sign in sign up
<<
Home , Aaron Colvin, Aaron Kromer, Adrian Clayborn, Alec Ogletree, Al Holcomb, Amos Jones

usatoday.com S PECIA L EDITION

Previews, projections and schedules for each team

NNFFLL 22001188 PREVIEW

Cowboys’ USA TODAY SPORTS SPECIAL EDITION 2 2018 TEAM PREVIEWS

AFC EAST Record NFC EAST Record LIII will be held Feb. 3 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in . USA TODAY’s 11-5 11-5 forecasts how he sees things unfolding through then. 7-9 Cowboys 7-9 For team-by-team previews, see the following pages. 4-12 7-9

Buffalo Bills 3-13 Washington Redskins 7-9

AFC NORTH NFC NORTH

Pittsburgh Steelers 10-6 12-4

Baltimore Ravens 7-9 11-5

Cincinnati Bengals 7-9 7-9

Cleveland Browns 5-11 6-10

AFC SOUTH NFC SOUTH

Jacksonville Jaguars 12-4 11-5

Houston Texans 11-5 11-5

Tennessee Titans 10-6 9-7

Indianapolis Colts 2-14 5-11

AFC WEST NFC WEST

Los Angeles Chargers 10-6 Rams 12-4

Denver Broncos 9-7 7-9

Kansas City Chiefs 7-9 7-9

Oakland Raiders 7-9 4-12

AFC playoffs NFC playoffs

Wild card (3) Steelers def. (6) Titans; (3) Falcons def. (6) Packers; (4) Chargers def. (5) Texans (5) Saints def. (4) Eagles Divisional Divisional (2) Patriots def. (3) Steelers; (3) Falcons def. (2) Vikings; (4) Chargers def. (1) Jaguars (5) Saints def. (1) Rams AFC Championship Game NFC Championship Game Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta will be the site of Super Bowl LIII. Will the (4) Chargers def. (2) Patriots (3) Falcons def. (5) Saints JASON GETZ/USA TODAY SPORTS SUPER BOWL LIII: Falcons def. Chargers USA TODAY SPORTS SPECIAL EDITION 3

Nate Davis’ Arizona Nate Davis’ Atlanta 2018 2018 prediction CARDINALS prediction FALCONS 7-9 Coach: 11-5 Coach: Dan Quinn, fourth year, 29-19 Second place in Coordinators: Mike McCoy (offense), First place in Coordinators: (offense), NFC West (defense), (special teams) NFC South (defense), Keith Armstrong (special teams)

2018 SCHEDULE (ET) 2018 SCHEDULE (ET)

Sept. 9 ...... Washington ...... 4:25 Sept. 6 .... at Philadelphia (Thu) .... 8:20 Sept. 16 ...... at L.A. Rams ...... 4:05 Sept. 16 ...... Carolina ...... 1 Sept. 23 ...... Chicago ...... 4:25 Sept. 23 ...... New Orleans ...... 1 Sept. 30 ...... Seattle ...... 4:05 Sept. 30 ...... ...... 1 Oct. 7 ...... at San Francisco ...... 4:25 Oct. 7 ...... at ...... 1 Oct. 14 ...... at Minnesota ...... 1 Oct. 14 ...... Tampa Bay ...... 1 Oct. 18 ...... Denver (Thu)...... 8:20 Oct. 22 ...... N.Y. Giants (Mon) ...... 8:15 Oct. 28 ...... San Francisco ...... 4:25 Oct. 28 ...... Bye ...... Nov. 4 ...... Bye ...... Nov. 4 ...... at Washington ...... 1 Nov. 11 ...... at Kansas City ...... 1 Nov. 11 ...... at ...... 1 Nov. 18 ...... Oakland ...... 4:05 Nov. 18 ...... Dallas ...... 1 Nov. 25 ...... at L.A. Chargers ...... 4:05 Nov. 22 ... at New Orleans (Thu) ... 8:20 Dec. 2 ...... at Green Bay ...... 1 Dec. 2 ...... ...... 1 Dec. 9 ...... Detroit ...... 4:25 Dec. 9 ...... at Green Bay ...... 1 Dec. 16 ...... at Atlanta ...... 1 Dec. 16 ...... Arizona ...... 1 Dec. 23 ...... L.A. Rams ...... 4:05 Dec. 23 ...... at Carolina ...... 1 Coach Dec. 30 ...... at Seattle ...... 4:25 Dec. 30 ...... at Tampa Bay ...... 1 JOE CAMPOREALE/USA TODAY SPORTS DAVID GOLDMAN/AP 2017 LEADERS 2017 LEADERS What’s new: Through free agency and the Pass Att Cmp Yds Pct TD Int Rtg What’s new: The Falcons reinforced their ros- , the Cardinals added Sam C Palmer 267 164 1978 61.4 9 7 84.4 Pass Att Cmp Yds Pct TD Int Rtg Bradford, and . They Rush Att Yds Avg Long TD early-round draft picks at wide receiver (Calvin M Ryan 529 342 4095 64.7 20 12 91.4 A Petersn 129 448 3.5 27 2 Rush Att Yds Avg Lng TD K Willms 120 426 3.5 25 1 Ridley) and (). They also D Freemn 196 865 4.4 44 7 contract and RT to a two-year deal. E Penny 311 24 4.0 14 2 plugged a big hole at right guard by signing Bran- T Colemn 156 628 4.0 52 5 M Ryan 32 143 4.5 16 0 They added Brice Butler in free agency and drafted Rec. Rec Yds Avg Long TD don Fusco. However, in free agency they lost two L Fitzgrld 109 1156 10.6 37 6 Rec. Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Christian Kirk in the second round to address wide JJ Nelson 29 508 17.5 46 2 key starting defensive linemen, J Jones 88 1444 16.4 53 3 receiver and traded for CB to shore Ja Brown 31 477 15.4 52 4 and Dontari Poe, who accounted for a third of the M Sanu 67 703 10.5 25 5 J Gresham 33 322 9.8 21 2 A Hooper 49 526 10.7 88 3 up their second cornerback job. They have a new Jo Brown 21 299 14.2 52 3 team’s pressures last season. T Gabriel 33 378 11.5 40 1 Kick PAT FG Pts What could go right: If Atlanta gets a breakout D Freemn 36 317 8.8 29 1 Kick PAT FG Pts tired . P Dawson 23/26 32/40 119 No. M Bryant 35/35 34/39 137 What could go right: A Bethea 5 McKinley, Clayborn won’t be missed much. The Interceptions No. T Mathieu 2 Falcons also moved back to his natural D Jones 3 T Williams 2 D Trufant 2 should be more than decent. Bradford has never J Bethel 1 spot at , which should boost the pass K Neal 1 had a bad season, just injured ones. RB David Sacks No. rush. If Ridley adjusts quickly to life in the NFL and R Allen 1 Johnson returns healthy and could produce like he C Jones 17.0 Sacks No. O Pierre 5.5 A Clayborn 9.5 did in 2016. The defense can be among the best in H Reddick 2.5 going to be a nightmare for opposing defensive co- T McKinley 6.0 again. If everything goes right, the Car- F Rucker 1.5 ordinators. V Beasley 5.0 G Jarrett 4.0 dinals have the talent to compete in the division Tough season if … : With few weak position and for the postseason. groups and a ton of talent, the question mark for Tough season if … : Things could go awry if injuries become an issue again. Sarkisian to scheme for more big gains and get WR more involved in the Several projected start- year except Sarkisian. The Falcons scored the most points in the league in 2016 and

And things will not be great defensively if no one steps up and plays at least ade- quately at cornerback opposite . Missed opportunities were the main reason they faltered in 2017. If they can force The call: While national expectations for Arizona are very low, the Cardinals more turnovers and drop fewer passes, they’ll be extremely tough to beat. should be at least a middling team. They have a talented defense. Johnson returns. The call: As long as the Falcons don’t have any major injuries, they should be in Bradford has never been bad. The Rams are unquestionably the favorites to win the NFC West, but the Cardinals should be in the mix for at least a wild card. They are Getting past the competition might come down to how much Dan Quinn grows in too talented to win fewer than six games and could win as many as 10. his fourth year as .

Jess Root, Cardinals Wire Tim Weaver, Falcons Wire 4 SPECIAL EDITION USA TODAY SPORTS

Nate Davis’ Baltimore Nate Davis’ Buffalo 2018 2018 prediction RAVENS prediction BILLS 7-9 Coach: , 11th year, 94-66 3-13 Coach: Sean McDermot, second year, 9-7 Second place in Coaches: (offense), Fourth place in Coordinators: (offense), AFC North (defense), AFC East (defense), (special teams) (special teams)

2018 SCHEDULE (ET) 2018 SCHEDULE (ET)

Sept. 9 ...... Buffalo ...... 1 Sept. 9 ...... at Baltimore ...... 1 Sept. 13 ..... at Cincinnati (Thu) ..... 8:20 Sept. 16 ...... L.A. Chargers ...... 1 Sept. 23 ...... Denver ...... 1 Sept. 23 ...... Minnesota ...... 1 Sept. 30 ...... at Pittsburgh ...... 8:20 Sept. 30 ...... at Green Bay ...... 1 Oct. 7 ...... at Cleveland ...... 1 Oct. 7 ...... ...... 1 Oct. 14 ...... at Tennessee ...... 4:25 Oct. 14 ...... at Houston ...... 1 Oct. 21 ...... New Orleans ...... 4:05 Oct. 21 ...... at ...... 1 Oct. 28 ...... at Carolina ...... 1 Oct. 29 ..... New England (Mon) ..... 8:15 Nov. 4 ...... Pittsburgh ...... 1 Nov. 4 ...... Chicago ...... 1 Nov. 11 ...... Bye ...... Nov. 11 ...... at N.Y. Jets ...... 1 Nov. 18 ...... Cincinnati ...... 1 Nov. 18 ...... Bye ...... Nov. 25 ...... Oakland ...... 1 Nov. 25 ...... Jacksonville ...... 1 Dec. 2 ...... at Atlanta ...... 1 Dec. 2 ...... at Miami ...... 1 Dec. 9 ...... at Kansas City ...... 1 Dec. 9 ...... N.Y. Jets ...... 1 Dec. 16 ...... Tampa Bay ...... 1 Dec. 16 ...... Detroit ...... 1 Dec. 22 or 23 ... at L.A. Chargers ... TBD Dec. 23 ...... at New England ...... 1 Quarterback Dec. 30 ...... Cleveland ...... 1 Cornerback Dec. 30 ...... Miami ...... 1 EVAN HABEEB/USA TODAY SPORTS ADRIAN KRAUS/AP 2017 LEADERS 2017 LEADERS What’s new: The Ravens have completely re- What’s new: vamped their passing game. Thanks to the addi- Pass Att Cmp Yds Pct TD Int Rtg QB , the seventh overall pick in the 2018 Pass Att Cmp Yds Pct TD Int Rtg J Flacco 549 352 3141 64.1 18 13 80.4 T Taylor 420 263 2799 62.6 14 4 89.2 tion of three free agent acquisitions — Michael Rush Att Yds Avg Lng TD draft. But second-year QB had a stro- Rush Att Yds Avg Lng TD Crabtree, and John Brown — Balti- A Collins 212 973 4.6 50 6 ng preseason and will start. Defensive linemen Star Lotul- L McCoy 287 1138 4.0 48 more might have the best set of receivers the fran- J Allen 153 591 3.9 37 4 elei and were signed as free agents. The T Taylor 84 427 5.1 32 T West 39 138 3.5 13 2 M Tolbert 66 247 3.7 25 chise has ever had. Of course, perhaps the biggest Rec. Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Bills got LB. with their second Rec. Rec Yds Avg Lng TD M Wallace 527 481 4.4 66 4 draft pick in the first round (16th overall) and add- C Clay 49 558 11.4 44 2 B Watson 61 522 8.6 33 4 ed free agent CB Vontae Davis. L McCoy 59 448 7.6 39 2 Louisville QB via the No. 32 pick in J Maclin 40 440 11.0 48 3 D Thmpsn 27 430 15.9 46 1 the 2018 draft. Gone is Dean J Allen 46 250 5.4 20 2 What could go right: The Bills had a strong de- N O’Leary 22 322 14.6 32 2 C Moore 18 248 13.8 30 3 Z Jones 27 316 11.7 33 2 Kick PAT FG Pts Kick PAT FG Pts popular with the players, Martindale will look to J Tucker 39/39 34/37 141 S Hauschka 29/29 29/33 116 improve an already impressive defense. Interceptions No. fense, they injected talent into their front seven Interceptions No. What could go right: This could be a complete E Weddle 6 with Lotulelei, Murphy and Edmunds. If Davis can M Hyde 5 B Carr 4 J Poyer 5 team now that the Ravens, who already had a solid J Smith 3 successfully slide into E.J. Gaines’ defensive back T White 4 defense, have given quarterback Joe Flacco more CJ Mosley 2 S Wright 1 Sacks No. Sacks No. support, which includes Robert Griffin III. If the T Suggs 11.0 J Hughes 4.0 passing game can pick up where it left off last se- M Judon 8.0 S Lawson 4.0 ason and the defense can get back to form, there is Z Smith 3.5 Tough season if … : Peterman has only play- L Alexander 3.0 no rease to think the Ravens can’t compete for a W Henry 3.5 R Davis 3.0 playoff berth. ed in four NFL games. The Bills also have holes in Tough season if … : Baltimore has a surprising- four of their five starting offensive line ly deep roster thanks to injuries in recent seasons forcing young players to step up. positions, only one reliable target outside in and LeSean McCoy’s The Ravens have placed an average of 19 players on injured reserve yearly since pending legal situation. Aside from the defense, the only way a team could 2014. All three new wide receivers present far more potential than recent produc- overcome that many issues is if the quarterback position makes up for other con- tion. Flacco is also in need of a big season, or at least a consistent one. A failure to cerns. It’s hard to imagine Allen or Peterman performing that well in 2018 since help Baltimore’s defense by sustaining long drives will only strengthen the calls for neither of them has been a full-time starting quarterback in the NFL. Griffin or even Jackson, a former winner, to take the reins in what The call: would be transitioning to a rebuilding period. The call: The Ravens are primed for a comeback season. Jobs are likely on the as to how well the scheme will look, but no one will know for sure until the regular season. Many of the decisions made by Daboll, such as play-calling, will come down holes. Barring injuries like they’ve seen in recent years, there’s little reason to think it’s a tall task for any defense to make up for so many shortcomings. The schedule could force the team to simply abandon the season and lock in a true rebuilding period. pick in the 2019 draft seems more likely than a return to the postseason.

Matt Stevens, Ravens Wire Nick Wojton, Bills Wire 5 SPECIAL EDITION USA TODAY SPORTS

Nate Davis’ Carolina Nate Davis’ Chicago 2018 2018 prediction PANTHERS prediction BEARS 9-7 Coach: , eighth year, 64-47-1 7-9 Coach: Third place in Coordinators: (offense), Eric Third place in Coordinators: Mark Helfrich (offense), NFC South Washington (defense), NFC North (defense), (special teams) (special teams)

2018 SCHEDULE (ET) 2018 SCHEDULE (ET)

Sept. 9 ...... Dallas ...... 4:25 Sept. 9 ...... at Green Bay ...... 8:20 Sept. 16 ...... at Atlanta ...... 1 Sept. 17 ...... Seattle (Mon) ...... 8:15 Sept. 23 ...... Cincinnati ...... 1 Sept. 23 ...... at Arizona ...... 4:25 Sept. 30 ...... Bye ...... Sept. 30 ...... Tampa Bay ...... 1 Oct. 7 ...... N.Y. Giants ...... 1 Oct. 7 ...... Bye ...... Oct. 14 ...... at Washington ...... 1 Oct. 14 ...... at Miami ...... 1 Oct. 21 ...... at Philadelphia ...... 1 Oct. 21 ...... New England ...... 1 Oct. 28 ...... Baltimore ...... 1 Oct. 28 ...... N.Y. Jets ...... 1 Nov. 4 ...... Tampa Bay ...... 1 Nov. 4 ...... at Buffalo ...... 1 Nov. 8 ...... at Pittsburgh (Thu) ...... 8:20 Nov. 11 ...... Detroit ...... 1 Nov. 18 ...... at Detroit ...... 1 Nov. 18 ...... Minnesota ...... 1 Nov. 25 ...... Seattle ...... 1 Nov. 22 ...... at Detroit (Thu) ...... 12:30 Dec. 2 ...... at Tampa Bay ...... 1 Dec. 2 ...... at N.Y. Giants ...... 1 Dec. 9 ...... at Cleveland ...... 1 Dec. 9 ...... L.A. Rams ...... 1 Dec. 17 ...... New Orleans (Mon) ...... 8:15 Dec. 16 ...... Green Bay ...... 1 Dec. 23 ...... Atlanta ...... 1 Dec. 23 ...... at San Francisco ...... 4:05 Quarterback Dec. 30 ...... at New Orleans ...... 1 Coach Dec. 30 ...... at Minnesota ...... 1 JEREMY BREVARD/USA TODAY SPORTS KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/USA TODAY SPORTS 2017 LEADERS 2017 LEADERS What’s new: What’s new: season to give quarterback Cam Newton more op- Pass AttCmp Yds Pct TD Int Rtg around QB . New head coach Pass AttCmp Yds Pct TD Int Rtg C Newton 492 291 3302 59.1 22 16 80.7 M Trubisky 330 196 2193 59.4 7 7 77.5 Rush Att Yds Avg Lng TD Matt Nagy will bring their play-calling into the 21st Rush Att Yds Avg Lng TD First, they traded CB to the Eagles for C Newton 139 754 5.4 69 century, and the new options he’s working with J Howard 276 1122 4.1 53 9 . Then they signed veteran Jarius J Stewart 198 680 3.4 60 T Cohen 87 370 4.3 46 2 C McCffry 117 435 3.7 40 M Trubisky 41 248 6.0 46 2 Rec. Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Rec. Rec Yds Avg Lng TD D Funchess 63 840 13.3 44 8 was brought in to play the K Wright 59 614 10.4 22 1 coordinator and upgraded by bringing C McCffry 80 651 8.1 37 5 role in Nagy’s system. Defensively, rookie LB Roquan J Bellamy 24 376 15.7 46 1 K Benjamin 32 475 14.8 43 2 Smith could be a potential defensive rookie of the year T Cohen 53 358 6.8 70 1 in Norv Turner. However, the Panthers also lost E Dickson 30 437 14.6 64 1 candidate, and the trade with the Raiders for LB Khalil D Inman 23 334 14.5 26 1 R Shepard 17 202 11.9 40 1 B Cnninghm 20 240 12.0 40 2 Kick PAT FG Pts Mack could be a coup for Chicago. Kic PAT FG Pts and did not go far enough to replace him. G Gano 34/37 29/30 121 What could go right: The Rams laid out the C Barth 17/17 11/16 50 What could go right: Interceptions No. Interceptions No. more dynamic and creative with Turner calling the L Kuechly 3 and a second-year quarterback. For the Bears, it E Jackson 2 M Adams 2 B Callahan 2 plays. It will be especially interesting to see what J Bradberry 2 K Fuller 2 he does with the combination of Newton and RB D Worley 2 supporting cast that can put Trubisky in the best A Amos 1 Sacks No. Sacks No. M Addison 11.0 position to be successful. It helps having a top-10 A Hicks 8.5 derson should be an upgrade over Jonathan Stew- J Peppers 11.0 defense from last season that returned nine of its 11 L Floyd 5.5 art in the run game, and WR looks K Short 7.5 starters. The Bears have a chance to take the NFL P McPhee 4.0 W Horton 5.5 L Houston 4.0 ready for a year. LB makes a good impression while one of the defen- erything comes together in year one. Robinson’s sive captains, Thomas Davis, serves a four-game suspension. ability could be a big factor in Trubisky’s development. Tough season if … : Tough season if … : is an overpaid liability when healthy. His brother, C Ryan Kalil, is often injured and son additions put all the pressure on the shoulders of their young quarterback, and entering his final season has worn a knee brace in practice. RT Daryl Willams had a breakout year, but he’s the only sure thing for the unit. Newton should anticipate day do. Now he’s the unquestioned face of the franchise, and the Bears need him to take morning ice-water baths. his game to the next level and play like a No. 2 overall pick. The call: Carolina still has the top front seven in the NFL, and new defensive The call: coordinator Eric Washington has several potential Hall of Famers to work with, in- year and still have a successful 2018 season. The division should be one of the cluding and . The Panthers stop the run and get after toughest in the NFL, and so double-digit wins might be an unrealistic expectation in

to get the team headed in the right direction. That could take the form of a .500 able to compete with any team in the league. If not, they’re a .500 team at best. season, which might only be good for last place.

Tim Weaver, Panthers Wire Lorin Cox, Bears Wire 6 SPECIAL EDITION USA TODAY SPORTS

Nate Davis’ Cincinnati Nate Davis’ Cleveland 2018 2018 prediction BENGALS prediction BROWNS 7-9 Coach: , 16th year, 125-112-3 3-13 Coach: , third year, 1-31 Third place in Coordinators: (offense), Third place in Coordinators: (offense), AFC North (defense), (special teams) AFC North (defense), Amos Jones (special teams)

2018 SCHEDULE (ET) 2018 SCHEDULE (ET)

Sept. 9 ...... at Indianapolis ...... 1 Sept. 9 ...... Pittsburgh ...... 1 Sept. 13 ...... Baltimore (Thu) ...... 8:20 Sept. 16 ...... at New Orleans ...... 1 Sept. 23 ...... at Carolina ...... 1 Sept. 20 ...... N.Y. Jets (Thu) ...... 8:20 Sept. 30 ...... at Atlanta ...... 1 Sept. 30 ...... at Oakland ...... 4:05 Oct. 7 ...... Miami ...... 1 Oct. 7 ...... Baltimore ...... 1 Oct. 14 ...... Pittsburgh ...... 1 Oct. 14 ...... L.A. Chargers ...... 1 Oct. 21 ...... at Kansas City ...... 1 Oct. 21 ...... at Tampa Bay ...... 1 Oct. 28 ...... Tampa Bay ...... 1 Oct. 28 ...... at Pittsburgh ...... 1 Nov. 4 ...... Bye ...... Nov. 4 ...... Kansas City ...... 1 Nov. 11 ...... New Orleans ...... 1 Nov. 11 ...... Atlanta ...... 1 Nov. 18 ...... at Baltimore ...... 1 Nov. 18 ...... Bye ...... Nov. 25 ...... Cleveland ...... 1 Nov. 25 ...... at Cincinnati ...... 1 Dec. 2 ...... Denver ...... 1 Dec. 2 ...... at Houston ...... 1 Dec. 9 ...... at L.A. Chargers ...... 4:05 Dec. 9 ...... Carolina ...... 1 Dec. 16 ...... Oakland ...... 1 Dec. 15 ...... at Denver (Sat) ...... TBD Dec. 23 ...... at Cleveland ...... 1 Dec. 23 ...... Cincinnati ...... 1 Quarterback Dec. 30 ...... at Pittsburgh ...... 1 Wide receiver Dec. 30 ...... at Baltimore ...... 1 AARON DOSTER/USA TODAY SPORTS KEN BLAZE/USA TODAY SPORTS 2017 LEADERS 2017 LEADERS What’s new: What’s new: sive line by trading for LT Cordy Glenn and draft- Pass AttCmp Yds Pct TD Int Rtg overhauled. Proven veteran and No. 1 Pass AttCmp Yds Pct TD Int Rtg A Dalton 496 297 3320 59.9 25 12 86.6 D Kizer 476 255 2894 53.6 11 22 60.5 Rush Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rush Att Yds Avg Lng TD J Mixon 178 626 3.5 25 4 They will throw to new high-priced wideout Jarvis I Crowell 206 853 4.1 59 2 G Bernard 105 458 4.4 25 2 D Kizer 77 419 5.4 20 5 J Hill 37 116 3.1 13 0 D Johnson 82 348 4.2 19 4 sive coordinator and Teryl Austin as defensive co- Rec. Rec Yds Avg Lng TD and prized free agent in Rec. Rec Yds Avg Lng TD ordinator. AJ Green 75 1078 14.4 77 8 D Johnson 74 693 9.4 41 3 B LaFell 52 548 10.5 45 3 S DeValve 33 395 12.0 49 1 What could go right: If key contributors such T Kroft 42 404 9.6 59 7 gressive system. Defensively, both starting cor- D Njoku 32 386 12.1 34 4 as TE and WR John Ross remain G Bernard 43 389 9.0 61 2 nerbacks have been replaced, with No. 4 overall R Louis 27 357 13.2 37 0 J Mixon 30 287 9.6 67 0 pick and a cavalcade of free agents J Gordon 18 335 18.6 54 1 Kick PAT FG Pts Kick PAT FG Pts best. Those players combine with Joe Mixon and R Bullock 31/33 18/20 85 taking over. Z Gonzalez 25/26 15/20 70 Interceptions No. What could go right: It’s hard to imagine the Interceptions No. Mixon, a second-round pick in 2017, should see far D Dennard 2 J McCourty 3 D Kirkpatrick 1 D Kindred 1 more daylight behind this year’s line. W Jackson III 1 cy can do wonders, and with the development of J Schobert 1 Tough season if … : C Dunlap 1 exciting young players such as TE J Peppers 1 Sacks No. Sacks No. its part. Glenn has missed 10 games over the past G Atkins 9.0 and versatile RB , the potential is M Garrett 7.0 two seasons because of injuries, Price is a rookie, C Lawson 8.0 there for a potent attack. The interior offensive li- E Ogbah 4.0 right guard doesn’t have a clear-cut starter and C Dunlap 7.5 ne is among the best. So is the linebacking corps J Burgess Jr 4.0 M Johnson 5.0 C Kirksey 3.5 right was a competition between a player on defense, led by Pro Bowler and veteran . Two 2017 first-rounde- and a bust at left tackle (). Dalton’s 3,320 passing yards were almost rs, DE and S , have impact potentialon defense. Garr- 900 fewer than those from 2016. His unimpressive numbers and the team needing ett could emerge as a major star in his second season. Cleveland’s run defense was outstanding even in the winless 201season. The call: this season as opposed Tough season if … : to inheriting one put in place by a fired coordinator, as he did a year ago. While player development stagnates or the impressive young talent doesn’t jell, progress Frank Pollack reworks the scheme and approach in the will be slowed. Someone besides Garrett needs to step up as a pass rusher. Replac- on, though, will have to do better than 3.5 yards per carry to justify where the Ben- gals took him in the draft.) With the defense expected to be stout again, primarily The call: There is way too much talent on the roster for the Browns to go winless in the AFC North. eight and escape the AFC North cellar.

Chris Roling, Bengals Wire 7 SPECIAL EDITION USA TODAY SPORTS

Nate Davis’ Dallas Nate Davis’ Denver 2018 2018 prediction COWBOYS prediction BRONCOS 7-9 Coach: , ninth year, 67-53 9-7 Coach:, second year, 5-11 Second place in Coordinators: Scott Linehan (offense), Rod Second place in Coordinators: (offense), NFC East Marinelli (defense), Keith O’Quinn (special teams) AFC West Joe Woods (defense), Tom McMahon (special teams)

2018 SCHEDULE (ET) 2018 SCHEDULE (ET)

Sept. 9 ...... at Carolina ...... 4:25 Sept. 9 ...... Seattle ...... 4:25 Sept. 16 ...... N.Y. Giants ...... 8:20 Sept. 16 ...... Oakland ...... 4:25 Sept. 23 ...... at Seattle ...... 4:25 Sept. 23 ...... at Baltimore ...... 1 Sept. 30 ...... Detroit ...... 1 Oct. 1 ...... Kansas City (Mon) ...... 8:15 Oct. 7 ...... at Houston ...... 8:20 Oct. 7 ...... at N.Y. Jets ...... 1 Oct. 14 ...... Jacksonville ...... 4:25 Oct. 14 ...... L.A. Rams ...... 4:05 Oct. 21 ...... at Washington ...... 4:25 Oct. 18 ...... at Arizona (Thu) ...... 8:20 Oct. 28 ...... Bye ...... Oct. 28 ...... at Kansas City ...... 1 Nov. 5 ...... Tennessee (Mon) ...... 8:15 Nov. 4 ...... Houston ...... 4:05 Nov. 11 ...... at Philadelphia ...... 8:20 Nov. 11 ...... Bye ...... Nov. 18 ...... at Atlanta ...... 1 Nov. 18 ...... at L.A. Chargers ...... 4:05 Nov. 22 ...... Washington (Thu) ...... 4:30 Nov. 25 ...... Pittsburgh ...... 4:25 Nov. 29 ...... New Orleans (Thu) ...... 8:20 Dec. 2 ...... at Cincinnati ...... 1 Dec. 9 ...... Philadelphia ...... 4:25 Dec. 9 ...... at San Francisco ...... 4:05 Dec. 16 ...... at Indianapolis ...... 1 Dec. 15 ...... Cleveland (Sat) ...... TBD Dec. 23 ...... Tampa Bay ...... 1 Dec. 24 ...... at Oakland (Mon) ...... 8:15 Dec. 30 ...... at N.Y. Giants ...... 1 Quarterback Dec. 30 ...... L.A. Chargers ...... 4:25 KIRBY LEE/USA TODAY SPORTS ISAIAH J. DOWNING/USA TODAY SPORTS 2017 LEADERS 2017 LEADERS What’s new: TE Jason Witten retired, and the What’s new: The Broncos started three quar- Cowboys released WR and lost LB An- Pass AttCmp Yds Pct TD Int Rtg terbacks last season — , Brock Os- Pass AttCmp Yds Pct TD Int Rtg D Prescott 490 308 3324 62.9 22 13 86.6 T Siemian 349 206 2285 59 12 14 73.3 thony Hitchens in free agency. They added free Rush Att Yds Avg Lng TD weiler and — and two are no longer Rush Att Yds Avg Lng TD agent WR and selected LB Leighton E Elliott 242 983 4.1 30 7 CJ Andrsn 245 1007 4.1 40 3 Vander Esch and LG Connor Williams with their A. Morris 115 547 4.8 70 1 mian to the Vikings for a late-round 2019 draft pick D Booker 79 299 3.8 26 1 D Prescott 57 357 6.3 21 6 J Charles 69 296 4.3 19 1 top two draft picks. Rec. Rec Yds Avg Lng TD and opted not to re-sign Osweiler (he joined the Rec. Rec Yds Avg Lng TD What could go right: While there’s been plenty D Bryant 69 838 12.1 50 6 Dolphins on a one-year deal). D Thomas 83 949 11.4 40 5 T Williams 53 568 10.7 56 0 E Sanders 47 555 11.8 38 2 of hand-wringing about the loss of Bryant and J Witten 63 560 8.9 28 5 signed Case Keenum to a two-year, B Fowler III 29 350 12.1 29 3 B Butler 15 317 21.1 53 3 $36 million contract in March and dubbed him the C Latimer 19 287 15.1 32 2 boys’ bread and butter is the run game. Since QB C Beasley 36 314 8.7 54 4 Hogan D Booker 30 275 9.2 29 0 Kick PAT FG Pts Kick PAT FG Pts Dak Prescott and RB Ezekiel Elliott were drafted in D Bailey 26/28 15/20 71 will compete for the backup job. Elway B McManus 27/27 24/32 99 2016, Dallas is an impressive 18-5 in games where Interceptions No. Interceptions No. J Heath 3 North Carolina State edge defender Bradley D Stewart 3 A Brown 2 J Simmons 2 J Lewis 1 Chubb. The Broncos also selected Oregon running C Harris Jr 2 and signing of OT . With a shift B. Jones 1 back in the third round. He will be A Talib 1 Sacks No. Sacks No. to a more pressing-style defense under former D Lawrence 14.5 tasked with helping replace C.J. Anderson, who V Miller 10.0 Seahawks coordinator and the return D Irving 7.0 was released in April. Freeman has surpassed RB S Harris 5.0 of Randy Gregory to pair with DeMarcus Law- T Crawford 4.0 on the depth chart. Freeman S Barrett 4.0 T Charlton 3.0 B Marshall 3.0 rence, the defense could make a major leap. averaged 5.9 yards per carry in fours seasons at Tough season if … : Dallas seeks better health Oregon. from LB and in counting on Vander Esch being capable of carrying the What could go right: WRs and should load should continue to miss games. If not, the defense could fall apart return to Pro Bowl form with a quality quarterback in Keenum, who helped Minne- again; it relinquished 12 more points a game without Lee than with him. Also, DL sota to a 13-3 record last season. Freeman might prove to be an improvement over David Irving and Lawrence combined for 21½ of Dallas’ 38 sacks last season, which Anderson at running back, and Chubb has the talent for a 10-sack season. Teamed is nearly 57%. Lawrence will have to produce while Irving is suspended for four with , and Shaq Barrett, Chubb will improve an already tal- weeks for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. ented group of pass rushers. The call: The team is taking a gamble sauntering into the new season without a Tough season if … : fails to step up in ’s absence. Denver proven No. 1 wide receiver and with hardly any experience at . Hurns and traded Talib to the Rams in March, and Roby will be tasked with starting in his place rookie Michael Gallup will compete for snaps, and trade acquisition across from . Look for teams to test Roby early and often with their most will compete for touches. These are all complementary pieces to Elliott, however. If accomplished receivers. he shines, the Cowboys will win more than they lose. There’s a huge crater of leader- The call: ship left by the departed Bryant and Witten. If no one adequately steps into those cornerback situation on defense is dicey. Denver will have a shot to contend in the roles, it could make for an up-and-down season.

KD Drummond, Cowboys Wire Jon Heath, Broncos Wire 8 SPECIAL EDITION USA TODAY SPORTS

Nate Davis’ Detroit Nate Davis’ Green Bay 2018 2018 prediction LIONS prediction PACKERS 6-10 Coach: 11-5 Coach: Mike McCarthy, Fourth place in Coordinators: (offense), Second place in 13th year, 121-70-1 NFC North Paul Pasqualoni (defense), Joe Marciano NFC North Coordinators: (offense), (special teams) (defense), Ron Zook (special teams)

2018 SCHEDULE (ET) 2018 SCHEDULE (ET)

Sept. 10 ...... N.Y. Jets (Mon) ...... 7:10 Sept. 9 ...... Chicago ...... 8:20 Sept. 16 ...... at San Francisco ...... 4:05 Sept. 16 ...... Minnesota ...... 1 Sept. 23 ...... New England ...... 8:20 Sept. 23 ...... at Washington ...... 1 Sept. 30 ...... at Dallas ...... 1 Sept. 30 ...... Buffalo ...... 1 Oct. 7 ...... Green Bay ...... 1 Oct. 7 ...... at Detroit ...... 1 Oct. 14 ...... Bye ...... Oct. 15 ..... San Francisco (Mon) ..... 8:15 Oct. 21 ...... at Miami ...... 1 Oct. 21 ...... Bye ...... Oct. 28 ...... Seattle ...... 1 Oct. 28 ...... at L.A. Rams ...... 4:25 Nov. 4 ...... at Minnesota ...... 1 Nov. 4 ...... at New England ...... 8:20 Nov. 11 ...... at Chicago ...... 1 Nov. 11 ...... Miami ...... 1 Nov. 18 ...... Carolina ...... 1 Nov. 15 ...... at Seattle (Thu) ...... 8:20 Nov. 22 ...... Chicago (Thu) ...... 12:30 Nov. 25 ...... at Minnesota ...... 8:20 Dec. 2 ...... L.A. Rams ...... 1 Dec. 2 ...... Arizona ...... 1 Dec. 9 ...... at Arizona ...... 4:25 Dec. 9 ...... Atlanta ...... 1 Dec. 16 ...... at Buffalo ...... 1 Dec. 16 ...... at Chicago ...... 1 Dec. 23 ...... Minnesota ...... 1 Dec. 23 ...... at N.Y. Jets ...... 1 Coach Dec. 30 ...... at Green Bay ...... 1 Quarterback Dec. 30 ...... Detroit ...... 1 RAJ MEHTA/USA TODAY SPORTS ADAM WESLEY/USA TODAY NETWORK-WISCONSIN 2017 LEADERS 2017 LEADERS What’s new: The biggest addition is coach What’s new: The Packers made wholesale Matt Patricia, who replaces Jim Caldwell after four Pass AttCmp Yds Pct TD Int Rtg Pass AttCmp Yds Pct TD Int Rtg M Staffrd 565 371 4446 65.7 29 10 99.3 B Hundley 316 192 1836 60.8 9 12 70.6 seasons. The former Patriots defensive coordina- Rush Att Yds Avg Lng TD since 2008. General manager Rush Att Yds Avg Lng TD tor was handpicked by Lions GM Bob Quinn. De- A Abdllah 165 552 3.3 34 4 stepped down and was replaced by former scout J Williams 153 556 3.6 25 4 troit bolstered the anemic rushing attack in the T Riddick 84 286 3.4 21 3 , who added four former Pro Bow- A Jones 81 448 5.5 46 4 T Green 42 165 3.9 33 2 T Mntgmry 71 273 3.8 37 3 Rec. Rec Yds Avg Lng TD lers in free agency (TE , DE Mu- Rec. Rec Yds Avg Lng TD ond-rounder Kerryon Johnson. Ragnow will start M Jones Jr 61 1101 18.0 58 9 hammad Wilkerson, CB , TE D Adams 74 885 12.0 55 10 G Tate 92 1003 10.9 71 5 R Cobb 66 653 9.9 46 4 right away at left guard, and Johnson projects as E Ebron 53 574 10.8 44 4 ) and selected two of the nation’s J Nelson 53 482 9.1 58 6 the featured running back in a committee that in- K Golldy 28 477 17.0 54 3 top in the draft (, Josh J Williams 25 262 10.5 54 2 cludes newcomer LeGarrette Blount, who joins his T Riddick 53 444 8.4 63 2 Jackson). Coach Mike McCarthy replaced both co- G Allison 23 253 11.0 72 0 Kick PAT FG Pts Kick PAT FG Pts third team in three years. Pass-rushing LB Devon M Prater 40/41 30/35 130 ordinators, bringing back Joe Philbin to run the of- M Crosby 33/35 15/19 78 Kennard heads the defensive additions. Interceptions No. fense and hiring Mike Pettine to take over on de- Interceptions No. What could go right: If the run game can bring D Slay 8 fense for . D Randall 4 G Quin 3 H Clinton-Dix 3 balance to the potent passing attack, which fea- Q Diggs 3 What could go right: If QB Aaron Rodgers K Brice 1 M Killebrew 1 B Martinez 1 Sacks No. Sacks No. impressive options, including WRs E Ansah 12.0 ed but disjointed defense, the Packers should be a C Matthews 8.5 A Zettel 6.5 N Perry 7.0 A Spence 3.0 M Daniels 5.0 C Washington 2.5 K Clark 4.5 help, too. The kicking and return games are under- zone, and the defense could make big strides if the rated strengths. Led by and , the secondary is a good one and can create takeaways. Patricia’s attention to vorable schedule will present an opportunity for the Packers to win double-digit detail can aid a defense that gave up too many big plays. Tough season if … : The weak pass rush must perk up. Detroit is relying on a Tough season if … : Rodgers, 34, has another major injury. The Packers traded for backup QB DeShone Kizer, but Rodgers still means as much to his team as any player in football. Since Rodgers took over as the starter in 2008, the Packers are 94-48 when he starts and 5-10-1 when he doesn’t, including a 3-6 mark last season. struggle to score. The team must snap the drought of 100-yard rushers in a game, The call: The Packers will go as far as Rodgers can take them. The defense should be better, but Rodgers still will need to play at an MVP level for the Packers to jump The call: Patricia’s more adaptive 3-4 defense should create more stops and the Vikings and win the NFC North. Can Pettine improve a secondary that allowed 30 passes last season? Do the Packers have enough talent at receiver? Is career. The special teams are great. The Lions still will be learning Patricia’s system and could struggle but the high-water mark is 9-7. line? This is a Super Bowl contender with Rodgers, but much is unknown.

Zach Kruse, Packers Wire 9 SPECIAL EDITION USA TODAY SPORTS

Nate Davis’ Houston Nate Davis’ Indianapolis 2018 2018 prediction TEXANS prediction COLTS 11-5 Coach: 2-14 Coach: Second place in Coordinators: O’Brien calls the plays (offense), Fourth place in Coordinators: Nick Sirianni (offense), AFC South (defense), AFC South (defense), Bubba Ventrone (special teams (special teams)

2018 SCHEDULE (ET) 2018 SCHEDULE (ET)

Sept. 9 ...... at New England ...... 1 Sept. 9 ...... Cincinnati ...... 1 Sept. 16 ...... at Tennessee ...... 1 Sept. 16 ...... at Washington ...... 1 Sept. 23 ...... New York Giants ...... 1 Sept. 23 ...... at Philadelphia ...... 1 Sept. 30 ...... at Indianapolis ...... 1 Sept. 30 ...... Houston ...... 1 Oct. 7 ...... Dallas ...... 8:20 Oct. 4 .... at New England (Thu) .... 8:20 Oct. 14 ...... Buffalo ...... 1 Oct. 14 ...... at N.Y. Jets ...... 1 Oct. 21 ...... at Jacksonville ...... 1 Oct. 21 ...... Buffalo ...... 1 Oct. 25 ...... Miami (Thu) ...... 8:20 Oct. 28 ...... at Oakland ...... 4:05 Nov. 4 ...... at Denver ...... 4:05 Nov. 4 ...... Bye ...... Nov. 11 ...... BYE ...... Nov. 11 ...... Jacksonville ...... 1 Nov. 18 ...... at Washington ...... 1 Nov. 18 ...... Tennessee ...... 1 Nov. 26 ...... Tennessee (Mon) ...... 8:15 Nov. 25 ...... Miami ...... 1 Dec. 2 ...... Cleveland ...... 1 Dec. 2 ...... at Jacksonville ...... 1 Dec. 9 ...... Indianapolis ...... 1 Dec. 9 ...... at Houston ...... 1 Dec. 15 ...... at N.Y. Jets (Sat) ...... TBD Dec. 16 ...... Dallas ...... 1 Dec. 23 ...... at Philadelphia ...... 1 Dec. 22 or 23 ...... N.Y. Giants ...... TBD Quarterback Dec. 30 ...... Jacksonville ...... 1 Quarterback Dec. 30 ...... at Tennessee ...... 1 SHANNA LOCKWOOD/USA TODAY SPORTS BRIAN SPURLOCK/USA TODAY SPORTS 2017 LEADERS 2017 LEADERS What’s new: Former Cardinals DB Tyrann What’s new: The Colts added DL , Mathieu signed a one-year deal to play safety. Ro- Pass AttCmp Yds Pct TD Int Rtg TE and WR Ryan Grant in free agency Pass AttCmp Yds Pct TD Int Rtg D Watson 204 126 1699 61.8 19 8 103 J Brissett 469 276 3098 58.8 13 7 81.7 meo Crennel returns as defensive coordinator, a Rush Att Yds Avg. Lng TD and OL , LB , RB Rush Att Yds Avg Lng TD L. Miller 238 888 3.7 21 3 and WR in the draft. F Gore 261 961 3.7 21 3 D Foreman 78 327 4.2 39 2 They also brought in as the new head M Mack 93 358 3.8 35 3 D Watson 36 269 7.5 49 2 J Brissett 63 260 4.1 25 4 terior line. Former slot CB Rec. Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Rec. Rec Yds Avg Lng TD signed with the Texans and could D Hopkins 96 1378 14.4 72 13 TY Hilton 57 966 16.9 80 4 W Fuller V 28 423 15.1 59 7 J Doyle 80 690 8.6 26 4 play. The club also signed MLB Benardrick McK- S Anderson 25 342 13.7 42 1 What could go right: Nelson, the sixth overall D Moncrief 26 391 15.0 60 2 inney, who led the team in tackles in 2017, to an B Ellington 29 330 11.4 35 2 pick in the draft who is listed at 6-5, 330 pounds, is C Rogers 23 284 12.3 61 1 extension. L Miller 36 327 9.1 32 3 already making a sizable impression. “Broadest F Gore 29 245 8.4 26 1 Kick PAT FG Pts Kick PAT FG Pts What could go right: QB Deshaun Watson re- K Fairbairn 32/35 20/25 92 back I’ve ever seen in my life,” QB Andrew Luck A Vinatieri 22/24 29/34 109 turns from a torn ACL for his second season. Interceptions No. said, according to “.” If all Interceptions No. Houston averaged 34.7 points per game, the most A Hal 3 goes as planned, the Colts will have young contrib- M Hooker 3 J Joseph 2 R Melvin 3 in the NFL from Weeks 2 to 8, in Watson’s six starts D Cole 2 utors at several positions on both sides of the ball. M Farley 2 but 21.1 overall (17th in the NFL). Crennel proved M Gilchrist 1 Q Wilson 1 Sacks No. Sacks No. previously with Houston he can coach around in- J Clowney 9.5 strength with the additions in the draft and free J Sheard 5.5 B McKinney 3.0 J Simon 3.0 NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt has B Scarlett 2.0 H Ridgeway 3.0 E Pleasant 2.0 T Basham 2.0 missed 24 games the past two seasons. McKinney missed the 2017 season. The defense has major and could be a young duo who question marks but also featured heavy compe- provide toughness in the interior corps to go along with the edge-rush tition at all three levels among veterans and younger players alike, which could im- presence of and . prove the production of the entire unit. Tough season if … : Tough season if … : Luck doesn’t return to form. The Colts saw last year what the record as a starter. If he sees any action outside of victory formation, it could spell is coming along. Luck should be back, but it remains to be seen if his disaster for the Texans’ bid to challenge the Jaguars for division supremacy. performance will be on the elite level it was before. The Colts are still in rebuild The call: Coach Bill O’Brien was ahead in camp by knowing who starts at quarter- mode, but Luck at least gives them a chance to compete in an improving AFC South. gave The call: The Colts’ entire season relies on the shoulder of Luck. How he will respond to missing an entire season will determine how they do. The AFC South has improved immensely since he last played a regular-season game, but he almost guys down a little bit, and the things you can do with him can really help you get an team either way as their rebuild continues under second-year general manager advantage at some point,” Devlin said. Chris Ballard.

Mark Lane, Texans Wire Kevin Hickey, Colts Wire 10 SPECIAL EDITION USA TODAY SPORTS

Nate Davis’ Jacksonville Nate Davis’ Kansas City 2018 2018 prediction JAGUARS prediction CHIEFS 12-4 Coach: , second year, 10-6 7-9 Coach: , sixth year, 53-27 First place in Coordinators: (offense), Todd Third place in Coordinators: (offense), Bob AFC South Wash (defense), Joe DeCamillis (special teams) AFC West Sutton (defense), (special teams)

2018 SCHEDULE (ET) 2018 SCHEDULE (ET)

Sept. 9 ...... at N.Y. Giants ...... 1 Sept. 9 ...... at L.A. Chargers ...... 4:05 Sept. 16 ...... New England ...... 4:25 Sept. 16 ...... at Pittsburgh ...... 1 Sept. 23 ...... Tennessee ...... 1 Sept. 23 ...... San Francisco ...... 1 Sept. 30 ...... N.Y. Jets ...... 1 Oct. 1 ...... at Denver (Mon) ...... 8:15 Oct. 7 ...... at Kansas City ...... 1 Oct. 7 ...... Jacksonville ...... 1 Oct. 14 ...... at Dallas ...... 4:25 Oct. 14 ...... at New England ...... 8:20 Oct. 21 ...... Houston ...... 1 Oct. 21 ...... Cincinnati ...... 1 Oct. 28 ...... Phil. (London) ...... 9:30 a.m. Oct. 28 ...... Denver ...... 1 Nov. 4 ...... Bye ...... Nov. 4 ...... at Cleveland ...... 1 Nov. 11 ...... at Indianapolis ...... 1 Nov. 11 ...... Arizona ...... 1 Nov. 18 ...... Pittsburgh ...... 8:20 Nov. 19 at Rams (Mon, Mex. City) 8:15 Nov. 25 ...... at Buffalo ...... 1 Nov. 25 ...... Bye ...... Dec. 2 ...... Indianapolis ...... 1 Dec. 2 ...... at Oakland ...... 4:05 Dec. 6 ...... at Tennessee (Thu) ...... 8:20 Dec. 9 ...... Baltimore ...... 1 Dec. 16 ...... Washington ...... 1 Dec. 13 ..... L.A. Chargers (Thu) ..... 8:20 Dec. 22 or 23 ...... at Miami ...... TBD Dec. 23 ...... at Seattle ...... 8:20 Tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins Dec. 30 ...... at Houston ...... 1 Quarterback Dec. 30 ...... Oakland ...... 1 REINHOLD MATAY/USA TODAY SPORTS DENNY MEDLEY/USA TODAY SPORTS 2017 LEADERS 2017 LEADERS What’s new: The Jaguars added four key free What’s new: The Chiefs have new starters in agents — G , TE Austin Seferian- Pass AttCmp Yds Pct TD Int Rtg the fold, including QB Patrick Mahomes, WR Sam- Pass AttCmp Yds Pct TD Int Rtg B Bortles 523 315 3687 60.2 21 13 84.7 A Smith 505 341 4042 67.5 26 5 104.7 Jenkins, WR and CB D.J. Hayden. Rush Att Yds Avg Lng TD my Watkins, LB , CB Kendall Rush Att Yds Avg Lng TD In the draft, they most notably got DL L Frnette 268 1040 3.9 90 9 Fuller and DT . Mahomes, the 10th K Hunt 272 1327 4.9 69 8 C Ivory 112 382 3.4 34 1 overall draft pick in 2017, has only one NFL start A Smith 60 355 5.9 70 1 B Bortles 57 322 5.6 28 2 C West 18 72 4.0 21 2 S and OT Will Richardson. Rec. Rec Yds Avg Lng TD under his belt, but the Chiefs love his arm and his Rec. Rec Yds Avg Lng TD What could go right: The Jags hit the ground K Cole 42 748 17.8 75 3 potential to run the ball, as he did frequently at T Hill 75 1183 15.8 79 7 M Lee 56 702 12.5 45 3 T Kelce 83 1038 12.5 44 8 A Hurns 39 484 12.4 50 2 Tech. A Wilson 42 554 13.2 63 3 fense around quarterback . So far, the D Westbrk 27 339 12.6 29 1 What could go right: Patrick Mahomes comes K Hunt 53 455 8.6 78 3 M Lewis 24 318 13.2 37 5 in as starting quarterback and doesn’t miss a beat. D Harris 18 224 12.4 51 1 Kick PAT FG Pts Kick PAT FG Pts J Lambo 22/24 19/20 79 Starting running back does not ex- H Butker 28/28 38/42 142 No. 1 target, and Bortles appears to be especially Interceptions No. perience a sophomore slump. The Chiefs improve Interceptions No. in sync with Moncrief, who led the team in receiv- AJ Bouye 6 the run defense and pass defense from 2017, even M Peters 5 ing yards during the preseason. Bortles appeared T Gipson 4 T Mitchell 4 B Church 4 with losses of LB and CB Marcus R Parker 2 to be especially in sync with Donte Moncrief, K- J Ramsey 4 Peters. At press time, it looked as though the K Acker 1 eelan Cole, and . Sacks No. Chiefs will have almost everyone healthy, includ- Sacks No. RB came into camp at 223 pou- C Campbell 14.5 J Houston 9.5 nds, and his newfound quickness has been obvious Y Ngakoue 12.0 ing C Mitch Morse and OLB . C Jones 6.5 D Fowler Jr 8.0 Tough season if … : Mahomes struggles with A Bailey 2.0 in practice and in preseason action. M Jackson 8.0 D Ford 2.0 Tough season if … : This unit is a talented decision-making and interceptions. Injuries stack terback and linebacker. Behind Bortles, the Jags don’t know how has accounted for 26 turnovers since the 2015 season. The Chiefs have consistently would fare, and Tanner Lee is a developmental project. As for the linebacker corps, losing or would be an issue because they were the Jags’ top that production without Peters? two tacklers. Furthermore, the group is very inexperienced behind them. The call: The call: Entering camp, the only offensive positions where starters need to be named are right guard and wide receiver. Veteran A.J. Cann is expected to start at right guard. 2017, especially with the addition of Watkins. It’s realistic to expect a few growing During the regular season, the Jags may still need to sort through their crowd- pains from Mahomes, but coach Andy Reid is intent on working those out. Ma- ed receiving corps, where Moncrief, Chark, Keelan Cole, Westbrook and Greene homes’ deep passes and throws outside the numbers still seem to be his best asset. top the group. The team also needs to overcome the loss of WR , who However will miss the season with a knee injury. The Jags have their success and win the division, so another 10-win season (or better) is certainly within reason. If Bortles defense can improve in a few areas that were problematic in 2017, there is no reason continues his progress and the team continues to run the ball and play sound defe- the Chiefs shouldn’t be in contention to win the AFC West for the third year in a row nse, as it did in 2017, the Jags have a legitimate shot at Super Bowl LIII.

James Johnson, Jaguars Wire Charles Goldman, Chiefs Wire USA TODAY SPORTS SPECIAL EDITION 11

Nate Davis’ Los Angeles Nate Davis’ Los Angeles 2018 2018 prediction CHARGERS prediction RAMS 10-6 Coach: , second year, 9-7 12-4 Coach: Sean McVay, second year, 11-5 First place in Coordinators: (offense), First place in Coordinators: (pass game), AFC West (defense), George Stewart NFC West Aaron Kromer (run game), (special teams) (defense), , (special teams)

2018 SCHEDULE (ET) 2018 SCHEDULE (ET)

Sept. 9 ...... Kansas City ...... 4:05 Sept. 10 ..... at Oakland (Mon) ..... 10:20 Sept. 16 ...... at Buffalo ...... 1 Sept. 16 ...... Arizona ...... 4:05 Sept. 23 ...... at L.A. Rams ...... 4:05 Sept. 23 ...... L.A. Chargers ...... 4:05 Sept. 30 ...... San Francisco ...... 4:25 Sept. 27 ...... Minnesota (Thu) ...... 8:20 Oct. 7 ...... Oakland ...... 4:05 Oct. 7 ...... at Seattle ...... 4:25 Oct. 14 ...... at Cleveland ...... 1 Oct. 14 ...... at Denver ...... 4:05 Oct. 21 Tennessee (London) 9:30 a.m. Oct. 21 ...... at San Francisco ...... 8:20 Oct. 28 ...... Bye ...... Oct. 28 ...... Green Bay ...... 4:25 Nov. 4 ...... at Seattle ...... 4:05 Nov. 4 ...... at New Orleans ...... 4:25 Nov. 11 ...... at Oakland ...... 4:05 Nov. 11 ...... Seattle ...... 4:25 Nov. 18 ...... Denver ...... 4:05 Nov. 19 .... Kan. City (Mon, Mex. City) ... 8:15 Nov. 25 ...... Arizona ...... 4:05 Nov. 25 ...... Bye ...... Dec. 2 ...... at Pittsburgh ...... 1 Dec. 2 ...... at Detroit ...... 1 Dec. 9 ...... Cincinnati ...... 4:05 Dec. 9 ...... at Chicago ...... 1 Dec. 13 ..... at Kansas City (Thu) ..... 8:20 Dec. 16 ...... Philadelphia ...... 8:20 Dec. 22 or 23 ...... Baltimore ...... TBD Dec. 23 ...... at Arizona ...... 4:05 Dec. 30 ...... at Denver ...... 4:25 Center Nose tackle Dec. 30 ...... San Francisco ...... 4:25 KIRBY LEE/USA TODAY SPORTS KIRBY LEE/USA TODAY SPORTS 2017 LEADERS What’s new: Three-time Pro Bowl center Mike What’s new: While the Rams were quiet in the 2017 LEADERS Pouncey looks to bounce back with the Chargers Pass AttCmp Yds Pct TD Int Rtg draft, they were very busy in the weeks and P Rivers 575 360 4515 62.6 28 10 96 Pass AttCmp Yds Pct TD Int Rtg after a disappointing 2017 season with the Dol- Rush Att Yds Avg Lng TD months prior. They made four huge additions, via J Goff 477 296 3804 62.1 28 7 100.5 phins. Former Broncos TE will compete M Gordon 284 1105 3.9 87 8 trade and free agency. Besides signing NT Ndamu- Rush Att Yds Avg Lng TD for snaps with mainstay , whom the te- A Ekeler 47 260 5.5 35 2 kong Suh, the Rams acquired CBs Aqib Talib and T Gurley 279 1305 4.7 57 13 T Benjamin 13 96 7.4 22 0 T Austin 59 270 4.6 27 1 am continues to bring back at 38. Veteran CB Jaylen Rec. Rec Yds Avg Lng TD and WR in trades M. Brown 63 246 3.9 20 1 Watkins, who won a Super Bowl LII ring with the K Allen 102 1393 13.7 51 6 with AFC teams while also LB Ramik Wilson in Rec. Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Ty. Williams 43 728 16.9 75 4 C Kupp 62 869 14.0 64 5 Eagles, joins the Chargers’ impressive seconda- H Henry 45 579 12.9 34 4 free agency. T Gurley 64 788 12.3 80 6 ry, and former Giants and Jets QB T Benjamin 34 567 16.7 62 4 What could go right: There’s a lot that can go R Woods 56 781 13.9 94 5 replaces as the backup to Philip M Gordon 58 476 8.2 49 4 well in Los Angeles, potentially culminating in S Watkins 39 593 15.2 67 8 Kick PAT FG Pts T Higbee 25 295 11.8 38 1 Rivers. N Novak 17/18 9/13 44 coach Sean McVay hoisting the Lombardi Trophy Kick PAT FG Pts What could go right: Pouncey has had injury Interceptions No. in Atlanta. On defense, the Rams could become G Zuerlein 44/46 38/40 158 issues but his ceiling is high, and with rookie Scott T Boston 5 one of the best teams in the league with Suh and Interceptions No. C Hayward 4 L Joyner 3 Quessenberry backing him up, that position is Tr Williams 2 DTs and up front. M Barron 3 A Phillips 2 Pair that trio with a secondary that features Pe- N Robey-Coleman 2 Sacks No. K Peterson 2 2017 rookie G Forrest Lamp is also reason for opti- J Bosa 12.5 ters, Talib, Lamarcus Joyner, and Sacks No. M Ingram 10.5 Nickell Robey-Coleman, and it’s easy to see why A Donald 11.0 biggest areas of weakness in recent years. C McCain 5.0 coordinator Wade Phillips is so excited about this R Quinn 8.5 D Philon 4.5 M Longacre 5.5 Tough season if … : C Barwin 5.0 early on. Rivers needs to be under far less pressure scored last season, added Cooks to the mix, giving than he was in 2017, especially considering is a one-man band as their only legitimate option at running back. Plus, No. 1 TE will miss Tough season if … : What if all these big additions blow up in the team’s face? the season because of a torn ACL, so another strong year from the receivers will be key. and Mike Williams are more than capable alongside Keenan are a lot of big personalities on this team, and that’s without mentioning Donald’s training camp holdout for a new contract, which appeared on the brink of ending November. at press time. If injuries bite the offensive line, Goff or RB , the Rams The call: The Chargers have continued to fall short year after year despite high will be in trouble. expectations. The good news? They emerged as one of the best teams in the AFC The call: like. With Robert Quinn, and gone, three openings on Their stacked defensive line, led by pass rushers and , is . They need young guys, such as and still formidable. The same can be said for their defensive backs. So the Chargers’ , to plug those holes. As a whole, though, this looks like a Super Bowl -caliber team with a good chance to make it all the way to Atlanta. A 12-4 regular-s- eason record and No. 1 seed is not out of the question.

Tanya Ray Fox, Chargers Wire Cameron DaSilva, The Rams Wire 12 SPECIAL EDITION USA TODAY SPORTS

Nate Davis’ Miami Nate Davis’ Minnesota 2018 2018 prediction DOLPHINS prediction VIKINGS 7-9 Coach: , third year, 16-16 12-4 Coach: Second place in Coordinators: Dowell Loggains (offense), First place in Coordinators: John DeFilippo (offense), AFC East Matt Burke (defense), NFC North George Edwards (defense), (special teams) (special teams)

2018 SCHEDULE (ET) 2018 SCHEDULE (ET)

Sept. 9 ...... Tennessee ...... 1 Sept. 9 ...... San Francisco ...... 1 Sept. 16 ...... at N.Y. Jets ...... 1 Sept. 16 ...... at Green Bay ...... 1 Sept. 23 ...... Oakland ...... 1 Sept. 23 ...... Buffalo ...... 1 Sept. 30 ...... at New England ...... 1 Sept. 27 ...... at L.A. Rams (Thu)...... 8:20 Oct. 7 ...... at Cincinnati ...... 1 Oct. 7 ...... at Philadelphia ...... 4:25 Oct. 14 ...... Chicago ...... 1 Oct. 14 ...... Arizona ...... 1 Oct. 21 ...... Detroit ...... 1 Oct. 21 ...... at N.Y. Jets ...... 1 Oct. 25 ...... at Houston (Thu) ...... 8:20 Oct. 28 ...... New Orleans ...... 8:20 Nov. 4 ...... N.Y. Jets ...... 1 Nov. 4 ...... Detroit ...... 1 Nov. 11 ...... at Green Bay ...... 1 Nov. 11 ...... Bye ...... Nov. 18 ...... Bye ...... Nov. 18 ...... at Chicago ...... 1 Nov. 25 ...... at Indianapolis ...... 1 Nov. 25 ...... Green Bay ...... 8:20 Dec. 2 ...... Buffalo ...... 1 Dec. 2 ...... at New England ...... 4:25 Dec. 9 ...... New England ...... 1 Dec. 10 ...... at Seattle (Mon) ...... 8:15 Dec. 16 ...... at Minnesota ...... 1 Dec. 16 ...... Miami ...... 1 Dec. 22 or 23 ...... Jacksonville ...... TBD Dec. 23 ...... at Detroit ...... 1 Running back Dec. 30 ...... at Buffalo ...... 1 Quarterback Dec. 30 ...... Chicago ...... 1 MARK KONEZNY/USA TODAY SPORTS JIM MONE/AP 2017 LEADERS 2017 LEADERS What’s new: What’s new: It’s not often you see a team in- disappointing 7-9 record, they made many Pass AttCmp Yds Pct TD Int Rtg tentionally switch quarterbacks after being a Pass AttCmp Yds Pct TD Int Rtg J Cutler 429 266 2666 62 19 14 80.8 C Keenum 481 325 3547 67.6 22 7 98.3 changes to their roster. Gone are veterans in WR Rush Att Yds Avg Lng TD game away from the Super Bowl, but that’s what Rush Att Yds Avg Lng TD Jarvis Landry, C Mike Pouncey and DT Ndamu- K Drake 133 644 4.8 66 3 the Vikings did, signing Kirk Cousins to an L Murray 216 842 3.9 46 8 kong Suh, in part because the Dolphins wanted to J Ajayi 138 465 3.4 21 0 $84 million guaranteed contract while letting the J McKinnon 150 570 3.8 58 3 D Williams 46 181 3.9 69 0 D Cook 74 354 4.8 33 2 change the culture of their locker room after a Rec. Rec Yds Avg Lng TD trio of Case Keenum, and Teddy Rec, Rec Yds Avg Lng TD J Landry 112 987 8.8 49 9 Bridgewater sign elsewhere. The Vikings will also A Thielen 91 1276 14.0 65 4 K Stills 58 847 14.6 61 6 S Diggs 64 849 13.3 59 8 of the new veteran voices include G Josh Sitton, D Parker 57 670 11.8 36 1 get back RB Dalvin Cook, who tore his ACL in K Rudolph 57 532 9.3 34 8 DE Robert Quinn, RB and WR Danny J Thomas 41 388 9.5 27 3 Week 4. Cook looked like the rookie of the year J McKinnon 51 421 8.3 41 2 K Drake 32 239 7.5 47 1 1 L Treadwell 20 200 10.0 25 0 Amendola. ⁄2 games. Minnesota bolstered an Kick PAT FG Pts Kick PAT FG Pts What could go right: C Parkey 26/29 21/23 89 already dangerous defensive line, signing DT Shel- K Forbath 34/39 32/38 130 dition is the return of QB , who Interceptions No. don Richardson to a one-year deal. Interceptions No. missed last season because of his second ACL in- X Howard 4 What could go right: On paper, this is a better H. Smith 5 R Jones 2 A Sendejo 2 jury in less than nine months. Tannehill was hav- B McCain 2 team than the 2017 squad. If Cousins develops X Rhodes 2 ing arguably the best season of his career when he TJ McDonald 1 chemistry with WRs Adam Thielen and Stefon T Waynes 2 Sacks No. Sacks No. C Wake 10.5 E Griffen 13.0 pletely tore the ACL during training camp last year N Suh 4.5 D Hunter 7.0 and missed the season. If Tannehill can regain his A Branch 4.5 Rhodes and S Harrison Smith, Minnesota could B Robison 4.0 C Harris 2.0 L Joseph 3.5 2016 form, when he threw for 1,723 yards and 13 around roster in the NFL as long as everyone who 100.1 during his last eight games, the Dolphins could contend for a played well in 2017 maintains that level. postseason spot. Tough season if … : The obvious answer is that if Cousins struggles, so will the Tough season if … : The Dolphins have assumed Tannehill is healthy. If he is, it Vikings. He’ll get the majority of the blame because that’s what happens when a could pay dividends. If not, the Dolphins could be one of the worst teams in the NFL. player signs a record-breaking contract. But if he does struggle, he might not de- Either or will be the backup, and neither is a quarterback Mike Remmer likely will move to right guard, leaving right tackle up for grabs be- The call: tween rookie Brian O’Neill and Rashod Hill. What made Keenum great in Minneso- better with the return of Tannehill. They now have a strong running game with Gore along with Kenny Drake. They also have added Amendola and Albert Wilson, which better arm, but he doesn’t have that freestyle mentality. should help replace some of Landry’s production. Defensively, the Dolphins have The call: With the balance on this team and the leadership of coach Mike Zim- improved with the addition of Quinn on the line. Adding rookie mer, the Vikings are the favorites to win the NFC North again. They have loftier will be a huge bonus at safety. With so many questions in the AFC outside of the goals, of course — they’re hoping to get back to the NFC Championship Game and Patriots and Steelers, the Dolphins could compete for a wild-card spot. earn a trip to Atlanta in February.

Antwan Staley, Dolphins Wire Kyle Ratke, Vikings Wire USA TODAY SPORTS SPECIAL EDITION 13

Nate Davis’ New England Nate Davis’ New Orleans 2018 2018 prediction PATRIOTS prediction SAINTS 11-5 Coach: ,19th year, 214-74 11-5 Coach: ,13th year, 105-71 First place in Coordinators: Josh McDaniels (offense), none Second place in Coordinators: (offense), AFC East (defense), Joe Judge (special teams) NFC South Dennis Allen (defense), (special teams)

2018 SCHEDULE (ET) 2018 SCHEDULE (ET)

Sept. 9 ...... Houston ...... 1 Sept. 9 ...... Tampa Bay ...... 1 Sept. 16 ...... at Jacksonville ...... 4:25 Sept. 16 ...... Cleveland ...... 1 Sept. 23 ...... at Detroit ...... 8:20 Sept. 23 ...... at Atlanta ...... 1 Sept. 30 ...... Miami ...... 1 Sept. 30 ...... at N.Y. Giants ...... 4:25 Oct. 4 ...... Indianapolis (Thu) ...... 8:20 Oct. 8 ...... Washington (Mon) ...... 8:15 Oct. 14 ...... Kansas City ...... 8:20 Oct. 14 ...... Bye ...... Oct. 21 ...... at Chicago ...... 1 Oct. 21 ...... at Baltimore ...... 4:05 Oct. 29 ...... at Buffalo (Mon) ...... 8:15 Oct. 28 ...... at Minnesota ...... 8:20 Nov. 4 ...... Green Bay ...... 8:20 Nov. 4 ...... L.A. Rams ...... 4:25 Nov. 11 ...... at Tennessee ...... 1 Nov. 11 ...... at Cincinnati ...... 1 Nov. 18 ...... Bye ...... Nov. 18 ...... Philadelphia ...... 1 Nov. 25 ...... at N.Y. Jets ...... 1 Nov. 22 ...... Atlanta (Thu) ...... 8:20 Dec. 2 ...... Minnesota ...... 4:25 Nov. 29 ...... at Dallas (Thu) ...... 8:20 Dec. 9 ...... at Miami ...... 1 Dec. 9 ...... at Tampa Bay ...... 1 Dec. 16 ...... at Pittsburgh ...... 4:25 Dec. 17 ...... at Carolina (Mon) ...... 8:15 Dec. 23 ...... Buffalo ...... 1 Dec. 23 ...... Pittsburgh ...... 4:25 Wide receiver Dec. 30 ...... N.Y. Jets ...... 1 Running back Dec. 30 ...... Carolina ...... 1 STEVEN SENNE/AP DERICK E. HINGLE/USA TODAY SPORTS 2017 LEADERS 2017 LEADERS What’s new: The Patriots signed DE Adrian What’s new: The Saints lost TE , Clayborn and RB . The team traded for Pass AttCmp Yds Pct TD Int Rtg OL , S and OT Zach Pass AttCmp Yds Pct TD Int Rtg T Brady 581 385 4577 66.3 32 8 102.8 D Brees 536 386 4334 72 23 8 103.9 OT , CB Jason McCourty, WR-KR Rush Att Yds Avg Lng TD Strief but added LB , WR Cam Mer- Rush Att Yds Avg Lng TD and DT . In D Lewis 180 896 5.0 44 6 edith, S and CB Patrick Robinson in M Ingram 230 1124 4.9 72 12 in the first round of the draft, the team selected G M Gillislee 104 383 3.7 16 5 A Kamara 120 728 6.1 74 8 R Burkhead 64 264 4.1 31 5 A Peterson 27 81 3.0 11 0 and RB . Rec. Rec Yds Avg Lng TD on DE . Rec. Rec Yds Avg Lng TD What could go right: The Patriots are hoping R Grnkwski 69 1084 15.7 53 8 What could go right: A look at the ledger of M Thomas 104 1245 12.0 43 5 B Cooks 65 1082 16.6 64 7 A Kamara 81 826 10.2 40 5 Brown can seamlessly replace LT , D Amndla 61 659 10.8 27 2 comings and goings shows the Saints are not T Ginn Jr. 53 787 14.8 54 4 who departed for the Giants in free agency. C Hogan 34 439 12.9 47 5 M Ingram 58 416 7.2 54 0 They also need Michel to help replace J White 56 429 7.7 27 3 three consecutive seasons, a once-in-a-genera- B Coleman 23 364 15.8 54 3 Kick PAT FG Pts Kick PAT FG Pts and Jason McCourty to take over for Malcolm But- S Gstkwski 45/47 37/40 156 tion draft class propelled them into Super Bowl W Lutz 47/50 31/36 140 ler. Lewis and Butler signed with the Titans. Clay- Interceptions No. contention. They spent 2018 shoring up holes with Interceptions No. born should upgrade New England’s pass rush D Harmon 4 veteran free agents. If Davenport can provide M Lattimore 5 S Gilmore 2 M Williams 4 while Shelton (6-2, 335 pounds) brings his impos- M Butler 2 pressure opposite Cam Jordan, the addition of Da- K Vaccaro 3 ing presence to the defensive interior. Wynn tore P Chung 1 vis could be especially significant. On offense, ad- C Robertson 2 Sacks No. Sacks No. his Achilles tendon and is out for the season. T Flowers 6.5 ding additional pieces to augment the two-head- C Jordan 13.0 Tough season if … : gets injured. K Van Noy 5.5 ed monster of Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram A Okafor 4.5 Losing a quarterback is always bad — losing Brady D Wise 5.0 is a scary thought under mastermind coach Sean V Bell 4.5 M Flowers 3.5 H Kikaha 4.0 would be devastating given that is an Payton. If most of their moves work out and QB underwhelming backup and is continues to fight off Father Time, now in San Francisco. Even with a healthy Brady, New Orleans could be considered the strongest roster in the NFL. Tough season if … : Brees had more shaky throws in 2017 than in years past, but the improvement in his supporting cast led to a league-leading completion percent- age. It’s hard to envision the Saints being noncompetitive as long as Brees remains and (free agency), and even 26-year-old was top tier. Without him, New Orleans would be lucky to win seven games. released. Brady will need to rely heavily on familiar faces and Chris The call: Ingram’s four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s performance- Hogan while getting comfortable with recent arrivals and Patterson. enhancing drug policy opens the door for Kamara to take the reins, not that he The call: wouldn’t anyway. The reigning rookies of the year (Kamara and CB Marshon Latti- drama surrounding the apparent strained relationship between Brady and coach Bill Belichick. What’s more, New England has to adjust to turnover at imp- ortant positions, such as left tackle, cornerback and receiver. But just when obser- could cause issues if injuries mount. The NFC South is the most competitive divi- vers get the urge to say the Patriots are finally in decline, Brady and Belichick shou- sion in football, but there’s little reason to think New Orleans doesn’t repeat. A 12-4 ld transform this New England team into a Super Bowl contender. Somehow, they always do. season and trip to Super Bowl LIII is within reason.

Henry McKenna, Patriots Wire KD Drummond, Saints Wire 14 SPECIAL EDITION USA TODAY SPORTS

Nate Davis’ New York Nate Davis’ New York 2018 2018 prediction GIANTS prediction JETS 7-9 Coach: 4-12 Coach: , fourth year, 20-28 Third place in Coordinators: Mike Shula (offense), Fourth place in Coordinators: Jeremy Bates (offense), NFC East (defense), Thomas McGaughey AFC East (defense), (special teams) (special teams)

2018 SCHEDULE (ET) 2018 SCHEDULE (ET)

Sept. 9 ...... Jacksonville ...... 1 Sept. 10 ...... at Detroit (Mon) ...... 7:10 Sept. 16 ...... at Dallas ...... 8:20 Sept. 16 ...... Miami ...... 1 Sept. 23 ...... at Houston ...... 1 Sept. 20 ..... at Cleveland (Thu) ..... 8:20 Sept. 30 ...... New Orleans ...... 4:25 Sept. 30 ...... at Jacksonville ...... 1 Oct. 7 ...... at Carolina ...... 1 Oct. 7 ...... Denver ...... 1 Oct. 11 ...... Philadelphia (Thu) ...... 8:20 Oct. 14 ...... Indianapolis ...... 1 Oct. 22 ...... at Atlanta (Mon) ...... 8:15 Oct. 21 ...... Minnesota ...... 1 Oct. 28 ...... Washington ...... 1 Oct. 28 ...... at Chicago ...... 1 Nov. 4 ...... Bye ...... Nov. 4 ...... at Miami ...... 1 Nov. 12 .. at San Francisco (Mon) .. 8:15 Nov. 11 ...... Buffalo ...... 1 Nov. 18 ...... Tampa Bay ...... 1 Nov. 18 ...... Bye ...... Nov. 25 ...... at Philadelphia ...... 1 Nov. 25 ...... New England ...... 1 Dec. 2 ...... Chicago ...... 1 Dec. 2 ...... at Tennessee ...... 4:05 Dec. 9 ...... at Washington ...... 1 Dec. 9 ...... at Buffalo ...... 1 Dec. 16 ...... Tennessee ...... 1 Dec. 15 ...... Houston (Sat) ...... TBD Dec. 22 or 23 .... at Indianapolis .... TBD Dec. 23 ...... Green Bay ...... 1 Running back Dec. 30 ...... Dallas ...... 1 Cornerback Trumaine Johnson Dec. 30 ...... at New England ...... 1 VINCENT CARCHIETTA/USA TODAY SPORTS JULIO CORTEZ/AP 2017 LEADERS 2017 LEADERS What’s new: What’s new: The Jets made a handful of addi- franchise-record 13 losses, co-owners Pass AttCmp Yds Pct TD Int Rtg tions, including a rookie quarterback. QB Ted- Pass AttCmp Yds Pct TD Int Rtg E Manning 571 352 3468 61.6 19 13 80.4 J McCown 397 267 2926 67.3 18 9 94.5 and uncharacteristically blew every- Rush Att Yds Avg Lng TD dy Bridgewater also was initially acquired but Rush Att Yds Avg Lng TD thing up and began a rebuild from the top down, O Darkwa 171 751 4.4 75 5 the Jets traded him to the Saints when Sam B Powell 178 772 4.3 75 5 hiring Dave Gettleman as the general manager as W Gallman 111 476 4.3 24 0 M Forte 103 381 3.7 20 2 S Vereen 45 164 3.6 17 0 Darnold proved capable of leading the offense E McGuire 88 315 3.6 69 1 Rec. Rec Yds Avg Lng TD in his first season. Veteran Josh McCown will Rec. Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Shurmur as head coach after an exhaustive search S Shepard 59 731 12.4 77 2 back up the third overall draft pick. The Jets R Anderson 63 941 14.9 69 7 E Engram 64 722 11.3 35 6 J Kearse 65 810 12.5 51 5 aided by former GM Ernie Accorsi. There was also R Lewis 36 416 11.6 34 2 also brought in to boost the rec- A SfrnJnkns 50 357 7.1 28 3 extensive work done to the roster through free O Beckham 25 302 12.1 48 3 eiving unit and Spencer Long to bring respectab- M Forte 37 293 7.9 34 1 agency, the draft and trades. Free agent additions S Vereen 44 253 5.8 20 0 J Kerley 22 217 9.9 31 1 Kick PAT FG Pts ility back to the center position. Isaiah Crowell replaces Kick PAT FG Pts include LT Nate Solder, RG , LB- A Rosas 20/23 18/25 74 C Catanzaro 29/29 25/30 104 DE Kareem Martin, LB-DE Conner Barwin, DE Interceptions No. Jets made a huge splash, bringing in lockdown Interceptions No. , WR , S Michael Thomas, J Jenkins 3 M Maye 2 R Cockrell 3 CB Trumaine Johnson on a mega-deal. The team T. Brooks 2 CB B.W. Webb and RB . The most L Collins 2 also got younger up the middle, signing linebacker J Burris 1 notable addition is RB Saquon Barkley, the No. 2 K Sheppard 2 M Claiborne 1 Sacks No. to play alongside . Sacks No. draft pick. J Pierre-Paul 8.0 D Davis 5.0 What could go right: If the Giants remain O Vernon 7.0 derson, hoping he can stay healthy and produce on M Wilkerson 3.5 healthy, a quick turnaround might happen. QB Eli D Kennard 4.0 D Bass 3.5 C Munson 2.0 a defensive line full of question marks. D Lee 3.0 Manning is now surrounded by some of the most What could go right: McCown and Bridge- talented skill players of his career, and his protec- water were placeholders but Darnold, a University of Southern California tion should be leaps and bounds better than it has been in recent years. On defense, product, has embraced the spotlight and grand expectation placed on him. new coordinator James Bettcher’s aggressive 3-4 base system should yield sub- stantial improvement from the team’s pass rush, freeing up the defensive backs to He’s the future, and the future is now as the Jets are starting the season make plays. The special teams shouldn’t be overlooked — several key additions with him under center. were made, including P , following a horrendous showing in 2017. Tough season if … : Aside from quarterback, the biggest issue facing the team was Tough season if … : the pass rush. The Jets desperately need someone to team with Leonard Williams and sack opposing quarterbacks. Right now, things are not looking good. Don’t be have a top-heavy roster, so injuries could expose a lack of depth at most positions. surprised if the Jets trade for an upgrade before the season starts. Right now, thi- The call: ngs are not looking good as the Jets lack experience in that area. time since a Super Bowl XLVI victory over the Patriots. That now seems like a dis- The call: With serious questions on both sides of the ball and an incredibly tant memory, but it’s a testament to how quickly things can change. The 2018 Giants young roster, the Jets are still incomplete. However, this is a team getting closer and and that’s not how the NFL generally works. bound to be a fun and exciting team.

Dan Benton, Giants Wire Gary Phillips, Jets Wire USA TODAY SPORTS SPECIAL EDITION 15

Nate Davis’ Oakland Nate Davis’ Philadelphia 2018 2018 prediction RAIDERS prediction EAGLES 7-9 Coach: 11-5 Coach: , third year, 20-12 Fourth place in Coordinators: Greg Olson (offense), First place in Coordinators: (offense), AFC West Paul Guenther (defense), NFC East (defense), (special teams) (special teams)

2018 SCHEDULE (ET) 2018 SCHEDULE (ET)

Sept. 10 ...... L.A. Rams (Mon) ...... 10:20 Sept. 6 ...... Atlanta (Thu) ...... 8:20 Sept. 16 ...... at Denver ...... 4:25 Sept. 16 ...... at Tampa Bay ...... 1 Sept. 23 ...... at Miami ...... 1 Sept. 23 ...... Indianapolis ...... 1 Sept. 30 ...... Cleveland ...... 4:05 Sept. 30 ...... at Tennessee ...... 1 Oct. 7 ...... at L.A. Chargers ...... 4:05 Oct. 7 ...... Minnesota ...... 4:25 Oct. 14 ...... Seattle (London) ...... 1 Oct. 11 ...... at N.Y. Giants (Thu) ...... 8:20 Oct. 21 ...... Bye ...... Oct. 21 ...... Carolina ...... 1 Oct. 28 ...... Indianapolis ...... 4:05 Oct. 28 .... at Jax (London) .... 9:30 a.m. Nov. 1 .... at San Francisco (Thu) .... 8:20 Nov. 4 ...... Bye ...... Nov. 11 ...... L.A. Chargers ...... 4:05 Nov. 11 ...... Dallas ...... 8:20 Nov. 18 ...... at Arizona ...... 4:05 Nov. 18 ...... at New Orleans ...... 1 Nov. 25 ...... at Baltimore ...... 1 Nov. 25 ...... N.Y. Giants ...... 1 Dec. 2 ...... Kansas City ...... 4:05 Dec. 3 ...... Washington (Mon) ...... 8:15 Dec. 9 ...... Pittsburgh ...... 8:20 Dec. 9 ...... at Dallas ...... 4:25 Dec. 16 ...... at Cincinnati ...... 1 Dec. 16 ...... at L.A. Rams ...... 8:20 Dec. 24 ...... Denver (Mon) ...... 8:15 Dec. 23 ...... Houston ...... 1 Coach Dec. 30 ...... at Kansas City ...... 1 Quarterback Dec. 30 ...... at Washington ...... 1 KIRBY LEE/USA TODAY SPORTS SUCHAT PEDERSON/THE NEWS JOURNAL What’s new: All eyes are on new head coach 2017 LEADERS What’s new: The passing game will be bol- 2017 LEADERS Pass AttCmp Yds Pct TD Int Rtg stered by the arrival of speedy WR Mike Wallace Pass AttCmp Yds Pct TD Int Rtg time since 2008. Gruden made his mark early on D Carr 515 323 3496 62.7 22 13 86.4 and rookie TE . Adding versatile C Wentz 440 265 3296 60.2 33 7 101.9 this team, signing a number of veteran players, in- Rush Att Yds Avg Lng TD veteran DL Michael Bennett will make things Rush Att Yds Avg Lng TD M Lynch 207 891 4.3 51 7 L Blount 173 766 4.4 68 2 cluding WR , RB Doug Martin and LB J Richard 56 275 4.9 52 1 J Ajayi 70 408 5.8 71 1 Derrick Johnson. Gruden has never been afraid of D Washngtn 57 153 2.7 11 2 What could go right: If Wallace can recapture C Clement 74 321 4.3 28 4 taking chances on older players, hoping to resur- Rec. Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Rec. Rec Yds Avg Lng TD J Cook 54 688 12.7 35 2 the productive season he had two years ago with Z Ertz 74 824 11.1 53 8 rect their careers. A Cooper 48 680 14.2 87 7 the Ravens, Philadelphia’s passing game will be le- A Jeffery 57 789 13.8 53 9 What could go right: The addition of Nelson M Crabtree 58 618 10.7 41 8 thal. Losing TE Trey Burton led to Goedert’s arriv- N Agholor 62 768 12.4 72 8 to the passing game should help provide more big S Roberts 43 455 10.6 29 1 T Smith 36 430 11.9 59 2 C Patterson 31 309 10.0 59 0 T Burton 23 248 10.8 27 5 gains for an offense that desperately lacked firep- Kick PAT FG Pts since defenses will focus so much attention on Kick PAT FG Pts owerlast season. Gruden’s mission is to get QB G Tavecchio 33/34 16/21 81 J Elliott 39/42 26/31 117 Interceptions No. . The biggest question mark is the return Interceptions No. on track to be an elite passer. Getting S Smith 2 of QB Carson Wentz. If he can return from a torn P Robinson 4 WR back to his dominant self will be R Nelson 1 ACL to his MVP-caliber form, Philadelphia again R McLeod 3 N Bowman 1 J Mills 3 another important task for Gruden. If Cooper and K Joseph 1 can take advantage of his ability to extend plays. R Darby 3 Nelson, who have combined to have six seasons Sacks No. He has shown the possibility of making a Week 1 Sacks No. of 1,000-plus-yard receiving yards, fit together K Mack 10.5 debut is within reach in training camp with a B Graham 9.5 B Irvin 7.5 F Cox 5.5 the Raiders could have one of the best passing g- D Autry 5.0 strong arm and movement within the pocket D Barnett 5.0 ames in the AFC. M Edwards 3.5 against a live pass rush. He has shown a strong arm C Long 5.0 Tough season if … : While the offense has loaded and movement within the pocket against a live pass up on talent, the defense could look worse. Standout pass rusher , rush in camp but is not ready to start the season, so , who helped carry a contract holdout in the preseason, was traded to the Bears to get a first-round the Eagles to the Super Bowl title, will start in his place. Tough season if … : The No. 3 safety and nickel cornerback spots are two of the draft picks in 2019 and 2020, sixth-rounder next year and a third-rounder in 2020. The defensive line has a lot of youth and many unproven commodities. Linebacker is still a problem; the Raiders haven’t developed a player at the position in years. In- Philadelphia to play closer to the line of scrimmage against bigger stead, they have opted to sign older players who have bounced around theleague. slot receivers. Losing Patrick Robinson means there’s an open spot at nickel corner. This practice showed last year, as the defense ranked 23rd. The secondary has a l- Someone will have to step up and be the answer to teams that employ shifty slot ot of talent but it’s unproven. it could be a rough season for the Raiders if they do- wideouts. With another year of experience, this group of cornerbacks needs to n’t figure out a way to improve the defese. clamp down. The call: The Raiders spent training camp and the preseason getting adjusted The call: Nobody will look past the Eagles as they try to defend their Super Bo- to a new coaching staff andlearning a new offense under Gruden. The offense wl title. The return of Wentz, RB , LB and LT Jason P- should be much improved (23rd in points per game in 2017), and if the defense can eters should give the Eagles a group of players on a mission to play in a Super Bowl continue to take small steps in the right direction, Oakland might be in contention themselves, as long as Wentz gets back to full speed. to win the AFC West, although the loss of Mack hurts.

Marcus Mosher, Raiders Wire Turron Davenport, The Eagles Wire 16 SPECIAL EDITION USA TODAY SPORTS

Nate Davis’ Pittsburgh Nate Davis’ San Francisco 2018 2018 prediction STEELERS prediction 49ERS 10-6 Coach: , 12th year, 116-60 7-9 Coach: , second year, 6-10 First place in Coordinators: (offense), Keith Third place in Coordinators: None (offense), AFC North Butler (defense), (special teams) NFC West (defense), (special teams)

2018 SCHEDULE (ET) 2018 SCHEDULE (ET)

Sept. 9 ...... at Cleveland ...... 1 Sept. 9 ...... at Minnesota ...... 1 Sept. 16 ...... Kansas City ...... 1 Sept. 16 ...... Detroit ...... 4:05 Sept. 24 ...... at T.B. (Mon) ...... 8:15 Sept. 23 ...... at Kansas City ...... 1 Sept. 30 ...... Baltimore ...... 8:20 Sept. 30 ...... at L.A. Chargers ...... 4:25 Oct. 7 ...... Atlanta ...... 1 Oct. 7 ...... Arizona ...... 4:25 Oct. 14 ...... at Cincinnati ...... 1 Oct. 15 ...... at Green Bay (Mon) ...... 8:15 Oct. 21 ...... Bye ...... Oct. 21 ...... L.A. Rams ...... 8:20 Oct. 28 ...... Cleveland ...... 1 Oct. 28 ...... at Arizona ...... 4:25 Nov. 4 ...... at Baltimore ...... 1 Nov. 1 ...... Oakland (Thu) ...... 8:20 Nov. 8 ...... Carolina (Thu) ...... 8:20 Nov. 12 ...... N.Y. Giants (Mon) ...... 8:15 Nov. 18 ...... at Jacksonville ...... 8:20 Nov. 18 ...... Bye ...... Nov. 25 ...... at Denver ...... 4:25 Nov. 25 ...... at Tampa Bay ...... 1 Dec. 2 ...... L.A. Chargers ...... 1 Dec. 2 ...... at Seattle ...... 8:20 Dec. 9 ...... at Oakland ...... 8:20 Dec. 9 ...... Denver ...... 4:05 Dec. 16 ...... New England ...... 4:25 Dec. 16 ...... Seattle ...... 4:05 Dec. 23 ...... at New Orleans ...... 4:25 Dec. 23 ...... Chicago ...... 4:05 Quarterback Dec. 30 ...... Cincinnati ...... 1 Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo Dec. 30 ...... at L.A. Rams ...... 4:25 CHARLES LECLAIRE/USA TODAY SPORTS STAN SZETO/USA TODAY SPORTS 2017 LEADERS What’s new: Second-year coach Kyle Shana- 2017 LEADERS What’s new: The Steelers cleaned house at han and general manager John Lynch have their Pass AttCmp Yds Pct TD Int Rtg Pass AttCmp Yds Pct TD Int Rtg BRthlsbrgr 561 360 4251 64.2 28 14 93.4 solution to the quarterback situation in Jimmy Ga- J Grpplo 178 120 1560 67.4 7 5 96.2 place. Pittsburgh is hoping new additions Morgan Rush Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rush Att Yds Avg Lng TD Burnett, , Marcus Allen and Nat L Bell 321 1291 4.0 27 9 tract in February to become the new face of the C Hyde 240 940 3.9 61 8 Berhe can bring consistency and communication J Conner 32 144 4.5 23 0 M Breida 105 465 4.4 33 2 S Ridley 26 108 4.2 21 1 franchise. The 49ers acquired Garoppolo from the CJ Beathard 26 136 5.2 16 3 Rec. Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Patriots at the trade deadline, at the modest cost Rec. Rec Yds Avg Lng TD season. The Steelers also added free agent LB Jon A Brown 101 1533 15.2 57 9 M Goodwin 56 962 17.2 83 2 JSmthSchstr 58 917 15.8 97 7 of a second-round pick, and he went 5-0 as a start- G Kittle 43 515 12.0 44 2 L Bell 85 655 7.7 42 2 P Garcon 40 500 12.5 59 0 M Bryant 50 603 12.1 51 3 after starting 0-9. The 49ers think they made a siz- T Taylor 43 430 10.0 33 2 largely intact. Pittsburgh is banking on an elite of- J James 43 372 8.7 32 3 C Hyde 59 350 5.9 18 0 Kick PAT FG Pts able upgrade at center with free agent Weston Kick PAT FG Pts fensive line helping generate big seasons from C Boswell 37/39 35/38 142 Richburg and at running back with Jerick McKin- R Gould 28/29 39/41 145 Killer B’s LeVeon Bell and along Interceptions No. non, though McKinnon tore his ACL and is out for Interceptions No. with WR JuJu Smith-Schuster and rookie WR S Davis 3 A Witherspoon 2 R Shazier 3 the season. On defense, CB Richard Sherman will R Armstrong 2 James Washington. M Hilton 2 be tasked with a leadership role on last year’s 22nd ran- E Reid 2 What could go right: If the defense comes to C Sensabaugh 1 ked passing defense. D Johnson 1 Sacks No. Sacks No. C Heyward 12.0 What could go right: Garoppolo plays like he E Dumervil 6.5 team has a chance to be special. The Steelers do V Williams 8.0 did late last season and inserts himself into the D Buckner 3.0 TJ Watt 7.0 league’s top tier of young quarterbacks. It’s pos- S Thomas 3.0 B Dupree 6.0 E Harold 2.0 Jaguars, but this is a Super Bowl-caliber team if sible, given Shanahan’s expansive résumé devel- the defense can hold up its end of the bargain. Tough season if … : As with every season, it’s all about injuries, but in the Steel- fenses. The defense is young but it might have the talent to be good enough to keep ers’ case it’s because several of their positional units lack depth. If they have a seri- the team competitive. Sherman should provide an upgrade, assuming he recovers ous injury at wide receiver or linebacker, it could be devastating. But the reality is fully from an Achilles tendon tear. LB (suspended for two games), DT this team will go as far as QB Ben Roethlisberger takes it, so keeping him healthy is DeForest Buckner and safeties and are forming a po- paramount. tentially strong nucleus. The call: Training camp for the Steelers was all about implementing new wrinkles Tough season if … : Garoppolo doesn’t live up to the hype. Young quarterbacks have a way of falling back to the pack after good starts once opposing coordinators points will be no problem, but minimizing shootouts is key. This group is poised for enced players and could take some lumps. RT Mike McGlinchey, the No. 9 pick in the another 12- to 13-win season and the AFC North title. The No. 1seed in the AFC might draft, will be challenged by elite pass rushers. come down to a late season-showdown with the Patriots. If the Steelers can host all The call: Shanahan has said players make considerable jumps in their second seasons in his offensive system. The 49ers are riding a wave of optimism into the win it all. season and thinking, “Why not us?”

Curt Popejoy, Steelers Wire Chris Biderman, Niners Wire USA TODAY SPORTS SPECIAL EDITION 17

Nate Davis’ Seattle Nate Davis’ Tampa Bay 2018 2018 prediction SEAHAWKS prediction BUCCANEERS 4-12 Coach: , ninth year, 79-48-1 5-11 Coach: Dirk Koetter, third year, 14-18 Fourth place in Coordinators: (offense), Fourth place in Coordinators: Todd Monken (offense), Mike NFC West Ken Norton Jr. (defense), Brian Schneider NFC South Smith (defense), (special teams) (special teams)

2018 SCHEDULE (ET) 2018 SCHEDULE (ET)

Sept. 9 ...... at Denver ...... 4:25 Sept. 9 ...... at New Orleans ...... 1 Sept. 17 ...... at Chicago (Mon) ...... 8:15 Sept. 16 ...... Philadelphia ...... 1 Sept. 23 ...... Dallas ...... 4:25 Sept. 24 ...... Pittsburgh (Mon) ...... 8:15 Sept. 30 ...... at Arizona ...... 4:05 Sept. 30 ...... at Chicago ...... 1 Oct. 7 ...... L.A. Rams ...... 4:25 Oct. 7 ...... Bye ...... Oct. 14 ...... at Oakland (London) ...... 1 Oct. 14 ...... at Atlanta ...... 1 Oct. 21 ...... Bye ...... Oct. 21 ...... Cleveland ...... 1 Oct. 28 ...... at Detroit ...... 1 Oct. 28 ...... at Cincinnati ...... 1 Nov. 4 ...... L.A. Chargers ...... 4:05 Nov. 4 ...... at Carolina ...... 1 Nov. 11 ...... at L.A. Rams ...... 4:25 Nov. 11 ...... Washington...... 1 Nov. 15 ...... Green Bay (Thu) ...... 8:20 Nov. 18 ...... at N.Y. Giants ...... 1 Nov. 25 ...... at Carolina ...... 1 Nov. 25 ...... San Francisco ...... 1 Dec. 2 ...... San Francisco ...... 8:20 Dec. 2 ...... Carolina ...... 1 Dec. 10 ...... Minnesota (Mon) ...... 8:15 Dec. 9 ...... New Orleans ...... 1 Dec. 16 ...... at San Francisco ...... 4:05 Dec. 16 ...... at Baltimore ...... 1 Dec. 23 ...... Kansas City ...... 8:20 Dec. 23 ...... at Dallas ...... 1 Running back Dec. 30 ...... Arizona ...... 4:25 Defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul Dec. 30 ...... Atlanta ...... 1 JOE NICHOLSON/USA TODAY SPORTS KIM KLEMENT/USA TODAY SPORTS 2017 LEADERS 2017 LEADERS What’s new: The Seahawks selected RB Rash- What’s new: A completely rebuilt defensive Pass AttCmp Yds Pct TD Int Rtg line, loaded via free agency (, Beau Al- Pass AttCmp Yds Pct TD Int Rtg R Wilson 553 339 3983 61.3 34 11 95.4 J Winston 442 282 3504 63.8 19 11 92.2 compete with returner for carries Rush Att Yds Avg Lng TD len), trade (Jason Pierre-Paul) and a first-round d- Rush Att Yds Avg Lng TD and will be complemented by a running back corps R Wilson 95 586 6.2 31 3 raft pick (). There’s changing of the guard P Barber 108 423 3.9 34 3 that projects to be healthy to start the season. The M Davis 68 240 3.5 33 0 at running back as veteran Doug Martin is out, and D Martin 138 406 2.9 27 3 C Carson 49 208 4.2 30 0 J Rodgers 64 244 3.8 36 1 Seahawks also will have a new look on defense af- Rec. Rec Yds Avg Lng TD a new anchor for the interior of the offensive line in Rec. Rec Yds Avg Lng TD ter parting ways with starters Richard Sherman D Baldwin 75 991 13.2 54 8 high-priced free agent C Ryan Jensen. Jensen im- M Evans 71 1001 14.1 42 5 P Richardson 44 703 16.0 61 6 D Jackson 50 668 13.4 41 3 T Lockett 45 555 12.3 74 2 proves two spots by allowing to move A Hmphries 61 631 10.3 43 1 to neck injuries. S ’ J Graham 57 520 9.1 33 10 back to guard. And there’s a secondary bolstered C Brate 48 591 12.3 35 6 role was in question. JD McKissic 34 266 7.8 27 2 C Godwin 34 525 15.4 70 1 Kick PAT FG Pts by promising draft picks at both levels (second- Kick PAT FG Pts What could go right: Although Seattle clearly B Walsh 37/38 21/29 100 round CBs Carlton Davisand M.J. Stewart, fourth- P Murray 21/22 19/23 78 has pushed the reset button, the Seahawks do Interceptions No. round safety ). Interceptions No. have a number of veterans likely to make an im- E Thomas 2 K Alexander 3 J Coleman 2 What could go right: The defensive overhaul B Grimes 3 pact. WR and LB will R Sherman 2 R McClain 3 vastly improves a unit that gave up the most yards provide leadership during the rebuilding period. B Wagner 2 J Evans 3 Sacks No. Sacks No. F Clark 9.0 G McCoy 6.0 M Bennett 8.5 C McDonald 5.0 eran backup QB steals a win or unique challenges for the seasoned players and D Jordan 4.0 W Clarke 2.5 D Freeney 3.0 two to start the season, and the development of TE R Ayers 2.0 rookies alike. Penny is only the third running back O.J. Howard and WR Chris Godwin take the off- ense to the next level. ing Curt Warner and . Penny rushed for 2,248 yards last season at State, tops in the country. His 7.78 rush yards per carry ranked sixth. Tough season if … : QB ’s three-game suspension for violating Head coach Pete Carroll has also praised Penny’s pass protection. the league’s personal conduct policy and the Saints, Eagles and Steelers to start the Tough season if … : With the infamous Legion of Boom dismantled, the Sea- season dig Tampa Bay an insurmountable hole. If the defensive improvements and

The call: able replacements. quality veterans, promising rookies and overall depth, while a fully stocked cup- The call: much clouding at quarterback to feel comfortable projecting a winning season, es- pecially in a division that features two of the past three league MVPs (Matt Ryan, Bowl-winning team from the ground up once before, Carroll and GM John Schneid- er surely have a plan in place. the best for which fans can hope.

Liz Mathews, Seahawks Wire Luke Easterling, Bucs Wire 18 SPECIAL EDITION USA TODAY SPORTS

Nate Davis’ Tennessee Nate Davis’ Washington 2018 2018 prediction TITANS prediction REDSKINS 10-6 Coach: 7-9 Coach: Third place in Coordinators: Matt LaFleur (offense), Fourth place in Coordinators: (offense), AFC South (defense), (special teams) NFC East (defense), Ben Kotwica (special teams)

2018 SCHEDULE (ET) 2018 SCHEDULE (ET)

Sept. 9 ...... at Miami ...... 1 Sept. 9 ...... at Arizona ...... 4:25 Sept. 16 ...... Houston ...... 1 Sept. 16 ...... Indianapolis ...... 1 Sept. 23 ...... at Jacksonville ...... 1 Sept. 23 ...... Green Bay ...... 1 Sept. 30 ...... Philadelphia ...... 1 Sept. 30 ...... Bye ...... Oct. 7 ...... at Buffalo ...... 1 Oct. 8 .... at New Orleans (Mon) .... 8:15 Oct. 14 ...... Baltimore ...... 4:25 Oct. 14 ...... Carolina ...... 1 Oct. 21 . at Chrgrs (London) . 9:30 a.m. Oct. 21 ...... Dallas ...... 4:25 Oct. 28 ...... Bye ...... Oct. 28 ...... at N.Y. Giants ...... 1 Nov. 5 ...... at Dallas (Mon) ...... 8:15 Nov. 4 ...... Atlanta ...... 1 Nov. 11 ...... New England ...... 1 Nov. 11 ...... at Tampa Bay ...... 1 Nov. 18 ...... at Indianapolis ...... 1 Nov. 18 ...... Houston ...... 1 Nov. 26 ...... at Houston (Mon) ...... 8:15 Nov. 22 ...... at Dallas (Thu) ...... 4:30 Dec. 2 ...... N.Y. Jets ...... 4:05 Dec. 3 ..... at Philadelphia (Mon) ..... 8:15 Dec. 6 ...... Jacksonville (Thu) ...... 8:20 Dec. 9 ...... N.Y. Giants ...... 1 Dec. 16 ...... at N.Y. Giants ...... 1 Dec. 16 ...... at Jacksonville ...... 1 Dec. 22 or 23 ...... Washington ...... TBD Dec. 23 ...... at Tennessee ...... 1 Coach Dec. 30 ...... Indianapolis ...... 1 Quarterback Dec. 30 ...... Philadelphia ...... 1 CHRISTOPHER HANEWINCKEL/USA TODAY SPORTS GEOFF BURKE/USA TODAY SPORTS 2017 LEADERS 2017 LEADERS What’s new: The Titans completely over- What’s new: The Redskins traded for QB Alex Pass AttCmp Yds Pct TD Int Rtg Smith and signed free agent WR Paul Richardson Pass AttCmp Yds Pct TD Int Rtg M Mariota 453 281 3232 62 13 15 79.3 to solidify the passing game. RB was K Cousins 540 347 4093 64.3 27 13 93.9 ing performance in 2017. New coach Mike Vrabel Rush Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rush Att Yds Avg Lng TD D Henry 176 744 4.2 75 5 drafted to provide an immediate boost, but he tore S Perine 175 603 3.4 30 1 Matt LaFleur and defensive coordinator Dean D Murray 184 659 3.6 75 6 his ACL and is out for the season, prompting the C Thompson 64 294 4.6 61 2 M Mariota 60 312 5.2 34 5 signing of . Louisville’s , R Kelley 62 194 3.1 21 3 Pees. They’ll direct a roster that added two key free Rec. Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Rec. Rec Yds Avg Lng TD agents from the Patriots, RB Dion Lewis and CB D Walker 74 807 10.9 42 3 J Crowder 66 789 12.0 41 3 tackle who could provide quality depth on a line . Tennessee also traded up in the R Matthews 53 795 15.0 75 4 V Davis 43 648 15.1 69 3 E Decker 54 563 10.4 29 1 depleted by injuries in 2017. On defense, the Red- R Grant 45 573 12.7 40 4 C Davis 34 375 11.0 37 0 skins drafted two space-eating interior linemen, C Thompson 39 510 13.1 74 4 Evans and OLB . This is the most D Murray 39 266 6.8 18 1 J Doctson 35 502 14.3 52 6 Kick PAT FG Pts Kick PAT FG Pts complete roster in the division with a coaching R Succop 31/33 35/42 136 D Hopkins 18/19 14/17 60 Interceptions No. free agent LB Pernell McPhee to give the defense Interceptions No. structed by GM Jon Robinson. K Byard 8 DJ Swearinger 4 T Smith 1 another pass rusher to complement Pro Bowler K Fuller 4 What could go right: It’s time for Marcus Ma- D Searcy 1 P Smith 2 and upstart LB Preston Smith. riota to make the leap into the upper echelon of C Riley 1 B Breeland 1 What could go right: If the Redskins’ free NFL quarterbacks. LaFleur was instrumental in Sacks No. Sacks No. D Morgan 7.5 agent additions live up to their expectations, Peterson, R Kerrigan 13.0 B Orakpo 7.0 33, finds something closer to his former form and the P Smith 8.0 sive coordinator, and a similar bounce-back year J Casey 6.0 A Lanier II 5.0 E Walden 4.0 younger players continue to get better, the team M Ioannidis 4.5 from Mariota immediately makes the Titans one could pull a surprising turnaround. They also of the favorites in the division. Lewis gives the of- have to stay away from the injury bug that riddled fense a versatile weapon the Titans were sorely missing last year. Mariota spent the team in historic proportions last year. The top players coming back from injuries: LT , RT Morgan Moses, TE , RB Chris Thompson and 2017 games with an injury in 2017 but had a solid postseason with nine catches for first-rounder and DE . 98 yards and two TDs. Davis has the potential to be a No. 1. Butler helps solidify an It will be a tough season if … : Smith doesn’t play up to the Pro Bowl form he already good secondary, and Landry should give a jolt to an aging outside pass rush. displayed in Kansas City last season, when he threw for a career-high 4,042 yards. Tough season if … : The Redskins must get ample production from a featured running back to take pres-

If he continues to be inconsistent under LaFleur, it’s going to be a long year in Nash- rush, things could get out of hand. ville regardless of how the rest of the team performs. The call: The Redskins are as deep on paper as they have been since coach Jay The call: talent a chance to emerge on both sides of the ball. Much of their success will ride on cause of more spirited practices. That should aid in the Redskins turning around a team in the hunt for a division title. candidate, especially if Peterson takes off.

Kyle Madson, Titans Wire Lake Lewis, Redskins Wire