Welcome back to another edition of ‘The Super Bowl Race In The Perspective of Chase’, and due to time constraints, were are unable to get to you a full preview of every NFL team. However, with the teams we have left, I’ll give a brief explanation as to what they did last year, how they improved in the offseason, and what they will do this coming season.
Washington Commanders
The Commanders are a weird team. Because they actually had a 4-5 start to the 2023 season, and looked like they could contend for a postseason spot, until they lost their final eight games. That gave them the second pick in the upcoming draft. And with Washington failing to find anything in Sam Howell, they selected 2023 Heisman winner Jayden Daniels. Along with that, they made some intriguing moves like adding Austin Ekeler to the running back corp. An X-Factor on their team has to be Ekeler, as he can add value in the rushing and receiving game. The main reason for concern is just the inexperience of Daniels, and how long it will take for him to adjust to the league. On the bright side, they also do have Daniels, and him and the offense can muster some impressive wins throughout the season.
Prediction: Washington doesn’t contend for a postseason, but shows some promise – 5-12
Chicago Bears
The Bears were almost the opposite of the Commanders. Chicago got off to an 0-4, 1-5 and 2-7 start, yet managed to nearly squeak their way into a postseason position. But as they were eliminated, people wondered what exactly Chicago was going to do, with them having the first pick due to the D.J. Moore trade the offseason prior. Instead of riding with their former first round pick, the Bears traded Justin Fields away to Pittsburgh, and added ‘can’t-miss-prospect’ Caleb Williams. Their X-Factor is Khalil Herbert, as he can add some immense short-receiving value as the HB2. Their reason for concern is simply how hard it is to succeed with a rookie quarterback in that very competitive division, but their reason for promise their offensive pieces. They added Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze and D’Andre Swift and already have D.J. Moore. That’s a scary offense for opposing defenses.
Prediction: Bears compete for a postseason spot, and they get in despite doing nothing in it – 9-8
Houston Texans
After an overachieving 2023 season, the Texans look to have another great season. C.J. Stroud is an absolute monster, and led Houston to a division title and to the divisional round in 2023. In the offseason, Houston upgraded by adding Joe Mixon and Danielle Hunter in free agency, while also trading for Stefon Diggs. Their X-Factor has to be Tank Dell, as he was outstanding before going down with an injury last season. Their reason for concern has to be that the AFC is very competitive with some of the best QB’s in the league, but their reason for promise is that Stroud is good enough to take them to that elite level.
Prediction: Texans finish with the best record in the NFL but fall short in the postseason – 14-3
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers are not in the ideal situation, as Bryce Young is going into year two after a really disappointing season in 2023. And because of the trade that brought Young to Carolina, they really weren’t able to upgrade through the draft. Their X-Factor is Miles Sanders, as he can carry the running game and be an elite level running back and is only in a RB2 situation. Their reason for concern has to be the lack of progression made by Bryce Young last season compared to other rookie QB’s, but they have to feel good about how he has been a national championship winning signal caller.
Prediction: The Panthers don’t compete for a playoff spot, but improve drastically – 5-12
Denver Broncos
Things have gone from so promising to so not-promising for Denver. After they traded for Russell Wilson, things just haven’t worked out, and they blew a great opportunity to possibly make the postseason last year. Now with Wilson gone and a large part of his salary still having to be paid by Denver, they are in a tough position. In the offseason, they took quarterback Bo Nix 12th overall, and he’ll be the starting QB. Denver’s X-Factor has to be Javonte Williams, hoping he can put it all together this year, while their concern should be that they don’t have many offensive weapons for Nix to work with. Their reason for promise is that Nix is a talented QB who can make some things work with Courtland Sutton, but that’s all they having going offensively.
Prediction: Broncos finish with the worst record in the NFL – 3-14
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers are definitely viewed as one of the NFL’s most dangerous contenders, after they’ve made 4 NFC Championship games and two Super Bowls over the last five seasons. They had a great season last year, playing like the best team in the league for most of the season before just falling short in OT of the Super Bowl against KC. San Fran didn’t do much in the offseason, though they’re Brandon Aiyuk and Trent Williams’ disasters are now over. Their X-Factor has to be first round pick Ricky Pearsall, assuming he’ll be able to play sine he’l be an incredible WR3. Their reason for concern has to be that Brock Purdy as a system QB may not be good enough to win a Super Bowl, but the reason for promise is simply that Purdy has done such a good job managing this system.
New England Patriots
Things are no longer what they used to be in New England, as Tom Brady and Bill Belichick have departed. Now, Jarod Mayo looks to set a new culture. In 2023, the Patriots went from a playoff contending team to one of the worst teams in the NFL. However, they’re rebuilding, and drafted UNC-standout Drake Maye to be their future franchise quarterback, though he’ll sit behind Jacoby Brissett for now. Their X-Factor is always Rhamondre Stevenson with his dual-threat ability as the team’s RB1. Their reason for concern is that Brissett is not doing anything for their future, but the reason for promise is that each game he sits means one more game Drake Maye is learning and maturing as a player.
Prediction: The Patriots are fine, as they finish last in the AFC East – 4-13
Dallas Cowboys
Last season was classic Dallas. The Cowboys won the NFC East and looked like dangerous contenders, while they instead humiliatingly lost to the Green Bay Packers. And overall, it was a very busy offseason trying to improve. The Cowboys let go of Tony Pollard and replaced him with way-past-their-prime running backs Ezekiel Elliott and Dalvin Cook. On the other hand, they were able to land extensions with CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott just before the NFL season begins. Their X-Factor is Elliott, as we’ll see what he can do as the team’s RB1, but their reason for concern is simply that things haven’t worked out in the postseason. Their reason for promise, though, is that their passing game is perhaps the most talented in the NFL.
Prediction: Dallas doesn’t win the NFC East, but makes the playoffs and once again does nothing there – 10-7
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