Red’s 2026 NFL Deadman of the Year Award

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Red’s 2025 NFL Deadman of the Year Award

Every year – at least when he bothers to provide his faithful readers with actual NFL picks – Red selects a player to receive the Deadman of the Year award.  This dubious honor goes to the player who might as well have been dead for all the good he did his team in 2025.  Those out for injuries generally are not up for consideration although some exceptions have been made in the past.  There were some serious contenders in 2025.  Patrick Mahomes’ performance confirmed the end of the Chiefs Dynasty and he was helped by lackluster numbers from Travis Kelce.  But both players would have had decent seasons for almost any other franchise.  JJ McCarthy clearly established that the Vikings made a huge mistake in showing Darn Old Sam the door.  C. J. Stroud continues to unimpress with a mediocre season lowlighted by his 4 INTs in the Texans second round playoff game against New England – who showed just how undeserving they were in the Superb Owl. If coaches were eligible, Pete Carroll would certainly be in the mix racking up the worst record in Raiders’ history.  If he had recovered from his Achilles tendon rupture, Red has no doubt that DeShaun Watson might have been a contender.  There is always 2026 DW!  After careful consideration and about 5 minutes of internet scrolling, this year’s award goes to a player who was not injured but whose underperformance  on the field merited him the honor. 

TUA TAGOVAILOA

Let’s start with the stats.  TT led the league in one category – Interceptions with 15 – including Hat Tricks in Weeks 6 and 7.   You might think that was somewhat offset by his 20 Touchdown tosses, but one must remember that he was benched after Week 15 after 14 games in favor  of Quinn Ewers a  rookie seventh round draft pick.  Not known as a runner TT managed to amass a mighty total of 42 yards rushing.  Sacks were not a huge problem with only about 30 beat downs.  Seemingly on the verge of maybe turning it around after a dreadful 2-7 start, the Fins had won 4 in a row going into the Steelers game.  Red must digress when he notes that passer rating is a stat that eludes him.  Somehow TT managed a 113.2 rating in what would be his  final game of the season – a 15-28 loss that really wasn’t that close in Pittsburgh.  The real kicker, however, was TT’s 4 year $212 million contract.  The Dolphins had to ditch him and will be sucking salary cap gas for another two seasons. Good luck in Atlanta Tua!  Maybe Q. Ewers is the answer, but I wouldn’t hold my breath.  Sad times on South Beach. 

Congratulations Mr. Tagovailoa – You are the 2025 Deadman of the Year.

Red’s 2026 NFL Picks – NFC East

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Red’s 2026 NFL Picks –  NFC East

Red traditionally starts with the NFL East.  Don’t ask why – because he doesn’t know. 

Philadelphia –  Let’s start with the two-time reigning NFC East and 2024 NFL champs.  2025 finished on a disappointing note.  After a nice 8-2 start, the Eagles lost 3 straight and floundered to a 11-6 finish not quite good enough to secure a first round bye.  That resulted in a Wild Card round close 23-19 loss to the 49ers.  Red notes that a surprising 22 games in NFL history have ended with that somewhat odd score.  Jalen Hurts (known to some as the most polarizing QB in the NFL) is still in his prime.  Can the experience of the venerable Red Rifle  aka Andy Dalton help Hurts overcome some of the errors of his ways?  Hurts has Saquon Barkley hoping to defy old man time for at least one more season.  He is effectively entering his 8th season have missed most of 2020 with only 19 carries. A few RBs continue to excel after 7 seasons but they are the exception to the rule.  As such, the Eagles had best not count on another 300 plus touches from Barkley in 2026.  And maybe that will not be necessary. The receiving corps gets a welcome addition in first round pick Makai Lemon and possibly free agent Marquise Brown.  Maybe Tank Bigsby lives up to his name to take some heat off of Saquon in short yardage situations.  What does not seem questionable is the Eagles defense.  Red expects the No Phly Zone to be in rare form in 2026.  Questions about a 5th offensive coordinator in 5 seasons are certainly reasonable, but HC SirIanni has shown that he knows how to win with a 59-26 record over 5 seasons – second in winning percentage only John Madden and Vince Lombardi.  Not bad company for a team that actually plays in the city in its name.  Eagles go 12-5 and win the East rather easily. 

Washington  –  The former OTNAs if you have to ask you have not been paying attention) who play in Maryland are a sexy pick to challenge for a playoff spot in 2026 after a disappointing 5-12 record last season.  Let’s face it – an 8 game losing streak is tough to overcome.  And on top of that, the Commandos were the first NFL team ever to lose four consecutive games by 21 or more points.  But as all NFL fans know, every year one formerly pathetic excuse for a professional football team rises from the dustbin and makes the playoffs.  Red is not calling the Commandos his “2026 NFL Team of Destiny” just yet, but he thinks that the DC faithful will not be dissatisfied in December.  Jayden Daniels and Terry McLaurin are back. New additions include  Laremy Tunsil who may have something left in the tank, Deebo Samuel a reliable option at WR and Von Miller and Will Harris on defense. Dan Quinn is an experienced and successful Head Coach and while memories are short, this team did go 12-5 in 2024.  Commanders will finish 10-7 with an outside shot at a Wild Card spot.

New York –  The New York Football Giants who play in New Jersey. Most predict the Giants to be around 7-10 in 2026.  Red certainly has no love lost for Trump bootlicker Jaxson Dart, but he is a competent NFL QB with a good crop of receivers.  Red does like Tyrone Tracy, Cam Skattebo and if they stay healthy the Giants’ rushing attack will take a lot of pressure off of Dart. Abdul Carter looks like a superstar in the offing at outside LB for a defense that could set a new team sack record. If they knock off the Cowboys in Week 1, they have 3 very winnable games in their next 6 when facing, the Titans, Cardinals and Saints.  A 4-3 record going into their bye week sets them up nicely.  It gets much tougher after that and some upsets will be needed to bring home an 8-9 record and win the tie-breaker with Dallas for 3rd spot in the East.  Giants 8-9.

Dallas –  The Cowboys (who play in Arlington) are clearly in decline.  Since back to back to back 12-5 seasons, the team has won only 7 games the past two seasons and of course, missed the playoffs.  Since 1996, the Cowboys have won a grand total of 4 playoff games.  If you are not a math whiz that is one playoff win on average every 7.5 seasons.  So first, what do the Cowboys have going for them this season.  They still have the best kicker in the league in Brandon Aubrey and added George Pickens at wide receiver.  The defense was not technically the worst in the NFL in 2025 but it wasn’t for lack of trying.  Only the Jets gave up more points and only the Bengals and Commandos gave up more yards per game. The run defense was bad, but the passing defense was truly atrocious giving up more yards per game than any other team. (NOTE:  If defenses could win Deadman of the Year – the Cowboys would have swept the field.  Maybe Red needs to rethink his award strategy!) Yes, the defense will not be as truly terrible as it was in 2025, but . . .   Anyhow, Red will continue here with his traditional beef.  A team that has not really sniffed a chance at a Conference Championship appearance, much less a Superb Owl in 30 years gets 9 national TV appearances yet again.  That includes the big time Week 1 Sunday night game, one more Sunday night game against Green Bay in October followed by a Monday night showdown with the Eagles, the mandatory Thursday night game, another Monday nightery  in December and 4 late afternoon Sunday games including the prime Thanksgiving spot.  Only one of the late pm games is time zone related when they play the Rams in late December.  Cowboy haters will have their hands full.  Cowboys go 8-9 and round out the bottom of the NFC East.

Red’s 2026 NFL Picks – NFC North

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Red’s 2026 NFL Picks – NFC North

The old black and blue division is not so black and mostly blue these days.  Red hates picking this division more than he hates tuna salad.  These teams would do well to move to the CFL.

Green Bay –  Red goes against the majority of the pundits with this pick.  Red has lots of love for Mr. Love coming off a career year.  He has good targets in Watson, Reed and rookie Matthew Golden.  Josh Jacobs is a good workhorse back.  The defense will be challenged with Micah Parsons out for the first part of the season and what may be a somewhat shaky secondary.  Why is Red picking the Pack?  Your guess is as good as his.  Games against the Lions in late October and to close out the season could determine the Packers fate.  Red goes out on a limb to call it a 12-5 season for the Packers.

Detroit  – The Lions are the betting line favorite to win the North yet again despite tanking it last year.  Red was unimpressed with just about everything this team did last season.  After winning the division in 2023 and 2024, the Lions finished dead last in 2025.  Yeah, behind the Vikings.   Okay, the Lions were a bit more than decimated (look up the actual definition) by injuries last season.  They still have offensive standouts in Gibbs (now backed up by Isiah Pacheco), and St. Brown.  TE is a question mark.  And who could not like defense with names like DJ Wonnum and Rock Ya-Sin. The last place finish does afford the Lions a relatively easy schedule.  No other team gets to play the dregs like the Titans, Saints, Jets,  Dolphins, Giants and Cardinals. It’s easy to see six wins right there.  With a bit of luck in the division, the Lions could be looking at ten wins or more.  Red goes all in for the Lions to get a Wild Card spot at 10-7.

Chicago  – The Bears had seven 4th Quarter comebacks in 2025 – some of them being fairly wild.  The Bears also were plus 22 in the turnover department.  The odds of both of those things happening again in 2026 are pretty slim.  The Bears are also going to be overly dependent on their very strong rookie class.  That bodes well for the future, but maybe not just yet.  The Bears defense will remain the core of the team and keep them in a lot of games.  Thieneman and Elliott are on track to be very good players. Red just doesn’t see the Bears repeating.  They will fight with the Lions for the last Wild Card spot.  Bears go 10-7.

Minnesota – Red has already given the Vikings the boo bird for letting Darn Old Sam slip away and win an NFL Championship.  What is the fix?  Bringing in Kyler Murray to compete with JJ McCarthy for the starting job?  Red wonders what went into that decision.  There is no doubt that the Vikings have one of the best receiving corps in the business with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jauan Jennings and TJ Hockenson (that’s a lot of J’s).  Fantasy players have to scroll down pretty far to find Jordan Mason and Aaron Jones (yet more J’s) on the RB list.  The Vikings look like a throw to set up the run team.  That requires some to make throws.  Red doesn’t see it.  Vikings miss out at 7-10.

P.S.  If you haven’t watched a CFL game you are missing out. 

Red’s 2026 NFL Picks – NFC South

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Red’s 2025 NFL Picks – NFC South

Talk about a meaningless chore to pick what some call the NFL’s most mediocre division.  That was incorrect because last season it was the NFL’s worst division. The best thing you can say about the NFC South is that all of the teams play in the city (or state) they are named for. Red keeps this one short and not so sweet. Well here goes nothing -literally – because any team could win this division with a 7-10 record.  You laugh, but last year three teams finished with 8-9 records and Red isn’t exactly sure how many tiebreakers they had to run through to declare the Panthers as the “winner.”  Turns out it was one.  Turns out under the current format for this exercise Red must pick a division winner.  Drum roll.  Dice roll.

Carolina –  The Panthers ended 2025 with the “distinction” of being the first NFL team to twice make the playoffs with a losing record, but nonetheless acquitted themselves quite nicely in the playoffs taking the Rams down to the wire in a 34-31 loss.   The reward for winning the division is of course the first place schedule which gets the Cats matchups with the 2024 and 2025 NFL Champions in the Eagles and Seahawks.  That may be the key to not repeating as division champs.  Bryce Young is ensconced under center and his O line is good enough to give him time.  Unfortunately, Mr. Young just does not have much in the way of a supporting cast.  Defense and special teams will have to win a few games this season for the Panthers to be competitive.  Panthers wind up 7-10 and win the division once again with a losing record. 

Atlanta –  The Falcons were definitely the team no one wanted to face at the end of 2025 winning their last four in a row.  Some solace for a team that has not registered a winning season in 8 long years.  Unfortunately, it will be 9 come January 2027.  Do the Falcons have a quarterback.  Michael Penix can’t stay on the field and wasn’t very good when he was playing. So who do the Falcons turn to? – None other than Red’s 2025 Deadman of the Year – Tua Tagovailoa.  Bijan Robinson is great – no one questions that, but he cannot carry an offense by his lonesome although he certainly tried last season with 366 touches.  Drake London and Kyle Pitts are no slouches but someone has to get the rock to them.  One might feel better with a steady hand on the sidelines – but Shaky Kevin Stefanski does seem to be the answer.  Falcons are 7-10.  Are you sensing a trend here?

Tampa Bay –  The popular pick of the pundits and who is Red to disagree.  Red wonders why given the late season collapse.  The Bucs will rise and fall with Baker Mayfield.  The loss of Mike Evans is tough – he made Johnny Football look like the real deal. Red refuses to waste any more brain cells on this franchise.  Buccaneers go 7-10.  Sound familiar?

New Orleans –  The Saints also had a nice finish to the 2025 season until running into the Falcons buzz saw in Week 18.  Some view the Saints as ascendent – not exactly a tough call coming off of a sad 6-11 campaign.  Was Tyler Shough the best rookie quarterback in the league last season?  Was there another rookie quarterback worth mentioning?  Red is drawing a blank.  Pick ups of Travis Etienne and draft pick Jordyn Tyson should help with an offense that was overly dependent on Chris Olave.  The defense is hardly improved with several starters departing. On paper the Saints have the second easiest schedule in 2026 – but we know how that can turn out.   If you haven’t been to a Saints home game, you are missing out. Saints are 7-10.   Oh heck yeah!

Red’s 2026 NFL Picks – NFC West

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Red’s 2026 NFL Picks – NFC West

Red was just in San Francisco this summer.  It’s an amazing place in many respects and may have influenced his decision making. 

San Francisco –  Despite some troubles in the owner’s box, Red thinks that Niners (who play in Santa Clara) get off to a fast tart.  Red is not letting the Niners owner off the hooker anything like that for his bad boy behavior. And Red’s female readers should know that Red would never make let such stupidity influence his call girls.  This team has done a lot to vamp up the offense.  They have brought in a harlot of new players who just might not be bawd.  If Red thinks the Niners have a shot to win the whore thing, I’m not madam I?   Red is not one to make these picks and blow his strumpet for no good reason.  If you moll it over, you just might agree.   Niners cocotte a bunch of wins and finish 12-5.

Seattle – Your NFL Champions had a great 2025 and joined the multiple SB winners club.   But those champions typically fall off a bit in their subsequent seasons.  The Seahawks are no different in 2026.  There is still a lot to like about the Falconos Marinos.  The Champions have one of the youngest rosters in the league, but suffered some notable losses at running back and in the secondary.  Darn Old Sam still has reliable targets in Rashid Shaheed and Jaxon Smith-Njigba.  The defense will not be as good as the unit that had 47 sacks and caused 25 turnovers, but still should be a top-5 unit.  The Seahawks are in at 11-6.

Los Angeles –   Red has never liked the Rams and never will. Red loves LA as a city, but not its sports teams.  Let’s leave it at that. Oh yeah, and they play in Inglewood – wherever the hell that is. Adding Myles Garrett on defense is a big plus. There is nothing special about the Rams rushing attack.  Stafford seems ageless with his 46 TDs and 4707 passing yards last season, but he is entering his 18th season. Opening in Melbourne is weird and it doesn’t get much easier after that as the Rams play the Broncos Eagles and Bills in Weeks 3-5.  They get a break mid-season, but have a tough haul after their bye week with the Packers, Chiefs, Niners, Cowboys and then with two out of the last three with the Seahawks – which games will likely determine the Rams fate.   Rams miss out at 9-8.

Arizona –  Dry times in the desert are not about to change – there is no rain in sight.  As noted, every year one team rises from the ashes of the dumpster fire that was the previous season and makes the playoffs.  This is not that year for the Cardinals.  The team needed a new direction and maybe new HC Mike LaFleur can steer a new course.  No offense, but a quarterbacking corps of Jacoby Brissett, Carson Beck and Gardner Minshew probably means “no offense” – at least through the air.  This team will depend heavily on its decent set of RBs perhaps led by rookie Jeremiyah Love finding holes punched by a sub-par offensive line.  And don’t get Red started on the Cards defense.  Cardinals show some slight improvement under less incompetent leadership at 5-12. 

Red 2026 NFL Picks – AFC East

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Red’s 2026 NFL Picks –  AFC East

Red marches on to the American Football Conference – not to be confused with Lake America or the Gulf of America or any other stupidity coming out of the White House. 

Buffalo –   The Bills (who play in Orchard Park) have been a reasonably safe bet to make the playoffs for many years now.  Winning 12 games last season despite a depleted receiving corps, a lackluster defense and some turmoil at the top.  But they now have a Brady (a Joe Brady) at the helm and a new DC and a new stadium to boot.   Josh Allen is still the man until proven otherwise.  DJ Moore will help as WR.  The defense is definitely shored up with new defense backs, an edge rusher and linebacker.  On the downside, the Bills do have to play their fellow second place brethren (Rams and Texans) on the road and have relatively tough matchups playing the NFC North and less so with the AFC West.  The first game in Houston may tell a lot about how the season goes.  Fortunately for the Bills it looks like this may be the easiest division in the NFL to win in 2026.  Bills take the crown with a mediocre 10-7 record.

New England – The most overperforming team (other than the Bears) last season overperformed their way into about the most pathetic Superb Owl performance since the Vikings sad run in the olden days.  Only a late TD kept it from being a total wipeout.  Drake Maye looked overmatched and outwitted in throwing 2 INTs and being sacked 6 times.  The Pats face a much tougher road back to the playoffs this season.  In 2025, the Pats beat exactly one count ‘em one team with a winning record.  And that team – Buffalo – avenged the early season loss in week 14.  Beating the hapless Chargers, perennial second-round loser Texans and the depleted Broncos in the playoffs only led to humiliation in Santa Clara.  This season the Pats will play ten games against teams that have real playoff potential.  Of course there are 2 games against the Bills, but they also face the Stealers, Jaguars, Bears, Packers, Lions, Chiefs and Broncos.  Red calls it 9-8 for the Pats and a very narrow path to a wildcard at best.

New York  – Meet the Jets, greet the Jets, step right up and beat the Jets.  It’s 1973 and Red’s big brother Johnny “Rag Arm” Serruto is singing this at breakfast and it still holds true today.  Red really likes Geno Smith but he did lead the league in interceptions last season and has the distinct disadvantage of playing in New Jersey.  Jets are a run of the mill 8-9.

Miami  – “I’ve seen teams suck before, but they were the suckiest bunch of sucks that ever sucked.”  H. Simpson.  Red just has to quote Homer every year at some point.  Why not get it out of the way early on? It’s true that the Dophins (who do not play in Miami proper)  look like a basket case and will be lucky to eke out a 5-12 record.

Red 2026 NFL Picks – AFC North

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AFC – North

Remind Red which teams are in this division.

Baltimore  – Red went heavily in on the Ravens in his top tier fantasy team last season and the result was – not so good.  In the immortal words of W. Bush (channeling The Who), “Fool me once – shame on you [awkward pause] – you can’t get fooled again.”  Unfortunately, it is all too easy to fool Red these days.  A new HC in Jesse Minter might breathe some life back into what was a rather moribund offense in 2025.  But there are a lot of question marks at WR and the O line looks mediocre at best.  The defense is still solid and Derrick Henry remains a stud.  The Ravens have what is likely the easiest opening stretch in the league. Their first six games are against the Colts, Saints, Cowboys (in Rio de Janeiro), Titans, Falcons and Browns.  Not one of those teams had a winning record last year.  But 4 of those games are on the road.  If the Ravens can get off to a 5-1 start, then maybe just maybe.  Red is back in the fold calling it 11-6 for the Ravens.

Cincinnati –  Perhaps the most underperforming team in 2025.  Joe Burrow is back and the Bengals can win with him – if he stays on the field.  That is the big question.  But with the ageless Flacco Joe waiting in the wings . . .   There is no shortage of offensive talent at WR and RB if the helmsman is steady.  Defense is good enough. The schedule is about average.                                                                                                                                                                 Bengals are maybe in at 9-8.

Pittsburgh – The Tomlin era is over and the pundits don’t have much faith in the Stealers’ chances in 2026. If you are one of the Stealers faithful thinking that Mike McCarthy is going to lead them to the promised land, Red has choice real estate in southern Iran he would like to sell you.  Red has seen an AI projection having A. Rodge throw for 4141 yards and 20 TDs.  Red knew that AI was a scam or perhaps in debt to the Mob. The team did invest in new talent this year getting WR M. Pittman, Jr., RB R. Dowdle and some decent draft picks.  The defense has been the linchpin of this team for quite some time, but the crew underperformed in 2025 and isn’t getting any younger.  The schedule is not great either.  The Falcons, Browns twice, Saints (in Paris), and Titans are likely wins.  It’s hard to pick out another 4-5 wins.  Red calls it 7-10 for the Stealers.

Cleveland – If you are a Browns fan, here are your choices.  Dupe or masochist. If you are a Browns quarterback here are your choices.  Really there is no choice, you will be lucky to get out alive.  In turn, the Browns will be lucky to go 4-13 and win a couple of games by accident. 

Red’s 2026 NFL Picks – AFC South

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Red NFL Picks 2026 – AFC South

This is not the toughest division to call this year.  It seems  only two teams have a legitimate shot at winning this division. 

Houston – The Texans who proudly play in Houston are the favorite but not by much.  Oddsmakers have the Texans as favorites in 12 games which seems rather bold.  The Texans did have a remarkable finish to the regular season winning 9 in a row.  It looked nobody wanted to see the red hot Texans on the  opposing sideline. When the Texans handily dispatched the Chiefs on Christmas day and then annihilated the Stealers in the Wild Card game, Red though maybe just maybe.  But then came CJ Stroud’s sad showing against the Pats in Foxborough and the Texans remained a two and done playoff team at best.  The Texans benefitted from a favorable warm weather/indoor close to the regular season.  In 2026, they face a much tougher and possibly colder stretch drive with December/January games in Pittsburgh, Landover, MD, Philly and Green Bay.  Fortunately, the running game looks solid with veteran David Montgomery and Woody Marks coming off of a very nice rookie season. Receiving corps is serviceable and could be much better if deep threat speedster Tank Dell can stay on the field – or maybe even get on the field.  However, defense remains the strength of this team and HC Demeco Ryans’ core philosophy of putting together a winner.  Adding Jadeveon Clowney as a spot rusher to an already fearsome front 4 on the D line should be interesting.  The secondary is the weaker link but pressure on opposing QBs will help.  Red wishes he could be at Wembley in Week 6 to see the Jags game.  Texans are 13-4 and get to play a second round playoff game at home.

 Jacksonville – The Jags were the second hottest team to finish the 2025 season with 8 straight wins.  But a grain of salt is required as many of the 8 victims were the dregs of the league. The schedule is not quite so favorable in 2026.  The Jags play only 3 home games through Week 11 (not counting being “home” at Tottenham and Wembly) and have the unusual task of facing 3 straight road games.  This is a team with a lot of youngish playmakers and improving defense and a franchise quarterback entering what should be the prime of his career.  A tougher road probably keeps the division crown out of reach, but the Jags will be in the playoffs going 11-7.

Indianapolis –  The Colts on the other hand finished on the worst note of any team that didn’t completely suck – tanking to a 1-8 record to close out a miserable year in Hoosierville.  Daniel Jones is a perfectly capable quarterback when facing mediocre to poor defenses.  The question is can he step up against competition like the Ravens, Chiefs and Texans at the beginning of the season.  If the Colts win 2 out of those 3, the rest of the division will need to take heed.  J. Taylor is outstanding but was a bit overused with a league leading 323 carries last season out of strict necessity.  But the biggest question will be the availability of QB Daniel Jones.  The oddsmakers have the Colts win total at 7.5.  Sounds about right to Red.  He will bet on the come and call it 8-9 for the Colts.

 Tennessee – “I’ve seen teams suck before . . .”  Oh crap,  Red already used that one, but it could also be appropriate here.  But stranger things.  Red thinks the lowly Titans just might make some noise towards the end of the season.   Can Ward will be better in year two and has a new OC who may know how to use him.  The Titans defense can only get better after giving up 28 PPG in 2025.  HC Robert Saleh has worked to rebuild that sad sack outfit.  A better defense will keep the Titans in a lot of games.  Things are looking up in Nashville but almost everything is up when you have been so close to the bottom.  Titans are 6-11 and maybe just a bit better.    

Red’s 2026 NFL Picks – AFC West

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AFC West

Let’s just get on with it.  The AFC West –  Last but certainly not least.

Denver – Red really likes the Broncos chances here.  This was a team that should have been in the Superb Owl last season, but for missing Bo Nix and lackluster running game. The Broncos looked out of sync in the snowy conditions.  All the pieces are back this season.  Nix is developing behind center and the backfield is solid if certainly not spectacular.  Jaylen Waddle is a key addition to the receiving corps.  The Broncos defense was top tier and probably the main reason the team went 14-3 and surprisingly secured the top spot in the AFC – not that it did them much good in the AFC Championship game.  Yet somehow, the Broncos are not the favorite on the road in the Monday night kickoff against the Chiefs.   That game will tell a lot about both teams.  Stay tuned for Red’s Week 1 predictions.  The best team in the NFL looks likely to repeat as division champs.  Broncos are down a bit but still finish 12-5.

Los Angeles – Red has been overly solicitous of the Chargers over the years.  And they have pretty much disappointed him.  Justin Herbert is back for the 3rd season of the so far lagging Jim Harbaugh era.  New offensive and defensive coordinators could spell trouble out of the box with new schemes, but the good news is the first two games are against the Cardinals and Raiders at home in southern California.  Then comes a tough 7 week stretch traveling across the 3-time zone hex to face the Bills, up the coast to Seattle, followed by the Broncos, Chiefs, Rams, Texans and Ravens.  Even after that there are not just a whole lot of obvious wins on the schedule.  The Jets at home, then another triple time zone game in Tampa Bay, and the Raiders again.  Chargers will have to bring it and win some games against playoff teams, but 9-8 looks pretty good and maybe a peek at the playoffs.

Kansas City – All dynasties have some dips (ask any Roman emperor).  The Chiefs took a big dive last season missing the playoffs with a pathetic 6-11 campaign ending an 11 year playoff run while losing 8 of 9 down the stretch.  Mahomes was out after Week 15 and Gardner Minshew also went down, but by that point the season was practically over for the Chiefs.  Mind you, the Chiefs were 1-9 in one possession games after setting an NFL record 12 wins in such games in 2024.  But the Chiefs never really seemed that close to breaking out after an 0-2 start despite being 5-3 near the turn.  The disappointing running game will get a boost with Kenneth Walker III leaving the Seahawks and the receiving corps is adequate with perhaps a budding star in X. Worthy. The defense will benefit from some new young players like Peter Woods, but defense does not win games in KC.  Still it is hard to see too much improvement.  Red bags the Chiefs for a 9-8 finish and a close call on the tiebreaker for the last AFC playoff spot, but you just never know when Andy Reid is in charge.

Las Vegas – Vegas Baby, Vegas!  Truth be told, Red has never had much use for Las Vegas.  Everyone should see it once, but once is enough and Red has had much more than enough.  The worst team in the league last season is looking to rebuild behind Heisman Trophy winner and national champion Fernando Mendoza.  New HC Klint Kubiak also fresh of a championship season in Seattle is a good start as well. Backup QB Kirk Cousins should steady the ship. But the big question is: Can the Raiders sad sack O line keep Mendoza from having his career killed before it ever gets started? – Think David Carr in the Texans first couple of seasons.  Look for the Raiders to be the most improved team in the league in 2026, but that does not translate to much more than a mediocre 7-10 ending.

No Football until August, yet somehow we will survive.

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AKA – Red’s 2024 Season Finale – Super Bowl Pick.

It’s been a long season to say the least. Red did okay on preseason picks for the playoffs, was super in the Wildcard Round, 50% in both the Conference Semi-Finals and Finals and now has to pick the NFL Champion for the 2024 Season.

Red picked both the Chiefs and Eagles to win their divisions. Red has been riding the Eagles bandwagon for a while and shorting the Chiefs (and looking foolish).

The Chiefs sure look like the Team of Destiny in going for the third title in a row – a feat only accomplished by the Packers in the 30s and 60s. It would cap off a six year run of almost unmatched excellence in league history – with the prospect of an even longer run. Mahomes has the magic touch, a good offensive line, plenty of downfield targets and a running game that works because the passing offense is so fearsome to most defenses. Is there a way to stop the Chiefs’ offensive juggernaut? Maybe. Looked at objectively and ignoring the W/L record, the Chiefs offense has been rather mediocre all season – mostly doing just enough to win. KC has scored 30+ points exactly twice this season. They put up 30 in a squeaker against the lowly Panthers in November, and 32 against the Bills in the Conference final. They failed to score at least 20 points four times during the regular season. So on average the Chiefs offense is good for 22.6 ppg. That is just good enough to edge out the Cowboys for 16th place. The running game is even worse at only 105.3 yards per game – or somewhere close to the top of the bottom third of the league. Passing stats are better, but not spectacular. So how do they do it? Red is hesitant to say “smoke and mirrors” or blame the “refs” and the football gods. However, the gods are looking better and better as an explanation. The Chiefs have had multiple semi-miraculous finishes to close out games this season. Whether they win the Big One today may just depend on that. Red thinks the Chiefs may have gone to the well once too often.

The Eagles are averaging 27.2 ppg but the real stat in their favor is the massive advantage in rushing yards. They have gained 3048 yards on the ground which is about 1250 yards more than the Chiefs. The Eagles also sport a massive offensive line that looks to be capable of mashing any defense into the ground and is almost uniformly thought to be the best in the game in producing rushing yards. It’s no wonder that Saquon Barkley wanted to play for the Eagles. His greatness is only augmented by the beasts up front. His 2005 yards tops the league and Red isn’t even going to bother to scroll down to find the top Chiefs running back. This doesn’t even take into account the top two downfield targets in Brown and Smith who only had 135 catches between them because of the dominant running game – but who would likely have 100+ receptions on any other team. And both are pretty good downfield blockers to boot. That leaves Mr. Hurts who is dual threat – not quite on the level of LJ or Hayden, but has to be accounted for on every play. (Mahomes is no slouch but it seems clear that Andy doesn’t want him to run anymore than absolutely required). If the Eagles can put up 200+ rushing yards . . .

So the bottom line is here. Red is taking the Eagles to win in a shootout. Philadelphia 32 Kansas City 27. Down to the wire. In the immortal words of Al Davis, it’s time for the Eagles to “Just win baby.”

See you next year.

Love, Red