Something Slight

 

We can see the leaves begin to change, the temperatures feel a little cooler, and all the pumpkin spice lattes being ordered. This only means one thing ... Football is in the air. Smells good, doesn't it? 

This season feels a little different, and that's okay. The offseason has been anything but ordinary ... including some of the deals and extensions we have seen. However, just as the players have prepared for the upcoming season as they normally would that is why I am typing this for you all. We can expect for some games to be postponed or the season to be shortened, but let's prepare for 17 weeks, some playoffs, and a Super Bowl on February 7, 2021. 

It is safe to assume that Kansas City will be in Tampa come February, but what's the fun in a predictable prediction?

Let me start off by talking about these contract extensions we have been hearing about. Most recently, Jalen Ramsey became the highest paid Cornerback in NFL history. The LA Rams gave the Pro Bowler a 5-year/$105 million extension with $71.2 million guaranteed. Deandre Hopkins just received a two year extension worth $54.5 million, which will keep him in Arizona through the 2024-25 season (do your thing, Kyler Murray). This new contract makes Nuk the highest paid non-QB player. He is also the one who handled these negotiations due to the fact that Hopkins wants to be a part of a front office when his playing days are over. Lucky for us, that won't be for awhile. 

I am giving Deshaun Watson his own paragraph because this deal was a personal favorite of mine. 4-year/$160 million with $111 million guaranteed, with a no trade clause. Deshaun Watson is in Houston long-term and they have just traded away his best weapon, but I can assure you that going through a rebuild and centering that around Watson will not be a decision to regret by the Texans. Ramsey and Watson share the same agent in David Mulugheta. Kudos.

In case you were wondering, yes I did draft him as my Fantasy QB1 in one of my leagues. 

The next hottest topic this offseason has been all of the offensive weapons that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have recruited, all while considering the threats they already had. TB12 created a monster, he created Tompa Bay. Rob Gronkowski (we know that duo all too well), Chris Godwin, Mike Evans, Leonard Fournette, Shady McCoy, and O.J. Howard compose all the weapons for Brady to use. Carolina, Atlanta, New Orleans ... sorry, but Tom is in your divisional town now. 

Did you all catch that the Super Bowl is in Tampa Bay, FL this year? Some things just don't seem fair. 

Speaking of divisional domination, that is one thing the AFC North does not have. There is not a clear path of victory for any team in this division. Joe Burrow in Cincinnati will definitely help improve what the Bengals have had going on for the last ... forever, as long as everyone stays healthy. Joe has a bright future and there is no better defense to get you well-acquainted with the NFL than the Pittsburgh Steelers defense. They dominated last year and did not lose anyone this offseason. Big Ben is back. I work hard to not let my bias prevail so that is all I will say about that. (Ryan Shazier retired today, so hug a Steelers fan if you get a chance.)

Baltimore will be Baltimore and Lamar Jackson will be Lamar Jackson. Over the last 30 years, teams who averaged 14 wins, averaged 10 wins the following season. Even though Baltimore looked like a different team in the divisional round of the playoffs, not even the Titans have figured a game plan to actually stop LJ. We will soon see how the vanishing of Earl Thomas effects their defense. 

The Cleveland Browns will do Cleveland Browns things. There is really no other way to describe the prediction for their season. 

The AFC East may not have Tom anymore (I hear the rejoicing of Jets, Dolphins and Bills fans still), but Bill Belichick remains and teams have let Cam Newton join arguably the greatest coach in NFL history. CAMVP with a chip on his shoulder is a dangerous Cam. Josh Allen has been joined by Stefon Diggs in Buffalo. His numbers were already impressive with 3,089 passing yards in 2019-20, 20 touchdowns and just nine interceptions. Throwing in Stefon Diggs to that equation only means that, truly, no one circles the wagon like the Buffalo Bills. 
Don't sleep. 

Jason Garrett is no longer in Dallas, so I'm hearing from fans for the 30th year straight that they are winning the Super Bowl? Is it fair that ever since the Philadelphia Eagles released Nick Foles I do not give them a chance at taking that division? Sorry not sorry. With all jokes aside, I believe that Dak is up to something in Dallas and remains under the radar. It has also been a quiet offseason for Ezekiel Elliott, so take that how you want to (I'm taking it as he has been in some sort of domination-focused mindset). 

I am not giving you my Super Bowl prediction in this blog post, but I will give you my hot take. In close quarters with the AFC North, I am giving the NFC West the upper hand on being the toughest division this season. I am not saying that the Seattle Seahawks won't make the playoffs, but I am saying that the Arizona Cardinals will win the division. Kyler Murray has Nuk and Mr. Reliable. On the other side of the ball, Arizona has Patrick Peterson, Rashard Lawrence, Dre Kirkpatrick, and Chandler Jones. 

I mentioned two teams within the NFC West and neither were the San Francisco 49ers. Hence why this is a hot take. My sole reason for that is that I do not believe Jimmy Garappolo will play up to par this season. You all know I love a good challenge so if you think I am crazy for that one, I am always down for debate. 

So there you have something slight to take to sleep with you on the eve of the 2020-21 NFL season kickoff. Texans vs. Chiefs at 8:20 PM on NBC ... but you already knew that. 

I have not forgotten about how today would be a great day to arrest the cops that killed Breonna Taylor ... and give justice to Jacob Blake. SAY THEIR NAMES. Black Lives Matter.