Good day everyone. I’m transitioning over to playoff predictions as we get closer to the regular season. I’ll keep the division standings around and continue updating during preseason. Same goes for the playoff standings. I patiently went through all 32 NFL schedules and looked at matchups involving home, away, and neutral site games (London, Germany, and Mexico). During the preseason, injuries for each team will play a key factor. The standings will shift each week until September. Feel free to comment if you have your own opinions and/or ideas about the standings. Also, leave a like and a follow too. Have a great day!

NFC PLAYOFF STANDINGS

1) PACKERS

Green Bay should claim the overall seed again. The issue comes at receiver and consistency of the offensive line. It’s not the first that Green Bay had those issues, especially at the receiver position. They’ve changed a lot, but losing Davante Adams was big. However, Aaron Rodgers will build a rapport with his current roster and someone will be on the same page with him. However, the schedule presents some challenges. They travel a lot, including 5 of the last 7 games before the bye. Their home games also present a challenge if the offense has any issues whatsoever. Luckily, they finish at home in the last 3 of 4 games.

2) BUCCANEERS

Tom Brady’s Bucs will vie for the overall seed since Tom is back in the NFL after a month or retirement. They add Julio Jones and Russell Gage and should have Chris Godwin back from injury. However, Rob Gronkowski retired and lose Ryan Jensen to a serious injury. The offensive line has questions, but AQ Shipley mentioned on the Pat McAfee Show that the offensive line has a good rapport with each other. Their first 4 games against Dallas, New Orleans, Green Bay, and Kansas City will determine how the Bucs fair at the beginning. They do host Green Bay, Kansas City, Baltimore, the Rams, and Cincinnati. Overcoming an 0-4 regular season drought to the Saints would go a long way to hold firm in the NFC South.

3) RAMS

Signing Bobby Wagner to replace Von Miller and Allen Robinson from the Bears helps the Rams for a potential Super Bowl encore, but two concerns could complicate their chances to repeat: strength of schedule and injuries. Outside of their division, they play the AFC West, Green Bay, Dallas, Buffalo, Tom Brady’s Bucs, and New Orleans. Not to mention trying to end their regular season drought to San Fran (0-6). A few current and former Rams’ players last season were plagued with injuries,especially the offense. Key injuries to guys like Matt Stafford, Cooper Kupp, Jalen Ramsey, Bobby Wagner, and even Aaron Donald will complicate things. Otherwise, the NFC West should be theirs no problem.

4) EAGLES

Philadelphia made a late season jump before making the postseason. They also won the offseason with key additions like James Bradberry from the Giants and AJ Brown from Tennessee, including draft picks like Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean. Philly could aim for the division title if Jalen Hurts puts everything together. The schedule isn’t daunting, but they have work cut out against Dallas, Arizona, New Orleans, and Weeks 12-14 matchups (Colts, Packers, and Titans).

5) SAINTS

New Orleans can debate for the NFC South title because the Bucs have yet to defeat them in the regular season since Tom Brady joined Tampa. It all depends on the offense with Jameis Winston’s health and the receivers’ improvement with Michael Thomas’s return and additions of Jarvis Landry and Chris Olave. Their schedule is no cakewalk against the NFC West, AFC North, Las Vegas, Minnesota and Philly. They can beat Tom Brady all they want, but they must deal with the rest of the competition.

6) 49ERS

Trey Lance is handed the keys to the Red and Gold Ferrari. While everyone expects him to improve the team, the run game and defense knows their expectations and shouldn’t worry about Lance’s performances. The key issue is the offensive line’s health and protection of the quarterbacks, and special teams. Their schedule also proves challenging with the AFC West, Tom Brady’s Bucs, New Orleans, Miami (hello Mike McDaniel), and their own division. The team benefits from 6 of their last 9 games at home and Lance taking a step forward could lead to another NFC title run.

7) VIKINGS

Minnesota could be in the playoff hunt and maybe division title hunt after a disappointing last season of failing to finish games and overly aggressive 4th down and 2-point conversion calls (smh). The offense, led by Kirk Cousins, Dalvin Cook, Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen, should be dangerous again. The hope is their defense turns around and stays healthy the entire season. Although, nothing comes easy as Minnesota plays Green Bay, Philly, New Orleans, and Miami before the bye. Opportunities will come if they win early since they host their NFC North opposers before the bye. It’s the post bye week that will determine if they can beat them on the road while traveling to Washington and Buffalo.

OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

DALLAS

ARIZONA

CAROLINA

WASHINGTON

ATLANTA

DETROIT

PROJECTED NFC DIVISION STANDINGS UPDATE

AFC PLAYOFF STANDINGS

1) BILLS

Buffalo is a Super Bowl-or-bust team this season. They added Von Miller in the offseason and drafted James Cook to compliment Devin Singletary in a potential 1-2 punch combo and take some carries away from Josh Allen. Their defense must improve to stop offensive assaulting teams like Kansas City, Minnesota, Cincinnati, Green Bay and the Rams. They also must deal with Derrick Henry and the Titans, Lamar Jackson and the Ravens, and hopefully slow down Tyreek Hill and Miami. Makes sense why none of the Bills’ defenders received Pro Bowl honors after the Chiefs game, but veteran and two-time Super Bowl champ Von Miller is here to change that.

2) COLTS

Indianapolis should have a chance for the AFC South since Tennessee may take a step back. They’re balanced on both sides and the addition of Matt Ryan should help him bounce back and improve the offense’s efficiency through the air and ground. However, the offensive line and receivers must prove themselves to guarantee the division title. The schedule looks above average in competition with the AFC West and NFC East. They have leverage at home against Kansas City, the state of Philadelphia back-to-back (Eagles and Steelers), and the Chargers. They also face road challenges against Tennessee, New England, Vegas, Dallas, Denver, and those pesky Jags (currently 0-7 at Jacksonville). All it takes are a couple of key injuries to affect their chances.

3) CHARGERS

Los Angeles looks like the legit favorites for the AFC West, but coach Brandon Staley must stop with the Y.O.L.O. calls (4th downs and 2-point conversions) that cost them games and a playoff opportunity. They added Zion Johnson from the draft, JC Jackson and Kyle Van Noy from the Patriots, and the most important piece in Khalil Mack from the Bears. Defense should be most improved if they stay healthy. The NFC West, Tennessee, Indianapolis, and Miami are challengers to the Chargers, but I believe their own division will determine if they win the division and make it to the playoffs.

4) RAVENS

Injuries cost Baltimore their season. That also led to Cincinnati’s rise and a third Super Bowl appearance. Lamar Jackson, some of his running backs, and defensive backs should be near to about 100% by Week 1. Some surprising key draft picks may help offset injury issues and add depth to their roster. Tom Brady’s Bucs, New Orleans, improved competition in the AFC East, Denver, and their very own division will test their endurance for a playoff spot. As long as the Ravens have a healthy Lamar and a defense, they’re always in playoff position.

5) CHIEFS

It’s surprising to see Kansas City in a wild card spot, but don’t be. They lost Tyreek Hill and Tyrann Mathieu, which is enough to be an issue to the roster. They made offseason moves and key draft picks to offset those issues. Also, second year linebacker Nick Bolton could be the linebacker that the team’s been looking for. They also have their entire offensive line and hope the defensive line improves this season. Like the Chargers, the Chiefs are faced with challenges on their schedule. They do host division champs Buffalo, Tennessee, and Rams, but their road schedule is tough. They face the Cardinals, Colts, Bucs, 49ers, Bengals, and Vegas in the regular season finale.

6) BENGALS

With Pittsburgh’s quarterback competition, Cleveland’s non-surprising drama, and Baltimore’s health issue, there’s no reason why Cincinnati won’t challenge for the division title again. For now, they are here because of the offensive line and defensive backs (to an extent). They added Alex Cappa, Ted Karras, and La’el Collins to hopefully solidify and protect Joe Burrow consistently. They also drafted Dax Hill and Cam Taylor-Britt to hopefully clear up coverage issues that plagued them, and maybe put the Eli Apple issue to bed. Facing the AFC East and their own division wasn’t challenging enough. They also travel to 9 games in the first 15 weeks, including Dallas, New Orleans, Tom Brady’s Bucs, and Tennessee. The schedule by itself will determine if Cincy is worthy of a playoff return.

7) RAIDERS

Vegas made key additions that could help raise their level of competition. They added new coach Josh McDaniels, Davante Adams, Chandler Jones, Rock Ya-Sin, Anthony Averett, and rookie Zamir “Zeus” White. However, Vegas’s schedule this season looks more beefed up than last season. They’re faced with stiff competition in all 5 games before the bye. They’re faced with road challenges against New Orleans, Denver, the Rams, and Pittsburgh. Home games aren’t reasonable either with teams like the Colts, the Chargers, the Patriots, the 49ers, and the Chiefs in the season finale. It’s reaching a bit, but if the Raiders can put everything together and finish the season strong, they return to the playoffs as a dark horse Super Bowl team.

OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

DENVER

PITTSBURGH

MIAMI

NEW YORK

TENNESSEE

JACKSONVILLE

CLEVELAND

NEW ENGLAND

PROJECTED AFC DIVISION STANDINGS UPDATE