Browns Over 9.5
I think they're gonna make some noise this year. The AFC North is arguably the toughest division in football but I wouldn't be surprised if the Browns win it. Watson will have a full offseason under his belt this time, his receiving corps gets a boost and they still have one of the better offensive lines, not to mention the best RB in Chubb. They've added guys like Z Smith and Tomlinson to the defense and Schwartz as the DC.
Buccaneers Over 6.5
What an overreaction to Brady's departure. I don't think there's even a drop off to Baker Mayfield, and if for some reason Trask wins the job or takes over at some point, I'm not that worried. It's really about the pieces around them. This roster still has above average talent in several key places. The defense should be sturdy enough to keep them in ball games, albeit not as dominant as it once was. The offense has the potential to be serviceable at the very least. The run game needs to improve but they were decimated in the trenches last year. The schedule is more forgiving as well.
Vikings Under 8.5
This team walked a tightrope last year and I don't know that they improved in the offseason. The offense could be potent but the secondary has questions and they didn't do themselves any favors by dealing Smith and Tomlinson (to the aforementioned Browns) away. I know running backs aren't as valued as they once were in the league but you have to factor Dalvin Cook's defection in there as well. Mattison doesn't give them the same sizzle in the run or screen game. The schedule looks daunting and with the inevitable regression I expect in those tight, four quarter games, I believe Minny stays 8 wins or less.
I think they're gonna make some noise this year. The AFC North is arguably the toughest division in football but I wouldn't be surprised if the Browns win it. Watson will have a full offseason under his belt this time, his receiving corps gets a boost and they still have one of the better offensive lines, not to mention the best RB in Chubb. They've added guys like Z Smith and Tomlinson to the defense and Schwartz as the DC.
Buccaneers Over 6.5
What an overreaction to Brady's departure. I don't think there's even a drop off to Baker Mayfield, and if for some reason Trask wins the job or takes over at some point, I'm not that worried. It's really about the pieces around them. This roster still has above average talent in several key places. The defense should be sturdy enough to keep them in ball games, albeit not as dominant as it once was. The offense has the potential to be serviceable at the very least. The run game needs to improve but they were decimated in the trenches last year. The schedule is more forgiving as well.
Vikings Under 8.5
This team walked a tightrope last year and I don't know that they improved in the offseason. The offense could be potent but the secondary has questions and they didn't do themselves any favors by dealing Smith and Tomlinson (to the aforementioned Browns) away. I know running backs aren't as valued as they once were in the league but you have to factor Dalvin Cook's defection in there as well. Mattison doesn't give them the same sizzle in the run or screen game. The schedule looks daunting and with the inevitable regression I expect in those tight, four quarter games, I believe Minny stays 8 wins or less.
