Drinking the Yaterade - Season 77 Predictions
by AST1N | 2 years ago | 0 Comments
Can you feel it? The electricity is in the air. We’ve got new owners in new spots (except Blueprint, who refused to leave his office after getting fired last cycle, and they just figured it’s more work to get the authorities involved and let him stay around). The feel of the game is different. The old tricks everyone is used to won’t always work anymore, and it is intriguing to see who can adjust their gameplay to maximize their potential. There is a legit feeling that this cycle is anyone’s for the taking and it will take more than knowing a few money plays to find success. The team building this cycle will challenge those who don’t put in the time and effort to grow their team. And that hope… that opportunity… is what football is all about. Who is ready to take the next step and carve their name into the Red Zone history books?
With so much change and uncertainty, these predictions could go very badly.
That won’t stop me from trying.
Let’s get this cycle going!
You can’t spell “disappoint” without a little INT
Yes, we all know interceptions are running rampart right now. However, I truly believe we are going to see a direct correlation between team success and how well they took care of the ball in the air. While there will be games where your opponent is equally as bad at tossing the rock around as you are, it is not something you can rely on for 17 games. If you can’t take care of the ball, you will not make the playoffs. That being said, I think there will be 1 or fewer playoff teams who find their QB up on Regression Mountain. If you want to make the playoffs, here’s your blueprint (not that guy in Seattle).
The NFC Darling
Before the cycle started, we had many conversations about who was going to run the NFC, and we saw three names pop up: Tampa Terry, Carolina Kelly, and San Frandy (nickname is trademark pending). I still believe Andy is in great shape. Terry took a sim loss in week one because he forgot to pay his utility bill, but I think he will recover and might be fine, even with a bad Week 2 loss. And then we have Kelly. I am going to betray my good friend and declare that Kelly will not make the Season 77 playoffs, even in a “weak” conference. There are two reasons for this:
- The roster isn’t great… yet. They are a very young team full of potential, but they must be developed. Also, they are all hurt.
- He can’t stop making terrible reads/throws. Baker Mayfield has 0 TDs and 6 INTs in his first 2 games. There is no way he will win enough games playing that way. If you look at Kelly’s history, throwing INTs has always been a part of his game, even when he was winning Super Bowls in Atlanta.
I do think a strength of Kelly is learning the game over time and making a splash later on. I think he will be fine in the long run and will still become a leader in the NFC, but not yet.
The NFC (L)east?
What a putrid division. Let’s break this down. The Giants will win 5 games. The Eagles will win 6. The Cowboys will surprise at 10 wins, and the Commanders will also shock the pre-season haters winning 9-10 games AND make the playoffs. Glenn looked to be an MVP front runner with Wentz in Week 1, and then threw 5 INTs with his two QBs in Week 2. If you look at the numbers at a whole, only 7 balls have hit the ground over those two weeks, if you remove the INTs. He will have games that he just finds the other team too many times and cost him the victory, but he is also finding his players A LOT. If he is not throwing INTs, he’s probably winning or right there (do you see a common trend?).
Running backs matter?
I will just say it, running is fun again. And I think others are finding that as well. That being said, I predict that we see at least 10 guys run for over 1,500 yards. And I am here for it.
Son of a Beech
Denver currently has the #1 rush offense with their two headed monster Javonte and Melvin. They might have the best 1/2 option in the league, right there with Cleveland. The Broncos also have some serious weapons outside that aren’t even needed. It’s kind of a pick your poison with this team, and so far people want to get ran into the ground. Beech probably won’t make the playoffs, but I can easily see him going right around .500 or better and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him flirt around the 8 seed. It will be interesting to watch how he plays when guys stack the box and dare him to air it out.
Offensive Rookie of the Year – QB Desmond Ritter, ATL
I think this will be a two player race because voters love QBs, with Ritter and Willis at the top. I prefer both the weapons and schedule in Atlanta, and I know TOFN will push for award wins, where JP will feel guilty about it. Kenneth Walker in Seattle and Alec Pierce will also be contenders, but fall short.
Defensive Rookie of the Year – EDGE Aidan Hutchinson, DET
With INT numbers high, I can see a rookie getting double digit INTs, but I think we are more likely to see good numbers from pass rushers than secondary players. David Ojabo has 4 sacks in 2 games and is a name to watch out for.
Offensive Player of the Year – HB Jonathan Taylor, IND
Taylor has over 400 total yards and 4 TDs in two games and is the centerpiece of that offense. As long as he stays healthy, he should be a front runner.
Defensive Player of the Year – CB Tre’Davious White, BUF
Stop throwing his direction. If you do, you will have a bad time. He is just too good and will shut down that side of the field.
Season 77 MVP – Jonathan Taylor, IND
I can’t trust any QBs right now. And when I default back to the HBs, I’ve got to go here based on overall usage.
Season 77 Super Bowl
Kansas City Chiefs 34, San Frandy 28