MIAMI DOLPHINS: For a team which made several important offseason acquisitions, the ‘Phins season success literally comes down to one inescapable question: will QB Tua Tagovailoa remain upright for the 17-game season, or will the injury bug shortcircuit yet another season?
Who knows? In the offseason, Tua decided to get thicker (he’s added 20 pounds), more flexible (several sessions with judo instructors to help him learn how to fall, to hopefully avoid unnecessary hits, which lead to multiple concussions), and, by all accounts, became so immersed in the playbook that he knows it as well as his coach, Mike McDaniel. So far the results are promising: an early season shootout with the Chargers resulted in a win, with Tua throwing for 466 yards in the process. With weapons like Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle tormenting defenses, along with a solid running game, and a stout defense, lead by new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, Miami is positioned to make a deep playoff run. Prediction: 12-5.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: Don’t look now fellow Floridians, but you may well be looking at an all-Florida AFC Championship game in late January. While Miami is one side, Jacksonville is certainly looking like a team ready to take the next step and challenge the big boys. Last year, the Jags got hot at the right moment, won seven in a row, and played the eventual champs the Chiefs tough, before bowing 27-20. Now add the no-longer suspended All-Pro WR Calvin Ridley to an offense loaded with weapons at WR (Christian Kirk, Zay Jones), RB (Travis Etienne, Tank Bigsby) and featuring rising star QB Trevor Lawrence, and optimism is at a fever pitch in the River City. True, their defense must improve and make more plays, but Jacksonville plays in the putrid AFC South, and will win the division by three games. But – and it’s a big one – Lawrence must stay healthy. Remove him, and it’s anybody’s guess who wins that division. Prediction: 13-4.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: Sorry Bucs fans, Tom Brady’s not walking through that door any more and the post-Brady rebuild could get ugly. Gone are not only TB12, but also RB stalwart Leonard Fournette and dependable TE Cameron Brate. A solid defense anchored by LBs Shaq Barrett and Lavonte David will make life tough in the not-so-tough NFC South, but relying on new QB Baker Mayfield to make the difference is a big ask, for a team that has solid WRs and a decent running game. Despite having firepower in the NFL, if you lack a QB, you’re not making the playoffs. Prediction:7-10.
Final thoughts: the NFC could feel a “back to the future” vibe with the 49ers and Cowboys battling it out. Hang on, we’re in for an interesting five-month ride. LET’S GO!
