Eagles, (Projected Record, 14-3):
Photo Credit: (Fox Sports):
The Eagles lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl last season, 38-35. Philadelphia has one of the best rosters in all of football and they could enter this season with a chip on their shoulder. Jalen Hurts had a magical season in 2023. He threw for over 3700 yards, rushed for over 700 yards, and had 35 total touchdowns and only 6 interceptions. The Eagles have a great dual threat at the wide receiver position. DeVonta Smith and AJ Brown combined for 183 receptions and 18 touchdowns. The running game should be greatly improved with the acquisition of DâAndre Smith.
Photo Credit: (The Philadelphia Inquirer):
Their defensive got a great addition by drafting Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith. Carter has a great chance to win defensive rookie of the year. I had him as the best player in the 2023 draft. This team has very few weaknesses. If Hurts goes down for any length of time, they are still in good hands with backup quarterback Marcus Mariota. Â and I would be shocked if they donât get back to the NFC Championship Game. This team is playing with confidence and attitude and that is a nightmare scenario for the rest of the league.
College football is about to start in less than 3 weeks. Since 2006 the SEC has won 13 National Championships. There is no SEC biased. They are the best football conference in the country, and clearly have the best coaches and players.
The Sports Whispererâs Top 10 College Football Rankings:
10)Penn State Nittany Lions:
I donât think Penn State will win the Big 10. But James Franklin has done a good job of bringing back Penn State from the Horrors of the Joe Paterno and Jerry Sandusky horrific scandal. Micah Parson and Saquon Barkley are a list of great NFL players who recently played for the Nittany Lions. The talent pipeline is beyond impressive.
9)USC Trojans:
Photo Credit: (NBC Los Angeles):
I am not as high on USC as most of the so-called experts. The reasoning is simple. USC has a ton of talent, but it is the same old song and dance for Lincoln Riley. He is a great offensive coach, but it is all he knows. Under Riley, Oklahoma had two Heisman Trophy Winners in Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray. They never got to a national championship game because Rileyâs defense has always been terrible. Caleb Williams won the Heisman last season, but I donât expect him to repeat that feat. The last time we had a back-to-back Heisman Trophy winner was when Archie Griffin did it in 1974 and 1975 as a running back for Ohio State. The Trojans will win 10 games and be a great offensive team, but once again their downfall will be Rileyâs defense.
8)Clemson Tigers:
Dabo Swinney has been blessed with two great college quarterbacks over the past few years. He won a title with Deshaun Watson and Trevor Lawrence. There was talk last year that Swinney doesnât have it anymore and has lost touch with his players. This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. Over the past 2 seasons Clemson had a record of 10-3, and 11-3. Florida State should win the ACC Title, but The Tigers should win 10-11 games. Dabo has a ton of talent on this roster, and they should be very good.
7)Oregon Ducks:
Photo Credit: (USA Today):
The Oregon Ducks finished the 2022 season with a 10-3 record. First year coach Dan Lanning made a ton of mistakes during his rookie campaign. But he has been consistent in his approach and the Ducks continue to land elite recruits from all over the country. Bo Nix has looked like a totally different player since coming over from Auburn. He completed 71% of his passes, up 10% from when he was played with the Tigers. Nix had 43 touchdowns and only 7 interceptions. If he remains healthy the Ducks should win the Pac-12.
6)Florida State Seminoles:
Mike Norville has turned this program around. In his first three seasons he has had a record of 3-6, 5-7 and 10-3. This team should compete for the ACC Championship. They have very good team speed and are coming into this season with a ton of confidence and swag. Quarterback Jordan Travis had 31 touchdowns and 5 interceptions last year. I expect big things from the Seminoles this season.
5)LSU Tigers:
Photo Credit: (ESPN.Com):
LSU has become the place to be. The Woman's basketball team and Men's baseball team won National Championships this year. In his first season at LSU Brian Kelly compiled a record of 10-4, and 6-2 in the SEC. The Tigers upset Alabama which should give them confidence going into the 2023 season. Kelly is an elite recruiter and has won everywhere he has coached. The problem is LSU opens up against Florida State, The will play at Ole Miss and at Alabama. The Schedule is brutal. Kelly should get the Tigers to 10 or 11 wins, but this team is a year away from making the playoffs.
4)Ohio State Buckeyes:
For years I heard that the Oregon Ducks were soft. They had great quarterbacks and skill position players, but they would get pushed around in the trenches. That is no longer the case in Eugene, but we are starting to hear that about Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes. Last season, Michigan beat Ohio State 45-23 and rushed for 252 yards dominating the Buckeyes. Donât be surprised if the Final Four playoff comes down to Michigan vs Ohio State again. The Wolverines have won 2 straight and it appears Jim Harbaugh has their number. Day will start to feel the pressure if his team loses to their arch rivals again.
3)Georgia Bulldogs:
Photo Credit: ( Fox Sports):
The Georgia Bulldogs and Kirby Smart have won back-to-back national championship. The Bulldogs are without quarterback Stetson Bennett. Jalen Carter, Kelee Ringo, and Christopher Smith. They have all moved on to the NFL. This shouldnât be a problem for Georgia, This is a team that retools, they donât rebuild. However, history is not on their side. No team has won three straight national titles during the AP poll era, which dates to 1936. For the record, Minnesota, the first official AP champion, was retroactively crowned champion for the 1934 and â35 seasons by a couple of organizations. I expect Georgia to get to the SEC title game but not win it.
2)Michigan Wolverines:
Jim Harbaugh has turned this program around. Over the past 2 seasons he has compiled a record of 12-2 and 13-1. Michigan is back on the national championship map, and they should compete for a title this season. J.J. McCarthy is the best quarterback in the Big-10 and the backfield features a dynamic duo of Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards. The defense held opponents to just 16.1 points a game last year and brings back six starters this fall. The sky is the limit for The Wolverines.
1)Alabama Crimson Tide:
Photo Credit: (College Football Gameday):
In his first season at Alabama Nick Saban had a record of 7-6. Since that time, he is 187-21, including 5 National Champions for The Crimson Tide. The offensive and defensive leaders are gone from last season. Bryce Young and Will Anderson have moved on to the NFL. This team has a ton of question marks but the master on the sidelines will use that to his advantage. He will have his team hungry and excited to make a statement every week. Â This could be the most challenging coaching job he has ever had. I expect Alabama to come out and play with an attitude and Saban to demand perfection. They are no longer they hunted they are the hunter and that should be a scary thing for the rest of the SEC and College Football.
The NFL Pre-Season officially starts this weekend.
Below Is my Top 10 Pre-Season Power Rankings:
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10)Seattle Seahawks:
Most NFL experts thought the Seahawks would take a huge step back after losing Russell Wilson. They did not, they thrived without him. Pete Carroll has done a remarkable job of rebuilding this team on the fly. Seattle should be a wild card team.
9)The New York Jets:
(Photo Credit: ABC New York).
The Jets had a top 5 defense last year despite having an absolute bust at quarterback, Zach Wilson. The defense was on the field constantly but still struck fear in the hearts of opposing offensive coordinators. Their offense should be much better this season with Aaron Rodgers at the helm and a healthy Bryce Hall at running back. Garrett Wilson had over 1000 yards last year with 4 different quarterbacks. Adding Allen Lazard will help this offense in the redzone. Sauce Gardner is a bigger version of Darrell Revis. The biggest weakness on this team is their offensive line.
8)Dallas Cowboys:
The Cowboys have become the Minnesota Vikings. They usually have a good regular season but fall short in the playoffs. To put it in perspective. Dak Prescott has 2 playoff Wins. Former New York Jets Quarterback Mark Sanchez has 4 playoff wins. The Cowboys should win 11 or 12 games, but they will not make a deep playoff run.
7)Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins:
The Bills have been a two man show for year. Stefon Diggs and Josh Allen are both elite at the WR position and playing quarterback. But who else scares you on this team? I would not be shocked if they took a huge step back this season. If Tua Tagovailoa is healthy, The Dolphins should win 11 or 12 games. But that is a big âIF.â The Dolphins defense should give up plenty of points. For the team to be successful they must outscore their opponents every game.
6)Los Angeles Chargers:
Photo Credit: (USA Today).
The Chargers have one of the most talented rosters on both sides of the ball. Justin Herbert is an elite quarterback, and he is surrounded by offensive weapons. The problem with this team is their head coach. Brandon Staley will cost the team at least 2 or 3 victories with his in-game decisions.
5)Jacksonville Jaguars:
The Jags are in the worst division in the NFL. The Titans, Texans and Colts will struggle to be .500 on the year. Trevor Lawrence could be the MVP of the league this season. The problem with this team will be their defense. They should score points but like the Dolphins they will struggle to stop the opponent.
4)Cincinnati Bengals:
Other than Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow could be the best quarterback in the NFL. JaâMarr Chase has 22 touchdown receptions in 2 years. The Bengals and the Jaguars are two teams that could compete against the Kansas City Chiefs for the AFC Championship.
3)San Francisco 49ers:
Photo Credit: (ESPN.Com).
San Franciso is loaded with talent. They have a top running back in Christian McCaffrey, a top TE in George Kittle and the best defensive player in the NFL in Nick Bosa. The problem with the 49ers is their upper management and coach. They got rid of Jimmy Garoppolo because he was a game manager. Brock Purdy is a game manager; Trey Lance is a playmaker. Â Lance should be named the starter and let him grow and develop around that talented offense. I am not sure the organization will do that. They are leaning towards Purdy to be the opening day starter.
2)Philadelphia Eagles:
Jalen Hurts has a legitimate chance of winning the MVP. This team should be the favorite in the NFC to get back to the Super Bowl. The Eagles drafted Jalen Carter with the No.9 overall pick. He could be the best player in this yearsâ draft. Acquiring DâAndre Swift from the Detroit Lions could be a game changer. He averaged 5.5 yards per carry with the Lions last season. Do not be surprised if the Eagles win the NFC
1)Kansas City Chiefs:
Photo Credit: (CNN).
Patrick Mahomes has a record of 27-3 vs the AFC West. During that time the Chiefs have been to 5 straight AFC Championship games, 3 Super Bowls and won 2 Titles. KC has the best quarterback, TE, and head coach combination in the NFL. Travis Kelce doesnât appear to be slowing down anytime soon. The Chiefs outscored the Eagles 24-11 in the 2nd half of the Super Bowl last year. Andy Reid put on a coaching clinic in the 3rd and 4th quarter. If the Chiefs stay healthy, they will get back to a 6th straight AFC Championship game.
