Early Predictions for the 2018 NFL Season

Ryan Disdier
Gotham Sports Network
5 min readMay 25, 2018

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It’s May, which means the NFL season is still a while away. Which is a bummer, because we’re reaching the point in the off-season when it’s pretty dead.

Here are some way too early predictions for this upcoming season.

AFC

1- Pittsburgh Steelers (12–4)

2- Los Angeles Chargers (11–5)

3- New England Patriots (11–5)

4-Houston Texans (10–6)

Wildcard: Jacksonville Jaguars (9–7)

Wildcard: Kansas City Chiefs (9–7)

Despite Ben Roethlisberger certainly getting close to the end, the Steelers should be the favorite in the AFC based on retained offensive weapons, an improved defense and an experienced head coach.

I’ll be honest: I had the Chargers as my Super Bowl team before Hunter Henry suffered a torn ACL. I think they’re talented enough to rebound, but it’ll be difficult (maybe they’ll use Mike Williams in a pseudo tight end position?). If you look at this roster, it’s tough to not be impressed.

New England as the №3 seed shouldn’t be all that shocking. I think the concerns about a power struggle are legitimate, and it’s not crazy to suspect the dynasty could be ending soon. That “soon” isn’t in 2018, though, as Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are still around.

I like Houston and Jacksonville a lot in the AFC South. I’m giving the Texans the edge because of their quarterback.

Speaking of quarterbacks … Patrick Mahomes is now the guy in KC, and it’s going to be incredibly fun to watch. And maybe a little frustrating if you’re a Chiefs fan, as there will be growing pains. An offense of Mahomes throwing/handing the ball off to Kareem Hunt, Sammy Watkins, Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce is scary.

Almost there, but not yet

The Jets are on their way to being fun. Imagine that. They have a group of young, talented wide receivers, a promising defense and their potential franchise quarterback. But that’s the tricky thing. I think Sam Darnold is a year away from being a true difference-maker, and I think the Jets want him to start relatively soon.

The Colts conundrum

The Colts could make it back into the playoffs, but only if Andrew Luck is 100 percent healthy. If he is, then he’s probably good enough to get his team into the postseason. But I doubt he is, so it’s safe to think the Colts miss out on the playoffs in 2018.

Oakland, wyd???

Jon Gruden thinks it’s still 2009. I understand none of what the Raiders are doing, if I’m being completely honest. I think this Gruden return will blow up in everyone’s faces. The end.

NFC

1- Philadelphia Eagles (14–2)

2- Los Angeles Rams (13–3)

3- Green Bay Packers (12–4)

4- Atlanta Falcons (10–6)

Wildcard: San Francisco 49ers (10–6)

Wildcard: New Orleans Saints (9–7)

Status quo at the top of the NFC. I think we’re in the midst of a long-term Eagles reign of terror. Their quarterback is still young and hasn’t even hit his ceiling, and that defensive front is unreal. Nothing really needs to be said about the Rams. They added big names in free agency, and Sean McVay’s offense should be even better in his second year as head coach.

The Packers had a great draft, adding two starting-caliber cornerbacks after the first round. Jimmy Graham should give Aaron Rodgers a dependable red-zone threat.

The Falcons are the team I struggled the most with when trying to project. I suppose it all hinges on Steve Sarkisian improving as a play caller. Adding a WR like Calvin Ridley to the mix essentially means there are no more excuses.

Call me a victim of the moment, but I’m fully in on Jimmy G in San Francisco. Did they spent maybe a little too much for Jerrick McKinnon and Weston Richburg? Yeah, probably. And cornerback is still a relatively major area of weakness. However, getting Reuben Foster back is an enormous boost to this defense.

New Orleans is retaining its star quarterback, and they should return to the playoffs — if the defense can hold its own.

Almost there, but not yet

Maybe this is because I just went to Chicago and fell in love with it, but I think the Bears will be sneaky good. They have a talented front seven, and a supposed offensive mind in Matt Nagy who should help unlock Mitchell Trubisky.

No Vikings

The NFL pretty regularly has teams that are great one year, and then subpar the next. I expect that team to be the Vikings. I know getting Kirk Cousins is a big deal, but I just don’t see it in him. I think he’s a guy who can get a team to the hill, but can’t get one over it. I also think the loss of Pat Shurmur will affect the offense more than people may predict.

The Giants will be …

Fun, competitive, but still not a contender yet. They have the tools, but an incredibly tough schedule will keep this team out of the playoffs for another year. But they’ll be the most fun non-playoff team to watch.

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Saquon Barkley

Duh. Barkley is absurdly talented, and teams theoretically won’t be able to stack the box to stop him.

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Roquan Smith

He may not rack up a lot of sacks, but Smith should provide constant production on an upstart Bears team.

Comeback Player of the Year: J.J. Watt, Carson Wentz

The last time two players split this award was in 2005 when Steve Smith Sr. and Teddy Bruschi shared the honors. Both Watt and Wentz are coming off of serious injuries, have a name-brand and are arguably the best at their position when healthy.

Offensive Player of the Year: Kareem Hunt

This award usually goes to a running back if not the quarterback who also wins MVP. I think Hunt will be in line for another outstanding season.

Defensive Player of the Year: Jalen Ramsey

Ramsey could be in line for a peak Darrelle Revis-like year — just with more trash talk and sass.

MVP: Aaron Rodgers

Just based on statistics and history, it’s a safe bet to think a quarterback is taking home MVP honors. Since 2007, only one non-QB has won the award, and that was when Adrian Peterson became a literal super-human and almost broke the single-season rushing record.

We also haven’t seen a repeat MVP since Peyton Manning. So based on all of that, I’m going with the most talented quarterback in the NFL. Rodgers should rebound in a big way this year.

Talk with Ryan on Twitter: @ryandisdier

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Writing stuff. Formerly writing stuff for the DC Defenders, Washington Wizards and (sometimes) Philadelphia 76ers.