Brian Flores seems to have this franchise on the upswing, but – like last year – it may not be evident before November. Join our Facebook Group, The Ruling Off the Field, to engage in friendly debate and conversation with fellow football fans and our NFL insiders. (2) Chiefs, Follow USA TODAY Sports' Nate Davis on Twitter @ByNateDavis. New England surpassed 200 yards on the ground for the second time this season, and Sony Michel was a huge part of it.

Washington should feature an imposing pass rush … but little chance it can compensate for an offense full of holes and with an open-ended question under center – though a successful return by Alex Smith would provide a much-needed feel-good subplot. #Patriots #NewEnglandPatriots #PatriotsNations #CamNewton #StephonGilmore #DevinMcCourty #JasonMcCourty #PatrickChung #BrandonBolden #LawrenceGuy #ChaseWinovich #JoshUche #KyleDugger #JoeThuney #JamesHarris #LamarMiller #JarrettStidham #AdamButler #DariusKilgo #DevinAsiasi #DaltonKeene #JulianEdelman #NKealHarry #MohamedSanu #DavidAndrews #BillBelichick #RobertKraft #AFCEast #AFC #NFL, A post shared by Pats Nation 365 (@pats_nation_365) on Aug 17, 2020 at 2:56pm PDT. Also, Stidham has struggled with interceptions having thrown seven of them during the training camp practice sessions. After Thursday's practice, most experts consider him the leader in the QB race. Since May, when I projected what promises to … [Note: The Broncos earn the AFC’s final wild-card spot ahead of Cleveland and New England based on a superior record in conference games.]. Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs are undefeated (4-0) after taking out the Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots early in the season. But aside from Pro Bowl DE Danielle Hunter, this group is virtually unrecognizable up front and on the corners, decimated by free agency and DT Michael Pierce’s opt-out. Cam Newton's 39 throws in team drills were the most I've ever recorded in a single practice (going back to 2016). I projected what promises to be a unique NFL regular season during a coronavirus-curtailed 2020 offseason, bring stability to an organization in the midst of upheaval, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. New York Jets (3-13): Adams was probably the best player in the division before being packed off to Seattle. But significant questions remain at receiver, linebacker, the O-line – perennial Pro Bowl G Brandon Brooks has already been lost to an Achilles tear – while QB Carson Wentz must still prove he’ll be upright when it really counts. Yet a fair amount also remained stagnant – namely the ability of recently signed free agents, rookies and newly hired head coaches to meld into foreign environs – and teams counting on such folks are banking on hastily built cohesion sans an offseason or preseason to assimilate physically, schematically and culturally. Still, even accounting for early growing pains, this group has the talent – including an underappreciated defense – to coalesce into a playoff club for the first time since 2007 … especially since it only has to hit the road twice from Weeks 11 to 17. Keep an eye on RBs Devin Singletary and rookie Zack Moss, who could stealthily form one of the league’s best tandems. Los Angeles Chargers (8-8): They typically seem better on paper than in reality, so often undermined by injuries, contractual issues – hello, Melvin Ingram – and plain bad luck. With only one 2019 playoff team on the first half of their schedule, golden chance for Colts to break quickly from the gate. Nate Davis . If Hoyer starts games this year, you can understand it from a knowledge and timing perspective. The most Brady had was 35 on Aug. 7, 2017. https://t.co/oA4VIEt840. But don’t blame new coach Ron Rivera, who should bring stability to an organization in the midst of upheaval and a long-needed rebrand.

The offseason narrative has been focused on QB Aaron Rodgers, who received an heir apparent (first-round QB Jordan Love) from the front office but not additional weapons in the passing game the two-time MVP seemingly needs. It’s just training camp practice, but Cam Newton continues to distance himself from Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer in the New England Patriots‘ QB race. ET kickoffs in the first eight weeks. Detroit Lions (7-9): They gave the opposition, including eventual champion Kansas City, all it could handle in the first half of 2019. Do the right thing, sign up now! @Patriots

So with the Texans and reigning champion Chiefs just weeks away from kicking off the season in what will be a quieter (and nearly 80% empty) Arrowhead Stadium, here’s the final draft of my 2020 league record projections: (Note on methodology: Using the most current information, I simply predict winners and losers for all 256 regular-season games to arrive at my projections, applying NFL tiebreakers as needed. (5) Steelers, AFC championship game: (1) Ravens def. Please check your email for a confirmation. The offense is more a mystery, likely to be more conservative and smashmouth – just how coach Anthony Lynn likes it – post-Rivers. The New England Patriots selected a wide receiver in the first round under Bill Belichick for the first time in his 20 years with the team. [Note: The Saints are projected to earn the NFC’s No. When you consider Newton has a bigger arm than Hoyer, and his surgically repaired shoulder seems to be holding up, and he’s clearly the more athletic of the two veterans, it would appear he’d be the easy choice for the Patriots.

The reigning Super Bowl champions aren't looking to slow down. (4) Bills, Divisional: (1) Ravens def. Just too many questions – while throwing in a schedule that includes four 2019 playoff teams in the first five weeks – to hope the Vikes build on last season’s playoff progress. Unless RB Christian McCaffrey somehow manages to gain 2,000 yards both on the ground and through the air, these Panthers will be hard pressed to compete in this otherwise stacked division. Houston Texans (7-9): With Hopkins gone, QB Deshaun Watson might rival Russell Wilson as the most indispensable player to any one team. Not going to be easy for QB Jared Goff to reclaim his Pro Bowl form behind these blockers and inexperienced backs.