The year is 2021, it’s approaching midnight and Blake McMillian is the last one walking out of the doors of the visiting locker room at Bank of America Stadium. His season is now over after losing in embarrassing fashion to the Panthers. For two years in a row, McMillian has found himself losing to the same opponent, in the same stadium in the NFC Championship game. Many are saying the loss is strictly on the QB and he says he’ll carry that with him into next season.

3 months later

McMillian comes back from a rigorous offseason training session in Mexico, where he ran in the deserts and ripped stogs day and night. He’s been completely cut off from the real world while training in order to maintain the laser focus on his main objective: Winning the Super Bowl.

As he walks into the team facility for the first day of training camp, he notices the new guys, particularly his two new weapons, Mike Evans and OJ Howard. They made their way from Bay Area to Bay Area after being acquired from Tampa Bay. Although Gurley may not be in the backfield for the Niners anymore, McMillian is pleased with his new look offense and is strutting on the practice field with confidence.

Only time will tell if the Niners can take the next step with McMillian leading the way. But if the lofty goaled QB is sure of one thing, it’s that he’s got iron lungs and a winning mentality.

lg  Preseason Predictions

key: (predicted record) [predicted season form]

NFC South

1^st- Tampa Bay (10-6) [LWLWWLWWWWWLWLLW]

Tampa has a relatively easier schedule than the rest of the division, which should propel them into competing for the division and ultimately making the playoffs. Jameis Winston gained a new target in Martavias Bryant, as well as new additions to the o-line.

T 2^nd- Atlanta (9-7) [WWWWLWLLLWLWLWWL]

Atlanta’s newly acquired QB Matt Stafford should pick up where Tom Brady left off last season. Additionally, Tommy Gunn looks to show he’s not worried about a sophomore slump and help the Falcons to a couple statement wins and bring the playoffs back to the ATL.

T 2^nd- New Orleans (9-7) [LWLWWWWWLLLLWLWW]

After finishing in first place last season, the Saints have a bit more of a challenge than yesteryear. And although Drew Brees has retired, the Saints have brought in another Wiley veteran to play QB in the former Steeler great, Big Ben. But just one upset win for the Saints could vault them straight into a playoff position.

4^th- Carolina (5-11) [LLWLWLLLLLLWLLWL]

The Panthers have made good moves this offseason, bolstering their o-line and adding a stud OLB through the draft but it’s hard to see them making any playoff run.

NFC North

1^st- Minnesota (13-3) [WWWLWWWLWWWWLWWW]

After winning the division each of the last 3 years, the Vikings look to win another and its hard seeing any major bumps in the road along the way. Look for Teddy B to continue his game manager style and lead them into the postseason.

2^nd- Detriot (6-10) [WLWLLLLWLWWLLLLW]

The Lions had a measly draft and not much offseason activity but look for them to finish in the top half of a weak division. If the Lions want any business being relevant late in the season they must have their running game in mid season form all season.

3^rd- Chicago (3-13) [LLLLLLWLWLLWLLLL]

Not much has gone right for the Bears the last couple of years and they lack a certain star power on offense. If the Bears want to succeed, it looks like they might need a roster overhaul, and the next couple years could be rebuilding years.

4^th- Green Bay (2-14) [LLLWLLLLLLLLLLWL]

The Packers started out with a young team and then traded the cornerstone of the franchise last season in Aaron Rodgers so its hard to see them competing this year.

NFC East

1^st- Dallas (14-2) [LWWWWWWWWLWWWWWW]

With Zeke and that stout o-line, look for continued success for the Cowboys. The only question that can be asked is how well can their freakishly, athletic, young defenders do.

2^nd- Washington (9-7) [WWWLWLWLLLWLWWLW]

With Norman being released in the past offseason, the Redskins have a huge void to fill in the secondary. On top of that Kirk Cousins is taking to the bench as Johnny Manziel is making his triumphant NFL return. Disaster waiting to happen, but still good enough for a second place finish in what looks to shape up as a down year for the NFC East.

3^rd- Philadelphia (8-8) [LLLWWWWLLWLWWLWL]

The Eagles second year head coach looks to gain more experience and develop rookie QB Goodspeed in a usually tough NFC East. Eagles are my dark horse for wildcard but in reality not many rookie QBs can carry a team the first year in the league.

4^th- New York (7-9) [LLWLLLLWWWLLWWLW]

Derek Carr and the Giants have the making to have a rough stretch in the beginning of the season and it’d be very hard for them to salvage anything out of this year if they drop as many games as their head coach expects.

NFC West

1^st- Seattle (15-1) [WWWLWWWWWWWWWWWW]

Although the roster appears thinner than you’d like, the Seahawks always compete and I wouldn’t bet against their limited play calling and Russell Wilson.

2^nd- Arizona (14-2) [WWWWWWLWWWWLWWWW]

Arizona looks to ride strong defensive play lead by the best DB in the league, Tyrann Mathieu. Although the Cards are a great team, un-throning the reigning division champs could prove to be more than they can handle.

3^rd- Los Angeles (13-3) [WLLWWLWWWWWWWWWW]

No matter what personnel is put unto the field, the Rams always have a reliable defense that causes more than their fair share of turnovers. Although the franchise had a fire sale this offseason,  it’s hard to see them not competing in the NFC for a wildcard spot.

4^th- San Francisco (5-11) [LWWLWWLWLLLLLLLL]

A weak free agency session and a weak draft continue the disappointment of this abysmal, but once great, franchise.

AFC South

1^st- Jacksonville (11-5) [WWWWWWWWWLWLLWLL]

The Jags high powered offense looks to pick up where it left off last year and keep up the fireworks as they could ride the O straight into the playoffs. On the other side of the ball, the Jags have several playmakers such as Myles Jack, Jalen Ramsey and co. Playoffs or bust for this Florida team.

2^nd- Texans (9-7) [WLLLLWLWWWLWWWWL]

As the Texans do their best to keep up with Jacksonville, the schedule looks to prove to be too difficult to win the division (which looks to be the easiest way for the Houston based team to make their postseason debut)

3^rd- Tennessee (2-14) [LLLLLWLLLLLLWLLL]

Has the head coach abandoned the team? What will the team look like heading into the season? There are too many question marks surrounding this team for them to make any noise this season. Watch for the Titans woes to continue in the upcoming season

4^th- Indianapolis (1-15) [LLLLLLLLLWLLLLLL]

Although they were a team with a lot of promise, the only thing the Colts have now is Andrew Luck, and that doesn’t seem to be enough to win in this league. With the current owner failing to find a future answer at head coach, the Colts ride into the season with an interim and things are not looking up.

AFC North

1^st- Cleveland (9-7) [LLLWLWWWWWWWLLLW]

Although this article makes them seem like a weak division, the AFC North is one of the most competitive divisions in the league. With that being said, its high time the Browns go home with the division title. Look for Derek Moreno and crew to over power teams with their offensive displays, but the defense could lose them the games.

2^nd- Cinncinnati (5-11) [LLWLWLLLLLLWWLWL]

The Bengals hope to improve last seasons losing record but could fail in doing so. With an aging defense, it could be a long season for the jungle cats. In order to succeed, the Bengals have to rely on their QB HB tandem, Jared Goff and Jeremy Hill.

T 3^rd- Baltimore (3-13) [WLLLLLLLWLLLLWLL]

A speedy offense might not be enough for this team as they seem to be the underdog in most games this season. To be a successful team, the Ravens need Thomas Curran to do what he’s done for the most part of his career, and that is cause turnovers.

T 3^rd- Pittsburgh (3-13) [WWLLLLLLLLLLLLLW]

Bottom line for the Steelers, they must maintain a solid run game. They have a good o-line to block for the talented back Charles Sims, but a QB controversy in the Steel City could drive them to the bottom of the division.

AFC East

1^st- Buffalo (15-1) [LWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW]

The reigning champs are also shaping up to be the current favorites for the Super Bowl, with mostly all their players returning but Ronald Darby. Will Duncan looks to secure his second ring and even though many players are aging on the other side of the ball, I’d still expect them not to miss a beat.

2^nd- New England (13-3) [WWWWWWWWWLWLWWWL]

Aaron Rodgers has aged like wine and is still a premier QB in the NFL. With one of the better o-lines in front of him and several offensive weapons at his disposal, watch for a serious MVP bid from the now 35 year old quarterback.

3^rd- Miami (6-10) [WWLLLLLLLWWLLLWW]

Miami’s head coach seems to be coming around, but a tough division and a tough schedule might prove to be too little too much. With star wide out Will Fuller now gone, the Dolphins are in a bad spot with receivers. Maybe next year will be their year. Baby steps Miami.

4^th- New York (5-11) [WLWLLLLLLLWWLWLL]

The Jets have a multitude of offensive studs but with a very average o-line to protect them I wouldn’t expect too much, especially in one of the best divisions in football. Although they have one of the best defenses on paper, its going to be hard to win games with their offense on the other side of the ball.

AFC West

1^st- Kansas City (14-2) [WWWWWWWWWWWWLWLW]

The Chiefs dumped off star defense man, Justin Houston, to the Falcons but I wouldn’t expect them to fall off. Quite the opposite in fact, with Phillip Booth manning the helm and newly acquired WR Will Fuller on board, this team has the potential to go all the way. Especially with the hard hitting and speedy defense on the other side of the ball.

2^nd- Oakland (13-3) [WWLWWWWWLWWWWLWW]

Gotta admit, I love this team. Khalil Mack, Lat Murray, Amari Cooper and Karl Joseph. What else needs to be said?

3^rd- San Diego (5-11) [LLLWWLLLLLLWWWLL]

Sean Charges is mad whack look for him to lose a lot of games.

4^th- Denver (1-15) [LLLLLWLLLLLLLLLL]

After a long tenure, the former head coach resigned and left a hole in the staff that has yet to be filled. If the Broncos find an answer at head coach soon they could salvage the season, but as it stands don’t expect many highlights from this season.

The Titans may have finally found their offense in newly acquired players Bell and Watkins, along with the already Hall of Fame bound Justin Hunter. To get an inside view on the new look Titans, we sent in our special reporter, Jody HiGHROLLER.

In his sit down with the original wideout from Tennessee, Justin Hunter, we found that his Pregame rituals consist of eating Arabian Sea Bass, listening to opera and playing a fiddle he named, "Felicia". HiGHROLLER is not a very efficient repoter so we didn't get much else from Hunter.

HiGHROLLER then decided to have Bell and Watkins in a joint interview. HiGHROLLER must not have understood what joint interview meant, as he lit one up and preceded to smoke. Bell and Watkins then left.

It is apparent that we should higher new reporters.