Dan’s 2020 NFL Predictions
Every year, I make my predictions for the NFL season. It’s a compulsion; I’m never anywhere near correct, but I have fun doing it and that’s all that matters.
My guidelines:
The math has to work. There will be 256 wins and 256 losses (unless there are ties). I also look at who plays whom. For example, the Dolphins, Bengals, Chargers, and Jaguars all play each other. That’s 6 wins that have to go to someone.
Almost always, at least 5 teams make the playoffs that didn’t the prior year. I usually try to predict 6 new teams in the postseason. This year I only have 5, because it’s a weird year and continuity is going to make a huge difference, and the better teams from 2019 mostly have better continuity.
I don’t predict injuries. But I will consider teams that aren’t well positioned to withstand injuries for worse records.
So, here are my predictions!
REGULAR SEASON
NFC EAST
Philadelphia Eagles 10-6
Dallas Cowboys 7-9
Washington Football Team 6-10
New York Giants 4-12
NFC NORTH
Minnesota Vikings 9-7
Green Bay Packers 6-10
Detroit Lions 6-10
Chicago Bears 4-12
NFC SOUTH
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 10-6
New Orleans Saints 10-6
Atlanta Falcons 9-7
Carolina Panthers 5-11
NFC WEST
Seattle Seahawks 10-6
Los Angeles Rams 10-6
San Francisco 49ers 8-8
Arizona Cardinals 7-9
AFC EAST
Buffalo Bills 11-5
Miami Dolphins 7-9
New England Patriots 6-10
New York Jets 5-11
AFC NORTH
Pittsburgh Steelers 12-4
Baltimore Ravens 12-4
Cleveland Browns 10-6
Cincinnati Bengals 6-10
AFC SOUTH
Indianapolis Colts 9-7
Tennessee Titans 8-8
Houston Texans 7-9
Jacksonville Jaguars 5-11
AFC WEST
Kansas City Chiefs 13-3
Los Angeles Chargers 9-7
Las Vegas Raiders 8-8
Denver Broncos 7-9
PLAYOFFS
Tiebreakers: Tampa Bay over New Orleans due to division record; Seattle over Los Angeles due to division record; Pittsburgh over Baltimore due to head-to-head sweep; Seattle over Philadelphia due to head-to-head win; Seattle over Tampa Bay and Tampa Bay over Philadelphia due to record vs. common opponents; New Orleans over Los Angeles due to record vs. common opponents.
WILD CARD ROUND
#6 Los Angeles Rams at #3 Philadelphia Eagles
close until Eagles pull away in the end
#6 Cleveland Browns at #3 Buffalo Bills
Bills stifle Brown’s offense and win a low-scoring one easily
#5 Baltimore Ravens at #4 Indianapolis Colts
Baltimore has the game won by halftime
#5 New Orleans Saints at #4 Minnesota Vikings
Saints come back late and win in OT
#3 Buffalo Bills at #2 Pittsburgh Steelers
Bills turn defensive touchdowns into an upset win
#3 Philadelphia Eagles at #2 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Eagles win an ugly one
#5 New Orleans Saints at #1 Seattle Seahawks
Saints play better but Russell Wilson magic gets a miracle win
#5 Baltimore Ravens at #1 Kansas City Chiefs
Ravens knock off the defending champs by a field goal
#5 Baltimore Ravens at #3 Buffalo Bills
Ravens win easily
#3 Philadelphia Eagles at #1 Seattle Seahawks
Seahawks get an early lead and never lose it even though it’s close
SUPER BOWL LV
Seattle Seahawks vs. Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore takes the trophy 23-14
AWARDS
League MVP: Patrick Mahomes
Offensive Player of the Year: Patrick Mahomes
Defensive Player of the Year: Tre’Davious White
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Joe Burrow
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Chase Young
Coach of the Year: Sean McDermott
Super Bowl MVP: Matthew Judon
Comeback Player of the Year: Ben Roethlisberger
