Trends in schematic football make up a constant see-saw between innovations and adaptations of offense, then defense, then offense again, and so on. It’s been that way since the advent of the game, and it will be that way until the game one day inexplicably disappears. Every new scheme is the solution to what’s happening…More
All-22: Week 1
Welcome to the first installment of my weekly column, All-22! For the next 18 weeks, I’ll be providing 22 observations from each week of the regular season. I’ll cover as much ground as I can every time while making sure I hit on the most relevant topics as much as is called for. Week 1…More
Season Content Plans
Now that the season is officially underway, with developments both expected and surprising in Week 1 and surely more of the same to follow, my writing schedule will be a little bit different. More importantly, it will be more consistent. The plan for this regular season goes as follows: every Tuesday, I will write my…More
NFL Predictions
AFC EastPatriots 11-6 (4)Bills 11-6 (5)Jets 4-13Dolphins 2-15 AFC NorthRavens 12-5 (2)Bengals 11-6 (6)Steeler 7-10Browns 4-13 AFC SouthTexans 13-4 (1)Colts 9-8Jaguars 9-8Titans 5-12 AFC WestChargers 12-5 (3)Chiefs 10-7 (7)Broncos 10-7Raiders 4-13 NFC EastCowboys 12 -5 (2)Eagles 11-6 (6)Giants 7-10Commanders 5-12 NFC NorthLions 11-6 (3)Bears 10-7 (7)Vikings 9-8Packers 9-8 NFC SouthBuccaneers 9-8 (4)Panthers 8-9Saints 6-11Falcons 4-13…More
NFC West Preview
More Likely: Worst to First or First to Worst?While I feel comfortable in my assumption that neither will happen in this division, first to worst is the winner. The Seahawks had remarkable health en route to winning the Super Bowl last year, so the case could be made for a rash of terrible luck. Very…More
Rankings Throughout Rosters: Top 10’s For Every Group
As my NFL Preview Blitz nears its end, my final two articles with league-wide relevance will require less actual writing of me and more in the way of rankings and predictions. In this article I will rank teams in several aspects, and in tomorrow night’s article I will provide my full NFL predictions. Tomorrow’s first…More
AFC West Preview
More Likely: Worst to First or First to Worst?Either scenario would come as a genuine shock, more so than maybe any other division in the league. As with a couple of previously-covered divisions, it just feels more reasonable to imagine a catastrophic season for one team, the Broncos, than to imagine the Raiders passing them…More
Fresh Blood: What to Expect From a Few of This Year’s Rookies
For those of us who wait eagerly for football season, for those of us who start during the confetti-laden presentation of the Vince Lombardi Trophy every year to count down the weeks until our sport is back, for those of us who wait with bated breath and feel like we’re coming out of hibernation when…More
NFC South Preview
More Likely: Worst to First or First to Worst?In this crowded and, frankly, underwhelming division, no order can really be ruled out. But the Saints are coming in with a few major injuries across the roster, so the hype as a sleeper candidate for the division has cooled considerably. While the Panthers made a couple…More
Coming For Canton: Tracking Current Players and Their Pursuits of The Hall of Fame
As we begin to realistically count down by hours rather than just days until the NFL season begins, it would seem that here and now is the only thing that matters. For players and coaches, fans and media, it is all that matters for the next five months or so. However, greatness is evaluated over…More
