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As we are in the last quite part of the football year before it cranks up I wanted to do a fun thread based on a podcast I am listening to. Albert Breer & Connor Orr (both from SI) are going division by division with a optimistic season outlook and then a more realistic expectation for every team. It is a great listen if you do podcasts and I recommend it. But I did my own version for all 32 teams with a brief snippet for an optimistic look for each team vs a more grounded expectation. Let me know your thoughts or predictions! 1. Atlanta Optimistic: They win their division and make a surprise NFC title game appearance Realistic: Penix looks for real, the offense is dynamic for 17 games, and the playoffs are win and get in week 18 2. Arizona Optimistic: Surprise division title as the offense is electric throughout and Murray has his best season yet as a darkhorse MVP candidate Realistic: The Cardinals are playing meaningful games come December near a playoff spot and Murray/the offense doesn’t fade at the end 3. Baltimore Optimistic: Superbowl appearance with MVP season from Lamar Realistic: AFC title game at home as they win a tough AFC North 4. Buffalo Optimistic: Superbowl win with another MVP from Josh Realistic: Finally make it back to the Superbowl 5. Carolina Optimistic: Surprise playoff berth against a favorable schedule as Bryce Young puts together a solid year and the defense is better than expected Realistic: 6. Chicago Optimistic: Ben Johnson has the offense playing Banana’s at Caleb Williams looks like a top 10 QB and the Bears make the playoffs at 10-7 Realistic: Caleb Williams looks like a top 15 QB, the offense is consistently decent to good, and the Bears have some meaningful games in December while finishing 8-9 7. Cincinnati Optimistic: Win the AFC North as the offense is super good again and the defense is enough to win with and win a playoff game to get back to the AFC Divisional round Realistic: Make the playoffs as Burrow is really good and the defense is not as bad this time around showing some new foundational pieces. In the playoffs terrify whoever they play that Burrow single handedly can go on a run. 8. Cleveland Optimistic: Sanders or Gabriel emerge as a legitimate starting QB they can build around for the future and the defense solidifies into a top 5 unit as the youth from the draft emerge quickly with the players they already have Realistic: The defense is in the upper half of the league but is wasted as the offense cannot do much and they go 3-14 but miss out on the top draft pick (NOLA gets it) 9. Dallas Optimistic: The offense explodes on all cylinders with a top 5 year and leads the Cowboys back to the playoffs where they win a game Realistic: The Cowboys are in the playoff hunt throughout as the offense is better but the past injuries to Dak catch up and lack of talent overall holds the team back as they finish 8-9 with more questions than answers 10. Denver Optimistic: Bo takes a step forward to be a top 12 QB mixed with a great defense and they finally knockout KC for the division crown before making a run to the AFC title game Realistic: Bo takes enough of a step forward mixed with a great defense and favorable schedule to nip KC for the division crown and they win a playoff game. 11. Detroit Optimistic: Despite losing both coordinators and some talent, the Lions still win a competitive division and make it back to the NFC title Realistic: The Lions make the playoffs and win a playoff game, despite not winning the division and the offense taking a small step back 12. Green Bay Optimistic: Jordan Love has his most complete season and emerges as an MVP candidate while leading the Packers to the 1 seed and NFC title game Realistic: The Packers win the division, Love emerges into the top 10 QB group, and the Packers win a playoff game 13. Houston Optimistic: The defense is the best in the league, Stoud jump back into the top 10 QB wise as the offense is dangerous, and they make the AFC title Realistic: The Texans defense is top 5 again and lead them to another division crown while Stroud is a bit more steady throughout and they win another playoff game at home 14. Indianapolis Optimistic: They make the playoffs with a surprise division crown as Jones has a season like 2022 where he lets Taylor do the running and compliments it nicely Realistic: The Colts play meaningful games in December as Jones is solid enough to keep them a float before missing out on the playoffs at 8-9 come seasons end 15. Jacksonville Optimistic: New talent & new coaching unlock Trevor Lawrence into his best form as the offense becomes top 10 in the league and win the division crown Realistic: Trevor finds stable footing with the new coaching staff and the Jags are in the playoff race right to seasons end as Travis Hunter is the real deal on both sides of the ball 16. Kansas City Optimistic: AFC title game at home rinse and repeat Realistic: They finally don’t win the division as the AFC West presents a big enough challenge mixed with talent lost and years of playoff games take their toll on the roster. It is a playoff year instead of division championship year. They still make the AFC divisional round and show they won’t fall without a fight. 17. LA Rams Optimistic: They make the SB after getting the NFC 1 seed with the offense being top 5 and the defense rising near the top 10. Realistic: They win the division and win a playoff game again showing they are an incredibly formidable team. 18. LA Chargers Optimistic: The Chargers finally put it all together and reach the hype analysts constantly give with a division crown and Herbert being an MVP candidate. They win a playoff game and make to the divisional round for the first time since 2017 Realistic: The Chargers are in the wildcard mix all season but miss at 9-8 as the division improvement keeps the Chargers back. 19. Las Vegas Raiders Optimistic: Geno is as solid as he was in Seattle mixed with Jeanty at RB lead a Raider offense that can go toe to toe with anyone and they make a wildcard appearance. Realistic: The Raiders week are still in the playoff hunt in mid December as the offense has some teeth and the defense is stout thanks to Carroll shaping them up 20. Miami Optimistic: Tua is healthy and good for the year leading the Dolphins to a wildcard spot as the offense is still quite potent enough to score in bunches. The defense is not a full sieve. Realistic: The Dolphins finish 7-10 as they lack the talent to compete on defense and the offense is good against bad-average teams but fails to carry the load against top teams. Tua plays in 15 of 17 games but sticks as a middle of the road QB (decent but not great). 21. Minnesota Optimistic: JJ lets the weapons do the work and has a very solid rookie season as the offense stays in the top 10, the Vikings win the division, and win a playoff game Realistic: JJ has some ups and downs, but the Vikings are still in the playoff race come the final two weeks as the offense is still in the top half of the league 22. New England Optimistic: Drake Maye takes a big next step turning into a top 15 QB, the offense is top 10 rushing, and mixed with an improved defense they make a wildcard appearance Realistic: Drake Maye takes a strong step forward and the offense moves to middle of the road. The defense is able to complimentary ball and mixed with Vrabels coaching the Patriots are in the playoff hunt in late December before falling short at 8-9 23. New Orleans Optimistic: rookie QB Tyler Shough looks like a QB you can build the future with and the offense is able to do some things and they are in most games finishing 5-12 with some young building blocks Realistic: The years of pushing the cap down the road catch up as the Saints go 2-15 as the offense is putrid, Shough looks like a rookie QB, and the Saints march to their worst season in decades but get the #1 pick 24. New York Giants Optimistic: The lines both solidify and become a strength for the team as their RBs combine for 2000 yards again from the line of scrimmage and the defense is terror on the d-line. Dart takes over with 4 games to go and looks ok as they finish 7-10 with many building blocks to work with. Realistic: The defense does round into form allowing the Giants to stay in games but the offense lacks the talent to do enough while the QB play is erratic forcing Dart in much sooner and he is overwhelmed. They finish 5-12 with questions continuing on the offense and QBs future. 25. New York Jets Optimistic: The Jets rushing attack is dynamic as they mix Fields in and end the year top 5 running the ball. The defense reverts back to a more solid form with Glenn as head coach and with good complimentary ball the Jets are in the playoff hunt come mid December before finishing 8-9. Realistic: Glenn stabilizes the foundation of the team as young players emerge and pieces like Sauces & Wilson restore their footing. They still finish 6-11 as they need talent and QB, but it is a much quieter season and it feels like something is being built for the long term again with the defense finishing in the top 10. 26. Philadelphia Optimistic: Another Super Bowl win and 1 seed Realistic: NFC title game appearance and division crown 27. Pittsburgh Optimistic: Rodgers shuts up and gives top 15 level QB play as the offense finally can attack a bit vertically while the defense is good as always ending with a division crown and AFC title game appearance. Realistic: The offense is decent as Rodgers is steady and the defense is good like always, but the best they can do is a wildcard appearance and loss in a tough close game. 28. San Francisco Optimistic: The 49ers heal up across the board on the way to a division crown and NFC title appearance. Purdy looks worth the money providing really solid QB play and young pieces like Ricky Pearsall (WR) come into their own. The defense rounds into shape with Saleh back at DC also. Realistic: The 49ers get back in the playoffs as health stabilizes the ship, but it isn’t smooth sailing and requires a week 18 win to get back in the dance. Purdy is solid but more Tua then Burrow at QB and can’t lead a comeback drive in the playoffs as the 49ers fall wildcard weekend. 29. Seattle Optimistic: Sam Darnold is not a pumpkin and plays at a very high level as Smith-Njigba becomes a true #1 WR and Kupp is healthy allowing for a top 10 passing attack that brings Seattle back to the playoffs. Realistic: Darnold is more average then good as the Seahawks offense can’t compliment a decent defense and Seattle is out of the playoff race by mid December. 30. Tampa Bay Optimistic: Baker & the offense stay dynamic, Bowles defense is sound, and the Bucs win another division crown and then make the NFC title game. Realistic: The Bucs don’t have to comeback from a 3-5 start to win the division, but they still need a week 18 win to get the division crown. 31. Tennessee Optimistic: Cam Ward looks like a future stud as the back half he has some big games passing and the offense is able to do some things finishing middle of the road and staying in more games then people think. Realistic: The offense has too many aging parts to help Ward, he gets beat up, and they lose a lot of weeks 27-13 with more questions on the roster then answers at seasons end outside of the QB position. 32. Washington Optimistic: They steal the division from PHI and make it back to the NFC title game again. Realistic: They make the playoffs as a wild card going 10-7 as some bounces don’t go their way this year and they have to grind for more wins. No worry as Daniels has a big week 18 win to clinch a wildcard and delivers another playoff win the next week.

How does this even come about? Dolphins GM “I want to trade for Waller” Giants GM “You must have misspoke, he’s retired” Dolphins GM “Yes, Waller” Giants GM “Sold”

I just wonder about the simple things. His agenda is certainly part of that. I guess I'm still confused about how he's certain the man has no criminal record, or arrest warrant, when the initial reporting implied he wasn't even 100% sure the guy was the target. In addition, I'm confused as to why he's shielding the man's name from the reporting, citing possible deportation, when he says the guy is being literally being targeted by Immigration Customs Enforcement...and ICE is waiting outside his house. Sketchy reporting to say the least, but definitely sure to rile up some folks.

LMAOOOOO Well, any concern I had about the Dolphins getting better with Fitzpatrick over Ramsey has been wiped out with this move. Still the same old clown show.

I think the seat is warmer than it was but I don't think he is under any immediate threat. I can respect wanting him fired for 13 seconds. It was a huge failure. I don't put the Bengals loss on him it was squarely on the players and I even then I cut them some slack. They started slow and with everything that year they had no mental reserves to respond. They all looked vacant and lifeless. To put that on coaching you almost need to believe McDermott told them to play like that. The Bills have been beaten by more than 1 score twice in like 3 and a half years and that was one of them. It was an anomoly. But if, like me, you are willing to give one mulligan for 13 seconds then he doesn't get a second one. Missing the playoffs unless Josh is hurt is a second huge failure and he'd have to go. Likewise losing a playoff game to a non-elite QB. Likewise any playoff defeat whatsoever that has a 13 second like blunder. As for where Pegula is... the regime might survive a winning season where they miss the playoffs at 9-8. Possibly. If they have a losing season they are toast. They might survive a narrow playoff loss to a non-elite QB on the road. At home? Riskier. Another blunder like 13 seconds I think Terry fires McDermott. In that situation and only that situation do I think there is a chance the coach goes and the GM stays.

Ok. Why are you in support of the government paying for elective surgery?

Yes? The Dolphins went 2-2 in their last 4 games, including losing an AWFUL game to the Titans. Otherwise, they would have been resting their starters week 18 as they would have locked up the division. Those same Titans (a 6 win team by the way) also played spoiler to the Jags week 18. If the Titans lost to the Jags and the Dolphins, the Bills miss the playoffs regardless if they win week 18 or not. Furthermore, the Bills trailed by 7 until the 4th quarter when we got an extremely lucky punt return. The Bills also needed a 5 game winning streak to have a chance to get in because they were .500 and in disarray in November lol I pointed it out first. When I said “Stefanski making the playoffs with a bad QB is as impressive as anything McDermott’s done.” Do you think I wasn’t talking about McDermott ALSO doing that lol Incredible! Imagine this take to defend a dude who is incapable of beating the Chiefs or the Bengals and can’t get past the conference finals lol

He was washed when he was with the Giants.

A much better use than tax cuts for the rich

Bet the under on the dolphins win total

Seems a ridiculous use of government dollars.

Years ago, I had a friend whose brother-in-law was selling knock off jerseys & he gave me a Trent Edwards counterfeit jersey. It looked pretty real. I wore it to one game & then the Bills cut Edwards. Because the name on the back of the uniform was a separate cloth sewn into the jersey, I was able to cut out the name Edwards. Then the Bills changed their uniforms & I never wore it again. I still have the jersey in a closet with other stuff I can't wear. In 2018 I bought a real Josh Allen jersey at a local mall after the Vikings game and it's the only Bills jersey I need, and I don't have to worry about Josh getting cut.

There was a band called the Buffalo Beatles way back in 1965 or so. Legally, they had to change their name, the became The Rogues. The lead guitarist had a Gretsch Country Gentleman guitar and a Vox Super Beatle amplifier - just like George Harrison used. That was a real wow factor back then. They were very talented. I don’t know who they were,but they were great.

Follow the $... JDaleShoomaker is employed by the Investigative Post. Who funds the Investigative Post? The Knight Foundation. Going to their website About section you can read... https://knightfoundation.org/about/ Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core to our work as a social investor. We believe in the power of diverse perspectives to foster positive change and build stronger, more equitable, and inclusive communities. Sounds like a bunch of cultural Marxists to me. I find it truly surprising that Roundy would be informed by such a publication.

Sensitive? Idk about that. Passionate for sure. Comparing Beane to Veach he hasnt won enough. Comparing Beane to the previous 20 plus years before his arrival its night and day. Building a consistent playoff team and contender is not the norm. Cincy made a run and have been going in reverse since. 49ers and Rams have been really good and really bad. Chiefs, Ravens, and Eagles are the closest to Buffalo in consistency over the past 6 years. They also have been well run franchises for over a decade. Beane and Mcdermott don't get the national credit they deserve. Turning a NFL wasteland franchise to a top 5 Superbowl contender annually. Mcdermott is always on the positive side of analytics. As a defensive coach he gave the ball and franchise to a young Allen and let him go. Was using cover 4 and 2 deep safety for as long as Fangio but he doesnt get any of the credit for it. Not winning the ultimate prize diminishes their historical impact nationally. Beane carries that with him. When doing interviews that can come out.

I assumed that those listed as “expected to come” are the people that bought tickets already.

@JDHillFan is punching the table right now

I read the first 5 words on the title and I thought this topic was going in a very different direction…

It’s funny as my wife never saw it, so we watched the first half last night until she was tired. We’re up early in the am so we head to bed relatively early. She did think it was funny. ”you know Plato, Socrates, all morons”

All of this is because they have not built enough housing to meet the demand.

Yes, it does. Gogolak played how many games for the Bills? 26. Just 26. ----Bills---- Special Teams, not NFL Special Teams Who Played For The Bills

The rapper?? 🤣

He is probably broke…, lol