As the world awaits the results of one heated competition to wrap-up, another battle was beginning to brew. With the commencement of Week Nine, teams in the NFL began to peel off and show what they are truly made of. Some teams gaslight their capabilities, others admit their fated demise and others fly under the radar in the hopes of clinching a wild card spot. Surpassing the halfway mark of the season; the road to the playoffs narrows as the competition surges full throttle. If 2020 has proven anything it is that anything can happen, especially in the world of sports. The fall of the Patriot Empire and Belichick-Brady duo, the revival of Gronkowski, the makeover of Washington’s mascot, the welcoming of Burrow and other rookie quarterbacks. As all these changes altered the NFL continuum that the world was seemingly stuck on for years, the simple questions of playoffs, champions and who will claim the LV Super Bowl victory after such a tumultuous and uncertain year hang in the air.
For the first time since the year 2000, when Tom Brady was drafted to New England, the Patriots are not a favored playoff contender. The downfall of the Patriots opened up room for a new powerhouse team in the AFC, which the Chiefs seem to be trying out. Coming off of a Super Bowl championship and a 10-year contract for $500 million to the steamroller of a quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs appear keen on replicating the Patriots legacy. Standing at 7-1, the Chiefs lead the AFC West; however, the Steelers take the AFC North with a 7-0 record. Both frontrunners establish likely playoff appearances, with the highest odds at the AFC championship. The Ravens, the Bills and the Titans also show playoff potential, giving the Chiefs and Steelers a tough fight. Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson, fresh-off of his MVP season, is out for blood. Breaking rushing yard records, writing off the Ravens would be ignorant and premature. Making a playoff appearance last season, the Bills defeated the Steelers to clinch the wildcard. Yet, with a tough schedule ahead of Buffalo and a rookie quarterback at the helm, the Bills’ odds look murky. Finally, the last contender for the AFC championship is the Titans, leaders of the AFC South. Bitter from their defeat at the hands of Mahomes, Tennessee is back for vengeance. Motivated by glory, retribution and respect an AFC champion is far from obvious. Based on sheer determination, my prediction for the AFC winner is the Ravens.
The NFC welcomed Tom Brady to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this year after he terrorized the conference for years with the Patriots. Proving his talent once again, Brady has led the Buccaneers to first place in the NFC South with a 6-2 record. Leading the NFC North, the Packers are tied with the Buccaneers at 6-2. Favorited, Tampa is contested by the Packers, the Saints and the Seahawks. With Drew Brees at the end of his career, the Saints quarterback is overdue for an honorable exit on par with the caliber of his performance the past 20 years. With many of their more difficult games behind them, the Saints will continue to surpass other teams’ record wins. As for the Seahawks, the rest of their season seems conquerable, especially with their newly acquired players. Completing their killer defense with Jamal Adams and solidifying their elite offense with D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, the Seahawks are a fierce team with Russell Wilson at the center. The NFC is a competition of wise and seasoned talent with a dash of aggressive, fresh talent in the mix. Based on the strategic combination of players and how they gel together, my pick for the NFC champion is the Seahawks.
February 7 marks the day of the LV Super Bowl, where the two birds will fight it out for the praised championship ring if my predictions pan out. America’s most televised event of the year, where the country comes together to root for the favored of two teams, bringing out the spirit and life of the United States.
Want to see more HCFSU? Be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Youtube and Pinterest!