There are a number of methods for predicting what’s going to happen this season, but no one truly knows how the next 17 weeks are going to play out. ESPN runs 20,000 simulations each year to project what will happen in the regular season and playoffs, doing so once again this year.
However, this time around, ESPN looked at one specific simulation as the most likely outcome for the 2020 season. By using simulation No. 3,869 and adding in Mike Clay’s statistical projections, here’s what ESPN came up with for the Rams.
It has Sean McVay’s team going 11-5 and finishing second in the NFC West, sneaking in as a wild-card team. The 49ers win the division in this simulation, also at 11-5, but they win the tiebreaker with Los Angeles despite splitting the season series 1-1. This simulation has the Seahawks going 9-7 and the Cardinals 8-8, making the NFC West the only division with all four teams at .500 or better.
In the wild-card round of the playoffs, the Saints knock off the Rams with a 23-10 win, bouncing the Rams from the postseason. The 49ers are eliminated by the Cowboys in the divisional round with a 39-26 loss, with Dallas moving on to face the Buccaneers in the NFC title game. On the AFC side, it’s unsurprisingly the Ravens and Chiefs in the conference championship, with Kansas City once again advancing to and winning the Super Bowl over the Cowboys.
ESPN’s simulation has Tom Brady leading the NFL in passing with 4,615 yards, Derrick Henry once again taking the rushing crown with 1,316 yards and Michael Thomas pacing the league with 1,373 yards receiving.
