FINALLY it is the week of the NFL kickoff. Whatever it’s going to look like (or how long it will last) who the heck knows.

I’ll save the Browns prediction thread for Diam ... or whoever else wants to start it. This one is just for the NFL as a whole.

Here’s mine:

AFC EAST - Buffalo Bills
AFC SOUTH - Houston Texans
AFC WEST - Kansas City Chiefs
AFC NORTH - Baltimore Ravens
AFC WILDCARDS - Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots

NFC EAST - Dallas Cowboys
NFC SOUTH - New Orleans Saints
NFC WEST - San Francisco 49ers
NFC NORTH - Minnesota Vikings
NFC WILDCARDS - Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks, LA Rams

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - Kansas City Chiefs over Pittsburgh Steelers
NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - New Orleans Saints over Dallas Cowboys

SUPER BOWL - Kansas City Chiefs over New Orleans Saints

I think the Steelers are going to disappoint this year, 7-9 or 8-8.

AFC EAST - Buffalo Bills
AFC SOUTH - Tennessee Titans
AFC WEST - Kansas City Chiefs
AFC NORTH - Baltimore Ravens
AFC WILDCARDS - Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans, Pittsburgh Steelers

NFC EAST - Philadelphia Eagles
NFC SOUTH - New Orleans Saints
NFC WEST - San Francisco 49ers
NFC NORTH - Minnesota Vikings
NFC WILDCARDS - Seattle Seahawks, Dallas Cowboys, Tampa Bay Bucs

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - Kansas City Chiefs over Baltimore Ravens
NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - Minnesota Vikings over Seattle Seahawks

SUPER BOWL - Kansas City Chiefs over Minnesota Vikings

Doesn't matter. We won't be there.

Let's see.

AFC EAST - Buffalo Bills
AFC SOUTH - Tennessee Titans
AFC WEST - Kansas City Chiefs
AFC NORTH - Pittsburgh Steelers
AFC WILDCARDS - New England Patriots, Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans

NFC EAST - Dallas Cowboys
NFC SOUTH - New Orleans Saints
NFC WEST - San Francisco 49ers
NFC NORTH - Minnesota Vikings
NFC WILDCARDS - Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks, Carolina Panthers

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - Kansas City Chiefs over Pittsburgh Steelers
NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - New Orleans Saints over San Francisco 49ers

SUPER BOWL - Kansas City Chiefs over New Orleans Saints

So there is an extra wild card, what is it just one team with a bye this year?

yeah, each conferenced has 7 teams now .. 1 bye for AFC and NFC

Well, we have played pretty well in our bye week games. I like our chances. P-borg may well disappoint. We may surprise. Rats may not be as invincible this year as media seems to think. I want us to break their hearts some this year.

We find a way to be in it.

AFC EAST - New England
AFC SOUTH - Tennessee
AFC WEST - Kansas City
AFC NORTH - Baltimore
AFC WILDCARDS - Pittsburgh [provided Ben stays healthy,] Buffalo, Indy

NFC EAST - Dallas
NFC SOUTH - New Orleans
NFC WEST - San Francisco 49ers
NFC NORTH - Minnesota
NFC WILDCARDS - Seattle, Green Bay, Tampa Bay

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - Kansas City over Baltimore
NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - San Francisco over New Orleans

SUPER BOWL - San Fransisco over Kansas City

AFC East - Pats

AFC South - Titans

AFC West - Kansas City

AFC North - Cleveland Browns


Wild Cards - Ravens, Colts, Bills

========================================

NFC East - Eagles

NFC North - Packers

NFC South - Saints

NFC West - SF 49'ers


Wild Cards - Texans, Vikings, Seahawks

==================================================

AFC Championship - Chiefs over Browns
NFC Championship - Saints over Seahawks

Super Bowl - Chiefs over Saints

AFC:

North: Browns
South: Titans
East: Buffalo
West: Chiefs

WILDCARDS:
Rats, Broncos, Patriots

NFC

North: Bears
South: Bucs
East: Philly
West: 49ers

WILDCARD:

Cowboys, Packers, Seahawks

Super Bowl:
Chiefs over Seahawks

ESPN’s computer prediction. 7-9. I realize this isn’t the per game prediction but anyway....

https://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/...r-bowl-champion

2-6 again?

Yikes, no.

I made my picks but I want to add a footnote.


IMO there are six really good teams. They are in order:

Kansas City
New Orleans
San Francisco
Baltimore
Seattle
Green Bay

After that there are a number of teams that have the potential to challenge the top teams. They are:

Vikings
Dallas
Cleveland
Texans
Titans
Steelers


There are a few of the rest that have a outside chance. They are:

Eagles
Falcons
Pats
Bills
Tampa
Colts
Raiders(maybe)


The reality IMO is the top six are good. And the rest are all questionable.

For some reason I'm not a believer in SF or Garrapolo.

I think they come crashing down to earth this year.

The rest of your list I agree with.

Those are very damning numbers in context with the very last number, strength of schedule.

A lot of people don't think much of the Browns this year.

They think what most people understand. In the season of covid with limited time to practice, any team with an entire new coaching staff and installing new systems on both sides of the ball are at a distinct disadvantage.

Yeah, we definitely have a lot piled against us. And opening at Baltimore is TOUGH ... although, at least we get it out of the way and it’s probably the toughest game on the schedule

I don't think that's it. It would be the same without covid.

The Browns suck every year. As such, they should be treated as such.

I think last year was the last time people will get burnt by the Browns in the prediction business. I heard a great quote about the Browns recently ... "from now on, this is a party you want to be late to, not early".

The Browns are the Browns. They perpetually suck.

Yeah, there's zero possibility we will ever be better no matter what we do. The roster, the coaching staff and FO will never make anything better. We are all doomed forever.

Are you arguing with me, yourself, or someone else?

AFC EAST - Buffalo Bills
AFC SOUTH - Houston Texans
AFC WEST - Kansas City Chiefs
AFC NORTH - Baltimore Ravens
AFC WILDCARDS - Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots

NFC EAST - Dallas Cowboys
NFC SOUTH - New Orleans Saints
NFC WEST - Seattle Seahawks
NFC NORTH - Minnesota Vikings
NFC WILDCARDS - Tampa Bay Buccaneers, SF 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - Kansas City Chiefs over Baltimore Ravens
NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - Tampa Bay Buccaneers over New Orleans Saints

SUPER BOWL - Tom Terrific wins Super Bowl defeating KC

If Brady wins the super bowl in TB ... that would be unbelievable

IMO they are a well coached team.

There offense is well conceived and they execute it well.

They also play good defense.

I stand by it.

Sorry you feel that way.

2020 has little to do with the past. Each season most teams churn close a third of their roster. So teams are not the same year after year.

If I felt as you do. I doubt I would watch them.

Rankings and PPF grades etc. are all based upon last year.

I get that. However, IMO the Browns have to potential to be a top three offensive team.

They may not start that way because the first month of the season will act as training camp.

But once the OL begins to gel and the timing gets nailed down. They have the talent to excel.

Obviously Baker has to play well. And I believe he will.

Stefanski seems like a smart guy. They have invested in a play action pass and run game. They have the runners the TE's and a upgraded OL. In addition they will use the fullback.

Baker's numbers in play action were significantly better than any other plays.

So, I see no reason why this offense will not be good.

They will just need about a month to find a groove.

Expect the unexpected.

I mean - that has a really good track record over the last 20 years.

I think there are several factors.

--Baker. He was horrible last year. Second in interceptions. Hard to win when you turn the ball over that much. Next Gen stats also showed that he held the ball too long and ran out of clean pockets. It's a recipe for disaster.

--Yet another HC w/absolutely zero head coaching experience.

--A culture of losing and blowing things up.

--Covid plays a part because of the new staff.

--Defense has holes, especially at LBer and safety.

Agreed on all accounts. Plus, I don’t know how much chemistry OBJ has with our offense .. he seems to be a disruptor instead of seemingly fitting in

I believe if we win 8 games and at least stay in contention for a playoff spot we can consider it a good season. Too many ? marks to feel otherwise. Our players have to learn another new system on both sides of the ball with little practice time. Not a good situation.

AFC EAST - New England
AFC SOUTH - Tennessee
AFC WEST - Kansas City
AFC NORTH - Cleveland (shocker, I know)
AFC WILDCARDS - Buffalo, Baltimore, Las Vegas

NFC EAST - Philly
NFC SOUTH - New Orleans Saints
NFC WEST - San Francisco 49ers
NFC NORTH - Minnesota Vikings
NFC WILDCARDS - Tampa Bay, Seahawks, Cowboys

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - New England over Cleveland
NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - Tampa Bay over New Orleans Saints

SUPER BOWL - New England over Tampa Bay (Bill beats Tom)

that sucks .. hate to see it

Season Prediction:

More wins than last year.
Baker proving to be a franchise QB.
Possibly off to a bad start due to pre-season limitations.

AFC East - Dolphins

AFC South - Jaguars

AFC West - Chargers

AFC North - Bengals


Wild Cards - Raiders, Jets, Broncos

========================================

NFC East - Football Team

NFC North - Lions

NFC South - Falcons

NFC West - Rams


Wild Cards - Giants, Panthers, Bears

==================================================

AFC Championship - Jaguars over Jets
NFC Championship - Football Team over Bears

Super Bowl - Football Team over Jaguars

Washington Football Team just keeps the name forever since they won.

Defensively I am uncertain.

We appear to weak be in the defensive backfield in starters and depth. Safety could be a problem. I think we will play single high. So coverage?

Linebacker will be tied to scheme. I think we will bring safety and corner help.

The DL is solid not real sure about depth.

I think we are vulnerable to injury on defense because of depth.

We have still not proven we can stop good rushing teams. We better improve in that aspect or it will cost us big time.

Overall. I am in a wait and see mode on defense.

We better be prepared to spy Lamar with more than one player. Has to be a corner or safety and mix it up.

I'll be ok with early-season struggles so long as we iron them out as we get into the middle of the season. If we struggle out of the gate and then continue to find different ways to struggle... then that means something isn't right.

It would be dismal if this team does not improve over the year.

This is the problem with the Browns, IMO ... this franchise has such a huge cloud hanging over its head that just seems to weigh down on the players and staff and snowball over a season when things aren't going good. The pressure is immense.

I think it's important they get off to a fast start. I am not confident there will be a mid-season surge or turnaround. No other franchise has the amount of pressure to be good and just falls apart when things aren't going good the way the Browns do.

Add in the explosive personalities that will be distractions if we lose, and a slow start will be disastrous, IMO.

Dark clouds are only a part of the sky and weather.

The Browns are who they are today. Not a team from any other era.

Haslam is the owner. The decisions made by him both in the past and today are what is relevant.

Haslam and the people he hired failed. The record is the result of those failures.

Every team is under pressure. Every part of the NFL is about winning. Those who earn their living in the NFL all face that pressure.

The 2020 season is about this team and the staff that runs it.

https://www.dawgtalkers.net/ubbthreads.php/topics/1789618#Post1789618

Beginning of the season polls 2020

49ers not getting much love this year. What's the deal??

I think it would be really hard for Brees to win MVP ... he’s slowed down considerably

People realized Garoppolo ain't that great?

This.

Shannyn is good. D is good.

Jimmy G...eh, I see a crash down to earth.

I’ve said it quite a bit, but IMO Shanny is the best coach we’ve had here since Marty

The guy takes a ton of abuse from media types and some fans. I wonder if people are jealous of him because he is so good-looking? Because, his record indicates that he isn't as bad as people make him out to be. I think I have this right:

--Jimmy G was 2 and 0 w/NE.

--SF went 5-0 w/Jimmy G in 2017 and 1 and 10 w/out him.

--SF went 4 and 12 w/out him in 2018 after they won the last 5 games of the year w/him in the previous year.

--SF went 13 and 3 last year w/him.

Thus, in SF alone, the 49ers are 18 and 3 w/Jimmy G and 5 and 22 w/out him. I think most reasonable people would at least recognize the significance of those numbers.

Trent Dilfer won a Superbowl. Just sayin'.

Jimmy G is a competent QB that's been on pretty great teams.

When this happens the last time you take the field in a game that counts, there will be questions:

Not ready to go there. I really wanted him on the Browns when he moved out of NE. He was playing really well before the sideline injury his first year with SF... I'm going to be interested to see where he is at this year, I actually expect him to be very good but I did not see a lot of him last season, don't think I saw the playoff loss.

Nobody is saying Jimmy G is Peyton Manning re-incarnated. There are VERY few teams in the NFL that would NOT jump at the opportunity to add JG to their roster and start him.

Devil's advocate might say it's Shanny that may crash. In two SuperBowls he's been outscored 46-0 once the 4th quarter begins. He seems to forget how he got to that point, tosses his game plan in the trash, and plays "smartest guy on the field".

Neither indictment would make sense to me. Most of "Jimmy ain't that great" is never murmured if he completes that pass late in the game and is crowned SB MVP.

We'll see. He's young (as a QB), humble, and has the tools.

I predicted the 49ers will win the Super Bowl this year. They were so close to winning it last year. They did lose some key pieces due to trades, FA, and injuries. The NFC is really tough, so it's a risky prediction. I do think they have a really solid team. I did pick the Chiefs to win it all last year.

NFC is tough. The Saints, 49ers, Cowboys and Seahawks seem to be making it a guessing game. And then there's Tom Brady in TB...

I've been thinking about this because I'm a student of sports betting "futures". Look at the current odds to win the Superbowl among the NFC teams...

San Francisco 49ers +1000
New Orleans Saints +1000
Seattle Seahawks +1200
Dallas Cowboys +1200
Tampa Bay Buccaneers +1200

I'll throw out SEA because they'll be a Wildcard and have a tough road, I'll toss Dallas because Garrett simply cannot beat good teams, throw out TB because, uh no, just can't see it.

I'll add in Green Bay at +3000 to make things interesting (and those odds are way too high in the scheme of things).

I'll hedge my bet on SB Sunday by betting on the AFC team.

I'll make money as long as one of those three make it to "the big game".

Rish? Thoughts?

Cowboys have McCarthy now, so that may change things on their end. A lot will be how they stay healthy and how Dak performs obviuosly

Good point, somehow forgot all about that and wrote them off lol.

haha i get it i cant even keep track of our own coach

My question with the Cowboys is the health of their OL.

Collins is starting on IR with Cam Erving likely filling in, and Tyron Smith and Zack Martin have missed practice time already. The latter two aren't on the injury report now, I don't think, but I don't think they're 100%, either.

If McCarthy has the Cowboys playing great and Stefanski and team stumble through the season, that's going to be a bad look on the Browns.

I can see this happening.

I think you and Vers make good points. I was disappointed when we didn't acquire Jimmy G in a trade.

But when I watch him play, I feel like the team wins despite him. Dominate offensive system. Dominate defense. Everything went right for them last year including year 3 or 4 of Shanny and the consistent systems finally maturing.

Plus, I know it's hard to criticize a bad play in a Super Bowl, but he connects with Sanders and they win the Super Bowl.

I'm just not a big fan. I understand if others are.

Jc

I see Stefanski just said he’s calling the plays

I can see how comparing a first time HC the same as a man who has had 13 years as an NFL HC is something you would do. You're setting the stage for things to come from you and people can see it.

Ok, great. My first choice was McCarthy. I still don't know why we didn't hire him.

I hope Stefanski is great for a long time for the Browns.



Who are the "people" that you speak of? I don't think people pay that much attention to me, but if you know differently, let me know. I'd like to use that "rent free" meme that gets tossed around here.

I don't care who the coach is, just win. But if Stefanski and Baker go 6-10 this year, I'm going to say they need another year. But I'm also going to gripe and moan about it all along the way too. I don't find it enjoyable watching a losing team Sunday after Sunday.

If McCarthy leads the Cowboys into the playoffs, I'm going to be peeved about that.

McCarthy was my first choice as well. Most of us read the threads. Much like myself, yours is just another voice in the crowd. But it's still a voice. Let's just say that you seem to make it obvious you are setting the stage to complain if the team struggles and not really take the actual circumstances in mind as any reason to buffer it.

I wanted McCarthy as well but I don't think he was coming to Cleveland.

Jones wanted him and he wanted them.

I may be dead wrong but I think we got a good coach. Time will answer that.

End the end I am a optimist. Especially when 0-0. Way to difficult to begin a season being negative. The year Cody Kessler started I knew we were the worst team in football and it killed me.

I know now we have talent. Is that enough? No. We found that out last year. It takes a team and coaches to be good.

This season will tell us a lot. I am hopeful but cautious. Weekly improvement will go a long ways for me.

There was a lot of us who wanted him #1. There were probably as many who didn't want him... going to be interesting to see how they do. my memory is that McCarthy wanted nothing to do with us.

j/c...

Cleveland was nothing more than McCarthy's backup-to-the-backup plan. He'd already interviewed with Carolina twice, had the Giants scheduled, and had to be well aware of the Garrett rumors. He just spent 13 years in Green Bay... next stop was Cleveland? No freakin' way!

My gut tells me Stefanski will be a very good coach.

Looking for a new coach on the clock.
Fake punt, same old Brown's

Lol the fake punt was an abomination

This was Stefanski's 4th and 12 draw play.

I may need to re-think my prediction

Taking the over?

I originally said 7-9 or 8-8. I'm thinking we may struggle to get there

If we lay an egg Thursday, I think 3-4 wins is possible

I'll take it if it nets us Lawrence.

We lost by 32 this week.

Next biggest blowout in the league was a team losing by 14....


So it's going great.

thats a troubling stat. The narrative of having a new coach/system and no preseason games plays an impact, but we were the outlier .. even among teams with new coaches

Jacksonville lost at tanking. So, there is that.

After week 1, I’d say we’re in the driver’s seat for the 1st overall pick.

Other contenders: JETS

I have had enough with the first time ever head coaches the Browns keep hiring. Why not hire a proven winning head coach instead? Tired of the Browns being a learn on the job team for head coaches.

We're always the outlier.

Another contender: LIONS

Is it time already to tank for Trevor?

No surprise it's the teams with the two worst QBs in the NFL.

Darnold's mechanics are an absolute mess and that team has literally done nothing to help him. Really nothing.

Baker has a plethora of skill players and no idea how to play the postion.

I didn’t watch the Jets (and haven’t seen much of Darnold), but I agree ... it seems like Baker SHOULDN’T be this bad. He has a good arm, was accurate in the past, used to have the attitude of a leader, etc. It’s all gone out the window

Go read the article I posted in the post game thread about Baker. Does a really good job explaining what's wrong with Baker.

just saw it! Thanks. It makes sense. He’s really not comfortable reading the defense and doesn’t trust anything. Problem is he’s not improving

He needs to be benched.

Wow what a great hire! how long will he last?

Here we are again at a Must Win Week 2. Same song and dance.

Edit: Sorry, wrong thread....