(Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Annually, prognosticators all over the United States, from Maine to California to Florida and inbetween, make Super Bowl predictions to kickoff the new season.
Therefore, in the spirit of that tradition, I will contribute my two cents worth.
On the surface, the AFC appears to be simple to figure out, with the New England Patriots being the most logical favorites. My head says the Patriots but my heart moves me to think outside of the box a tad.
The San Diego Chargers have a tremendous opportunity this season to host the AFC Championship game, due to having an easy schedule in general and particularly due to being in the weakest division in the NFL.
Once they win eight games this season, the Chargers will already clinch the AFC West division crown. However, they should take advantage of the opportunity to win as many games as possible to secure home field playoff advantage throughout the post-season.
Hosting and winning the AFC title game is the only scenario I can see which San Diego makes it to the Super Bowl.
Another team, a squad who feels they should have been the Super Bowl winner over the Arizona Cardinals, are the Tennessee Titans.
Tennessee reflects upon the 2008 season as a missed opportunity, because they soundly defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in the regular season. While the Titans matched up very well to Pittsburgh, they matched up poorly to the Baltimore Ravens and therefore, lost to them in the playoffs.
The Titans should play inspired football all season long in response to their missed opportunity of last season plus in dedication to the memory of the late Great Titans quarterback, Steve McNair, who led the team just one yard short of a Super Bowl victory in their loss to the St. Louis Rams.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are another very logical consideration. Like the Florida Gators of NCAA Football, the Steelers do not act like a team who will rest and cruise on the previous season’s success and championship trophy.
Pittsburgh is even hungry for Super Bowl ring number seven, continuing their status as the greatest franchise in league history.
The Baltimore Ravens may be one or two wide receivers away from being a favorite to win the AFC. The Indianapolis Colt are always in this discussion in recent seasons, but they are adjusting to coaching changes and they tend to lose to the Chargers in post season.
Will a team that hardly anyone considers grab the AFC title? Probably not, but some people think that the Houston Texans, for example, may take the next step up in terms of winning, perhaps winning the AFC South division.
Like any NFL team, health and particularly the health of the quarterback position, will determine Houston’s fate. Matt Schaub has impressive basic quarterback skills but he seems to have a knack for sustaining nagging injuries. Is he mentally tough?
I look for the Texans to improve but to also experience some growing pains, since they are in a tough division.
So in the AFC, for the 2020 Super Bowl, my head says Patriots but my heart says Chargers.
As usual, the NFC is very wide open and in contrast to the AFC, the conference is more complicated to figure out. Who picked the Arizona Cardinals to make the Super Bowl in September 2008, much less even in December 2008.
While we can rule out teams such as the Detroit Lions, St. Louis Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, San Francisco 49rs, and probably, the Washington Redskins, one can make a logical scenario for almost every other NFC team.
Although the Dallas Cowboys have not won a playoff game since the last century, if they can improve their defense and generate efficient offense, then they may possibly use their new Cowboys Stadium as a new home, humongous video scoreboard distraction advantage.
But I doubt it.
The New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles are probably the two most logical choices among NFC teams due to talent and experience, but both teams fell short during last post season.
Don’t rule out the Seattle Seahawks. Coach Jim Mora, Jr., had quick post season success with the Atlanta Falcons
We're going to send you the most entertaining New England Patriots articles, videos, and podcasts from around the web.
3 Comments
Loading more comments...
This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete