2023-09-08 23:30:00
It’s hard enough jumping into predictions for every team before the season and then diving in for every game, every week. You have to be a bit masochistic to try to guess the players and coaches who will inherit individual honors at the end of the season, but that is my mission.
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As long as we are exposing ourselves to criticism, we might as well start right away by specifying that last year, the success rate for this exercise was not spectacular. Still, yours truly was right in predicting the title of best defensive player to Nick Bosa of the 49ers, as well as the title of defensive rookie of the year to Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner.
For the rest, there was a slight fog in the crystal ball, but know that it happens to the best.
It’s at least safe to say that the MVP will be a quarterback. When the last 11 winners and 15 of the last 16 have played in this position, there is no point looking elsewhere.
The usual candidates will be in the running, namely Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs), Josh Allen (Bills), Joe Burrow (Bengals), Lamar Jackson (Ravens) and Jalen Hurts (Eagles).
To this list, we must add Trevor Lawrence with the Jaguars, he who is in full swing and who is now banking on a real group of receivers.
My choice falls on Allen, who will undoubtedly be hyper “focused” following the bitter defeat of the Bills in the last series. We wish him year following year to sacrifice his body less and to no longer do everything alone, but it’s still in his DNA. His passing and ground statistics will favor him.
In defense and attack
Browns defensive end Myles Garrett might have an easy smile this season. Getty Images via AFP
Since the Most Outstanding Defensive Player title isn’t necessarily given to a player whose team breaks everything, Browns defensive end Myles Garrett will win over the people who vote, with a season of more than 20 sacks.
After recording 16 sacks in each of his last two seasons, he will be paired with Za’Darius Smith, who will help him reach another stratosphere.
Obviously, we should not spit on Micah Parsons (Cowboys), Nick Bosa (49ers), TJ Watt (Steelers) and Chris Jones (Chiefs), if the latter returns to the game quickly.
Aidan Hutchinson of the Lions might also see a big jump in his second season.
Offensively, 49ers running back Christian McAffrey is so used in every way in a monster attack that he must be considered the big favorite. In terms of opting for another avenue, I would bet on receiver Tyreek Hill, who will flirt with the 2,000 yard mark for the Dolphins.
And the others
Running back Bijan Robinson will try to make a splash with the Falcons. Getty Images via AFP
Among the recruits, we will not dig too deep unnecessarily. Falcons carrier Bijan Robinson will take the prize. He has every chance of becoming the heart of the attack. Another carrier, Jahmyr Gibbs (Lions), will also be one to watch. Aside from the three quarterbacks Bryce Young (Panthers), CJ Stroud (Texans) and Anthony Richardson (Colts), Ravens receiver Zay Flowers will also be in the fight.
On defense, things get tough… Between Will Anderson Jr (Texans), Devon Witherspoon (Seahawks), Jalen Carter (Eagles), Tyree Wilson (Raiders) and Will McDonald IV (Jets), my heart is swinging. I’ll go with Anderson, who will become the heart of the Texans defense.
In the coaching department, Sean Payton will hit the jackpot with a triumphant return to the Broncos. My other top candidates are Dan Campbell (Lions), Robert Saleh (Jets), Arthur Smith (Falcons) and Frank Reich (Panthers), all drivers trying to get their team back to the playoffs.
The final honor, Comeback of the Year, will almost de facto go to Bills safety Damar Hamlin.
WEEK 1
THURSDAY
MY CHOICE
Detroit at Kansas City CHIEFS
SUNDAY
MY CHOICES
Caroline at Atlanta (1 p.m.) FALCONS
Houston to Baltimore (1 p.m.) RAVENS
Cincinnati to Cleveland (1 p.m.) BENGALS
Jacksonville to Indianapolis (1 p.m.) JAGUARS
Tampa Bay and Minnesota (13h) VIKINGS
Tennessee to New Orleans (1 p.m.) SAINTS
San Francisco to Pittsburgh (1pm) 49ERS
Arizona to Washington (1 p.m.) COMMANDERS
Green Bay à Chicago (16h25) BEARS
Las Vegas to Denver (4:25 p.m.) BRONCOS
Miami at LA Chargers (4:25 p.m.) DOLPHINS
Philadelphia in New England (4:25 p.m.) EAGLES
LA Rams at Seattle (4:25 p.m.) SEAHAWKS
Dallas at NY Giants (8:20 p.m.) COWBOYS
MONDAY
MY CHOICE
Buffalo at NY Jets (8:15 p.m.) BILLS
LAST SEASON RESULTS: 183 in 284 (64.4%)
RESULTS in 2021: 181 in 285 (63.5%)
RESULTS IN 2020: 183 in 269 (68%)
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THE CHOICES OF JOURNAL
Panthers de la Caroline (7-10) c. Falcons d’Atlanta (7-10)
INTO THE UNKNOWN
Panthers rookie quarterback Bryce Young. Getty Images via AFP
The Falcons begin the season with Desmond Ridder, a quarterback who can surprise on the ground, but who has little experience as a starter. The Panthers are going with Bryce Young, in his first professional start. The Falcons are loaded with ammunition on offense, but don’t have a quarterback chaser on defense to bother young Young. On the contrary, the Panthers rely on a solid defensive front, but lack explosiveness on offense. Especially since receiver DJ Chark will be absent and Adam Thielen uncertain.
Texans de Houston (3-13-1) c. Ravens de Baltimore (10-7)
NEW RAVENS
Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. Getty Images via AFP
The Ravens play an ultra-physical style with a dominant ground game. This year, they loaded up on receivers with Odell Beckham, Nelson Agholor and rookie Zay Flowers. Lamar Jackson will remain a threat on the ground, but the aerial game risks becoming the bread and butter of the attack. The Texans’ young defensive backs are likely to have their hands full. And it’s not like the Texans are banking on an experienced offense. There will be progress, but not instantaneous.
Bengals de Cincinnati (12-4) c. Browns de Cleveland (7-10)
A TRAP DUEL
Joe Burrow often has trouble with the Browns. Getty Images via AFP
Do you think we’ll get the powerful Bengals once morest the poor Browns? Think once more! Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow missed all of training camp once more with a leg injury and likely won’t be 100 percent. In his career, he has had all sorts of problems once morest the Browns with a 1-4 record. However, he has too many weapons at his disposal for this twisted scenario to happen once more. This will be a big test for the Bengals offensive line.
Jaguars de Jacksonville (9-8) c. Colts d’Indianapolis (4-12-1)
NO SIZE
Anthony Richardson will be making his first start, with the Colts. Getty Images via AFP
It’s not as if the Jaguars are an unbeatable power, but once morest the Colts this season, several teams might look like bloody bullys. Rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson will be dangerous with his legs, but in his first games, his lack of accuracy should stand out. He will not be supported by carrier Jonathan Taylor for at least the first four games. Meanwhile, the Jags are going to produce points by the ton this season.
Buccaneers de Tampa Bay (8-9) v. Vikings du Minnesota (13-4)
BRADY POINT, SALVATION POINT
Baker Mayfield will play for a fourth team, with the Buccaneers. Getty Images via AFP
The Bucs should find the season difficult without Tom Brady. Baker Mayfield can provide interesting football, especially once morest the Vikings’ rebuilding defense, but his offensive line won’t do him any favors. The Vikings were the most entertaining team in the league last year with their ridiculous endings to games. It will take more than entertainment to go further. The aerial attack will set the tone, even once morest a good tertiary.
Tennessee Titans (7-10) vs. New Orleans Saints (7-10)
NEW LIFE?
Derek Carr is trying to find a new lease of life with the Saints. Getty Images via AFP
Derek Carr will make his debut with the Saints. He will come up once morest a defensive front capable of disrupting him, but the Titans’ secondary comes with question marks and the Saints receivers should have the upper hand. The Titans’ offensive line is possibly the worst in the league, but the Saints’ defensive front doesn’t revolutionize anything either. Even though running back Alvin Kamara is out (suspension), the Saints can run with Jamaal Williams and rookie Kendre Miller.
San Francisco 49ers (13-4) c. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-8)
BOSA ON POLE
Nick Bosa is now the highest paid defensive player in the NFL. Getty Images via AFP
The thorniest issue among the 49ers in recent weeks has been resolved. Demonic quarterback chaser Nick Bosa is now the highest-paid defensive player in history, but he won’t be any less hungry. The Steelers have plenty of potential to surprise because the tandem of TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith might disrupt the Niners’ offensive line, which has holes outside of Trent Williams. Except Brock Purdy will never lose a match, right?
Cardinals de l’Arizona (4-13) c. Commanders de Washington (8-8-1)
A JUMP INTO THE VACUUM
Commanders quarterback Sam Howell gets a good chance in his second career start once morest the Cardinals. Getty Images via AFP
We really wonder where the Cardinals are going, but one thing is certain, they are not flying high. It is Joshua Dobbs, hired in a hurry two weeks before the season, who will be the starting quarterback. He only threw 85 passes in five years in the NFL. It is defensively that the Cardinals will suffer degrading attacks with a collection of players barely known in their families. In this context, the young Commanders quarterback Sam Howell inherits a great gift.
Packers de Green Bay (8-9) c. Bears de Chicago (3-14)
WIND OF CHANGE
Getty Images via AFP
Sorry once more to Bears fans, but the reminder is necessary. The Bears have lost their last eight meetings once morest the Packers. And 23 of their last 26, if we want to be even crueler. Fine, but the Packers attack will have a new face with Jordan Love and the Bears defense can surprise with good young players in the tertiary. The attack is also more dynamic with the arrival of receiver DJ Moore to support Justin Fields. It’s time for the Bears to end the torture.
Las Vegas Raiders (6-11) c. Denver Broncos (5-12)
SEVERAL QUESTIONS
After a disastrous first season in Denver, Russell Wilson must redeem himself. Getty Images via AFP
This is an intriguing duel on several levels. Of course, we wonder if Russell Wilson will be able to resurrect in Year 2 in Denver. We also wonder if Jimmy Garoppolo can revive the Raiders. How well will the Broncos’ heavily revamped offensive line hold up once morest Maxx Crosby and newcomer Tyree Wilson? Did the Raiders do enough to help their disastrous secondary by hiring Marcus Peters and Marcus Epps? We’re going for the Broncos reinvigorated by Sean Payton.
Miami Dolphins (9-8) v. Los Angeles Chargers (11-6)
OFFENSIVE FESTIVAL
Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle often flash together. Getty Images via AFP
There is every reason to believe that the two attacks might have a field day in what might be the air show duel of the weekend. The Chargers have a deep arsenal of receivers with the addition of rookie Quentin Johnston, but the Dolphins have nothing to envy them in this area with the sublime duo of Hill and Waddle. The difference? Vic Fangio will transform the Dolphins defense into a dominant unit. Starting this week? Maybe not, but there will be steps in that direction.
Philadelphia Eagles (14-3) v. New England Patriots (8-9)
RACE AT BELICHICK
Bill Belichick has not said his last word with the Patriots. Getty Images via AFP
Many believe that the Eagles are too dominant for the Patriots, but it should be noted that quarterback Jalen Hurts will be making his first start once morest Bill Belichick. The emperor will certainly have the gift of making him see schemes and stratagems that he has never seen. The Pats, however, experienced big problems last season by conceding monster hauls on the ground once morest mobile pivots like Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen and Justin Fields. The Eagles defensive line will dominate the Patriots line.
Rams de Los Angeles (5-12) c. Seahawks de Seattle (9-8)
UNREcognizable RAMS
Head coach Sean McVay will have to work some magic to revive the Rams. Getty Images via AFP
The Rams are clearly no longer the Super Bowl champions of just two years ago. The salary purge forced them to get rid of their six defensive players who played the most games last year. Worse still, nine of the top 12 in this regard have left. On offense, the line still represents a big question mark and the only truly reliable receiver, Cooper Kupp, will not be in uniform. Some pearls will stand out, but it will take time to adapt.
Dallas Cowboys (12-5) c. New York Giants (9-7-1)
REPEATED SUCCESS
CeeDee Lamb and the Cowboys have had the Giants’ number a lot lately. AFP
The Cowboys are clearly no longer intimidated by the Giants with a four-game winning streak and a streak of 11 wins in 12 attempts. However, last season’s two victories were achieved by respectable margins of seven and eight points. The Giants are well led by Brian Daboll, but do not have the striking force of the Cowboys, both on offense and defense. Dak Prescott should bounce back with a great trio of receivers, something he lacked in 2022.
Buffalo Bills (13-3) v. New York Jets (7-10)
BIG MONDAY NIGHT!
This is Aaron Rodgers’ first start with the Jets. Getty Images via AFP
The Bills only suffered three losses last season, but the Jets gave them a hard time by surprising them in their first matchup before narrowly losing in the second. In these two games, Josh Allen was limited to just one touchdown pass, compared to two interceptions. The Jets defense will put a ton of pressure on him. With Aaron Rodgers on board, the Jets suddenly seem to have become analyst darlings. They have the opportunity to demonstrate their seriousness, but the Bills are not dead.
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