Tennessee Titans - 2021 NFL Season Preview

TENNESSEE TITANS                                      

 

2020 Record - 11-5-0

 

Head Coach - Mike Vrabel 

 

Key Additions - Julio Jones (WR), Janoris Jenkins (DB), Bud Dupree (LB), Josh Reynolds (WR), Kendall Lamm (OL), Denico Autry (DL)

 

OFFENSE - Quarterback Ryan Tannehill passed for 3,819 yards along with 33 touchdowns and just seven interceptions last season. He also rushed for 266 yards (6.2 ypc average) and scored seven touchdowns. Logan Woodside will be the backup. Derrick Henry led the NFL in rushing last season, going for 2,027 yards with a 5.4 ypc average and he scored 17 touchdowns. Darrynton Evans and Jeremy McNichols (204 yards, 4.3 ypc and one TD) will split time as the second backs. 

Wide receiver Julio Jones (51 receptions for 771 yards and three touchdowns) comes over from the Atlanta Falcons this season and he will team with A.J. Brown (70, 1,075, 11 TD) and Josh Reynolds, who had 52 receptions for 618 yards and two touchdowns with the Rams last year. Anthony Firkser is the tight end and he caught 39 passes for 387 yards and one touchdown. Geoff Swaim is also available at tight end. 

The Titans offense averaged 30.7 points per game in 2020 and they ranked second in the NFL in total offense, averaging 396 yards per game. The running game averaged 168 YPG (2nd in NFL) and the pass offense was 23rd overall, averaging 228 yards per game.

 

DEFENSE - Up front will be Teair Tart at nose tackle and Denico Autry and Jeffery Simmons (three quarterback sacks) at the ends. Julian Taylor, Daylon Mack and Larrel Murchison will spell the starters on the defensive line. The linebackers include Bud Dupree, Harold Landry III (5 1/2 QB sacks), Rashaan Evans and Jayon Brown. Rookies Monty Rice (Georgia) and Rashad Weaver (Pittsburgh) along with David Long and Derick Roberson are also looking to contribute. 

In the secondary will be corners Janoris Jenkins (three interceptions with New Orleans last year) and Kristian Fulton. The safeties are Kevin Byard (team leading 111 tackles) and Dane Cruikshank and Amani Hooker, who had four picks last season. Others in the mix include rookie Caleb Farley (Virginia Tech), Chris Jackson, Matthias Farley, rookie Elijah Molden (Washington) and Breon Borders.

 

2021 SEASON OUTLOOK - Tennessee was a quick out in the AFC playoffs last year after making it to the AFC Championship Game two years ago. Head Coach Mike Vrabel knows another lengthy run in the playoffs is possible, but things have to be different this season. 

The offense clicked during the regular season, but was stymied in the wild card round, so with two new wide receivers (Julio Jones and Josh Reynolds) on the team this season playing along with the speedy A.J. Brown, the Titans passing attack should be better suited to complement All-Pro running back Derrick Henry. On the other side of the football, the defense has to improve after finishing 28th in the NFL last year. 

The Titans gave up 398 yards per game and allowed 27.4 points per game in the 2020 season. The run defense allowed 121 YPG (19th) and the pass defense allowed 277 yards per game, which ranked 29th overall. Tennessee has to do better at pressuring the opposing quarterback. They only had 19 sacks last year, but did get 15 interceptions as their opportunistic approach yielded a plus-11 in the turnovers category. 

The key this season will be better defense and continued ground-and-pound offense from Henry to get back to the playoffs. The AFC South title should be within reach, but the Titans know nothing is guaranteed. As long as Tannehill stays healthy and doesn't have any type of regression, the passing game should be fine. The schedule between weeks six and ten will go a long way to seeing what kind of success the Titans will have in the 2021 season. An 11-6 record is possible and a Super Bowl appearance is not unattainable, but it will take a lot of hard work and some breaks along the way for the Titans to achieve that goal.

 

2021 SCHEDULE 

Week 1 - vs. Arizona 

Week 2 - at Seattle 

Week 3 - vs. Indianapolis 

Week 4 - at N.Y. Jets 

Week 5 - at Jacksonville 

Week 6 - vs. Buffalo 

Week 7 - vs. Kansas City 

Week 8 - at Indianapolis 

Week 9 - at L.A. Rams 

Week 10 - vs. New Orleans 

Week 11 - vs. Houston 

Week 12 - at New England 

Week 13 - BYE 

Week 14 - vs. Jacksonville 

Week 15 - at Pittsburgh 

Week 16 - vs. San Francisco 

Week 17 - vs. Miami 

Week 18 - at Houston 

Jacksonville Jaguars - 2021 NFL Season Preview

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS                                                      

 

2020 Record - 1-15-0

 

Head Coach - Urban Meyer 

Key Additions - Phillip Dorsett (WR), Shaquill Griffin (DB), Marvin Jones (WR), Malcom Brown (DL), Jihad Ward (DL), Damien Wilson (LB), Carlos Hyde (RB), Rudy Ford (DB), Rayshawn Jenkins (DB), Chris Manhertz (TE), Ray Robertson-Harris (DL), Chapelle Russell (LB)

OFFENSE - Trevor Lawrence (Clemson), the top draft pick in the NFL this year, will be the starting quarterback and with the trade of Gardener Minshew to the Philadelphia Eagles, C.J. Beathard will be the backup. Running back James Robinson went for 1,070 yards last season (4.5 ypc average) and seven touchdowns and he also had 49 receptions for 344 yards and three touchdowns. Carlos Hyde (356 rushing yards, 4.4 ypc and four TD with Seattle), Devine Ozigbo and Dare Ogunbowale (145 yards rushing) are also available in the running game. 

Wide receiver Marvin Jones (76, 978, nine TD) comes over from the Detroit Lions and will team with Laviska Shenault, Jr. (58, 600, five TD) and DJ Chark, Jr., who made 53 receptions for 706 yards and five scores a year ago. Phillip Dorsett is also in the mix. Tight ends include James O'Shaughnessy (28 receptions for 262 yards) and Chris Manhertz. 

The Jaguars offense ranked 28th last season, gaining 326 yards per game while scoring 19.1 points per game. The passing game averaged 231 YPG (21st) and the running game averaged 95 YPG, which was 28th overall.

 

DEFENSE - Roy Robertson-Harris, Malcom Brown and DaVon Hamilton are the men up front while Josh Allen, Myles Jack, Joe Schobert (three interceptions and a team leading 141 tackles) and K'Lavon Chaisson are the linebackers. Dawuane Smoot (5 1/2 QB sacks). Damien Wilson, Jihad Ward and Leon Jacobs add depth to the linebacking unit while rookie Jay Tufele (USC), Adam Gotsis and Taven Bryan will play on the defensive line. 

CJ Henderson will be joined by either Tre Herndon or Shaquill Griffin at the corner position in the defensive backfield and Rayshawn Jenkins and Jarrod Wilson are the safeties. Sidney Jones IV, Tyson Campbell, a rookie from Georgia will be ready at the corners while Daniel Thomas and rookie Andre Cisco (Syracuse) will back up at the safety spots. 

The Jaguars allowed 30.8 points per game on defense last year and finished 31st in the league in total defense, allowing 418 yards per game. The run defense allowed 153 YPG (30th) and the pass defense gave up 265 YPG, which ranked 27th overall. Jacksonville only had 18 sacks last season and intercepted twelve passes.

2021 SEASON OUTLOOK -While Urban Meyer takes over as the Jaguars new Head Coach this season, there will be another new face at the starting quarterback spot in Trevor Lawrence, who will likely go through the ups and downs of a rookie year in the NFL. 

The team made no bones about it by trading last year's primary starting quarterback (Gardner Minshew) to Philadelphia. Lawrence will have a good tandem of wide receivers to throw to and a solid running back with James Robinson. Fellow rookie and former teammate of Lawrence at Clemson, Travis Etienne was lost for the season with a foot injury, so that will take away some from the running attack. Jacksonville needs to improve the numbers with the rushing game to balance the offense. 

Defensively, the Jaguars added some new faces throughout the starters and hope to see better results from a unit that was among the best in the NFL just four year ago. In 2020, Jacksonville ranked near the bottom of the league in every major defensive category. Getting more turnovers and pressure on opposing quarterbacks would definitely help this season. 

All in all, it is definitely a rebuilding year for the Jaguars as they look to improve from a disastrous 2020 season and win more than just one game. That should happen as they battle Houston to avoid the cellar in the AFC South division. Figure on a 4-13 finish for the 2021 season as the team gets going on what they would like to be a better future in the coming years.

 

2021 SCHEDULE 

Week 1 - at Houston 

Week 2 - vs. Denver 

Week 3 - vs. Arizona 

Week 4 - at Cincinnati 

Week 5 - vs. Tennessee 

Week 6 - vs. Miami (in London, England)

Week 7 - BYE 

Week 8 - at Seattle 

Week 9 - vs. Buffalo 

Week 10 - at Indianapolis 

Week 11 - vs. San Francisco 

Week 12 - vs. Atlanta 

Week 13 - at L.A. Rams 

Week 14 - at Tennessee

Week 15 - vs. Houston 

Week 16 - at N.Y. Jets 

Week 17 - at New England 

Week 18 - vs. Indianapolis

Indianapolis Colts - 2021 NFL Season Preview

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS                                                 

 

2020 Record - 11-5-0

 

Head Coach - Frank Reich 

 

Key Additions - Carson Wentz (QB), Eric Fisher (OL), J.J. Nelson (WR), Julien Davenport (DL), Sam Tevi (OL), Sean Davis (DB), Isaac Rochell (DL), Chris Reed (OL)

 

OFFENSE - Carson Wentz was brought over from Philadelphia in a trade to take over as the starting quarterback after Philip Rivers retired, but a foot injury has him sidelined for most likely the first two or three weeks of the regular season. All that aside, Wentz passed for 2,620 yards last season with 16 touchdown passes and 15 interceptions. He also rushed for 276 yards (5.3 ypc average) and scored five touchdowns. In the event he isn't ready to start the regular season, Jacob Eason, Sam Ehlinger and Brett Hundley have been in training camp. 

Jonathan Taylor is the primary running back and he led the Colts in rushing with 1,169 yards last year (5.0 ypc average) and scored eleven touchdowns while also catching 36 passes for 299 yards and one touchdown. Jordan Wilkins (308, 3.7 ypc and one TD), Nyheim Hines (380, 4.3 ypc and three TD along with a team high 63 receptions for 482 yards and four TD) and Marlon Mack are also in the backfield. 

The wide receivers are T.Y. Hilton (56, 742, five TD), Michael Pittman, Jr. (40. 503, one TD) and Zach Pascal (44, 629, five TD) along with tight ends Jack Doyle and Mo Alie-Cox, who had 31 receptions for 394 yards and two scores. 

DEFENSE - DeForest Buckner (9 1/2 QB sacks), Grover Stewart, Tyquan Lewis and Al-Quadin Muhammad are the front four with Rob Windsor, Taylor Stallworth, rookie Kwity Paye (Michigan) and Kemoko Turay ready to play as well. The linebacking unit has Darius Leonard (team leading 132 tackles), Bobby Okereke and Zaire Franklin. E.J. Speed and Matthew Adams are the main backups. 

In the secondary is cornerback Xavier Rhodes along with Rock Ya-Sin and safeties Khari Willis and Julian Blackmon. Kenny Moore is another corner man and he led the team with four interceptions last season. T.J. Carrie, Sean Davis and George Odum are also in the mix. The Indianapolis defense gave up 22.6 points per game and allowed 332 yards per game in 2020 (8th best in NFL) while finishing second in the league against the run, giving up 90 yards per game. The pass defense allowed 242 YPG. The Colts had 40 QB sacks and picked off 15 passes and had an NFL second best plus-10 in the turnover category.

2021 SEASON OUTLOOK - Head Coach Frank Reich enters his fourth season with the Colts and would love to see QB Carson Wentz get back to the form he showed in Philadelphia back in 2017 when he was an MVP candidate before a season ending knee injury.

Getting back the confidence would be huge for Wentz and the Colts offense, which last season ranked tenth overall (378 YPG) while scoring 28.2 points per game. The rushing attack gained 125 yards per game while the passing game went for 253 yards per game. With a good mix of running and passing, the offense should be steady once again. But if Wentz isn't fully healthy or struggles when he does return, then all bets are off. 

The defense can make a big impact again this season with the likes of All-Pro linebacker Darius Leonard and a stingy run defense. The secondary did make some big plays with interceptions, but they also got torched for big yardage plays as well. The AFC South looks to be a battle between the Colts and Tennessee Titans yet again this year, but nothing can be taken for granted. 

If the Colts want to make the playoffs for the third time in four years, they must beat the Titans and survive a tough schedule through the first eight games that includes two games against Tennessee. A 10-7 record could be enough to make the playoffs as a wild card, but fall short of the AFC South title. 

Stay tuned.

2021 SCHEDULE 

Week 1 - vs. Seattle 

Week 2 - vs. L.A. Rams 

Week 3 - at Tennessee 

Week 4 - at Miami 

Week 5 - at Baltimore 

Week 6 - vs. Houston 

Week 7 - at San Francisco 

Week 8 - vs. Tennessee 

Week 9 - vs. N.Y. Jets 

Week 10 - vs. Jacksonville 

Week 11 - at Buffalo 

Week 12 - vs. Tampa Bay 

Week 13 - at Houston 

Week 14 - BYE 

Week 15 - vs. New England 

Week 16 - at Arizona 

Week 17 - vs. Las Vegas 

Week 18 - at Jacksonville

Houston Texans - 2021 NFL Season Preview

HOUSTON TEXANS                                                           

 

2020 Record - 4-12-0

 

Head Coach - David Culley 

 

Key Additions - Tyrod Taylor (QB), Mark Ingram (RB), Anthony Miller (WR), Vincent Taylor (DL), DeMarcus Walker (DL), Chris Conley (WR), Terrence Brooks (DB), Maliek Collins (DL), Marcus Cannon (OL), Justin McCray (OL), Phillip Lindsay (RB), Andre Roberts (WR), Lane Taylor (OL), Jordan Jenkins (DL), Shaq Lawson (DL), Terrence Mitchell (DB), Kevin Pierre-Lewis (LB), Neville Hewitt (LB), Christian Kirksey (LB)

 

OFFENSE - Tyrod Taylor appears to be the player who will be the starting quarterback this season because of all the off-season legal problems for Deshaun Watson. Taylor was with the Los Angeles Chargers last season. Others in the mix for QB duties include Jeff Driskel and Davis Mills, a rookie from Stanford. 

Running back Mark Ingram (299 rushing yards, 4.2 ypc average and two touchdowns) comes over from Baltimore this season and will share duties with Philip Lindsay (502, 4.3 ypc and one TD with Denver), David Johnson (691, 4.7 ypc and six TD as well as 33 receptions for 314 yards and two TD) and perhaps Rex Burkhead. 

The wide receivers include Brandin Cooks (81, 1,150 yards and six TD), Chris Conley (40, 471, two TD with Jacksonville), Anthony Miller (49, 485, two TD with Chicago) and Keke Coutee, who caught 33 passes for 400 yards and three scores. Rookie Nico Collins (Michigan) could be another option. The tight ends are Jordan Akins (37, 403, one TD), Pharaoh Brown and rookie Brevin Jordan (Miami, FL). 

DEFENSE - Jordan Jenkins, Ross Blacklock, Charles Omenihu and Whitney Mercilus look to be the starters up front along with linebackers Christian Kirksey, Zach Cunningham and Kevin Pierre-Louis. Shaq Lawson, Maliek Collins, Vincent Taylor and Jacob Martin are others on the defensive line. Rookie Garrett Wallow (TCU), Nate Hall and Neville Hewitt will play linebacker as well. 

The secondary include safeties Lonnie Johnson, Jr. and Justin Reid along with corners Terrance Mitchell and Bradley Roby. Others in the fold are Eric Murray, Desmond King, Terrence Brooks, John Reid and Vernon Hargreaves III. The Texans allowed 257 yards per game passing last year along with 160 rushing yards per game, which was the worst in the NFL. The team finished 30th in total defense, giving up 417 yards per game and allowed 29 points per game while intercepting only three passes all season. The Texans had 34 QB sacks.

2021 SEASON OUTLOOK - Make no mistake, this team looks like a potential mess on paper heading into the 2021 season, but the games are played on the football field and that has to be the positive mindset for the Texans and rookie Head Coach David Culley. 

It's highly unlikely the Texans will have Watson on the field this year as he has been in and out of team practices during the training camp. The Texans passing game was respectable last season, finishing fourth in the NFL by averaging 284 yards per game, but that was with Watson as the starting quarterback. The running game averaged 91 YPG and the team finished 13th in total offense, averaging 375 yards per game while scoring 24 points per game. 

The offense will likely be a work in progress once the season starts with so many new faces in key positions. Better pass protection is a must as even the fleet footed Watson was sacked 49 times last season. The running game must improve from the 31st rank in the league a year ago and having Ingram and Lindsay along with holdover David Johnson could boost the totals this year. 

The biggest name and perhaps the face of the franchise (defensive end J.J. Watt) is no longer around, having been traded to the Arizona Cardinals and now the new collection of talent in the front seven will try to improve from a very poor performance last year. In all likelihood, the Texans win less than the four games of a year ago and perhaps finish 3-14 and in last place in the AFC South.

 

2021 SCHEDULE 

Week 1 - vs. Jacksonville 

Week 2 - at Cleveland 

Week 3 - vs. Carolina 

Week 4 - at Buffalo 

Week 5 - vs. New England 

Week 6 - at Indianapolis 

Week 7 - at Arizona 

Week 8 - vs. L.A. Rams 

Week 9 - at Miami 

Week 10 - BYE 

Week 11 - at Tennessee 

Week 12 - vs. N.Y. Jets 

Week 13 - vs. Indianapolis 

Week 14 - vs. Seattle 

Week 15 - at Jacksonville 

Week 16 - vs. L.A. Chargers 

Week 17 - at San Francisco 

Week 18 - vs. Tennessee 

 

Seattle Seahawks - 2021 NFL Season Preview

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS                                                         

 

2020 Record - 12-4-0

 

Head Coach - Pete Carroll

 

Key Additions - Robert Nkemdiche (DL), Kerry Hyder, Jr. (DL), Gerald Everett (TE), Pierre Desir (DB), Gabe Jackson (OL), Ahkello Witherspoon (DB)

 

OFFENSE - Quarterback Russell Wilson makes the Seahawks offense go and last season he passed for 4,212 yards with 40 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions while also rushing for 513 yards (6.2 ypc average) and scored two touchdowns. Geno Smith is the backup quarterback. 

Chris Carson (681 rushing yards, 4.8 ypc average and five TD and also 37 receptions with four TD) and Rashaad Penny will be the primary running backs. Penny was injury plagued last season and was limited to just eleven carries.The wide receiving corps has Tyler Lockett (100 receptions for 1,054 yards and ten TD) and DK Metcalf, who had 83 receptions for 1,303 yards and ten touchdowns. Rookie D'Wayne Eskridge (Western Michigan) is also in the mix along with John Ursua, Penny Hart and Freddie Swain. The tight ends are Will Dissly (24, 251, two TD) and Gerald Everett, who had 41 receptions for 417 yards and one score with the Rams last season.

 

DEFENSE - Carlos Dunlap, L.J. Collier, Poona Ford and Robert Nkemdiche comprise the front four while Al Woods, Alton Robinson, Rasheem Green, Kerry Hyder, Jr. and Benson Mayowa are in reserve. The front seven is rounded out with linebackers Bobby Wagner (team leading 138 tackles last season), Jordyn Brooks and K.J. Wright. Other linebackers include Bruce Irvin, Cody Barton and Ben Burr-Kirven.

In the secondary is All-Pro safety Jamal Adams, who led the Seahawks with 9 1/2 QB sacks last season. The free safety is Quandre Diggs, who picked off five passes.The corners will likely be Pierre Desir and Ahkello Witherspoon, who are both newcomers to Seattle this year. Tre Flowers, D.J. Reed and rookie Tre Brown (Oklahoma) are also vying to start at the corner position. Lano Hill and Marquise Blair add depth. 

The Seahawks defense finished 22nd overall last year, allowing 381 yards per game. The run defense finished fifth in the NFL, giving up 96 YPG and the pass defense allowed 285 yards per game, which was 31st in the league. Seattle allowed 23.2 points per game and had 46 QB sacks and 14 interceptions.

 

2021 SEASON OUTLOOK - The Seahawks won the NFC West last year in Head Coach Pete Carroll's eleventh season with the team and a big reason why was quarterback Russell Wilson, who is the key to the offense with both his arm and legs. As long as he is healthy and on the field, the Seattle offense is potent, having averaged 28.7 points per game last season. 

The running game could use a boost this year to complement the passing attack and running backs Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny must stay off the injured list to help make that happen. Seattle averaged 123 yards per game rushing last year and 246 YPG passing for a 17th ranked total offense that gained 369 yards per game. Another area that needs to improve is pass protection as Wilson was sacked 47 times. 

The defense was good against the run, but terrible against the pass in 2020. Back in the day when the Seahawks were totally dominating against opposing passing games, that was unheard of, but these are different times and thus the Seahawks are looking for the right combination at the cornerback spot in the secondary to help improve things in that area. 

For the Seahawks to win another division title and do better in the playoffs (they lost 30-20 in the wild card game to the L.A. Rams) the defense must be better, especially against the pass. The offense will score points, but that doesn't always guarantee victory. The schedule is rugged through the first seven weeks with five playoff teams (from last season) looming. It won't be easy this time around, but this team could repeat as NFC West winners and a 10-7 record could make it happen.

2021 SCHEDULE

Week 1 - at Indianapolis 

Week 2 - vs. Tennessee 

Week 3 - at Minnesota 

Week 4 - at San Francisco 

Week 5 - vs. L.A. Rams 

Week 6 - at Pittsburgh 

Week 7 - vs. New Orleans 

Week 8 - vs. Jacksonville 

Week 9 - BYE 

Week 10 - at Green Bay 

Week 11 - vs. Arizona 

Week 12 - at Washington 

Week 13 - vs. San Francisco 

Week 14 - at Houston 

Week 15 - at L.A. Rams 

Week 16 - vs. Chicago 

Week 17 - vs. Detroit 

Week 18 - at Arizona 

 

 

San Francisco 49ers - 2021 NFL Season Preview

SAN FRANCISCO 49ers                                                  

 

2020 Record - 6-10-0

 

Head Coach - Kyle Shanahan 

 

Key Additions - Wayne Gallman (RB), Alex Mack (OL), Samson Ebukam (DL), Arden Key (DL), Zach Kerr (DL), Maurice Hurst (DL)

 

OFFENSE - Coming into the 2021 season, the 49ers have options at the quarterback position. Incumbent Jimmy Garoppolo is coming off an injury filled season and is labeled as the number-one quarterback. Rookie Trey Lance (North Dakota State) was traded up for last April in the NFL Draft. Nate Sudfeld will be on hand as well. Garoppolo threw for 1,096 yards with seven touchdowns and five interceptions in very limited action last year. 

The running game features two good backs with a third one looking to come back from injury in the off-season conditioning workouts. Raheem Mostert rushed for 521 yards (5.0 ypc average) and two touchdowns and newcomer Wayne Gallman led the New York Giants in rushing last season with 682 yards (4.6 ypc) and six touchdowns. Jeff Wilson, Jr. led the 49ers in rushing last year with 600 yards (4.8 ypc) and seven touchdowns, but he is out for a lengthy period of time with the meniscus injury. 

The wide receivers include Deebo Samuel (33 receptions for 391 yards and one TD), Brandon Aiyuk (60, 748, five TD), Travis Benjamin, Mohamed Sanu and Richie James. George Kittle is the tight end and he caught 48 passes for 634 yards and two scores last season.

DEFENSE - Up front for the 'Niners is Nick Bosa (coming off a knee injury) and Samson Ebukam at the ends along with tackles Arik Armstead (3 1/2 QB sacks) and Javon Kinlaw. Dee Ford, D.J. Jones, Maurice Hurst and Arden Key add depth. The linebacking unit has Fred Warner in the middle and he is flanked by Azeez Al-Shaair and Dre Greenlaw. Warner led the 49ers with 125 tackles last season and also had two interceptions. Nathan Gerry, D. Flannigan-Fowles and rookie Elijah Sullivan (Kansas State) and Marcell Harris will be the backups. 

The secondary will have cornerbacks Jason Verrett (two picks) and Emmanuel Moseley along with safeties Jimmie Ward and Javon Wilson. In reserve are Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, rookie Ambry Thomas (Michigan), Dontae Johnson, Jared Mayden and rookie Talanoa Hufanga (USC).

The San Francisco defense finished fifth in the NFL a year ago, allowing 314 yards per game. They gave up 24.4 points per game and finished seventh against the run, giving up 106 YPG while the pass defense allowed 208 YPG, which ranked fourth overall. The 49ers had twelve interceptions and accumulated 30 QB sacks.

 

2021 SEASON OUTLOOK - The 49ers enter this season two years removed from the Super Bowl appearance and a last place finish in the 2020 season. That does not sit well with Head Coach Kyle Shanahan, who would like to see the offense get back to form this season. 

Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo had a miserable 2020 season due to injuries and a subpar performance compared to a year earlier. If he can get back to the way he played in 2019, it would be a huge boost for the offense, which was 15th in the NFL last season, averaging 370 yards per game while scoring 23.5 points per game. The passing game averaged 252 yards per game (twelfth in NFL) and the rushing game averaged 118 YPG, which was 15th overall. 

Provided Jimmy G. cannot get things rolling this season, then rookie Trey Lance will be the one to lead the offense. There are decent targets to throw to, including one of the best tight ends in pro football in George Kittle. The running backs will look to step it up this season as well. Another key will be limiting the turnovers. The 49ers had a minus-11 turnover rate last season, which was near the bottom of the league. If the team wants to get back to the playoffs, they have to protect the football and also apply more pressure on opposing quarterbacks. A 10-7 record could be enough to do the job, but a lot will depend on how well the quarterback play goes this season.

 

2021 SCHEDULE 

Week 1 - at Detroit 

Week 2 - at Philadelphia 

Week 3 - vs. Green Bay 

Week 4 - vs. Seattle 

Week 5 - at Arizona 

Week 6 - BYE 

Week 7 - vs. Indianapolis 

Week 8 - at Chicago 

Week 9 - vs. Arizona 

Week 10 - vs. L.A. Rams 

Week 11 - at Jacksonville 

Week 12 - vs. Minnesota 

Week 13 - at Seattle 

Week 14 - at Cincinnati 

Week 15 - vs. Atlanta 

Week 16 - at Tennessee

Week 17 - vs. Houston 

Week 18 - at L.A. Rams

Los Angeles Rams - 2021 NFL Season Preview

LOS ANGELES RAMS                                              

 

2020 Record - 10-6-0

 

Head Coach - Sean McVay 

 

Key Additions - Matthew Stafford (QB), DeSean Jackson (WR)

 

OFFENSE - Quarterback Matthew Stafford was traded to the Rams for Jared Goff and draft picks, so he is the new man in town this season. Stafford passed for 4,084 yards last year with 26 touchdowns and ten interceptions. John Wolford will back him up at quarterback. 

The running back spots have Darnell Henderson, Jr. in camp and just today the Rams acquired Sony Michel from the New England Patriots to help bolster the running game. Henderson gained 624 yards (4.5 ypc) and had five touchdowns. Michel gained 449 yards for a 5.7 ypc average and scored one touchdown. Unfortunately, Cam Akers was lost for the season with an Achilles injury. Akers accumulated 625 rushing yards last season (4.3 ypc average) and scored two touchdowns and will be missed.

The wide receivers include Cooper Kupp (92 receptions for 974 yards and three touchdowns), Robert Woods (90, 936, six TD) and DeSean Jackson, who was with Philadelphia last season. Van Jefferson and rookies Tutu Atwell (Louisville) and Jacob Harris (UCF) will be on hand as well. The tight ends are Tyler Higbee (44, 521, five TD) and Brycen Hopkins.

DEFENSE - All-Pro defensive end Aaron Donald leads the front line and he had 13 1/2 quarterback sacks a year ago. Sebastian Joseph-Day and A'Shawn Robinson will also be up front along with backups Marquise Copeland, Greg Gaines and rookie Bobby Brown III (Texas A & M). The linebackers include Leonard Floyd (10 1/2 sacks), Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Troy Reeder and Micah Kiser. Backing up will be Terrell Lewis, Travin Howard, Justin Hollins and rookie Ernest Jones (South Carolina). 

Jalen Ramsey and Darious Williams (four interceptions) are the cornerbacks and Jordan Fuller and Taylor Rapp are the safeties. Nick Scott, Terrell Burgess, David Long, Jr. and rookie Robert Rochell (Central Arkansas) round out the defensive backfield. The Rams defense was tops in pro football last season, giving up a league low 282 yards per game.

The pass defense was number one as well, allowing just 191 yards per game while the run defense allowed 91 YPG, which was third best in the NFL. The Rams gave up 18.5 points per game, which was also the best in the NFL. In addition, the Rams had 53 QB sacks and 14 interceptions.

 

2021 SEASON OUTLOOK - With Matthew Stafford taking over at quarterback after twelve seasons with the Detroit Lions, it signals a new beginning in Los Angeles for Head Coach Sean McVay and his offense. 

The Rams were eleventh overall in total offense last year, averaging 377 yards per game while scoring 23.3 points per game. the running game averaged 126 YPG (10th in NFL) while the passing game averaged 251 YPG, which ranked 13th in the league. 

With Stafford leading the passing attack, the team will look to score more points as too many times last season the drives would stall out, leading to too many field goals. Turnovers were also a problem as the team had a minus-three in the turnover category. The running game was decent a year ago and now Michel is on board to tote the rock along with Henderson. 

Defensively, the Rams will look to continue with a punishing attack that gets after opposing quarterbacks and can cause chaos for enemy wide receivers with the likes of Ramsey and Williams patrolling the secondary. The ball hawking mentality for the Rams fits perfectly with Aaron Donald and the front seven making problems for the opponents. 

Playing in the NFC West, which is perhaps the best division in the NFL, makes it hard for the Rams to just figure on making another playoff appearance, which they have done in three of the last four seasons. Winning divisional games is crucial if they want to win the West crown this year. The Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals are all formidable foes and this season will be a dog fight for sure. As long as the key players stay healthy and the offense shows more spark, there's reason to believe. However, after barely making the post-season last year, the call is a 8-9 finish for the 2021 season.

 

2021 SCHEDULE 

Week 1 - vs. Chicago 

Week 2 - at Indianapolis 

Week 3 - vs. Tampa Bay 

Week 4 - vs. Arizona 

Week 5 - at Seattle 

Week 6 - at N.Y. Giants 

Week 7 - vs. Detroit 

Week 8 - at Houston 

Week 9 - vs. Tennessee 

Week 10 - at San Francisco 

Week 11 - BYE 

Week 12 - at Green Bay 

Week 13 - vs. Jacksonville 

Week 14 - at Arizona 

Week 15 - vs. Seattle 

Week 16 - at Minnesota 

Week 17 - at Baltimore 

Week 18 - vs. San Francisco 

Arizona Cardinals - 2021 NFL Season Preview

ARIZONA CARDINALS                                                    

 

2020 Record - 8-8-0

 

Head Coach - Kliff Kingsbury 

 

Key Additions - J.J. Watt (DL), A.J. Green (WR), James Conner (RB), Colt McCoy (QB), Malcolm Butler (DB), Rodney Hudson (OL), Shawn Williams (DB), Brian Winters (OL)

 

OFFENSE - Kyler Murray is the starting quarterback and he passed for 3,971 yards with 26 touchdowns and twelve interceptions while also rushing for 208 yards and two touchdowns. Journeyman QB Colt McCoy and Chris Streveler will look to be the backup this season. 

The running backs will be James Conner (721 yards, 4.3 ypc average and six TD with the Steelers), Chase Edmonds (138 rushing yards along with 53 receptions for 402 yards and four TD) and Jonathan Ward. Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (115 receptions, 1,407 yards and six TD) is the primary target for Arizona and is joined by Christian Kirk (48, 621, six TD) and A.J. Green, who comes over from Cincinnati. Green had 47 receptions for 523 yards and two scores last year. Rookie Rondale Moore (Purdue) is also in the mix. The tight ends are Maxx Williams and Darrell Daniels. 

The Cardinals offense averaged 385 yards (6th in NFL) and scored 25.6 points per game. The rushing game averaged 140 YPG (7th) and the passing game averaged 245 yards per game, which ranked 17th in the NFL.

 

DEFENSE - Jordan Phillips, Rashard Lawrence and J.J. Watt form the front line in the 3-4 alignment. Watt has been with Houston for his first ten seasons and last year had five quarterback sacks. The  linebackers are Chandler Jones, Isaiah Simmons, Markus Golden and either Jordan Hicks (team high 118 tackles) or rookie Zaven Collins (Tulsa). Dennis Gardeck (seven sacks) is another rush end/linebacker. 

In the secondary will be safeties Jalen Thompson and Budda Baker (team high 118 tackles) and corners Robert Alford and Malcolm Butler. Byron Murphy, Jr., Shawn Williams, rookie Marco Wilson (Florida) and Deionte Thompson will be counted upon as well.

 

2021 SEASON OUTLOOK - The Cardinals are looking to get over the hump and get back to the NFC playoffs for the first time in five years after finishing 8-8 a year ago. With Kyler Murray leading the offense, the Cards can move the football and the running game could be a key factor this season with Kenyan Drake having gone to Las Vegas. Oft injured James Conner joins Chase Edmonds as the primary back who will look to keep the offense balanced.

Head Coach Kliff Kingsbury is entering his third season with Arizona and the offense has been better in the two years since he came along. The receivers look to be solid again, even with future Hall-of-Fame player Larry Fitzgerald retired. DeAndre Hopkins is considered by many to be the top wideout in the NFL and gives Murray a prime target to throw to. 

The defense will be looking to replace no less than six starters from last season, including both cornerbacks (Patrick Peterson and Dre Kirkpatrick) as well as linebacker and team sack leader Haason Reddick. Enter corner man Malcolm Butler, who had four interceptions with Tennessee last year. Butler and either Byron Murphy, Jr. or Robert Alford will be the starting corners. And of course J.J. Watt is looking to contribute at the end spot. Linebacker Chandler Jones is looking to bounce back after missing most of last season with a biceps injury.

 The Arizona pass defense ranked tenth last season, giving up 226 yards per game while intercepting eleven passes and registering 48 sacks. The run defense allowed 126 YPG (22nd) and overall the Cardinals allowed 352 yards per game, which was 13th in the league. Additionally, Arizona allowed 22.9 points per game. 

The key for the Cardinals will be divisional play as they were 2-4 last year in the NFC West and they also coughed up two games at the end of the season that cost them a wild card playoff spot. Another eight win season won't cut it for the playoff picture, but unless the newer defensive players mesh and the offense keeps it moving onto even higher ground, the team may do no better than 9-8 this season.

 

2021 SCHEDULE 

Week 1 - at Tennessee 

Week 2 - vs. Minnesota 

Week 3 - at Jacksonville 

Week 4 - at L.A. Rams 

Week 5 - vs. San Francisco 

Week 6 - at Cleveland 

Week 7 - vs. Houston 

Week 8 - vs. Green Bay 

Week 9 - at San Francisco 

Week 10 - vs. Carolina 

Week 11- at Seattle 

Week 12 - BYE 

Week 13 - at Chicago 

Week 14 - vs. L.A. Rams 

Week 15 - at Detroit 

Week 16 - vs. Indianapolis 

Week 17 - at Dallas 

Week 18 - vs. Seattle

Pittsburgh Steelers - 2021 NFL Season Preview

PITTSBURGH STEELERS                                                           

 

2020 Record - 12-4-0

 

Head Coach - Mike Tomlin 

 

Key Additions - Joe Haeg (OL), Kalen Ballage (RB), Rashaad Coward (OL), B.J. Finney (OL)

 

OFFENSE - Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger enters his 18th NFL season and last year he had 3,803 passing yards with 33 touchdowns and ten interceptions. The backup is Mason Rudolph. The Steelers will have a rookie running back this season as Najee Harris (Alabama) was the teams top draft pick. Benny Snell, Jr. rushed for 368 yards in 2020 with four touchdowns while averaging 3.3 yards per carry. Third down back Kalen Ballage comes over from the Chargers this season as well.

The wide receiving corps has JuJu Smith-Schuster (97 receptions, 831 yards and nine touchdowns) as the top target. Diontae Johnson had 88 receptions for 973 yards and seven touchdowns while Chase Claypool made 62 catches for 873 yards and nine touchdowns. James Washington (30, 392, five TD) is another wideout in the passing attack. Tight end Eric Ebron caught 56 passes for 558 yards and five scores. Rookie TE Pat Freiermuth (Penn State) will be another option.

The Steelers passing game was 15th last year, averaging 250 yards per game, but the rushing game was the worst in pro football, averaging only 84 YPG. The total offense finished 24th in the league, averaging 334 yards per game while scoring 26 points per game.

DEFENSE - Stephon Tuitt (eleven QB sacks), Cameron Heyward and Tyson Alualu lead the front line while linebackers T.J. Watt (15 sacks), Alex Highsmith, Devin Bush and Robert Spillane complete the front seven for the NFL's third ranked defense from the 2020 season. Other players adding depth this season include Chris Wormley, Isaiah Buggs and rookie Isaiahh Loudermilk (Wisconsin) up front along with reserve linebackers Vince Williams, Cassius Marsh and rookies Buddy Johnson (Texas A & M) and Quincy Roche (Miami, FL).

The secondary has Minkah Fitzpatrick (four interceptions) and Terrell Edmunds at the safety spots while Joe Haden and Cameron Sutton play the corner positions. James Pierre, Justin Layne, Miles Killebrew and Antoine Brooks, Jr. round out the secondary, which tied for the league lead with 18 interceptions last season. Pittsburgh also led the NFL with 56 QB sacks while allowing 19.5 points per game. The Steelers allowed 306 YPG in total defense. The run defense gave up 111 YPG (tenth in NFL) while the pass defense ranked third overall, allowing 195 yards per game.

2021 SEASON OUTLOOK - The Steelers ran out of gas in a real hurry last year after an 11-0 start by going 1-4 down the stretch and then losing by double digits (at home) in the wild card round of the AFC playoffs to the Cleveland Browns. 

Ouch !

However, those folks who are counting out the Steelers for the 2021 season will do so at their own peril. The defense is still among the top units in all of pro football and adding a solid young running back (Najee Harris) in place of injury prone James Conner (now with the Arizona Cardinals) should provide a spark to the running game to help balance out the offense. "Big Ben" cannot do it all by himself and he's not getting any younger. 

Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin is entering his 15th season in Pittsburgh and he has seen this play out before whenever the team finished on a low note the previous season. He and his coaching staff know how to rebound and get the team to where it wants to go, so don't sleep on the Steelers just yet. The defense is very strong and the secondary takes a "hands off" approach regarding opposing passing attacks. If Roethlisberger can stay healthy this year and the running game shows improvement, Pittsburgh will be in most games because their defense helps make it happen on the other side of the football.

Playing against the Ravens and Browns and the improving Bengals in the rugged AFC North division is a challenge indeed, but the Steelers will likely handle it once again. The schedule is a tough one, but a 12-5 finish is not out of the question, barring any significant injuries to key players. That could win the Steelers another AFC North title, but success in the playoffs is the real goal. 

Stay tuned.

 

2021 SCHEDULE 

Week 1 - at Buffalo 

Week 2 - vs. Las Vegas 

Week 3 - vs. Cincinnati 

Week 4 - at Green Bay 

Week 5 - vs. Denver 

Week 6 - vs. Seattle 

Week 7 - BYE 

Week 8 - at Cleveland 

Week 9 - vs. Chicago 

Week 10 - vs. Detroit 

Week 11 - at L.A. Chargers 

Week 12 - at Cincinnati 

Week 13 - vs. Baltimore 

Week 14 - at Minnesota 

Week 15 - vs. Tennessee 

Week 16 - at Kansas City 

Week 17 - vs. Cleveland 

Week 18 - at Baltimore

Cleveland Browns - 2021 NFL Season Preview

CLEVELAND BROWNS                                         

 

2020 Record - 11-5-0

 

Head Coach - Kevin Stefanski 

 

Key Additions - Jadeveon Clowney (DL), Malik Jackson (DL), Anthony Walker (LB), John Johnson III (DB), Troy Hill (DB), Takkarist McKinley (DL)

 

OFFENSE - Baker Mayfield returns as the starting quarterback after passing for 3,563 yards along with 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Case Keenum will be the backup. The running back tandem of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt is back in tow this season. Chubb gained 1,067 yards (5.6 ypc average) and scored twelve touchdowns while Hunt rushed for 841 yards (4.2 ypc) and scored six touchdowns while also catching 38 passes for 304 yards and five touchdowns. 

Jarvis Landry was the leading receiver for the Browns last season with 72 receptions for 840 yards and three touchdowns. Odell Beckham, Jr. is looking to return this season from an injury plagued 2020 season. Along with those two players are Donovan Peoples-Jones and Rashard Higgins (37, 599, four TD) and rookie Anthony Schwartz (Auburn). Tight end Austin Hooper had 46 receptions for 435 yards and four touchdowns. Harrison Bryant (24, 238, three TD) and David Njoku are other options at tight end as well. 

The Browns offense ranked 16th a year ago, gaining 370 yards per game. The running attack was third overall, gaining an average of 148 YPG while the passing game averaged 222 YPG, which was 24th in the NFL. Cleveland averaged 25.5 points per game last season.

DEFENSE - Myles Garrett (12 QB sacks) is joined by Jadeveon Clowney  at the end positions up front along with tackles Malik Jackson and Andrew Billings. Takkarist McKinley, Jordan Elliott, Porter Gustin and rookie Tommy Togial (Ohio State) round out the defensive line. Linebackers include Anthony Walker in the middle and outside men Jacob Phillips and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, a rookie from Notre Dame. Mack Wilson, Malcolm Smith and Sione Takitaki are also available. 

In the secondary are safeties Ronnie Harrison, Jr. and John Johnson III along with corners Denzel Ward (two interceptions) and Troy Hill. Greedy Williams and rookie Greg Newsome II (Northwestern) are the other cornerbacks and Sheldrick Redwine and Grant Delpit are the reserve safeties.

 

2021 SEASON OUTLOOK - Cleveland made it to the NFL playoffs for the first time in 18 seasons last year and advanced to the divisional round, where they lost a close game to the Kansas City Chiefs. However, the excitement is back for the Browns and Head Coach Kevin Stefanski has a team that is definitely on the rise in the AFC. 

As long as QB Baker Mayfield keeps the turnovers down (as he did last season), the offense should be solid. The running game is a good one and this season, the Browns hope to have both primary wide receivers in the fold as Odell Beckham, Jr. is coming back from a knee injury. Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt give the team a solid one-two tandem rushing the football to keep the offense balanced. The Browns scored 30-plus points six times last season and also racked up 48 points in a blowout playoff win against Pittsburgh. 

The defense ranked 17th overall a year ago (allowing 358 yards per game) and is going through some changes as it appears that perhaps nine new players will be starters this season. Team sacks leader Myles Garrett (a Pro Bowler) and cornerback Denzel Ward, another Pro Bowl player, look to be the only starters returning to their regular positions. Cleveland allowed an average of 26.2 points per game last year while giving up 247 passing yards (22nd in NFL). The run defense was better, allowing 111 YPG, which ranked ninth in the NFL. 

As long as Mayfield stays healthy and continues to improve at quarterback in his fourth season, the offense will click and the defense will look to avoid giving up big plays too frequently. In 2020, the Browns defense had eleven interceptions and 38 QB sacks while the team had a plus-five in the turnover category, which was a big improvement from the 2019 season. Realistically, the Browns can win the AFC North division this season, but that will depend on how they fare against their divisional foes, most notably Pittsburgh and Baltimore. A 12-5 record could be enough to get the job done as they look to advance further along in the playoffs this time around.

2021 SCHEDULE 

Week 1 - at Kansas City 

Week 2 - vs. Houston 

Week 3 - vs. Chicago 

Week 4 - at Minnesota 

Week 5 - at L.A. Chargers 

Week 6 - vs. Arizona 

Week 7 - vs. Denver 

Week 8 - vs. Pittsburgh 

Week 9 - at Cincinnati 

Week 10 - at New England 

Week 11 - vs. Detroit 

Week 12 - at Baltimore 

Week 13 - BYE

Week 14 - vs. Baltimore 

Week 15 - vs. Las Vegas 

Week 16 - at Green Bay 

Week 17 - at Pittsburgh 

Week 18 - vs. Cincinnati 

 

 

Cincinnati Bengals - 2021 NFL Season Preview

CINCINNATI BENGALS                                                    

 

2020 Record - 4-11-1

 

Head Coach - Zac Taylor 

 

Key Additions - Trey Hendrickson (DL), Ricardo Allen (DB), Eli Apple (DB), Chidobe Awuzie (DB), Riley Reiff (OL), Mike Hilton (DB), Larry Ogunjobi (DL) 

 

OFFENSE - Quarterback Joe Burrow enters his second year in the NFL and is coming off a season ending knee injury. Burrow played in ten games and passed for 2,688 yards with 13 touchdowns and five interceptions. The backup QB is Brandon Allen, who passed for 925 yards with five touchdowns and four interceptions. 

Joe Mixon leads the running game and he is also coming back from an injury plagued season in 2020. Foot injuries limited Mixon to just 119 carries last season and he rushed for 428 yards (3.6 ypc average) and three touchdowns. Samaje Perine gained 301 rushing yards (4.8 ypc) and scored three times. Wide receivers include Tyler Boyd (79 receptions for 841 yards and four TD), Tee Higgins (67, 908, six TD), rookie Ja'Marr Chase (LSU) and Stanley Morgan, Auden Tate and Mike Thomas. The tight ends are Drew Sample (40, 349, one TD) and C.J. Uzomah. 

 

DEFENSE - The Bengals are adding Trey Hendrickson to the defensive front line this season along with stalwarts Sam Hubbard, D.J. Reader and Larry Ogunjobi. Hendrickson tallied 13 1/2 QB sacks with New Orleans last season. The linebackers are Akeem Davis-Gaither, Germaine Pratt and Logan Wilson. Three rookies were taken in the NFL draft to bolster the defensive front in Joseph Ossai (Texas), Cam Sample (Tulane) and Tyler Shelvin (LSU). Keandre Jones, Markus Bailey and Jordan Evans will spell the linebackers.

The secondary features safeties Vonn Bell and Jessie Bates III along with corner men Trae Waynes and Chidobe Awuzie. Bell (114 tackles) and Bates (109 tackles) led the team in tackles. Veterans Eli Apple and Ricardo Allen join with Mike Hilton (three interceptions with Pittsburgh last year) and Brandon Wilson to provide depth for this season. The Bengals only had eleven interceptions and a league low 17 QB sacks in the 2020 season. In addition, Cincinnati finished 26th in total defense, allowing 389 yards per game. The run defense gave up 148 YPG while the pass defense allowed 241 yards per game. The Bengals allowed an average of 26.5 points per game last year.

 

2021 SEASON OUTLOOK - After a terrible start to the season, Burrow went out for the remainder of the season with the knee injury and the Bengals finished in last place in the rugged AFC North division. Head Coach Zac Taylor is heading into his third season in Cincy and things could be better this year, especially if Burrow and Mixon can avoid injuries. 

The Bengals have newer and younger wide receivers for Burrow to throw to as longtime playmaker A.J. Green is now gone to Arizona and John Ross III is with the New York Giants. With tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd and rookie speedster Ja'Marr Chase in the mix, Burrow will have plenty of options in the passing attack. In 2020, Cincinnati averaged 216 yards passing and 104 YPG rushing to make for a 320 yards per game average, which ranked 29th in the NFL. The Bengals scored 19.4 points per game, which was also 29th in the league. 

With a somewhat easier looking  first half schedule this year, perhaps the Bengals can avoid another slow start and gain confidence. The second part of the 17-game schedule looks very tough with the Bengals facing Cleveland (twice) along with division foes Pittsburgh and Baltimore among others from the AFC West division. The run defense must improve, evidenced by the number of defensive linemen drafted this year and two veterans coming along via free agency, including Trey Hendrickson, who is also a pass rushing beast. 

As long as Burrow and Mixon remain in the starting lineup all season long, the offense should be much improved. The defense will be a big part of improving the teams record this year as well if the new pieces fit in place and perform as the Bengals would like. A 6-11 record would be a step forward from the last two years as the team looks to improve and get back to a level of respectability in their division.

2021 SCHEDULE 

Week 1 - vs. Minnesota 

Week 2 - at Chicago 

Week 3 - at Pittsburgh 

Week 4 - vs. Jacksonville 

Week 5 - vs. Green Bay 

Week 6 - at Detroit 

Week 7 - at Baltimore 

Week 8 - at N.Y. Jets 

Week 9 - vs. Cleveland 

Week 10 - BYE 

Week 11 - at Las Vegas 

Week 12 - vs. Pittsburgh 

Week 13 - vs. L.A. Chargers  

Week 14 - vs. San Francisco 

Week 15 - at Denver 

Week 16 - vs. Baltimore 

Week 17 - vs. Kansas City 

Week 18 - at Cleveland

 

Baltimore Ravens - 2021 NFL Season Preview

BALTIMORE RAVENS                                              

 

2020 Record - 11-5-0

 

Head Coach - John Harbaugh 

 

Key Additions - Sammy Watkins (WR), Justin Houston (DL), Kevin Zeitler (OL), Alejandro Villanueva (OL)

OFFENSE - Lamar Jackson is back at the quarterback position after passing for 2,757 yards with 26 touchdowns and nine interceptions last season. Jackson led the Ravens in rushing with 1,005 yards (6.3 ypc average) and scored seven touchdowns. Running backs J.K. Dobbins (805, 6.0 ypc and nine TD) and Gus Edwards (723, 5.0 ypc and six TD) form a formidable one-two punch in the backfield. 

Marquise Brown (58 receptions for 769 yards and eight TD), Sammy Watkins (37, 421, two TD), Miles Boykin (19, 266, four TD) and rookie Rashod Bateman (Minnesota) will be the primary wide receivers along with Devin Duvernay, who had 20 receptions for 201 yards. The tight ends are Mark Andrews (58, 701, seven TD) and Nick Boyle, who had 14 receptions for 113 yards and two scores. 

Baltimore led the NFL in rushing last year, gaining an average of 192 yards per game while the passing offense was last in the league overall, getting just 171 yards per game. The Ravens scored an average of 29.3 points per game while ranking 19th in the league on offense with an average of 363 yards per game.

DEFENSE - Calais Campbell (four QB sacks), Derek Wolfe and Brandon Williams man the defensive front while Patrick Queen (team leading 106 tackles), L.J. Fort, Pernell McPhee and Tyus Bowser (three interceptions) are the linebackers. Justin Madubulke, Justin Ellis and Broderick Washington provide depth up front. Reserve linebackers include Chris Board, Malik Harrison, Jaylon Ferguson and rookie Odafe Oweh (Penn State). Rush End/linebacker Justin Houston (eight QB sacks with Indianapolis last season) was recently signed as well and will be ready to go for the Ravens.

In the secondary are cornerbacks Marcus Peters (four INT) and Marlon Humphrey and safeties Chuck Clark and DeShon Elliott.  Defensive backs Jimmy Smith, Tavon Young, Anthony Levine and rookie Brandon Stephens (SMU) will play as well.

 

2021 SEASON OUTLOOK - The Ravens made it to the divisional round of the AFC playoffs last year as Lamar Jackson got the monkey off his back with his first post-season victory. If they want to move on further this season in the playoffs, the offense has to improve. Head Coach John Harbaugh has seen his quarterback (Jackson) gradually improve in the passing game since his rookie season three years ago, but the team needs more balance on offense. 

Baltimore brought in Sammy Watkins from Kansas City and are hoping he can get back to the form he displayed in prior seasons with both the Chiefs and Buffalo Bills. The other wideouts have to step up as well because it seems the go to target is tight end Mark Andrews and a deep threat has to come through to open things up. As long as the running game keeps pounding away, Baltimore can maintain a ball control attack, but they only scored 23 points over the two playoff games and that doesn't get it done.

The defense is certainly capable of keeping the team in many games and last season the Ravens ranked in the top ten of the NFL in four areas. They allowed 18.9 points per game (2nd) along with finishing seventh in total defense, giving up an average of 330 yards per game. The run defense allowed 109 YPG (8th) and the pass defense finished sixth overall, allowing 221 yards per game. The Ravens had 39 QB sacks and picked off ten passes while getting a plus-four turnover ratio.

Playing in the AFC North is never an easy task with the likes of arch-rival Pittsburgh and now the Cleveland Browns are a formidable opponent and even the Cincinnati Bengals look to be improving as well. Winning those divisional games is key to a successful season and an 11-6 record looks to be what might come about this year. That should definitely be enough to get a wild card playoff spot and possibly a division crown as well. How far the team can go in the playoffs will ride on the arm and legs of Lamar Jackson and that up and down offense.

2021 SCHEDULE 

Week 1 - at Las Vegas  

Week 2 - vs. Kansas City 

Week 3 - at Detroit 

Week 4 - at Denver 

Week 5 - vs. Indianapolis 

Week 6 - vs. L.A. Chargers 

Week 7 - vs. Cincinnati 

Week 8 - BYE 

Week 9 - vs. Minnesota 

Week 10 - at Miami 

Week 11 - at Chicago 

Week 12 - vs. Cleveland 

Week 13 - at Pittsburgh 

Week 14 - at Cleveland 

Week 15 - vs. Green Bay 

Week 16 - at Cincinnati 

Week 17 - vs. L.A. Rams 

Week 18 - vs. Pittsburgh

Washington - 2021 NFL Season Preview

WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM                                  

 

2020 Record - 7-9-0

 

Head Coach - Ron Rivera 

 

Key Additions - Ryan Fitzpatrick (QB), Ereck Flowers (LB), Adam Humphries (WR), Curtis Samuel (WR), Darryl Roberts (DB), David Mayo (LB), DeAndre Carter (WR), William Jackson III (DB), Tyler Larsen (OL)

OFFENSE - The Washington Football Team will likely go with Ryan Fitzpatrick as the starting quarterback this season. Fitzpatrick played for Miami last season and had 2,091 passing yards with 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Taylor Heinicke will play the backup role. 

Antonio Gibson (795 rushing yards, 4.7 ypc average and eleven touchdowns), J.D. McKissic (365, 4.3 ypc and one TD along with 80 receptions for 589 yards and two TD) and Peyton Barber (258, 2.7 ypc and four TD) are the running backs. The wide receivers include Terry McLaurin, who led the team with 87 receptions for 1,118 yards and four touchdowns last year. Curtis Samuel (77, 851, three TD with Carolina), Adam Humphries (23, 228, two TD with Tennessee), DeAndre Carter and rookie Dyami Brown (North Carolina) round out the receiving corps. Tight End Logan Thomas caught 72 passes for 670 yards and six scores. 

Washington scored an average of 20.9 points per game last season while averaging 317 yards per game (30th in NFL). WFT rushed for 101 yards per game (26th) and passed for 216 YPG, which ranked 25th in the league.

 

DEFENSE - The front four of Chase Young (7 1/2 QB sacks), Daron Payne, Jonathan Allen and Montez Sweat (nine sacks) are in place along with linebackers Cole Holcomb, John Bostic (team high 118 tackles) and either rookie Jarmin Davis (Kentucky) or Khaleke Hudson. 

In the secondary is William Jackson III and Kendall Fuller (four interceptions)  at the corners while Landon Collins and Karmen Curl (three picks) play the safety spots. Others in the mix are Jimmy Moreland, Deshazor Everett, Jeremy Reaves and Troy Apke. Washington intercepted 16 passes last season and had 47 quarterback sacks while also ranking second in the NFL in total defense, allowing 305 yards per game. The run defense placed 13th overall, giving up 113 YPG and the pass defense allowed just 192 yards per game, which was second best in the NFL.

 

2021 SEASON OUTLOOK - After surprising a lot of people by making the playoffs last year, the Washington Football Team and first year Head Coach Ron Rivera raised the bar for expectations this season.

Avoiding a poor start again this season would go a long way to ensure more success this time around and a second straight playoff appearance. WFT went 5-2 down the stretch in 2020 with the defense leading the way. There is reason to believe that if the defense stays healthy, more of the same positive results will follow. The offense needs to pick it up and thus Ryan Fitzpatrick (known as "Fitz Magic") was brought in after his performances with the Miami Dolphins last year. Washington scored more than 30 points in a game only once last season and in today's NFL, that isn't going to get it done, even if a team has a stellar defense. 

It will be interesting to see if the team can have the same overall success now that teams around the league have seen what they can do. They will not be taken so lightly this year and that could mean the difference between another first place finish in the NFC East or perhaps going back to third or fourth place in the division race. What WFT does down the stretch will determine their fate as they play five consecutive divisional games to wind up the season. The pick here is an 8-9 finish this season, which could be enough for a second place finish.

2021 SCHEDULE

Week 1 - vs. L.A. Chargers

Week 2 - vs. N.Y. Giants 

Week 3 - at Buffalo 

Week 4 - at Atlanta 

Week 5 - vs. New Orleans 

Week 6 - vs. Kansas City 

Week 7 - at Green Bay 

Week 8 - at Denver 

Week 9 - BYE 

Week 10 - vs. Tampa Bay 

Week 11 - at Carolina 

Week 12 - vs. Seattle 

Week 13 - at Las Vegas 

Week 14 - vs. Dallas 

Week 15 - at Philadelphia 

Week 16 - at Dallas 

Week 17 - vs. Philadelphia 

Week 18 - at N.Y. Giants 

 

Philadelphia Eagles - 2021 NFL Season Preview

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES                                                      

 

2020 Record - 4-11-1

 

Head Coach - Nick Sirianni

 

Key Additions - Joe Flacco (QB), Anthony Harris (DB), Andrew Adams (DB), Eric Wilson (LB)

 

OFFENSE - After getting a chance to play down the stretch last season, Jalen Hurts enters the 2021 season as the starter. Hurts threw for 1,061 yards with six touchdowns and four interceptions. Veterans Joe Flacco and Nick Mullens look to be the backups. 

The running backs are Miles Sanders (867 rushing yards, 5.3 ypc average and six TD), Boston Scott (374, 4.7 ypc and one TD) and Jordan Howard. Wide receivers include Jalen Reagor, Greg Ward (53 receptions for 419 yards and six TD), rookie DeVonta Smith (Alabama), John Hightower, J.J. Arcega-Whiteside and Travis Fulgham. The tight ends are Dallas Goedert (46, 524, three TD), Zach Ertz (36, 355, one TD) and Jason Croom.

The Eagles were 24th in offense last season, gaining an average of 335 yards per game with the passing game averaging 208 yards while averaging 20.9 points per game.  Philly's running attack was decent a year ago, averaging 127 yards per game, which was ninth in the NFL.

DEFENSE - Brandon Graham (eight QB sacks) and Fletcher Cox (6 1/2 sacks) man the front four along with Derek Barnett and Javon Hargrave. Josh Sweat, Hassan Ridgeway, rookie Milton Williams (Louisiana Tech) and Joe Ostman provide depth. Alex Singleton was the team's leading tackler last season (120) and heads up the linebacking crew along with T.J. Edwards and Eric Wilson. 

The safeties are Anthony Harris and Rodney McLeod and Avonte Maddox and Darius Slay are the cornerbacks. Lavert Hill, Craig James, Marcus Epps and Andrew Adams are also available. Philadelphia's defense ranked 19th last year, giving up 363 yards per game. They allowed 26,1 points per game while allowing 126 YPG rushing (23rd in NFL) and 237 YPG passing allowed. 

2021 SEASON OUTLOOK - New Head Coach Nick Sirianni takes over this year and for the Eagles to get back into contention in the NFC East division, they must have steady play from the quarterback position. Last year was a mess with since traded Carson Wentz at quarterback and thus Jalen Hurts took over late in the season and showed some signs of rejuvenating a lack luster attack. As a result of the inconsistencies, the Eagles went 1-7 down the stretch and finished in the basement in the NFC East. 

If Hurts can show he is learning and progressing at the professional level, the offense should be able to take off this year. The running game is decent and the team has solid receivers and two decent tight ends that can catch the ball and make things happen. Red zone efficiency is a must as well.

Defensively, Philadelphia needs to force more turnovers. They only had eight interceptions last season, but did register 49 quarterback sacks, which was third highest in the NFL. Too many times though, they gave up the big play or else couldn't stop opponents on third downs. Turnovers were also a problem on offense, evidenced by the minus-10 turnover ratio. 

The NFC East was not a strong division last year and realistically doesn't appear to be any better as this season approaches. But in the what have you done me lately style of the NFL, anything can happen from year-to-year. The Eagles could finish with a better mark than last season, but with the difficult schedule, figure on a 5-12 finish as they look to improve with a new coaching staff and a young quarterback. The key will be how the Eagles play down the stretch as they have four straight divisional games to end the season, including two with defending division champion Washington.

 

2021 SCHEDULE 

Week 1 - at Atlanta 

Week 2 - vs. San Francisco 

Week 3 - at Dallas 

Week 4 - vs. Kansas City 

Week 5 - at Carolina 

Week 6 - vs. Tampa Bay 

Week 7 - at Las Vegas 

Week 8 - at Detroit 

Week 9 - vs. L.A. Chargers 

Week 10 - at Denver 

Week 11 - vs. New Orleans 

Week 12 - at N.Y. Giants 

Week 13 - at N.Y. Jets 

Week 14 - BYE 

Week 15 - vs. Washington 

Week 16 - vs. N.Y. Giants 

Week 17 - at Washington 

Week 18 - vs. Dallas

New York Giants - 2021 NFL Season Preview

NEW YORK GIANTS                                                    

 

2020 Record - 6-10-0

 

Head Coach - Joe Judge

 

Key Additions - Mike Glennon (QB), Kyle Rudolph (TE), Zach Fulton (OL), Ryan Anderson (LB), Kenny Golladay (WR), Adoree' Jackson (DB), Johnathan Harrison (OL), Reggie Ragland (LB), Ifeadi Odenigbo (DL), Danny Shelton (DL)

 

OFFENSE - Daniel Jones is the quarterback and he passed for 2,943 yards last year along with eleven touchdowns and ten interceptions while also rushing for 423 yards (6.5 ypc average) and one touchdown. Mike Glennon, Joe Webb and Clayton Thorson are in camp battling for the backup spot.

Saquon Barkley suffered a knee injury in the second game last season and only had 19 carries, so his return to full health is essential to the Giants running game. Also in the fold is Devontae Booker along with several others in camp. The wide receivers are led by Sterling Shepard (66 receptions for 656 yards and three touchdowns) and Kenny Golladay, who comes over from Detroit, where he caught 20 passes for 382 yards and two scores in just five games due to injuries. Darius Slayton (50, 751, three TD) and rookie Kadarius Toney (Florida) will see action as well this season. Tight ends Evan Engram (63, 654, one TD) and Kyle Rudolph (28, 334, one TD with the Vikings) will look to form a solid duo.

The Giants only averaged 17.5 points per game last year and that was next to last in the NFL while also ranking 31st overall on offense, averaging 300 yards per game. The running game averaged 111 YPG and 189 passing yards per game.

DEFENSE - Leonard Williams (11 1/2 QB sacks), Dexter Lawrence II and Danny Shelton anchor the front line for the defense. Linebackers are Blake Martinez, Reggie Ragland, Lorenzo Carter and either rookie Azeez Ojulari (Georgia) or Oshane Ximines. Providing depth in the front seven are B.J. Hill, Austin Johnson, Ifeadi Odenigbo, Devante Downs, Tae Crowder and Cam Brown. 

James Bradberry (three interceptions) and Adoree' Jackson are the corners with Darnay Holmes and rookie Aaron Robinson (UCF) as the backups. The safeties are Jabril Peppes and Logan Ryan along with Xavier McKinney and Julian Love.

2021 SEASON OUTLOOK - Giants Head Coach Joe Judge is entering his second season with the team and would like to see the offense do much better than what happened last season. Getting running back Saquon Barkley back this season and fully healthy will go a long way to improving the offense. Quarterback Daniel Jones had an up-and-down season and will need to improve the passing game if the team wants to have better success this year. 

The defense was the definite strength of the team last year, allowing 349 yards per game (12th overall in the NFL) and gave up 22.3 points per game, which was ninth in the league. The run defense gave up 111 yards per game (tenth in NFL) and the pass defense allowed 238 YPG, which was 16th overall. The front line gets pressure on the opposing quarterbacks as the team had 41 sacks a year ago along with eleven interceptions. As long as the Giants get that type of effort, they will likely stay in most games. They had five one-score game losses last year and finished just one game back of Washington for the NFC East title while going 4-2 against divisional foes. 

Tightening up the loose ends and playing with discipline to avoid mistakes will be a key to the team having a better season and perhaps getting a playoff spot for the first time in five years. The likely finish this season is 7-10 and that won't get it done. But who knows? Perhaps with a couple of breaks, the Giants could make the playoffs.

 

2021 SCHEDULE

Week 1 - vs. Denver 

Week 2 - at Washington 

Week 3 - vs. Atlanta 

Week 4 - at New Orleans 

Week 5 - at Dallas 

Week 6 - vs. L.A. Rams 

Week 7 - vs. Carolina 

Week 8 - at Kansas City 

Week 9 - vs. Las Vegas 

Week 10 - BYE 

Week 11 - at Tampa Bay 

Week 12 - vs. Philadelphia 

Week 13 - at Miami 

Week 14 - at L.A. Chargers 

Week 15 - vs. Dallas 

Week 16 - at Philadelphia

Week 17 - at Chicago 

Week 18 - vs. Washington 

Dallas Cowboys - 2021 NFL Season Preview

DALLAS COWBOYS                                                                  

 

2020 Record - 6-10-0

 

Head Coach - Mike McCarthy

 

Key Additions - Ty Nsekhe (OL), Jeremy Sprinkle (TE), Terrell Basham (DL), Damontae Kazee (DB), Jayron Kearse (DB), Keeanu Neal (DB), Brent Urban (DL), Carlos Watkins (DL)

OFFENSE - Dak Prescott is on the mend after a season ending ankle injury last year and has been battling other various injuries during training camp, but looks to be the starting quarterback once again. In limited play in 2020, Prescott threw for 1,856 yards with nine touchdowns and four interceptions. Ben DiNucci, Cooper Rush and Garrett Gilbert are all vying for the backup job this season. 

Running back Ezekiel Elliott returns for his sixth season after going for 979 rushing yards a year ago (4.0 ypc average) and six touchdowns. He also had 52 receptions and two more scores out of the backfield. Tony Pollard (435, 4.3 ypc and four TD) is an ample backup. The tight ends include Blake Jarwin, Dalton Schultz (63 receptions for 615 yards and four touchdowns last season) and Jeremy Sprinkle, who comes over from Washington. 

The wide receiving corps is deep and talented with the likes of CeeDee Lamb (74, 935, five TD), Amari Cooper (92, 1,114, five TD) and Michael Gallup, who had 59 receptions for 843 yards and five touchdowns. The Cowboys offense ranked 14th a year ago, averaging 372 yards per game (112 rushing and 260 passing) while averaging 24.7 points per game.

DEFENSE - Randy Gregory, DeMarcus Lawrence (6 1/2 QB sacks), Brent Urban and Osa Odighizuwa will be up front for the defense. Neville Gallimore is injured and won't likely be back until early October at defensive tackle. The linebackers are Leighton Vander Esch, Jaylon Smith (team leading 154 tackles last year) and either Keanu Neal or rookie Micah Parsons (Penn State) with Luke Gifford, Francis Bernard and rookie Jabril Cox (LSU) providing depth. 

The secondary has many new faces in camp this season as Damontae Kazee, Jayron Kearse and Keanu Neal all come on board. The corners are Trevon Diggs (three interceptions) and rookie Kelvin Joseph (Kentucky) with Jourdan Lewis and Anthony Brown backing up. Donovan Wilson and Kazee are the likely starting safeties. 

2021 SEASON OUTLOOK - After finishing 6-10 a year ago and dealing with not having Dak Prescott as the quarterback, the Cowboys and second year Head Coach Mike McCarthy are looking forward and not backward as the 2021 season approaches. 

The NFC East is once again up for grabs and the Cowboys can win it if they stay healthy and don't make so many mistakes. Washington won the division with a 7-9 record last year, but Dallas can right things if they can win the division games this time around after going 2-4 against NFC East opponents last season. The defense must do better after a dismal finish at 23rd in the league, giving up 386 yards per game and 29.6 points per game (28th). The pass defense ranked 11th in the NFL, giving up 227 YPG, but the run defense was terrible, allowing 159 yards per game, which ranked 31st in the NFL. Dallas had 31 QB sacks last season and intercepted ten passes.

Avoiding another slow start would definitely help the team in their pursuit of a playoff spot for the first time since the 2018 season. The heat is on McCarthy and his staff already mainly because the Cowboys have been highly touted, but the team hasn't been to the NFC Championship Game since the 1995 season. That looks to be another lofty goal this season as a 9-8 finish would be an improvement and just might get the Cowboys back into the playoffs. After that, they are playing with house money.

2021 SCHEDULE 

Week 1 - at Tampa Bay 

Week 2 - at L.A. Chargers 

Week 3 - vs. Philadelphia 

Week 4 - vs. Carolina 

Week 5 - vs. N.Y. Giants 

Week 6 - at New England 

Week 7 - BYE

Week 8 - at Minnesota

Week 9 - vs. Denver

Week 10 - vs. Atlanta 

Week 11 - at Kansas City 

Week 12 - vs. Las Vegas 

Week 13 - at New Orleans 

Week 14 - at Washington 

Week 15 - at N.Y. Giants 

Week 16 - vs. Washington

Week 17 - vs. Arizona 

Week 18 - at Philadelphia

New York Jets - 2021 NFL Season Preview

NEW YORK JETS                                                  

 

2020 Record - 2-14-0

 

Head Coach - Robert Saleh 

 

Key Additions - Keelan Cole (WR), Tevin Coleman (RB), Dan Feeney (OL), Corey Davis (WR), Vinny Curry (DL), Sheldon Rankins (DL), Carl Lawson (DL), Jarrad Davis (LB), Lamarcus Joyner (DB)

 

OFFENSE - Zach Wilson (BYU) was the second pick in the NFL Draft last April and will be the Jets starting quarterback this season. The running backs are Tevin Coleman, La'Mical Perine (232 yards, 3.6 ypc average and two TD) and Ty Johnson, who gained 254 yards (4.7 ypc) and scored one touchdown. Coleman was injured much of last season while playing for the San Francisco 49ers.

Wide receivers include Corey Davis (65 receptions, 984 yards and five TD with Tennessee), Jamison Crowder (59, 699, six TD), Denzel Mims (23 receptions for 357 yards), Braxton Berrios (37, 394, three TD) and Keelan Cole, who had 55 receptions for 642 yards and five touchdowns with Jacksonville last season. The tight ends are Chris Herndon (31, 287, three TD) and Ryan Griffin. 

The Jets scored an average of just 15.2 points per game last year, the lowest in pro football while ranking last in total yardage with 280 yards per game. The passing offense averaged 175 yards per game (31st in NFL) while the rushing game averaged 105 YPG, which was 23rd overall. 

DEFENSE - Quinnen Williams (seven QB sacks) and Folorunso Fatukasi are the tackles up front and the ends are Carl Lawson and Kyle Phillips. Jarrad Davis, C.J. Mosley and Blake Cashman are the linebackers. Others include Del'Shawn Phillips and Jamien Sherwood (Auburn). 

The defensive backfield has cornerbacks Bryce Hall and Bless Austin along with safeties Marcus Maye and Ashtyn Davis. Lamar Jackson, Corey Ballentine, Saquan Hampton and Lamarcus Joyner provide depth. The Jets allowed 388 yards per game a year ago while giving up 28.6 points per game. The pass defense ranked 28th overall, allowing 276 YPG while the run defense gave up 112 yards per game, which was 23rd in the NFL. The Jets had 31 QB sacks and ten interceptions last season.

2021 SEASON OUTLOOK - After a disastrous 2020 season that saw the team finish last in the AFC East division, the Jets have a new Head Coach as Robert Saleh takes over and will have a new quarterback as well. Sam Darnold went to Carolina and now it's the rookie quarterback Zach Wilson looking to lead the offense. 

The Jets need something to look forward to after finishing at or near the bottom of the pack in all offensive categories a year ago. As long as Wilson stays healthy and shows he can handle the pressure of being a rookie starter, the Jets should do better and win more than two games this season. The defense needs to do better against the pass and getting more interceptions and pressuring opposing quarterbacks would do wonders in that area. Saleh was a very good defensive coach with the San Francisco 49ers and brings a lot of enthusiasm to the Big Apple. 

The team is realistically far from being a playoff contender, but with a new coach in town and players in key positions, perhaps the Jets will not crash and burn as they have in recent seasons. The team hasn't been to the playoffs since 2010 and they will look to get it started in the right direction this year. A 4-13 record would be an improvement as they look to get back to respectability.

 

2021 SCHEDULE 

Week 1 - at Carolina 

Week 2 - vs. New England 

Week 3 - at Denver 

Week 4 - vs. Tennessee 

Week 5 - vs. Atlanta (in London, England) 

Week 6 - BYE 

Week 7 - at New England 

Week 8 - vs. Cincinnati 

Week 9 - at Indianapolis 

Week 10 - vs. Buffalo 

Week 11 - vs. Miami 

Week 12 - at Houston 

Week 13 - vs. Philadelphia 

Week 14 - vs. New Orleans 

Week 15 - at Miami 

Week 16 - vs. Jacksonville 

Week 17 - vs. Tampa Bay 

Week 18 - at Buffalo