NFL 2019 Preview

Photo Illustration by Kylee Weber

As the last games of the 2019 NFL preseason come to an end, the long awaited 2019-2020 NFL season is upon us. With the new season approaching fast, there are many questions to be answered. 

Will the duo of Kliff Kingsbury and Kyler Murray work against NFL defenses? How will the Indianapolis Colts fill the void of Pro Bowl Quarterback Andrew Luck? And, the question that is on everyone's mind: will 2019 NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes be able to duplicate his record-breaking rookie season? 

AFC

AFC East: New England Patriots (10-6)

The defending Super Bowl champs look to seal another trip to the playoffs by winning their division for an 11th straight year. Quarterback Tom Brady’s age has been showing these past few years, but the Pats always find a way to get it done come playoff time. The Patriots will look to ride their easy schedule and talented backfield to win the AFC East and make it to the 2020 Playoffs.

AFC North: Cleveland Browns (11-5)

The people of Cleveland finally get what they’ve been desperately waiting for since 2002: a playoff game. With key offseason additions of Odell Beckham Jr. and Kareem Hunt (suspended first eight games), this Browns team, which was a game away from being in the playoffs last year, will come back with a vengeance and win the AFC North. 

AFC South: Houston Texans (11-5)

With recent retiring of Colts Pro Bowl Quarterback Andrew Luck, the Houston Texans have a clear path to retaining the AFC South. Even with the key loss of Jadevon Clowney (traded via Seattle) and Lamar Miller (torn ACL), the Texans will look to ride now third-year quarterback Deshan Watson and top receiver Deandre Hopkins to their second straight AFC South title.  

AFC West: Kansas City Chiefs (13-3)

The Chiefs were able to ride the arm of MVP Patrick Mahomes all the way to the 2018 AFC Championship last year, but their defence held them back from a Super Bowl berth. With the additions of veteran safety Tyrann Mathieu (FA via Houston), linebacker Darron Lee (traded via New York Jets) and young phenom Frank Clark (Traded via Seattle), the Chiefs look to avenge their AFC Championship loss and get back to the Super Bowl for the first time since 1970.

NFC

NFC East: Philadelphia Eagles (10-6)

The Dirty Bird Gang looks to rebound after getting bounced from the NFC Divisional Round in the 2018 playoffs. With young star quarterback Carson Wentz now fully recovered from his 2018 ACL tear, the Eagles hope he can get back to his MVP days from two seasons ago. They made some key additions in the 2019 offseason in veteran running back Jordan Howard (traded via Chicago) and wide receiver Desean Jackson (FA via Washington). The Eagles will look to exploit their weaker division and make it back to the 2019 playoffs hoping to duplicate their 2017 Super Bowl run. 

NFC North: Chicago Bears (12-4)

The Bears were able to ride a stellar defense and a solid offense all the way to a 12-4 record in the 2018 season and were a field goal away from a game in the NFC Divisional round. The Bears did lose starting running back Jordan Howard (Traded via Philadelphia) but they used their third round pick on star Iowa State running back David Montgomery. The Bears will be able ride their stellar defense again all the way to an NFC North title. 

NFC South: New Orleans Saints (13-3)

Some believe the Saints should have been the team representing the NFC in the 2018 Super Bowl, but a blown call kept them out. The Saints did lose back up and Pro Bowl running back Mark Ingram (FA via Baltimore) but brought in another back that will be able to complement top running back Alvin Kamra in Latavius Murray (FA via Minnesota). The Saints will be able to mix the fire from last season and the connection between veteran quarterback Drew Brees and Michael Thomas to a deep run in the 2020 playoffs. 

NFC West: Los Angeles Rams (11-5)

The Rams represented the NFC in the 2019 Super Bowl but a blown call might have gifted them that opportunity. The Rams will be returning the league's best defensive player in Aaron Donald, and were able to bring in young edge star Dante Fowler Jr. (Trade via Jacksonville) and veteran linebacker Clay Mathews (FA via Green Bay). But their potent offense will be a focal point this season with recent extension to young quarterback Jared Goff, and three elite wide receivers Brandon Cooks, Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp, along with star running back Todd Gurley, the Rams look to utilize their top five offensive and solid defense to an NFC West title.

The 100th season of the NFL should be nothing short of extraordinary and should live up to the hype that has been surrounding it ever since the end of the 2019 Super Bowl. With new high-powered offenses and rock solid defenses, this season won’t disappoint.