Graphics: Mali
Analysis 1-16 Fallen
Analysis 17-32 Arod
Giants (0-0): Cookie is undeniably the top dog heading into season 4 and he has the highest rated team in the league (91 overall) He also added Derwin James in the off-season to an already loaded defense. His Giants are ready for a repeat to last season.
Jaguars (0-0): The Super Bowl runner up Jacksonville Jaguars took a strong approach to a soft rebuild after falling just short. They elected to trade their veteran corners and draft an entire class full of rookies of the position. Can the youth on their team keep up with the high powered offenses in the AFC?
Rams (0-0): On paper, the Rams don’t look too formidable featuring a team overall rating of 81, but DK has added some pieces to his team that will challenge the top offenses in the NFC. The Rams have three corners rated above 90 overall and Aaron Donald is still alive and kicking
Ravens (0-0): Kingke wasn’t very happy with his exit from the playoffs. He added Breece Hall and wanted to establish a formidable offensive line all the way across to dominate the time of possession this season. Expect Lamar to get back to form and have over 1,000 rushing yards this season.
Seahawks (0-0): Kristian Fulton finally found a home in Seattle after being on the outs with Tennessee. The Seahawks have the best roster in the division, but couldn’t get over the hump to defeat the Rams, but I expect for them to make a run at the division this season. The 12th man in the playoffs would be insane.
Bears (0-0): The rebuild for the Bears found more success than most had assumed. The high point of the season was making the playoffs but a first round exit courtesy of the Commanders was not what fans in Chicago were expecting. Still, the Bears find themselves favored to win the division this season.
Dolphins (0-0): The little engine that could. The Dolphins have the most athletic roster in PML, but after two exits just before the Super Bowl the past two seasons, Que is asking himself what his team needs to finally make it. Jaylen Waddle was on the trade block, but no real offers came to fruition. This is the season for the Dolphins to put it all together before season 5 hits and their strapped for cap space.
Bengals (0-0): The King in the North. Cammy has been this cycles most improved player, but after a 15-2 season, a bad taste was left in his mouth after his 45-31 defeat to the Dolphins in the playoffs. Joe Burrow is ready to eclipse the season high passing mark and we’ll see a Burrow versus Allen matchup in week 1.
Commanders (0-0): It’s not often franchises lose to the same opponent three times in one season, especially a division rival, but when that team is the Super Bowl champion, it is understandable. Wimmy fought tooth and nail in every game last season, but the departure of Antonio Gibson and his production may seem more hard to reproduce than most would think.
Packers (0-0): Hendon Hoocker is still the man in Green Bay despite throwing 41 interceptions in the regular season. The Packers are hoping for better results and better decision making out of him this season. Week 1 has the makings of setting the tone for the NFC North with the Packers hosting the Chicago Bears.
Raiders (0-0): The Raiders snuck away with the AFC West and earned themselves a victory in the wildcard round against the Colts last season, but the West lost Patrick Mahomes, and while that would be better fitting for the Raiders, Kansas City has other plans to contend for the division this season.
Colts (0-0): The Colts have 9 Superstars on their team at this moment, but they’ll have to make a crucial decision on which one to drop down to Star. One and done in the playoffs is a hard notion to shake, but the Colts have what it takes to win the AFC South this season.
Cowboys (0-0): Tom Brady, Mason Garcia, and Tyree Jackson.. quite the group of Quarterbacks. You have to believe the Cowboys are going to roll with the 97 throwpower rookie in Mason Garcia. Rookies have a tendency to throw wild passes, but can the rookie get it done in a loaded division this season?
Texans (0-0): It’s Kyler Murray season in Houston. The journey seemed like days for Murray to get off the plane, but is Murray actually better than Winston or is he a shell of his former Madden self. Murray’s speed makes him a formidable threat, but Drama has to change up his offense for that speed to come to fruition.
Chargers (0-0): HD has one of the most controversial trades this season when he sent Derwin James to the Giants. Cam Akers was also acquired this off-season and is expected to see a featured role in the offense. Justin Herbert versus Patrick Mahomes for what could be the last time this cycle in a week 1 matchup for the books.
Panthers (0-0): The Carolina Panthers are ranked this high because of their potential to win the division in season 4. They’ve made strides on offense and with AR, anything is possible. JT knows his division rivals tendencies and with the Buccs drafting a rookie quarterback, it’s understandable to think that there will be some growing pains and the Panthers can claw their way to the top of the division.
Bucs (0-0): Codes drops to 17 to start the year after a 10-7 finish that could ultimately spell the end of his NFC South timeshare. I see a lot of competition within the division on the horizon and if they don’t buckle down quickly, the Falcons and Panthers are lurking to take the crown.
Vikings (0-0):I expect much more from the Vikings this season. Cade Klubnik, the prized QB of the draft, comes into the season as their new starting quarterback. If he receives a dev for the season starts, he could jumpstart the Vikings into playoff contention this season in a very crowded NFC North.
Jets (0-0):The biggest transaction of the off-season saw superstar Pat Mahomes come to East Rutherford in one of the most shocking trades in PML history. This automatically puts the Jets in Super Bowl or bust territory with perhaps the best quarterback in the league. My pick to take the AFC east.
Falcons(0-0): The Falcons came on late and were playing solid football towards the end of season 3. I totally expect them to be players in the divisional race this season challenging the Buccaneers for the title. I am excited to see their development this year, especially 1st round pick OLB Jeremiah Alexander.
Bills (0-0): It is no secret the Bills have underachieved this cycle. The roster in general is a shell of itself with a lot of the beginning superstars either moved or faded away due to regression. The division now has maybe the best quarterbacks in the PML. Allen, Mahomes, and Williams. How will the Bills separate themselves from the pack?
Broncos (0-0):The Broncos look poised to move on from Russell Wilson. Is it the right move this late in the cycle? With AR coming in on Ty Simpson, the writing is on the wall and it will be interesting to see what the Broncos decide to do this season at quarterback. Not quite sure a late-cycle QB change is the move when they are more than capable of winning the division.
Patriots (0-0):The Patriots are a sneaky play this season to rise up and make a run at a playoff spot. Winning the division isn’t off the table either as they are putting themselves in position to compete with the best in PML. Caleb Williams is a monster, and if you didn’t know that yet, you will find out this season.
49ers (0-0):The 49ers executed on the draft this season and brought in players to fit their scheme. As I’ve said in previous articles, it is a tough climb for the 49ers, but we’ve seen Antdawg pull this off before and they should not be written off. Domani Jackson, Jaleel Skinner, and Marvin Jones Jr. headline an outstanding rookie class in San Fran.
Titans (0-0):One of the biggest underachievers this cycle, the expectations in Tennessee are low as they have one of the more competitive divisions in the league. I am not sure what to expect as they have not really put the team in any particular direction. Nevertheless, Bubba has the skill set to make the Titans a sneaky underdog contender this year.
Saints (0-0): They have become the odd-man out of the emergence of the NFC South. They won 3 out of 4 to close out season 3, but I just don’t see the spark yet like I do with the Panthers and Falcons heading into the new campaign.
Eagles (0-0): With the division they play for, we can pretty much call this cycle the learning period for CB and the Eagles. He is not a pushover by any means, but the 6 divisional games are tough to overcome to make any sort of run at a wildcard spot. Henry returns for what could be his last year and he is still playing at a very high level in Philadelphia. Isaiah Bond and his 96 speed should be a fun rookie to watch as the Eagles snagged him 5th overall.
Lions (0-0):LQ had an offseason to tailor the team a little bit more towards his scheme and play style. The honeymoon period is over and Detroit is hungry for wins this season. Lets see if LQ could finally deliver that to them.
Chiefs (0-0):The pressure of playing with Pat Mahomes has been lifted and Mali should be able to get back to his own scheme and play style rather than trying to use the strengths of the superstar ability quarterback. Only time will tell if it was the right move in Kansas City. I will tell you one thing, Mali will make it his mission to justify this move and it may bring out the fire we haven’t seen yet this cycle.
Cardinals (0-0):The Kyler Murray era is over in Arizona, and we open the door on Zach Wilson. They filled their running back void with Damien Pierce and the offense should look a bit different this season.
Browns (0-0):Cannot really gauge the potential level of play with our new user just yet, so the Browns sit at 31 based on their overall performance this cycle. I hope to see winning football in Cleveland and for the Browns to climb the power rankings ladder. #2 overall pick Travis Hunter should be an early DROY candidate.
Steelers (0-0):And last but not least, myself. The offense has been revamped and the Steelers finally have playmakers to move the ball down field. The addition of Devin White and Mykel Williams should boost a solid defense. Can I use #1 overall pick and Hiesman trophy winner Maalik Murphy to his fullest potential? Let’s find out.
