NFL
By: Ryan Cooley
For the third year in a row, I will make bold predictions for the upcoming season. Last year I went 3 for 7 on my predictions. Hopefully, this will be a much more normal season where all games are played on time, and most players aren’t held back by restrictions.
Here are five bold predictions for the 2021 NFL season.
Tampa Bay Goes 20-0
In 2007 Brady was a play away from finishing the perfect season. Since then, he has voiced multiple times how that game still haunts him. He has accomplished just about everything a player can. Everything except a perfect season. Don’t be surprised if Brady has his eyes on achieving this near-impossible feat.
Tampa Bay is the most complete team in the league. They have no holes on offense or defense. Going into the offseason, they only had one major need, which was a receiving back. They signed Giovani Bernard to a one-year/$1.2 million contract. Tampa also has had a full offseason without COVID restrictions, unlike 2020. Another important note is their schedule. The Saints finished first in the NFC South last season, meaning the Bucs do not have to play a first placed schedule. There are about only three games that could give them trouble: Rams, Bills, and Washington. I believe the Bucs should win all three. Will we see a perfect record in the first 17-game season?
Tom Brady Wins MVP
This prediction is like part two of the first one. One reason Tampa would go undefeated is due to Brady picking up where he left off. In their final eight games, Brady threw for almost 2,400 yards, 22 TDs, and only 4 INTs. He also did this going against the 3rd, 5th, and 7th ranked pass defenses in the playoffs.
From week 14 to the Super Bowl (eight games), Brady was the highest-graded quarterback in the league (94.1) by Pro Football Focus. He did all of this on a fully torn MCL. I expect big numbers from Brady in 2021 and possibly his fourth MVP.
Sam Darnold & Carson Wentz Save Their Careers
Darnold and Wentz have had a difficult time to start their careers. Sam Darnold was given no help during his tenure in New York. His head coach is now an offensive coordinator for a high school, had one of the worst offensive lines in the league for three years, and very few weapons. The Panthers have a better offensive line, coaching staff, and weapons to throw to. While many have given up on Darnold, I believe he will prove to be a capable starting quarterback.
Carson Wentz is an interesting story. In 2017, he was well on his way to winning MVP. However, three years later, he was benched and eventually traded. When put in a good situation, Wentz will thrive. He is now reunited with his offensive coordinator from 2017, had an elite offensive line, legitimate defense, and weapons. With a team who has all the confidence in him, I have faith Carson will revive his career in Indianapolis. [pickup_prop id=”5001″]
Pittsburgh Finishes Last In the AFC North
Last year, Pittsburgh started the season 11-0 before Washington handed them their first loss. After that, the Steelers struggled mightily, going 1-5 in their last six games. Ben Roethlisberger is coming back for his 18th season after a rough 2020. His 69 grade from PFF was his lowest mark since 2006. Watching Ben last season reminded me of how Peyton Manning looked in his last season. However, Roethlisberger took on a TB12 type diet this offseason, so maybe he can turn it around.
The Ravens and Browns undoubtedly have a better roster, and I am not sure the Steelers can compete with them in 2021. Is it crazy to think the Bengals could put together a better season than Pittsburgh? Cincinnati has a better quarterback, weapons, and possibly offensive line. If the Bengals defense can just keep their heads above water, don’t be surprised if they finish the season above Pittsburgh.
Texans Finish 0-17
The Bucs go undefeated while the Texans finish winless. Houston has been a complete dumpster fire since the last offseason. Bill O’Brien traded away star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins for a second-rounder and David Johnson. This was a sign of things to come as the Texans then went 4-12 in 2020. After that, O’Brien was fired, and Deshaun Watson looks to have played his last snap in Houston.
The starting quarterback looks to be Tyrod Taylor. The defense got worse with the departure of JJ Watt, and they hired a head coach in David Culley, who got the job because no other coach wanted anything to do with Houston. It will be difficult for the Texans to win games in 2021 if they can win any at all.
