corta765

Well if you have Allen, Lamar, Mahomes or you PHI with Hurts and that roster how is that wrong? Honestly that should be the expectation given the rosters they have and caliber of QB play. Once you hit the divisional round/title games your talking about slim margins between winning and losing so you have to be realistic with that. But if I was a fan of any four of those teams my expectation should be SB title optimistically. Again CIN is weird because Burrow and the offense is elite, but the defense was so bad (and this hasn't been a banner offseason of improvement) that it weighs down what they do. It is a quasi Manning Colts situation there, except IND at least spend real money and resources whereas CIN is fighting with their best pass rusher and their 1st round pick who also is a talented rusher over contract language sooo yeaaaa

I appreciate that. This is more expectation wise what feels optimistic vs realistic. If you look at the last 20 years since QBs got more protected and rules favored offenses typically your top 10 QBs rotate in the SB, if you don't have that you need a Bo Nix or Daniels ascension from a rookie or 2nd year guy to change the expectation from realistically playoffs to SB or bust. If I told you the next 5 years you had Allen, Lamar, & Burrow against the field to make at least one SB I think you would take those 3 against the field. Good QBs tend to have good and consistent results team wise. Also any team with a title game appearance does not mean a loss as much as they at least get there. I actually am really high on Green Bay but Love needs to take that step from really good to elite. I think he can and if he does the optimistic view becomes realistic in my eyes. That is basically the fulcrum point I am viewing things through if you don't have an elite guy passing. Cincy is weird because Burrow is absolutely elite, but I don't trust the defense enough to be a 1 seed even if they are a playoff team.... BUT Burrow absolutely is good enough to go hot like Rodgers in 2011 on his own so even though my realistic expectation is less then title game they absolutely are a threat.

I said the Ravens SB win and Eagles also. If realistic is the outcome my liver is toast lol

Lol win with mvp vs make SB and see what happens

As we are in the last quite part of the football year before it cranks up I wanted to do a fun thread based on a podcast I am listening to. Albert Breer & Connor Orr (both from SI) are going division by division with a optimistic season outlook and then a more realistic expectation for every team. It is a great listen if you do podcasts and I recommend it. But I did my own version for all 32 teams with a brief snippet for an optimistic look for each team vs a more grounded expectation. Let me know your thoughts or predictions! 1. Atlanta Optimistic: They win their division and make a surprise NFC title game appearance Realistic: Penix looks for real, the offense is dynamic for 17 games, and the playoffs are win and get in week 18 2. Arizona Optimistic: Surprise division title as the offense is electric throughout and Murray has his best season yet as a darkhorse MVP candidate Realistic: The Cardinals are playing meaningful games come December near a playoff spot and Murray/the offense doesn’t fade at the end 3. Baltimore Optimistic: Superbowl appearance with MVP season from Lamar Realistic: AFC title game at home as they win a tough AFC North 4. Buffalo Optimistic: Superbowl win with another MVP from Josh Realistic: Finally make it back to the Superbowl 5. Carolina Optimistic: Surprise playoff berth against a favorable schedule as Bryce Young puts together a solid year and the defense is better than expected Realistic: 6. Chicago Optimistic: Ben Johnson has the offense playing Banana’s at Caleb Williams looks like a top 10 QB and the Bears make the playoffs at 10-7 Realistic: Caleb Williams looks like a top 15 QB, the offense is consistently decent to good, and the Bears have some meaningful games in December while finishing 8-9 7. Cincinnati Optimistic: Win the AFC North as the offense is super good again and the defense is enough to win with and win a playoff game to get back to the AFC Divisional round Realistic: Make the playoffs as Burrow is really good and the defense is not as bad this time around showing some new foundational pieces. In the playoffs terrify whoever they play that Burrow single handedly can go on a run. 8. Cleveland Optimistic: Sanders or Gabriel emerge as a legitimate starting QB they can build around for the future and the defense solidifies into a top 5 unit as the youth from the draft emerge quickly with the players they already have Realistic: The defense is in the upper half of the league but is wasted as the offense cannot do much and they go 3-14 but miss out on the top draft pick (NOLA gets it) 9. Dallas Optimistic: The offense explodes on all cylinders with a top 5 year and leads the Cowboys back to the playoffs where they win a game Realistic: The Cowboys are in the playoff hunt throughout as the offense is better but the past injuries to Dak catch up and lack of talent overall holds the team back as they finish 8-9 with more questions than answers 10. Denver Optimistic: Bo takes a step forward to be a top 12 QB mixed with a great defense and they finally knockout KC for the division crown before making a run to the AFC title game Realistic: Bo takes enough of a step forward mixed with a great defense and favorable schedule to nip KC for the division crown and they win a playoff game. 11. Detroit Optimistic: Despite losing both coordinators and some talent, the Lions still win a competitive division and make it back to the NFC title Realistic: The Lions make the playoffs and win a playoff game, despite not winning the division and the offense taking a small step back 12. Green Bay Optimistic: Jordan Love has his most complete season and emerges as an MVP candidate while leading the Packers to the 1 seed and NFC title game Realistic: The Packers win the division, Love emerges into the top 10 QB group, and the Packers win a playoff game 13. Houston Optimistic: The defense is the best in the league, Stoud jump back into the top 10 QB wise as the offense is dangerous, and they make the AFC title Realistic: The Texans defense is top 5 again and lead them to another division crown while Stroud is a bit more steady throughout and they win another playoff game at home 14. Indianapolis Optimistic: They make the playoffs with a surprise division crown as Jones has a season like 2022 where he lets Taylor do the running and compliments it nicely Realistic: The Colts play meaningful games in December as Jones is solid enough to keep them a float before missing out on the playoffs at 8-9 come seasons end 15. Jacksonville Optimistic: New talent & new coaching unlock Trevor Lawrence into his best form as the offense becomes top 10 in the league and win the division crown Realistic: Trevor finds stable footing with the new coaching staff and the Jags are in the playoff race right to seasons end as Travis Hunter is the real deal on both sides of the ball 16. Kansas City Optimistic: AFC title game at home rinse and repeat Realistic: They finally don’t win the division as the AFC West presents a big enough challenge mixed with talent lost and years of playoff games take their toll on the roster. It is a playoff year instead of division championship year. They still make the AFC divisional round and show they won’t fall without a fight. 17. LA Rams Optimistic: They make the SB after getting the NFC 1 seed with the offense being top 5 and the defense rising near the top 10. Realistic: They win the division and win a playoff game again showing they are an incredibly formidable team. 18. LA Chargers Optimistic: The Chargers finally put it all together and reach the hype analysts constantly give with a division crown and Herbert being an MVP candidate. They win a playoff game and make to the divisional round for the first time since 2017 Realistic: The Chargers are in the wildcard mix all season but miss at 9-8 as the division improvement keeps the Chargers back. 19. Las Vegas Raiders Optimistic: Geno is as solid as he was in Seattle mixed with Jeanty at RB lead a Raider offense that can go toe to toe with anyone and they make a wildcard appearance. Realistic: The Raiders week are still in the playoff hunt in mid December as the offense has some teeth and the defense is stout thanks to Carroll shaping them up 20. Miami Optimistic: Tua is healthy and good for the year leading the Dolphins to a wildcard spot as the offense is still quite potent enough to score in bunches. The defense is not a full sieve. Realistic: The Dolphins finish 7-10 as they lack the talent to compete on defense and the offense is good against bad-average teams but fails to carry the load against top teams. Tua plays in 15 of 17 games but sticks as a middle of the road QB (decent but not great). 21. Minnesota Optimistic: JJ lets the weapons do the work and has a very solid rookie season as the offense stays in the top 10, the Vikings win the division, and win a playoff game Realistic: JJ has some ups and downs, but the Vikings are still in the playoff race come the final two weeks as the offense is still in the top half of the league 22. New England Optimistic: Drake Maye takes a big next step turning into a top 15 QB, the offense is top 10 rushing, and mixed with an improved defense they make a wildcard appearance Realistic: Drake Maye takes a strong step forward and the offense moves to middle of the road. The defense is able to complimentary ball and mixed with Vrabels coaching the Patriots are in the playoff hunt in late December before falling short at 8-9 23. New Orleans Optimistic: rookie QB Tyler Shough looks like a QB you can build the future with and the offense is able to do some things and they are in most games finishing 5-12 with some young building blocks Realistic: The years of pushing the cap down the road catch up as the Saints go 2-15 as the offense is putrid, Shough looks like a rookie QB, and the Saints march to their worst season in decades but get the #1 pick 24. New York Giants Optimistic: The lines both solidify and become a strength for the team as their RBs combine for 2000 yards again from the line of scrimmage and the defense is terror on the d-line. Dart takes over with 4 games to go and looks ok as they finish 7-10 with many building blocks to work with. Realistic: The defense does round into form allowing the Giants to stay in games but the offense lacks the talent to do enough while the QB play is erratic forcing Dart in much sooner and he is overwhelmed. They finish 5-12 with questions continuing on the offense and QBs future. 25. New York Jets Optimistic: The Jets rushing attack is dynamic as they mix Fields in and end the year top 5 running the ball. The defense reverts back to a more solid form with Glenn as head coach and with good complimentary ball the Jets are in the playoff hunt come mid December before finishing 8-9. Realistic: Glenn stabilizes the foundation of the team as young players emerge and pieces like Sauces & Wilson restore their footing. They still finish 6-11 as they need talent and QB, but it is a much quieter season and it feels like something is being built for the long term again with the defense finishing in the top 10. 26. Philadelphia Optimistic: Another Super Bowl win and 1 seed Realistic: NFC title game appearance and division crown 27. Pittsburgh Optimistic: Rodgers shuts up and gives top 15 level QB play as the offense finally can attack a bit vertically while the defense is good as always ending with a division crown and AFC title game appearance. Realistic: The offense is decent as Rodgers is steady and the defense is good like always, but the best they can do is a wildcard appearance and loss in a tough close game. 28. San Francisco Optimistic: The 49ers heal up across the board on the way to a division crown and NFC title appearance. Purdy looks worth the money providing really solid QB play and young pieces like Ricky Pearsall (WR) come into their own. The defense rounds into shape with Saleh back at DC also. Realistic: The 49ers get back in the playoffs as health stabilizes the ship, but it isn’t smooth sailing and requires a week 18 win to get back in the dance. Purdy is solid but more Tua then Burrow at QB and can’t lead a comeback drive in the playoffs as the 49ers fall wildcard weekend. 29. Seattle Optimistic: Sam Darnold is not a pumpkin and plays at a very high level as Smith-Njigba becomes a true #1 WR and Kupp is healthy allowing for a top 10 passing attack that brings Seattle back to the playoffs. Realistic: Darnold is more average then good as the Seahawks offense can’t compliment a decent defense and Seattle is out of the playoff race by mid December. 30. Tampa Bay Optimistic: Baker & the offense stay dynamic, Bowles defense is sound, and the Bucs win another division crown and then make the NFC title game. Realistic: The Bucs don’t have to comeback from a 3-5 start to win the division, but they still need a week 18 win to get the division crown. 31. Tennessee Optimistic: Cam Ward looks like a future stud as the back half he has some big games passing and the offense is able to do some things finishing middle of the road and staying in more games then people think. Realistic: The offense has too many aging parts to help Ward, he gets beat up, and they lose a lot of weeks 27-13 with more questions on the roster then answers at seasons end outside of the QB position. 32. Washington Optimistic: They steal the division from PHI and make it back to the NFC title game again. Realistic: They make the playoffs as a wild card going 10-7 as some bounces don’t go their way this year and they have to grind for more wins. No worry as Daniels has a big week 18 win to clinch a wildcard and delivers another playoff win the next week.

A lot of us thought the Bears would've been a playoff team and Caleb the stud like Jaylen year 1. They have been winning the offseason for years yet come the bright lights failing.

thanks fun police lol

Hell Baker in playoff games has been really solid too. Dalton never has had one game as good as what Baker has done postseason.

Hey now nailed these three!: -Jayden Daniels wins ROTY even though WSH goes 7-10 -Titans end up with 1st overall pick going 2-15 as the 2020 All Madden team shows its age and Levis is too much a loose cannon -Shakir leads the team with 94 receptions and 1173 yards

Not surprised. The Bills d-line is loaded with B to B+ level players after this offseason. The hope was they coulda got a guy like Garrett Crosby or Hendrickson and I really think their counting on Bosa to be that, but regardless they have a very solid group across the board. The real question is if it can finally be a difference maker in the post season when it matters.

Yep. Really liked Cam as a QB and was a shame he got hurt. Had a HOF career going until then.

Having my boys 6/3 years old camp is amazing for them. I always enjoyed camp before as it is really unique and one of the very few free things you can see your team at, but their energy for the kids stuff and being their makes it wayyyy more fun now.

Nighthawks sale has been happening for a while. He bought the team to keep it going until a new owner could be found. The goal was never to keep it long term. Sabres I think at some point he gets a minority owner with cash, but it is his baby for better or normally worse. Bills/Bandits are cash cows they aren't going anywhere.

He deserved a chance to be in another SB, but man those three loses 2017-19 were gut punch city.

This may come as a shock to the Ravens but the Bills are also seeking vengeance. In fact if I am not mistaken 31 other teams all have a grudge on their shoulders after last year. Don't worry every player is coming back in the best shape ever and they have never felt better.