Redzone, Redzone, Redzone,
Welcome to my first article as a staff-writer for the network. Excited to give you seven takes and introduce a prize for participating readers. Here's the instructions - I'm going to drop 7 predictions for Season 64 and folks are going to vote on if I am W(Right) or Wrong. At the end of the season, I'll circle back to award the person(s) with prize(s) based on who got the highest score. Simple right? So read em and weep fellas.
Take #1: The New York Jets Will Win The Superbowl
I haven't always been high on the Jets but coach Mojica is doing something right and that front-office made some critical moves. Going out and trading the Seahawks for Bobby Wagner at 32 was a bit risky to some around the league, but when you look at Wagner's production for SEA over the past two seasons you entirely understand why the move was made. Furthermore, signing Jimmy G as a backup QB for pennies on the dollar, it's just *chefs kiss*. I have the Jets cruising through the AFC and taking home yet another ring for Coach Mike Mojica.
Take #2: Dallas Cowboys Finish 8-8 (or higher)
I've been vocal on twitter about my disdain for their front-office with shipping away two studs in the off-season for returns that in my opinion weren't worth it. However, I still have faith that America's team will come to play this year. They just barely missed the playoffs last year and while I'm not predicting a great season, I don't think their completely in ruins. I look forward to them finishing at .500 as they think about rebuilding this team for a long cycle.
Take #3: Chiefs will go 12-4 (or higher)
Look, the chiefs have struggled to start off the cycle. I don't anticipate that to continue. They escaped week #1 after a god awful performance from Russell Wilson and I anticipate that over the next few weeks they will be waking the league up as they return to the form we all expected them to have starting off this cycle. Here's what we know, they don't have an easy schedule (NFC W / their divison, yikes) but they do still have the personnel to compete with anybody. With 5+ 90 ovr players, 8 80+ players, and 7 SS/XF players, they should be able to get this done. Let's see how Coach Spittah uses his weapons after coming out the gates strong.
Take #4: Hurts Throws Less than 25 TD's in PHI
A bold move to ship away their Stud QB Carson Wentz. But when you can take candy from a baby, why not commit strong-armed robbery in the process. Hurts is clearly not the QB of the future and with Miles Sander having sensational outputs the past two years, I don't think they're going to get too risky with his limited ability to throw the deep ball. Hurts however will not see the bench often, as I anticipate a shift in the gameplan for PHI. Less crossing routes, more ins and outs.
Take #5: Saints Still Stink - 6-10 Record (or lower)
Playing the NFC West is not a favorable matchup for the Saints. On paper - the roster still looks good. But give this a go, their first eight games are: Panthers (W), Falcons (L), Cowboys (L), Browns (L), Steelers (Queen John or King John?????), Bucs (L), Rams (?), Cardinals (Super L). I appreciate what the Saints are trying to do as they build their team...but I just don't think this is their year.
Take #6: Austin Wilson (DET) runs for 1000+
Coach R-Fox should be sucking the teet of his scouting department. What at first made no sense after paying Leveon Bell in the off-season, it appears Austin Wilson will indeed be a stud. I see him running for 1000+ yards this season as we come to find out this guy can play and the rookie isn't afraid to compete with the vet.
Take #7: The Niners make the SuperBowl with TB12
Perhaps my hottest take. I like Coach Ernest. I hate the Niners. As most people know, I've recently become a fan of the Seahawks when this cycle started. It's been tough to watch the Niners completely obliterate them (especially in the playoffs) but I believe that the likely situation of the Niners defense still being too much to handle remains the case. I look forward to being proven wrong by anyone in the NFC...but I just don't see their reign atop the conference stopping quite yet.
To vote on these takes, please visit: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd0yIvSCTOsrtro_aRz3ejt7Lo7VzdxeitOaKNbRMe6HhxXpw/viewform?usp=sf_link.
Best of luck Redzone!