By: Samuel Moores

Every NFL season seems to have a couple of teams who fly under the radar and achieve things that aren’t expected in September. The Cincinnati Bengals and San Francisco 49ers last year are great examples of this. Nobody expected them to be miserable, but did we expect them to be playing in the Super Bowl, and in the Niners’ case, the NFC Championship game? No. But the ultimate question is: who can do that this year? Here are three teams to look out for this season. 

1. Miami Dolphins 

Miami has a new coach, better weapons, and the same defense they had last year, a season where they went 9-8, finishing 3rd in the AFC East. Mike McDaniel was brought in as head coach to get the best out of their quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa. He worked with a similar QB in Jimmy Garoppolo in SF last year, if anyone was to do it, it’ll be him. Josh Boyer didn’t lose a single starter on his unit, one that perhaps got even better with the addition of Melvin Ingram as a rotational pass rusher. 

On the offensive side of the ball, there were three major issues last season. The biggest of all was the abysmal line, then came the lack of run game and the fact the receiver unit couldn’t stay healthy. All three were addressed this offseason. Both the WR and RB units went under an overhaul, acquiring Tyreek Hill and signing Cedrick Wilson, Raheem Mostert, Chase Edmonds, and Sony Michel. As for the line, Terron Armstead and versatile lineman Connor Williams were then brought in to fix the team’s issues upfront. 

The emphasis on speed and YAC should suit Tua to the ground, it already worked with Jaylen Waddle last year, now you’ve got the guy who’s the best in the league at it. If Miami has anything close to a functioning offense, they’ll be playing meaningful games in December and January.

2. Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders are another team with a new head coach and better offensive weapons for their quarterback. They’ve also improved the defense. If the rest of the AFC West hadn’t also made splash moves, the Raiders would be talked about way more often. The only player of significance that they lost was Casey Hayward, who was replaced by Rock Ya-Sin, and then they added to the defense with Chandler Jones who now lines up next to Maxx Crosby to create a pass rush double threat.

Oh and don’t forget the blockbuster trade for Davantae Adams, the best receiver in football, who’s now reunited with his Fresno State teammate, Derek Carr. Watch out for Carr this year, I’m expecting a season on par if not better than his last. Adams should be a big help, he’ll allow the likes of Waller and Renfrow to get open easier. Then there’s Josh McDaniels. His second and probably final chance at being a head coach, we know how talented of a play caller he is, this is his chance to shoiw everyone he can be a HC.

The Raiders went through a lot last year, and stuck together throughout it, proving a lot of people wrong and getting to the wildcard round under interim HC Rich Bisaccia. I feel that this year will be just as, if not more successful, going under the radar once again. 

3. New Orleans Saints

The vibe I get from a lot of people is that the Saints are set to regress without Sean Payton. And while that may be possible, you take a look at the NFC, and they’re one of the best teams in it. I like the new safety tandem of Marcus Maye and Tyrann Mathieu. Marcus Williams will be tough to replace, but Maye is a decent player – I like his chances. Their defense as a whole is stacked, and the continuity with new head coach Dennis Allen will be good for the unit. 

If Michael Thomas is back to anywhere near his best on his return this year then that’s huge for a team that struggled without him last year. And if not, the receiver room has been upgraded, after trading up for Chris Olave and signing Jarvis Landry recently. That’s a big improvement on what they went out with last season. Hopefully, the fact that Mark Ingram is with the team all season means that they’re less reliant on Alvin Kamara. He was overworked last year, touching the ball just short of 50 times more than he has before in a season that he missed 4 games. His production was down slightly because of that. 

Jameis Winston was looking pretty good before getting hurt last year, but this is his first season without Payton since his famous 30-30 campaign with Tampa Bay. His OC and QB Coach, Pete Carmichael and Ronald Curry remain the same. If his play remains around the same, the Saints will be a wildcard team who can win games in the playoffs come January.

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By: Andy Davies

How do you stop the league’s best quarterback, tight end, one of the league’s best coaches as well as the best quarterback and wide receiver duo in the league? This is the dilemma facing the Broncos, Raiders, and Chargers this season as they try to stop the Chiefs from winning their sixth straight AFC West.

Can either of these three teams surprise this season and dethrone Kansas City? Or will the Chiefs be too strong?

Here is a preview of the AFC West.

Denver Broncos (2020 Record: 5-11. Missed out on playoffs)

Another year and it’s another new starting quarterback for the Broncos. Free-agent signing Teddy Bridgewater is the new QB1 after the failure of Drew Lock. This time last year, Lock was seen as the future of the franchise after an encouraging end to the 2019 season. However, he threw for 2,933 yards, 16 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in 2020. He showed some flashes in this year’s preseason but head coach Vic Fangio decided to go with Teddy. Lock can make those bigger and more exciting throws but is also likely to throw more risky balls. Bridgewater is the safe option and is only two seasons removed from going 5-0 as a starter for the New Orleans Saints in 2019. Fangio is on the hot seat and feels that Bridgewater is more likely to keep him in a job.

Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy didn’t set the world alight during his rookie year last season. He will hope to see an improvement on last year’s 856 yards and 3 touchdowns. Courtland Sutton’s return will be welcomed with open arms after missing the entirety of 2020. The Broncos will hope no more of their wide receivers will play snaps at quarterback after Kendall Hinton ended up playing in the position after an injury crisis in Denver.

Defensively, they will hope to have both Bradley Chubb and franchise legend Von Miller on the same field. Miller missed all of last season due to injury and has since resigned, along with safeties Kareem Jackson and Justin Simmons. Miller and Chubb last played together in week 4 of the 2019 season and all Broncos fans will hope for injuries not to be a factor in 2021. Cornerback Kyle Fuller arrived in Free Agency to replace the outgoing A.J. Bouye and another cornerback was added in this year’s draft. Alabama’s Patrick Surtain was taken ninth overall, with running back Javonte Williams selected 35th overall to replace the outgoing Phillip Lindsay.

Their schedule begins with games against the New York Giants, Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Jets, which presents the chance of a 3-0 start. They then face the Baltimore Ravens. Pittsburgh Steelers, Raiders, Cleveland Browns, Washington Football Team, and Dallas Cowboys. As well as two games against the Chargers and Chiefs, this presents a challenging schedule.

Teddy will be reliable. Their defensive lineman will perform provided they stay healthy and the secondary is quite going under the radar. However, the Chargers and Chiefs will simply be too strong.

Prediction: 3rd in AFC West

Kansas City Chiefs (2020 Record: 14-2. Lost in Super Bowl 55)

The Chiefs reached a second consecutive Super Bowl last season but this time they didn’t end up celebrating in the confetti. They were beaten 31-9 by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl 56.

Reaching their third straight Super Bowl will be the aim but they will hope to win it this time around. 

The main takeaway from their loss to Tampa Bay, along with the brilliant Buccaneers defense, was the absence of starting offensive tackles Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz. Schwartz and Fisher were both released this offseason, the latter being their first overall pick in 2013. The Chiefs went on to add guards Kyle Long and Joe Thuney in Free Agency as well as trading for Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Orlando Brown. Guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif also returns after missing last season to work as a doctor during the pandemic. Centre Creed Humphrey was taken in the second round and Trey Smith was drafted in the sixth round, someone who is making a lot of positive noise this offseason. The Chiefs may have let go of two important parts of the offensive line, they have added depth and arguably have a better offensive line room than they did when last season ended.

Running back Damien Williams, who scored two touchdowns in their Super Bowl 54 win, was also released. Wide receiver Sammy Watkins left for the Ravens, with Cornell Powell drafted in the fifth round to fill the gap. With tight end Travis Kelce, quarterback Patrick Mahomes and wide receiver Tyreek Hill, this trio is exceptional. Kelce and Mahomes are the best in the league at their respective positions. Only Stefon Diggs (1,535) recorded more receiving yards amongst all wide receivers and tight ends than Kelce (1,416), who was fifth for touchdown receptions (11). Meanwhile, Hill recorded 1,276 yards and 15 touchdowns. Mahomes has already won an MVP, Super Bowl and Super Bowl MVP. Before the Buccaneers loss, he had yet to lose a game as a starter by more than 8 points. He has 114 touchdown passes, 14,152 passing yards, and just 24 interceptions during his young NFL career. He is the future of the league. He’s simply the best in the league.

The Chiefs were 20th in rushing yards allowed and 14th in passing yards allowed. This is not an amazing defense for a team that has played in three consecutive AFC Championship games and two Super Bowls, despite safety Tyrann Mathieu and defensive tackle Chris Jones. Linebacker Nick Bolton, who was taken in the second round, will hope to improve a linebacker position that has often been seen as one of the Chiefs’ weaknesses. Despite this, Kansas City will be determined more than ever. Hill spoke of the team’s desire to get back to the Super Bowl, something that should heavily frighten all the other AFC teams.

“I’ve been grinding my tail off ever since that loss. I take losing hard. Pat, Kelce, Tyrann and Chris want to get back to that stage. I know they’re grinding as hard as I am. We were embarrassed on national television and we do not want to go back to that route again. We will be back.”

This hunger that they appear to have will take them far this season and back on the winner’s podium in February.

Prediction: 1st in AFC West and Super Bowl 56 Champions.

Las Vegas Raiders (2020 Record: 8-8. Missed out on playoffs)

The Raiders got off to a 6-2 start last season before a poor end to the season once again let them down, going 2-6 down the stretch. This is the second consecutive season that the Raiders have let themselves down in the second half of a season after they finished 7-9 despite a 6-4 start in 2019.

They finished 7th on passing yards and 14th on rushing yards. Defensively, only six teams allowed more passing yards than the Raiders, who finished last season 24th in rushing yards. It is clear to see where the issues lie.

On the offensive side of the ball, running back Kenyan Drake has come in during this offseason during Free Agency to backup Josh Jacobs. Wide receiver John Brown has also arrived to boost this offense after impressing for the Buffalo Bills in 2020. Speaking of offense, this feels like the one offseason with Gruden as head coach where Derek Carr’s position as QB1 is not under threat. He had a good 2020, with 4,103 yards and 27 touchdowns thrown for as opposed to the 9 interceptions he threw.  Henry Ruggs is another receiver who struggled last season in their rookie year. He recorded just 452 yards and 2 touchdowns.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Raiders have added defensive end Yannick Ngakoue who is on his third team in two years, defensive tackle Solomon Thomas and cornerback Casey Hayward during Free Agency.

During this year’s draft, the Raiders took offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood in the first round and safety Trevor Moehrig in the second. This led to confusion from the fans and media as many had Leatherwood in the second and Moehrig in the first when they did their mock drafts. This is yet another draft pick made by head coach Jon Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock during their time together with the Raiders that led to some head-scratching. Taking Clelin Ferrell fourth overall in 2019 also gained these two some public criticism.

Their schedule features games against the Ravens, Steelers, Chiefs, Cowboys, Washington, Browns, Indianapolis Colts as well as two games against the Chargers and Chiefs. The Philadelphia Eagles, Giants, Cincinnati Bengals and two games against Denver offer the chance for some wins but the Raiders will ultimately struggle thanks to this along with a roster starved of talent and consistency.

Prediction: 4th in AFC West

Los Angeles Chargers (2020 Record- 7-9. Missed out on playoffs)

The Chargers are an intriguing one. With quarterback Justin Herbert, who won Rookie of the Year last season after his impressive rookie year, the franchise seemingly have their guy. After sixteen seasons with Phillip Rivers, the Chargers couldn’t reach a Super Bowl. Herbert now gives fans hope once again reaching the big game, one they have played in just once before, losing 49-26.

Herbert has only had one season and he more than anyone else, is probably aware that teams will have more tape on him going into the season. Robert Griffin’s NFL career is a major example of this. How will he perform with fans back in the stadium? He is yet to experience a 3rd down play late in the fourth quarter on the road with the home fans trying their best to put him off his game. However, he seems to have all the credentials to make his pro career a successful one. He seems to lead by example on the field, has a cannon arm and the mobility that a modern-day quarterback appears to require.

Keenan Allen is someone that often gets overlooked, but his stats don’t lie. He has recorded 7,397 yards and 42 touchdowns since being drafted 76th overall by the Chargers in 2013. Tight end Hunter Henry will be a big loss but free agency addition Jared Cook will be a more than capable replacement.

The Chargers have also looked to protect their guy. One of the league’s best centres in Cory Linsley arrived this summer via Free Agency after seven successful seasons with the Green Bay Packers. Along with the 13th overall pick in this year’s draft Rashawn Slater, the Chargers have two exciting additions to their offensive line. With the horror injury to Joe Burrow, who was far from protected during his rookie year last season, the Chargers would likely have seen this and not wanted the same to happen to their QB1. With the issues Trevor Lawrence had in the preseason when it came to lack of protection, this further proves that the Chargers are doing the best they can for Herbert. 

Defensive back Asante Samuel was selected 47th overall. He was taken with presumably the intent of improving the secondary of a team that lost by five points or less on six occasions in 2021. The Chargers went to overtime on three occasions, only winning one. New heach coach Brandon Staley takes over from Anthony Lynn, who was fired after the conclusion of the 2020 season. He made good waves as the Rams’ defensive coordinator last year as the team had the number one defense.

The Chargers are in a good place, with the only questions surrounding whether their new head coach will transform well into being a head coach and if they can hold on to games. They are a team for the future and could well find themselves in the playoffs this season. However, it is too early for it to be anything more than that.

Prediction: 2nd in AFC West

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The New Orleans Saints will be worse in 2021

By Calvin K (Twitter: @Calvin_SGF)

The 2021 NFL season is quickly approaching, and as usual, there are lots of storylines about how teams are expected to do next year. Most NFL fans have hope that their favorite team will perform well (or at least better) this year, but the obvious reality is that some teams will not live up to their hopes. Other teams that were good last year will see a decrease in performance as well. Below are the five teams due for the most regression this year.

New Orleans Saints (2020 Record: 12-4)

The Saints are an obvious pick for regression this year, as, for the first time since 2005, New Orleans has major uncertainty about who deserves the starting quarterback role. The competition will be between gunslinger Jameis Winston and dual-threat Taysom Hill, but whoever wins will never be able to fill the massive void left when Brees retired after the 2020 season.

The Saints’ last four season records of 11-5, 13-3, 13-3, and 12-4 will likely not be matched without Brees in 2021. The recent news surrounding star WR Michael Thomas likely means that he will be out until at least mid-October, a heavy blow to an offense that desperately will need someone to step up this year. New Orleans’ defense is largely the same heading into this season, but if the offense can’t be productive, they’ll have trouble winning games, and this team will be hard-pressed to repeat a 12-4 record in 2021.

Las Vegas Raiders (2020 Record: 8-8)

Las Vegas could be destined for a top-five pick in next year’s NFL draft after an atrocious offseason that led to many questioning the job security of prominent front-office executives. The losses of center Rodney Hudson and right guard Gabe Jackson were huge blows to this offensive line, and the Raiders’ offseason little to address the issue, other than their first-round selection of offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood, which was considered by many to be a reach.

The signing of RB Kenyan Drake was also mind-boggling, as the Raiders essentially gave Drake $7.25 million a year to back up Josh Jacobs at a position, running back, that teams statistically shouldn’t pay a premium for in free agency and the draft. The signings of Yannick Ngakoue and Casey Heyward could push true rock bottom further down the road for this team, but they also didn’t make much sense for a squad that needs a total overhaul and rebuild. QB Derek Carr still likely won’t be consistent enough to lead this team on a playoff run, and the wide receiving corps doesn’t help matters, as Carr still doesn’t have a true #1 option in this offense. The additional star power is a plus, but it won’t be able to fully mask the dysfunction on the defense, which is still thin at most positions. Overall, the Raiders appear to have nowhere to go but down in 2021, and because the Chiefs, Chargers, and Broncos all made impactful improvements, they could easily be headed for last place in the AFC West.

Seattle Seahawks (2020 Record: 12-4)

The Seahawks should still have plenty of offensive firepower in 2021, but this regression pick is mainly due to the competition they’ll face in the NFC West. All three teams in the division are trending upward, which isn’t a good sign for Seattle’s hopes of continued divisional dominance.

The Los Angeles Rams, who were 10-6 last year, have elevated themselves to borderline Super Bowl contender status with the addition of veteran QB Matthew Stafford. Stafford will fill a void at the Rams’ biggest position of need, and with an elite defense and plenty of offensive weapons, they’ll have a shot at a deep playoff push in 2021. The Arizona Cardinals signed J.J. Watt to join Chandler Jones in a fearsome pass-rushing duo, and Kyler Murray will be back healthy and ready to lead a high-powered offense, one that was bolstered by the selection of speedy WR Rondale Moore in Round 2 of the draft. The 49ers finished last in the division in 2020 with a record of 6-10, but they dealt with a slew of injuries last year, and this defense, if healthy, could return to the levels of the one they had during their 2019 Super Bowl run. Overall, Seattle will be facing some tough competition in 2021, and you can say what you will about their talent, but it’ll be difficult to go 12-4 again in what is arguably now the toughest division in the NFL.

Pittsburgh Steelers (2020 Record: 12-4)

Pittsburgh could still be a very solid team in 2021, but they aren’t likely to live up to their 2020 performance simply because they lost four out of their final five games after an 11-0 start to the year. Ben Roethlisberger is now 39 years old, and he is becoming less and less willing to push the ball downfield on deep throws, posting the quickest average snap-to-throw time among qualifying QBs last year (2.3 seconds).

The Steelers also incurred major losses from the offensive line (Maurkice Pouncey, Alejandro Villanueva, David DeCastro) and linebacking corps (Vince Williams, Bud Dupree), and while they did make some effort to patch up those areas, the depth for them just isn’t the same as it was last year. The addition of RB Najee Harris from the draft should help boost the offense as a whole, but overall, this team doesn’t feel complete enough to post another elite season. Pittsburgh should still be in the playoff hunt in 2021, but this year’s record should more closely resemble the ones of 2019 (8-8) and 2018 (9-6-1) than that of last year.

Green Bay Packers (2020 Record: 13-3)

The Packers could very well perform at the same level that they did in 2020, but this pick just comes down to the fact that I don’t expect QB Aaron Rodgers to play a full season – or at all – this year. According to Adam Schefter, Rodgers declined a two-year extension this offseason that would’ve made him the highest-paid player in football. The contract, which would’ve carried north of $45 million in annual value, is an insane offer to turn down, which is why the player/team relationship appears fractured beyond repair.

The Packers will return most of their full lineup in 2021, as superstar center Corey Linsley was their only major loss in free agency this offseason. The selections of CB Eric Stokes and WR Amari Rodgers will only bolster a team that already has a strong roster all around. However, despite the supporting cast, this team will not be able to have success on the same level without Rodgers. QB Jordan Love is clearly not ready to take over the starting role despite the first-round capital used on him in 2020, and that fact was emphasized by the gigantic offer that Green Bay extended to Rodgers. It’s possible that if this team doesn’t have competent quarterback play, it could still potentially have some success. However, if Rodgers holds out or is traded, it removes any chance for the Packers to be a Super Bowl contender, which is a clear step down from their status in recent years.

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By: Jake Rajala

Derek Carr, the pocket passer that holds the most late-game comebacks in a quarterback’s first several seasons (20), has been in controversial trade rumors over the past couple of seasons. It’s unclear if Carr will follow in the footsteps of past former elite QBs like Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, likely Aaron Rodgers, in switching uniforms in a high level of his career. 

As of right now, Carr is dedicating all of his energy to obtaining a Lombardi trophy in Las Vegas. Carr is so fixated in marriage to the Raiders that when asked about getting traded, this is how he responded, “I’d probably quit football if I had to play football for someone else”.

Carr’s allegiance to Las Vegas is unquestionable. The real inquiry is, “do the Raiders want Carr to be the face of their franchise forever?”. My response to that question: I believe so. 

I will outline the three reasons why Carr will remain the Raiders QB until the death star (Raiders stadium) is inhabitable.

1. Carr will be the best “long term option” available 

The Raiders signal-caller isn’t only an elite caliber of talent, but he is only 30 years old. Carr is the same age as Taysom Hill, two years younger than Russell Wilson, and two years younger than Kirk Cousins. Carr has at least a decade of quality football left in him. 

As long as Carr is the franchise QB, the Raiders will have an excellent floor each season. The Raiders have improved from four wins to seven victories, to eight wins, under Jon Gruden’s reign. Even if the Raiders miss the playoffs or have an early postseason exit, they should be in a tough spot to acquire a decade-like talent at QB in the draft each year.

There have been talented QBs on the trade block, but the available QB options are no longer available, or the steam has left the QB’s camps. Deshaun Watson doesn’t appear tradeable at this point, Russell Wilson is staying in Seattle, Aaron Rodgers appears to be in a Denver uniform or staying in a Packer jersey, and Tua Tagovailoa will be a franchise QB in Miami if he improves, or below dealing for if he sinks.

To sum it up, Carr will always be the best long-term offseason option to start for the team moving forward. 

2. The Raiders need to seriously focus on improving the defense

Gruden knows that improving a defensive unit that ranked 25th in 2020 is the highest priority on the horizon. The Raiders had issues against the pass (26th ranked) and opened the floodgates against the run (24th). The Raiders have made this defensive emphasis clear with four defenders getting drafted in the first four rounds of the 2020 NFL draft. 

LV acquired pass rusher Yannick Ngakouye and cornerback Casey Hayward in free agency this offseason. Holes still lie in the secondary for the Raiders defense. CB Damon Arnette hasn’t proven his worth as a first-rounder, while the safety position was an Achilles heel in 2020. Corey Littleton was a sneaky good signing last offseason at LB, but the team desperately needs more consistent production in the LB unit. 

In an AFC West division featuring MVP Patrick Mahomes, OROY Justin Herbert, and potentially Aaron Rodgers, the Raiders have to be featuring a competitive defense (at the very least) in the divisional gauntlet. A lackluster defense with a young, different face at QB could also put the Raiders in a massive hole in their very own division.

3. Jon Gruden is a Derek Carr supporter

There have been false claims of Gruden wanting “his own guy” or in search of a different QB. This common, false report, can be put to the grave. Gruden AND Mayock firmly stand strong behind their QB held on a high pedestal. 

They’ve expressed their gratitude and defense for their QB after putting on a fantastic showcase in the 2020 season. Carr displayed a career high passer rating (101.4) last season. His personality of grittiness is also very similar to Gruden’s style in the locker room. 

Carr told Vinny Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review Journal that his relationship with Gruden is often misunderstood. He elaborated by saying “what people don’t understand is how close we are. Not just football, but off the field. Whether it’s him texting videos of his dog and what they’re doing, and I’m sending videos of my kids hitting baseballs in their first game. People don’t understand that.”

The young Carr had an amazing season of production in 2020. If Carr ousts another year of mastering the offense and capping elite numbers, the connection should only continue to grow in the upcoming years.

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