LAS VEGAS RAIDERS - 2020 NFL Season Preview

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS                                      

2019 Record (in Oakland) - 7-9-0

Head Coach - Jon Gruden


New Players in 2020 - Marcus Mariota (QB), Maliek Collins (DL), Cory Littleton (LB), Jason Witten (TE), Nick O'Leary (TE), Daniel Ross (DL), Jeff Heath (DB), Nelson Agholor (WR), Damarious Randall (DB), Eric Kush (OL), Nick Kwiatkoski (LB), Carl Nassib (DL)

Players opting out for 2020 season (COVID-19) - D.J. Killings (DB), Jeremiah Valoaga (DL), Ukeme Eligwe (LB)


OFFENSE - Derek Carr returns as the starting quarterback after passing for 4,054 yards last season along with 21 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Marcus Mariota comes over from Tennessee and will back up Carr. Mariota played five seasons with the Titans and had 1,203 passing yards a year ago with seven touchdowns and two interceptions.
The primary running back is Josh Jacobs, who rushed for 1,150 yards (4.8 ypc average) and scored seven touchdowns. Jalen Richard (3.7 ypc) and rookie Lynn Bowden, Jr. (Kentucky) will spell Jacobs in the backfield.
The Raiders have a plethora of wide receivers, including first round draft pick Henry Ruggs III (Alabama) who is a burner on the outside. Hunter Renfrow (49 receptions, 605 yards, four TD), Tyrell Williams (42, 651, six TD), Zay Jones (20 receptions) and tight end Darren Waller (90, 1,145, three TD) provide many targets in the passing game. Jason Witten is another tight end who caught 63 passes for 529 yards and four scores last season with Dallas after coming back from retirement.


DEFENSE - Defensive ends Clelin Ferrell (4 1/2 QB sacks) and Maxx Crosby (ten sacks) combine with tackles Maurice Hurst (3 1/2 sacks) and Johnathan Hankins up front while the linebackers are Nicholas Morrow and Cory Littleton (3 1/2 sacks) on the outside and Nick Kwiatkoski (three sacks) in the middle.
In the secondary Trayvon Mullen and Nevin Lawson play the corner spots with Damarious Randall and Johnathan Abram at the safety positions. Others playing roles this are expected to be Isaiah Johnson, Jeff Heath, Lamarcus Joyner and rookie Damon Arnette (Ohio State).
The Raiders defense was solid against the run in 2019, allowing 98 yards per game (8th in NFL) but struggled against the pass, giving up 257 yards per game (25th) and also allowed 26.2 points per game, which ranked 24th overall. They had 32 sacks and picked off nine passes.


OUTLOOK FOR 2020 - It's a new beginning for the Raiders as they will now play in Las Vegas following many years in Oakland (and some in Los Angeles) where they won three Super Bowl titles, with the last coming back in the 1983 season.
Head Coach Jon Gruden is in his third season in his second go round with the team and wants to see the team improve enough to get to the post-season, where they haven't been in four years.
Quarterback Derek Carr will have plenty of weapons to help in the passing game, so barring injury or any lengthy quarantine cases, this team should be able to move the ball downfield. Marcus Mariota is on board as the backup QB and has shown he can do the job when he is right. Josh Jacobs is a solid running back and Jalen Richard is adequate in reserve and is a reliable pass receiving target out of the backfield.
The Raiders offense moved the ball consistently last season, finishing eleventh overall in offense (364 yards per game) with 246 passing yards per game (ninth) and 118 rushing yards a game, which was 13th in the NFL. However, they struggled in the red zone as they averaged just 19.6 points per game. 
The defense got lit up too many times with the big pass plays last season and that cost the Raiders as they lost three one-score games that helped to keep them out of the playoffs. With a better pass rush and new faces helping out in the defensive backfield this season, perhaps things will be different and there could be a chance they get into the playoffs.
The potential is there, now it is up to the Las Vegas Raiders to make it happen.


TEAM SCHEDULE
Week One - at Carolina
Week Two - vs. New Orleans
Week Three - at New England
Week Four - vs. Buffalo
Week Five - at Kansas City
Week Six - BYE
Week Seven - vs. Tampa Bay
Week Eight - at Cleveland
Week Nine - at L.A. Chargers
Week Ten - vs. Denver
Week Eleven - vs. Kansas City
Week Twelve - at Atlanta
Week Thirteen - at N.Y. Jets
Week Fourteen - vs, Indianapolis
Week Fifteen - vs. L.A. Chargers
Week Sixteen - vs. Miami
Week Seventeen - at Denver

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS - 2020 NFL Season Preview

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS                              

2019 Record - 12-4-0

Head Coach - Bill Belichick

New Players in 2020 - Cam Newton (QB), Brian Hoyer (QB), Damiere Byrd (WR), Brandon Copeland (LB), Adrian Phillips (DB), Cody Davis (DB), Beau Allen (DL)


Players opting out for 2020 (COVID-19) - Marcus Cannon (OL), Patrick Chung (DB), Matt LaCosse (TE), Dont'a Hightower (LB), Marqise Lee (WR), Brandon Bolden (RB), Najee Toran (OL), Dan Vitale (RB)


OFFENSE - Cam Newton comes over from the Carolina Panthers via free agency after missing almost the entire 2019 season with injuries and he will likely be the starting quarterback this year. Jarrett Stidham will likely back him up after filling that role for Tom Brady last season. Brian Hoyer (372 passing yards, four TD and four INT with Indianapolis in 2019) is back in New England looking to contribute.
Sony Michel (912 yards, 3.7 ypc average, seven TD) and James White (263, 3.9 ypc, one TD and also 72 receptions for 645 yards and five TD) are the primary running backs again. Rex Burkhead (302, 4.6 ypc, three TD and 27 receptions) provides depth.
The wide receivers are Julian Edelman (100 receptions, 1,117 yards, six TD), N'Keal Harry (12, 102, two TD), Damiere Byrd (32, 359, one TD with Arizona) and Mohammed Sanu (26, 207, one TD). The tight ends are Ryan Izzo (six catches, 119 yards, one TD) and two rookies, Devin Asiasi(UCLA)  and Dalton Keene from Virginia Tech. 


DEFENSE - The Patriots lost two All-Pro linebackers when Jamie Collins left for Detroit and Dont'a Hightower opted out for this season, so they will likely look to a pair of rookies to fill the void. Josh Uche (Michigan) and Anfrenee Jennings (Alabama) will be the players looking to step up. Chase Winovich (5 1/2 QB sacks), Brandon Copeland and J'Whaun Bentley are the other linebackers for New England.
Up front are nose tackles Beau Allen and Adam Butler (six sacks) along with ends Lawrence Guy (three sacks) and John Simon, who had four sacks last season. Deatrich Wise, Jr. (2 1/2 sacks) adds more depth on the front line.
The secondary was among the best in pro football last year, led by cornerback Stephon Gilmore (six interceptions, with two of them going back for touchdowns) and also Jason McCourty and J.C. Jackson, who had five picks. The safeties include Devin McCourty (five INT) and Adrian Phillips, a free agent signee from the Los Angeles Chargers. Rookie Kyle Dugger (Lenoir-Rhyne) and Jonathan Jones will fill in where needed.
The Patriots led the league in scoring defense last season, allowing just 14.1 points per game. They also topped the NFL with 25 interceptions and a plus-21 in the turnover category. They had the stingiest defense overall, giving up only 276 yards per game, including 96 on the ground (sixth in NFL) and 180 passing yards per game, which was second overall.


OUTLOOK FOR 2020 - The Tom Brady-Bill Belichick era is over in New England and what a run they had for the past 20 years. Six Super Bowl titles in nine appearances.
Wow!
But it is now 2020 and this season is fast approaching for Belihick and company that finds Brady (and former Pats tight end Rob Gronkowski) in Tampa Bay.
The Patriots signed quarterback Cam Newton, a former NFL MVP (2015 season) who is looking to resurrect his career after injury plagued seasons since those days. Newton provides a good combination of speed and agility from the position provided he is fully healthy again.
The team needs much better production from the running game, which ranked 18th in the league in 2019, averaging 106 yards per game. The Pats offense often sputtered and finished 15th overall on offense (354 yards per game) while scoring 26.2 points per game, which was seventh in the NFL.
The defense is solid, but has a lot of holes to fill this season and if the players tagged for that do not step up, it could be a tough go for this team, which has dominated the AFC East for the past two decades.
The first eight games will provide a good indicator of what kind of team the Patriots will be in the 2020 season, facing both Super Bowl teams from 2019 (Kansas City and San Francisco) along with road games against Seattle and Buffalo and they also face the Las Vegas Raiders and Denver Broncos, two teams that appear to be on the rise.
If anyone can pull off a successful season without Tom Brady, it would be Head Coach Bill Belichick.
Remember that back in 2008 when Brady was lost for the entire season in the opening game, the Patriots still managed an 11-5 finish. The playoffs are in view again this season, but it may have to be as a wild card this time around rather than as division champions.
Stay tuned.


TEAM SCHEDULE
Week One - vs. Miami
Week Two - at Seattle
Week Three - vs. Las Vegas
Week Four - at Kansas City
Week Five - vs. Denver
Week Six - BYE
Week Seven - vs. San Francisco
Week Eight - at Buffalo
Week Nine - at N.Y. Jets
Week Ten - vs. Baltimore
Week Eleven - at Houston
Week Twelve - vs. Arizona
Week Thirteen - at L.A. Chargers
Week Fourteen - at L.A. Rams
Week Fifteen - at Miami
Week Sixteen - vs. Buffalo
Week Seventeen - vs. N.Y. Jets

CHICAGO BEARS - 2020 NFL Season Preview

CHICAGO BEARS                                             

2019 Record - 8-8-0

Head Coach - Matt Nagy

New Players in 2020 - Nick Foles (QB), Robert Quinn (LB), Jimmy Graham (TE), Germain Ifedi (OL), Tashaun Gipson (DB), Ted Ginn, Jr. (WR), John Jenkins (DL), Jordan Lucas (DB), Artie Burbs (DB), Demetrius Harris (TE), Barkevious Mingo (LB)

Players opting out for 2020 (COVID-19) - Eddie Goldman (DL), Jordan Lucas (DB)


OFFENSE - Mitch Trubisky and Nick Foles are the two will be vying for the starting quarterback position this season. Trubisky passed for 3,138 yards with 17 touchdowns and ten interceptions last year. Foles was with Jacksonville and suffered through an injury plagued season, passing for 736 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions in only four games played.
David Montgomery (889 rushing yards, 3.7 ypc and six TD) and Tarik Cohen (213 rushing yards along with 79 receptions for 456 yards and three TD) are the primary running backs. Wide receivers include Allen Robinson (98 receptions for 1,147 yards and seven TD), Anthony Miller (52, 656, two TD), Riley Ridley (six receptions), Ted Ginn, Jr. (30, 421, two TD with New Orleans) and Cordarrelle Patterson, who had eleven receptions but also averaged 6.1 yards per carry as a rusher and also averaged 29.5 yards per kickoff return, including a 102-yard touchdown return.
The tight ends are Jimmy Graham, the 11-year veteran coming over from Green Bay, where he had 38 receptions last year for 448 yards and three scores. Rookie and Bears' top draft pick Cole Kmet (Notre Dame) and Demetrius Harris (15, 149, three TD with Cleveland) will also be in the fold for the Bears.


DEFENSE - The Bears will be without Eddie Goldman, their fine nose tackle, who opted out for the 2020 season. However, they do have Akeim Hicks at defensive end and along with outside linebacker Khalil Mack (8 1/2 QB sacks) and now Robert Quinn (11 1/2 sacks with Dallas) at the other outside backer spot, and that is a fearsome bunch.
Inside linebackers Danny Trevathan and Roquan Smith round out the front seven for a solid defense that ranked in the top ten in the NFL in both rushing (102 ypg allowed) and passing (222 ypg allowed) and was fourth overall in scoring defense, giving up just 18.6 points per game.
The secondary has corners Kyle Fuller (three interceptions) and Kevin Toliver along with safeties Eddie Jackson (two INT) and Tashaun Gipson (three picks with one for a TD with Houston) to form a ball hawking unit.


OUTLOOK FOR 2020 - The Bears fell off to an 8-8 finish in 2019 after making the playoffs the year before and a lot of the blame went to Trubisky, who seemed to regress at the quarterback position and that affected the offense for sure.
Hence, Head Coach Matt Nagy has a guy in Nick Foles who can step in at quarterback as the starter or come off the bench as he did so many times with the Philadelphia Eagles, including the 2017 season when he was the MVP for them when they won the Super Bowl. Foles is familiar with the scheme Nagy's teams run (he was with Nagy and Kansas City in 2016) and will get a serious look in this unique 2020 NFL training camp.
The running game for Chicago must pick it up big time after allowing Jordan Howard to leave the team after the 2018 season. The Bears ranked 27th in rushing in the NFL last season, gaining 91 yards per game. The passing wasn't much better, averaging 206 yards per game and the total offense was 29th in the league. Better pass protection for the quarterback would help as well. Chicago allowed 45 sacks last season. In addition, the Bears averaged a meager 17.5 points per game, which was also 29th overall.
The strength of this team is the defense and even though they took a slight step back last season (especially in the turnover category), with the additions of Quinn and Gipson, it should definitely help to offset losing Goldman this season.
Like most teams in the NFL this season, as long as the Bears don't lose too many key players to injury or the COVID-19 quarantine, they should be in decent shape, especially on defense. The big question mark lies at the quarterback position. If they get steady and decent play from that spot while limiting turnovers, a return to the playoffs is a possibility.



TEAM SCHEDULE
Week One - at Detroit
Week Two - vs. N.Y. Giants
Week Three - at Atlanta
Week Four - vs. Indianapolis
Week Five - vs. Tampa Bay
Week Six - at Carolina
Week Seven - at L.A. Rams
Week Eight - vs. New Orleans
Week Nine - at Tennessee
Week Ten - vs. Minnesota
Week Eleven - BYE
Week Twelve - at Green Bay
Week Thirteen - vs. Detroit
Week Fourteen - vs. Houston
Week Fifteen - at Minnesota
Week Sixteen - at Jacksonville
Week Seventeen - vs. Green Bay

BALTIMORE RAVENS - 2020 NFL Season Preview

BALTIMORE RAVENS                                       

2019 Record - 14-2-0

Head Coach - John Harbaugh

New Players in 2020 - Calais Campbell (DL), D.J. Fluker (OL), Derek Wolfe (DL), Jake Ryan (LB)

Players opting out for 2020 season (COVID-19) - De'Anthony Thomas (KR/WR), Andre Smith (OL)


OFFENSE - Quarterback Lamar Jackson won the NFL Most Valuable Player award in 2019 by doing it all on offense. He passed for 3,127 yards with 36 touchdowns and only six interceptions while also setting a new NFL record for rushing yards by a quarterback in a single season, getting 1,206 yards (6.9 ypc average) and scored seven touchdowns. Veteran Robert Griffin III is the primary backup.
Mark Ingram (1,018 yards, 5.0 ypc, 10 TD) and Gus Edwards (711, 5.3, two TD) handle the rushing duties. Rookie draft pick J.K. Dobbins (Ohio State) will be in the fold as well.
Tight ends Mark Andrews (64 receptions, 852 yards, 10 TD) and Nick Boyle (31, 321, two TD) form a solid duo in the passing game. The wide receivers include Willie Snead (31, 339, five TD), Marquise Brown (46, 584, seven TD), Miles Boykin (13, 198, three TD) and rookies Devin Duvernay (Texas) and James Proche (SMU).



DEFENSE - Derek Wolfe (seven QB sacks) and Calais Campbell (6 1/2 sacks) join Brandon Williams on the defensive line this season. The linebackers are Matthew Judon (9 1/2 QB sacks), Tyus Bowser (five sacks), Jake Ryan, Jaylon Ferguson and rookie Patrick Queen (LSU) who is expected to have an immediate impact on a solid defense.
The secondary features corners Marlon Humphrey (three interceptions) and Marcus Peters (three picks with two for touchdowns) along with safeties Chuck Clark and Earl Thomas, who had two interceptions. Jimmy Smith and Anthony Levine provide depth.
The Ravens allowed 17.6 points per game a year ago (third in NFL) and their defense finished fourth overall, allowing 300 yards per game while getting 37 sacks and intercepting thirteen passes and also had a plus-10 in the turnover category. They were fifth against the run (93 yards per game allowed) and sixth against the pass, giving up 207 yards per game.


OUTLOOK FOR 2020 - While Jackson and company ran roughshod over the entire league in 2019, topping the NFL in rushing yardage (206 yards per game for a new league single season record) and also topping the NFL in scoring with 33.2 points per game, they again struggled in the playoffs and were one-and-done.
Baltimore ranked second overall in total offense, averaging 408 yards per game, but for the Ravens to achieve success in the playoffs, a more balanced offense is needed (Ravens were 27th in passing with only 202 yards per game) for the 2020 season.
Head Coach John Harbaugh took a gamble two years ago when the team decided to restructure the offense around Jackson. And while that has paid huge dividends in the regular season, opponents simply stack their defense and focus on containing Jackson by forcing him to throw the ball and making mistakes. That happened for the second consecutive season in their loss to Tennessee in the divisional round of the playoffs.
Make no mistake, this team is loaded on both sides of the line of scrimmage and as long as key players don't get injured or have to quarantine for any lengthy periods in 2020, they should have success again and make the playoffs. A Super Bowl appearance is a definite possibility, but how far they go this time around will depend on the Ravens adjusting their own game plan to counter their foes.



TEAM SCHEDULE
Week One - vs. Cleveland
Week Two - at Houston
Week Three - vs. Kansas City
Week Four - at Washington
Week Five - vs. Cincinnati
Week Six - at Philadelphia
Week Seven - vs. Pittsburgh
Week Eight - BYE
Week Nine - at Indianapolis
Week Ten - at New England
Week Eleven - vs. Tennessee
Week Twelve - at Pittsburgh
Week Thirteen - vs. Dallas
Week Fourteen - at Cleveland
Week Fifteen - vs. Jacksonville
Week Sixteen - vs. N.Y. Giants
Week Seventeen - at Cincinnati 

SAN FRANCISCO 49ers - 2020 NFL Season Preview

SAN FRANCISCO 49ers                                          

2019 Record - 13-3-0

Head Coach - Kyle Shanahan

New Players in 2020 - Trent Williams (OL), Joe Walker (LB), Travis Benjamin (WR), Tom Compton (OL), Kerry Hyder (DL)

Players opting out for 2020 season (COVID-19) - Shon Coleman (OL), Jake Brendel (OL)


OFFENSE - Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo passed for 3,978 yards with 27 touchdowns and 13 interceptions last season. Nick Mullens and C.J. Beathard are vying for the backup spot.
The running backs are Raheem Mostert (772 yards, 5.6 ypc average and eight TD) and Tevin Coleman, who gained 544 yards rushing with six touchdowns. All-Pro tight end George Kittle led the team with 85 receptions for 1,053 yards and five touchdowns.
The wide receiving corps has Deebo Samuel (57, 802, three TD), Trent Taylor, Chris Thompson and rookie draft pick Brandon Alyuk (Arizona State). Travis Benjamin signed from the Los Angeles Chargers, but is currently listed on the injury reserve/opt-out list.
San Francisco averaged 29.9 points per game last season (second in NFL) while finishing fourth in total offense with 381 yards per game. The rushing attack was second in the league, averaging 144 yards per game.


DEFENSE - Defensive ends Nick Bosa (nine QB sacks) and Arik Armstead (ten sacks) lead the front charge, along with Dee Ford, who registered 6 1/2 sacks. Top rookie pick Javon Kinlaw (South Carolina) will likely start at one of the tackle spots. Linebackers include Kwon Alexander, Fred Warner and Dee Greenlaw.
The secondary is in good hands with corners Richard Sherman (three interceptions, one for TD) and Ahkello Witherspoon while Jimmie Ward, Jaquiski Tartt, Tarvarius Moore and Marcell Harris are the safeties. Reserve cornerback K'Waun Williams had two interceptions last season.
The 49ers had the top pass defense in the NFL last year, only allowing 169 passing yards per game while picking off twelve passes and getting 48 sacks. They allowed 282 yards per game, which ranked second overall while giving up 19.4 points per game.


OUTLOOK FOR 2020 - After winning their first eight games last season, the 'Niners cruised home with the NFC West title and made it to the Super Bowl, where they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs. Head Coach Kyle Shanahan is entering his fourth season with the team and last season's big leap forward has definitely raised the bar for the team.
Garoppolo (two INT) took some heat for his decision making in the Super Bowl loss, especially the second half when the 49ers coughed up the lead. For the 49ers to avoid the let down of being the Super Bowl runner up, they have to maintain the defensive excellence of last year and look for the passing game to be more consistent.
There is pretty good balance on offense and San Francisco showed they can run the football, but they must also protect the quarterback, having allowed 36 sacks last season. Garoppolo has to spread the ball around more this season as Kittle was the main target and only one other receiver had more than 50 receptions.
The 49ers should be a playoff team again, but this will be a very different season around the NFL and they can ill afford to have players going on the non football injury/COVID-19 list during the season. If the offense can step up the passing game and the defense shows they mean business once again, look for another playoff appearance.


TEAM SCHEDULE
Week One - vs. Arizona
Week Two - at N.Y. Jets
Week Three - at N.Y. Giants
Week Four - vs. Philadelphia
Week Five - vs. Miami
Week Six - vs. L.A. Rams
Week Seven - at New England
Week Eight - at Seattle
Week Nine - vs. Green Bay
Week Ten - at New Orleans
Week Eleven - BYE
Week Twelve - at L.A. Rams
Week Thirteen - vs. Buffalo
Week Fourteen - vs. Washington
Week Fifteen - at Dallas
Week Sixteen - at Arizona
Week Seventeen - vs. Seattle

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS - 2020 NFL Season Preview

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS                                  

2019 Record - 12-4-0

Head Coach - Andy Reid 

New Players in 2020 - Ricky Seals-Jones (TE), Mike Remmers (OL), Antonio Hamilton (DB), Taco Charlton (DL)

Players opting out for 2020 season (COVID-19) - Damien Williams (RB), Lucas Niang (OL)


OFFENSE - Quarterback Patrick Mahomes put up good numbers again in 2019 following his huge  2018 season as he passed for 4,031 yards with 26 touchdowns and five interceptions and averaged 5.1 yards per carry when running the football. He also missed two games with a knee injury. Chad Henne, Shea Patterson and perhaps Ta'amu Jordan will compete for the backup spot.
The top running back will likely have to be rookie Clyde Edwards-Helaire (LSU), the Chiefs top draft pick. Damien Williams opted out for the 2020 season and LeSean McCoy is with Tampa Bay now.
The tight end is Travis Kelce, who led the team with 97 receptions last year for 1,229 yards and had five touchdowns. Wide receivers include Tyreek Hill (58, 860, seven TD), Sammy Watkins (52, 673, three TD) and Mecole Hardman, who averaged 20.7 yards per catch and scored six touchdowns last season. Demarcus Robinson (32, 449, four TD) is another option for the Chiefs passing attack.


DEFENSE - Defensive tackle Chris Jones (nine QB sacks) and defensive end Frank Clark (eight sacks) lead the front seven for the Chiefs while safeties Tyrann Matheiu (four interceptions and two sacks) and Juan Thornhill (three picks) spearhead a solid secondary. The corners are Charvarius Ward (two INT) and Rashaud Breeland. Damien Wilson, Ben Niemann and Anthony Hitchens (two sacks) are the linebackers. Rookie LB Willie Gay, Jr. (Mississippi State) will look to get to his chance too.
Kansas City totaled 16 interceptions a year ago and had 45 quarterback sacks while registering a plus-8 in turnovers. The Chiefs improved dramatically in 2019 from the previous year as they allowed 19.2 points per game (7th overall) while giving up 350 yards per game. The pass defense ranked eighth overall (222 ypg) while the run defense allowed 128 yards per game, which was 26th in the NFL.


OUTLOOK FOR 2020 - As long as Mahomes stays healthy, the Chiefs have to be considered favorites to repeat as Super Bowl champions. The offense simply hums with him at the controls and really got it going in the playoffs last season, averaging 39 points per game.
The rushing attack will face a stiff challenge with a rookie likely getting the bulk of the carries this season. Kansas City ranked 23rd last season in the league, gaining just 98 rushing yards per game. If opposing teams stack the box, Mahomes will make them pay with his talents and a wide array of top notch receivers.
Head Coach Andy Reid finally got the monkey off his back last year as the Chiefs won the Super Bowl. But if the Chiefs continue to light up the scoreboard on offense and the defense continues to get better (which it did as the 2019 season progressed) there is no reason to doubt they will once again win the AFC West division title. A tough first half of the schedule will definitely be a challenge, but as long as they stay healthy, this team could very well win a second straight Super Bowl.


TEAM SCHEDULE
Week One - vs. Houston
Week Two - at L.A. Chargers
Week Three - at Baltimore
Week Four - vs. New England
Week Five - vs. Las Vegas
Week Six - at Buffalo
Week Seven - at Denver
Week Eight - vs. N.Y. Jets
Week Nine - vs. Carolina
Week Ten - BYE
Week Eleven - at Las Vegas
Week Twelve - at Tampa Bay
Week Thirteen - vs. Denver
Week Fourteen - at Miami
Week Fifteen - at New Orleans
Week Sixteen - vs. Atlanta
Week Seventeen - vs. L.A. Chargers
 
 

Will There Be An NFL Season?

Can the NFL pull it off in 2020?

With the struggles going on around Major League Baseball with the COVID-19 virus raging again in the United States (at least in many certain states) can the NFL go about having a 16-game schedule in the 2020 season? With the travel involved and having to have so many players stay disciplined and follow proper protocol with the virus, the league faces a big challenge to get it done. Baseball has already been finding that out the hard way just one week into the 60-game schedule.

While it is definitely good to see pro sports back in action (NBA in the "bubble" in Florida and NHL playing in their version of the "bubble" in Edmonton and Toronto up in Canada) there are questions and concerns with pro football and baseball and the traveling involved across the nation. With the largest rosters in professional sports, football runs the greatest risk for outbreaks with the infectious disease occurring at some point this fall and winter.

College football is a whole other topic and they might as well bag it now because there is no way one can control the behaviors of young adults/teenagers roaming college campuses in this country. Those areas will be petri dishes for the virus, count on it.

While it will be good to see the NFL season go along without a hitch, there has been problems already as some members of the Buffalo Bills (rookies it has been reported) have tested positive and are not being allowed in the team training camp until they can test negative. Other cases are sure to follow around the league and have already been reported after training camps opened on July 28.

The United States as a whole has failed miserably with the coronavirus pandemic and with people being creatures of habit, it's hard to expect folks to just all of a sudden conform to the simple safety measures of wearing a mask out in public, washing hands frequently and practicing (at least 6-foot) social distancing.

Football doesn't allow for social distancing, so look for players to eventually get infected. The players choosing to "opt out" of the 2020 season are wise as they look out for their families and loved ones as they look toward a better future regarding the disease when a vaccine can become available.

In the meantime, Heftyinfo will eventually preview the NFL teams once the rosters are set with those who will be participating this coming season. Best wishes to those choosing to play this season. Here is hoping no one gets seriously sick, whether it be players, coaches or team staff members.