Here we are, halfway through the season! Aaaaaand I feel nothing about it. Have fun.
Full game-by-game predictions here
AFC NORTH
I have the same two teams making the playoffs out of this division as I did at the start of the season, but not in the same order. The Ravens are, for now, among the cream of the AFC’s crop, and the Browns are starting to come back from a series of injury speed bumps. The major change here is that I now have the Bengals and Steelers both just barely missing the playoffs, meaning if I’m just a couple games off in my predictions they could be in. I would have very different reactions based on which of them pulled it off.
AFC SOUTH
The Titans wrapped the division up in week 8 by sweeping the Colts, un-wrapped it by losing Derrick Henry, then re-wrapped it by destroying the Bills. The Colts are firmly on the bubble, and the Texans and Jags are both in the battle for the top seed.
AFC EAST
The Bills should really be fearing the Patriots. It might come down to their head-to-head series to decide who wins the division. Which is a surprise, since four games in the Bills led the league in both offense and defense and the Pats were 1-3. The Jets have winnable games coming up and should look to build momentum for the future, while the Dolphins look headed for a rebuild again.
AFC WEST
A hilarious division to try and predict, it should be a logjam to the very end. I still think LA and KC will be the ones to emerge from the smoke, but anything could happen, really.
NFC NORTH
Aaron Rodgers is dead to me now, which means the Lions are perhaps my favourite team in the division. (Not really, I can’t quit you, Packers, just your lying-ass QB). The Vikings are capable of taking any team to OT but they’ll lose that OT to about 20 out of the 32. The Bears are just here to develop Justin Fields and play out Nagy’s last season. It would be pretty funny for the Lions to go winless, but it would also be absolutely devastating.
NFC SOUTH
If the Saints were to take game 2 against the Buccaneers, in my projections, they would take the division. It’s not gonna happen though. The Falcons have momentum, but so did the Panthers a month ago. The Saints are a week-to-week proposition but overall they’re a good roster. And I just want to see Trevor Siemian start a playoff game.
NFC EAST
I see Dallas as somewhat fraudulent just because I hate them, but they’re a shoo-in for the division already. The surprise here is the Eagles snatching up the last playoff spot. The lower edge of the NFC playoff field is a mess, so I think no matter who ends up there, it will be somewhat of a shock. The Giants and Washingtons being bad? That’s not a shock.
NFC WEST
A close race at the top of the division, but Arizona’s head start gives them the edge in my projections, though with Von Miller’s help I do have the Rams taking the Cards in game 2 and sealing up the top wild card spot. The Seahawks miss the postseason by the narrowest of margins, making their close calls all the more frustrating. The Niners are soul-searching. Good for them?
AWARDS:
MVP: Kyler Murray
Coach of the Year: Mike Vrabel
Offensive Player of the Year: Tom Brady
Defensive Player of the Year: Aaron Donald
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Ja’marr Chase
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Micah Parsons
Comeback Player of the Year: Dak Prescott
Dak and Parsons predictions were spot on, can’t think of anyone to interrupt the default of Aaron Donald DPOY. I just really hope Brady doesn’t con his way into MVP.
Packers win!!! Under circumstances where I don’t even really root for them!!! I would love to still think the Browns were going to the Big Game but I just don’t. The Saints-Cardinals-Rams-Titans run is a lot to expect out of the Packers but they should be healthy at the right time, and as unpleasant as the Aaron Rodgers bullshit is, he is exactly the kind of person to turn it into a chip on his shoulder. The Titans benefit big-time from the top seed, because I don’t think I’d favor them on the road or for 3 straight games. Really, the lesson I take from making these predictions, is that there are a lot of really compelling potential matchups for the Super Bowl! And then also the Buccaneers and Cowboys.
Dangersquirrel vs the NFL 