Wow, what a wild week to start the NFL season! We had 4th quarter comebacks, upsets, and almost two games that ended in a tie! The fun part about the NFL is that we have a full week to over-analyze and make bold predictions based on 1 game. The 4 predictions below just confirmed what I already believed before the season started for these teams and players. Also, in case you were wondering, there is absolutely zero chance that any of these predictions are wrong!
1) Jimmy G will be the starting QB in San Francisco by Mid-Season
Week 1 was not very kind to Trey Lance. The 49ers thought they had a star QB. They were even in a rush to try to push Jimmy G out of town. Luckily for them, they were able to bring him back as insurance. It’s early, but I still have yet to see signs from Lance that he is ready to be an NFL Quarterback. Yes, he is very athletic and can really run the ball, but that alone will not win you games. I don’t think he is ready to read defenses, make the smart play, and make accurate throws. At some point this season the 49ers will need to make a decision if they want to keep him in the fire to develop or try to win more games with Jimmy G. Only time will tell…
2) The Patriots will have a Top 5 pick in the NFL Draft
It was more of the same from the Patriots offense. They are one of the most boring offenses in the league to watch. If they can’t run the ball, this could be one of the worst seasons they have had in a very long time. Mac Jones just managed the game like always throwing for around 200 yards with 1 TD and 1 INT. Damien Harris and Stevenson both had under 10 carries as they combined for 17 carries for 73 yards. The other issue for the Patriots is the fact that they lack weapons on the outside as well. Jakobi Meyers, TY Montgomery, and Devante Parker are not going to strike fear into any defense.
The Patriots defense will still be pretty decent this season, but they are not the elite group they have been lately. I think losing JC Jackson in the secondary will hurt them this year. With the way the offense has looked in the preseason and during week 1, this defense will need to be a top 5 defense if they have a chance to compete for a wildcard this season. All in all, it will be the stagnant offense that will hold this team back all season.
3) The Packers will Miss the Playoffs
How soon until we hear Rodgers to tell everyone to “Relax” again? In this day and age in the NFL, I just don’t see how you can be a top team in the league without any solid, proven WR’s? You could see that on full display vs the Vikings in Week 1. Winning in Minnesota isn’t easy, but the Packers did nothing to prove their doubters wrong. The receivers did not play well and they just weren’t on the same page as Rodgers. The Vikings are not an elite defense either, so this was a little alarming. The hope is that it will change when Lazard comes back since he has had some chemistry with Rodgers in the past. The leading pass catcher was AJ Dillon, which tells you all you need to know. After seeing what Adams did in Week 1 with a lesser QB, it’s hard not to wonder why the Packers let him go!
4) Jalen Hurts will be Top 5 in MVP voting
Jalen Hurts started out his 2022 campaign with 333 total yards and no turnovers. Hurts also didn’t thrown a TD, but that will improve as the year goes on. He did exactly what he needed to do to win this game. He ran the ball when the Lions defense gave it to him, and he kept looking for AJ Brown. The newly acquired WR Brown had 10 catches for 155 yards! That’s not a bad way for your 1st game with a new team. Yes, I know it was the Lions defense, but if Hurst can rely on his legs and make the smart plays by getting the ball to his top pass catchers, he has a chance to get some MVP votes by the end of the season. It also helps that the defense didn’t look as great as predicted so they may be in some shootouts to boost his stats.
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