TOP O/D & AWARDS
TOP 5 OFFENSES
For years teams have always tried to bully you down the middle while using play action to beat you deep. It was a vertical game. Today's offense involves so much of the perimeter. My top offenses are teams that have dynamic QBs running the offense. The QBs are either elite athletes, have elite arms, or function an offense at an elite level. They have multiple weapons on the outside. They are also able to control the run game in some way.
1) Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow and company will be on a mission this year to prove the critics wrong. Not sure many are criticizing their offense, but nonetheless they’ll be trying to prove people wrong all season long. Very few teams can say they have 2 potential #1 WRs. Not only that but they also have a top 2 WR in the league (IMO the #1). I think Chase Brown in year 3 is what will take them over the top this year.
2) Buffalo Bills
The only thing that truly worries me with the Bills offense is if they have enough WRs for Josh Allen. I think throughout the years he has proven it hasn’t mattered too much. I think this year Buffalo will invest more in James Cook and the run game. Buffalo will want to take some pressure off while also reducing wear and tear over Cook's contract. I believe that is part of why they decided to invest in his contact. Along with the fact that they believe he can be an X factor. Especially in an offense limited in X factors.
3) Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson is what makes this offense go. He is so dynamic. The Ravens have done a great job throughout the years of adding talent around Lamar that compliments him well. Derrick Henry’s blend of speed and power have added an element to this offense that makes it so tough to stop. Bateman and Flowers give them a complimentary combo while Hopkins gives them a veteran presence. Andrews is getting older but Lively is likely to take a leap.
4) Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles are the only team that is in both my top 5 offenses and top 5 defenses. That must guarantee them in my SB prediction right??? They are loaded with talent on both sides of the ball. Jalen Hurts is the ultimate leader. He isn’t going to settle with just 1 SuperBowl title. Saquon Barkley is one of my dream RBs. They are loaded with talent on the edge. They have a top tier TE that they don’t necessarily need to use. They have arguably the best OL in the league. The only reason I don’t think they’ll have the #1 offense is because they have a top 5 defense and will just need to manage the season.
5) Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions in general are my biggest question of the year. The year after Philadelphia beat New England in the SB they lost all of their coordinators and we saw them struggle. We cannot underestimate the difficulties you go through losing both of your coordinators. That being said, I think Goff operates this offense at an elite level. They have arguably a top 5 WR, a top 5 RB, top 5 TE, and a top 5 OL.
TOP 5 DEFENSES
For years defenses have been built down the middle. Like I said above, teams have always tried to bully you down the middle while using play action to beat you deep. It was a vertical game. Teams today try to beat you horizontally with a lot of wide zones and bootlegs. Teams move the pocket a lot more than they have before. You need to set the edge and you need players in space. My top defenses have a great secondary and depth in the front 7.
1) Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Carter just had a breakout year. I think this year he shows there are levels to this game. They lost a lot of depth but coming off a SB season I think Carter might just have an MVP type season. Momentum and confidence goes a long way. They might just have the best front 7 in the game. Their back end isn’t bad either.
2) Denver Broncos
Last year Denver had a #1 defense led by a DMVP, yet they added to their secondary with a first round pick in CB Jahdea Barron. I think their pass rush depth could be a problem, but their secondary bottlenecks offenses into the game most offenses don’t thrive in.
3) Baltimore Ravens
My 3rd defense is a lot like my 5th defense. They have an elite secondary with depth all along the front 7. They can rush with 3 or 4 and have safeties that can roam. They have lockdown CBs. The only thing really separating the from the #1 defense is a DMVP type player. The depth and versatility is what separates this defense.
4) Houston Texans
I think Will Anderson Jr could have a DMVP type season. Derek Stingley is a top 5 CB. They might have one of the best 1-2 duals at pass rush. They have depth all around the front 7 with a legit secondary. They are led by a defensive genius. I think the improvements on offense helps the defense out a lot this year.
5) Seattle Seahawks
Just like my #3 defense, this team had a loaded secondary and a deep front 7. I am super excited to see what Demarcus Lawrence can do to this run game. Hall, Nwosu, and Mafe on the edge. Williams, Lawrence, Murphy, and Reed upfront. Seattle will have a relentless rush. They have players in the back end in Witherspoon, Woolen, Griffen, and Love. Coby Bryant is an x-factor. If Nick Emmanwori hits, this defense could be elite.
MVP - Lamar Jackson/Joe Burrow
My honorable mention is Josh Allen. It is hard to go wrong with either of the three QBs. I do believe in voter fatigue. Burrow had a MVP type season last year but his team ultimately wasn’t good enough to compete for the accolade. I wonder the same thing this year.
DMVP - Aiden Hutchison/Jalen Carter
This is always a tough award to predict. It is easy to go with players that already won it, but it is rare to win it multiple times. Aiden Hutchsion was on a MVP type season before he got hurt last year. My only worry is how long it will take before he produces elite production. In the past Jalen Carter has produced double teams that open up for other players. This year I wonder if those double teams produce numbers this year.
ROTY - Emeka Egbuka/TreVeyon Henderson
This was a perfect selection in the draft for Tampa Bay. One of those picks that kinda surprises you. Then you look at it and you realize it was a perfect timing pick. Both Godwin and Evans are getting older. They thought ahead like Seattle did selecting JSN. Seattle knew Lockett was on his way out and Metcalf wasn’t a long-term solution. Given Godwin's injury, Egbuka might produce right away. He is a perfect compliment alongside Evans. Henderson might be one of NE best RBs since Corey Dillon.
DROTY- Abdul Carter/Mike Greene
I believe Abdul Carter is a one in a lifetime type of player. I seriously wonder if Cleveland will regret not pairing him with Garrett. Although I do think Mason Graham is a great complement to Garrett. I would be shocked if Carter doesn’t win defensive rookie of the year. I think Mike Greene will have a great year this year and is one of the reasons why I think Baltimore stays as a top 5 defense.
