The Patriots are nonetheless the final crew to win back-to-back Super Bowls. The Kansas City Chiefs want to change that this season.
The Chiefs are favored to win Super Bowl LVIII after head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes helped to topple the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII final season. They’re anticipated to face heavy competitors from the Eagles, Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals and San Francisco 49ers this season, in keeping with oddsmakers.
It’s not straightforward to repeat, and nobody has achieved it in almost 20 years. The Patriots achieved the feat in 2003 and 2004. Even Bill Belichick and Tom Brady needed to take a yr off between wins of their second championship run from 2014 to 2018, nevertheless.
So, who will win all of it this season? Can the Patriots sneak into the wild card? Who’s taking dwelling MVP?
The Herald’s Patriots beat writers make their NFL predictions.
AFC East
Callahan: Buffalo Bills
For all of the Jets’ and Dolphins’ offseason splashes, the Bills stay the favourite. And rightfully so. They have one of the best quarterback, the roster with the fewest holes and highest ground.
Kyed: Buffalo Bills
The Dolphins, Jets and Patriots all made up some floor on the Bills this offseason however not sufficient. Quarterback Josh Allen and the Bills have an excessive amount of expertise to topple this season.
AFC North
Callahan: Baltimore Ravens
New Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken goes to do for Baltimore what Bill O’Brien will do for the Patriots: replace the passing recreation and elevate the quarterback. Lamar Jackson will probably be again within the MVP race this season. Book it.
Kyed: Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow can have much more safety this season after Mike Brown splurged to signal offensive sort out Orlando Brown Jr. in free company.
AFC South
Callahan: Jacksonville Jaguars
Are you going to choose the Titans, Colts or Texans, all of whom would possibly end the season with rookie quarterbacks beginning? Me neither.
Kyed: Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars have come a great distance since Urban Meyer was fired as head coach. They’re one of the best crew in a nasty division, and Trevor Lawrence ought to take one other main step in 2023. He was sneakily one of many league’s finest quarterbacks within the second half of the season.
AFC West
Callahan: Kansas City Chiefs
Bet in opposition to the Chiefs at your individual peril. The NFL’s gold customary is coming off one other Super Bowl marketing campaign. Not to say, not one of the different AFC West groups have gained a playoff recreation since January 2020.
Kyed: Kansas City Chiefs
It’s finest to choose the Chiefs out of the AFC West till they show us mistaken. Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes are one of the best head coach-quarterback pairing within the NFL. The Chiefs took a threat changing Brown with Jawaan Taylor at left sort out, nevertheless.
AFC Wild Card
Callahan: Miami Dolphins, Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Chargers
Tough calls abound right here. The Dolphins edge the Patriots and Jets due to superior weapons and total expertise. Once he returns from harm, Joe Burrow ought to guarantee Cincinnati makes the dance once more. And the Chargers return due to new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, who will additional develop star quarterback Justin Herbert as an alternative of limiting him to quick passes like his predecessor, Joe Lombardi.
Julian Edelman set to reunite with Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski on FOX Sports
Kyed: Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, New England Patriots
Lamar Jackson will carry the Ravens to the wild card. Defense will lead the Jets and Patriots to the playoffs, nevertheless. We’re additionally banking on a significant bounce-back from Mac Jones with Bill O’Brien as his new offensive coordinator.
NFC East
Callahan: Dallas Cowboys
It’s time. The Cowboys are too gifted, too well-rounded, too well-coached on protection to not make a deep playoff run. It begins with a division title, because the Eagles do not profit from the identical harm luck as they did final season because the third-healthiest crew within the NFL.
Kyed: Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles’ roster is constructed too properly for a Super Bowl hangover. General supervisor Howie Roseman is such a wizard that he satisfied Darius Slay to stay round even after hiring Matt Patricia to his defensive employees. Slay and Patricia clashed in Detroit.
NFC North
Callahan: Green Bay Packers
Surprise! New quarterback Jordan Love leads the Pack to a title in his first season due to one of many NFL’s finest offensive strains and a fast-developing receiving corps. Green Bay can also be one of many best-coached groups within the league, which can shine via this season.
Kyed: Detroit Lions
The Lions had the NFL’s finest offense, primarily based on anticipated factors added (EPA) per play from Week 12 on final season — sure, even higher than the Chiefs. Expect the offensive dominance to proceed this season.
NFC South
Callahan: New Orleans Saints
All Derek Carr should do is just not screw it up. The Saints personal one of many NFC’s most gifted rosters, a superb protection and their competitors within the division is in tatters.
Kyed: Carolina Panthers
The NFC South is trying just like the worst division within the NFL this season. The Panthers have quite a lot of expertise on protection, and rookie quarterback Bryce Young could possibly be a difference-maker in Year 1.
NFC West
Callahan: Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks are an ascending crew with an improved roster, confirmed teaching and a greater quarterback than the division favourite. That’s the recipe for an upset.
Kyed: San Francisco 49ers
I believe it is honest to be skeptical of 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, and second-stringer Sam Darnold has been traditionally dangerous in his NFL profession. But head coach Kyle Shanahan is a quarterback whisperer and will get success out of any passer with an in any other case sturdy roster.
NFC Wild Card
Callahan: San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions
Barring catastrophe, arguably two of the NFC’s three finest groups, the 49ers and Eagles, return to playoffs. The Lions lastly break via underneath coach Dan Campbell after ending final season sturdy.
Kyed: Dallas Cowboys, Seattle Seahawks, Minnesota Vikings
The Cowboys and Seahawks cannot fairly beat out powerhouses just like the Eagles and 49ers however ought to nonetheless make the postseason. The Vikings emerge in a reasonably weak convention for the ultimate playoff spot even when they’re going to take a step again from their 13-4 end in 2022.
Super Bowl matchup
Callahan: Cowboys vs. Chiefs
NFL headquarters pops champagne for 2 full weeks forward of the Big Game, which might set a report for scores. In the top, Patrick Mahomes earns his third ring, firmly establishing the Chiefs because the league’s subsequent dynasty.
Kyed: Bengals vs. 49ers
In a rematch of Super Bowl XXIII, the Bengals emerge victorious this time. It could be now or by no means for Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and crew. Shanahan nonetheless cannot get his 49ers over the hump to win a championship.
MVP
Callahan: Ravens QB Lamar Jackson
Don’t underestimate Jackson. He’s one of many league’s most dynamic athletes and harmful gamers at its most vital place. If he stays wholesome, one other season with 3,000-plus passing yards and 1,000 dashing yards must be anticipated.
Kyed: Bengals QB Joe Burrow
The Bengals quarterback missed most of coaching camp with a calf harm. He’s been among the finest two or three quarterbacks within the NFL over the past two seasons. Expect him to enhance much more in Year 4.
Offensive Player of the Year
Callahan: Browns RB Nick Chubb
If you watched the Browns final yr, you recognize it is all on Chubb. Deshaun Watson is now not the quarterback he as soon as was, and Chubb labored this offseason on honing his receiving expertise. Look for him to league the league in dashing and set profession highs as a receiver whereas scoring 20-plus touchdowns to lock up this award.
Kyed: Vikings WR Justin Jefferson
Jefferson makes ESPN analyst Ryan Clark pay for saying George Pickens is the extra gifted large receiver. Jefferson gained Offensive Player of the Year final yr and is primed for an additional large season with quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Defensive Player of the Year
Callahan: Cowboys DE Micah Parsons
Let’s get spicy: Parsons will break the NFL report for sacks in a single season, presently held by T.J. Watt and Michael Strahan at 22.5. Parsons would possibly even nab 25.
Kyed: Jets CB Sauce Gardner
Gardner lived as much as the hype as defensive rookie of the yr and an All-Pro in 2022. He’ll construct on that for the final word defensive award this season if he can pressure extra turnovers. Of course, that may require quarterbacks truly focusing on him.
Coach of the Year
Callahan: Green Bay’s Matt LaFleur
LaFleur ought to’ve been within the dialog when he had the Packers among the many league’s elite yearly with Aaron Rodgers. Now that Rodgers is gone, his work with Jordan Love over a playoff marketing campaign will get the eye of voters and LaFleur some {hardware}.
Kyed: Carolina’s Frank Reich
Reich will deserve it if the Panthers could make the playoffs, even when it is in a weak division.
Comeback Player of the Year
Callahan: Rams WR Cooper Kupp
Bills security Damar Hamlin is the heavy favourite for this award, however within the off likelihood he would not play this season, or performs only some snaps, Kupp makes probably the most sense given he ranks among the many NFL’s finest weapons and can once more be the focus of a Rams offense with few choices.
Kyed: Bills S Damar Hamlin
Hamlin taking the sphere in any respect is worthy of this honor after he almost died on the sphere final season.
Source: www.bostonherald.com