Week 1 has come and gone. It is a far way off from the NFL Playoffs, but the discussion rages on. The goal for the regular season is to win the division. Only eight teams can claim such a feat but there will be six wild card teams to make the playoffs to vie for their own postseason success.
Last year, two NFC wild card teams defeated division winners and moved on to the divisional round while no AFC teams did. This year, there’s a good chance some high-powered teams who miss out on a divisional title.
AFC Playoffs Wild Card Hopefuls
Baltimore Ravens
The AFC North is bound to send at least two teams to the postseason and we will bet on the Bengals securing the divisional threepeat, sending the Ravens to the wild card.
Even though the team continues to be ravaged by injuries, it’s nothing new. Coach John Harbaugh is riding a streak of seven non-losing seasons in a row and four playoff appearances in five years. This year is likely more of the same.
Lamar Jackson, assuming health, is still good enough to lead this team to the playoffs. Winning once they get there, however, is another story.
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Los Angeles Chargers
The losing end of the highest-scoring affair in Week 1 is plenty good enough to outscore just about anyone. The offense is led by Justin Herbert and new offensive coordinator, Kellen Moore and is set to put up all kinds of numbers.
The AFC West is still the Chiefs’ to lose. No matter how good the Chargers are, and they’ll be good, Kansas City is still king. Finishing second in this division is nothing to be ashamed of. This Chargers defense is…not great. Given, the offense they faced off against is set to be among the best in the league, but giving up 36 points in the NFL is not a sustainable model.
Miami Dolphins
Speaking of scoring 36 points in Week 1, the Dolphins were on the winning side of that match with the Chargers. As with the Chargers, they looked great on offense and suspect on defense.
That offense is led by Tua Tagovailoa and his ridiculous weapons, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Both receivers are set to eclipse 1,000 yards on the year and will be a matchup nightmare for every single defense.
Now, the issue with the Dolphins is its defense. They have the talent to improve on the year but they were shredded by the Chargers to the tune of 34 points in Week 1. In a division with the Bills, a porous defense will be the Dolphins’ downfall when it comes to winning the division.
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NFC Wildcard Hopefuls
Detroit Lions
On the NFC side, it’s not as clear-cut. The NFC North is going to be one of the more competitive divisions in football. Last year, the Vikings won the division but did not look good to kick off the year. It may not be a popular pick, but there’s a good shot that the Packers end up atop the division, thus giving a wild card spot to the Lions.
Detroit kicked off the year with a win over the reigning Super Bowl champs and took advantage of all of the mistakes. Jared Goff looks like he will have a solid year and with weapons like wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams (when he returns from suspension), it makes sense.
Plus, that defense held that Chiefs offense to 20 points.
Dallas Cowboys
Dropping 40 on a playoff team in Week 1 had the NFL community high on the Cowboys. It’s time for Dak Prescott to take over.
The strength of this team will be its defense yet again. Micah Parsons is not of this world and will be able to nuke just about any offensive gameplan they come up against.
Dallas is a good bet to make the playoffs at the very best. The best sites, such as the Neds app, have the Cowboys as a favorable bet to make the playoffs. They have +140 odds to take the division from the Eagles (likely not going to happen), while they have -200 odds to just make the postseason.
The Cowboys offense remains a question mark. While week one was fantastic in putting up 40, there is reason for skepticism.
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Seattle Seahawks
Finally, the NFC West is going to be difficult for any non-49ers team to take over. That roster is Super Bowl-worthy and they’ll just have to stay healthy. However, playing second fiddle will be the Seahawks.
Geno Smith still hasn’t written back but his offense will be looking to re-write the franchise’s record books. They have a pair of dynamic running backs and a pair of incredible receivers. Smith has all kinds of fun options to win games.
They laid an egg on Week 1 against the Rams. Overreactions are abound and there are plenty who are willing to smash the panic button. Not here. Seattle will right the ship and play postseason football, perhaps deep into NFL playoffs.
