2020 NFL Season Preview 1.0 (AFC Edition)

Rejoice, NFL Fans! Now that the NFL Schedules have been released, optimism is in the air that the NFL season can start on time. It may look a little different this year, but none the less, it sounds like National Football league Football will be played this year. With most teams having their rosters now shaped out through free agency is the draft, here's how I think the AFC could be shaping up this September:

AFC North:

Baltimore Ravens

Projected Record: 13-3

HC: John Harbaugh (13th Season)

MVP: QB Lamar Jackson

Key Addition: DE Calais Cambell (via Trade with JAX)

Key Departure: G Marshal Yanda (Retired)

Biggest Story Line: Can Jackson and Co. avenge their early playoff exit and dethrone KC for the powerhouse of the AFC?

Baltimore had one of the best regular seasons in franchise history last season, but came up well short of high expectations when playoffs rolled around. Led by clear MVP Lamar Jackson (alongside fellow thousand yard rusher RB Mark Ingram) Baltimore flew through the first 16 games easily, finishing with a 14-2 record. The Ravens seemed posed to make a deep playoff run, and pick up their first playoff win since their 2012 Super Bowl winning Season. However, after a surprising loss in the Divisional Round to the Tennessee Titans, can Baltimore avenge their early exit and threaten Kansas City for the AFC Crown?

Pittsburgh Steelers

Proj. Record: 10-6

HC: Mike Tomlin (14th Season)

MVP: OLB TJ Watt

Key Add: QB Ben Roethlisberger (Missed 14 games last season due to injury)

Key Depart: DT Javon Hargrave (signed with PHI in FA)

Biggest Story Line: Will Big Ben be 100% healthy by Week 1?

Pittsburgh is coming into 2020 to prove that they're still an elite team in the AFC, and having QB Ben Roethlisberger return from injury certainly helps. Following a 2019 where the Steelers had three different QBs start under center and STILL only fell one game short of the playoffs is a lot to be optimistic about. If Big Ben can return to the Roethlisberger of old (a big if), Pittsburgh, already anchored by one of the best LB cores in the league, could be a serious playoff threat as a Wild Card team.

Cleveland Browns

Proj. Record: 5-11

HC: Kevin Stefanski (1st Season)

MVP: RB Nick Chubb

Key Add: OT Jack Conklin and TE Austin Hooper (both acquired via FA)

Key Depart: LB Joe Schobert (signed with JAX in FA)

Biggest Story Line: Can a new HC and some free agency additions fix a disappointing 2019 Season?

The preseason favorites to win the AFC North last season, Cleveland was the most disappointing team of 2019, and surprisingly finished picking in the Top 10. New GM Andrew Berry did his best to surround QB Baker Mayfield with weapons and protection, including giving big paydays to Jack Conklin and Austin Hooper. A good draft where Berry nabbed a top tackles in Bama's Jedrick Wills and addressed needs in the secondary wth LSU's Grant Delpit only helps. Berry also hired a fresh face in Minnesota's Kevin Stefanski, who will takeover from Freddie Kitchen as the only Rookie HC in the AFC this season. Will it all equate to a top two finish in this oh-so tight division? I still don't see it happening.

Cincinnati Bengals

Proj. Record: 4-12

HC: Zack Taylor (2nd Season)

MVP: QB Joe Burrow

Key Add: QB Joe Burrow Burrow (acquired via R1 P1 in NFL Draft)

Key Depart: S Clayton Fejedelem (signed with MIA in FA)

Biggest Story Line: Is Joe Burrow the real deal?

A new era in Cincinnati starts this season, as former LSU QB Joe Burrow takes over as the Bengals signal caller following one of the best single seasons in CFB History. Burrow adds to what will be one of the most exciting young offenses in the game, as Cincy can build around Burrow, RB Joe Mixon, and Recievers Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins for many years to come. It will take time however, and don't expect a drastic difference in year 1 of this high-potential rebuild.

AFC East

Buffalo Bills

Proj. Record: 12-4

HC: Sean McDermott (4th Season)

MVP: CB Tre'Davious White

Key Add: WR Stefon Diggs (acquired via trade with MIN)

Key Depart: DT Jordan Philips (signed with ARI in FA)

Biggest Story Line: Is Josh Allen mature enough to lead Buffalo to their first AFC East title in over 15 years?

Congratulations, Buffalo Bills Fans! Your time has finally come to be the powerhouse of the AFC East. Following (what seems to be) the collapse of New England this offseason, Buffalo goes from being a surprise wild card team last season to division favorites. The only question is: Is their Quarterback ready? As Josh Allen enters his third year in the league, he's shown he can lead a franchise during the regular season by making plays happen with his strong arm and quick legs. But, there still are concerns about his performance in last year's wild card game to send the Bills home: No touchdowns on 52% passing, and an immature turnover late in the game. The acquisition of WR Stefon Diggs should definitely help Allen mature, along with still having one of the league's best defenses behind him.

Miami Dolphins

Proj. Record: 9-7

HC: Brian Flores (2nd Season)

MVP: WR Devante Parker

Key Add: QB Tua Tagovailoa (acquired via R1 P5 in NFL Draft)

Key Depart: N/A

Biggest Story Line: Are the Phins already Wild Card Contenders?

It's hard to imagine this offseason going any better for Dolphins fans. After HC Brian Flores beat his former team in Foxboro to close out the Dolphins' season, Miamians got to witness another treat: Tom Brady leaving the Patriots and the AFC East, ironically getting out of Miami's hair while moving 1,300 miles closer. Speaking of former Patriots leaving, the Flores affect saw a trio of players flock south from New England in the signings of Kyle Van Noy, Elandon Roberts, and Ted Karras. These three starters will pair with CB Byron Jones, DE Shaq Lawson and RB Jordan Howard to give Miami a stellar amount of talent from the free agency pool. And, to put the cherry on top, the Dolphins got the QB they had their eyes on in the draft without even needing to move up as they selected Alabama's Tua Tagovailoa with the fifth pick. Although Tua comes with some injury concerns, these moves (paired with the talent already present on the roster) gives Miami a legit shot at a Wild Card spot, or even a chance at giving Buffalo a run for their money.

New England Patriots

Proj. Record: 5-11

HC: Bill Belichick (21st Season)

MVP: CB Stephon Gilmore

Key Add: S Kyle Dugger (acquired via R2 P37 in NFL Draft)

Key Depart: QB Tom Brady (signed with TB in FA)

Biggest Story Line: Is Stidham the answer for the now Brady-less Patriots?

After a whirlwind offseason for Patriots fans, New England enter the 2020 Season in what seems like unfamiliar territory. For the first time in almost two decades, OC Josh McDaniels (pictured) is readying someone other than Thomas Edward Brady to be the team's starting Quarterback, and the moves they made this offseason question how good of a situation second-year QB Jarrett Stidham is being thrown into. Belichick didn't do much in the draft to surround Stidham (who many already question is the right heir apparent to Brady) with weapons in a loaded WR class, and unless pass-catchers N'Keal Harry and Mohamed Sanu can bounce back from injury-riddled 2019 campaigns, Patriots fans are (finally) in for a rough season.

New York Jets

Proj. Record: 4-12

HC: Adam Gase (2nd Season)

MVP: S Jamal Adams

Key Add: OT Mekhi Becton (acquired via R1 P12 in NFL Draft)

Key Depart: WR Robby Anderson (signed with CAR in FA)

Biggest Story Line: Did GM Joe Douglas do enough to help Sam Darnold?

In Douglas' first shot at restructuring New York's roster, he made his intentions very clear: Wide Receivers and Offensive Linemen for QB Sam Darnold. The Jets' O-Line was terrible last year, part of the reason Darnold disappointed some in his sophomore season and why RB Le'Veon Bell finished with a career low 789 YDs and 3 TDs. Douglas did what he could to help both Darnold and Bell, signing WR Breshad Perriman and drafting OT Mekhi Becton and WR Denzel Mims. Credit to Douglas for addressing New York's areas of need, but will it be enough? After missing out on OL Joe Thuney (New England) and Jack Conklin (Cleveland) in free agency, will Adam Gase's offense be protected enough to make a run at the wide open AFC East? I don't think so.

AFC West:

Kansas City Chiefs

Proj. Record: 14-2

HC: Andy Reid (8th Season)

MVP: QB Patrick Mahomes

Key Add: RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (acquired via R1 P32 in NFL Draft)

Key Depart: DE Emmanual Ogbah (signed with MIA in FA)

Biggest Story Line: What's stopping the Chiefs from going Back-to-Back?

After bringing home their first Lombardi Trophy in half a century, Kansas City gets the luxury of returning a majority of their key championship pieces, and could be destined for another run at the title. GM Brett Veach went straight to work following the Chiefs 31-20 defeat of the 49ers in SB LIV, and Kansas City's roster just might be better than it was in that game. The loss of DE Emmanual Ogbah (5.5 Sacks) shouldn't provide much of a hiccup in a front-7 headlined by Chris Jones and Frank Clark. Also, with the pick of LSU's Clyde Edwards-Helaire in the first round, the defending champs add another aspect to their offense for DC's to have nightmares about.

Denver Broncos

Proj. Record: 10-6

HC: Vic Fangio (2nd Season)

MVP: QB Drew Lock

Key Add: CB A.J. Bouye (via Trade with JAX)

Key Depart: CB Chris Harris (signed with LAC in FA)

Biggest Story Line: Elway doubles down at receiver in the draft, assembles a scary offense to compete with Kansas City

Following a season where the Broncos were cast in Kansas City's shadow, GM John Elway proved this offseason that he has no plans on aiming for second. The legend-turned-GM made a couple great (although costly) moves to bolster the defense in hopes of competing against offenses like KC: trading for former Pro Bowlers CB A.J. Bouye and DT Jurrell Casey (and only giving up fourth and seventh rounders respectively). Both moves were nice for DC Ed Donatell's defense, but the real offseason winner in Denver was QB Drew Lock. Lock should be thanking his lucky stars for Elway's efforts, as new RB Melvin Gordon could pair nicely alongside Philip Lindsay; new Rookie WRs Jerry Juedy and KJ Hamler add another wrinkle in a passing game that already features Courtland Sutton and Noah Fant. Watch out for the Broncos this year, especially if Kansas City shows early signs of a Super Bowl Hangover.

Los Angeles Chargers

Proj. Record: 6-10

HC: Anthony Lynn (4th Season)

MVP: DE Joey Bosa

Key Add: QB Justin Herbert (acquired via R1 P6 in NFL Draft)

Key Depart: RB Melvin Gordon (signed with DEN in FA)

Biggest Story Line: Who starts behind center Week 1: Vet. Tyrod Taylor or Rookie Justin Herbert?

Like Cincinnati and Miami, LA drafted one of the top QB Prospects very early in April's NFL Virtual Draft. But unlike Cincinnati and Miami, the Chargers don't have a set plan to make that signal-caller their day one starter. After moving on from Philip Rivers after 17 seasons in both San Diego and Los Angeles, the Chargers were ready for a new face of the franchise. After loosing out on the Tom Brady sweepstakes (sorry Chargers fans, it's hard to compete with no state income tax), GM Tom Telesco shifted his focus to the draft and picked up Oregon's Justin Herbert. Herbert has a lot of promise, but should the Chargers feel rushed into starting him Week 1? As fun as a Joe Burrow-Justin Herbert match up would be to kickoff the NFL Season, Los Angeles should look to let Herbert develop and start Vet. Tyrod Taylor. Look for this season to be a development year for the Chargers, especially with both Denver and Kansas City threatening to be playoff contenders.

Las Vegas Raiders

Proj. Record: 3-13

HC: Jon Gruden (3rd Season)

MVP: RB Josh Jacobs

Key Add: WR Henry Ruggs III (acquired via R1 P12 in NFL Draft)

Key Depart: N/A

Biggest Story Line: Will the defensive additions be enough to make Vegas a dark horse playoff team?

As the Raiders move into a new stadium following their relocation to Las Vegas, they do have some things to get their new fans excited for. QB Derek Carr (4054 YDs and 21 TDs on 70% passing) and RB Josh Jacobs (1150 YDs and 7 TDs) finally made for some excitement on offense, and with the addition of first round pick WR Henry Ruggs III (Jacobs' college teammate) the offense gets even more dynamic. However, the defensive side of the ball was awful for the Silver and Black. After being the only AFC team not to record double digit interceptions last year and allowing the league's highest yards per attempt, Vegas filled the void by drafting OSU's Damon Arnette and signing Vet. CB Prince Amukamara. Front-7 was also a focal point for the Raiders in free agency, signing LBs Cory Littleton and Nick Kwiatkoski while also adding DE Carl Nassib. Will these moves allow Vegas to contend against top defenses? Unfortunately, not yet. Look for Vegas to invest more on defense with a top 5 pick in next years draft.

AFC South:

Indianapolis Cots

Proj. Record: 10-6

HC: Frank Reich (3rd Season)

MVP: G Quenton Nelson

Key Add: QB Philip Rivers (acquired via FA)

Key Depart: TE Eric Ebron (signed with PIT in FA)

Biggest Story Line: How does Rivers fit into Frank Reich's passing system?

After a shaky 2019 that saw Indy finish third in the division, the 2020 campaign just might be there year to get back on top of the AFC South. Now led by longtime Chargers QB Philip Rivers, the Colts offense have a good mix of young play makers and proven veterans: Rookies Jonathan Taylor and Michael Pittman Jr. provide an extra element to the offense next to TY Hilton and Marlon Mack. Rivers' (already 38) time in Indianapolis could be limited, but look for the Colts to strike while they still can and be a breakout team in the AFC this season.

Tennessee Titans

Proj. Record: 8-8

HC: Mike Vrabel (3rd Season)

MVP: RB Derrick Henry

Key Add: OLB Vic Beasley Jr. (acquired via FA)

Key Depart: OT Conklin (signed with TEN in FA)

Biggest Story Line: Was last year a fluke, or are the AFC Runner-Ups for real?

The Marcus Mariota experiment is officially over in Tennessee, but the Titans are still where many thought they would be at this time when they picked Mariota in the 2015 draft. Through an offense that featured last seasons CPOY and one of the most feared RB's in the NFL, Ryan Tannehill and Derek Henry were able to lead the Music City to an AFC Championship Game appearance. A repeat season seems difficult for Tennesse, especially with the improvements made by Denver and Buffalo, but not impossible. If Henry can return to the Henry we saw in last year's playoffs, the Titans can compete with Indy without Tannehill to throwing the ball 400+ times.

Houston Texans

Proj. Record: 6-10

HC: Bill O'Brien (7th Season)

MVP: QB Deshaun Watson

Key Add: WR Brandin Cooks (via Trade with LAR)

Key Depart: WR DeAndre Hopkins (via Trade with ARI)

Biggest Story Line: How does a disgruntled Deshaun Watson preform in a Hopkins-less offense?

This offseason left many Texans fans scratching their heads as to what Bill O'Brien was thinking with some of his moves. O'Brien made what seems to be one of the worst on-paper trades in NFL History, trading a top 3 pass catcher in the league, now Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins, for a washed up David Johnson and fourth-round pick. Houston had to trade Hopkins before he signed elsewhere when his contract expired, but it's hard to think that none of the other 30 teams offered the Texans a first rounder for a guy who's shown HOF potential. Already without a first round pick, O'Brien did his best to combat the loss of Deshaun Watson's favorite target by trading for WR Brandin Cooks. Cooks isn't anything close to Hopkins production wise, and his 4 teams in 7 year resume raises locker room concerns. Expect for this season to be a mediocre one for Houston, with the real excitement starting with Watson's free agency decision next March.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Proj. Record: 2-14

HC: Doug Marrone (4th Season)

MVP: RB Leonard Fournette

Key Add: LB Joe Schobert (acquired via FA)

Key Depart: CB A.J. Bouye (via Trade with DEN)

Biggest Story Line: Jacksonville trades away Nick Foles, making second-year QB Gardner Minshew clear starter

The rebuild in Jacksonville has officially started this new league year, as the Jaguars have shipped off much of their top trade bait for draft capital. Nick Foles, Calais Campbell, and AJ Bouye were all traded this offseason, with Yannick Ngakoue and Leonard Fournette seeming to be the next Jaguars to change addresses soon. Second-year QB Gardner Minshew will take over for Foles full-time, while Myles Jack, Josh Allen, and Rookie CJ Henderson will lead a defense that could also use some developmental years. Is Minshew the QB to lead Jacksonvile back to the AFC Championship they were in only three years ago? This year will be a "prove-it" season for the former 6th round pick, but it could be in the best interest for GM David Caldwell to be looking at Clemson's Trevor Lawrence with a top draft pick next year.

AFC CHAMPION PREDICTION AS OF 5/14:

Kansas City Chiefs

PLEASE STAY AT HOME AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING, AND FOLLOW ALL OF THE GOVERNMENT'S SUGGESTED AND MANDATED PROTOCOLS. REMEMBER, IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT YOU, AND YOU COULD BE PUTTING OTHERS AT RISK.