2024 NFL Season Predictions: For EVERY team across all 8 divisions | CBS Sports

NFC East welcome to CBS Sports HQ I'm Tommy TR kicking things off on this Monday hope you enjoyed some preseason football over the weekend teams have two more games left before the ones that count we're 24 days away from opening night with Baltimore in Kansas City now let's turn our attention to the NFC east and I'm going to bring this up any time we talk about this division no team has repeated as champ since the 2004 Eagles that's two decades for more let's turn it over to my co-host Jeremy St Louis and analyst Li doable jent take it away thank you very much Tommy yeah that is something that is obviously a stat that you're going to hear a lot about the Cowboys of course are the ones that are trying to change that because they were the champions last year of this division they're looking to repeat as we do dive into the NFC East Tommy mentioned Eagles four straight 01 to 04 uh Le so now when we look at this in terms of how this division lays out we look at the Cowboys and there's a lot of things that are you know we're talking a lot about the Cowboys because of this guy and what's going on with CD lamb and what's going on with Jerry Jones but here's a team that's got TW three 12 win Seasons no Conference Championship appearances so the pressure is on they got the second best record in the NFL over the last three years so when you look at this team as they set up going into this season what are you thinking what are you picking what are you looking for here with this Dallas Cowboys team yeah when you break down the schedule and you alluded to it Germany they've won 12 games three straight seasons right but when you look at it there's so much overturn on this team not only did they lose Dan Quinn the defensive coordinator they lost pivotal pieces on that defensive side let's go to the offensive side their best weapon is currently not in Camp right now in CD lamb and I know Jerry Jones has come out Jeremy and said you know we're in no rush to get that done that's hogwash this guy is literally the focal point of the offense I have them actually going nine and eight which is you know a a stark trash from what we've seen from them the last three years and it's because the overturn on the offense and the defense we talked about the offensive line they lost Tyler Bates to the Washington commanders they also lost Tyron Smith to the New York zets so now you're going to be banking on two rookies Tyler giden who has looked good in Camp and also Cooper BB to play the center position that's a lot of overturn I think the biggest concern for me right now Jeremy is that CD lamb is not in Camp we've seen a history of guys that have either held out or were franchise tagged and didn't show up to Camp because they didn't have to because they weren't under contract and they've struggled to start the season fast I think that's going to bite the Cowboys in the butt if they do not get CD lamb in Camp because as a veteran you need about two solid weeks of training camp to really get going we even saw uh the same thing happen with Chris Jones last year jermany where he missed all the way up through week one and it took him a little bit of time to get going now he came on strong at the end of the season but really struggled in the beginning so when you look at this Dallas team too much overturn on the offensive defensive side Dak Prescott nobody likes to play in their last year going into their final year of their contract and then their number one weapon on offense CD lamb is still not there and when you looked at the scheduled breakdown kind of how you set it out it's like a a kind of a mixed bag wins losses but then they kind of put things together in that stretch corre near the end of the season there where you've got them getting four wins in a row between the Giants and the Buccaneers starting on Thanksgiving they really go on a nice little run to end the season you think yeah they have a gauntlet week 8 through 12 with the 49ers Falcons Eagles Texans at commanders but you talked about it they can really go on a run the back half of that season because they play the Giants at home the Bengals at home the Panthers who we feel are going to be in revamp year as well the Buccaneers at home they always split with the Eagles so I gave the Eagles the win at Philadelphia and then they get the commanders at home so they could make some hey and Jeremy we know this the NFC is not as strong as the AFC so could 9 and8 potentially get you in I think it does get you in in the playoffs so it'll be interesting to see this Dallas Cowboys team and how they start off because like you said in the beginning I kind of have them lost win lost win lost win then they have a gaunlet week 8 through 12 but they can really come on strong the back half of the season nine and8 finish all right so the Phil Philadelphia Eagles are the favorites to win this division at minus 145 but this is a team Le I mean they changed both coordinators in the off season right they had one win down the stretch last season so when you look at this Eagles team what's the potential how far do you see them going as the favorites to win this Division I think they can win this Division and maybe even get to the NFC Championship Game Jeremy I really do when you look at this team even though they went through the coordinator change and even changing their defensive coordinator halfway through with Matt Patricia taking over on the defensive side this team still went to the playoffs and they were winning a lot of ugly games last year I think what people have to understand jermany is when you Chang coordinators and they lost both of their coordinators two years ago in one year to become head coaches there's an acclamation period that goes on to that and the Eagles struggled through that last year but they were still able to make the playoffs now they bring in Kell Moore Vic vanio and it'll be Vic vanio job to make sure that he's getting every bit of talent out of this defense right Hassan reick is no longer there Bryce Huff Nolan Smith going to really depend on these young guys to not only get after the quarterback but also stop the run and set those tough edges as well had some issues in the secondary they went and got an old friend CJ Gardner Johnson when he was with the Eagles jemy led the league in interception so they've really revamped and reted that secondary on offense we know the Firepower they have they have two potential perennial Pro Bowl players right and Devonte Smith and AJ Brown outside Dallas Gard is one of the best tight ends in all of football and then they got better at the running back position one of the most dynamic players in all of football in Squan Barkley so everywhere Kell Moore has been if you want to put an aster to last year with the Chargers he's had an explosive offense when he was the offensive coordinator in Dallas they had one of the top five offenses his whole time there so I think this offense will get back on track and I really love Vic vanjo and and that marriage with that new with the defense for the Eagles let me ask you this because we've talked about the Cowboys talked about the Eagles obviously teams that that need to bounce back of the two head coaches Mike McCarthy or Nick serani who is under the most pressure head into this season it's actually a really good uh question Jeremy and the crazy thing is I don't think either one of them should be under pressure because if you look at it they each been to the playoffs the last three years Nick serani just went to a Super Bowl two years ago and you're talking about this guy being on the hot seat that's where we're at in the NFL right now you don't think teams like the Carolina Panthers my New York Jets would love for to have a coach that has taken their team to the playoffs for three years in a row but just because the aura of the star I'm going to give the edge for more pressure to Mike McCarthy just because you talked about the playoff struggles at least Nick serani has had some success in the playoffs going to a Super Bowl just two years ago besides that divisional Ren versus the the beat up you know Tampa Bay Bucks two years ago the Dallas Cowboys have gotten bounced out of the playoffs in the Wild Card round two out of the last three years so I feel like there's more pressure on Mike McCarthy and Philadelphia travels for week one they are in Sal Paulo to take on Green Bay that's going to be a Friday night game in week one all right it's all Chang in Washington new head coach new general manager new face of the fr and quarterback Jaden Daniels who looked I mean he looked pretty good in hisef appearance on Saturday so how are you viewing the commanders with all of the change there and kind of that shift in focus in terms of how they want to present themselves as a franchise and as a team in terms of the work ethic Dan Quinn wants to put in there Jeremy this is my sleeper team in the NFC okay and it all depends on the growth obviously of Jaden Daniels you talked about it his debut in the NFL Saturday versus New York Jets look really good big completion down the right sideline to dami Brown for 40 plus yards we saw the elusiveness on the Zone read to keep the ball and get into the end zone and I had the privilege to actually watch him vers the Jets in the cross practice right the one thing I really loved about him Jeremy I think he's Tailor Made for This Cliff kingsberry offense they're going to be in shotgun a lot pistol set and when I say pistol set shotgun with the back behind what that does it makes the defense really think you can do Run play action pass or you can do the Zone read off of that which we we saw in that game versus the Jets the thing about him he was playing a really good defense and he never tried to force the ball into coverage right something wasn't there he took the check down he didn't take any unnecessary sacks and you saw the elusive ability just like we saw in that game Saturday and when you look at this team getting Dan Quinn was massive for them because that was the issue for this team last year Jeremy on the defensive side of the ball now there's still some question marks about their young Corner Emanuel Forbes his confidence seems like it's it's it's wavered at times he struggled versus Garrett Wilson in that cross practice and actually gave up a touchdown to Jason brownley in that preseason game so that's one of the big question marks but I love how GM Adam Peters and D Dan Quint has really flipped over this defense I think Frankie louville was a guy that everybody needs to Circle he's going to have a pro bowl year in that defense he'll play what Michael Parson was kind of like playing in Dallas that's how Dan Quinn will use his skill set so you've got the commanders and the Cowboys with nine records I do all right so the commanders and the cowys commanders are sleep team in the NFC you heard it on equal footing apparently uh commanders go to Tampa Bay for their week one opener all right so let's talk about the Giants the the other team in this division look we had that offseason Hard Knocks and yeah it was kind of the business side of of how the NFL operates and usually you know that gets you excited gets you excited about this particular franchise we saw it with the Lions last year I mean should I be excited about the Giants mean talk to me here convince me like what is the ceiling for this Giants team in a division that looks to be very competitive yeah I have them winning six games this year I think it's going to be tough when you look at this Giants team the offensive line continues to be an issue for them and it's still going to be issue it seems like Evan nil is just is coming off of pup and he's going to actually practice this week but they've been able to bring guys in lumor is coming they've moved him from right tackle to left guard they're still trying to figure out who their starting five is going to be John Michael Smiths they took him last year in the second round at Center he is going to need to take a big step in this offense and will Andrew Thomas return to the perennial left tackle that he was that is the big question now Malik neighbors for all intents and purposes is good as advertised Jeremy every clip that I've seen he's been explosive with the football now didn't touch the football in his NFL debut um week one versus the Detroit Lions but he's still an explosive weapon who is coming off an ankle injury so we'll see how far that lingers but it comes down to Daniel Jones right they paid him that big contract in Germany they can get out of that contract after this year so there's a lot of pressure on him but the schedule fa uh makers did them no favors at the Browns they have the Dallas Cowboys at the Seahawks the Bengals Eagles Steelers like that is a gauntlet to start the season so honestly have them starting 1 and seven and it could be over with for them by then by Midway point in the season uh I do like them to win six games but it's going to be tough for the the New York Giants this year our NFL analyst Le duable breaking down the NFC East for us NFC North there's a sense of hope for Bears fans and it's because of this guy Cayla Williams a rookie quarterback that is certainly in a a good situation for a first overall pick we saw flashes of greatness from Cayla Williams in his preseason debut against the bill we saw that no look screen pass to DeAndre Swift that went viral it was everywhere on social media Williams finished 95 yards on four of seven passing the Bears Chris are they getting into the playoffs uh I think they should yeah okay we'll see all right so let's get to it the Chicago Bears with a lot of expectations this season we have Pete prisco and Li doible with us uh right now when you look at the betting markets the Bears are about even money to make the postseason what we're going to do is we're going to go through the entire division the NFC North which some people will argue is the best division in football some not all some NFC for sure no I won't I've heard some people say it I have heard not these guys though apparently um the Bears you got to win what nine 10 games to get into the postseason Li is going to WL the uh schedules for every team in the division Then Pete you can uh have at it however you however you feel how do you think the Bears do this season me and Peter have kind of been on board with this we think the Bears will be great next next year I think they're a year away I have them going eight and n and they could potentially even go n and eight does that get you into the playoffs in the NFC side maybe you said it has nine wins 10 wins for sure will probably get you in I think they go eight and N I love what I saw from Caleb Williams in his NFL preseason debut we talked about it a little yesterday the fact that people had question marks Pete could he play Within the offense could he play from within the pocket he showed all that in that preseason debut right that third and 12 completion of DJ Moore where he scans the field looks right first read second reads not there flips his hips throws an absolute dot on a comeback route that we knew he had Mobility right Scamper for 13 plus yards and a first down on a pivotal third down and then the off platform throw on the bootleg being able to find Co KT Off Script downfield for a big catch and run if he continues to develop Heat this could be a team that does mle around nine or 10 wins but I think they're a year away love what I saw from this defense last year was number one the last six weeks in points per game interceptions and rushing touchdowns given up and they were number one ped against the run all season long and they picked up right where they left off against that Buffalo team in preseason week one stifling the run so I think next year will be their their year it's all going to depend on the development of cayb Williams though L it's the preseason yes I mean it's it's amazing what we get off of the preseason and training camp you get a video of every throw any guy makes against air look Caleb Williams didn't look lost but he's playing football and you hear reports that he hasn't been great at times in their Camp which is a little bit of a concern he did get outside the pocket he made a great throw that you can't teach what he did outside the pocket but again it's all going to be what happens inside the pocket for him how does he handle that so I just say slow the roll I think what I said I thought they might be a playoff team this year I said that last year before they even got him remember I think it's a year away I really do so or n the best Bears quarterback of all time yes it's not a high bar I mean s lman s lman is the greatest bearish quarterback of all time but I think this guy and that was a long time ago even I didn't cover that but this guy has a this guy has a chance to be special all right so you have the Bears going eight and nine let's talk about the Packers because Pete this is a team that you were very bullish on last season it was the youngest team to get a playoff win in in years and years and years Jordan love just got paid um Li how do you think this season plays out for them I think they're going to have a lot of success this year I believe they'll go 10 and seven this year and when you look at the schedule to me I believe it's tied forth for strength of schedule as far as how hard it is but I really love what I saw from Jordan love the last eight nine weeks of the season I don't believe Pete anybody played with more confidence than Jordan love this is we kind of talked about it earlier the hardest division in the NFC I think the hardest division of football is the AFC North so it's going to be a gauntlet for this team they're going to be playing the Detroit Lions who I think are is probably going to win the division we just talked about how the Chicago Bears most likely will be improved so it's tough they have G games you know against the Rams who are going to be a really good team they have the whole NFC West so when you look at that games against the 49ers and dolphins and lions I think that's the gauntlet right there they got to get through if they want to contend for the NFC North also love the change they had on defense bringing in Jeff Halley they're going to be more attacking style defense and then one of the most underrated signings P Xavier mcken I can't believe the Giants let him walk out the door they had issues in their secondary last year Jer Alexander wasn't healthy went healthy to me is a top three corner you pair him with Xavier McKenna watch out this team is going to be good again I think you're a little low on them to be honest with I know you have them winning the division of course I do of course I do I mean I I just think what I saw from love last year that guy's ready to really explode but not only that he didn't have his receivers together the entire year none of them none of them I mean they were in and out of the lineup and and you know except for dos dos was like the only but Watson was in and out and he's he had hamstring issues all year long he's going to be back in the lineup healthy and gives them a deep threat they say they don't have a number one wide receiver they just have a bunch of good ones the offensive line will be good because that's what the Green Bay Packers do they make you know average players in the good offensive lineman you go to the other side of the ball I'm with you they're going to be much more aggressive this team is winning the division I think they're the best team in that Division I think a change up they'll be a little bit more physical in the Run game with Josh Jacobs than they were with Aaron Jones now Aaron Jones is a heck of a running back but I think as far as running in between the tackles Josh Jacobs gives them a different element don't take the ball out of the quarterback's hands run when you need to run don't make it a focal point of the offense we started this by kind of talking about how the Bears haven't had a good quarterback ever well the Lions really have never been in the position that they're going to be in this season as as not the team that everybody's rooting for the upand comer they're the hunted now they're the team that people are going to be gunning for so what do you see from the Lions this season I got them repeating as division champs and when you look at this schedule jarro G you know this Pete when he plays in good weather in the dome he's almost impossible to beat and when you look at this schedule there's only three games that are not in a dome for Jared golf so that bodess well for to Detroit line the biggest issue for them last year Pete was the secondary more specifically Corner well they kind of rectified that this year getting terion honor in the first round in R straw they double down and got him in the second round but getting Colton Davis before the draft was massive because Aaron Glenn likes to play Man coverage that is where Carlton Davis relishes right that's what he wants to do he wants to get in the receiver's face and be physical corner so they literally turned a weakness into a strength in regards to fixing that secondary love how they locked up all their corner pieces p we've talked about this week has taken over as the best right tackle in all of football Amar Ross stain Brown is proven that he's not only a all proo receiver but he's a true number one receiver so I love that they locked him up and jarck G again jarck G doesn't lose in good weather and in the dome and the Lions only have three games outside of the Dome I have them repeating as NFC North Champs I don't and I think they play the first place schedule that's always tough you now are a marked team you weren't a marked team last year you are now that's tough to handle they have issues and we talk about wide receiver Jameson Williams and I think he has potential but but he has to be a big time threat there to go outside uh with st Brown in the middle of the field then you also have pass rush issues you talk about playing a lot of man it's great to have those corners and you can cover people but who's the other Edge rusher oh they're going to bring pressure now but but who's the other Edge rusher and so that's a major hole for him as well I just think they're going to be in the playoffs I think they make the playoffs I just think Green Bay is a better team of course we have a fantasy football segment on tap and uh James Williams is one of Jamie Eisenberg sleepers I like I love him I love his ability really good in you got to show it you got to see it you got and who's the third receiver that's another issue that's true tight end they got Le Porter yeah well they need you still need another receiver though finally let's talk about the Vikings this is a team of course more of a long shot to win the division and to your point Pete I saw so much Buzz around JJ McCarthy and how great he was that I almost forgot it's Sam darnold who is going to be the starting quarterback for them um Li how do you see this season shaking for Minnesota yeah to me it's almost a it's not a rebuild because when you look at their offense Pete it's one of the most complete offenses in all football except for the quarterback position which is the most important position in all of football and Sam Don for all in case and purposes has looked really good throughout the preseason as Pete would say it's the preseason you got to temper your expectations I think the big question mark is when will JJ McCarthy see the field and if you pull up the schedule this is a gaunet week 2 through eight I mean look at this Pete 49ers Texans Packers Jets in London and then the buai you know what off the the buai you get the Detroit Lions and then you got at the Rams I can see an L for all of those games and will we see JJ McCarthy Maybe by week seven or eight that that literally could happen I talked about it when you look at this offense right two bookend offensive tackles they have the best receiver and Justin Jefferson another good receiver Jordan Addison T.J Hawkinson is a really good tight end the biggest question mark is the quarterback position right and also they have a question mark at corner too Byron Murphy who's going to play opposite of him they even brought step gimar in for a visit this week Pete he didn't sign so they've been trying to bring some veterans in cuz we know Brian Flores likes to play a lot of man coverage and that's where they struggled last year so this is a team that I think is going to be fourth place in this division but they're a tailor made offense it's all going to come down to can the quarterback play adequate football yeah this is a lesson on if you have one you're okay if you don't you're in trouble because they they don't know if they have one and if Sam darnold starts who knows how long he stays in there is JJ McCarthy the long-term answer you're right he did some good things in preseason opener but he's playing against bouncers and bartenders you can't tell bouncers and bartenders most of them are going to be looking for jobs in about two weeks that's what they're playing those backups that's what they are statement that's what they are and so it's hard to evaluate these young quarterbacks truly until they get into somebody who's actually scheming against them a little bit and you're playing against Real players all right Pete prisco Al doel Pete how does it feel to be back in studio love it love it let's go I'm ready ready for theas losing that tan pretty soon you're going be under these studio lights yeah again tomorrow you're coming these are actually pretty hot I I can't tell you how many times I was on the road in training camp and I heard people complaining about the heat in here oh it's been hot it was hot okay I know maybe like tiny violin when you're in Miami Garden it's nice now though it is nice it feels good ah here today all right we are going to flip the script here get Ryan Wilson's take on NFC South the over unders and then Pete is going to respond so we are going to start with the Bucks uh the wind total set at 7 and A2 Baker Mayfield feeling very confident about the team this upcoming season how you feeling I feel confident about Baker Mayfield and I feel confident about the over on that number I had him going 10 and seven and as you noted Jenny they've won that division three straight times and people every season it feels like in August uh try to find ways to make them not win that division uh Todd BS doesn't care Baker Mayfield doesn't care and I think Baker Mayfield is an example of a person who landed in the right spot after being something of a journeyman I I love what they've done there and it starts with Baker who who got the the money he was deserved Mike Evans is back they have Chris Godwin they drafted jayen McMillan who's having a really good camp and I know Pete was excited with what he saw from him they lost Ryan Jens in the center so they drafted uh Graham Barton to play center out of Duke and I I think that offensive Line's going to be better and this this division's wide open and if that's the case and you have all your guys back for the most part starting with Baker there's no reason they can't do what they did last year they went nine and eight I gave them another win they're 10 and seven I'm with them on this I I think you know they have a tough little part of their schedule where they have the ra evens uh then the Falcons the Chiefs and the 49ers that's going to be a tough little grouping to navigate through but I love this team I I I think Baker Mayfield The Players love Baker Mayfield and there were actually guys when I was there telling me that they they like him more as the quarterback as a guy than they did Tom Brady Tom Brady was tough he was a little standoffish yeah not as a player but as as a person yes as a GU the guy the guy they out no not bad guy just they like him better and Baker Baker's a dude Baker's a dude I mean Baker plays with a chip on her shoulder guys like that and and Tom Brady not a dude well you know we got your corner P you're not getting out of this I'll tell you exactly what Tom Brady when he was in his 20s maybe but Tom Brady became something above that you know it's like kind of like Taylor Swift when she was in her 20s okay we got it yeah you different you can't when you're believe me when you're 40 you not hanging around with 25 year olds you know what about when you're 65 like you you can hang out with everybody life hang out with 40y olds out with everybody but bottom line is I think the Bucks have a great mix of young and old I mean you look at their veterans you know Levante David's still there Mike Evans is still there but they add guys like McMillan they have young players in the secondary they are excited about ta Smith a rookie from uh Georgia they love him Yaya diabi might have 15 sacks this year I love what they've done vas trimmed down they are the team to beat in that Division and they know it the odds do not say that though the odds have them uh around 3 to one to win that that makes no sense to me bu the Falcons the favorites we'll get to the Falcons in just a second but first let's jump to the Saints kind of a a ho hum off season for them Ryan what do you see from New Orleans with their win total at seven and a half the funny thing is Chris they were 9 and8 last year and they did not feel like a N9 and8 team the Green Bay Packers were also 9 and8 and they felt like a team that was surging at the right time while the wheels are falling off in New Orleans it starts with Derek Carr and look he's an average Quarterback maybe slightly above average but again in this Division if you can play average football and minimize mistakes you're going to have a chance to to win some games so I had them finishing 9 and8 I don't feel great about it if you told me eight and n i I would understand that as well their defense is going to be pretty good like it usually is they have real issues to sort out along the offensive line they drafted Trevor Penning a few years ago out of Northern Iowa in round one he has not worked out at left tackle they're trying him on the right side he struggled during the preseason they have Telly fago however who they drafted to play left tackle and Senator Eric McCoy said he's one of the best Rook he's ever seen so that's encouraging news uh but if they can protect Derek Carr they can Dink and dunk their way down the field and find their way into tight games at the end and maybe Derek Carr can help you will some of those uh balls over the end zone to to nine and eight but again I don't think this team is in the same conversation with Tampa Bay I think they're an average football team and and the the record reflects that I don't know looking at going on that Str where where they win six games in in six games out of seven and it begins with a win in Kansas City what were you thinking what were you thinking they're going to go win at at Arrowhead yeah mark it down first off I don't like I don't like there's a lot of things not to like about the Saints team first off the the coach is on the hot seat let's be real he's on the hot seat goes into the season briyan mentioned the offensive line they have no idea how they're going to play that out uh that's a problem they don't have a lot of ton of weapons on the outside you know Derek Carr at Big moments is a lot like the other guys in this division he has a glazed look he has that he has that look and then defensively there's AIDS starting to creep in you know Jordan's up in the Years de Mario Davis up in the years the honey badg are up in the Years you're starting to get concerned about that as well so I think this is probably a good probably more wins and I think they're going to get that Ryan G particularly when they go to k the Chiefs on the road you felt very confident about that one you know what I think I think you know what I think happened I think he was going down picking the games he just happened to put a w there doesn't want to change it cuz he he don't really believe that are you doubling down on that right now Ryan Wilson we yeah yeah they're going to win by three touchdowns P just just let's keep going with this how far you want to go all right let's talk about the Falcons now we were talking about players that are up in age they went all in on Kirk Cousins now 36 years old signing him to a fouryear $180 million contract what are we thinking about the Falcons this year as we were discussing oddsmakers say that they're going to have an incredible I don't Jenny I I I'm looking at his wins loss right here I don't know what's more surprised the Saints going in winning an arrowhead or what he has the Falcons starting before the by we Ryan what's up man oh wait I need to see that Brian explain so listen here's the thing this isn't this isn't about offense this is about a defense that is not very good on paper and I don't know if they're going to be very good in real life that is my big concern I love Raheem Morris the higher I love rahee Morris the defensive Mastermind but he's going to have to do a lot of heavy lifting to get the most out of a unit that is not very good defensively offensively there's a lot to love and I think it starts Kurt Cousins I think Kurt Cousins is going to pick up where he left off and they have all the Playmakers in the world I think the offensive Line's a little underrated I'm not concerned about that I'm concerned about not being able to keep up with the other team scoring a ton of points so I have him going seven and 10 and uh I even look at that Pete I had losing to the Chiefs in week three imagine that a two and eight start Pete 2 and eight but he also he also has them losing at Carolina that's because he still got his Allegiance we'll get to the Panthers in a second but he still got his allegiance to the to the little tiny quarterback in Carolina but uh speaking of quarterbacks big game moments we know what's going to happen for the Falcons so any game that's tight in the fourth quarter if you called a big game we know what's going to happen to the Falcons are not going to win that game and look this team is being a little overrated because of Kirk Cousins I'll be honest with you look Kirk Cousins is a good quarterback he's not a great quarterback they're expecting great things from him but I agree with Ryan a little bit when the the defense has major concerns and and can they consistently rush the passer that's a big question for him so I'm with Ryan on this seven and 10 probably about right you mentioned the little quarterback in Carolina that's Bryce young who's taller than you barely and I think bigger than you now but I don't have I don't have to I don't have to stand in the middle and look over 320 lb defensive tackles to make a throw either Ryan what do you have Bryce young doing in his second season Pete was giving me a hard time about the Saints meating the Chiefs I I'm fine with that you know these games were H happen he is not wrong I'm trying to find wins for this Carolina Panthers team it's not easy uh they lost Brian Burns this defense has similar issues that it had a year ago without Brian Burns I think the offense they went out and signed some offensive lineman they're trying to protect uh my guy Bryce young a quarterback they went out and drafted Xavier Legette they traded for deont Deontay Johnson they s they drafted jaavan Sanders uh the tight end out of Texas and also his his uh running back made there uh Jonathan Brooks so they're trying to make this team better but it's a lot of squinting to try to find five wins after they won two games a year ago I like Dave Canales to hire on paper and the things I've seen him say feel like the direction you want this organization to go I think Bryce young is going to be fine as a quarterback is he going to be Patrick Mahomes no but I think he'll be serviceable are even better than that but five wins feels about like the ceiling for me Pete yeah five wins is probably about right at at the most I mean maybe four I what's their over under I mean five and a half I think they're an under team I I don't think there's any doubt about that in my mind and again Ryan outlined a lot of the concerns but the biggest concern for me he didn't even outline is Bryce young I don't think he's going to be very good I think he's an average Quarterback at best and and you know you can talk about the size the really if you go through the history of the league and we had this conversation on the sideline in Rochester the other day with Ryan Ryan was standing there you go through the history of the league there aren't a lot of small guys who had great success playing quarterback in the National Football League and so I just don't understand who's on that list Drew Russell Wilson maybe I mean you know there there are there are others but there aren't a lot of them and and so it's hard to think a guy's going to be an outlier when you picked him first overall and like I said the will Levis I said I still can't believe somebody picked that guy over you Pete loves his will Levis even stand in the cor he can stand in the corn stand in the pocket with a big strong arm and make the throws the other guy can't even see over the line of scrimmage that's a problem all right I guess he would know as what are you NFC West 51 the NFC West sent two teams to the playoffs last year with San Francisco and Los Angeles ners got to the Super Bowl and are basically co- favorites to get back this year Cardinals ended the season 4 and 13 but Kyler Murray's healthy and he's got some new weapons our lead NFL Insider Jonathan Jones recently caught up with Kyler Murray who thinks teams and people from the outside might be sleeping on them there's no thinking you know we're just going out there and doing uh and working on what we're working on uh fine tune in all those things and the details but um I'm excited man this offense uh I put no limitations on this offense uh you know and I know you know people are sleep on us but it is what it is you know why do you think people are sleeping on you do you pay attention to it uh no you see it you see everything you see it um try to stay off the social media as much as possible but like you see obviously uh who they talk about who they don't talk about um but like I said you know winning CES all um and uh yeah season's right around the corner so let's welcome in Ryan Wilson to talk about the NFC West rub come through the schedule like he's come through that hair we're going to go in reverse order of how the standings finished in 2023 are you ready Ryan let's go it's been about two years I made that joke so I feel like I can get it out once every uh 24 months or so all right let's get to the Arizona Cardinals who finished 4 and 13 as I mentioned last season but you're bullish on art of you're not sleeping on Arizona nine and eight yeah and Kyler Murray's words are are could be prophetic but I think he's right in that teams are not taking or people are not taking the Cardinals as seriously as perhaps they should have now when you look at the schedule I went through the schedule for each of the teams in this Division I had them starting one and five but this is a brutal stretch to get things kicked off and it's reasonable to think they're going to win uh more than one game in those first six but you talk at Buffalo then the Rams then the Lions haven't beaten the commanders as you see there and then it's at San Francisco and at Green Bay and that will be a true test of just how far this team has come but I think the overall message Kyler gave our JJ there is that we are better people are not taking us as seriously as perhaps they should have I think a huge part of that is Kyler in the way he played coming off that ACL last year Tommy I was impressed with what he did clearly the Cardinal front office and coaching staff was because they didn't Target a quarterback in the draft they went out and got Marvin Harrison Jr who is going to be for Kyler Murray what we saw Jamar Chase do for Joe burrow what we saw St digs doe for Josh Allen and I think that's the reason why this team can get to 9 and eight and if they win more than one of those first six games maybe they're double digit wins Tommy and there's an emerging tight end star and McBride as well so a lot to be bullish on for the Cardinals again and a lot of people including our Pete prisco High and the head coach said they did a very good job for them last year let's get to the Seahawks they finished n and8 last year and again you've taken a look at the schedule and it's about the same am I right yeah you you text me earlier I didn't realize that I had some duplicates here I was just going through the schedule and trying to find wins and losses obviously this is the first year without Pete Caroll at the helm for the Seahawks in a long time but they did pretty good with Mike McDonald the former defensive coordinator from the Baltimore Ravens uh who is going to have this defense on point that unit will be playing better and oh by the way Ryan grub is the new offensive coordinator where did he come from well down the street he was coaching the Washington Huskies and Michael pennick Jr you're going to see some of that highflying offense in Seattle this year now that Shane Walter has moved on so I have them going 9 and8 the same record as the Cardinals and there's no stretch in the schedule where they either win more than two in a row or lose more than two in a row so it's a it feels like a 500 team that can get some breaks and get the double digit wins but I think maybe they're a year away year two with Mike McDonald's when they start to turn the page and turn the heat up in that division it was interesting seeing you mark the wins and losses on that schedule because I did notice they have the Rams late in the season which could be the difference between a 9 and and at 10 and S I only bring that up because if we get to La Ryan you have them at 10 and S one win better than Seattle yeah and this it starts with Matthew Stafford who feels like he's still 30 31 years old and his ability to throw the ball still has one of the best arms in the NFL we know what pukaa did last year with those 1400 receiving yards Cooper Cup's going to be healthy they continue to get better and younger at the running back position through the draft uh they have audri ese who they got this year here out of Notre Dame so there's a lot of reasons to feel good about this team and yes Aaron Donald's gone but they got Jared verse they got Jared versus teammate Bron fist both out of Florida state they're going to provide some impact they have some young really good defensive players and a name I will have you keep an eye on Tommy it was pukan a COA last year this year keep an eye on Jordan Woodington the sixth round pick out of Texas he had a huge week one preseason game he feels like another great less need sea McVey pick he's going to contribute offensively all toll 10 and seven I think think this Rams team is going to go back to the playoffs again uh because of Matthew Stafford but I think also the defense won't have quite the drop off some might expect without Aaron donnald there it was fun to see them make it to the postseason and they open up the year Sunday Night Football with the Lions so that should be a fun one as part of a tremendous week once slate and then we'll get to San Francisco again talking a lot about a mirrors in terms of how they finish and how you project them to finish in 2024 here so take me through the San Francisco schedule and Mark those 12 wins for me yeah again 12 and five bruk feels like he stay in put this is one of the weirdest trade situations I can remember in quite some time in the NFL but they drafted Ricky piol in the first round for a reason as perhaps the contingency plan without Brandon yuk you still have dbo samel still have Christian mcaffry and George KD that offensive line is really good with Trent Williams anchoring the unit and we know what Brock py can do but when you look at the schedule here Tommy have him starting five and one have him ending five and one and that feels about right in the middle there uh week seven I have him losing to Kansas City at home could certainly win that game uh and then I have them losing back-to-back games on the road in week 12 and week 13 at Green Bay at Buffalo so you could talk me in them winning one maybe even two out of those three games that I just mentioned and then getting to to 13 14 15 wins that feels realistic and that sounds nuts when you're talking about a 17 game schedule but there are very few holes in the San Francisco team Tommy whether BR is there or not I think Brock p is going to continue his upper trajectory we know what Kyle Shanahan can do and I think the defense isn't going to miss a beat because that defense has been so good for so long even as they churn through these defensive coordinators as they get jobs elsewhere so again just to digest everything that we've been talking about in terms of the NFC West it sounds like you're going again two teams to make it to the postseason and then which team goes the farthest Ryan I think that's the 49ers as well and I'll throw an asri out there I think the Cardinals have a chance to back door their way into the playoffs too I mentioned their opportunity to win 10 games as they get lucky in there and if that happens we saw it last year in the AFC North timey three teams got in there I I think there's a chance not only for this division to have all teams above 500 but maybe even three teams make it into the postseason so you're bullish on the division you're bullish on the Cardinals and the Niners specifically and then uh taking a look at the schedule you're not so bullish on the Jets when it comes to them facing this particular Division I think you actually have the Jets losing every single game against an NFC West opponent ryes a good thing Le duable is not on with us no that's right uh the thing is uh I had a conversation yesterday with our buddy Pete prisco that maybe the buffo Bill's window is closing and I didn't understand that and that brings us back to the AFC East there I know what Aaron Rogers is when he's healthy the offensive line theyve tried to bolster it they drafted Olaf ASU uh he's not going to be a starter but that unit has to stay healthy because if they don't we know what can happen to the quarterback the defense is going to be fine even without Hassan reic I'm not worried about that but I want to see where Aaron Rogers is after a year off being 40 years old and that's my concern because if he lights out they're going to win a lot of those games that I have them losing if he looks a lot like what we saw last year from the Jets in general I think they could lose all four of those football games Tommy great stuff Ryan Wilson breaking it down on HQ oh it's uh AFC South time Texans won AFC South it last season Jags and Colts are up there in odds looking to push them this season the Titans maybe they take a step forward as well with Will Levis taking the r for his first full year as a starter our Evan wasburn was at Jags Camp recently and talked with Trevor Lawrence about his big new contract obviously contract stuff and being here in Jacksonville really excited just for this to be home uh for the future I mean more than anything obviously money's great that's exciting and very grateful for that but just to to have this solidified us home for even longer and to be able to keep building what we're building here um I know our best days are are yet are haven't aren't here yet and our best days are to come so really excited for that and uh for me it's just I got the same job to do is to go win and and to try to bring a Super Bowl here and just because now I have a contract with it doesn't change anything for me well Pete prisco thought their best days were going to be last season when he picked them to go to the Super Bowl in the AFC Pete is here to WL everybody in this division including the Jags and Ryan Wilson this is kind of ju to position here usually Ryan does something and you tear it apart like a mock draft I get to tear his apart later on later on in the show Okay so let's start with the Jags last year you picked them to win the AFC their win total is 8 and a half this season what do you see from Jackson well as bad as they were a year ago they won nine games and so the division's tougher it's going to be hard to win in that division for everybody across the board because there's a lot of good young quarterbacks in that division but I think Jacksonville is going to be a better team than they were a year ago but I'm not sure they're going to win more games I think their schedule's tough like I said the division's tougher so I have them winning nine games this year uh 98 as they rip through the schedule and and you look at it I mean out of the gate you have four tough games right from the start I mean you look at that that's a brutal way to start and if they can navigate through that at 2 and two or three and one then I think they have the chance of a successful season but they are a better football team this year than they were a year ago and they've learned how to win and deal with bad problems they didn't know how to handle it last year when things went bad they're better better apt and and and capable of handling that [Music] now I'm not sure how they learned how to win when they lost all those games down the stretch to get the N9 and eight but I do agree with your other point Pete I think this is a much better football team and the record may not reflect that they may have the same nine and8 record and I went through your wins and losses to try to pick it apart I don't have a lot to to push back on maybe they lose of the Dolphins in week one or maybe they struggle against the Browns in week two if deshun Watson's healthy but they could win those games easily and then then the only other two games I can come up with maybe they can beat the Bears on the road uh in the middle of the season a few weeks later they play at Philly but again those are Road games against tough opponents we don't know what those teams are going to look like uh in terms of where they are in their Journey Through the season so N8 feels about right I think you're right this is a better football team I have questions about the wide receiver position after Christian Kirk Brian Thomas Jr is a rookie and he's a big play threat but he's still learning the position I think you saw him out there at camp and and said as much to me gabee Davis is coming up for Buffalo what are they getting from him obviously they know what they have an Evan Ingram at tight end but it all starts with Trevor Lawrence and and as he mentioned to Evan there he's got all the money that he needs now it's a matter going out there and playing week in and week out just of note Pete was also there that day he made sure to let us know that he was at Jags camp that day Trevor would only talk to Evan I don't know what happened there well I got uh Josh Allen hin Allen he changed his name he did change his name that was actually a good one because uh he actually uh had a screen saver from a year ago from when I said they didn't had a game record on his phone the entire year it said 41 game record and so I told him he owes me some of that contract that he sign and did he agree to give you some of that no of course not all right we're going to look at the Texans now they won the division with 10 wins last season but they added Stefan Diggs right now win total set at n and a half but you don't know if Diggs is going to be good or bad for that team what do you think well he wasn't good for the bills in the last couple years and he wasn't good on the football field the last 10 games of the season last year if you go look at his numbers they were below average to be honest with you and and being in Buffalo last week or Rochester when I talked to the bills I can tell you they're not too sad that he's gone and you know look he's going on one-year deal so he's probably going to be on his best behavior with the Texans and try and get a long-term contract if he turns 31 in November that's old for an NFL wide receiver so you got to be careful with that I just don't know how this team's going to handle being the hunted you know last year they surprised a lot of people and CJ strads you know if he has the same type of season he had last year he's on his way to be is truly special but that's a bit you know we don't know if he can sometimes second-year quarterbacks fall back a little bit I don't think he will but I think this schedule is brutal this year you play the first place schedule you play a tough Division I just think it's going to be tough to navigate I don't see them getting past nine wins I get them at nine nine and eight uh Jenny and Chris uh we heard Pete there mentioned he was in Rochester last week the highlight of his trip to Rochester good old Ryan Wilson came to see him on Thursday and this is how we ENT our trip together just cuz you know that Pete's a solid person we sat on a park bench and we had some ice cream and that's a true story so think about that eat food that's the first time that's happened in over a year no it was good that ice cream place is the best ice cream place anywhere it Dairy it's a dairy it's unreal a rideal test to it it was the you walk up you milk the cow and then they take that over to the to the the ice cream shop we got it slowly all right Ryan do you agree with that his take on the teex T oh yeah I was so excited to talk about ice cream and Pete I forgot so here's the thing and I told Jack producer Jack this that nine and8 10 and seven excuse me no n and eight excuse me they went 10 and seven last year the same record as the Jaguars I have a hard time seeing that I understand what Pete is saying and Stefan dicks may not be the person he was uh in the previous Seasons with Buffalo and the Minnesota before that but they have Nico Collins they have tank Dale coming back off of Entry they got Joe Mixon he has been banged up uh so far but he's gonna be helping that running game the offensive line and the defense are G to be better I'm not concerned about CJ strad so I went through Pete's wins and losses here and look 9 and8 feels a little low I could get to 11 wins maybe there's two more wins out there whether it's week one Pete has them losing at Indie maybe they can beat the Packers on the road but again all the losses that I'm talking about are are games that are on the road where it's always tough to win but I think 11 wins feels a little closer to reality for me especially after this team won 10 games last year but Pete points out tougher schedule people now coming after them they're not surprising people but have a lot of faith in what Deo Ryan was able to do last year so you've got the Texans and the Jags with nine wins Pete and spoiler alert you don't have the Colts or Titans at nine wins who do you have winning this division well I think the Texans will win the division okay I I do I think they'll win the they'll find a way but it's going to be tight the entire season across the board I I think all this all the teams in this division are all better than they were a year ago including the Colts who hope to have a healthy Anthony Richardson this season and I've heard some of our analysts some of our betting analysts they like the Colts to win this division they won nine games last season with a guy that that you think's just a backup quarterback in Garner mchu well if Anthony Richardson stays on the field they're clearly a better team because he's a better quarterback than Gardner mchu but that's a big if I mean it's been a problem in his entire career but more than that this team hasn't won the division I mean you know for all the talk about how great they've been Drafting and good offensive lines and Chris Boward a start time for them to win a division once in a while and they haven't done it under this regime so I I do think it it's a big year for them uh from that standpoint they have questions in the secondary particularly a corner I I think they'll be better than they're going to be a better team than they were a year ago but not not quite win as many games so I I do think that they're going to push for the division title but I think in the end they're going to win eight game 2014 the last time they they won the division has it been that long 10 years now Ryan what do you think yeah I think Pete's right on with this one8 n maybe 9 and8 they were 98 last year with Garder muu of course after Anthony Richardson got hurt but it comes down to their now second-year quarterback former first round pick uh they're using kid gloves with him in terms of bringing him back from that shoulder injury he only played a handful of snaps in the week one preseason game missed some throws uh perhaps rust maybe it doesn't matter I'm not concerned about that he did run the ball one time and got out of bounds which is what he has to do he cannot take hits as Pete favorite player in this division we'll talk about in a second took a couple hits he shouldn't have taken in that week one preseason game but I think the Colts are probably right around 500 we'll need some breaks to get above 500 uh but the questions that Pete point out are the same ones that I have so your favorite player got to be will Lis right May man well I mean I don't have a favorite player I just think he's going to be a star quarterback okay so they won six games last season the total now six and a half which way you going I haven't going over but barely barely barely I think this is teams a year away I think first year head coach I I think he's an impressive Guy Brian CI and I think getting his father in there as the offensive line coach is big for that franchise the left side is Young you have a rookie left tackle you have your second-year guard uh they signed a free agent center they're going to be better on the offensive line but I think they might be a year away on the offensive line but I do think will Levis now has weapons Calvin Ridley he's going to be able to get the ball to those guys I think the ball gets out quicker he's so much more comfortable with where he is uh as a quarterback in this offense do you think every team in this division is better than they were last year wow I do I think this division is sneaky good and I I think it but I think they're going to cannibalize each other I think it's going to be tough to win at the other guy's spot no matter where you're playing so it's it's going to be tough division but I I think they'll win seven games and watch out for them a year from now all right Brian Pete I give you credit I thought you would have this team winning 10 11 12 games because of will Levis but I I think you're on to something and I think look I went back and watched all his snaps the handful of snaps he had in the week one preseason game he's better and I think he feels more comfortable and you talk with him at Camp a few weeks ago and I think this offense is going to help him and The Playmakers they' surrounded him with help as well he had no Playmakers last year in the offensive line stunk also JC lean their left tackle the rookie they drafted at Alabama he's going to be special and when you pair him with Peter scony last year's first- round pick at guard they're going to be able to run the ball which is also going to help will Lis a lot the only thing is he's got to quit taking these stupid hits you can't do it it's not sustainable you're going to get hurt otherwise I agree with everything you said one quick note on the Titans on the defensive side of the ball dard Wilson the defensive coordinator is a future head coach and waiting and everybody I talk to Raves about him as a coach so keep an eye on them he came from the Ravens he's going to be a heck of a coach well could be the most hotly AFC East contested division in the NFL uh Patriots not withstanding the AFC East with three teams with a win total between 9 and 1 half and 10 and A2 and we are going to get win total picks and a division winner pick from li who played some ball in that division back in the day and Danny canel you didn't play in the AFC East at all did you played in the NFC East many years let's start with the Buffalo Bills Josh Allen and Company the win total is set at 10 and a half liay they've won 11 plus each of the last four seasons I'm going under uh when you look at this Buffalo Bills team the turnover of this team more specifically on the defensive side and then at the receiver position more specifically when you look at what this team team looks like there's only one receiver that is actually caught a pass from Josh Allen that's khil shakure so there's always an acclamation when you're a quarterback right in regards to having that continuity with with your receivers now I do believe with offensive coordinator Joe Brady they'll be more 12 personnel which is two tight end sets they'll run the football which they did really well with James Cook last year but my question is Josh Allen right this is the first time he won't have a true number one receiver and when you look at the turnovers number one in all the NFL in turnovers right and then something that was real telling DK that I looked up when Josh Allen turns the ball over that next Drive usually equates to three points per that drive so let's talk about giving points away to the opponent and you notice DK when you turn the ball over you have a higher percentage of losing the game I believe when you look at Josh Allen believe he's nine to nine when he has two plus turnovers in the game so that'll be the big question mark because he doesn't have the true number one receiver because there is a revamp defense there's going to be more Act of him and usually when he's put in stress situations that's when he can turn the football over so I think Buffalo will be just under that I think I have them going 10 and six but I'd have them going under 10 and a half he doesn't have that true Alpha receiver that he had in Stefon Diggs he might down the road in Keon Coleman but Keon Coleman's still a relatively inexperienced correct receiver and I think he's going to be good in the Long Haul but I think it's going to be a lot to ask of him to carry a lot of that workload and I would tend to agree with Stefon Diggs who was on record saying Josh Allen will not be the same quarterback without me until I see it we've seen the numbers Josh Allen prior to Stefon digs getting there the first two years and then how much they just incrementally went up all of a sudden and now without him there is going to be a learning curve there I do think the bills also they've been so dominant they're not going to get the automatic wins against the Jets like they have I think the Dolphins are going to be better this year team they swept last year and the timing of the calendar when they play them I think actually does the bills a disservice when they have to come down week two but I look at the stretch of week four five and six three Road games in a row that is an absolute Gauntlet and I think this could be a rough start for the bills this season so I'm on the under as well I think this division will end up being the toughest in the entire NFL and I think the bills will be one of the teams that gets into the playoffs but doesn't win the division so I'm under the 10 and a half as well yeah DK you mentioned that week four through six stretch week six the Jets on Monday Night Football the Jets their win total is at 9 and a half um we're assuming it's going to be a healthy Rogers it's this revamped o line they made some some moves there some pieces and Le you were actually on the last team that had 10 wins for the Jets I was back in 2015 back in the day crazy so I mean are you going with the over the under where are you feeling on this team I'm going over and like you said it all depends on if a Aon can stay healthy Aaron Rogers now the biggest question mark besides that is what we were kind of talking about not too long ago Hassan reck who's asking for a trade he's such a big part of what they wanted do on defense being the closer and if you assume that Aaron Rogers is going to be healthy the Jets are going to have a lead and you need your closers to finish out games and that's Hassan reick but Aaron Rogers having a revamped offensive line Garrett Wilson with Aaron Rogers for a second year Mike Williams just got called up off the pup this is probably the best roster this jet team has had since probably that 2015 team that I was on we know they have a championship type defense two pro bowlers up front of the defensive line two pro bowlers at the linebacking position s Garner allp proo at the corner position this defense is stifling and will get after you I have the Jets going over and winning this division woo wait it just ruin the surprise at the I so I'm on the over as well but I was way more bullish on this team until we heard the news that we just did about Hassan reic trying to force this trade we mentioned I ultimately I think they probably figured out but I wonder if it could be a tough stretch the other thing that I just I'm trying to wrap my mind around cuz I don't think it's going to be that big a deal because the quarterback play has been so bad but you mentioned it Le like what if Aaron Rogers isn't healthy what if he does you know pull us you know some muscle because he's coming off the Achilles and tries to do too much I don't think you see The Return of the MVP Aaron Rogers you don't need that if you can just get the version that gives you I don't know 28 touchdowns 26 touchdowns five or six interceptions something he's been throughout his entire career is extremely efficient I think you'll be just fine so I've got him going over as well and then I did look at the end of the schedule week 1415 back-to-back Road games at Dolphins at uh in Jacksonville couple Road games in Florida and then you know followed in week 17 by the bills uh and dolphins that's a tough finish the the last game is at home uh the last game week 18 but still it is a tricky finish to the schedule and I wonder what type of uh toll that could take on an entire team that could be getting taken a pounding at the end of the year and we talked to Jonathan Jones last week at Jets camp and and he was talking with some Jets players who said it's kind of unique with h reic because yeah we'd love to have him but they know how good they are without him they were already one of the best defenses in football so maybe that helps a little bit the Dolphins also have a win total of nine and a half Danny they won 11 games last season over over over now du and I were down there a couple weeks ago at training camp and I I don't know I felt like you get personally attached to teams you start talking to some of their players we talked to Tua we talked to Tyreek we talked to Coach McDaniel it's like when you watch Hard Knocks and oh my God start the are going to be amazing I will I will say this I love the mentality I think there's a great team chemistry a camaraderie where they're all they were all celebrating tua's New Deal and it really felt like they meant it because they took ownership of the criticism that Tua had taken on I love the mentality where they did not shy away from the 24-year playoff drought they did not shy away from the fact they didn't beat many playoff teams last year one and six during the regular season they've taken ownership of it addressed it and I feel they're going to be more more equipped even more so to handle it this year so I've got the Dolphins over and the AFC East Division winner it's all said and done oh I like the spiciness I got them going over as well as DK mentioned we were able to spend some time with the Miami Dolphins and accountability was the big word I think that's what Tu Tonga valo was saying he was like we know what type of Team we've had we know about the 24-year playoff win drought we're not running away from it even Mike McDaniel spoke about it he said we have a chance to be a heroes in this story like this current team wasn't part of that 24 year win drought most of these players have only been on this team for the last two years matter of fact he said 60% of the team is new from last year so it's a whole new team what I can't wait to see is this defense with Anthony Weaver DK like you said we were out there at practice they are so multiple in what they want to do like they play positionist football on that back end and Tu Tu Tango even spoke about that he was like some of the looks that we got he was like I don't want to share too much he was like you were in practice you saw it like that is something that I can't wait to see but if you look at this schedule I actually have the Dolphins winning the first eight games it's a very very favorable schedule Jaguars and bills at home they do go to the Seattle Seahawks Titans at home Patriots could be a rookie quarterback at the Colts and Cardinals I got them going 8 and0 the first nine weeks of the season now it gets real the back half week 13 through 18 at the Packers on a Thursday night Jets Texans 49ers Browns and we know the record of this Miami Dolphins team in cold weather they go two metti at the end of the year this was the question last year DK could they finish strong could they beat playoff type teams can they win in cold weather because we saw what happened when they went to the Kansas City Chiefs in negative 30 degree weather that was ugly so that's going to be the big question mark because they had a three-game lead against the Buffalo Bills late in that year and the bills walked them down Tua tangaloa Tyreek Hill they spoke about this and Tyreek double down it was like your the best teams in football play their best football in November and December so they cognizant of that and they know what's on the schedule all right one team left to talk about in this division one of these teams is is not like the others the Patriots uh 4 and a half that's their win total the lowest in the NFL it's the deran Mayo era there which is is so weird to say that belich is is not going to be there in in New England um is there any chance they can go over it or you guys taking the under this is crazy it's only four and a half and I'm going under when you look at this team it's a total rebuild right on the offensive side of the ball Jobe brassette is the starter we were talking about the rookie quarterbacks earlier we didn't even mention Drake may but when will he eventually be the starter right they've mixed up the offensive line new pass catchers on the outside as well now this defense will be pretty good they always have been under Gerard Mayo but this team is going to be led by this defense but you worry about the offensive production I just think it's going to be a tall task for the pieces that are going to get mixed between the offensive line the pass catchers right and if you just look at their roster currently compared to the other teams in the AFC East there's a lot of talent deficiencies on their roster so I actually have them going under the four and a half DK I got the exact same thing I hate it but I do think this could be one of the teams battling to be the worst in the NFL it is a total rebuild totally agree with you I almost because I did see D Mayo saying jacobe pret's going to be our starter and the mentality was that Drake May needs this year I think they're going to be so bad they're worried about Drake May kind of what happened to Bryce young last year where it's a rough year you're getting beat up and then all of a sudden people are wondering if you're a bust I would prefer them to throw out Drake May to the Wolves so to speak let him take that beating let him learn if you're not ready for that if you can't take the criticism then you're probably not built to be a franchise quarterback but the Reps that you would learn out there in a real season the entire season would have you more prepared because I still think they're going to lose whether Dr may play but they don't have you more prepared to step in and be ready in year two the next year you're starting but I think it's going to be a rough year for the Patriots and you guys already told us who you thought would win the division Danny's going with the dolphins the team he grew up cheering for and and Le is going for the Jets one of the teams he played for and the the team he cheers for right now big surprise from these guys although the bills right now are the odds on favorites to win it with the highest win total of 10 and a half both the guys think the bills though are going under they'll start week one on CBS against the cards most intriguing game here of these AFC East teams at least of the games on CBS Dolphins hosting the Jags the Patriots are almost double digit dogs in Cincinnati and the Jets will play on Monday Night Football in Santa Clara against the 49ers the Chiefs are coming off back-to- AFC West back Super Bowl wins which is impressive in its own right but Kansas City also an eight-time defending AFC West champ it's prediction time as we dive into the division where La boasts a new head coach and Jim Harbaugh Vegas made theirs official removing the interim title for Antonio Pierce Chiefs are the heavy favorite to make it nin straight in terms of making or missing the Playoffs you would have to lay minus 500 for Kansas City to cash your ticket all right time to talk win totals with Pete prisco and Li doible so Kansas City has a Sky High total of 11 and a half wins and yet both of you guys are still bullish on that win total EJ start us off they have to be the favorites for the Super Bowl I'm not betting against them anymore pet I learned my lesson the last couple years yeah yeah they're going over 11 and a half wins what I also think this is a down year for this division as well when you look at the Broncos potentially playing a rookie quarterback the Raiders don't know who they're starting quarter back is going to be and now there's question marks with Justin Herbert will he be healthy enough to start week one for the LA Chargers so when you look at this Chief's team right Pete the thing that's fascinating about this team is that they've been able to reinvent themselves over the years they beat you in a multitude of ways like going back to like 2019 and before that with Patrick Mahomes where he threw for 400 yards now they have a top five defense that he can really lean on right this defense will stifle you and getting Chris Jones back was the biggest thing for the Chiefs this offseason I know we're both fans of Trent McDuffy all Pro year last year you think he takes another step as well this defense is stifling and then Andy Reid is talked about throwing the ball down the field a little bit more they didn't really do that last year they wouldn't got the fastest guy in NFL history in Xavier worthy now there is some concerns because Hollywood Brown did just get injured and we'll see where his status is when the season starts and then also with rashed rice we'll see with the off the field stuff what happens with him but I'm not betting against Patrick Mahomes in this defense anymore I think there'll be a little bit more balance run the football with Isaiah PKA one of the best offensive lines in football and they will attack downfield with Xavier worthy I got them clearing 11 and a half easy I think they I think I have them going 13- four last year was the year to get him and nobody got him I mean it was they you saw them stumble through the regular season we didn't know what that offense looked like they couldn't throw the ball like they normally do and that's why last year you got them and they didn't get them so they're the favorite again they're going to win the division they're going to win more than 11 and a half games probably 13 that's who they are and you know everybody says well repeat eting is tough three peating is almost impossible but I'm with you I'm not picking against this group I'm just not uh they're too talented and that guy is special and if he wins it he's in the conversation as the goat three in a row puts him in the conversation as the goat I think it's funny too given you know hearing from those guys on that team last year saying how unfun it was to play on that team if you were on the Chiefs spec specifically on offense so I'm with you guys I'm never betting against these guys ever again uh if we move along in the division here let's talk Chargers next because we know that they had a collapse at the end of the season things just didn't look like what we've expected uh for years with that Chargers team but right now they're total eight and a half Le I see you have them going over that number but Pete you're going under so I'll go to you first here what makes you unconfident look I'm a big believer in Jim Harbaugh as a head coach I I love what he does he's quirky he's strange but man he can coach football and I think he will get this figured out I just don't think it's going to get figured out right away they have some major problems on that team uh I do want to figure out the dynamic between Herbert when he is back and Harbaugh who likes to run the football you know you heard Greg Roman raving about Herbert's ability to run outside the pocket look I don't want him running and if you're the defense you want him running so there's a fine balance there remember they came from that Lamar Jackson offense that's where Roman was where they ran and ran and ran Harbaugh we know likes to turn and hand the ball to the running backs so the dynamic between Herbert and Harbaugh is something I want to keep a close eye on and I think they'll figure it out this year and watch out for him next year yeah I have them going just over at nine wins right and it's because of Jim Harbaugh we discussed this earlier in the offseason for some reason he just turns programs around quickly right we saw it in San Francisco that team wasn't a playoff team then they go to the NFC Championship Game the next year then he goes to the Super Bowl he did it at the University of San Diego he did it at Stanford he just knows how to turn programs around and then he did it at Michigan he went back to his Alma M turned it around and won a national championship there now I'm like you there is some concern with Justin Herber cuz to me he's one of the best throwers of the football and when you look at this offense like is that mogen going to be the number one guy Quinton Johnson I believe they will run the ball effectively and take pressure off Justin Herbert now there is some concerns with him because he is dealing with that foot injury right now we'll see where he's at at the start of the season but I also like that he brought over Jesse Menor I think even though they are Talent division at some areas he'll be able to cover it up with how most mble they'll be on defense this will be a team that will be better than they were last year I got them just going over the 8 and a half and nine barely under they've got a very favorable schedule but Herbert Herbert is the key though cuz he's got to get out there and get right on that number Raiders number Pete prisco is at six and half and once again you guys are splitting it so you going over or under I'm going under I don't think this is a very good team I really don't I I think when I look at the quarterback situation you guys know how I feel about Gardner menu I think he's a backup quarterback so if he's the starter that's not great and we don't know what we get from Aiden oconnell I I just don't I think they have some issues I think there's some questions on the defensive side of the ball as well they made some nice additions getting Christian Wilkins will be big in the middle of that defense uh but again the secondary the corners we have some questions there so I think this is a team that will go under whenever you have quarterback situation like they have it concerns me in a big way and that's why I'm going under I think the pure attitude Antonio Pierce gets them over just like it did last year I have them barely going over I have them having going seven and 10 right over the 6 and a half and yes Pete there is some concerns with the quarterback Position will it be Aiden oconnell will it be Gardner muu I just think that defense is going to run this team I know you talked about them having some maybe some issues back there but I really like this defense when you talk about having Christian Wilkins up in the middle they have a defensive player of the year candidate on the edge as well so I think they'll be able to get after the quarterbacks really love what I saw from Jack Jones at the quarterback position uh last year and we saw in week Oneil we saw week one him get an interception I just Antonio pierce the Mantra the mentality the grittiness that he's brought to this team they're going to run the football they're going to be physical team is going to be led by his defense they still have one of the best receivers in all of football in Devonte Adams I got them just going over 6 and a half with seven wins okay all right let's move on and wrap up the division here we got a chance to finally see the orphan puppies out on the field in Denver a good weekend for the quarterbacks there depending on who you are but uh in terms of their win loss here five and a half is the number Al I come to you first here you're going under that number I am we had concerns about you know the LA the Las Vegas Raiders in the quarterback situation same thing can be said for Denver right will it be Jared Cam most likely it's going to be bo Nixon you know there's trials and tribulations R the Ricky quarterback but I'll bring up a point that Pete always brings up when you look at that offense who scares you nobody scares you and then on the defensive side who's playing opposite of Patrick ceran like there's a lot of question marks new safeties new linebackers on that team so I just think this is going to be a rebuild revamp year they're taking off on all that money from Russell Wilson so it was hard for them to actually bring in new talent I have them going under I believe it was it five and a half I have them going under that see and I'm going to go over that in large part for the reason you went over with the Raiders because of the head coach I think Shawn pyton will get the best out of the quarterback and that will be Bon Knicks by the way look when Drew Brees was in with the Saints they didn't have any real game game changers on the outside either I mean Marcus coulston was a good player then Michael Thomas they were good players but they were never burners down the field who scared you they knew how to get the ball to those guys I think Payton will figure it out I think B Knicks will be okay he's not going to be great in his first year uh and I think they'll be better on defense than you think so I'm going with the head coach I think you'll find a way just to barely go over they're not they're not going to sniff the playoffs or anything they be like the raater not going to slip the playoffs guys I love chat and football with you both so much great inside Le and Pete helping us break down the AFC West here's how the AFC West will unfold in week one of course everyone's excited for that AFC Championship rematch between the Ravens and the Chiefs the Chiefs come into that one a three-point favorite but excited to see that one then you get a little two for one in the division there Broncos at Seahawks Seahawks favored there and you also get the Raiders at Chargers that's the one that you get in the division there Raiders and Chargers with the Chargers a three-point favorite this is CBS Sports HQ Spotlight AFC North here on CBS Sports Network Chris Hassel and Amanda Gara and I'm really excited about this program got a lot of good stuff coming up including Josh P live and in studio okay talking fall who's like your best friend you know the fall wedding conversation you're not even listening to me that isn't what of yes the fall wedding conversation yes weddings should not happen during the fall sorry for all of you who either had fall weddings or planning fall weddings I had a fall wedding okay but that's it was like a thousand years ago it was thank you it you got married when you were 20 17 or 18 years ago something like that uh looking forward to that a little bit later in the show but we're going to start with the NFL do you remember your anniversary day yeah November 10th 2007 okay there we go just making sure for the wife um because we absolutely love her yes we are starting with the NFL we are finishing our win totals for NFL divisions and finishing with the best of the best we are talking about the AFC North here this is the division I will say amongst our experts that is the most contested um every we have had an expert to pick every single one of these teams to win the division maybe the only person that has picked the Steelers has been beac because he is biased we'll talk to him here in a second uh the odds don't necessarily reflect it you have the Raven sitting at plus 145 the Bengals plus 165 so they're close then you jump to the Browns at plus 450 the Steelers at plus 750 also want to mention three of these four teams the Browns Ravens and the Steelers ranked as the top three most difficult schedules in the NFL so let's welcome in our guys two time Super Bowl champ with the Steelers Bryant mcfaden we're going to get to them bmac hang on just a second we also have John breach here uh John I'll start with you we're going to start with the team that won this division last year the Ravens they had a 133 and four record their win total though set at 10 and a half are we going over or under that Amanda I am going way over I mean you look at what this team has done since Lamar Jackson kind of took over that starting job in 2018 they have finished in the top three in the NFL in rushing in each of those six seasons they have finished number one in three of those six seasons and now you're adding Derek Henry to that offense I mean that's preposterous that is almost unfair they are going to steamroll opponents so I think this offense is only going to be better than it was last year when it had the number one rushing offense in the NFL you have Todd Bonin the offensive coordinator getting another year under his belt and again he has Derk Henry to work with now do the Ravens have some question marks on their offensive line they sure do they're working in three new starters so we're not sure what that's going to look like but when you have Lamar Jackson and Derrik Henry it does give you a little margin frare so I I think the Ravens get 12 13 wins so I love the over here I think that go I would take that 112 John I'm right there with you cool points provided by you I'll just keep my analysis very very simple this is all about Lamar Jackson I take the over of course but this is all about Lamar Jackson when you look at the last five years right with the Baltimore Ravens Lamar Jackson John Harbaugh the the times where they did not surpass at least 10 wins it happened with Lamar Jackson being injured 2021 and 2022 when you talk about having eight wins in 2021 and 10 wins in 2022 Lamar Jackson was dealing with injuries only played in 12 ball games but when when Lamar Jackson has been healthy you look at the other three years right they've averaged around 12 wins whenn number eight has been in the lineup 11 wins 14 wins and you look at what they did a year ago 13 wins so this is solely about Lamar Jackson will Lamar Jackson is healthy this is a team that wins at least 12 ball games and I'm right there with you I'm jumping at the over because they're still one they're still the best team in their division and they have the best quarterback in their division and when he is in the lineup they win ball games that that's what is what recent history is telling all of us and I'm following that Trend all the way to the cash in ticket so you guys agree when it comes to the Ravens the next team I will say you disagree on that is the Bengals this is a team that lost this division last year granted they did lose Joe burough speaking of healthy quarterback they lost him in week 11 he is now back their win total set at the same as the Ravens 10 and a half bck I'll start with you because you're going under here well we got to make sure we make this known for all of our viewers John breach he loves Cincinnati so whatever he says is coming from a place of bias that's number unlike you with the Steelers that doesn't happen right yeah never I'm not no no no Amanda you know me better than that you know how rock and roll I got to keep it real but when it comes to the Cincinnati Bengals John with you being a faithful fan Zack Taylor has been there coaching the Cincinnati Bengals on the sideline I think what five years right and five years he's only surpassed 10 wins once one time when it comes to trying to win money I love to follow trends that Trend tells me that they're going to hit the under because in 5 years he's only surpass has 10 wins once secondly when you look at Zack Taylor as a professional coach for the Cincinnati Bengals just in the AFC North versus AFC North teams Zack is 10 and 20 he struggles against divisional opponents and the same can be said for his Star Quarterback in Joe burrow Joe burrow is a SE is seven and 11 versus AFC North teams that's not a good stat to have in your favor when you're trying to surpass 10 and a half wins so me personally I believe as a man that laid out for us getting into this segment this will be the most difficult division in football so that's a t tall task to surpass not to mention when you already have struggled against these teams and your coaching career and your quarterback career I think that Trend will continue that's why I'm taking the under you know what bmac I don't it's not a horrible prediction I actually was on the fence with this one when I found out a guy with a Steelers jersey in his background was going to be on with me I had to go over uh but here's the thing here's how I feel about the Bengals and it kind of Echoes what you said about the Ravens Lamar Jackson when Joe Burrow's healthy this team is good any season where he has started more than 11 games they have ended up in the AFC Championship they have been good so obviously this all comes down to Joe Burrow's health I mean you look at the Bengals last season they had everything go against them nothing with in their favor Joe burrow missed seven games he's only healthy for about half of the 10 games he did playing and they still finished with a winning record they still went 9 and8 so I think if you have burrow out there the offensive line is better the running backs are more well-rounded the receivers are just as good as they are last year as long as Jamar Chase uh actually starts suiting up for practices and games uh and so there's a couple question marks on defense maybe in the secondary but I think this roster is better than what they had last year you have Joe burrow who was going through a full training camp for the first time so I do think they can get to 11 wins I am really uh you know it's going to be close but I'm going to take the over biased or not and you admit that it was difficult for you John taking the over for the Bengals be m going with the under when it comes to those 10 and a half uh as a win total let's go to the Browns here and this is a very curious team there's so many question marks around this team you have now two-time coach the year including last season Kevin stefansky they returned DeShaun Watson they came up second in this division last year with an 11-6 record arguably uh and jets fans will go back with this one of the top two defenses in the NFL but they're win total right now said at 8 and a half John which way are you going for the Browns I think the Browns are the hardest team in this division to predict if they finished 13-4 I wouldn't be surprised but if they went seven- 10 I wouldn't be shocked there are just so many question marks and most of those were evolve around deshun Watson he just hasn't been the deshun Watson he was earlier in his career we haven't really seen him take off in Cleveland yet maybe this is the year that it happens but I just haven't seen enough from him that proves to me that it is going to happen then you look at all the guys that are coming back from injury Nick chub jedrick Wills Jack Conlin just a bunch of key guys you don't know what they're going to look like when week one rolls around so I I would take the under but eight and a half is just so low I think every AFC nor team finishes with the winning record so I'm going to go over yeah that's the right move take the over eight and a half is extremely low for a very very talented team on either side of the football field I Echo your concerns John when you talk about the Watson but the Cleveland Browns they're the one team in the National Football League where they don't really rely on their quarterback as much Heck if you look at their success a year ago that proves my point this is a team that is overly B balanced where they don't need outstanding play from the quarterback so I'm taking the over and one of the big reasons why I'm taking the over is because of their schedule look at their first five ball games they got Jacksonville uh Dallas at home travel to Jacksonville you got the Giants you you got the Raiders you got the commanders when you look at the first five five ball games I easily see f four- one four and one if you look at the rest of the schedule winnable ball games where they will be the clear-cut favorites going into those ball games as we see it right now against the Chargers against the Saints against the Broncos and then you know within divisional play they're going to split ball games against maybe Baltimore Cincinnati and Pittsburgh based on the history of these divisional teams so when you factor in the easy start for the first five weeks of the season for the Cleveland Browns and then having winnable ball games throughout the schedule against the Chargers the Saints in the Denver Broncos all you need to do is get to nine before you get into divisional play so I think this is a very very talented roster this roster is too good regardless who is playing quarterback for them to not get nine wins so I'm taking the over first five games very nice for the Browns I will say though uh after that starting week six they are ranked according to CBS Sports as the toughest schedule in the NFL Steelers coming in with the third toughest schedule according to CBS Sports let's make this easy big questions around the quarterback position here at BAC they they made it to 10 wins last season because you got Mike Tomlin we don't know what's going to happen when total said at eight and a half do what is your prediction and then also like are they winning this division BM are we still going that way okay the second question is harder to answer than the first the first for me my PR prediction over that's the only option for the other teams you have two legit options either you take the over or the under right for Pittsburgh Mike Tomlin it's always over it's no other option and here's why it's super it's super simple Amanda John Mike Tomlin has been coaching the Pittsburgh Steelers for 17 years for 17 years it's only there's only been three years where he did not win at least nine games three years in his 17-year career there in Pittsburgh where the Pittsburgh Steels did not win at least nine games is there another stronger is there a stronger Trend in football when it comes to what Mike tomman does reaching nine wins no that is one of the strongest Trends in the National Football League so I can talk about the roster I can talk about the quarterbacks the potential the defense I can do all of that I'm just going to Solly talk about what I've seen in 17 years with Mike Tomlin only three years where he didn't get nine wins no question the only option is over your second question will they win the division right now as I see it today Amanda I'll be real I'll say no but that doesn't mean they can't get into the playoffs they didn't win the division last year and guess what they got into the tournament so they still will get into the playoffs they don't just need to win the division that's okay I'm okay with that bmac won't send me a birthday card if I take the under here so I'm not taking the under but I do think the over hits I actually agree with BAC I I think he made a bunch of good points there and the Mike Tomlin point is the key one this guy has never finished under 500 in 17 years in Pittsburgh I thought for sure this streak would end last year with Kenny picket at quarterback it didn't mik Tomlin just Wills this team to wins not only did they finish with a winning record but they went to the playoffs as bmax said so then you look at what they did this off season they upgraded offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is a great higher they're going to upgrade at quarterback I don't care if it's Russell Wilson or Justin Fields I think both of those guys are at least a small upgrade over what they had and Kenny picket we already know their defense is a force that just runs through opposing offenses so I would be uh shocked if the Steelers don't win nine games so I think it the over does feel like an easy bet here um John I'd be a little upset at BM because I feel like he took the under with the Bengals out of spite and you still took the over with the Steelers anyway anyway we're short on time here guys uh who gets into the postseason out of these four teams B ma will start with you Baltimore Pittsburgh Cleveland I don't have Cincinnati making them playoffs I'm sorry John it's mathematically possible for all four of them to make it BAC but I'll say everyone but the Browns everyone but the Browns uh very interesting there okay guys I appreciate it thank you so much um can't wait for the season to get started we'll see how it all unfolds Brian mcfat John Bree there week one AF FC North matchups Ravens at Chiefs all eyes will be on that that game is kicking off the season Chiefs at home favorite to 53