Post-Week 3 Power Rankings

A week littered with upsets and continued craziness has caused plenty more shakeups in the rankings. Here’s how I stack things up 1-32 as we head into October.

Cover photo taken from Philadelphia Inquirer.

1 – Eagles (3-0) 4

While I don’t think the Eagles are the best team in the league, they are certainly playing the best football of anyone right now. We all knew they had the potential to be a true contender this season, and they have lived up to it and then some through three weeks. Jalen Hurts is continuing to play like an MVP candidate. The WR corps is seemingly unstoppable as any given Sunday anyone can dominate a secondary; this week it was 2021 first-rounder Devonta Smith. The defense continues to suffocate opponents, racking up 9 sacks this week without even breaking a sweat. Against a cupcake schedule, I’m confident in Philly’s ability to keep up this level of play and stay in the upper echelon of the power rankings all year long.

2 – Dolphins (3-0) 4

Like the team above them, I don’t believe the Dolphins are the second best team in football. I don’t believe they’re better than the team they beat on Sunday, which is slotted one spot below them. But I have to respect their win and the way they’ve been playing to start this season. Miami has two wins over two of my top 5 teams, both of which coming in very clutch fashion. For all the crap I’ve given him in the past, Tua Tagovailoa has seemingly figured it out, in large part thanks to his incredible receivers and extremely bright young head coach in Mike McDaniel. This defense continues to play lights out, doing what they had to do to beat Josh Allen and the vaunted Bills who people were already crowning after just two games. This is an outstanding young team that plays a beautiful brand of football. They’ll need to keep that brand up in the coming weeks before the schedule gets absolutely brutal.

3 – Bills (2-1) 2

The Bills lost, everyone run for your lives! It was bound to happen. Many people thought it would happen this week. I had a sneaking suspicion, but I gave them the benefit of the doubt. I didn’t anticipate the weather in Miami being as big of a factor as it was, but I also forgot to take Buffalo’s incompetence in the run game into account. This team won’t lose many games between now and January, but when they do, that will be a common theme. They are far too reliant on Josh Allen to carry them to greatness when the going gets tough, and while he’s talented enough to do so, nobody can do it on their own.

4 – Chiefs (2-1) 2

I had a feeling that would happen. I’m not shocked at Kansas City’s loss on Sunday, nor am I appalled or bothered by it. Everyone loses tough road games, and I had an inclination that they were susceptible to a loss. They would have won if it wasn’t for disastrous and unlucky kicking and some unfortunate offensive plays as well as an inexplicable “unsportsmanlike conduct” penalty on Chris Jones to keep the game alive for the Colts. In short, everything that could have gone wrong for the Chiefs on Sunday did go wrong. That likely won’t happen again.

5 – Ravens (2-1) 4

While Baltimore’s defense still needs to figure itself out, their offense has been unbelievable. They sit 4th in yards per game and 1st in points per game, and it’s all thanks to their incredible QB play. Lamar Jackson is my MVP through three weeks as he continues to play better than I’ve ever seen him do so before. He leads the league in passing touchdowns with 10 and has over 200 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns to boot. He has been an absolute nightmare for opposing defenses even with subpar receivers and runningbacks. It helps to have Mark Andrews at TE, who might be the most productive pass-catcher in the league so far this year. Like I said, the other side of the ball still has endless questions, but I have a good feeling that they’ll figure it out. In any case, they excel at taking the ball away. Even if they get gashed, they have it in them to make the plays necessary to win the game. That’s good enough for me.

6 – Packers (2-1) 2

Green Bay continues to prove that their defense is one of the best in their football while their offense still tries to figure out its identity. However, the offense looked a lot more promising on Sunday despite the low point total and rough second half. I mainly liked how rookie WR Romeo Doubs stepped up in the absence of Sammy Watkins. The Packers will need him to continue to produce while Aaron Rodgers still gels with his other targets. They can take as long as they need while the defense keeps winning them games with their incredible pass rush and a secondary that puts opposing receivers in jail.

7 – Buccaneers (2-1) 4

I don’t want to fault the Buccaneers too hard for losing by two points without their top two WRs and a meddling offensive line against a great team. However, those are problems that can’t be ignored. Mike Evans’ suspension is over, but the Bucs are still lacking in pass-catching weapons. The OL is still porous thanks to seemingly endless injuries. Tom Brady needs all the help he can get at this point, and without it, this team won’t be able to go too far. I still trust in their defense, which did their thing for the most part on Sunday. As I’ve said before, it is good enough to win them most of their games, but this team needs to be complete to contend.

8 – Rams (2-1) 3

I really never have any idea what to make of this team, but I really liked the way they looked this week in a game I picked them to lose. The important thing is that they’re running like a well-oiled machine. Both sides of the ball are doing their thing after a disastrous opening game. Cooper Kupp can’t stop scoring touchdowns and the defense has their mojo back after a tough first two weeks. The Rams have to keep this going against an absolutely brutal schedule, and I think I actually have faith in them to do just that.

9 – Chargers (1-2) 5

It only took three weeks for the Chargers to start Chargering… Charging? I don’t know. Whatever it is, it’s bad. I’m not even talking about the near 30-point loss to the Jaguars, although that was tough enough. LA is battered and beat up across the board to the tune of being the most injury-riddled team in the league. And it’s not just the fact that their injury list is as long as a Costco receipt, but it’s who has been hurt. Rashawn Slater is likely going to miss the entire season with a torn bicep. JC Jackson can’t figure out his ankle problem. Joey Bosa’s groin is torn to shreds. Corey Linsley continues to miss time with his knee issues. Keenan Allen’s hammy won’t heal. Justin Herbert’s ribs are falling off. Jalen Guyton tore his ACL! It’s just absurd at this point. With this team coming off back to back brutal losses and filling up every hospital in Los Angeles, it’s hard to see them bouncing back and living up to their incredible potential this season. Just another year for this franchise.

10 – Vikings (2-1) 3

The Vikings refuse to be a normal team, but they won’t complain about the nature in which they win games. The Lions gave them absolutely everything they could handle and they were still able to storm back and win the game in the final moments. There’s a lot of positive in that. I always say I hate when teams get off to horrible starts like that, but the ability to come back and beat a good division rival says a lot. In any case, I still really like this team and have a lot of faith in them, but I need to see them replicate a performance like their first of the year before having any more faith. It doesn’t help that Dalvin Cook is a bit banged up and Justin Jefferson can’t get open anymore for some reason. The schedule isn’t getting any easier, so Minnesota better hope they fix their kinks if they want to keep up with the league’s elite.

11 – Browns (2-1) 3

It’s time to accept that Jacoby Brissett is a competent, effective starting QB for this team. It helps that his supporting cast is spectacular with arguably the best RB in football behind him in Nick Chubb and Amari Cooper finally starting to emerge. The offensive line is dominant and the defense was able to bounce back from a rough finish in Week 2. I really like this roster from top to bottom, and I think they have what it takes to stay alive in the AFC playoff race until their QB1 returns from suspension. It’s a brutal schedule, but they play winning football.

12 – Jaguars (2-1) 7

Let’s be honest. None of us saw this coming. Not after this offseason, not after training camp, and certainly not after Week 1. But, here we are. The Jaguars a legitimate playoff contender. HC Doug Pederson deserves all the credit in the world for helping his young QB develop and getting his new offensive weapons involved in huge ways. Trevor Lawrence is finally playing like the star QB we all knew he could be, Christian Kirk and Zay Jones are emerging as fantastic WRs to support him, and James Robinson is back to his old ways out of the backfield. Even the defense is playing much better, allowing just 10 points in the last two games. In an awful division, the Jags are suddenly a clear-cut favorite thanks to a young roster that’s finally figuring it out thanks to competent coaching. How fun!

13 – Cowboys (2-1) 2

Cooper Rush wins games for some reason. I don’t believe that he’s the reason the Cowboys win when he plays at all, but he’s still 3-0 as their starter dating back to last year. On that note, I don’t think Dallas should be rushing Dak Prescott back from his hand injury at all. The schedule is about to ramp up, but I’d wait until the wheels fall off the Cooper Rush train to bring Dak back. As long as their defense keeps doing their thing, they’ll be fine. They continue to play at an elite level, and it’s good enough to carry them to victory against teams struggling offensively. It remains to be seen whether or not it can fly against elite offenses.

14 – Bengals (1-2) 1

Cincinnati is finally off the schneid in 2022. All it took was playing the Jets. They didn’t look great in doing so, but a win is a win. This team needed it badly. I still wasn’t really moved by their offensive performance, but their defense continued to make plays and keep the opposing team at arm’s length. I still have faith in the offense to work itself out, but it’s hard to see them returning to last year’s form at this point. They have their toughest test yet this Thursday against the undefeated Dolphins, so they’ll have to be back at that level if they want to get to .500.

15 – 49ers (1-2) 3

I really can’t help but laugh at everyone who said this team would be better with Jimmy Garoppolo at the helm than Trey Lance. Seriously, what went into that thought process? This is a guy who can’t get it done when it matters most, and it showed in a massive way on Sunday night. The 49ers have an otherworldy defense but it doesn’t matter when #10 is running out of the back of the endzone and throwing a pick six on the same play! San Francisco under Jimmy will be what they always were: a good team who feasts on inferior competition that can’t get over the hump against anyone worth a damn. It’s such a shame.

16 – Lions (1-2) 1

Sunday was a perfect indicator of what this team is: better than they’ve been in a very long time by being super fun and full of guts, but still the same old Lions. By all accounts, this team could be 3-0 and very well should be 2-1. But luck doesn’t exist in Detroit. The only thing that exists is the opposite. That being said, this team is sure to see a lot more wins than we may have anticipated this season. The D’Andre Swift injury isn’t promising, but the rest of their offense certainly is, and Jamaal Williams is as good of a backup as you could ask for. The defense is better than you may think, but they still have a lot to figure out. The emergence of Jeff Okudah as a lockdown CB1 is great to see as they keep working on that side of the ball.

17 – Cardinals (1-2) 4

I expected so much more out of this team on Sunday. They didn’t even play poorly, they just couldn’t put points on the board, which typically isn’t the case for this team. They put up huge numbers, but finishing drives was seemingly impossible. That won’t be the case in most games. Their defense still looks solid, but like the offense, they just couldn’t step up when they needed to. I don’t think the Cardinals are a bad team by any means, I just think they lack a certain element to be anything but mediocre.

18 – Broncos (2-1) 5

The Broncos being above .500 feels wrong. Despite their record, I still don’t feel good about this team at all. They only won on Sunday because the opposing QB literally walked out of his own endzone. The offense is still dreadful, the defense is good enough but hasn’t played a competent offense all year long, and they are the most penalized team in football. There really is just nothing to like here. Denver will start getting walloped when they finally start playing real teams. I’m just patiently waiting for it to happen.

19 – Saints (1-2) 9

I may have been wrong about the Saints. At least for the time being, I’ll say I was. I never could have foreseen this team laying such a dud against a team as bad as Carolina. I recognize that there are injury problems offensively, but they just look lost on that side of the ball. Guys like Jameis Winston and Chris Olave are putting up numbers, but it means nothing when you can’t put points on the board and continue carelessly giving the ball away. Fumbles are plaguing this team, which is always a sign of poor preparation. It’s hard to buy into the coaching staff and the weird amalgamation of parts offensively. I’m not sure how much I trust them to figure it out in a week where they’re traveling across the pond.

20 – Patriots (1-2)

I learned absolutely nothing about the Patriots this week other than the fact that their defense might be even worse than I thought. It doesn’t help when you’re facing Lamar Jackson, but it’s just uncharacteristic of this franchise. The bigger problem with New England is the ankle injury suffered by Mac Jones that’s sure to sideline him for a long time. Ankle sprains like that do nothing but linger and hold players back, and I don’t see him coming back any time soon. So, it’s the Brian Hoyer show in Foxboro for the time being. In an offense with no great weapons, that’s sure to be a disaster. We might have to stick a fork in the Patriots early.

21 – Steelers (1-2)

Stop taking the high road. It’s time to start Kenny Pickett. There is quite literally nothing to lose. Moreover, there is absolutely nothing to be gained with Trubisky continuing to start. He’s below average at best and does nothing to help win games. Just get the guy you spent a first round pick on the reps so you can actually be competitive. He’s ready to go and is being kept from doing anything. It just makes no sense. It doesn’t help that the defense is borderline ineffective with TJ Watt out of the lineup, and things are only going to get worse with Minkah Fitzpatrick nursing a concussion. For your sake, just do what you have to do to make things salvageable.

22 – Colts (1-1-1) 9

Tie with the Texans. Get shut out by the Jaguars. Beat the Chiefs. What a fascinating way to get to 1-1-1. I still don’t buy this team in the slightest, but I have to respect their ability to pull out a huge upset win against an elite team. They were the beneficiary of everything going their way, but a win is a win. This team desperately needed one. I don’t really trust them to keep beating good teams, but the good news for them is that the schedule is only getting easier. So maybe, just maybe, they can bounce back from their horrendous start.

23 – Titans (1-2) 2

The Titans were able to emerge victorious in the mid-off of the century despite trying their absolute hardest to blow it. What was learned from this experience? Absolutely nothing. Other than the fact that Derrick Henry finally decided to show up, the Titans did nothing to change my mind. I still think this team is falling face first into a rebuild, and beating the only 0-3 team in the league isn’t going to move me. One look at their schedule will reassure anyone that this is nowhere close to a playoff team.

24 – Falcons (1-2) 3

The Falcons got their much-deserved first win in hard-fought fashion on Sunday. Good for them. The best thing about games like that is seeing your young stars make plays. Drake London and Kyle Pitts had huge games, and it was pretty cool to see. Regardless of whether or not Atlanta is able to build an actual roster in the coming years, they should be confident that they have their franchise stars on offense.

25 – Giants (2-1) 1

The Giants are a very simple team to assess. Their offense is torrid thanks to their QB being Daniel Jones, one of the worst WR groups in football (made worse thanks to Sterling Shepard’s ACL tear on Monday night), and a porous offensive line. However, Saquon Barkley is back in full force to help ease the pain. Defensively, they are pretty solid, but not good enough to contain any elite teams. So, they will lose a lot of games. This was the first of many.

26 – Raiders (0-3) 4

I really thought it couldn’t get any worse. But, it got worse. Because this is the Raiders. This isn’t a franchise has stars that turn them into contenders or builds competent rosters. Their stars are ineffective and overshadowed. Their team is always incompetent and one of the biggest messes in all of football. Their coaching is always a joke and they refuse to be anything worth a damn. I genuinely don’t know how Raiders fans do it. This is exhausting from an outside perspective.

27 – Commanders (1-2) 9

This team does not exist to me. Carry on.

28 – Panthers (1-2) 2

I know I picked the Panthers to get crushed and they shut me up by beating one of my top 10 teams from a week ago. But, I’m still not very moved. Sunday’s game told me a lot more about New Orleans than Carolina. I still don’t believe in anything this team is doing at all. I will say that their defense looked very solid against a great on-paper offense. That’s a positive, which are very hard to come by with this team.

29 – Jets (1-2) 1

Welcome back to Earth. The Jets looked a lot more like the Jets on Sunday, doing approximately nothing for 60 minutes en route to another loss. That’s exactly what we expect. The good thing for New York is that Garrett Wilson keeps on putting up huge numbers, but he’s also gotten beat up a lot in the last two weeks. For his and my sake, please stop throwing him hospital balls.

30 – Seahawks (1-2) 1

Even in a loss, I don’t think the Seahawks were too embarrassing on Sunday. Geno Smith made some nice plays and the offense put up some points. They were competitive and could have come away with a win. By all means, they should have, but this team isn’t good enough for that, especially defensively. When you can’t pull it out at home against another bad team, you’re probably really bad.

31 – Bears (2-1) 5

This might just be the most heartbreaking scenario in the league for me. Justin Fields just can’t get it going as a QB in this league. While I continue to cite the horrible situation he’s in, there’s no excuse for playing so dreadfully and nearly throwing the game away against the worst team in football. His pitiful stats back up his poor play on the field, and it really breaks my heart. The Bears may be above .500, but it means nothing, especially if their first-round QB keeps playing like this. I’m hoping and praying that it turns around.

32 – Texans (0-2-1)

Can I just go ahead and pencil the Texans in here for the rest of the season? This team is just dreadful. I have no idea when they’ll get that first win, but I doubt it’ll be anytime soon. Yes they have some nice pieces and Dameon Pierce is finally emerging as a RB1. But that’s about it. It’s ok Houston, you’re well on your way to the #1 pick in the draft and a future franchise QB. Just keep doing your thing by losing. I don’t think you’ll need any help in doing so.

All stats taken from ESPN.

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Week 3 Picks

Last week was quite brutal for my picks, but we can only go up from here with another great slate of games on tap.

Cover photo taken from Sporting News.

Another week is upon us as the young season continues to grow, and this might just be the best one yet. We have some exciting games on tap this weekend, and I can’t wait to get into it. Last week was another fun one to watch, but it was a brutal one for the Picks. Outside of getting my second ever perfect prediction, things were pretty rough. I had another awful performance in Week 2, going a mediocre 8-8 to bring my season total to 17-14-1. Surely we can only go up from here… right?

Browns 20-17 Steelers

Thursday, 8:15 PM EST, Prime Video

Week 3 opens on one of the most mid primetime matchups you could possibly imagine. Not all of us would be spending our Thursday night with Jacoby Brissett and Mitch Trubisky if we had anything else to do. Moreover, both of these teams are beat up and coming off tough losses. It should be close and could be fun, but in no situation do I see Pittsburgh coming out of here with a win. Cleveland has the far better roster from top to bottom, and with the Steelers run defense being as poor as it has been through two weeks, I think the Browns will just ride Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt to victory.

Bears 19-13 Texans

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

As if you thought it couldn’t get any worse, we have this game on the schedule. Both of these teams are awful, we know that. But we also all know the Bears are slightly less awful. While the Texans have been more competitive in each game, they’ve played two awful teams. At least we’ve seen Chicago do thinks against competent opponents. This team could use a pick-me-up win. It’s going to be ugly, but the Bears should back above .500.

Raiders 26-23 Titans

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

This is probably the only game this week in which both teams are virtually cooked with a loss. These two 2021 playoff teams are sitting at 0-2 after two brutal losses, and history isn’t kind to teams that start their seasons with three losses in a row. I really want to pick the Titans here, seeing as though they are at home and Vegas has to come out east for a 1pm kick. But they have shown me absolutely nothing to like this season. At least the Raiders were competitive against the Chargers and should have beaten the Cardinals. They’ve shown me more, and for that, I have to trust them to get the job done.

Chiefs 28-24 Colts

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

Does this game feel… off for anyone else? Or is it just me? Yes, the Colts just got embarrassed in Jacksonville and couldn’t even beat the Texans. But this is a good home team that knows it needs to show up in a huge game like this. It won’t be enough to win, but I really think that Indy is going to give Kansas City all they can handle in this one. I definitely like them to cover the spread. Still, it’s virtually impossible to beat Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in September, and their superior roster will prove to be the difference. Just don’t be shocked if it’s in question for a while.

Bills 29-21 Dolphins

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

I really wanted to pick the Dolphins here. Everything is pointing towards them pulling off this upset. They had the game of their lives last week and now come back home to host the best team in football in an environment that isn’t easy for any road team to win in. I don’t think any extraneous factors will be in play though. I just think these are two great teams that are going to play a great game, and the better one will find a way to win. It’s that simple. I trust Josh Allen way more than I trust Tua Tagovailoa, and I trust the rest of the Bills roster infinitely more than the Dolphins’, especially defensively. Considering what Lamar Jackson did to Miami last week, this is likely going to be another huge day for Buffalo’s offense.

Vikings 30-27 Lions

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

This is going to be fun. The Lions have been a very exciting team through two weeks, using their star-studded offense to light up the scoreboard. This is the highest scoring team in football, averaging 34.5 points per game, and their defense has been surprisingly good as well. Meanwhile, the Vikings are coming off an embarrassing loss on MNF. I think that teams who suffer tough losses usually bounce back the following week, especially if they’re as good as Minnesota is, and I trust this team to win a close divisional game. They know they’re not as bad as they looked on Monday, and they’ll be out to prove it. This could very well be the game of the week, and I’m very excited to watch it.

Ravens 20-17 Patriots

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

While I think the Ravens are a far better team than the Patriots are, everything about this screams close game and a potential upset. New England just isn’t a team that’s going to continue to look as bad as they have in the first two games of the season. Lamar Jackson is also nursing an elbow injury that could limit Baltimore’s now-explosive pass attack. They could be getting JK Dobbins back in this game, which would be huge. Regardless, they should be able to ride their run game to victory. It’s going to be a hard-fought battle, and the better team is going to win it.

Bengals 27-20 Jets

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

The Jets pulled off a miracle last week, but it’s time to return to Earth. This is a very bad team that was down 13 with 90 seconds left last week thanks to a porous defense. The offense has actually been solid with Joe Flacco at the helm thanks to the emergence of rookie WR Garrett Wilson, but now they face a stout Bengals defense. Cincinnati is desperate to get their first win, and this is the perfect opportunity for them to do so. The offense should be able to feast on a horrible Jets secondary en route to a victory. New York could stick around for a bit, but I just don’t think they have it in them to win this one.

Eagles 31-19 Commanders

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

We all saw the Eagles on Monday night. We all saw the Commanders on Sunday. Does anything else really need to be said? Philadelphia is dominant on both sides of the ball with their dynamic offense and lockdown defense. Washington has an offense that picks and chooses when they want to function properly and one of the worst defenses in football with the worst DC in the league. This one really shouldn’t be close. I know divisional games are usually scrappy fights, but not when one team is as overmatched as the Commanders are here. This will be over by halftime, but the offense will do that thing where they put up some numbers in the second half to make it look respectable. Typical.

Saints 24-10 Panthers

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

Even in a loss, the Saints showed us what they’re made of last week. This is a very solid team with a fantastic defense and an offense full of playmakers. The Panthers, meanwhile, are an absolute joke on both sides of the ball that simply doesn’t know how to win games. Like the divisional game above, this one should not be close at all. New Orleans is the far better team across the board and shouldn’t break a sweat in pulling off this victory.

Chargers 24-20 Jaguars

Sunday, 4:05 PM EST, CBS

This one should be fun. The Chargers have proven themselves as one of the NFL’s elite contenders, and the Jaguars are finally looking like the team they want to be thanks to the impacts of their new signings and draftees and the development of Trevor Lawrence. Los Angeles is definitely the better team, but I have concerns about Justin Herbert’s health after getting beat up last week. I think it could affect how dangerous the Chargers offense can be, and it’ll be enough to let Jacksonville hang around for a while. It’ll be back and forth, but the better team will come out on top. Look for LA’s defense to make some of the game-changing plays.

Cardinals 31-27 Rams

Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, FOX

This is as big as it gets for a division matchup this early in the season. Both of these teams have been roller coasters through two weeks, and the winner of this game will be feeling much better about themselves than the loser. In an NFC West with a ton of questions, a win is imperative to separate yourself early in the season. Quite frankly, I don’t trust either of these teams to do so. Not only are they playing very questionable football, but I just don’t really think much of either squad. They’re on essentially the same level in my mind. So, I’ll rock with the home team, which has honestly shown me more to like. The Cardinals’ comeback win was more inspiring than anything the Rams have done this season. I think they can carry that momentum into this matchup in a huge way and come away with a much-needed win.

Seahawks 21-20 Falcons

Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, FOX

Once again, these two teams are exactly the same in my head. I actually think the Falcons are slightly better, but it is very hard to win in Seattle, and I think that’ll make the difference here. While Atlanta has been much more competitive this season, the Seahawks are simply different when they play at home. Even though the team is awful, their home field advantage is real. It will be the only thing separating these two teams on Sunday.

Buccaneers 23-16 Packers

Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, FOX

Simply put, the Buccaneers have the Packers’ number, and it’s largely thanks to their incredible defense. That defense is what’s carrying the team at this point, and it will need to continue to do so this week with WR Mike Evans serving a one-game suspension. Considering how Green Bay’s offense has looked through two weeks, I think they will be able to keep things under wraps and let Tom Brady and the offense win the game. To me, the key piece in this one is Leonard Fournette. We all saw the Packers get gashed on the ground by the Bears last week, and Fournette has been racking up yards like crazy in his first two games. I think Tampa can score enough by relying on their run game, and their defense will do the rest against a Green Bay offense still struggling to find its identity.

49ers 22-17 Broncos

Sunday, 8:20 PM EST, NBC

This game was a lot more appealing three weeks ago. Now it just feels like a big pile of nothing. The Broncos have been one of football’s most unwatchable teams this year, and the 49ers have Jimmy Garoppolo back at the helm. I think it’s safe to say this won’t be the most entertaining primetime game in the world. I actually feel like the Broncos have the edge in this game with being at home, but that didn’t do much for them last week against the worst team in football. So, I’ll roll with the much better team and roster in the Niners, despite the fact that they’re dealing with a plethora of offensive injuries. San Francisco’s defense could prove to be the difference, which wouldn’t shock me considering the incompetent offense they’re going up against.

Cowboys 20-13 Giants

Monday, 8:15 PM EST, ESPN

It took three weeks, but we have our first NFC East primetime game of the year! Football fans everywhere rejoice! Cooper Rush vs. Daniel Jones is probably going to be as brutal as it sounds, but this could still be fun. At the very least, it’ll be close, as so many of these games tend to be. The only exceptional unit in this game is the Cowboys defense, which has been more impressive than I could have imagined against two very good offenses. The Giants have scraped by with two close wins that don’t move me, and against an actually good team, they won’t have much going for them. It’ll be scrappy, but Dallas should win this game with relative ease.

All stats taken from ESPN.

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Post-Week 2 Power Rankings

In another wild week of football, the NFL’s elite strutted their stuff while the rest of the league caused a ton of shuffling in the rankings. Here’s how I stack the teams up 1-32 after another fun week.

Cover photo taken from Getty Images.

1 – Bills (2-0)

The Bills reassured everyone of their dominance on Monday night and their worthiness of this #1 spot. They somehow managed to look even better than they did on opening night, absolutely walloping the Titans in front of a national audience thanks to Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs being the best QB-WR duo in the league and their defense continuing to make life hell for opposing offenses. They’ve been the best team in the NFL by a longshot through two weeks and it’s not even close. The scariest part? It looks like they haven’t even broken a sweat in doing so.

2 – Chiefs (2-0)

Kansas City had perhaps the best win of Week 2, coming back to beat the Chargers on Thursday night thanks to the greatness of Patrick Mahomes and their defense stepping up in a massive way. Yes, Mahomes had some poor throws that should have gone the other way. Yes, he had an inferior game to Justin Herbert. Yes, the defense got away with a lot and may have gotten lucky with their game-winning pick six. But, the breaks went their way, and they came away with a win. That’s all that matters. Divisional games are always wonky like that. Don’t lie to yourself, you know the Chiefs are a top two team in this league regardless of how lucky they may have gotten. They showed how great they are at their best, and considering they’ll be the better team in nearly all of their games, they’ll be playing at that level all year long.

3 – Buccaneers (2-0)

I recognize that this may be a bit high for Tampa, but I’m giving them the benefit of the doubt for two reasons. The first is that they have the best defense in the NFC and perhaps the entire league. They look as dominant as they’ve ever been at every level. The front seven is absolutely ferocious and the secondary has been the best in football through two weeks. The other reason is Tom Brady, who may not be playing his best football, but he’s making it work. When the run game wasn’t working, he was able to put points on the board with his arm against a very good defense. This team’s ability to go on the road to a raucous environment in NOLA and win a highly emotional game featuring an all out brawl shows their toughness, which is what they need if they want to get back to a Super Bowl.

4 – Chargers (1-1) 1

The Chargers may have lost on Thursday night, but that was one hell of a loss. Justin Herbert looked phenomenal yet again, despite getting absolutely rocked in the fourth quarter. The pick six that lost LA the game was not his fault, but I know he wants that one back. The defense looked solid until they eventually succumbed to Patrick Mahomes. Under better circumstances, the Chargers probably would have blown Kansas City out. I have no doubts about this team moving forward other than concerns surrounding Herbert’s health. But considering the way he was throwing the ball with one functioning side of his ribs, those concerns should be put to bed.

5 – Eagles (2-0) 4

No team in football is living up to the hype more than the Eagles, and it’s honestly pretty awesome to watch. I hate this team more than almost any other in football, but it’s just too fun watching Jalen Hurts and this offense make plays. They’ve improved everywhere and it’s showing in a huge way. The offense is both explosive and methodical, Hurts has a plethora of playmaking options with his receivers and his arm, the pass rush is dominant, the linebackers fly all over the field, and the secondary has been lockdown. Not many defenses can put Justin Jefferson in a straitjacket like this one did. Darius Slay might cement himself as a top 5 CB by the time this season is over. With a remarkably easy schedule, Philly can play themselves into 1 seed contention if they continue to excel at this level.

6 – Dolphins (2-0) 2

Well, that was a lot. Miami detonated the NFL’s equivalent of a nuclear bomb on Sunday afternoon. Down 21 in the 4th quarter, the high-powered offense finally took flight and proved just how incredibly deadly they can be. Tua Tagovailoa was slinging the ball all over the yard, especially to the WR duo of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, which I’m already willing to call the best in football and one of the scariest I’ve ever seen. Just to put things in perspective for you, Hill and Waddle are first and third in receiving yards, respectively, through two games. Their speed and quickness left Baltimore’s defense lost and confused en route to an incredible comeback win which saw Tua throw 4 TDs in the 4th quarter and both Waddle and Hill eclipse 10 catches and nearly 200 yards each(!). The defense was getting carved up by Lamar Jackson for three quarters, but when they needed to step up and make plays, they did so with flying colors. The lesson to be learned from that game is that you do not want to see this team when they are clicking like that. They will run right past you and throw up the deuces before you can even turn your head around.

7 – Vikings (1-1) 3

This team got shelled on Monday night, but I’m giving them a pass. For starters, it’s Kirk Cousins on MNF. We all knew what was going to happen. They lost to a better team, plain and simple. It doesn’t change the fact that they had a dominant win over a good team in Week 1 and still have all the talent in the world to be an elite team. I still love what this team has on both sides of the ball, although I think their front seven needs to do a better job of containing the run. Their offense is more than equipped to bounce back as well. When they’re not playing perhaps the best team in their conference on Monday Night Football, they will be more than fine.

8 – Packers (1-1) 2

I’m not entirely moved by the Packers dominating the Bears on Sunday Night Football the week after getting smacked for the trillionth straight year, and you shouldn’t be either. That being said, we all know Green Bay is a more than capable team. I still have a ton of questions about their receiving core, but they get fantastic contributions from their backfield of Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon to help offset that. This defense is still one of the best in the league, although them locking up the Chicago offense doesn’t stick in my head as much as when they got diced up by the Vikings. This week’s matchup with the Buccaneers will be the best indicator of where this team truly lies.

9 – Ravens (1-1) 3

The Ravens had a really, really poor fourth quarter on Sunday. It was inexplicable and I’m still trying to wrap my head around it. It makes a lot more sense when you consider how young and inexperienced their secondary is with three rookies who were tasked with stopping the fastest WR duo we’ve ever seen. I’m honestly just sick for Lamar Jackson, who had one of the best games of his career in a loss that wasn’t on him. There’s no excuse for blowing a three score lead in a single quarter, and I’m sure Baltimore will tighten up as the season progresses. This is still a great team, which was on display for three quarters, and as their secondary continues to develop and improve, they will be even better.

10- Saints (1-1) 3

Is this a bit high for the Saints? Maybe. Did they fall apart in the clutch against a great team? Yes. Do I still think this is a great roster that’s more than capable of doing big things? Absolutely. Sunday’s game was highly emotional, and without their star RB in Alvin Kamara against perhaps the best defense in the NFL, I’m giving them a pass for struggling to put points on the board. We know what they’re capable of, and if they can’t produce against their division rival with a suffocating defense, so be it. Let’s not forget how great their own defense was playing for most of the game. That is still a great unit, as is their offense. We can make all the jokes we want about Jameis Winston, but I think he’s going to be just fine as long as his receivers continue to dominate. I have no doubt in their ability to bounce back from a tough loss like this one.

11 – Rams (1-1)

Yeah, I still don’t feel it with this team. Nearly blowing a 28-3 lead at home to the Falcons should really warrant a bump down in the rankings, but I’ll be nice to the defending champs. Their offense was able to bounce back from a brutal opener, putting up big numbers against a porous defense. But, that’s what they should be doing. I’m not moved by Matt Stafford and Cooper Kupp feasting on one of the worst secondaries in football. I am still worried about their nonexistent run game and poor offensive line. The defense also bounced back from a bad first game until they nearly let the game slip away from them. Although they locked it down in the end, I still have a plethora of concerns about this team. I just don’t feel anything positive about them.

12 – 49ers (1-1) 1

Sunday evening was heartbreaking. I feel absolutely awful for Trey Lance, who was ready to take the league by storm this year. He was the reason I felt so strongly about the 49ers this season and had them going to the Super Bowl. I hope he is able to make a speedy recovery and do big things next year. In the meantime, the reins are handed back to Jimmy Garoppolo, which honestly isn’t as bad as it sounds. This team loves him, and he wins games. You can’t ask for much more out of your QB. The defense looked like the dominant unit they are and the offense looked much more dynamic and effective. But, of course that’s going to happen against the Seahawks. I still feel good about this team with Jimmy at QB, and I hope they can continue to prove their worth as the schedule ramps up.

13 – Cardinals (1-1) 7

I’m not sure how any of that happened, but good for you, Arizona. The Cardinals had an incredible comeback win of their own on Sunday, storming back from a 20-0 deficit thanks to the heroics of Kyler Murray, who might be the least containable QB I’ve ever seen, and the incompetence of the Raiders. Their defense had a poor start, but they ramped it up in the second half and OT, eventually winning the game with a scoop and score. The story of the game was Murray’s incredible playmaking ability, and while it was very fun to watch, I have my reservations about him doing that against better teams. The Cards get the Rams in a huge divisional matchup this week, and their performance in that game will give me a much better idea of where this team stands.

14 – Browns (1-1) 2

Don’t get caught up in this team being bumped up this week. A lot of other teams just laid duds. The Browns may have laid the biggest dud of the week, throwing their game by inexplicably allowing the Joe Flacco-led Jets to score two touchdowns in ninety seconds. The glaring issues in the secondary showed in a massive way. That’s the biggest weakness of this team, which otherwise doesn’t really have any. I still like their front seven and their offense, even with Jacoby Brissett at the helm. Nick Chubb has been the best RB in football through two weeks; their ground game is still unstoppable. But that’s as bad of a way to lose a game as you could ask for. This team should be 2-0, and they need as many wins as they can get until… that QB they traded for… returns from suspension.

15 – Cowboys (1-1) 10

As much as it pains me, the Cowboys are the biggest leapers this week. But, the question is this: are they actually good? Or are the Bengals just bad? Time will tell, but in the meantime, I think it’s the former. More specifically, I think Dallas’ defense is for real. Their secondary still raises questions, but their pass rush is legit thanks to Micah Parsons continuing to be the NFL’s most impressive wrecking ball. His DPOY campaign is off to a fantastic start with 4 sacks in just two games. The offense wasn’t necessarily firing on all cylinders under Cooper Rush, but they looked competent enough to be winning games. We’ll see if they can continue that competence on Monday night against the Giants.

16 – Bengals (0-2) 4

I’ve taken the liberty of compiling a list of needs for the winless Bengals: carbohydrates, pain relievers, coffee, tea, and lots of water. Those are helpful cures for a hangover. Because Cincy’s is as real as it gets. Through two games, this team looks worse than they did at any point during their magical 2021 season, and it’s largely thanks to Joe Burrow of all people. You can complain all you want about his supposedly improved offensive line still giving up sacks left and right, but have we taken the time to consider Burrow’s negative pocket presence? Perhaps in an effort to always be making plays, so many of the sacks this team allows are at the fault of their star QB. Their defense is honestly fine to me, but their offense is suddenly the problem. Until Burrow both improves in the pocket and their offensive scheme improves to actually get their WRs open, that side of the ball is going to hold this team back. Imagine telling that to yourself three weeks ago.

17 – Lions (1-1) 9

Yes, this is pretty high for the Lions. But I just really like what this team has going on. Their offense is great, but we already knew that. Jared Goff is a competent QB whether you like it or not, Amon-Ra St. Brown is a bonafide WR1, and D’Andre Swift kills defenses out of the backfield. The offensive line is also much improved and might be one of the best in the league. The defense is still a huge question, but they have found themselves a star in Aidan Hutchinson. The #2 overall pick had 3 sacks in his second career game against a solid Washington OL. He was my pick for DROY for good reason. This is a scrappy, gritty, and flat out fun team that might be able to make some noise. It’s early, but watch out for Detroit.

18 – Commanders (1-1) 3

Until this team fires DC Jack Del Rio, they are genuinely not worth talking about. This defense has been abhorrent for over a year now, and we know exactly who is at fault, yet he is still employed. There is no reason. I don’t know how many games of us getting sliced and diced it will take for someone in the front office to open their eyes and cut ties with the man who is an awful coach and a worse person. He should have been fired long ago. I want to talk about how much I like the offensive production and the performance of Carson Wentz, but I can’t do that much when you can’t muster up 60 yards of offense and multiple first downs in a half against a bad Lions defense. Sunday’s game left as bad of a taste in my mouth as any game in recent memory. It was a comedy of errors. Fitting for this franchise.

19 – Jaguars (1-1) 8

The Jaguars and the Lions are in the same category in my mind. These are young teams with very bright futures thanks to shockingly good personnel decisions. Trevor Lawrence is finally budding into a young star thanks to being surrounded with competent weapons; Doug Pederson is proving to be the perfect HC for him. Christian Kirk is emerging as a true WR1 and the backfield tandem of James Robinson and Travis Etienne continues to produce. And against an albeit awful Colts team, Jacksonville’s defense showed up and showed out to put up the season’s first shutout. This is just a fun young team with a ton of nice pieces that are gelling into a solid squad. In the NFL’s worst division, look out for the Jags of all teams to perhaps be in the playoff mix.

20 – Patriots (1-1) 9

New England shut me up on Sunday, but not in the most emphatic fashion. Their offense looked fine, and their defense played a great game, but it was against Mitch Trubisky. I still don’t feel very confident in this team to do anything worth a damn in games against actually good opponents. Considering the division and conference they play in, I still have little to no faith in the Patriots.

21 – Steelers (1-1) 7

Sunday’s performance was about as poor as any in football for the Steelers. They did approximately nothing from start to finish thanks to a horrible outing from their offense. I will say that I still think this defense is a great unit even without TJ Watt, but they alone cannot overcome the incompetence of Mitch Trubisky and the offensive line that protects him. They still cannot run the ball whatsoever, and their receivers aren’t good enough to bail out poor QB play. I think Kenny Pickett time is fast approaching in Pittsburgh. Not soon enough for their fans.

22 – Raiders (0-2) 4

What a joke. What an embarrassment. Just another week for the Raiders at this point. There really aren’t enough words to describe my disdain for this team. They finally think they have a good thing going, almost beating the Chargers in Week 1 and dismantling the Cardinals for most of the game on Sunday. That is, until they blow a 20-0 lead by allowing two fourth quarter TDs and 2-point conversions and quite literally fumbling the game away in OT. Their splash WR acquisition and supposed best friend of Derek Carr in Davante Adams was held to a whopping 2 catches for 12 yards against a defense that got annihilated the previous week. It’s just a mess all over the place with this team, as it always has been and always will be. Yet somehow, they aren’t even the biggest mess in their own division.

23 – Broncos (1-1) 4

Good lord. What do the Broncos even have to say for themselves at this point? This team was gassed up all offseason long after acquiring a legend at QB and a supposed offensive guru at HC. All they’ve done through two weeks is show nothing but incompetence and a complete lack of any offensive substance. Russell Wilson and the rest of the offense have been dreadful against two very bad teams, and Nathaniel Hackett continues to prove that he is in way over his head as a coach. The defense has done their job, but nobody else has. Until they do, this team is going absolutely nowhere fast.

24 – Giants (2-0)

I’m pretty sure this is the worst 2-0 team in NFL history, but they are 2-0 nonetheless. Two wins in two weeks against two putrid opponents has this team feeling good about themselves. Good for you, New York. I’m sure that feels nice after nearly a decade of incompetence. Don’t get too full of yourselves, though. I know you think Daniel Jones is finally coming into his own and that your defense is incredible after locking up Ryan Tannehill and Baker Mayfield. It’s only a matter of time before it all comes crashing down. Enjoy it while it lasts!

25 – Titans (0-2) 8

Blow it up. Seriously. It’s time to start over. You had your few years of success, but now you have to hit the reset button. All of a sudden, there’s nothing redeemable about the Titans. The offense quite literally cannot move the football. The defense, which is supposed to be elite, is falling apart. Even Derrick Henry, arguably the best RB in the sport, has been invisible through two weeks. It’s an absolute mess that I never could have seen coming. You have your head coach and QB of the future, a solid young WR1 in the making, and a talented defense. The pieces are there for a rebuild to be short, but productive. This season is over and it’s time to accept that. Just build for the future.

26 – Bears (1-1) 5

The Bears got their annual blowout loss to the Packers on SNF out of the way early this year. I don’t think they looked as horrible as they could have, but it was still ugly. I was thoroughly impressed with David Montgomery, who was undoubtedly their bright spot, running through a great defense all night long with over six yards per carry and nearly 150 yards on the ground. Justin Fields struggled, but got no help from his receivers or his offensive scheme. I guess that’s what happens when you hire a defensive HC and bring in no offensive weapons in the offseason. It’s going to be a struggle every week for the Bears, but they knew that would be the case. The important thing is that the team continues to improve through better defensive play and more reps for their young QB.

27 – Falcons (0-2) 1

The Falcons exorcising the demons of 28-3 would have been one of the cuter stories of the season. Alas, it wasn’t meant to be. Yes, this team made a furious fourth quarter comeback, but it doesn’t change the fact that they were getting smacked around in the first place. This is a pretty poor team on both sides of the ball, but they have to like what they’ve seen out of their first round WR Drake London. Marcus Mariota has also been as solid as you could ask for. If they can get Kyle Pitts more involved offensively (it’s incredible that he’s not the most involved player), they will be a tough out.

28 – Jets (1-1) 4

How about the Jets pulling off a miraculous win? You do not see that very often. Hell, you don’t see them pulling off any wins very often. Good for them. This is a team that deserved to have something like that happen to them. They let the game slip away late, but somehow pulled off two touchdowns and an onside kick in the final ninety seconds to win it. I personally got great enjoyment out of it thanks to the heroics of their first round WR Garrett Wilson, who is already proving his worth after just two games. Wilson had a monster game with 102 yards and two touchdowns on eight catches, including the game-winner in the final seconds. There aren’t many positives with this team, but they can take solace in the fact that they’ve found a stud WR1.

29 – Seahawks (1-1) 7

That was the Seahawks I expected to see this season. Sunday’s game in Santa Clara was just horrible all across the board. The offense was nonexistent, the defense was lost and confused, and nothing went right. Geno Smith looked like the Geno Smith we’re accustomed to seeing. Seattle got their cute little win out of the way in Week 1, and the majority of their games moving forward will look a lot more like this.

30 – Panthers (0-2)

Our expectations for you were low, but come on now. Losing in embarrassing fashion to the Giants? Really? The defense honestly held their own, but the offense’s refusal to hold onto the football cost them the game against a team that’s probably worse than they are. That’s a sign of bad coaching and just bad personnel. The Panthers really should be 2-0 by all accounts, but they have screwed themselves out of both wins and dug themselves an 0-2 hole. If that’s not a sign of what this team has become under Matt Rhule, then I don’t know what is.

31 – Colts (0-1-1) 8

Wow. Just wow. I picked this team to lose and I’m still embarrassed by what they did on Sunday. Zero points and not showing up on either side of the ball against last year’s worst team. It’s just shocking. I know the Colts forget how to play football every time they go to Jacksonville, but there’s just no excuse to play like that. Matt Ryan looks genuinely awful, they only have two real offensive weapons, and the defense looks surprisingly poor through two games. This team should be 0-2 with losses to the Jaguars and Texans. That statement alone is enough to warrant them being this low.

32 – Texans (0-1-1) 1

Welcome to the #32 spot, Houston. Please make yourselves comfortable. You’ll probably be staying here for a long time.

All stats taken from ESPN.

Post-Week 6 Power Rankings

by Raza Umerani October 14, 2025

Week 6 Picks

by Raza Umerani October 9, 2025

Post-Week 5 Power Rankings

by Raza Umerani October 8, 2025

Week 5 Picks

by Raza Umerani October 2, 2025

Post-Week 4 Power Rankings

by Raza Umerani October 1, 2025

2022 NFC Preview and Predictions

The NFC is still as top-heavy as ever, but an offseason full of huge moves and intriguing storylines has brought us to a point where anybody can surprise us in 2022. Here’s my preview of the NFC this season, along with my playoff picks.

Cover photo taken from Sports Illustrated.

Much like last year, the NFC in 2022 is oil and water. Every division has one or two great teams to go alongside some pretty awful ones. The conference is still top-heavy with the likes of Green Bay, Tampa Bay, Los Angeles, and others being contenders, but this season promises to be a bit more balanced than last year. There are some newcomers amongst the elite, and I can’t wait to see who emerges as the next powerhouses in a conference that desperately needs a shakeup. Let’s preview how the NFC will play out this season.

NFC East

1st: Philadelphia Eagles (13-4)

The Eagles overachieved in 2021 en route to a playoff appearance. Their postseason stay may have been brief, but there was no questioning that the future in Philly was bright. All they followed that up with was arguably the best offseason of any team in the league. They nailed free agency, making splash defensive acquisitions like Haason Reddick and Kyzir White to provide a much-needed boost to the linebacking group and picking up James Bradberry to help the secondary. They absolutely nailed the draft, picking monster DT Jordan Davis with their first of two first-round picks, then trading the other to Tennessee for superstar WR A.J. Brown. They then had All-American LB Nakobe Dean inexplicably fall to them in the third round to provide further help to the aforementioned linebacker room. Most recently, they fleeced the Saints for Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, who provides another terrific element of playmaking and lockdown ability to the secondary. After a slow start last year, the Eagles picked things up thanks to the improved play of the defense and especially QB Jalen Hurts, who could continue to develop into a truly elite dual threat QB. After improving drastically on both sides of the ball, it’s hard not to imagine this team as not just a division contender, but a Super Bowl threat as well.

2nd: Dallas Cowboys (11-6)

For once, I’m actually being quite nice to the Cowboys. I think it’s quite generous to be giving this team 11 wins. There are questions all over the place in Dallas. Just look back to 2021 where they were on absolute fire then fizzled out with an embarrassing playoff loss at home. Offensively, they just lost WR Amari Cooper, G La’el Collins, and T Tyron Smith, leaving them with a subpar offensive line and only two serviceable receivers on the outside. I do think CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup are a solid WR duo, but their OL problems will hold them back significantly. They already had trouble running the football with Ezekiel Elliott continuing to regress, and now even more of the load falls on Dak Prescott’s shoulders. Defensively, this team is just weird. There are bonafide stars in the front seven like Demarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons, but other than that, this is a very questionable unit. The secondary is bad, whether you like it or not, and they did nothing to get better this offseason. So, we have a worse offense with a significantly worse line, an equally bad defense, and Mike McCarthy is somehow still the head coach. So, yes, 11 wins is generous. Regardless, this is not a playoff team.

3rd: Washington Commanders (7-10)

Sigh. It truly never ends. The inaugural season as the Commanders isn’t exactly shaping up to be a great one. I thought this team had a decent offseason, but nothing special. The only notable move was bringing in Carson Wentz to take over the QB spot, which was a move I haven’t felt good about since the day it happened. They were able to re-sign WR Terry McLaurin to a huge deal, which is massive for this team and for this franchise as a whole. The offense still has some nice pieces, and I really liked the Jahan Dotson pick in the first round, and trading down seemed to be fruitful in the process. The defense is still awaiting the return of Chase Young, but the rest of the unit still has plenty of talent. The problem is that the talent they have never shows on the field. We can blame it on scheme, coaching, ability, weather, or anything else. For some reason this defense just does not show up. With the offense not being anything special to put the team over the top and the coaching staff still being as incompetent as it is, it just doesn’t feel like Washington is built to win a lot of games, even with one of the NFL’s easiest schedules. It’s just going to be 2021 part two. So, we’re running back the same team from last year. Remind me what their record was again?

4th: New York Giants (2-15)

I don’t think the Giants are the worst team in football. That being said, I’m projecting this team to finish with the NFL’s worst record and have the #1 pick in the draft next April. There is simply nothing to like with this team. For starters, their QB is still Daniel Jones, which inspires less than zero confidence in their offense to do anything. It doesn’t help that they have a WR group full of injury prone bums like Kenny Golladay and Darius Slayton. The offensive line could be solid if the young tackle duo of Andrew Thomas and Evan Neal pans out, but it’s hard to project if they will or not. And while Saquon Barkley used to be one of the most dynamic players in the NFL, he is now a perma-injured liability out of the backfield. The defense isn’t as somber, with some very nice pieces in the front seven like Azeez Ojulari, Leonard Williams, and the first round pick Kayvon Thibodeaux. But the secondary is genuinely putrid, and I don’t see the Giants being able to stop most teams on their schedule. They’re going to lose a lot of games in embarrassing fashion. It won’t be at the fault of new HC Brian Daboll, but this season is already a wash in New York.

NFC North

1st: Green Bay Packers (13-4)

The Packers had one of the most Packers seasons in 2021: dominate the league all year long, get Aaron Rodgers another MVP, lose a home playoff game in embarrassing fashion, have a weird offseason, wash, rinse, repeat. It’s getting a little tiring at this point. Despite all the wackiness and the immense hole left behind by trading away the best WR in football in Davante Adams, Green Bay is still a great football team that will see a lot of success. This team had a very good offseason, highlighted by Aaron Rodgers signing the most lucrative annual deal in NFL history. They did lose Adams but have some promising replacements in Sammy Watkins and rookies Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson. And the defense is still arguably the best in the NFL, boasting an incredible front seven that lost Za’Darius Smith but gained Jarran Reed as well as first-round rookies Devonte Wyatt and Quay Walker. The secondary remains stacked as well with Jaire Alexander leading the way. This team is simply too talented to be anything but great, and I’m pretty sure Aaron Rodgers could put up MVP numbers with me as his WR1. I’m not saying this is the year they finally get over the hump and win another title, but they should have this division in the bag fairly easily.

2nd: Minnesota Vikings (12-5)

Simply put, the Vikings should be of the NFL’s most improved teams heading into this season. Last year should have been far more successful than it was thanks to horrible defense and incompetent coaching. Now, Mike Zimmer is gone, so both of those should be put to bed. Enter Kevin O’Connell, the Sean McVay disciple who could somehow make this offense even better. Whether you like it or not, Kirk Cousins is a very good QB who had perhaps his best season ever in 2021. Dalvin Cook is still one of the NFL’s most dynamic running backs, and Justin Jefferson is a bonafide superstar who could emerge as the best WR in the NFL soon. Defensively, they got a huge boost to the pass rush by signing Za’Darius Smith and Harrison Phillips in free agency and bolstered the secondary by drafting Lewis Cine and Andrew Booth Jr., who were both standouts in college. Other standouts like Harrison Smith and Danielle Hunter are still there as well. This team simply can’t be as unlucky as they were last year. It’s a very, very good unit that should see a lot more success and a lot less dysfunction. They’re a surefire playoff team to me, and I think they could make some noise once they get there.

3rd: Detroit Lions (5-12)

You know, the Lions actually aren’t that bad. I like what Detroit has going on inside the building. I do think Dan Campbell is a great football guy and a coach I’d love to play for, but I just don’t know about him as an Xs and Os guy. Regardless, he has a solid unit to work with. Yes, Jared Goff is still the QB, but the rest of the offense has some legitimate stars in D’Andre Swift, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and T.J. Hockenson. They added DJ Chark in free agency and made a splash for Jameson Williams (who will albeit miss a good chunk of time) in the draft to further strengthen their receiving corps. The offensive line is pretty good as well, especially as 2021 first-rounder Penei Sewell continues to develop and get better. But, anyone who owned some of those players in fantasy last year will tell you that offense wasn’t why the Lions were the second worst team in the league last year. Their defense was horrible on all fronts, and they were able to address it in a pretty big way this offseason. Most notably, they took DE Aidan Hutchinson with the #2 overall pick, and while I’d love to push narratives, I think he’s going to run away with the DROY award. They already have a solid front seven with guys like Michael Brockers, Charles Harris, and Alex Anzalone. Still, secondary is the weakest link of this whole team that will continue to hold them back. Unless former #3 overall pick Jeff Okudah comes back from his achilles tear and dominates, there’s not a lot to love in the defensive backfield. Combine that with the questions surrounding coaching and the general incompetence of the franchise and the ceiling for this team is probably 7 wins. But I promise you I like what they’re doing.

4th: Chicago Bears (3-14)

I hate this team. I genuinely do. The entire reason for that is them setting Justin Fields up to fail, but it doesn’t even feel deliberate anymore. It’s like they just have no idea how to put together a competent football team. The story of last year was a porous offensive line and virtually no playmakers to bail out their rookie QB. Now, the line is somehow worse and they lost their best WR in Allen Robinson. I like Darnell Mooney, but I don’t like Byron Pringle and Equanimeous St. Brown being WRs 2 and 3. While Fields gets no help from his teammates on that side of the ball, the defense will be getting shredded for 60 minutes as well. The only thing to like in the front seven is Roquan Smith, who will have to have an even bigger impact after the team traded Khalil Mack. The secondary is nothing short of dreadful and will be one of the worst in football unless some rookies step up in big ways. There’s just nothing to remotely feel good about with the Bears. It’s a crying shame because Justin Fields could really be something in this league. But in Chicago, I guess we’ll never know.

NFC South

1st: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (12-5)

Tom Brady, man. Just when you thought we were finally free from his shackles, he decides he has unfinished business and comes right back. If I’m being honest, I never believed he’d stay gone, and he proved me right. However, maybe he should have stayed gone for his own good. Because this offseason in Tampa has been rough. The main reason for that is their offensive linemen dropping like flies day in and day out. The interior and left side of the line inspire little to no confidence, which is absolutely brutal for a 45 year old QB. The rest of the team is essentially the same as it has been in the Brady era, with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin (who will miss a long stretch as he recovers from an ACL tear) catching passes and Leonard Fournette running people over out of the backfield. They even brought in Julio Jones for a potential career revival. The defense is still a very good unit that I refuse to believe will be as injured as they were in 2021. The front seven is lethal and the secondary should be back healthy and ready to run back the success of two years ago. This team has the talent to win a subpar division, but it’s hard to have any faith in them to do much more than that. Still, it’s Tom Brady, and you just cannot bet against him.

2nd: New Orleans Saints (11-6)

I have no doubt that the Saints will be back this season. I actually feel more confident in them returning to form than most other teams in the league. Like the Bucs, I just refuse to believe that they’ll be as beat up as they were last year. I mean, having to start Taysom Hill, Ian Book, and Trevor Siemian at QB and still finding a way to finish with a winning record should warrant an award of its own. Sean Payton is no longer the HC, but I think Dennis Allen can have a fruitful tenure in a culture as solid as New Orleans’ is. So, the offense is back healthy led by QB Jameis Winston, who isn’t a world-beater by any means, but can still do plenty of damage with his arm. Alvin Kamara is still one of the NFL’s most dynamic players out of the backfield, and he’s still running behind one of the best offensive lines in the league. Most importantly, the receiving corps will be back to a respectable standard as Michael Thomas finally returns from injury. The Saints also grabbed Jarvis Landry and traded up for Ohio State standout Chris Olave to immediately improve the position group more than any other team improved any single unit this offseason. The defense needs no introduction, as it rarely does, but I do feel slightly worse about the secondary. Losing Marcus Williams and Chauncey Gardner-Johnson isn’t great, and I don’t know how I feel about getting Tyrann Mathieu in today’s day and age. While I liked the acquisition of Marcus Maye, he seems to be dealing with off-the-field issues. Still, the rest of the defense is littered with stars like Cam Jordan, Demario Davis, and Marshon Lattimore. If guys like Marcus Davenport, Pete Werner, and Paulson Adebo continue developing into great players, then this might just be the best defense in football. With a significantly improved offense and an elite defense, this is a bonafide playoff team.

3rd: Carolina Panthers (5-12)

There might not be a rebuild going worse than the Panthers one is. Things have somehow gone from bad to worse in Carolina. There is simply nothing to like. For starters, Matt Rhule is still the HC despite last year being a clear indicator that he can’t be one at this level. Sam Darnold was so bad as the QB that he has already been replaced by Baker Mayfield, which isn’t the world’s greatest upgrade. The receiving group is still DJ Moore and a bunch of scrubs. Christian McCaffrey is the NFL’s ultimate Swiss army knife, but he hasn’t been able to stay healthy in two seasons. It doesn’t help that the offensive line is dreadful, although I did like the decision to draft the big tackle Ikem Ekwonu in the first round. The defense was a decent unit last year, but they’ve since lost Stephon Gilmore and Haason Reddick. The front seven is decent, led by Brian Burns and Derrick Brown, but the secondary is full of questions. I just don’t have a lot of faith in guys like Jaycee Horn and CJ Henderson to lock teams up. This is a bad team from a year ago that didn’t improve in any areas this offseason. They won’t be the worst team in the league, but they’ll surely be blowing more stuff up by the time next winter rolls around.

4th: Atlanta Falcons (2-15)

The Falcons have an argument to be the worst team in the NFL. Like the Panthers, they were very bad last year and are now somehow worse. They let go of the greatest QB in franchise history in Matt Ryan and replaced him with Marcus Mariota, who nobody even thinks has a steady grip on the starting job with rookie Desmond Ridder breathing down his neck. The offense is headlined by young star TE Kyle Pitts, but one tight end is not going to make you a good offense. I thoroughly disliked the Drake London pick in the first round, as this team had so many other areas to improve on. The offensive line is pretty bad, and they don’t even have a real RB starting at RB. The defense is also still dreadful other than A.J. Terrell, who continues to develop into one of the NFL’s best lockdown corners. This is just a rare team that is genuinely good at nothing. They are very much in play for the #1 overall pick.

NFC West

1st: San Francisco 49ers (13-4)

Here it is. The team I’m pushing all of my chips into the center of the table for in 2022. Last year it was the Browns, and that was a complete, unmitigated disaster for me. I feel much better about these 49ers. San Francisco boasts what is perhaps the NFL’s best roster from top to bottom, absolutely loaded at every position with zero holes whatsoever. Playmakers like Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, Elijah Mitchell, and Brandon Aiyuk allow this offense to beat you in a plethora of ways. The offensive line could be better, but any unit with Trent Williams is one to put faith in. The front seven is one of the best in the league, headlined by Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead, and Fred Warner. The secondary struggled at times last year, but they still showed flashes in key moments on their deep playoff run. I know a dropped interception is what kept them from the Super Bowl, but Jaquiski Tartt isn’t on the team anymore, so forget about that. Despite all of this, we all know who this team comes down to. Trey Lance might be the biggest question mark in all of football. The Niners went all in to get him in 2021, and he is still very raw and inexperienced. However, they have the utmost faith in him, and so do I. I compared the Jimmy Garoppolo-Trey Lance situation to what the Chiefs had with Alex Smith and Patrick Mahomes back in 2017-18. After Mahomes sat for a year, he came in and absolutely blew up the league. I just have that same feeling with a young player as talented as Lance is. Just remember that this team should have won a Super Bowl and nearly went to another with Garoppolo at the helm. Even if Lance is not instantly a top 10 QB, all he has to do is give them the level of explosiveness that they’ve been missing, and the 49ers become a true Super Bowl contender. I’m not taking a glass-half-full approach with this team. In my eyes, the glass is overflowing.

2nd: Los Angeles Rams (12-5)

Is putting the defending Super Bowl champions at 2nd in their own division heresy? Well, if we consider that this is a worse team than the one that just won it all, I’d say no. That’s right, the Rams got worse this offseason. The so-called flashy free agent acquisitions were actually downgrades. Allen Robinson is not as good of a WR as Odell Beckham Jr. The offensive line will feel the absence of Andrew Whitworth. Losing Von Miller will take a huge element out of their pass rush. And I hate to break it to you, but signing Bobby Wagner doesn’t mean much in 2022. At least they still have Jalen Ramsey and Aaron Donald. Losing Darious Williams hurts, but guys like Troy Hill and David Long ensure that the secondary will still be elite. I’m not saying that these moves make the Rams a bad team. By no means are they anything but great. But people need to temper their expectations with this team. Not only is it incredibly difficult to continue to be great after winning a title, but it’s even harder when you lose so many key players and don’t make adequate replacements. Still, this team will be a contender for as long as they have Matt Stafford and Sean McVay running the show, and they’ll quite comfortably have a playoff spot.

3rd: Arizona Cardinals (8-9)

The Cardinals are just so puzzling. On paper, this is an incredibly talented roster with seemingly no holes. They have all the right things going for them to be a contender in this league. So, why aren’t they? Well, I think coaching is the biggest issue, as this team always starts hot but goes out with a flicker by January. I just don’t buy Kliff Kingsbury as an NFL head coach, and he continues to prove me right. There is no longer any excuse to be anything but great. Kyler Murray deservedly got a huge payday to continue slinging the ball as one of the NFL’s most dynamic QBs. They traded for Hollywood Brown from the Ravens to help him out. The defensive front isn’t ideal, but any unit with J.J. Watt is one to fear. And the secondary is pretty solid too with guys like Budda Baker and Byron Murphy. But this just feels like such a middle-of-the-pack team to me. DeAndre Hopkins is missing the first 6 games with a suspension, and the schedule in that time is absolutely brutal. If this team collapsed in the second half after starting great last season, what will happen if they have a rough start to the year now? I think it all culminates in a mediocre season that could lead to some big changes in the desert. I think the team could use some if they want to reach their full potential.

4th: Seattle Seahawks (2-15)

Like another formerly-great bird team in the NFC, the Seahawks have a very good argument to be the worst team in the NFL. The demolition has taken place, and the rebuild has finally begun. It started with the enormous package they received from Denver by trading them Russell Wilson which included a load of picks and some solid impact players like Noah Fant. So, that’s a good thing. But that’s about the only one that Seattle has. Geno Smith is their starting QB, meaning they have the worst starting QB in the league. The offensive line is worse than terrible, but I did like their first round selection in tackle Charles Cross, who should be their franchise LT for years to come. The receiving group is incredibly mid led by DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. The front seven has literally nobody of note. Seriously, try to name someone in the Seahawks front seven right now. Got anything? Didn’t think so. The secondary has been pretty bad for a while now, and while it’s still porous, I like what they’ve done to get better. Drafting Coby Bryant and Tariq Woolen were great moves, as those two could be bonafide studs in this league. But for now, they’re just rookies amidst arguably the worst roster in the league. It’s just going to be hilariously bad in Seattle from start to finish this year. I personally cannot wait to watch it.

Playoff Picture

1 – San Francisco 49ers (13-4)

2 – Philadelphia Eagles (13-4)

3 – Green Bay Packers (13-4)

4 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (12-5)

5 – Los Angeles Rams (12-5)

6 – Minnesota Vikings (12-5)

7 – New Orleans Saints (11-6)

Five of the seven teams here were playoff teams in 2021, but that doesn’t mean things are going to play out the same way. Take the decline of the Rams and Buccaneers and the emergence of the Vikings, Saints, and Eagles for example. This could be another fantastic postseason in the NFC. Let’s briefly predict how it’ll play out.

Wild Card Weekend

The 2v7 game sees yet another playoff installment in Eagles-Saints. I think these are two of the most improved teams in football, and I think this would be a tremendous matchup. I’d have to give the edge to Philly in this case, but it could feasibly go either way. I’d have no idea what to expect of either Jalen Hurts or Jameis Winston in the postseason, so I’ll just rock with the team I think is slightly better.

Packers-Vikings in the playoffs sounds like an absolute blast, and that’s what our 3v6 game is. Every time these teams get together, it’s typically a ton of fun. A playoff game in Lambeau would make for quality entertainment, but I just don’t see how the Packers would lose. Yes, playoff exits are their forte, but maybe not this early and to this team. They get at least one playoff win in 2022.

Last year’s Rams-Buccaneers game in the divisional round was one of the best playoff games in recent memory. To run it back in the 4v5 Wild Card round would be a delight. I think that the Bucs would want revenge on the team that led Tom Brady into a brief retirement. If they’re healthy enough, I can see them dominating this game and getting that sweet vengeance, sending the defending champs packing in the first round.

Divisional Round

The 49ers come off their bye and host Buccaneers. In the Bay with a team destined to make amends for the shortcomings of the last few years, I can see the Niners pounding Tampa, but I don’t think that’ll be the case. Tom Brady is never ever an easy out in the playoffs, and this matchup could be an instant classic. Like the Brady-Mahomes playoff games of the past, this could be a passing of the torch moment with Trey Lance. Unlike Mahomes, I see Lance getting over the hump and leading his team to another NFC Championship Game appearance. And the questions about Brady’s future ensue.

Eagles-Packers would be a sensational matchup. These teams led by great defenses and fun offenses matching up with a title game appearance on the line makes for a potential classic. While I love what the Eagles have going for them this season, it’s just so difficult for me to bet against Aaron Rodgers, despite the choking nature of the Packers in years past. Perhaps this is finally the year that they can re-ascend the mountain.

NFC Championship Game

Death. Taxes. 49ers-Packers in the playoffs. Furthermore, the 49ers beating the Packers in the playoffs. The Niners just have the better roster. Moreover, history just repeats itself in this league. Aaron Rodgers cannot beat San Francisco in the postseason, and he can’t win NFC Championships anymore either. I don’t think it’ll be a 2019-level blowout, nor do I think it’ll be a 2021-level slugfest, but I think the 49ers find themselves smoothly making it to Glendale and the Super Bowl.

So, my Super Bowl LVII matchup is the Buffalo Bills against the San Francisco 49ers. They’re my two 1 seeds, and I think they’re probably the two best teams in football. It’d be an awesome game, and I’d probably rock with the Bills to pull it out and finally get their title that they’ve longed for for nearly four decades. But, we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.

NFL football is back and I couldn’t be more excited for this season to finally get underway. Whether or not these predictions come true or not is irrelevant, to me, but for my sake, I hope they do. Regardless, I can’t wait for tomorrow’s kickoff and the months that follow it. I hope it’s as exciting and enjoyable for you.

Week 4 Picks

by Raza Umerani September 25, 2025

Post-Week 3 Power Rankings

by Raza Umerani September 23, 2025

Week 3 Picks

by Raza Umerani September 18, 2025

Post-Week 2 Power Rankings

by Raza Umerani September 16, 2025

Week 2 Picks

by Raza Umerani September 11, 2025

2022 AFC Preview and Predictions

After a wild season, the AFC is anyone’s game in 2022. The youth movement at the QB position makes this an undeniably exciting conference with storylines galore. Here’s my preview of the AFC this season, along with my playoff picks.

Cover photo taken from NFL.com.

The AFC is undergoing an incredible youth movement. The likes of Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger, Peyton Manning, and more are all gone. The conference now belongs to names like Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, and more. This was on display last year, where the conference flexed its depth for a tremendous season en route to a sensational playoffs that saw the Bengals of all teams make the Super Bowl. The offseason that followed was one of the most wild and wacky we’ve ever seen, and it makes things even more fascinating in the better of the two NFL conferences. If 2022 is anything like its predecessor, truly anything can happen. Let’s preview how it’ll play out.

AFC East

1st: Buffalo Bills (15-2)

Last year, I picked the Bills to win the AFC East with this exact same record. They accomplished the more important of those two things by winning the division and were 13 short seconds away from hosting the AFC Championship Game. Alas, it was not meant to be. Perhaps now it is. The Bills have a fire lit under them after last year’s shortcomings, where they felt like they were robbed of a shot at the Super Bowl. Josh Allen showed us all that he is a top tier, MVP-caliber QB in this league. The offense remains stacked with the established Stefon Diggs and 2021 breakout Gabe Davis at receiver. The reigning #1 defense is back and ready to silence the doubters after last year’s failure against the Chiefs. Adding Von Miller to the mix definitely helps. Simply put, this team was fantastic last year and are even better on paper this year. They’re the Super Bowl favorite for a reason. The only thing stopping them from getting their hands on the Lombardi Trophy for the first time is themselves.

2nd: Miami Dolphins (9-8)

The Dolphins made all the right moves this offseason. Bringing in the offensive guru Mike McDaniel as the new head coach makes for an admittedly interesting scheme. They kept their great defense intact, especially by extending star CB Xavien Howard. The obvious highlight was trading for WR Tyreek Hill from the Kansas City Chiefs, providing the offense with a bonafide superstar to bring a new level to the unit. Pairing him up with Jaylen Waddle makes for one of the more fascinating, explosive WR duos in all of football. However, the main concern that holds this team back resides with who throws them the ball. Tua Tagovailoa simply hasn’t lived up to the hype in his short NFL career. The clock is ticking, and time is slowly running out on him. It has to work this year for Tua, or he will be replaced with swiftness. He makes or breaks this team, and the way I see it, he’s not good enough to get them over the hump. Unless he figures it out, the Dolphins are restricted by his abilities, or lack thereof, and I don’t see them making the playoffs because of that.

3rd: New England Patriots (8-9)

For the second straight year, I’m not entirely sure what the Patriots are trying to do. This is a team that reached a very high peak last year, but eventually came undone and ended their season with an embarrassing blowout loss in the playoffs. And they haven’t done much to get better. This is essentially the same team as last year minus some key pieces, namely ballhawk CB J.C. Jackson, who left in free agency. Mac Jones had a promising rookie year at QB and is likely going to get better, but the weapons on this team don’t inspire a lot of confidence. The defense is still solid, but nothing special, especially without their INT machine. This is just a run-of-the-mill, middle-of-the-pack football team, through and through. I don’t see how they make the playoffs as the third best team in their own division in a conference as deep as the AFC is.

4th: New York Jets (4-13)

I’ll say this about the Jets. I do think they’re getting better. I like the direction this team is headed in. I thought they had a tremendous draft, adding offensive pieces like WR Garrett Wilson and RB Breece Hall as well as defensive studs in CB Sauce Gardner and DE Jermaine Johnson. The rebuild is seemingly going well, but that doesn’t mean they’re going to be good in the immediate future. Zach Wilson is still a big question mark, and dealing with a bone bruise in his knee from this preseason isn’t a good sign. Whether it’s him or Joe Flacco under center, this team won’t be winning too many games this season. The defense is still below average and the offense is still lacking in several areas, but the aforementioned rookies might help with that. If Wilson comes back and shows a huge leap from his rookie year, then maybe the Jets can win 6-7 games. But I don’t have that level of faith in him or this team.

AFC North

1st: Cincinnati Bengals (13-4)

The Bengals were the surprise team of last year, and my Team Of The Year in my season retrospective. They were awesome all season long en route to a Super Bowl appearance and a near victory. The question on everyone’s mind is, will they be able to run it back? History doesn’t favor young teams who lose Super Bowls. However, Cincinnati can say with confidence that they improved this offseason. You can argue that the offensive line is the reason they couldn’t win a championship, so they bolstered it with guys like Alex Cappa and La’el Collins. The defense remains intact after dominating the postseason. The offense is still stacked with the likes of Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Joe Mixon. And the beloved Joe Burrow is still the QB. By all means, the Bengals are a better team than the one that just won the AFC. At the very minimum, they should find themselves back on top of the division.

2nd: Baltimore Ravens (11-6)

Even with questions circling this team like vultures, the Ravens feel primed to bounce back from a disappointing 2021. It helps that key players aren’t dropping like flies like they were last preseason. J.K. Dobbins is back in the backfield after missing all of last year with an ACL tear, and that gives this offense a massive boost. Even with one of the worse WR groups in football, the load will be taken off Lamar Jackson’s shoulders as he continues to prove to the organization why he deserves a massive payday. He’ll still have a great TE duo to throw to with the established Mark Williams and the blooming rookie Isaiah Likely. The offensive line should be better as well with big time acquisitions like Morgan Moses from the Jets and Tyler Linderbaum in the draft. Perhaps the most important part of the offseason in Baltimore was bolstering their defense. I already liked the front seven a lot. Signing Marcus Williams and drafting Kyle Hamilton is sure to help the defensive backfield. The corners are still a little suspect, but at their best, guys like Kyle Fuller, Marlon Humphrey, and Marcus Peters can lock down anyone. I think the Ravens improved everywhere they needed to, and the pure talent and great coaching should get them to the playoffs. It all comes down to Lamar, as it so often does, but I have a ton of faith in him. The organization, on the other hand, might not.

3rd: Pittsburgh Steelers (9-8)

In the nicest way possible, the Steelers might be the most mid team in the NFL. They finally decided to name a starting QB, and it’s Mitch Trubisky for some reason. I have no doubt that first round pick and hometown kid Kenny Pickett will be starting under center sooner rather than later, but I would’ve given him the reins from the start, especially when you look at how strong of a preseason he had. Regardless, it’s not the QB position that makes this team so average. In fact, from a distance, you might think the rest of the team is actually really good. I wouldn’t fault you for that. Pittsburgh has great skill players, from Najee Harris in the backfield to Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, and emerging rookie George Pickens outside. The defense is also loaded with All-Pros like Minkah Fitzpatrick and Cameron Heyward as well as reigning DPOY T.J. Watt. However, a few stars on each side of the ball is not good enough to be great in this league. The rest of the defense is pretty bad, especially in the secondary. More importantly, the Steelers offensive line might be the worst in football, which has been on display for the last two years now. They cannot run the ball and have to rely on quick passes to ensure that they don’t allow 10 sacks every game. They just refuse to get better in that regard, and I don’t trust any team without a functioning OL. Combine that with a pretty tough schedule, and I don’t see the Steelers returning to the playoffs. I might actually be being a bit generous by giving them a winning record, but I just think they’ll have a little more juice once Pickett is the starter. Hopefully that’s soon, for their sake.

4th: Cleveland Browns (4-13)

Oh, Cleveland. Only you could go from decades of disfunction and turmoil to relevance and being a fan favorite only to throw it all away by becoming a symbol of disgracefulness. Only you would be the only team to not just go near Deshaun Watson, not just trade your future for him, but give him a $230 million contract, fully guaranteed. Only you. It’s safe to say the entire league will be rooting against the Browns this year, even with Watson being suspended for the first 11 games. That bias is not why I have Cleveland finishing with 4 wins. Well, not entirely. I do think this is a solid roster, but without a competent QB for 65% of the season, I refuse to put any faith in them. The offense is still loaded with Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt running behind arguably football’s best offensive line as well as Donovan Peoples-Jones and newcomers Amari Cooper and David Bell catching passes. The defense is essentially the same as last year’s, which isn’t a bad thing by any means. Myles Garrett is one of the sport’s premier players, Jadeveon Clowney has found new life in Cleveland, and young guys like Jeremiah Owusu-Koromoah make the front seven a bonafide unit. The secondary is better than you might think, with Denzel Ward, Grant Delpit, and Greedy Williams locking things down. Greg Newsome also showed flashes last year of becoming the player they hoped by drafting him in the first round. On top of all that, signing John Johnson III from the Rams was one of the more underrated moves of the offseason in my opinion. Despite all of this, the Browns are suffering the consequences of selling their souls. I initially gave them a better record than this, but I don’t mind docking them wins at all. They dug themselves this hole. They made their bed, and now they must lay in it.

AFC South

1st: Tennessee Titans (9-8)

Welcome to the NFL’s worst division, where the winner could very feasibly be below .500. I’m giving the defending champs the benefit of the doubt, and for good reason. For starters, the Titans have been consistently viable for several years now, and they always find a way to shock me. They were dominant throughout last year, both with and without Derrick Henry, and that got them the AFC’s 1 seed (yeah, I forgot about that too). It may have ended unceremoniously, but I’m not going to sit here and act like this isn’t a good team. However, there are still questions. The biggest one lies where they made the biggest change this offseason. Trading their elite and best WR in A.J. Brown for the right to draft Treylon Burks as his replacement was a decision that I disliked on draft night. My opinion on that has not changed. Their best bet was to pay Brown instead of investing in a rookie, and their refusal to do so has left them with one of the league’s worst WR groups. I liked the acquisition of Robert Woods, but I just don’t know how effective he can be coming off an ACL tear. The offense should still be fine as long as King Henry is running the ball, but last year was the indicator that they are not a true contender with Ryan Tannehill at QB. That’s why I loved the move to draft Malik Willis, who flashed in the preseason. I would love to see him get a shot this season, but if not, there’s still no doubt that he’s their guy moving forward. Tennessee’s defense is still loaded with one of football’s best defensive lines and an emerging secondary, but again, last year showed that they can’t do it on their own. Seriously, how do you sack a QB nine times in a playoff game and still lose? All in all, I think this is a worse team than last year, but I do believe they’re still the best team in this division. Whether or not they can exceed their potential is entirely up to them.

2nd: Indianapolis Colts (9-8)

It might not be an understatement to say that the Colts were the most disappointing team of 2021. Not in the sense that we expected them to be great and they failed, but more that they were great and then they failed. At a point last year, you could have argued that Indy was the best team in the AFC. Jonathan Taylor was running like an MVP candidate, Carson Wentz was slinging the ball with effectiveness, and the defense was truly elite. Then Wentz did that thing he always does and they lost their last two games including the embarrassment of the decade against the worst team in football in the finale to miss the playoffs entirely. Thus prompted the change at the QB position, as the Colts traded Wentz away to Washington and brought in the solid veteran Matt Ryan from the Falcons. I personally believe this is an upgrade for the Colts, but that doesn’t mean that they’re going to make amends for last year’s failure. Even with an upgrade under center and perhaps the best RB in the league in the backfield, this offense has questions. The WR group is not great outside of Michael Pittman Jr., so they have to be cautious not to run JT into the ground. I do really like this defense, as they boast one of the NFL’s best front sevens and an upgraded secondary, which was already pretty good. Bringing in guys like Yannick Ngakoue and Stephon Gilmore make this a better unit than it was in 2021. Still, it’s hard to put my faith in the Colts after last year. I think they’ll be neck and neck with the Titans for the division title all year long, but I’ll give the edge to the team that proved it last season.

3rd: Jacksonville Jaguars (3-14)

You know, I actually think I’m being a bit mean to the Jaguars. This was football’s worst team in 2021, but I genuinely think they improved a lot this offseason. For starters, it can’t get any worse than it was with Urban Meyer at the helm. I think the move to hire Doug Pederson as head coach was a very good one, especially as they continue to develop Trevor Lawrence into the franchise QB that we all know he can be. They improved the offensive line and receiving corps to help Lawrence out by signing All-Pro guard Brandon Scherff from Washington as well as pass-catchers like Zay Jones and Christian Kirk, who got one of the most puzzling deals I’ve ever seen. Lawrence also gets his college buddy Travis Etienne back in the backfield after missing all of his rookie season with a foot injury, and I think it’ll do wonders for this offense. I have extremely high hopes for Etienne, and if he can remain healthy, then he can truly be a difference maker. The defense still isn’t ideal, but like the offense, they made some nice pickups this summer. Signing tackle machine Foye Aluokun from Atlanta locks down the middle of the defense and bringing in Darious Williams from the Rams gives them their CB1 that has been lacking since they lost Jalen Ramsey. They emphasized that side of the ball further in the draft, most notably by taking Travon Walker with the #1 overall pick and LB Devin Lloyd later in the first round. Walker is an athletic freak with an infinitely high ceiling, and Lloyd is a solid, pro-ready linebacker. These two can make instant impacts in this league, but they could just as easily fizzle out into bust territory. It’s up to this organization to make sure that they, along with all their other young counterparts, become the players that can make the Jaguars an actual football team again.

4th: Houston Texans (3-14)

I’ll give them credit. I said the Texans would be the worst team in football last year, and they were only the third worst. Way to make me eat crow, Houston! It’s not enough to save you from being the worst team in the AFC this year, though. Unlike their division counterparts, I don’t think the Texans got any better this offseason. They’re essentially running back the same offense as last year, which wasn’t great. They were one of the worst passing offenses and the worst rushing offense in 2021, and the only new acquisition in any of those areas is rookie RB Dameon Pierce, a fourth round pick. Davis Mills is still the QB, and while I don’t think he’s horrible, I don’t think he’s going to be anything special in this league. The WR duo of Brandin Cooks and Nico Collins isn’t the worst I’ve ever seen, but it’s not exactly elite. Most importantly, Houston’s defense is genuinely dreadful. It’s unfathomably bad, and will likely be the worst in the NFL this season, statistically speaking. I did like the draft acquisitions of Derek Stingley Jr. and Jalen Pitre to help out the secondary, but it’ll be a while before they’re playing alongside competent players. The only area I can say they truly got better is with draft stock, as they finally traded Deshaun Watson and got three first round picks in the deal. 3 wins might be a stretch for this team. They are firmly set in the #1 overall pick sweepstakes.

AFC West

1st: Los Angeles Chargers (14-3)

Welcome to the NFL’s best division, where every team could very feasibly be above .500. There are storylines galore in the Wild West this year, and it’s going to be a treat to watch them all unfold. We start with the Chargers, who had a very Chargers-like 2021 season that ended with the most insane loss in even more insane circumstances that kept them out of the playoffs. LA knows they have a solid roster with a generational QB, but they also knew had to get better to become a true contender. They did that and then some en route to perhaps the best offseason of any team this year. The offense is largely the same, which is perfectly fine considering Justin Herbert is throwing the ball. Herbert is a top 5 QB in my opinion, and could be in for an MVP season. Austin Ekeler is a bonafide Swiss army knife out of the backfield, and the WR trio of Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Josh Palmer is as good as you could ask for. They found a franchise LT in Rashawn Slater and further bolstered the line by taking guard Zion Johnson with their first round pick. But, the offense isn’t what held them back last season. It was the inexplicable incompetence of the other side of the ball that kept them from greatness. The defensive line was solid, but the linebacking core was awful, so they went out and snagged Khalil Mack from the Bears. The corners couldn’t cover a bed or force turnovers, so they brought in INT machine J.C. Jackson from the Patriots, making for a very interesting duo with Asante Samuel Jr. They gave star safety Derwin James a monster deal to help lock down the defensive backfield alongside the very solid Nasir Adderley. This team improved in every area they needed to, and their Super Bowl potential is at an all time high. It helps that the perennial powerhouse of the Chiefs was hit in a massive way this offseason. In the second year under HC Brandon Staley, I expect the Chargers to finally explode en route to one of the best seasons in the league this year. Anything short of that should be considered a failure.

2nd: Kansas City Chiefs (11-6)

As I just mentioned, Kansas City was weakened in a big way this offseason. Trading Tyreek Hill may have been a necessary move to save cap and ensure solid draft picks for the next few years, but it means losing the most dynamic and irreplaceable WRs in the NFL. It removes the explosive potential of the offense, which is what their identity has been in the Patrick Mahomes era. Yes, Mahomes is still under center and Travis Kelce is still the best tight end in football, but one of the heads has been cut off the three-headed monster. I don’t see two more growing back. FA signings like Juju Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Scantling will ensure this passing offense doesn’t disappear entirely, but it’s going to be a lot more old school and methodical than it was before. However, if the preseason is any indication, then the Chiefs can execute that to perfection. Mahomes is still going to be slinging it and getting his numbers, it just won’t be as flashy as it was before. I still really like this defense outside of some pieces in the secondary, but drafting Trent McDuffie could help that if he develops into a solid player. I just think the Chiefs are still too solid to be anything but a playoff team. I trust Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid more than any other QB-HC duo in the league. As long as they’re in Kansas City, this is a playoff team.

3rd: Denver Broncos (10-7)

I’m not going to say it, I promise. The Broncos had one of the more notable offseasons in the NFL, highlighted by the acquisition of Russell Wilson from the Seahawks for one of the largest packages in history. They’re going all in, and for good reason. This was one of the league’s best, young rosters on both sides of the ball. All they needed was a QB to right the ship and lead them to greatness. Russ is a pretty good guy for the job. I love the fit in Denver, and I love what they have going on around him. Javonte Williams is one of the best young RBs in football, and pass-catchers like Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton, KJ Hamler, and Albert Okwuegbunam have been waiting to break out. The defense is probably even better than the offense with a tremendous front seven headlined by Bradley Chubb and newcomer Randy Gregory and a sensational secondary with young stars like Pat Surtain II and the freshly-paid Justin Simmons. From top to bottom, this is one of the best rosters in football. So, why only ten wins? Well, it’s a very tough schedule, and it’s hard to assume that the Broncos will immediately be good with a brand new QB in Russ and HC in Nathaniel Hackett. I don’t know how much I buy Hackett as a head coach, and until he proves that he can get it done, I can’t go all in on this team. However, I still believe this is a playoff squad, and while their floor might be 7 or 8 wins, their ceiling is a Super Bowl.

4th: Las Vegas Raiders (9-8)

Let’s break this down for a second. It may have been by the skin of their teeth, but the Raiders were a playoff team in 2021 despite perhaps the most turmoil and internal dysfunction of any team in the league, nearly won a playoff game, and got better this offseason. So, why are they a last place, non-playoff team now? Well, it doesn’t help that the rest of the division is as good as it is. But it’s always just so hard to put any faith in this team. I do love the offseason they had, highlighted by the acquisition of football’s best WR in Davante Adams from the Packers, reuniting him with his college QB Derek Carr. This offense already had solid weapons like Darren Waller and Hunter Renfrow led by a QB that’s better than most people think, but adding Adams gives them one of the best units in the league. I also think the signing of Chandler Jones was one of the more under-the-radar moves of the offseason, as the duo of him and Maxx Crosby coming off the edges makes for one of the best pass rushing tandems in the league. However, like several other teams, a few stars here and there are not enough to make a team great. In the case of the Raiders, most of the rest of the team is straight up bad. This is arguably the worst offensive line in the league that just saw former first-round tackle Alex Leatherwood cut after just 2 seasons. They cannot run the ball, and it doesn’t help that the wheels are seemingly coming off of RB Josh Jacobs. And while I like the front seven, the secondary is laughably bad. In a division and conference as good as this, I don’t see the Raiders being able to compete at a high level. I think their talent is more than good enough to put up numbers and win more games than they’ll lose, but the massive holes in the roster will drag them down and keep them outside of the playoffs.

Playoff Picture

1 – Buffalo Bills (15-2)

2 – Los Angeles Chargers (14-3)

3 – Cincinnati Bengals (13-4)

4 – Tennessee Titans (9-8)

5 – Kansas City Chiefs (11-6)

6 – Baltimore Ravens (11-6)

7 – Denver Broncos (10-7)

There’s always plenty of shakeups in the playoffs from season to season, and I see three newcomers to the dance this year in Los Angeles, Baltimore, and Denver. Teams like Las Vegas, Indianapolis, and Miami have a great chance to sneak in, but I trust the teams I have here much more. A playoff field this stacked should make for some very entertaining games. It’ll be hard to top last postseason, but let’s see how this one will play out.

Wild Card Weekend

With the Bills getting the bye, the 2v7 game is an intriguing division matchup between the Chargers and Broncos. I have the utmost faith in Los Angeles this year, and while I like what Denver has going on, I don’t know if I trust them in a spot like this against a team as solid as the Chargers are. I’d say the Bolts pull away for a late win and finally get Justin Herbert into the deep playoffs.

The 3v6 game is another divisional battle with the Ravens going up to Cincinnati. Last year, the Bengals absolutely shredded Baltimore twice. I think the Ravens have an improved secondary, but it’s hard to imagine that Cincy would find themselves losing this one, especially at home. It might not be a blowout, but I can see a comfortable win for Joe Burrow and company. And the narratives around Lamar Jackson in the playoffs reach their apex.

The 4v5 game shapes up to be a slugfest between two of the more established AFC powers in the Titans and Chiefs. Simply put, I don’t bet against Patrick Mahomes in the playoffs, but I do think this game would be very close. Tennessee always manages to give Kansas City fits, and they could sneak their way to victory in this one. But with Mahomes, it feels impossible to pick against the Chiefs.

Divisional Round

The Bills come off their bye and host the Chiefs in the revenge game of the century. Buffalo feels as though they were robbed in last year’s classic in Kansas City, and it’s hard to believe the fire lit under them won’t be blazing in the frigid cold at Orchard Park in January. This is a team on a mission, and if part of the mission is to dispose of the team that ruined their season a year ago, they should be inspired to do it in a huge way. Even with the greatness of the Chiefs, how can I pick against the Bills?

The second divisional game sees a heavyweight clash of two of the best young QBs in football as Justin Herbert’s Chargers host Joe Burrow’s Bengals. The two 2020 first-round signal callers will be MVP candidates this year, and the teams around them are Super Bowl caliber. So, what’s the difference maker in a game like this? Is it home field advantage? In SoFi Stadium, no such thing exists. If it’s experience, then the edge has to go to Cincinnati, right? The answer is yes, but I just have way higher expectations for the Chargers than a home playoff exit. I think this would be an instant classic that sees LA come out on top, declaring themselves as a power in the league that’s here to stay.

AFC Championship Game

So, it’s a Bills-Chargers title game in Buffalo for the right to go to Arizona and Super Bowl LVII. Just thinking about it gets me excited. However, this game might not live up to the hype. For starters, it is not easy at all for a west coast team to come all the way out east and win a game in what could very well be below 0-degree temperatures. But moreover, I just see the Bills as a team on a mission. I don’t see who or what can stop them from exorcising their demons this season. They blow the Chargers out of the water and return to the Super Bowl for the first time since the “Four Falls”, where they can put the narratives to bed once and for all and finally bring a title home to Buffalo.

This is going to be another truly special in the AFC, and I can’t wait to watch it all unfold. Regardless of what happens, I have no doubt that it will be a blast to watch. If I’m wrong in these predictions, then so be it. But if I’m right, you best bet that I’ll flex that for years to come.

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2022 College Football Season Preview

After 9 long months of waiting, the best sport in the world is finally back. Here’s my preview of the season, from every Power 5 conference to the Heisman winner and the College Football Playoff.

Cover photo taken from Sports Illustrated.

The best sport in the world is finally back. College football has returned and is already in full swing as we dive into Week 1, which promises to be a fantastic opening weekend. If the small sample size of games that have already taken place are any indication, then we are in for another tremendous season of this beautiful game.

As always, a fresh season means a fresh set of predictions and picks for what the next few months hold in store for us. From conference picks to playoff predictions to award winners, there’s so much in this crystal ball to look into. I didn’t have as inaccurate of an outlook as I may have expected last season, but even if these don’t come to fruition, it does not matter. That’s the fun of it all. So, let’s get into it, starting with previewing the results of each Power 5 conference.

Big Ten

Winner: Ohio State Buckeyes

Runner-Up: Iowa Hawkeyes

For all intents and purposes, 2022 will be a return to the norm in the Big Ten. Last season was filled with anomalies, the most notable of which was Michigan finally getting over the hump by beating their arch rivals in Ohio State, winning the conference and reaching the College Football Playoff. I hope that they enjoyed that brief success, because this year will belong to the Buckeyes once again.

Ohio State has a roster that’s as scary as it has ever been. It’s a squad that reminds me of the 2019 one so much, and many consider that to be one of the most talented Buckeyes teams ever. Returning the three-headed monster of CJ Stroud at QB, TreVeyon Henderson in the backfield, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba lining up outside is enough to make any and all opposing defenses lose sleep. Star wideouts like Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson are being replaced by incredible talents like Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka. The offensive firepower speaks for itself in Columbus. The questions reside exactly where they did last season: with the defense that cost them a chance at a national championship. Getting absolutely ran over by Michigan lit a fire under the program that has led to a complete reworking of that side of the ball. HC Ryan Day brought in Jim Knowles from Oklahoma State to take over as defensive coordinator after leading the Pokes to a top 5 defense last season. He inherits an incredibly talented defense, many of which return after last season’s sour ending. The defensive line of Jack Sawyer, Zach Harrison, Tyleik Williams, and JT Tuimololau is bound to wreak havoc on offensive lines all year long. The secondary has some very promising pieces like Cam Brown and Denzel Burke, who emerged as the top corner on the team last year. Tanner McCallister is a grad transfer who followed his former DC from Stillwater who will make an instant impact in the secondary as well. If the Bucks can fix their defensive woes, there will be very little that can stop them from realizing their potential, exercising their demons from 2021, and hoisting the championship trophy once again.

The rest of the conference should be fascinating to monitor. I personally think Iowa will build off of a tremendous 2021 season and run it back as champions of the B1G West, but I wouldn’t sleep on Wisconsin, especially with Braelon Allen bulldozing defenses out of the backfield. Michigan will of course have plenty of eyes on them as well, but I just don’t think they can live up to last year’s achievements after losing so much incredible talent to the NFL this year. They have a very good roster despite that, but it’ll just be too hard to compete with Ohio State in the B1G East. Michigan State also saw themselves overachieve last season, winning a New Year’s 6 bowl game in Mel Tucker’s first real season in East Lansing, but like their counterparts in-state, they suffer from being in a one-horse race in their division. A team that I wouldn’t sleep on is Penn State, who should be just as good if not better than they were last year with a very promising young team, especially defensively. Look out for the Nittany Lions to potentially finish second in the East.

SEC

Winner: Alabama Crimson Tide

Runner-Up: Georgia Bulldogs

The 2021 season was perhaps the best the SEC has had in years. The conference truly flexed its colors and showed the country that it was by far the best league in the sport. The results spoke for themselves. And the end result was a delight to watch, with Georgia using their generational defense to mercifully end their title drought and finally eclipse Alabama to be this season’s defending champions, despite losing to them in the SEC Championship Game. Could the Dawgs possibly run it back this year? Well, like the Big Ten, I see more of a return to normalcy.

Alabama is the preseason #1 team in the country according to both the AP and Coaches Poll. And by every metric, they should be. This was the #1 team in last year’s CFP and came extremely close to winning yet another national title. All they’ve done this offseason is return the Heisman-winning Bryce Young at QB and the best player in the sport in edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. Not to mention a plethora of athletic freaks at every position on both sides of the field, like Jase McClellan, Dallas Turner, Henry To’oTo’o, Jordan Battle, and so many more. But where Bama shined brightest this offseason was in the transfer portal, bringing in WR Jermaine Burton from the title-winning Georgia Bulldogs and a lightning-quick RB in Jahmyr Gibbs from Georgia Tech. Losing Jameson Williams removes a level of explosiveness from this offense, but they will still be able to carve up any team on any given Saturday. And their defense is even better, so good luck scoring on them. This is a sensational team across the board, and I’d be shocked to see them lose a game, or the #1 spot, at any point this season.

The defending champs are nothing to scoff at though. They return their star QB in Stetson Bennett, college football’s best tight end in Brock Bowers, and a very good amount of their star-studded defensive players from last season, the most notable of which being Jalen Carter, perhaps the best defensive tackle in the sport. There’s plenty of young talent to go around on both sides of the ball, and unless they return to the choking form of years past, it’s safe to say Georgia will be a playoff contender, if not one of the four teams competing for a title in late December.

The rest of the league is really anyone’s guess, as it tends to be so often. Arkansas, Kentucky, and Ole Miss are teams who had sensational years in 2021, but running that back is so hard in the SEC. I do have high hopes for the Hogs and Wildcats, but less so for the Rebels after losing their star QB to the NFL. It’s also hard to envision the traditional powers like LSU not returning to form, especially as the Tigers begin a new era with Brian Kelly at the helm. Teams like Auburn, Florida, and Tennessee seem primed to make up for the past few seasons. Perhaps the biggest question mark of the entire conference is Texas A&M, who has dominated recruiting and NIL alike with absolutely no success to show for it. This is the year it has to come to fruition for the Aggies. All of the eyes will be on them from start to finish.

ACC

Winner: Clemson Tigers

Runner-Up: Miami Hurricanes

Are you sensing the trend yet? After years of dominating college football, Clemson was perhaps the sport’s biggest disappointment in 2021. It’s not easy to replace a generational QB like Trevor Lawrence, but the Tigers’ offense was genuinely unwatchable last season. It’s hard to imagine it will be that bad again. Despite a complete assistant overhaul with OC Tony Elliott leaving fort Virginia and acclaimed DC Brent Venables going to Oklahoma, Clemson should return to form in 2022 thanks to what is, in my opinion, the best defense in college football. The defensive line is one full of guys who would start in the NFL right now in Myles Murphy, Bryan Bresee, and Tyler Davis. Trenton Simpson is an absolute stud in the middle of the defense. The secondary is stacked with names like Andrew Mukuba and Fred Davis. The offense isn’t the scariest sight, but RB Will Shipley and WR EJ Williams are tremendous young pieces who can make any play on the field. If QB DJ Uiagalelei can return to his 2020-level of play, then this team will be frightening. And if he doesn’t, there’s a very talented freshman QB in Cade Klubnik lying in wait. We know how that went last time for this team.

The ACC outside of Clemson is an absolute mess. This statement has been true for quite some time now. So many teams are in the beginning of new eras; Miami, Virginia, Virginia Tech, and several others are beginning brand new regimes. Who knows who could rise to the top amidst all the chaos? I’m betting on Miami, simply because I think they have the talent to overcome most of the teams in the Coastal. I really like Virginia Tech and the direction they’re going in, Virginia has one of the more prolific passing offenses in college football, Pitt is coming off the high of a season that is impossible to replicate, so why not throw it back and have the Canes back in the spotlight? I have high hopes for the Mario Cristobal era, and kicking it off with a division win would do tremendous things for the program, which is seemingly already back on the rise. They worked the transfer portal and seem to have a very solid lineup on both sides of the ball. If QB Tyler Van Dyke can live up to his potential, we might be talking about Miami as a top 15-20 team by season’s end.

Big 12

Winner: Baylor Bears

Runner-Up: Oklahoma Sooners

The Big 12 is perhaps the biggest mess of a conference in the Power 5. Last year was one of the weirdest in over a decade, with Oklahoma struggling to find its identity, leading to the rise of teams like Oklahoma State and Baylor. This led to a ton of turnover this offseason, and now we have one of the most fascinating seasons ahead of us in this already exciting league.

Lost in the sea of overachieving teams in 2021 were the Baylor Bears, who improbably won the Big 12 and the Sugar Bowl with one of the most stout defenses in all of college football. This season, they return almost all of that unit with almost entirely upperclassmen. The offense is a solid unit, but it will be that defense that wins Baylor games, just as it was last season. I’m not exaggerating when I say Baylor is a top 6-7 team in the country and will be a playoff contender. That’s how strong I feel about them.

Oklahoma was gouged harder than any program I have ever seen this offseason. HC Lincoln Riley left for USC and took the star QB Caleb Williams and so many recruits and other young players with him. The Sooners have brought in former Clemson DC Brent Venables to take over as head football coach, and while I think they will return to form, it’s hard to see them being as great as they were under Riley with all that tremendous QB talent they’ve had. The offense is still solid, led by transfer QB Dillon Gabriel, but don’t be shocked if it’s not even as good as it was in 2021. However, I still think Oklahoma is talented enough on both sides of the ball to bounce back from last year’s shortcomings and be a top 2 team in this league.

Two other teams with plenty of eyes on them will be Texas and Oklahoma State. The Longhorns are one of college football’s most promising teams, with Steve Sarkisian still at the helm, a shiny new QB in transfer Quinn Ewers, the best RB in the sport in Bijan Robinson, and a top 5 WR in Xavier Worthy. However, Texas has still not shown us that they can return to their glory days. If there’s any season to do it, it’s this one. The Pokes, on the other hand, were mere inches away from a Big 12 title and CFP berth last season, but a fateful goal line confrontation relegated them to a Fiesta Bowl win instead. They return a lot of talent, but it’s hard to imagine they’ll be able to replicate that level of success again with the rest of the conference catching back up. However, I still like what’s going on in Stillwater, and I can easily see them returning to the title game.

PAC-12

Winner: Utah Utes

Runner-Up: Oregon Ducks

That’s right. The PAC-12 is the only Power 5 conference that is going to play out exactly like it did in 2021. Well, maybe not exactly.

Utah turned it on harder than almost any other team in the country towards the end of last year, absolutely dominating Oregon twice en route to a conference title and Rose Bowl berth. After a slow start to their season, they ended the year 9-1 in games started by QB Cameron Rising. Now, Rising and a promising young offense is back and primed to make a real playoff push. The defense lost some key pieces, but is still a very, very good unit. I don’t see them getting shredded like they did in the Rose Bowl in any of their games this season. All in all, the Utes should make light work of what is, in all likelihood, the worst Power 5 conference in college football.

Oregon has had a tumultuous offseason that saw its beloved head coach leave and several key pieces depart for the NFL. Still, they’re the beneficiary of playing in the absolutely dreadful PAC-12 North, and they have more than enough talent to breeze to another trip to Vegas. Bo Nix comes in from Auburn to take over at QB and inherits a very solid offense with guys like Dont’e Thornton and Troy Franklin catching the ball. And the defense still has studs like Noah Sewell and Justin Flower to lock things down. If the Ducks weren’t in the midst of so much turnover, they’d probably be my pick to win this conference. Alas, they’ll have to deal with a Rose Bowl trip instead (yes, the runner up to the Rose Bowl, more on that later).

Despite all of this, no team in the conference has more eyes on them or more anticipation for this season than the USC Trojans. The program is back in full force as they’ve brought in Lincoln Riley from Oklahoma to right the ship. Riley has brought a wave of his OU recruits and players, most notably QB Caleb Williams. They’ve even added other stars from around the country via the transfer portal, such as former Oregon RB Travis Dye and last year’s Biletnikoff award winner Jordan Addison from Pitt. With so much talent and actually competent coaching, why wouldn’t USC splash in year 1 of the new era? Well, I think it’s just too soon. The Trojans will be a ton of fun this season, but not as successful as the media may think. Next year will be the one for this team to truly blossom in to the playoff contender that everyone expects them to be.

Heisman Winner: CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State Buckeyes

It is a biased pick. It is a basic pick. There’s nothing fun or exciting about picking the betting favorite to win the Heisman. That is, unless he plays for your team. I went against CJ on the record early last season and he shut me up so badly that I almost never want to bad mouth him ever again. I cannot wait to see what he has in store after last year’s fireworks (4,435 yards, 44 TDs). Leading the nation’s best offense with the nation’s best weapons sounds like a very good formula for success. Other players I wouldn’t sleep on are the obvious ones: Will Anderson, Bijan Robinson, Bryce Young, and even Jalen Carter. Maybe this is the year a defensive player finally wins it again!

Playoff Prediction

(1) Alabama vs. (4) Utah – Chick Fil A Peach Bowl

(2) Ohio State vs. (3) Georgia – Vrbo Fiesta Bowl

Similar to how it was for so much of last season, college football in 2022 really is just Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia, and then everyone else. The Tide and Buckeyes should run the table with ease, and I think Georgia still gets in with a loss in the SEC title game by virtue of not losing in the regular season, just like they did last season. The fourth spot in the field could go to any number of teams: Baylor, Clemson, Notre Dame, and maybe even the likes of Oregon or Oklahoma State. But, I’m choosing the Utah Utes based on how they ended last season. It’s just such a solid team with so much returning talent that is bound to do huge things this year. However, the room for error is so slim, as it is with all those teams I mentioned that will be vying for the last playoff spot. With Baylor in the Big 12 which is bound to cannibalizing itself, Clemson playing Notre Dame in South Bend late in the year, Notre Dame opening against Ohio State, and so many other teams’ circumstances, I believe Utah has the best shot to get in at either 13-0 or 12-1. They need to be cautious not to slip up in games against teams like Florida, Arizona State, UCLA, USC, and Oregon, but if this team is what I think they are, they’ll be just fine. If not, then we could be looking at our first Alabama-Ohio State-Georgia-Clemson playoff ever. Either way, I think we’re in for a dandy in late December.

When it comes down to these matchups, it’s hard not to foresee the inevitable Alabama-Ohio State national championship game. And in that scenario, I’d pray every second of every day that the Bucks find a way to pull it out. Of course I’d pick them to win, but this might just be one of those years where nobody stops Alabama. However, I refuse to admit that. I’ve got the Buckeyes over the Tide in an instant classic national title game between the sport’s two biggest brands on its biggest stage. CJ Stroud has a legendary homecoming in SoCal en route to winning the program’s first title in 8 years. And we all go home happy!

The best sport in the world is back and I could not be more excited to be spending my Saturdays with my absolute favorite thing once again. Regardless of how this season plays out, I know I’m going to have the time of my life, as I always do. I hope you do as well.

All stats taken from ESPN.

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My 2022 Mock Draft

The 2022 NFL Draft is finally upon us with an abundance of incredibly talented players ready to hear their names called. Here’s my one and only Mock Draft.

Cover photo taken from Sports Illustrated.

The NFL offseason’s Christmas is finally upon us. Tonight, 32 young men will have their dreams come true as their names are called and they become professional football players. The first round of the NFL Draft is truly a magical night that everyone in football lives for. One of the best parts of the Draft is how unpredictable it is, yet we spend all offseason debating mock drafts and prospect rankings. So, why not throw out my own mock? Here’s how I see tonight playing out from my own, logical perspective. This will be wildly wrong, but this is how I think each and every team picking tonight should go about their selections.

1 – Evan Neal, OT, Alabama

This is the most sensible pick, which makes me almost certain that the Jaguars won’t do this. After selecting their QB of the future last year at #1, it only makes sense to grab a seemingly generational left tackle to protect him, right? The answer is yes, but my gut is telling me that the Jags will forgo logic and draft a pass rusher instead. While I don’t think that would be a horrible move, I’m just a big believer in protecting your young star under center and centering your rebuild around your QB and your tackles.

2 – Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan

Nobody rose up draft boards more over the course of last year’s college football season than Aidan Hutchinson, who dominated the Big Ten all season long en route to being a Heisman finalist. He’s a force off of the edge, but I don’t think he’s the top pass rusher in this draft. However, he is too high on too many draft boards to not believe he’ll be the first one to hear his name called. Detroit has a lot of holes to fill, but the defensive front might just be the biggest one. This is a great way to start filling that hole. Hutch stays home and the Lions continue their rebuild with an extremely solid edge rusher.

3 – Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia

Every offseason, there’s a player who skyrockets to the top of draft boards for seemingly no reason. Whether it’s their performance at the Combine, prospect fatigue, or any other combination of factors, it is bound to happen every spring. The prospect that fits that description this year is Travon Walker. He was a stud at Georgia, but nobody thought of him as a top 10 pick, even after they won the national championship. But, after a very impressive showing at the Combine, he shot up to the top of boards all across the league. There are many who believe he could be the #1 pick. Again, I hope the Jaguars go the tackle route, but it wouldn’t shock me if Walker is the first player off the board tonight. In this case, I think he “falls” into the laps of the Texans, who boast the NFL’s worst roster and need more help at every single position than any team I have ever seen.

4 – Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati

The Jets rebuild is not going very well. It’s still early, but this team was embarrassingly bad last year, getting absolutely waxed seemingly every single week. Still, they have some solid young pieces in place, and with a couple more in the right spots, they can see some real improvement. One of those spots is the secondary, which got ripped apart in 2021. Here, they grab the best defensive back in the draft in ‘Sauce’ Gardner to immediately improve at their worst position. Luckily for them, they can fill another hole later in the top 10.

5 – Ikem Okwonu, OT, NC State

The Giants have a solid young roster, but still need some help on the offensive line. Even after drafting Andrew Thomas #4 overall two years ago, tackle is perhaps the biggest need for this team. Here, they nab the prospect who many believe is the best tackle in the draft and get a much-needed lift on their offensive line.

6 – Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State

The Panthers have a lot of needs, but the biggest one is OL. I think they opt for the best player available at that position, grabbing a tank of a tackle in Charles Cross to protect Sam Darnold (or whoever may line up under center for Carolina this season).

7 – Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon

Like their New York counterparts, the Giants are blessed with two top 10 picks. Offensive line is their biggest need, but the other side of the trenches need help as well. Up until November of last year, Kayvon Thibodeaux was the consensus top player in the draft, but he has seemingly seeped through the cracks ever since. The Giants steal who I think is the best pass rusher and second best player in the draft and get a future star coming off of the edge.

8 – Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame

The Falcons are a mess right now. I think they are embracing that fact. They have arguably the worst roster in the NFL, and they could go a million different ways with this pick. I think they opt to simply draft the best player on the board, and that is undoubtedly Kyle Hamilton, who I think is the third best player in this draft. He’s a stellar ball-hawk safety who can make plays in the box and in the defensive backfield. He is one of this year’s can’t-miss prospects, and I think the Falcons would be blessed to have him fall to 8.

9 – Malik Willis, QB, Liberty

The Seahawks are starting over. That’s evident after trading their franchise QB and probably the greatest player in franchise history, Russell Wilson, for a haul of picks and players to kick off their rebuild. This was one of those picks, courtesy of the Denver Broncos, which is great considering the Jets, who pick right after them, own Seattle’s first round pick thanks to that dreadful Jamal Adams trade. So, the Seahawks are in the top 10 and need a new answer at QB. Why not roll the dice on Malik Willis? He’s QB1 on everyone’s board with some of the biggest upside you’ll see in a QB prospect, especially in today’s game. It’s a huge boom-or-bust pick, and while the Seahawks might not be in a position to make a pick like this, I just feel like they desperately want their next great QB.

10 – Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State

Like their New York counterparts, the Jets are blessed with two top 10 picks. As I said before, they need some help in some key spots. After addressing the secondary with the #4 pick, I think they help out their young QB Zach Wilson with a star WR in Garrett Wilson. He’s an explosive target that can get separation and make tremendous catches. Wilson is the exact type of receiver you want to pair next to your franchise QB in a rebuild like the Jets are in, and I think this could be a massive win for them.

11 – Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU

The Commanders are a confusing team. This is a seemingly solid roster, but there are a lot more holes than you’d imagine. Perhaps the biggest one is WR, and while I’d love to see this team pick a receiver, the one I want the most is already off the board in this mock. So, I’ll have this team pick perhaps the best player available for their next biggest need, which is defensive back. Derek Stingley is a very good corner who can make an impact from day one. I think he’d be a very solid addition to this defense, which will look to get back to its dominant ways after a rough 2021.

12 – Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson

The Vikings are a solid team that seemingly always gets held back by something. More often than not, it’s their defense getting shredded. They need secondary help badly, and I’d be shocked if they don’t take a defensive back with this pick. Luckily for them, they get Andrew Booth here, who is my CB2 and a stellar playmaker with incredible ball instincts. He was a monster at Clemson, and I think he can be an INT machine in the NFL. I think he’ll do wonders for this Vikings secondary that needs a lot of help.

13 – Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama

via mock trade with Houston Texans

In trading Tyreek Hill, the Chiefs lost one of the most most irreplaceable players in the NFL. Nobody can do what the Cheetah does, and it’s safe to say Kansas City will be trying to fill the hole he is leaving behind through the draft. They own two first rounders thanks to that trade, and I think they’ll use one or both (trading with Houston, who can use all the picks they can get) to climb all the way up here to 13 and snag the closest thing to Hill in this draft in Jameson Williams. After transferring from Ohio State to Alabama, the man they call “Jamo” tore up college football all year long with his incredible speed and rose to WR1 status before unfortunately tearing his ACL in the title game against Georgia. He’ll still be a top pick in this draft, but he won’t be ready for a bit. Still, I think the Chiefs are more than willing to take this gamble, just like they did for Patrick Mahomes five years ago. And, knowing them, I think it’ll pay off.

14 – Jermaine Johnson, EDGE, Florida State

The Ravens need a lot of help on defense. Their secondary fell off a cliff, and their front seven isn’t as effective as it could be, especially with some nice young talent. While I think taking a defensive back here would probably be a good move, the best corners are already off the board. So, I think Baltimore opts for a terrific pass-rushing talent in Jermaine Johnson. After transferring from Georgia to FSU, he proved to be a force with a ton of upside as a pro. I think the Ravens can get a real gem on the edge here, but I expect them to target the secondary as well.

15 – Drake London, WR, USC

The Eagles have a very nice young roster. That showed in their push to reach the playoffs in 2021. However, they are severely lacking in playmakers on offense, especially at the WR position. That seems counter-intuitive, considering they’ve taken a WR in the first round in back to back years now. While Devonta Smith was a great pick, Jalen Reagor appears to be a bust. So, why not make it three in a row and try to make up for that? Drake London is a guy with tremendous athleticism and perhaps the best ball skills of any receiver in this class. He’s a big body that can go up and snag it; think Michael Pittman Jr. (ironically, they were teammates at USC). London could be a huge gift to Jalen Hurts, who could use all the weapons he can get as he enters a prove-it year at QB.

16 – Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa

There are a lot of ways the Saints could go with this pick. QB? WR? DL? How about OL? All of the best rebuilds start with a good offensive line, and New Orleans could get a huge boost here with an absolute TANK in Trevor Penning. Clocking in at 6’7″ and 322 pounds, Penning is a cornerstone tackle that can protect whoever the Saints might be fielding at QB this year, and for many years to come.

17 – Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan

I think the Chargers would tell you that they’d ideally get a WR with this pick, but I think the best fits for them are already off the board. You can never go wrong with beefing up the offensive line to protect your star QB. Rashawn Slater was a home run pick last year, and I think LA can get a similar one here in Raimann. At 6’7″ and over 300 pounds, Justin Herbert will have plenty of protection from both of his tackles.

18 – Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia

Philly’s defense is solid, but lacking at the linebacker position, as well as with athleticism. With this pick, both of those issues are solved. Nakobe Dean is a freak of nature at LB, and can move from sideline to sideline better than almost anyone I have ever seen. I think he could have an impact on this defense similar to what we saw in 2021 with Micah Parsons on the Cowboys. With this pick and the 15th pick, the Eagles immediately get better at two positions that desperately need help and absolutely ace the first round.

19 – Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas

As I said at #16, the Saints could go a number of ways with this pick. I truly believe they’ll spend one of their first round picks on a receiver. Here, they grab Burks, who may not be the best available WR, but provides a level of physicality that fits in well with this offense. Burks is a physical WR with a Deebo Samuel build that can contribute to this team in several different ways. With Michael Thomas finally coming back from injury, the Saints will finally be competent at WR again.

20 – Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh

I’m not sure if this is the right pick for the Steelers, but it just feels right. Pickett staying home and playing for this team feels like it has been destined for the last few months now. Pittsburgh needs their new answer at QB, and I don’t think it’s Mitch Trubisky. They could use some OL help, sure, but I think they get their guy here and potentially get their quarterback of the future. Who better than the hometown kid?

21 – Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah

This is the most Patriots pick I can imagine. New England doesn’t have many holes on its roster, but I think they could really use some help at WR, CB, and LB. Here, they opt for the best player available at those positions. Lloyd is a pro-ready, do-it-all linebacker who can rush the passer, stuff the run, and play coverage. He’ll be a phenomenal fit in New England, and will make an impact from day one.

22 – Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State

The Packers trading Davante Adams was one of the stories of the offseason. It had to happen, seeing as though they couldn’t afford him. So, they use this pick that the Raiders gave them for Adams to restart with a new potential star WR. Olave is as pure as they come at the receiver position, being one of the smoothest route runners I’ve ever seen at the college level, getting separation like it’s nothing. He’s got great hands and sneaky speed that can lead to some explosive plays after the catch. With plenty of experience under his belt, he’ll walk into Lambeau and immediately be WR1. Lord knows the Packers need it. Can’t wait for them to not take a receiver again.

23 – Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington

The Cardinals are close to being a truly great team. The roster is pretty solid from top to bottom, but the secondary is definitely the weak spot. I think they have to grab the best available DB here, and that’s Trent McDuffie. He’s a phenomenal coverage back with great speed and quickness that will give this physical defense a new, dynamic level of playmaking ability. There are concerns about his size, but I think he’ll be just fine.

24 – Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia

This is the most Cowboys pick I can imagine. I truly think they should take an offensive lineman with this pick, but I just know it’s not going to happen. Jerry Jones loves picking his seemingly controversial guys with huge boom-or-bust potential. Jordan Davis might be the biggest boom-or-bust player in this draft. Weighing in at a gargantuan 6’6″ and 340 pounds with incredible dominance on the defensive interior, Davis is an absolute force to be reckoned with. However, there are concerns about his in-game longevity and potential fatigue or effort problems late in games. If he can sort his stuff out and realize his huge potential, then Dallas could have their hands on another truly generational talent in their front seven.

25 – Kenyon Green, OG, Texas A&M

via mock trade with Buffalo Bills

The Bengals were the ultimate surprise team of last season. It started by winning the draft with taking Jamarr Chase in the first round, and ended with an AFC title and being mere minutes away from winning the Super Bowl. Anyone who watched a second of Bengals football in 2021 will tell you what position they need to address. The offensive line is a porous weak spot, especially on the interior. I think they want to improve there so badly that they move up a few spots, jumping some other teams that may want to address the same position, to take arguably the best interior lineman in the draft in Kenyon Green. He was projected to go much higher a few months ago, but for some reason has slipped on draft boards. He is still a great talent and will provide Joe Burrow with some much needed protection. Hopefully the Bengals don’t stop the offensive line picks here.

26 – Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa

Does anyone remember the fact that the Titans were the AFC’s 1 seed last season? Me neither. This team could go one of several ways with this pick. Maybe they grab a much-needed offensive weapon, or get even better on defense. I say they beef up the offensive line with arguably the best interior lineman in the draft. I see Tyler Linderbaum as a can’t-miss OL prospect and a guy who can come in and be a quality starter from day one. It may not be the biggest need for this team, but they’re in a position to pick the best player on the board, and that’s just what they do here.

27 – Zion Johnson, OG, Boston College

The Bucs still boast one of the NFL’s most stacked rosters, but they are not without their weak spots. There are three that stand out to me: OL, WR, and DB. They could easily grab another playmaker for Tom Brady or another corner to make up for their lack of depth at the position. But, like the Titans before them, I think they just take the best player available. It’s not the flashy pick, but it’s certainly a helpful one. We saw how they went out last season when the injuries started racking up on the offensive line. With the retirement of Ali Marpet, Tampa needs a new rock on the interior of the offensive line, and I think they get that here.

28 – Tyler Smith, OT, Tulsa

After addressing their biggest need with pick #22, the Packers can go any which way they’d like with this pick. I could see them perhaps taking a linebacker, but with the best ones off the board, I think they take the conservative route and get some OL help. Again, it’s not flashy, but it is certainly helpful.

29 – Daxton Hill, S, Michigan

via mock trade with Kansas City Chiefs

The Texans could certainly stay at 13 and take the best player on the board, but I think a potential trade with Kansas City that sees them getting a bunch more picks is too much of a win-win to pass up. So, they come all the way down to 29 and essentially do the same thing, going BPA and getting a stud for their secondary after adding one to their front seven. Dax Hill is a fantastic safety who can make plays on the ball and be extremely physical. Every secondary needs its rock, and I think he can be just that for the Texans. It’s entirely possible that they go for a QB or WR or even an offensive lineman with this pick, but considering they pick again 6 selections after this, I say they go BPA here and get their guy on the other side of the ball at the start of Round 2.

30 – Lewis Cine, S, Georgia

After trading up to get their playmaker, the Chiefs will need to address their needs in the secondary. Anyone who watched a Georgia game last season will tell you how awesome Lewis Cine is. He is always all over the field, attacking the ball or whoever might be carrying it. He’s a physical safety that can make plays all over the place. With the departure of Tyrann Mathieu, Kansas City is able to get a perfect replacement at a position where they need a ton of help.

31 – Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia

via mock trade with Cincinnati Bengals

The Bills have one of the NFL’s best rosters. The only hole I can say they have is running back, but I don’t think that’s the direction they’ll go in here with so much other talent still on the board. I say Buffalo just goes BPA and honestly gets a steal in Devonte Wyatt, who was one of the most dominant defensive tackles in college football last season. At 6’3″ and 315 pounds, he’s a beast who makes lightwork of centers and guards. The Bills defense is already pretty spooky, and they get a huge lift in their defensive interior here.

32 – Jalen Pitre, CB, Baylor

The Lions’ second pick of the first round comes courtesy of the Matt Stafford trade and the Rams’ Super Bowl victory. After getting their star pass rusher, there are a number of ways they could spend this pick. I think they could use this pick on a QB like Sam Howell or Matt Corral, but I just don’t think that’d be the right move. After all, they could easily nab one of them 2 picks later in the second round. I think they just go BPA and grab a fantastic DB in Jalen Pitre, a tremendous athlete with huge playmaking potential. If former first rounder Jeff Okudah can figure it out, then they can prove to be a truly lockdown duo in the secondary in Detroit.

32 Teams in 32 Days: Atlanta Falcons

by Raza Umerani September 4, 2025

32 Teams in 32 Days: New England Patriots

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32 Teams in 32 Days: Green Bay Packers

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32 Teams in 32 Days: Chicago Bears

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32 Teams in 32 Days: Las Vegas Raiders

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2022 MLB Season Preview and Predictions

After a nightmarish offseason filled with doubt that we would even see today, we have made it to Opening Day. Here’s my preview of the 2022 MLB Season, which promises to be a truly special one.

Cover photo taken from MLB.com

We have finally made it. After the most tumultuous offseason of the century featuring the horribly-long lockout and more CBA negotiations than we could deal with, we have reached Opening Day. All 30 teams will play a full, 162-game schedule. Baseball is back. And I could not be more excited.

This promises to be a very fun season on the surface, but I think having baseball after what we had to deal with during the lockout is as sweet as it gets. The offseason was fairly interesting both before and after the lockout, with plenty of trades and huge free agent moves. Spring Training is now over, and the reset button is hit on all of baseball. Let’s predict who will win their divisions and get to the Postseason, who this season’s MVPs will be, and who will win it all in October.

NL East Winner: Atlanta Braves

Considering the offseason this team had, it’s very hard to see them doing anything but repeating as NL East champs. Losing Freddie Freeman is brutal, but when you replace him with a 1B like Matt Olson, you don’t get much worse as a team. Combine that with the already abundant talent on the roster of the defending World Series champions and you have a team that can do plenty of damage in a mediocre division. The team is solid all-around with the bat and the glove, and the pitching staff is still absolutely loaded. Star OF Ronald Acuña Jr. will miss a good chunk of time as he continues to recover from last season’s ACL injury, but when he comes back, this team will get that much better. The Phillies also had a solid offseason and could make a run for the division title, but I’m sticking with the safe pick here.

NL Central Winner: Milwaukee Brewers

I have a love/hate relationship with the Brewers. I’m a pitching purist, and nobody has a better pitching staff than Milwaukee. Boasting names like Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff, and Freddy Peralta in their rotation with guys in the bullpen like Josh Hader and Devin Williams, you simply are not going to knock this team around. On the other hand, I just find them so boring. It could be that their offense is a very basic one, not relying on anything flashy to score runs, but rather simply putting the ball in play and putting up numbers. Perhaps the offense will get a bit of a boost this year with Andrew McCutchen and Hunter Renfroe entering the outfield. And it goes without saying that Christian Yelich can be plenty dangerous if he ever returns to his old self. In any case, the NL Central is arguably baseball’s worst division (although the Cardinals are a solid bunch), so the Brewers will able to rack up plenty of wins en route to another division title.

NL West Winner: Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers are the MLB’s superteam. This is one of the most loaded rosters in the history of baseball, and certainly the most stacked one I have ever seen. They were already plenty good after last season, but after adding 1B Freddie Freeman in free agency, this looks like the most lethal team that we have seen in a long time. The rest of the infield is rounded out by a star-in-the-making in Gavin Lux at second, the fastest and perhaps the best contact man in baseball in Trea Turner at short, and the ever-reliable Justin Turner at third. It’s likely that Max Muncy or Chris Taylor will fill the new DH role that the NL has finally adapted. The outfield still has one of baseball’s best players in Mookie Betts, and if Cody Bellinger returns to form, then this somehow gets spookier. The pitching staff is almost entirely the same as last season’s, with Walker Buehler, my personal NL Cy Young pick, leading the charge. Clayton Kershaw and Julio Urias are ever-dangerous as well in the rotation, and the already-stacked bullpen got even better with the acquisition of Craig Kimbrel as the team’s new closer after Kenley Jansen left for Atlanta. In short, this is a bonafide 100-win team with talent the likes of which we haven’t seen in this much abundance in a very long time. They are the easy favorites to win the NL West, the NL pennant, and the World Series.

AL East Winner: Toronto Blue Jays

The majority of people are of the belief that the Blue Jays are the best team in the American League and perhaps a top 2 team in all of baseball. I am definitely in that majority. The Jays had one of baseball’s most talented rosters last year, but injuries derailed them all year long en route to missing the playoffs by just a couple of games. While two of the key members of the 2021 squad, 2B Marcus Semien, an MVP finalist, and SP Robbie Ray, the AL Cy Young winner, left in free agency, Toronto still boasts an incredible roster from top to bottom. To fill the gaps left by those departures, they acquired SP Kevin Gausman and 3B Matt Chapman, two very solid, consistent players that will contribute from day one. The lineup is as dangerous as it gets, with guys like George Springer and Teoscar Hernandez in the outfield and Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the infield. The rest of the rotation is also fantastic, being rounded out by Alek Manoah, Jose Berrios, and Hyun Jin Ryu. The Blue Jays have the best team on paper in the AL East and the American League as a whole, and it’s hard to argue against them riding that all the way to a division title, and perhaps a pennant.

AL Central Winner: Chicago White Sox

2021 was a fun time for the White Sox, returning to the top of the AL Central and the spotlight of baseball. This is a fun, young team that oozes swagger and keeps your eyes glued to the screen each and every night. In a horrible division, after a rather uneventful offseason, it’s hard to see that changing much. The lineup is still awesome, with guys like SS Tim Anderson, OF Luis Robert, 1B Jose Abreu, 3B Yoan Moncada, and more. The pitching staff is still one of baseball’s best, with a rotation featuring Lance Lynn and Lucas Giolito. This is an absurdly fun team that made a name for themselves last season, and I’m looking forward to seeing them continue to do their thing in 2022.

AL West Winner: Houston Astros

You just can’t kill this team, can you? Even after losing another World Series and losing one of their best players in Carlos Correa, the Astros are seemingly primed for another fantastic season. It helps that their roster is still one of the best in the sport, boasting plenty of offensive firepower and a strong pitching core. Even without Correa, the infield is plenty good with Yuli Gurriel, Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman, and a star-to-be in Jeremy Peña. In the outfield is the always-consistent Michael Brantley and a rising star in Kyle Tucker, and one of the best power bats in the league sits in the DH spot with Yordan Alvarez. The rotation has some rising young talent in Framber Valdez and Luis Garcia as well as some veteran greats in Lance McCullers Jr. and Justin Verlander. The Astros have all the makings of another potential World Series run. Despite the AL West being better than its usual self this season, it’s hard to see them getting knocked off their throne.

NL Playoffs

1 – Los Angeles Dodgers

2 – Atlanta Braves

3 – Milwaukee Brewers

4 – Philadelphia Phillies

5 – St. Louis Cardinals

6 – San Diego Padres

Nobody is stopping the Dodgers in the National League in their pursuit of following the Rams and bringing another “purchased ring” to Los Angeles. The Braves and Brewers have the pitching to contend, but it’ll be hard to knock off a roster as talented as LA’s. In terms of the Wild Cards, I like Philadelphia, St. Louis, and San Diego. The Phillies had a pretty good offseason, acquiring some big bats like Nick Castellanos and Kyle Schwarber to add to a lineup that needed some power. The Cardinals were one of the hottest teams in the second half last year, and I think they can carry that into 2022. The Padres, meanwhile, were one of the worst teams in the second half of 2021, but with new management, a very talented roster (despite being without Fernando Tatis Jr. for a while), and an expanded playoffs, they should be good to reach the Postseason. I’d take the Brewers over the Padres and the Cardinals over the Phillies in the Wild Cards, and I foresee a NLCS threematch between the Braves and Dodgers, with LA winning the pennant and getting back to the World Series.

AL Playoffs

1 – Toronto Blue Jays

2 – Chicago White Sox

3 – Houston Astros

4 – Tampa Bay Rays

5 – Boston Red Sox

6 – Seattle Mariners

Ordering the division winners 1-3 wasn’t easy. I just ordered them based on their talent. I think the competitiveness of the AL East could steal some wins from Toronto, but I still like their chances of taking the top spot. I like Tampa Bay, Boston, and Seattle to secure the Wild Cards. The Rays are the Rays, and they’ll do their usual schtick to get to the Postseason (look for Wander Franco to have a huge season in the process). The Red Sox overachieved last year and had a solid offseason but are still nothing more than a Wild Card team in my eyes. The Mariners were oh so close to October in 2021, and after a very good offseason and the new expanded playoffs being implemented, I think they can sneak in as the final team. I’d take Houston over Seattle and Tampa Bay over Boston in the Wild Cards, and I’m predicting a potentially legendary 7-game ALCS between Toronto and Chicago, with the White Sox winning the pennant and getting back to the World Series for the first time in 17 years.

Before we get into that World Series prediction, I’d like to shout out my MVP picks for the upcoming season, starting with a bit of a personal one.

NL MVP Pick: Juan Soto, OF, Nationals

Yes, I am biased. No, I do not care. Juan Soto is the best player in the National League, and he is bound to capture the MVP this season. In the last three seasons, he has finished 9th, 5th, and 2nd in MVP voting. Only one higher spot to go. It’s also worth noting that he has increased his walk rate and decreased his strikeout rate in every season since entering the majors, establishing himself as the closest thing to Barry Bonds we have seen at the plate since… Barry Bonds. He is simply breaking every single advanced stat we have in baseball. 2021 started a bit slow for Soto, as he hit a lot of ground balls and couldn’t get the elevation he needed to put up huge numbers. But, he ended up figuring it out, slashing an unbelievable .352/.527/.644 in his final 78 games. If he carries that momentum into 2022 and somehow continues to get better at the plate, then we could see one of the best statistical seasons from a hitter in decades. On a team as putrid as the Nationals are, Soto will be padding his stats all season long. If he can stay healthy, then I think he will run away with that elusive MVP, adding to a World Series title, two Silver Sluggers, and a batting title, establishing himself as perhaps the best player in baseball. That is, if he hasn’t already done so.

AL MVP Pick: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B, Blue Jays

The son of Vladimir Guerrero finally had the season we were all waiting for in 2021. Vladdy was a menace at the plate, slashing .311/.401/.601 (led AL in OBP and SLG), hitting 48 homers (tied for the MLB lead) with 111 RBI, winning a Silver Slugger, and finishing second in MVP voting. We knew that he had all the potential to be one of the premier hitters in baseball, and he has done just that. He easily would have won MVP last season, but Shohei Ohtani happened. It’s hard to foresee Ohtani falling off, or even Mike Trout not returning with a bang, but it just feels like this is Vladdy’s year. I really like his chances to continue to clobber baseballs all summer long and bring an MVP home.

World Series Prediction: Dodgers over White Sox in 5 games

As I have said multiple times, nobody is stopping the Dodgers in 2022. The White Sox are a super fun team that can do some real damage in October, but this is simply too tall of a mountain for anyone in baseball to climb. Los Angeles is built for a championship, and it feels impossible to pick them to do anything but win the World Series. Maybe picking this series to be over in 5 games is a bit harsh, but it feels realistic. Dodgers win a ring for real this time, Freddie Freeman lifts the trophy for the second consecutive year, and Trea Turner takes home World Series MVP with his second championship in four years.

I cannot wait to look back on this in October, or even by the All Star Break, and realize how hilariously wrong I was about everything. That’s the real fun of all this, isn’t it? In any case, I am so, so excited that baseball is back, and I can’t wait to watch another great year of this beautiful game. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I know I will. Be thankful that we’ve made it here, and relish it.

All stats taken from ESPN and Baseball Reference.

32 Teams in 32 Days: Denver Broncos

by Raza Umerani August 29, 2025

32 Teams in 32 Days: Los Angeles Chargers

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32 Teams in 32 Days: Minnesota Vikings

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32 Teams in 32 Days: Pittsburgh Steelers

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2022 National Championship Preview and Prediction

After 66 games of the NCAA Tournament, we have reached college basketball’s biggest night. Let’s preview Kansas vs. UNC, and predict who will be cutting down the nets as the national champions.

Cover photo taken from Sporting News.

Welcome to Monday Night. After 17 days, 66 games, countless incredible moments, the greatest Cinderella run in history, and perhaps the biggest college basketball game of all time, we have reached the National Championship. Tonight, the #1 Kansas Jayhawks take on the #8 North Carolina Tar Heels for the title.

I gave a detailed rundown of both teams in Saturday’s Final Four preview, so I’ll spare you all of the nitty gritty stuff here. Still, let’s take a look at each of tonight’s contestants before picking the game itself:

#1 Kansas Jayhawks

The top seed out of the Midwest continued their dominance on Saturday night against a hobbled Villanova team. A wire-to-wire destruction of the Wildcats thanks to red-hot shooting and physical dominance propelled Kansas to its first title game since 2012, where they will try to win their first championship since 2008. The Jayhawks shot 54% from the field and 53% from downtown and simply made Nova look like they didn’t belong on the same floor, which is saying something. Guard Ochai Agbaji had his first great game of the tournament, going off for 21 points, including 6 threes. David McCormack was an unstoppable force down low, tallying 25 points and grabbing 9 rebounds. Kansas also got great performances from their key role players, like Jalen Wilson, Dajuan Harris Jr., and Christian Braun, who hit a couple of late threes to seal the deal. The usual spark-plug Remy Martin only scored 3 points and yet the Jayhawks still won by 16. Their dominance cannot be overstated. If they play at that level again tonight, then it’ll be another blowout victory, and Kansas will be back on top of the college basketball world.

#8 North Carolina Tar Heels

All UNC did on Saturday night was win what was billed as the greatest, biggest college basketball game of all time, defeating their bitter rival Duke in their first ever NCAA Tournament meeting to end Mike Krzyzewski’s coaching career and reach the national championship game as an 8 seed. So yeah, nothing major. The first instance of the Tobacco Road Rivalry in March Madness lived up to the hype, with a back-and-forth affair from tip to finish in a heart-stopper. It was college basketball at its finest on the biggest stage. All of Carolina’s stars shined bright, especially Caleb Love, who once again proved to be the key to victory for the Tar Heels. 28 points on 55% shooting, including the game-icing 3 with just over 30 seconds left in the game helped put UNC over the top. Armando Bacot was awesome once again, fighting through injury to put up 11 points and an insane 21 rebounds, 8 of those being offensive. Brady Manek continued his scoring ways with 14 points, R.J. Davis was as hot as ever with 18, and even Leaky Black proved to be an incredibly important piece with 8 points and 9 boards. The Heels have proven themselves as the most impossible-to-stop team when they are at their ceiling. Their offense continues to be blisteringly hot, and their athleticism continues to put them over the top in the clutch. They’ll have their hands full with the physicality of Kansas, but if they keep up their level of play from the previous five rounds of this tournament, it could very well be a fairytale finish to Hubert Davis’ first season as head coach in Chapel Hill.

Key Matchups

My biggest observation and the most indelible image from Saturday night’s Final Four games was Kansas simply being bigger, faster, and stronger than Villanova. I haven’t seen a team this physically dominant since, ironically enough, North Carolina back in 2017. So, in my opinion, tonight’s title game comes down to physicality in both the backcourt and the frontcourt. Behind the arc, the matchup to watch is Ochai Agbaji vs. Caleb Love. Agbaji is bigger and more athletic than Love, but nobody has been more explosive in this tournament than #2 in Carolina blue. If it comes down to shotmaking in the clutch, then it’s hard to pick against Caleb Love. However, if Ochai Agbaji and the Jayhawks are able to physically dominate the backcourt throughout the game, then this one shouldn’t be close late. However, perhaps even more important than the guards in this game are the guys in the paint, namely David McCormack and Armando Bacot. Both of these players have had their way with everyone they have faced so far in the tournament. Now, the two unstoppable forces collide down low. You can easily bank on both guys getting their points, but the key here isn’t scoring. It’s rebounding. Second chance points could prove to be a huge part of this game, seeing as though both teams grab a significant amount of offensive boards. Bacot has been the biggest monster on the glass I have ever seen, but his ankle injury could limit his dominance. If he can play up to his usual par, and the Heels turn those offensive rebounds into points, then I really like Carolina’s chances. However, if his injury holds him back and allows McCormack to be the more dominant force in the paint, then there will be no stopping the Jayhawks from cutting down the nets.

My Pick

I can’t remember the last title game that felt this blue bloody. Perhaps it was Kansas’ last trip to Game 67 back in 2012, where they lost to Kentucky. The Jayhawks are hoping for a better result this time around. Luckily for them, I think they’ll get just what they want.

Kansas 75-69 North Carolina

Monday, 9:20 PM EST, TBS

As I said before, this game comes down to physicality, and nobody is more physically imposing than Kansas. I was blown away by their performance on Saturday night, and while I think it will be hard to replicate, especially against a team as great as UNC, I know this team has what it takes. It feels like this is the Jayhawks team to make up for the lost tournament in 2020, where they would have been the title favorite. This team feels like it is destined to cut down the nets. I do believe Carolina will do their thing in this game, but I just don’t know if they have it in them to win. I wouldn’t put it past them considering the teams they had to beat to get to this point and how awesome Caleb Love has been in this tournament. It would be pretty incredible if they were to win. I just have to trust what my eyes have been telling me about Kansas and roll with them to win their first championship since 2008.

We should be in for a great one tonight in New Orleans. While this hasn’t been the best tournament ever, I’m hoping that it ends on a high note. Regardless, there truly isn’t anything in the world like March Madness, and I’m glad we got to experience it in full this year after three years of craziness. It was a pleasure, and an honor.

All stats taken from ESPN.

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2022 Final Four Preview and Predictions

The 2022 NCAA Tournament has produced perhaps the most decorated, blue bloodiest Final Four of all time. Let’s break it down and predict how things will go down this weekend in New Orleans.

Cover photo taken from Sports Illustrated.

We started with 68 teams in the world’s most famous bracket, each with their own hopes and dreams of cutting down the nets in New Orleans. 64 games later, only four teams remain with those dreams still alive. Duke, North Carolina, Villanova, and Kansas have reached the Bayou to compose arguably the single most anticipated Final Four in the long, decorated history of the NCAA Tournament.

It’s rare to see a Final Four with each team having such a rich, deep history. We are in rarified air with three bonafide blue bloods in Duke, UNC, and Kansas, and Villanova has been one of the premier programs of this century, winning 2 of the previous 4 tournaments. It was a wild ride for each of these squads to get to the end of the road. Let’s see how these teams have reached the Final Four.

How Duke Got Here

This being Mike Krzyzewski’s final NCAA Tournament has kept all the eyes on the Blue Devils from the moment they arrived at the First Round. After making light work of CSU Fullerton, they once again ran into the Michigan State Spartans. Sparty gave them a run, but that’s when Duke established a theme that would continue throughout the rest of this run: impeccable late-game execution. Their best players simply went to work in the clutch to help the Devils emerge victorious. This was on display in the Sweet 16 against Texas Tech, where Duke shot 71% in the second half and didn’t miss a shot in the final 7 minutes to escape with a victory in one of the more hard fought, back-and-forth games of this tournament. The Regional Final against Arkansas was simply domination, as the stars shined bright once again to help get Duke to their first Final Four since 2015, where they won it all, and Coach K’s 13th overall (most all time). Those stars include forward Paolo Banchero, guards A.J. Griffin and Jeremy Roach, and center Mark Williams, all of which have had incredible individual moments and are proving themselves as potential first round picks in the NBA. When this team is playing their best ball, you can only pray you can stop them. It truly feels like Coach K is destined to go out on top, and only he is only two wins away from doing just that.

How North Carolina Got Here

The Tar Heels may be an 8 seed, but they sure don’t feel like one. Part of that could be that they are UNC, one of the most decorated and historic programs in the sport. But, it could also be that they are playing like anything but an 8 seed in this tournament. After a subpar regular season and a blowout loss to Virginia Tech in the ACC Tournament, not many people gave the Heels a shot to do much in March. However, the formula was clear. The star-studded lineup had to play up to their potential, something that hadn’t been done much in the regular season. But, if they were able to play their best ball, they’d be damn near impossible to stop. That is just what happened in this tournament. After absolutely thrashing Marquette in the First Round, UNC knocked off the 1 seed in the East, the defending champion Baylor Bears, in an OT thriller to reach the Regionals. In the Sweet 16, they outlasted UCLA in a scintillating game that saw star guard Caleb Love take over in the second half. The last opponent standing between them and New Orleans was the Cinderella of all Cinderellas, the Saint Peter’s Peacocks, who they easily disposed of to reach their first Final Four since 2017, where the Heels cut down the nets. Love was a massive part of this run, but he’s not the only guy in Carolina blue making an impact. Fellow guard R.J. Davis has been an incredible complement in the backcourt, forward Brady Manek has been one of the premier scorers in this tournament, and forward Armando Bacot has been a machine, averaging 16.5 points and 15.8 rebounds per game in the tournament. The potential of this roster is finally being realized, and they are at their hottest at the perfect time. That has gotten them to New Orleans, and could potentially put them at the top of a ladder on Monday night.

How Villanova Got Here

Villanova has been the most successful college basketball program of the past 6 years. Without question. The Wildcats are 20-3 in the past six NCAA Tournaments, and this is their third trip to the Final Four in the past five tournaments (and their fourth in the last 13). They have won two of the last four national championships (2016 and 2018), and are more than capable of notching another. After a couple of “down” years, they are back to their standard, and it has been incredible to watch. Nova made light work of each of their first three opponents: Delaware, Ohio State, and Michigan. The Regional Final against Houston was the definition of a war, with both teams playing incredible defense and struggling mightily with shooting. In the end, Villanova made more shots, and that punched their ticket to New Orleans. Unfortunately, it came at a cost. Star forward Justin Moore tore his achilles in that game, and will obviously be out in the Final Four. It’s a massive loss, but that doesn’t mean this team is completely doomed. They are still one of the best teams in the country, led by guard Collin Gillespie, who has been one of the best players in the country all year long, and has continued that level of play in this tournament. Forward Jermaine Samuels has also been huge in this run, and he’ll need to step it up big time if Villanova is to advance to the title game. I think this team has what it takes, but they have a very steep mountain to climb with their opponent, who just so happens to be quite a familiar one.

How Kansas Got Here

The lone 1 seed in New Orleans is no stranger to Final Fours. The Jayhawks are here for the 16th time in their 50th tournament appearance. Going this far in 32% of tournaments you play in is absolutely staggering. This is Kansas’ first trip to the Final Four since 2018, where they lost to the same team they play tonight. But, this is a seemingly better team than that one, and this squad has a great chance to bring a title home to Lawrence for the first time in 14 years. It started with your run-of-the-mill destruction of a 16 seed against Texas Southern in the First Round. The Jayhawks were challenged a bit by Creighton in the Second Round, but toughed it out in the end. They then held off Providence in the Sweet 16, and used a volcanic eruption of a second half to get past Miami in the Regional Final to get to NOLA. Kansas has played like a true 1 seed, and have erased any and all doubt that may have lingered. Thanks to a star-studded lineup with guys like guards Ochai Agbaji, Remy Martin, Christian Braun and a frontcourt with David McCormack and Jalen Wilson, the Jayhawks look like one of the most unstoppable teams in basketball. They are primed to win another title, and I think they have what it takes to do just that.

Saturday night features two matchups that feel larger than life. It’s going to be quite the spectacle. It’s going to be amazing basketball. Let’s pick the 2022 Final Four.

Kansas over Villanova

Saturday, 6:09 PM EST, TBS

The last time both Kansas and Villanova made the Final Four was 2018, where they played each other. The Wildcats dominated that game, winning 95-79, and would go on to win the title two nights later. Now, they’re both here again. But things feel a bit different this time. As I said before, this is a better Kansas team than 2018, and it feels like the best one in a very long time. They have the talent and the experience from top to bottom, and they have executed their winning formula to perfection throughout this tournament. While Villanova is still as strong as ever, the injury to Justin Moore makes it nearly impossible to pick them in this game. If he was playing, then I very well could have picked the Wildcats in this game. He is one of the key cogs in their machine, and without him, I don’t know if they can beat a team as great as the Jayhawks are. Collin Gillespie and Jermaine Samuels will have to step up in a big way, and while I think they are both capable of putting up huge numbers, it will just be too much to overcome. This will be a close game for a while, but the depth and pure excellence of Kansas on both sides of the floor will put them over the top. Look for Ochai Agbaji to have a huge game en route to the Jayhawks’ first title game appearance since 2008.

Duke over North Carolina

Saturday, 8:49 PM EST, TBS

Duke and North Carolina make up arguably the greatest rivalry on Earth. The two schools have met 256 times over the last 102 years, creating history by giving us countless memories and fielding some of the greatest players of all time. On Saturday night in New Orleans, they will meet for the first time ever in the NCAA Tournament. At the Final Four. In Mike Krzyzewski’s final season. Not to mention that this is a rubber match after Duke dominated the first matchup in Chapel Hill on February 5th, then Carolina spoiled Coach K’s final game at Cameron Indoor stadium on March 5th. I know you guys have heard the storylines a billion times, but they’re so seismic that they must be repeated. To have a matchup like this in a spot like this just seems cosmic. It is divine intervention. It’s honestly overshadowing the fact that this is a phenomenal basketball game on paper. Both of the first two games were sizable wins for each team, so it only makes sense that this rubber match is a close game. Both of these teams have been playing their best basketball in this tournament, but one of them has to go home. And matchups like Mark Williams vs. Armando Bacot or Jeremy Roach vs. Caleb Love make this must-see TV, even if you disregard the two teams playing. I’d be better off leaving this pick to a coin flip, but I’m picking Duke for two reasons. The first of which has some merit, whereas the second really doesn’t. My first reason for picking the Devils is the fact that I think they are the more talented team (just barely), and that can put them over the top when the going gets tough, as it has all tournament long. I do love Carolina’s roster, and they are arguably even hotter than Duke is right now, but I think they can get a bit erratic in the clutch (see: the Baylor game), and it’s just a bit hard to put my faith in them for that reason. The second reason is just that it feels written in the stars that Coach K is going to end his career with winning his sixth national championship. Sometimes, you’ve got to throw your hands in the air and surrender to destiny, and I’ve done that with this Duke team. I’d be elated if I am proven wrong. Regardless, this is arguably the biggest game in the history of the Final Four, and I cannot wait to watch history unfold on Saturday night in New Orleans.

So, I think it’ll be Duke vs. Kansas for the National Championship on Monday night. In terms of picking that game, I’d probably roll with destiny and Duke, but we’ll cross that bridge when we get there. I can’t wait to watch this historic Final Four, and I hope you all enjoy it as much as I know I will.

All stats taken from ESPN.