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One half of the 2020 NFL season is within the books, and already we have had fairly just a few surprises: The Baltimore Ravens misplaced their footing as the category of the AFC North, the Seattle Seahawks lastly turned Russell Wilson unfastened via the air, the Green Bay Packers exploded slightly than regressed, and the New York Jets turned out to be astoundingly dangerous (kidding on that final one being a shock).
What’s in retailer for the second half of the 12 months? We’re glad you requested. As we enter Week 9, listed here are 10 daring predictions for the rest of the 2020 marketing campaign:
10. Steelers prime 13 wins for first time since 2004
Pittsburgh hasn’t exceeded 13 wins since going 15-1 again in 2004, Ben Roethlisberger’s rookie 12 months. However frankly, it might be an upset if they do not come near matching that this winter. They might have had a comparatively quiet march to 7-0, however simply have a look at their schedule the remainder of the best way:
- Week 9 at Cowboys (2-6)
- Week 10 vs. Bengals (2-5-1)
- Week 11 at Jaguars (1-6)
- Week 12 vs. Ravens (5-2)
- Week 13 vs. Washington (2-5)
- Week 14 at Bills (6-2)
- Week 15 at Bengals (2-5-1)
- Week 16 vs. Colts (5-2)
- Week 17 at Browns (5-3)
Cincy will put up a struggle with Joe Burrow, and perhaps the Payments and Colts will likely be aggressive, however even the opposite AFC North video games aren’t notably scary: Baltimore has to come back to Pittsburgh on a brief week for Week 12, a Thanksgiving night time sport, and Lamar Jackson has flopped in opposition to that protection. The Browns, in the meantime? Is anybody even certain Baker Mayfield would be the quarterback in Week 17? The Steelers have not been good regardless of their flawless file, however that is additionally the purpose; think about in the event that they actually begin hitting their stride.
9. The Lions hearth Patricia in December
This has nothing to do with coach Matt Patricia personally and every little thing to do together with his workforce’s efficiency on the sphere. Lions possession has already issued a mandate for this 12 months, requiring the workforce to be a “playoff contender” within the coach’s third season. The additional playoff spot this 12 months helps their trigger and their schedule over the following 5 weeks (at Vikings, vs. Washington, at Panthers, vs. Texans, at Bears) permits them to no less than hover round .500. However the feeling right here is that going into Week 14 in opposition to the Packers, the Lions will likely be one thing like 5-7. Perhaps it is earlier than that Inexperienced Bay sport. Perhaps it is after. But when they don’t have anything however delight to play for within the ultimate three or 4 video games of the 12 months, it might be a logical time to chop the twine.
8. Mahomes overtakes Wilson because the passing TD chief
Onerous to do, proper, contemplating Russell Wilson already has 26 to Patrick Mahomes‘ 21 in a single much less sport? Little doubt. However have you ever seen this Mahomes man play soccer earlier than? Russ is dropping dimes on deep balls like nobody, however Pat has barely been unleashed thus far this 12 months, save for Week 8’s sandbox rout of the Jets. As Andy Reid and Kansas Metropolis dial it up a notch to push for prime seeding within the AFC, you may guess your candy backside that No. 15 will blow previous his TD whole of 2019 (26) after which chase Wilson on the house stretch.
7. Cam lasts just one extra sport as Pats QB
The experiment was enjoyable at first. Now? Cam Newton seems to be an terrible lot like he did on the tail finish of his Panthers profession — banged up or flooded with poor selections, or each. Perhaps Invoice Belichick did not pull one over on the remainder of the NFL, in spite of everything. As a result of whereas a win over the Jets is possible, the Ravens in Week 10 spell extra of a long-term flip to Jarrett Stidham.
6. Herbert wins Offensive Rookie of the Yr
Look, if you wish to crown Joe Burrow, go proper forward. There is not any denying his impression on the Bengals, and he’ll be a Professional Bowler very quickly. However let’s not faux Justin Herbert hasn’t been simply as, if no more, spectacular out in Los Angeles. The wins aren’t there but, however it’s additionally not his fault he cannot play protection. This child’s obtained top-five arm expertise and completely seems to be the half as a rookie.
In case you watch Jones play, it isn’t onerous to identify the makings of one thing particular. He simply occurs to lace each spectacular, gritty spotlight with an equally infuriating choice. Joe Choose has denied there’s any probability of a QB change proper now, as he ought to; the G-Males must maintain evaluating Jones much more than they should financial institution on Colt McCoy giving them new life in a foul division. However to illustrate you are going into the bye at 1-9. Everybody is aware of McCoy is just not the reply, however wouldn’t it damage to present Jones house to no less than sit on the bench, mirror on the scenario and ideally come again in all charged up? Choose likes Jones’ struggle in the intervening time, however in some unspecified time in the future, he additionally owes it to the remainder of the roster to present them their finest probability at a reward on Sunday.
4. Bears end sturdy to make the playoffs
This would not have appeared daring in any respect just a few weeks in the past, however most individuals are down on Chicago now that the workforce has misplaced two straight and neither Nick Foles nor Matt Nagy is inspiring a lot confidence offensively. Mitchell Trubisky is now sidelined and unavailable for any potential takeover within the quick future, within the occasion that anybody really thought that might reinvigorate their possibilities. Nonetheless, their protection cannot be counted out. In case you’re choosing between the Bears and the Rams proper now for that final wild-card spot, you would possibly wish to financial institution on Foles getting streaky slightly than Jared Goff sustaining confidence within the pocket.
3. Eagles win a house playoff sport
Have the Eagles achieved sufficient to warrant this sort of proclamation? Heck. No. However little about Doug Pederson’s final two and a half seasons has made sense. By advantage of barely edging equally dangerous NFC East groups and proudly owning essentially the most skilled QB-head coach duo within the division, Philly is poised to profit from seeding guidelines (barring a COVID-induced restructure) and open the postseason at Lincoln Monetary Subject. And guess what? If there’s one factor the Eagles do not do beneath Pederson, it is again down. Perhaps it is Carson Wentz, perhaps it is Jalen Hurts, or perhaps it is each, however this crunch-time workforce will shock once more.
2. Jimmy G says goodbye to the 49ers
It is up for debate whether or not Jimmy Garoppolo is more likely to even play once more this 12 months, now that he is out indefinitely with the aggravated ankle damage. However do that one on for measurement: Jimmy G may simply be achieved in San Francisco altogether. Had only a few performs gone in another way in Super Bowl LIV, perhaps we would be speaking about him in another way. However the actuality is he is nonetheless solely began 30 video games for the Niners, throughout which he is largely been good, not nice. Throw within the truth the 49ers can clear nearly all of his remaining contract off the books with out penalty, and the very fact workforce brass admittedly entertained changing him with Tom Brady earlier than 2020, and the writing is on the wall. Preserve your eye on Kirk Cousins, Matt Ryan and even Sam Darnold in 2021.
1. Bucs win the Tremendous Bowl
Offseason champions nearly by no means win actual championships, however final time we checked, 2020 was not a standard season. Tampa Bay has room to enhance, however there is not any denying they’ve assembled the closest factor to a “tremendous workforce” within the NFL, no less than in relation to offensive talent positions. Tom Brady does not should be greater than a superb level guard with Chris Godwin, Mike Evans and Antonio Brown — whose arrival might be being undersold — at his disposal and a feisty Todd Bowles protection on his facet. They have the potential to be essentially the most balanced contender outdoors of Pittsburgh come playoff time. Now simply think about them taking part in the Steelers within the massive sport: Brady within the Tremendous Bowl slightly than the AFC title spot, and Antonio Brown with a prime-time shot at his previous workforce.
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