The NFL Draft is over and most free-agent moves have taken place. What does the 2020 season look like at an early glance for all 32 teams?
Arizona Cardinals: 7-9
There were growing pains in Year One for Kyler Murray and Kliff Kingsbury. They will continue in Year Two with more progress. Being in the NFC West doesn’t make improvement easy.
Atlanta Falcons: 7-9
Todd Gurley returns to Georgia. Dan Quinn needs to have a strong year. It won’t be simple as Tom Brady is in Tampa Bay and Drew Brees is in New Orleans. Look for much of the same.
Baltimore Ravens: 12-4
The Ravens have a bright future. Lamar Jackson has all sorts of weapons and the defense is John Harbaugh-strong. Going to a dozen wins after 14 is not a sign of regression. Simply other teams are getting better.
Buffalo Bills: 11-5
This feels like the year the Buffalo Bills take over as AFC East champions. Stefon Diggs is a strong addition to a team that is on the improve. Sean McDermott needs to make sure his players focus and don’t think the Patriots are going to slip.
Carolina Panthers: 2-14
Matt Rhule has a great one in Christian McCaffrey. The step-up from college to the pros is usually tough for rookie players. It won’t be any easier for a rookie coach. The NFC South is not the Big 12.
Chicago Bears: 7-9
The Bears slid in 2019 and take another step back in 2020 barring some more moves to upgrade the offense. The choice of Mitchell Trubisky could set this team back for years.
Cincinnati Bengals: 2-14
Congratulations on earning the right to pick Joe Burrow. Just don’t let him see how some other great college quarterbacks have suffered as rookies on bad teams in the NFL, Cincinnati Bengals coach Zac Taylor.
Cleveland Browns: 9-7
Kevin Stefanski will see some progress and a lot of headaches in his first year with Cleveland. Last year was supposed to be a breakthrough year for the Browns. The expectations are far less in 2020.
Dallas Cowboys: 10-6
The Cowboys will improve under Mike McCarthy. A change was in order and this will only help. Wonder if Dak Prescott will have any of the same issues Aaron Rodgers had with the former Packers coach at the end of his run in Green Bay.
Detroit Lions: 5-11
There seems to be a never-ending run of sorry seasons in Detroit. Can’t see Matt Patricia and the Lions adding many wins to their 2019 total. Matthew Stafford will have his usual big stats and no playoff appearance if he stays healthy.
Denver Broncos: 8-8
The Broncos’ offense will be more exciting with the addition of Melvin Gordon and rookie wide receivers Jerry Jeudy and K.J. Hamler. This should be the start of a major curve upward in the Mile High City.
Green Bay Packers: 10-6
A double-digit win season and plenty of stories about how Aaron Rodgers resents the Packers drafting Jordan Love are in store. The facts will be on the field and the stories will be full of suspense and not many attributed quotes.
Houston Texans: 11-5
Bill O’Brien has Brandin Cooks in place of DeAndre Hopkins. He needs to hope Cooks and David Johnson stay healthy to help Deshaun Watson continue to excel.
Indianapolis Colts: 7-9
Frank Reich got Philip Rivers for a year — at least. For his sake, the coach has to hope the veteran QB’s performance with the Chargers in 2019 isn’t going to be the start of a major slide.
Jacksonville Jaguars: 3-13
Team turmoil will continue to be the Jaguars’ forte. This is a team that can’t get out of its own way.
Kansas City Chiefs: 13-3
Expect Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce & Co, to add another win to their regular-season total from 2019. This doesn’t guarantee a repeat. It simply means the Chiefs are going to be a tough out.
Las Vegas Raiders: 7-9
Year Three for Jon Gruden is Year One in Las Vegas. Derek Carr will be under siege from defenses as well as media critics.
Los Angeles Chargers: 7-9
Anthony Lynn will have to decide when to test Justin Herbert as a starter when the Bolts fail to light it up in the first part of the season. Forgive Tyrod Taylor if he has seen this script before.
Los Angeles Rams: 9-7
The magic is off Sean McVay. Another challenging season without Brandin Cooks and Todd Gurley. Wade Phillips is gone, too. The Rams are in a tough spot and they won’t have it easy.
Minnesota Vikings: 10-6
Look for Kirk Cousins and the Vikings to continue to have solid seasons … and not make it to the Super Bowl.
Miami Dolphins: 6-10
Kyle Van Noy is one of the Patriots who has rejoined Brian Flores in Miami. That does not mean the team is ready to become a contender. The Fish would do themselves a great service letting Ryan Fitzpatrick run the offense while Tua Tagovailoa learns the ropes on the sidelines.
New England Patriots: 8-8
This year will be as challenging for Bill Belichick as 2000, his first in New England. The apparent faith in Jarrett Stidham is nothing short of remarkable. But who is to question an organization that drafted a sixth-rounder who turned out to be Tom Brady?
New Orleans Saints: 12-4
Three years in a row the Saints have suffered brutal exits from the NFL season. This one is going to see a turn for the better as Drew Brees gets ready to close a Hall of Fame run.
New York Giants: 4-12
Not buying into Joe Judge being able to fix much as a rookie coach with a team that has struggled for a few years.
New York Jets: 6-10
The Jets always find a way to retreat. Adam Gase will feel plenty of heat if this prediction comes to pass.
Philadelphia Eagles: 11-5
Let’s give Carson Wentz a healthy run at quarterback and see how far he can take Doug Pederson’s Eagles. Expect a long way if the QB can stay on the field.
Pittsburgh Steelers: 10-6
Ben Roethlisberger returns and the Steelers have one of the best coaches in the game in Mike Tomlin. That translates into double-digit wins.
San Francisco 49ers: 10-6
Nick Bosa and the Niners have a strong year under their belts. However, that doesn’t guarantee another magical 13-3 season. Everyone will see the Niners coming in 2020.
Seattle Seahawks: 11-5
Russell Wilson, Pete Carroll and the Seahawks simply are winners. Expect plenty of exciting games and another playoff appearance.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 9-7
Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski will turn the Bucs from perennial 1 o’clock Eastern kickoffs into prime time players. The task is difficult and don’t expect a stunning record.
Tennessee Titans: 9-7
The Titans bet on Ryan Tannehill. They won’t lose more than they win, but they won’t win enough to duplicate the 2019 postseason success.
Washington Redskins: 3-13
Ron Rivera is taking on a rebuilding project in Washington. He will have Chase Young to add to the defense. Another Ohio State product, Dwayne Haskins, could be the biggest challenge for Rivera if Washington doesn’t look to add a savvy veteran. Cam Newton, anyone?
