2019 NFL Season

This NFL Season has been crazy, so I thought I would shed my opinion on each team the season. I will also do a three word game for each NFL team:

Arizona Cardinals: Kliff and Kyler
It has been a promising season for the Cardinals. A team who faced a lot of scrutiny for handing over the team to a guy who had a losing record in the Big 12, Kliff Kingsbury, and on top of that drafting Kyler Murray while Josh Rosen was a year removed from being the number 10 overall pick had a decent year. It wasn’t a winning year at 5-10-1, but we saw flashes of what Kyler Murray could be. As he continues to mature and grow as a quarterback, the team needs to build the offensive line, a young tight end or receiver wouldn’t hurt, as well as add some defensive backs, and beefing up the defensive line. While this team may not be super bowl bound next year, there is a bright future. The team has the 8th pick in the Draft. It will be interesting to see what they do with the pick. 

Atlanta Falcons: Talented, but losing
It wasn’t a good year from the Falcons, but they still managed to get second in the NFC South because of the poor play of the Panthers. The Falcons have lots of talent on both sides of the ball even after trading Mohammed Sanu to the Patriots for a second-round pick. The Falcons have the 16th overall pick in the Draft. They could use a defensive lineman to add to the team. The team won some close games against good teams, most notably the San Francisco 49ers. This shows promise for the team. With the return of both HC Dan Quinn and GM Thomas Dimitroff, it seems the Falcons are trusting the process.

Baltimore Ravens: Big Truss
For this team, I have two words, “Big Truss.” This team has embraced the power running identity with quarterback Lamar Jackson. This team is loaded with offensive talent with players like Jackson, not to mention three amazing tight ends in Hayden Hurt, Mark Andrews, and Nick Boyle, a speedster on the outside in Malcolm “Hollywood” Brown, and an amazing offensive line. Let me not forget the ultimate hype man in running back Mark Ingram. This team has a stout defense. This team is the Super Bowl favorite in my book. They look unstoppable. Lamar Jackson looks like the MVP. The Ravens have the number 1 seed in the AFC. I don’t know how maintainable this is, but for this year, I don’t think anyone can stop the Ravens.

Buffalo Bills: Defense for Real
The Buffalo Bills made the AFC East interesting for the first time in almost ten years. This division has been completely dominated by the Patriots for almost a decade, and the Bills almost ended the dominance. The Bills have had a solid year, but I don’t expect a run in the playoffs. I think it will be a Wild Card Weekend for the team. This year has been very promising with the growth of Josh Allen. I think Allen is too inaccurate for playoff football, but I like the steps he is taking. I also think that the team needs more speed from the skill positions on the offensive end. With Allen’s big arm, adding speedy receivers will take advantage of the team’s best skills. The Bills defense has been amazing and is here to stay. I think this team has a bright decade ahead.

Carolina Panthers: What about Cam?
The Panthers season didn’t go as planned. Cam gets hurt again, finish last in the division, Ron Rivera gets fired. There were some positives in the form of Christian McCaffery becoming the 3rd player in NFL history to have both 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 receiving. With the seventh overall pick, there is one big question to answer: “Who is the Future at QB?” Is it Cam? Is Kyle Allen? Is it Will Grier? Is he in the Draft? At seven it is unrealistic that Tua or Burrow will be there, but maybe Herbert. I don’t like Herbert that much. The Panthers can trade up this season to get Tua. If the Panthers aren’t sold on Tua then I offer another solution. You can trade down, or draft another player, trade Cam for at least one first-round pick, start Grier this season, and see how he does. Now you probably have at least two first-round picks. With this, they can trade up, if they are not already in the top two, and go and get Trevor Lawerence or Justin Fields. It’s an interesting road ahead as they are looking for their new coach and new QB at the same time.

Cincinnati Bengals: Go get Burrow
Burrow! Burrow! Burrow! Burrow is coming Bengals fans. After toasting Oklahoma for seven touchdowns in the first half he is locked to stay a Tiger. Burrow won’t solve all the Bengals problems. The receiver situation is a mess. A.J. Green will probably be gone this offseason, and no one knows what John Ross is. The defense has its share of issues as well. One bright spot for the Bengals this year was Joe Mixon. It will be interesting if he will sign a contract extension with the team.

Chicago Bears: What about Mitch?
The Bears were one of the most hyped teams before the season started, as they were one kick away from winning a playoff game. The defense performed only allowing one team to score more than 30 points, but the offense only crossed the 30 point barrier itself once. The main point of focus is Mitchell Trubisky. I said when the Bears drafted him that it was a mistake. Not because of Mahomes, but because of Deshaun Watson. Knowing what I know now sure Mahomes is clear, but at the draft, there wasn’t enough information for that. But everyone knew what Watson was. We saw him in two national championship games shred Alabama’s defense. But the Bears now have to make a choice. Do they give up on Trubisky or keep going with him? I think you have to keep going with him for now. The Bears have no first-round pick but have two close second-round picks. I think the talent is there, but the QB needs to improve or be removed.

Cleveland Browns: Same Old Story
This was the most hyped team coming into the 2019 season. After a 7-8-1 2018 season, the fans were excited. After the addition of Odell Beckham Jr, the fans were calling a Super Bowl. This season didn’t go as planned for the Browns. With a 6-10 record, the Browns become the only team this decade to not have a winning season. Also with that 6-10 record, the Browns get the 10th overall pick. The Browns need to improve that offensive line, which can take years. First, the team needs to find a new coach as they fired Freddie Kitchens. They now give Baker Mayfield his third coach in three years. The team also needs a new GM as they fired John Dorsey. I think the firing of Dorsey will help the new Head Coach find an identity for the team. I think the Browns should rely on Chubb and the defense to win, and have Mayfield make enough plays to win the game. This team, as hard as a pill it may be to swallow, needs to become a ground and pound team. This will take enormous pressure off of Mayfield, and give him easier throws to Landry and Beckham. That is if Landry and Beckham are with the team next season. This team needs to find the right coach to change the culture, and keep this team together… or salvage what’s left.

Dallas Cowboys: Good against Bad
The Cowboys had a promising start going 3-1. The team lost some steam and finished 8-8, missing the playoffs. The biggest question throughout the season was Dak’s contract situation. For me, he didn’t do enough to get his $30 million contract. I think that Dak should be franchised, and then further negotiated with. I think Dak is a solid quarterback, but not an elite one. Against formidable competition, he hasn’t played well and hasn’t won any of those games. The Cowboys have a bright future if they realize that they need to be a power running team. Give Zeke the ball, and let him loose. This team has one of the best offensive lines in the league; let Zeke follow it, and have Dak make just enough throws to win the game. The defense is good enough for that. Before they can fix their mistakes the coaching situation has to be addressed. There are reports that the team will be getting rid of most of the coaching staff. We will see what happens.

Denver Broncos: Lock a Lock?
The Broncos have a quarterback in Drew Lock, whether he is the future remains to be seen. I think that Lock has a promising future in the NFL, and can be the guy Denver needs him to be. Phillip Lindsay is a beast and will continue to be. The Broncos will have the 15th overall pick. They need to enhance that offensive line, a receiver, a tight end, or a defensive back. The defensive line of the Broncos is unreal with Miller and Chubb, and in a division, with Mahomes, some defensive backs will help out this team.

Detroit Lions: Need Better Defense
Not a lot went right for the Lions this season. They lost their quarterback, and so went the season. The defense ranked 30th in the league despite Matt Patrica being a defensive coach. The offense, however, was surprising ranked 12th. The team has the third overall selection in the draft. Does the team go quarterback? I don’t know. Is Stafford done? I don’t know. I think the team has many needs on both sides of the ball. Detroit could use some offensive line help. It will be interesting to see the moves that will be made to improve this team.

Green Bay Packers: LaFleur Does Work
The Packers are back in the playoffs after the new coach Matt LaFleur was signed. The Packers got a first-round bye. With Aaron Rodgers at the helm, the team is always dangerous. The production of Aaron Jones has made the team better and more rounded. I think the Packers have a chance to beat either the Eagles or the Seahawks. I don’t think it is the Packers year to go to the Super Bowl. I think the Seahawks would beat the Packers in a game, but it would be close. A promising year for the Packers.

Houston Texans: Watson is Elite
The Houston Texans are in the playoffs and look like a strong team. Getting JJ Watt back the Texans look to be even better. Deshaun Watson has been amazing and looks like he is progressing as an NFL QB. I think they will beat the Bills in the Wild Card. They could make a run in the playoffs, but beating the Ravens will be tough if they beat the Bills. I think they and the Chiefs are the two best-equipped teams to beat the Ravens. The Texans are sure to be a promising team in the playoffs and the next decade.

Indianapolis Colts: Address QB Situation
The Colts had a promising wish to start the season. Andrew Luck was supposed to be back with a Quenton Nelson upfront, Marlon Mack and Nyheim Hines behind him, and T.Y Hilton and Eric Ebron catching the ball. Also, that defense highlighted by Darius Leonard. Then Luck retires and throws the season down the drain…. Or so the Colts thought. Jacoby Brisset led this team to a 7-9 record. A decent season. The team has the 13th overall draft pick. Does the team go quarterback? People say the team is looking at Washington QB Jacob Eason. I don’t know is Eason is the answer, but I haven’t seen him as much as I should have. Eason has the measurables. He is big, strong, with a big arm. It will be an interesting decision for the Colts.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Minshew or Foles
The Jaguars had big hopes this season. The team signed Nick Foles thinking that he was going to take this team over the hump, but that ended early with Foles’ hip injury. What we got was something we never saw coming, Minshew Mania. Gardner Minshew II came in and created a riot throughout the NFL. So the question that must be answered is Foles or Minshew. I think the problem is the offensive play calling not the quarterback. I think Foles is the better of the two, but Minshew seems to rally the team. If the play calling stays the same, I think Minshew is the way to go. The team has the number two and 20 overall picks. They could replace the corner Jalen Ramsey who they traded. They could draft a receiver, an offensive linemen, or some defensive backs.

Kansas City Chiefs: Mahomes and Speed
This team has two things that not many teams do. Mahomes and Speed. This team is so fast even without Tyreek Hill. There is Sammy Watkins, Damien Williams, and so many others. This team had a speed bump with Mahomes’ injury, but they are back and have a first-round bye. I think this team has the best chance to beat the Ravens. The defense is the only issue, but Tyron Mathieu has provided a spark defensively, and with Frank Clark, on the line, the defense seems alright. We will see what they can do in the playoffs.

Los Angeles Chargers: New QB Needed
The Chargers had a very disappointing year. After a 12-4 playoff year last year, the team is 5-11 this year. The team has all the pieces and lost a lot of close games. The biggest question on this team is Phillip Rivers. I think as painfully as it may be for Chargers fans that it is time to move on. A new quarterback will bring in excitement for the team that desperately needs it. The Chargers have the number six overall pick. I think it is too low to go and get Burrow or Tua, and as I said earlier I don’t know about Justin Herbert. I like him as a person, but I don’t know if he is the quarterback. Again I haven’t seen Herbert as much as I should have, but from what I saw in the Rose Bowl, his stock increased, but I still don’t know. I think he is a smart kid who can learn. If the team drafts him, the team needs to keep Rivers to teach Herbert. We will see what they do in this draft.

Los Angeles Rams: Super Bowl Hangover
After going to the Super Bowl last year this team had high expectations but severely failed to live up to them. The team missed the playoffs altogether. Jared Goff got a $134 million contract over four years and did not live up to the contract. Now I don’t think the team needs to abandon Goff or McVay, I think the team needs to put some youth on the offensive line and follow Gurley. Todd Gurley can be the best running back in the league. Even though the knee injury has slowed him down, I do believe that following Gurley is in the team’s best interest. The Rams don’t have a first-round pick until 2022, but they have major draft needs on the offensive line and in the defensive backfield.

Miami Dolphins: Tank for Who?
At the beginning of the season the mantra was “Tank for Tua,” but after a hip injury is Tua a sure thing? I think so, but we will see what the team thinks. This team started on the wrong foot but finished the season strong by beating the Patriots in New England. Miami picked up a new Offensive Coordinator in Chan Gailey. The Dolphins also signed DeVonte Parker to a $90 million deal. This team has a lot of holes, and with lots of cap space and draft picks, the team should look to patch up those holes.

Minnesota Vikings: A Talented Team
The Minnesota Vikings, in my opinion, are one of the most talented teams in the league. They have receivers, a tight end, a good young back, a good offensive line, and the defense is amazing. The quarterback was highly overpaid. I think Kirk Cousins is good, but I don’t think he was worth the $90 million deal. He is a solid quarterback, but not an elite one. I think the team has a shot in the playoffs, but if it comes down to it Kirk Cousins won’t win the game.

New England Patriots: Need New Weapons
The Patriots haven’t looked like the Patriots we have grown accustomed to. I don’t think that the teams short-comings fall on Tom Brady. It is extremely unfair to say that the Patriots would be better with any other quarterback. I think the short-comings fall on the receivers and offensive weapons around Brady. I think that we can’t count out the Patriots in the playoffs, but the team doesn’t have enough in my opinion. I don’t think this is the end of the dynasty. I don’t think Tom Brady is going to leave. I think this team will live for another year. They have a Wild Card game on Saturday, so we will see if they win.

New Orleans Saints: Record-Breaking Year
This team was on the doorstep of the Super Bowl last year, all they needed was the Pass Interference call, but the team had the ball in overtime. This year Brees set a new touchdown record, Thomas set a new reception record. This team has a Wild Card game, which I think they will win. This team has all the pieces, even the defense has stepped up. I think this team will go to the Super Bowl. The injury to Drew Brees was the best thing that could have happened. Drew Brees got five weeks of rest and Teddy Bridgewater won some close games. This team also has the ultimate Swiss Army Knife in Taysom Hill. This team could go very far in the playoffs this year.

New York Giants: Dan the Man
The Giants got a lot of scrutiny for drafting Daniel Jones, but he turned out to be good, and he will only get better. Now this team’s best player is Saquan Barkley, and he is the man that will carry this team. The team traded away Odell Beckham Jr in the offseason, but they still have the pieces to win games. This team has the number four overall pick and they should draft Andrew Thomas, the tackle out of Georgia. This will beef up the offensive line for both Barkley and Jones. This team has a ways to go. They need some defensive backs as well. This team has a bright future ahead with Jones as the man.

New York Jets: Protect Sam Darnold
The Jets have their quarterback of the future in Sam Darnold. The problem is Sam Darnold keeps getting sacked. This team needs an offensive line, which is why at number 11 they need to pick an offensive lineman. This will help Le’veon Bell get more yards per carry, and give Darnold time to throw the ball. The team also needs to surround him with more weapons. This Jets team needs to help its franchise quarterback and make his life easier. Once they do that this team will have a fighting chance.

Oakland Raiders: Good Coach Gruden
The team got a lot of scrutiny for hiring Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock. This team outperformed expectations. Running back Josh Jacobs is the offensive rookie of the year. This team finished second in the AFC West, almost making the playoffs. The team has the number 12 and the number 19 overall picks. With this, they can get some offensive linemen, some defensive backs, and some linebackers. This team can have a bright future going to Las Vegas. This team has lots of cap room and draft picks. They have a bright future in a loaded division.

Philadelphia Eagles: Philly Needs Wentz
The Philadelphia Eagles have made their way into the playoffs, behind Carson Wentz. In December, Carson Wentz has put up numbers reminiscent to his 2017 year where he almost won MVP. The Eagles have a playoff game against the Seahawks this weekend. I think the Seahawks will win because the Eagles lack the personnel to beat the Seahawks. I think this team made the right decision by keeping Carson Wentz over Nick Foles. Wentz has lifted this team to win the division. The Eagles need to keep Wentz because he is their best chance to win now and in the future.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Amazing Mike Tomlin
The Steelers have won behind coach Mike Tomlin. There have been three quarterbacks this season, and the team almost made the playoffs. I think this team has everything they need to win. Once Big Ben is back this team will be right back to the playoffs. Even after losing Le’veon Bell, James Connor has been good. The team doesn’t have a first-round pick. The team’s biggest weaknesses are the offensive line and the defensive backfield. Mike Tomlin proved that he is the best coach for this team. Even with Lamar Jackson the Steelers still have a chance to win the division next year. 

San Francisco 49ers: Mike and Jimmy
The 49ers have been amazing this year getting the number one seed in the NFC. They have done it behind coach Mike Shannahan and quarterback Jimmy Garrapolo. The team has been a let the run set up the passing team. This team almost beat the Ravens. I think this team can play with anyone, but I think the Saints are a better team. George Kittle has provided a spark to this offense both in the passing game as well as run blocking. The defense has been amazing behind Nick Bosa, who is the defensive rookie of the year. The one weakness of this team is the run defense, which is why I don’t think they will go to the Superbowl. There are too many running teams in the NFC, but this team has a bright future ahead.

Seattle Seahawks: Very DangeRuss Wilson
The Seahawks have won with Russel Wilson carrying the team on his back. Russel Wilson is my MVP even with Lamar Jackson’s numbers, Wilson has carried his team. This team doesn’t have much, but I think enough to make a playoff run. The team traded for Jadaveon Clowney, but we don’t know if he will be back in time for the playoffs. This team, I think, will beat Philly, but lose to their next opponent. It would be in the team’s best interest to add more pieces around Russ. The addition of Marshawn Lynch could help fill avoid in the running back room, but I don’t think it will be enough to launch them to the Superbowl. I love Russ and the Seahawks, but I don’t think it is their year this year.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: What about Jameis?
Jameis Winston is the first player in NFL history to throw for both 30 touchdowns and 30 interceptions in an NFL season. I think Jamies can play, but if he can’t stop throwing interceptions the team needs to move on. The Buccaneers have the 14th overall pick and should draft an offensive lineman. An interesting thing to do would be to draft a quarterback in the second round. Winston is coming into a contract year. The Bucs could franchise Winston and put the pressure of another quarterback on Winston. This decision will be the biggest decision for the Bucs this offseason. So “What about Jameis?”

Tennessee Titans: Tannehill or Mariota?

The Titans caught fire in December with Ryan Tannehill. Tannehill was voted AFC Offensive Player of the Month in December. They are in the playoffs now and have a game against the Patriots, who I think they will lose to. Now the big question is Tannehill or Mariota. I think Tannehill is the guy for them. The problem is Mariota was the number two overall pick. I think this is a tough decision that needs to be made. The team’s main focus needs to be on New England for the time being, but after the playoffs, the biggest question is Tannehill or Mariota.

Washington Redskins: Chase Young Time

The Redskins with the number two overall pick should go get Chase Young. He alongside Montez Sweat will be an amazing tandem. New Head Coach Ron Rivera would love to build that defense and Young is the best defensive player on the board. The next big question is Dwyane Haskins and his progression. This team has a lot of holes to fill, but they need to put pieces around Haskins and bulk up that defense. This team needs a new culture and Rivera and Young, along with Haskins can provide it.

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