The NFL season is just days away. Here are my final regular season standings predictions. Plus, a look at the playoffs.
Regular season standings
AFC East
New England Patriots: 13-3
The Patriots’ offense is already unstoppable, and now their defense is suddenly one of the best in the league.
Buffalo Bills: 7-9
Josh Allen will have a strong season and the defense will post great numbers.
New York Jets: 7-9
Sam Darnold and Le’Veon Bell will make this offense spectacular, but the defense could struggle.
Miami Dolphins: 3-13
The Dolphins — whether they want to or not — will have the No. 4 overall pick in 2020.
AFC North
Cleveland Browns: 11-5
The Browns have one of the best defenses in the league, and their offense is pretty solid, too.
Pittsburgh Steelers: 10-6
This offense is one of the best in the league, but their defense could cost them a couple contests.
Baltimore Ravens: 9-7
Normally, 9-7 is not bad, but it puts the Ravens in third place in a tough division.
Cincinnati Bengals: 2-12
The Bengals struggle all around. They can pick up wins against the 49ers and Cardinals, but that’s it.
AFC West
Kansas City Chiefs: 12-4
Patrick Mahomes and his great offense, plus a resolidified defense, post another great campaign.
Los Angeles Chargers: 9-7
The Chargers take a bit of a hit, but they manage to squeak into the playoffs again.
Oakland Raiders: 8-8
This Raiders team is doing something right in a tough division. Antonio Brown’s presence is felt.
Denver Broncos: 5-11
The Broncos have some of the pieces to be a contender, but not all. They fall short yet again.
AFC South
Houston Texans: 10-6
The Texans play in a tough division, but this star-studded offense leads the way.
Jacksonville Jaguars: 8-8
Hype for a resolidified offense and defense? Nah. The Jaguars will miss the playoffs again.
Indianapolis Colts: 7-9
Jacoby Brissett starts all 16 games and has a solid showing, but Indy misses the playoffs.
Tennessee Titans: 5-11
The worst in a tough division, the Titans take a hit with struggles at quarterback.
NFC East
Philadelphia Eagles: 11-5
Carson Wentz is terrific, and so is Philly’s O-line and defense. Playoffs again.
Dallas Cowboys: 9-7
Good defense. Good offense. This all-around solid squad finds its way into the playoffs.
Washington Redskins: 6-10
Dwayne Haskins goes 5-3 after being inserted at the halfway point, but it’s too late.
New York Giants: 1-15
Daniel Jones helps lead this team to the No. 1 overall pick. Maybe they can reach for a quarterback again.
NFC North
Chicago Bears: 11-5
The Bears’ defense is the second best in the league and Mitchell Trubisky posts a great campaign.
Minnesota Vikings: 9-7
The defense has a shockingly good season, but Kirk Cousins’ woes force this team to miss the playoffs.
Green Bay Packers: 7-9
Aaron Rodgers plays great. The whole offense plays great. But the defense is painful to watch.
Detroit Lions: 5-11
This team has the players to get the job done, but they unfairly fall shy of the playoffs again.
NFC West
Seattle Seahawks: 12-4
Jadeveon Clowney makes a huge impact. Seattle takes the top spot in the West, shocking everyone.
Los Angeles Rams: 11-5
The Rams settle for second and a Wild Card spot, losing to the Browns, Seahawks, Falcons, Steelers, and Bears.
San Francisco 49ers: 4-12
Jimmy G struggles. The whole team struggles. What was shaping up to a great year was … not.
Arizona Cardinals: 2-14
The Cardinals take wins against the 49ers and Giants and also pick up the No. 3 pick.
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons: 14-2
I’ve hyped up the Falcons for a while and I won’t stop. This team is going to be scary good.
New Orleans Saints: 9-7
In a shocking turn of events, the Saints finish just above .500 and miss the playoffs.
Carolina Panthers: 8-8
Cam Newton plays great but his receivers struggle. The defense does okay, but Carolina falls shy.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 6-10
Jameis Winston, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and O.J. Howard play terrific. The rest of the team? Nope.
AFC: 1) Patriots, 2) Chiefs, 3) Browns, 4) Texans, 5) Steelers, 6) Chargers
NFC: 1) Falcons, 2) Seahawks, 3) Bears, 4) Eagles, 5) Rams, 6) Cowboys
Playoffs
(4) Texans vs. (5) Steelers
The Steelers’ offense explodes for a massive victory to advance to the next round.
(3) Browns vs. (6) Chargers
Baker Mayfield struggles and the Chargers take advantage, advancing to the next round.
(4) Eagles vs. (5) Rams
The Rams easily pull away for a large victory as they upset the Eagles.
(3) Bears vs. (6) Cowboys
In a fairly predictable outcome, the Bears knock off the Cowboys in the opening round.
(1) Patriots vs. (6) Chargers
The Patriots remain superior yet again, breezing by the No. 6 seed.
(2) Chiefs vs. (5) Steelers
The Steelers are able to knock off Patrick Mahomes and advance to the AFC Championship.
(1) Falcons vs. (5) Rams
The Falcons walk away with another easy victory against the Rams.
(2) Seahawks vs. (3) Bears
Neck-and-neck until the final play, the Bears hit a game-winning field goal as time expires.
(1) Patriots vs. (5) Steelers
Pittsburgh’s big run comes to an end in a game that finishes with a two-score difference.
(1) Falcons vs. (3) Bears
The Bears’ luck runs out. We will see two No. 1 seeds in the Super Bowl.
(1) Falcons vs. (1) Patriots
More jewelry. The Patriots remain superior as Tom Brady gets his seventh ring.
Super Bowl champion: New England Patriots
