Since everyone else gets to make some wild predictions I figured I would throw my two cents in. With that being said, they will be reasonable predictions that should seem plausible to the typical NFL fan.
Obviously, a lot of things are going to happen over the course of 18 weeks plus the playoffs, but here are 10 predictions that I think will happen.
If you have your own predictions for the 2021 NFL season, why not back it up with a couple NFL bets on BUSR.com/StudentUnionSports
Justin Fields Will Be QB1 By Week 11
As you can see in the tweet attached below I have the Bears starting 3-6 heading into the bye week. After riding a four-game losing streak is when I think Nagy makes the switch. From there you will see some positive results as I have them finishing the season 8-9–Fields going 5-3 in those starts. Obviously, the game-by-game picks aren’t necessarily what I think will happen but rather that it is what I think the overall result will be.
Trey Lance Won’t See The Field This Year
A lot of hype has been building around Lance over the preseason. To that I say…it’s preseason and everyone needs to relax. He has made some splash plays and all of that, but still has a lot of work to do as far as consistency from down to down. While I predict he won’t see the field I don’t think it’s impossible. If Garappolo stinks it up, which isn’t likely, or he gets hurt, which is likely, Lance could see the field early. However, what I don’t see is a Tua-Fitzpatrick scenario where even if Garapollo is playing well they still make the switch. And I predict Garapollo plays well because he’s played well his entire career with San Francisco.
Xavien Howard Will Lead The League In Interceptions Again
Even though Howard is not in a contract year, he’s certainly going to play like it. Part of the conditions to remain with Miami is they give him a little money now and if he repeats last year’s performance they will strongly consider completely reworking his contract to make him the highest-paid corner in football. Knowing what’s on the line for him, I would fully expect another All-Pro season for Howard and establish himself as the best corner in the league. Then get paid…again.
TJ Watt Will Win DPOY
I expect voter fatigue for Aaron Donald, which means we should have a new Defensive Player of the Year. Seeing as it’s mostly an award for defensive lineman and/or edge players, Watt is probably my pick to win the award, assuming he has another massive season.
The Patriots Will Miss The Playoffs Again
Now that Mac Jones has been named the starter, the hype train has begun. All five first-round QB’s have gotten a considerable amount of hype. Obviously, reality will rear its ugly and show that hype from training camp and going against a team’s second unit is a bit naive. Can you really expect a rookie QB–no matter who he plays for–to throw against an elite secondary like Miami? Or outscore a team like Buffalo? Or in general beat well-balanced teams like the Bucs, Browns, Titans, or Saints? I have the Patriots going 9-8 because I am that big of a believer in their defense and Bill Belichick. But Mac Jones playing well is far from a foregone conclusion.
Kingsbury and McCarthy are Notable Hot Seat Candidates
Every year you can count on at least six coaches to get canned and that can go as high as eight or nine. You have you’re favorite like Zac Taylor and Matt Nagy. But you also have guys where you didn’t really expect that to happen.
Kliff Kingsbury more or less failed forward into a job with the Cardinals and you can see why that seemed like a bad hire from the jump. His schemes and playcalling are certainly redeemable, but his poor evaluation skills with players and coaches have been a glaring weakness. In addition, the use of his resources has been questionable at times and the lack of player development outside the QB position is the cherry on top of why he is going to be on the hot seat. It doesn’t help when you’re in the toughest division in football, but another mediocre season and we could see a change.
Sort of the opposite for Mike McCarthy. They are in the worst division in football. While he’s got Jerry Jones support for now, another season where they can’t win the worst division in football could put some doubt in his future. Because when he was hired, there were talks about winning a Super Bowl. Failing to win the worst division in football–even barely winning it–does not bode well for McCarthy
There Will Be No Worst-To-First Teams This Year
Every year there is usually one team that goes from worst in the division to first in the division. Your candidates for this year are the Jaguars, Jets, Bengals, Broncos, Eagles, 49ers, Lions, and Falcons. The 49ers are probably the most likely team since they were a really talented team last year who were decimated with injuries. However, with the Rams adding Matthew Stafford, I think that is enough for the Rams to win the NFC West. Maybe the Falcons, if they go from one of the unluckiest teams to one of the luckiest teams and Matt Ryan plays like it’s 2016. But I wouldn’t count on it.
Kyle Pitts Will Win ROY
While the QB’s have certainly gotten a majority of hype, people still haven’t forgotten about Pitts. Even though he’s a tight end–and tight ends tend to struggle early in their careers–I expect him to lead all rookie pass-catchers in yards and touchdowns. And for the second time in NFL history, Rookie of the Year will go to a tight end–even though he’s more than that.
Rams Will Win The NFC
No, I didn’t forget to add “West”. I am picking the Rams to win the NFC. The hype right now is with the Bucs because they just won the Super Bowl, obviously. However, the Bucs made virtually no changes, while the Rams made a big one. Adding Stafford gives the Rams a much higher ceiling on offense and they still have one of the best defenses in football. The gap between the Bucs and Rams is small enough to where I feel comfortable saying the Rams can make it to the Super Bowl.
Chiefs Will Win The Super Bowl
I don’t expect much pushback on this one. They have the best offense in football. They have the best QB in football. They remade their entire offensive line. Their defense is far from terrible. If it weren’t for missing both starting tackles they may have repeated. But prior to Week 1, I see no reason to pick against the Chiefs.