PITTSBURGH STEELERS - 2020 NFL Season Preview

PITTSBURGH STEELERS                                  

2019 Record - 8-8-0

Head Coach - Mike Tomlin

New Players in 2020 - Chris Wormley (DL), Derek Watt (RB), Eric Ebron (TE), Saeed Blacknail (WR), Stefen Wisniewski (OL)

Players opting out for 2020 season (COVID-19) - None


OFFENSE - Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is looking to return this season from elbow surgery after playing in just two games last season. If he is ready to go, he is the starter. The backup could be Mason Rudolph, who got the bulk of the work last year, passing for 1,765 yards with 13 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Others listed on the roster in camp have included Duck Hodges, J.T. Barrett and Paxton Lynch.
Running back James Conner is recovered from COVID-19 and announced he is ready to carry the load for Pittsburgh this season after leading the team in rushing in 2019 with 464 yards (4.0 ypc average) with four touchdowns. Benny Snell, Jr. had 426 yards on the ground (3.9 ypc) with two touchdowns. Rookie Anthony McFarland, Jr. (Maryland) is another option.
The wide receivers feature James Washington (44 receptions for 735 yards and three TD), JuJu Smith-Schuster (42, 552, three TD), Diontae Johnson (59, 680, five TD) and rookie Chase Claypool (Notre Dame). The tight ends are Eric Ebron (31, 375, three TD with Indianapolis) and Vance McDonald, who had 38 receptions for 273 yards and three touchdowns.


DEFENSE - Cameron Hayward (nine QB sacks), Stephon Tuitt (3 1/2 sacks) and Tyson Alualu are the men up front for the Steelers. Chris Wormley comes over from Baltimore and will be on the D-line as well.
The linebackers include Vince Williams and Devin Bush (one sack and two interceptions) on the inside with Bud Dupree (11 1/2 sacks) and T.J. Watt (14 1/2 sacks and two interceptions) on the outside. Rookie Alex Highsmith (Charlotte) will look to contribute as well.
In the secondary are safeties Terrell Edmunds and Minkah Fitzpatrick (five picks) while Steven Nelson and Joe Haden (five INT) man the corner spots. Adding depth are Justin Layne, Cameron Sutton, Jordan Dangerfield and Marcus Allen.
The Steelers defense was fifth in the NFL last season, giving up 304 yards per game. The pass defense was third in the league while allowing 195 yards per game and also had 20 interceptions, which was second in the league. The run defense gave up 109 yards per game (14th) and Pittsburgh gave up 18.9 points per game while getting a league best 54 quarterback sacks.


OUTLOOK FOR 2020 - The big question for the Steelers this year is the health of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
If he is ready to go and plays like he has in the past, the offense will be much improved after averaging a paltry 18.1 points per game last year. The running game was pretty much non existent in 2019, finishing 29th in the NFL while gaining just 90 yards per game. The passing game was worse, finishing 31st in the league with just 187 yards per game. Pittsburgh ranked 30th overall in total offense, getting 277 yards per game.
The defense will be the strength of the team while the offense will try and catch up to get this team back to being a playoff contender. The Steelers have missed the post-season the last two seasons and Head Coach Mike Tomlin knows that doesn't get it done. Not to mention the Baltimore Ravens loom large in the AFC North division after a huge 2019 regular season.
Can the Steelers get back to the playoffs?
It's possible, but the running game must be much better along with Roethlisberger showing he still has it as the starting quarterback.
Stay tuned because it should be an interesting season for this team.


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

GREEN BAY PACKERS - 2020 NFL Season Preview

GREEN BAY PACKERS                                      

2019 Record - 13-3-0

Head Coach - Matt Lafleur


New Players in 2020 - Rick Wagner (OL), Christian Kirksey (LB), Jamal Davis (DL), Treyvon Hester (DL), Gerald Willis (DL)



Players opting out for 2020 season (COVID-19) - Devin Funchess (WR)


OFFENSE - Aaron Rodgers is back for his 13th season as the Packers' starting quarterback after passing for 4,002 yards last year with 26 touchdowns and only four interceptions. First round draft pick Jordan Love (Utah State) will be the back up.
The running tandem of Aaron Jones (1,084 yards, 4.6 ypc average and 16 touchdowns along with 49 receptions for 474 yards and three TD) and Jamaal Williams (460, 4.3 ypc and one TD and also 39 receptions and five TD) will have rookie A.J. Dillon (Boston College) as well this season.
The wide receiving corps is led by Davante Adams, who had 85 receptions for 997 yards and five touchdowns last season. The Packers took a hit when free agent Devin Funchess decided to opt out for this season. In the mix for this year are Marquez Valdez-Scantling (25, 452, two TD), Allen Lazard (35, 477, three TD), Reggie Begelton and Equanimeous St. Brown. The tight ends include Mercedes Lewis (15, 156, one TD), Jace Sternberger and rookie Josiah Deguara (Cincinnati).


DEFENSE - Up front for the Packers are tackle Kenny Clark (six QB sacks) and ends Dean Lowry and Tyler Lancaster. Free agents Treyvon Hester and Jamal Davis will be in the mix as well. The linebackers are led by Za'Darius Smith (13 1/2 sacks) and Preston Smith (12 sacks) on the edge. Oren Burks and Christian Kirksey man the inside spots. Rashan Gary (two sacks), Curtis Bolton, Ty Summers and Jonathan Garvin add depth to this unit.
The safeties are Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage, who each had two interceptions last season while Jaire Alexander (two picks) and Kevin King (five INT) are the cornerbacks.
Green Bay finished in the top ten in scoring defense (19.6) last season while allowing 353 yards per game, which was 18th in the NFL. The run defense gave up 120 yards per game (23rd) and the pass defense allowed 233 yards a game, which ranked 14th. The Packers were a plus-12 in turnovers (3rd in NFL) and intercepted 17 passes and accumulated 41 sacks.


OUTLOOK FOR 2020 - The Packers finished 13-3 a year ago under first year Head Coach Matt Lafleur and won a squeaker in the divisional round of the playoffs over Seattle before getting blown out by San Francisco in the NFC Championship game.
If the team wants to take the next step and get to the Super Bowl, they will need a lot of the magic from a year ago. Green Bay was excellent at forcing turnovers and they also had eight one-score victories which meant they had a lot of things go their way. The Packers averaged 23.5 points per game (15th in NFL) last year and ranked 18th in total offense, putting up 346 yard per game (122 rushing and 234 passing).
There were some eyebrows raised when the team decided to move up in the draft to get quarterback  Jordan Love. Starting QB Aaron Rodgers is entering his 16th season overall in Titletown, but there are concerns with the injuries he has sustained in recent years and of course his age is another factor. But Rodgers put up some good numbers with not a ton of weapons in 2019 and the team had success. No question he is still the man in Green Bay, but their eyes are on the future as well.
The defense was adequate and stymied opponents when it came to scoring and also wreaked havoc with the turnovers, especially at big moments in games. If they can get that type of production again in 2020, it would definitely enhance their chances of another NFC North division title.
The Packers are still viable in the NFC and proved it last year, but in order for them to continue that, things will have to work out just right once again and that is hard to do in successive seasons in the NFL. They will be challenged in the division by Chicago and Minnesota for sure and the Detroit Lions are never an easy opponent. Controlling their divisional games is the key this season. A playoff return seems certain barring injuries and bad breaks.



TEAM SCHEDULE
Week One - at Minnesota
Week Two - vs. Detroit
Week Three - at New Orleans
Week Four - vs. Atlanta
Week Five - BYE
Week Six - at Tampa Bay
Week Seven - at Houston
Week Eight - vs. Minnesota
Week Nine - at San Francisco
Week Ten - vs. Jacksonville
Week Eleven - at Indianapolis
Week Twelve - vs. Chicago
Week Thirteen - vs. Philadelphia
Week Fourteen - at Detroit
Week Fifteen - vs. Carolina
Week Sixteen - vs. Tennessee
Week Seventeen - at Chicago

BUFFALO BILLS - 2020 NFL Season Preview

BUFFALO BILLS                                                                                    

2019 Record - 10-6-0

Head Coach - Sean McDermott

New Players in 2020 - Stephon Diggs (WR), Josh Norman (DB), Mario Addison (DL), Daryl Williams (OL), Vernon Butler (DL), A.J. Klein (LB), Evan Boehm (OL), Quinton Jefferson (DL),  Tyler Matakevich (LB), Taiwan Jones (RB)

Players opting out for 2020 season (COVID-19) - E.J. Gaines (DB), Star Lotulelei (DL)


OFFENSE - Josh Allen is entering his third season as the quarterback in Buffalo and last season he threw for 3,089 yards with 20 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He also rushed for 510 yards (4.7 ypc average) and scored nine touchdowns. Matt Barkley is the backup quarterback. Rookie QB Jake Fromm (Georgia) is also in camp.  The running backs are Devin Singletary (775 yards, 5.1 ypc, two TD), Taiwan Jones and rookie Zack Moss (Utah).
The Bills look to have three primary receivers this season as Stephon Diggs (63 receptions, 1,130 yards and six TD) comes over from Minnesota to join Cole Beasley (67, 778, six TD) and John Brown, who led the Bills in receiving with 72 receptions for 1,060 yards and six touchdowns. The tight ends are Dawson Knox (28, 388, two TD) and Tyler Kroft.
Buffalo ran the ball well in 2019, gaining 128 yards per game (eighth in NFL) but they ranked 26th in passing with 202 yards per game. The team only averaged 19.6 points per game while the offense ranked 24th with 330 yards per game.


DEFENSE - Mario Addison ( 9 1/2 QB sacks in Carolina) will play defensive end along with Jerry Hughes (4 1/2 sacks) while Ed Oliver (five sacks) and either Vernon Butler (six sacks with Carolina) or Quinton Jefferson will be the tackles.
Trent Murphy (five sacks) is another edge rusher along with rookie A.J. Epenesa (Iowa). A.J. Klein and Matt Milano will man the outside linebacker spots with Tremaine Edmunds in the middle.
Tre'Davious White tied for the league lead with six interceptions a year ago and will play the corner spot along with Levi Wallace (two INT) at the other spot. The safeties are Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer (two picks) while Josh Norman, Dean Marlowe and Jacquan Johnson provide depth.


OUTLOOK FOR 2020 - The Bills made it back to the playoffs last year but squandered a 13-point lead and lost to Houston in the wild card round. Head Coach Sean McDermott just received a multi-year contract extension so the team is banking on him to get the job done of seeing the Bills go further in the post-season.
The passing game should get a big boost with Diggs teaming with Brown and Beasley. They could be a three-headed monster that will likely enable the running game to open up. Devin Singletary will get more of the load at running back this season with Frank Gore having gone to the New York Jets via free agency. Better pass protection is also necessary as Allen was sacked 40 times last season, but he is adept at making things happen with his legs.
The defense is solid and finished third overall in total defense, allowing 298 yards per game. The run defense (103 yards per game) was tenth in the NFL and the pass defense gave up 195 yards a game while intercepting 14 passes and getting 44 sacks. The Bills defense allowed 16.2 points per game, which was second best in the league.
As long as Allen gets protection and doesn't get too reckless, the team should see improvement in the passing game and hit paydirt more often which would be a big boost. The defense is among the best in pro football and barring injury should stay that way. Look for the Bills to make the playoffs once again and maybe even unseat New England for the top spot in the AFC East this season.



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

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