PhinNation’s Predictions for the 2019 NFL Season

If we’re being honest, the Miami Dolphins do not have a playoff-caliber roster heading into the 2019 season. It would be a miracle if the Dolphins were even ‘in the hunt’ when the playoff graphics go up on the screen in December.

However, despite the Dolphins gutting of their roster and building for the future, the 2019 season will go on and one team will be crowned champion. So who will win divisions? Who will make the playoffs? Who will ultimately hold the Lombardi Trophy? We’ve got your answers (yeah right!). Well, we have our best guesses!

American Football Conference

East – New England Patriots

I hate them as much as you do, but I think they have another year or 2 left in their dynasty. Brady won’t play forever and we can only hope that the Dolphins rebuild hits its stride when he decides to hang up his cleats.

North – Pittsburgh Steelers

This could end up being a 3 team race for the AFC North (Steelers, Ravens, and Browns). I think they’re all good teams and it’ll be great to see the intra-division matchups all season long. Ultimately, I think Big Ben, Ju Ju, and James Conner do enough to finish on top.

South – Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jags are an interesting team because they have a very good defense and signed a veteran QB to lead their offense (Foles). The Colts and Titans don’t scare me and the Texans appear to be desperate. I think the Jags find a way to ride their defense and St. Nick to a division title.

West – Kansas City Chiefs

This team is loaded and the only team that could challenge them is the Chargers…..who will be missing Melvin Gordon. I like the Chiefs to finish with the best record in the AFC and host the AFC Championship Game.

Wild Cards – New York Jets & Cleveland Browns

Yes, I just threw up a little in my mouth too. I’m picking the Adam Gase-led Jets to make the playoffs. Gase will eventually wear on the players and the ownership, but early on I think he and Gregg Williams will have success in New York/New Jersey. I think Bell is motivated and unfortunately, I think Sam Darnold is legit. They’ll do enough to earn a wild card berth.

I think the Browns will be an even better team this year than they were last year. They have 2 star receivers, an ascending QB, and a solid defense. They’ll push the Steelers for the AFC North crown, but will have to ‘settle’ for a wild card. Still, considering where they were 2 years ago, this is an achievement.

National Football Conference

East – Philadelphia Eagles

Carson Wentz is healthy and the Eagles have enough weapons for him to solidify his place as a top 10 QB in the NFL. Their defense should be good enough to help them hold off the Cowboys (their only real competition in the division)

North – Green Bay Packers

Aaron Rodgers’ window is slowly closing and he’s been freed from a head coach that he hates (Mike McCarthy). I think the Packers set the tone for the season with a win in Chicago on Opening Night. It’ll be a 3-team race between the Packers, Bears, and Vikings, with the 3 teams beating each other up all season long.

South – New Orleans Saints

The Saints are still bitter about the way their season ended last year. Remember the non-pass interference call in the playoffs? They do. And like Rodgers, Brees’ playing days are almost over. Their offense is explosive and I like what they’ve done on defense. I think they’ll cruise to the best record in the NFC this season.

West – Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks only competition in the division is the Rams and I think they’ll suffer from a Super Bowl hangover. I also don’t think Todd Gurley can stay healthy all season. Their defense will not be as good as last year, while the Seahawks have reinforced their ‘D’ by adding Clowney. Russell Wilson is poised for a big year and will lead the Seahawks to the division title.

Wild Cards – Dallas Cowboys & Atlanta Falcons

There could be a surprise team in there, like a team from the NFC North, but I think the Cowboys and Falcons ultimately make the playoffs. The Cowboys are at full strength with Zeke back and if the Falcons can figure out a way to score TDs in the redzone, their offense should put up a lot of points.

Conference Championships

AFC – Chiefs over Patriots

NFC – Saints over Eagles

Super Bowl

Saints over Chiefs

I think this is the time for Drew Brees to get his second championship an like John Elway, he’ll ride off into the sunset (and towards Canton), a champion.

There you have it, our ‘sure to be wrong’ predictions for the 2019 season. Leave your predictions in the comments and we’ll check back to see who was less wrong at the end of the season.

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