It’s that time of year when teams in the National Football League begin their preparation for the upcoming season. They have gone through the draft selection process, picked up veteran players via the free agency, and have prepped the players with OTA’s as well as preseason check points. Each team has put forth the best 53-man squad for the season and is positioned to compete for playoff contention within their respective conferences. It’s been approximately nine months since the New England Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Rams in the Super Bowl and fans are now chomping at the bit to see which two teams will make it to the Super Bowl 2020.
If you use the NFL Power Ranking selection, the two best teams in the American Football Conference are the Kansas City Chiefs and the New England Patriots. In the National Football Conference, the two best teams are the New Orleans Saints and the Los Angeles Rams. The Power Rankings are based on calculations accumulated over a five to eight-week period. It’s comprised of statistical data that only Albert Einstein could figure out. In the preseason it may not take into consideration who was traded, retired, or injured because the data is based on the previous season. Therefore, the information may not be totally accurate. However, this year the PR’s may not be too far off.
I like the selection of the Chiefs and the Patriots playing for the AFC Championship, a repeat of last year’s game. On the NFC side, I believe that the Saints and the Rams will again compete for a Super Bowl spot. The Kansas City Chiefs are a much better team defensively this year with the addition of safety Tyrann Mathieu and defensive end Frank Clark. They could easily win it all if you factor in that explosive offense led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes and receiver Tyreek Hill, not to mention one of the best football minds in Head Coach Andy Reid.
However, the New England Patriots can never be counted out. Last year’s Super Bowl champs will again be led by quarterback Tom Brady and Head Coach Bill Billick. They added edge rusher Michael Bennett in the off season, and he will be a formidable opponent this year.
In the NFC, I again like the selection of the New Orleans Saints and the Los Angeles Rams. With Drew Bree’s at quarterback and the recent additions of Mario Williams and Malcolm Brown, the Saints will be a force to be reckoned with. On a side note, they have a bad taste in their mouths over the missed call by the officials in last year’s playoff game that would have put them in the Super Bowl.
The Los Angeles Rams are in beast mode going into the season, led by quarterback Jeff Goff and running back Todd Gurley, as well as defensive standout Aaron Donald. The one concern is the loss of defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It will be interesting to see how they fill that void.
Getting to the heart of the matter, my Super Bowl prediction is that Kansas City and the New Orleans Saints will meet in Super Bowl 54 (LIV) in Miami. I give the nod to the Saints with Drew Bree’s and wide out Mike Thomas having a great game. I believe that running backs Alvin Kamara and Latavias Murray will balance out the offense and win the Lombardi Trophy for the Big Easy. Not to discount the Chiefs, but I have to follow my gut instincts on this one.
There are a few other teams I would like to acknowledge as sleepers. On the AFC side, the Cleveland Browns and of course the Oakland Raiders could have banner years. In the NFC, keep an eye on the Chicago Bears and the Dallas Cowboys. No matter the outcome it is a football season to enjoy.
The Traveler Weekly 