corta765 Posted 13 hours ago Posted 13 hours ago 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. 2 2 1 Quote
Doc Brown Posted 13 hours ago Posted 13 hours ago We all know what's going to happen as Bills fans...... 1 7 Quote
Gregg Posted 12 hours ago Posted 12 hours ago Optimistic - Super Bowl champs Realistic - McDermott's D gets smoked again in another divisional round/AFCCG loss. 3 1 Quote
corta765 Posted 11 hours ago Author Posted 11 hours ago 58 minutes ago, TBBills Fan said: Buffalo-superbowl and Superbowl Lol win with mvp vs make SB and see what happens 1 Quote
dcinmuncie Posted 11 hours ago Posted 11 hours ago 1 hour ago, TBBills Fan said: Buffalo-superbowl and Superbowl agreed completely 1 Quote
LABILLBACKER Posted 11 hours ago Posted 11 hours ago (edited) Optimistic: SB Appearance. Let the Gods decide Realistic: Face KC again in AFCCG. Let the Gods decide. Edited 11 hours ago by LABILLBACKER Quote
Gregg Posted 11 hours ago Posted 11 hours ago 1 minute ago, LABILLBACKER said: Optimistic: SB Appearance. Let the Gods decide Realistic: Face KC again in AFCCG. Let the Gods decide. Unless injuries hit which can happen to any team, I get the feeling it will be the Ravens the Bills will have to get past to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. 1 Quote
Billl Posted 11 hours ago Posted 11 hours ago So there’s exactly one team who should realistically expect to make the Super Bowl? Quote
LABILLBACKER Posted 10 hours ago Posted 10 hours ago 24 minutes ago, Gregg said: Unless injuries hit which can happen to any team, I get the feeling it will be the Ravens the Bills will have to get past to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. Lamar might be one of the greatest regular season qbs in NFL history. But even he has admitted he gets tight in playoff games. You could be right. Mahomes is due for a off year. 1 Quote
Don Otreply Posted 10 hours ago Posted 10 hours ago Optimistic; SIPER BOWL VICTORY!!!!! Relistic; SUPER BOWL VICTORY!!! GO BILLS!!! 1 Quote
Ray Stonada Posted 9 hours ago Posted 9 hours ago This is wild. Unless I'm missing somthing, we are the only team whose "optimistic" is Super Bowl win. And we are the only team whose "realistic" is Super Bowl appearance. These guys think the Bills are the best team in the league. 1 Quote
Augie Posted 9 hours ago Posted 9 hours ago 11 minutes ago, NewEra said: Stay healthy and win the Super Bowl. Or…..win the Super Bowl and I will send a lovely, handwritten and heartfelt card along with some Incredible Edibles or something. Sorry, yes, healthy is good too. 1 Quote
DaVinci Posted 9 hours ago Posted 9 hours ago My expectation is they are going to rip my heart out and step on it . Quote
folz Posted 8 hours ago Posted 8 hours ago 28 minutes ago, Doc Brown said: We all know what's going to happen as Bills fans...... The question is who is Lucy this time? Kansas City? Baltimore? The NFL/refs? Our coaches/FO? The football gods? I'm not saying that I agree or disagree with this analysis, just condensing some of the info as far as who the OP sees as SB contenders: Based on the OP's optimistic views for teams, he has 13 teams as SB contenders (listed as at least making a conf. title game, optimistically---2024 playoff teams are in bold): LA Rams, KC, Philly, Washington, Pitt, Houston, Detroit, Denver, Atlanta, SF, Tampa, Green Bay, and Buffalo. (the only 2024 playoff teams not in contention are the Chargers and Vikings, replaced by Atlanta and SF). OP's best optimistic views: Buffalo wins the SB Philly wins the SB Ravens SB appearance OP's best realistic results: Buffalo makes a SB appearance Baltimore makes AFC Championship Philly make the NFC Championship Washington makes the NFC Championship So, seems like similar results to last year (as far as the playoff teams go), except (I would surmise) with Buffalo advancing to the SB (over Balt) and probably facing Philly (with either team winning the SB, but Buffalo being a slight favorite in odds). Quote
Doc Brown Posted 7 hours ago Posted 7 hours ago 1 hour ago, folz said: The question is who is Lucy this time? Kansas City? Baltimore? The NFL/refs? Our coaches/FO? The football gods? Cluster injuries at DT. Who knows. Quote
buffblue Posted 6 hours ago Posted 6 hours ago 6 hours ago, Shaw66 said: I think realistic is AFC championship game. I agree. Could do more but I'm not expecting it. This is the Bills after all Quote
DeepPass Posted 6 hours ago Posted 6 hours ago 7 hours ago, Shaw66 said: I think realistic is AFC championship game. I'd call that very optimistic! Quote
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