With the NFL season less than a week away, let's talk about my regular season predictions. Who wins the Super Bowl, who is the Comeback Player of the Year, which team will have the best record and who will be the league MVP. There is always the surprise, come out of nowhere teams. The Geno Smiths or Cordarrelle Pattersons type of resurgence. Who will be the let downs, the boom or bust teams. Here are my predictions for the regular season.
Worst Record: Arizona Cardinals - We all know they are going to be bad, but just how bad can it be. Looking at their schedule, I can only see 3 possible wins. I predict 1-16, and them drafting Caleb Williams No. 1 overall.
Best Record: San Francisco 49ers -Depending on Brock Purdy, I think the 49ers are the most complete team in the NFL. With their Offensive weapons and the best defense in the league I think the finish 13-3.
Most Rushing Yards: Nick Chubb - With the departure of Kereem Hunt and D’Ernest Johnson. It looks like the Browns are loading up to let Nick Chubb grub. 1700+ rushing yards.
Most Rushing TDs: Tony Pollard - Without Zeke, Tony Pollard is looking to get most of the touches and will be a main back used in the redzone.
Most Receiving Yards: Tyreek Hill -He said he was going for 2k yards this season and I believe if Tua is healthy they are going to allow him get to reach that milestone. Breaking the single season receiving yards record.
Most Receiving TDs: Travis Kelce – As long as the Chiefs have Patrick Mahomes, they are going to score and as long as Patrick Mahomes has Travis Kelce, he's going to be around the top for the most receiving TDs.
Most Passing Yards: Tua Tagovailoa - Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle both had over 1000 yards in 2022, and if Tua stays healthy, I believe he’ll get over 5000 passing yards.
Most Passing TDs: Patrick Mahomes - Can Pat reach 50 passing TDs again? Will he break Payton Mannings single season record? We hope.
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Jahmyr Gibbs - A lot of people are going to say Bijan Robinson. I believe Gibbs steps into a better situation to succeed early.
Offensive Player of the Year: Christain McCaffrey – I believe we’ll see Mr. 1000&1000 return this year helping propel the 49ers offense to new heights.
Most Interceptions: Minkah Fitzpatrick – Repeating off last year, I think 6+ interceptions are very do able with the help of TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith rushing the QB.
Most Sacks: TJ Watt – Pat McAfee challenged TJ to break the single season sack record this year and if he does The Pat McAfee show will donate $500k to a charity of TJ’s choosing.
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Will Anderson Jr. - Taken with the 2nd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Anderson Jr. Will lead on rookie DE/OLB with 10 sacks.
Defensive Player of the Year: TJ Watt – Breaking the single season sack record (for a second time) is enough.
Comeback Player of the Year: Damar Hamlin – I feel like this is a no brainer. HM: Tua Tagovailoa
Coach of the Year: Mike Tomlin – I believe the Pittsburgh Steelers will make a run at the AFC North title and the AFC Championship. Mike Tomlin and GM Omar Khan had a great offseason.
League MVP: Tyreek Hill – 2,000 receiving yards is a lot and would defiantly be enough to win the MVP award. Especially if the Dolphin’s make a little run in the playoffs.
AFC Champions: Buffalo Bills – The Buffalo Bills beats KC in Arrowhead
NFC Champions: San Franscico 49ers – 49ers beat the Minnesota Vikings
Super Bowl Winner: Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills finally get it done.
Super Bowl MVP: Josh Allen
There will be a lot of twists, turns and drama this season. The AFC is a cluster of Super Bowl contenders. The Bengles, Bills, Jets, with the Steelers being my surprise team this season. TJ Watt breaking the sack record, Minkah leading the league in INTs and Kenny Pickett taking a leap. Joey Burrow and Patrick Mahomes seem to be the Clear MVP leaders, until Tyreek breaks Jerry Rice’s single season receiving yard record. The Jets impress as they go 12-5 and lose to the Bills in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. The Bills finally get over that Patrick Mahomes hump and beat Kansas City in Arrowhead.
On the other side of the NFL landscape is the NFC. Very predictable and not too much drama this season. The teams to beat are the Eagles and the 49ers. The Bears will be better than anyone expected, Dallas will be Dallas and derail their Super Bowl run somehow and the Cardinals are historically bad only winning 1 game. Jahmyr Gibbs and the Lions FINALLY win a playoff game, beating Dallas in wildcard weekend to lose to the 49ers in the divisional round. The Viking stun the Eagles and face the 49ers in the NFC Championship game. Kirk lets everyone down and plays badly. The 49ers win big and face the Chiefs again in the Super Bowl.