2018 USFL Season Preview: Eastern Conference

Welcome to the first of our two USFL Preseason Preview Editions. In this edition we focus on the Eastern Conference, looking at the 14 teams vying for a berth in Summer Bowl 2018, and fighting to overtake the 2017 Conference Champion, Houston. We start with the biggest stories of the offseason for Eastern Conference teams, including QB quests, Draft signings, and a franchise building around their Rookie of the Year. We will then highlight 10 players we think could break out in a big way this year, either because they are due or because they find themselves in a new home with new possibilities. Following that we will break down each of the conference’s three divisions, review every team’s offseason moves and prospects for the year ahead, and wrap it all up with a quick peak at the 2018 season schedule before moving on to the West with our 2nd preview. So, let’s get this started with the Eastern Conference stories of the offseason.

The Three Biggest Stories in the East

3--Jacksonville’s Plan B at QB

The Bulls went into the offseason with a plan, a goal to find a possible competitor for Robert Griffin III at the QB position. They had modest cap room, but with a draft class as rich as any in recent years, there were more than enough options to choose from. They bypassed the somewhat modest free agent QB market, finding no potential starters in a list led by Mike Kafka and Ricky Stanzi. They also avoided the drama of the territorial pick swaps, opting instead to hold fast to their 11th pick in the Open Draft, confident that a QB would be available.

They were not wrong. With the 11th pick they had both Josh Rosen and Kyle Lauletta available. Rosen had somehow not received the attention that others like Mayfield, Darnold, and Jackson all had, each chosen in the T-Draft by a team that had swapped their way into the pick. Josh Allen had gone 2nd overall to the Denver Gold, but Rosen had slid to them at pick 11, and the Bulls felt good about their selection of the UCLA quarterback. But, as fans of pro football well know, drafting a player is only half the battle. The other half is convincing that player to join one league over the other, and in this case that meant sweetening the pot, both in finances and opportunity, beyond what the NFL Arizona Cardinals could offer.

Jacksonville failed in that endeavor. Eight days after the conclusion of the NFL Draft, Rosen was on a plane to Phoenix to sign a deal with the Cardinals. Plan A had failed, and it looked like Jacksonville would again place its offensive hopes in the hands of the oft-spectacular, but also oft-injured Robert Griffin. But the front office was not done yet. They saw in the NFL-USFL Transfer window a second chance, and much better options available than the USFL free agent pool had provided. The choice was between former Viking QB Teddy Bridgewater and former Patriot and 49er Jimmy Garoppolo. Both were similar players, and both could operate a system that had been originally designed with Griffin in mind, but which the Bulls’ new head Coach Brian Flores and new OC David Diaz-Infante were looking to modify.

Jacksonville spoke with both QBs, talked up the opportunities the USFL and the Bulls could provide and found a very willing Teddy Bridgewater. Bridgewater had come to the NFL as a 1st round pick (albeit 32nd in the round) and had started 12 games in his rookie campaign. He started all 16 his second year with the Vikings, but an injury in preseason wiped out his third season, and the Vikings, concerned about his return from injury, and very happy with what they got from QB Shaun Hill, decided not to use the 4th year option in Bridgewater’s career. Jacksonville signed the former Louisville Cardinal just 10 days ago, just before their preseason matchup against Portland. Looking to push Robert Griffin or replace him, the Bulls would quickly move to ensure that the NFL import was healthy and could begin to practice with the team.

So now Bridgewater is set to join the Bulls as they prepare for their opener. He will likely not be made active until Week 2 or 3, so Robert Griffin has a couple of weeks to show that he is still the QB1 in Duval County, but Jacksonville found the Plan B they had sought all season.

2--Charlotte Builds Around Trubisky

The Charlotte Monarchs, defending SE Division Champions, had their QB already, 2016 Rookie of the Year, Mitch Trubisky, so now the task was to build a team around their young signal caller, a team that could advance out of the first round of the playoffs, something Charlotte had not done since 2013. With plenty of cap room and a pretty long list of wants, the Monarchs became one of the most active teams in the offseason.

In Free Agency Charlotte would land two of the Top 10 available players, nabbing both WR Justin Blackmon and SS Shaun Schillinger. They would also add OT Kelvin Beachem, who appears to have landed the starting RT job, and LB Randy Gregory, who will likely spell starters at either MLB or on the Strong Side. Blackmon has already impressed Monarch fans in camp, stepping into the 1-spot, which allows Hakeem Nicks to stay in his familiar position as the number 2 receiver. Schillinger was basically a lock to start at strong safety and is already becoming a leader in the secondary.

Charlotte also had one of the stronger signing records among USFL clubs, landing 7 of their 10 picks between the Territorial and Open Drafts. That haul did not include 1st round pick, DE Daron Payne of Alabama, who signed with the NFL Redskins, but did include their top 2 territorial picks, NC State DT B. J. Hill and HB Nyheim Hines, already penciled in as one of the return men in the Monarch kicking game and likely to see a lot of carries spelling Adrian Peterson as well. Charlotte also signed App State guard Colby Gossett, CMU tight end Tyler Conklin, UNC wideout Austin Proehl (taken in the Open Draft), and a kicker to replace Brandon Coutu (now in the NFL), with the signing of Miami (FL) kicker Michael Badgely.

The Monarchs depth chart shows a lot of new names this year, but by most accounts we are looking at upgrades. With the addition’s Charlotte’s defense should be a step quicker and perhaps more structured as they work under former LB Coach, now DC, Jim Hermann. The offense has more options, and we could see a lot of formation variation, with a strong 2-TE formation now with Conklin joining Brandon Pettigrew, all the way to a nice 4-receiver grouping with Blackmon, Nicks, Mckenzie, and rookie Austin Proehl. All in all a well-managed, and very productive offseason for a defending division champion looking to do even more in 2018.

1--NFL Devastates NE Division Draft

During the draft it looked like the teams of the Northeast Division could do no wrong. Philadelphia, the defending champion, had swapped out a T-Draft pick and gained more draft capital. They used that to move up and earn two first round picks. Washington felt they got the best non-QB in the draft when they picked DE Bradley Chubb in the 3-slot. Pittsburgh had stayed patiently at the 5-spot in the first round of the Open Draft and lo’ and behold, Saquon Barkley was there for the taking. Baltimore had felt even luckier when the unquestioned best safety in the draft, Alabama’s Minkah Fitzpatrick had stayed on the board all the way down to their 17th pick. New Jersey, picking 22nd had also found one of their top prospects, TE Hayden Hurst, still available when it was their turn to pick. It was looking like a very good first round for the NE Division.

But the draft is only half of the story. The signing period is as big if not bigger, and when it came time to sign on the dotted line, the teams of the USFL NE Division got smoked by the NFL. Barkley was the first to go. After being chosen by the New York Giants only a week after Pittsburgh’s selection, Barkley very quickly got on board with the Mara family and their NY franchise. He had one meeting with the Maulers and then was off to NYC never to return to the Steel City. New Jersey did no better with Hayden Hurst. Less than a week after being selected by the Baltimore Ravens, the tight end was another NFL signing. It took longer for Baltimore to lose out on Fitzpatrick, but after several back-and-forth discussions with the player’s agent, Fitzpatrick signed a 4-year deal to join the Miami Dolphins.

Only Washington’s pick, DE Bradley Chubb, found his way to a USFL camp. Chubb signed a 4-year deal with the Feds, becoming the lone 1st round selection from the division to join the league. And while the Feds are probably most happy with that scenario, the Philadelphia Stars certainly are not. They took their T-draft swap, combined some second rounders and gave themselves 2 first-round picks, only to watch as both, Boise State LB Leighton Vander Esch and C James Daniels, agreed to terms with NFL clubs (Dallas and Chicago respectively).  Other than the Chubb signing, the NE Division’s 1-5 record in signing first round picks was the worst in the league. It also meant that teams needed to make late signings to fill spots with somewhat less-impactful options.

New Jersey added veteran journeyman Matt Spaeth for another body at TE, leaving John Carlson as the unquestioned starter. Pittsburgh was smart to have used the “double down” move in the draft as they lost out on Barkley but were able to sign 2nd round pick Sony Michel to a 3-year deal. Michel will now likely split carries with Marcus Lattimore as the Maulers try to upgrade their run game. Baltimore missed out on Fitzpatrick but acquired St. Louis Skyhawk safety Kendrick Lewis in a trade that cost them draft picks this year and next. As for Philadelphia, they have not found replacements and are likely looking to insert Erik Kendricks, acquired in free agency back in October, or Tanner Vallejo into the role left by the free agency departure of Blake Costanzo.

A rough outcome from the draft’s first round means 4 of 5 clubs in the division did not get the topflight talent they had hoped to acquire. It is not an unfamiliar position for any USFL club, as we typically see USFL first round signings at roughly 50% of all picks. This year the USFL signed only 12 of the 28 Open Draft first rounders, but did land 7 of 10 in the top 10 picks. Washington was one of those fortunate 7, Pittsburgh (along with LA and Dallas) were among the unfortunate 3 outbid by the NFL.

10 PLAYERS TO WATCH IN THE EAST

As we look over the 14 Eastern Division teams, there are very few that have no shiny new weapons on the roster, but not every free agent signing, trade acquisition, or signed rookie will become a major player this season. Some will play a specific role, some may disappoint with their output, but there are always some new arrivals who step right in and make an immediate impact. Here is our list of the 10 players we think could do just that in 2018, making a splash in a new home, listed alphabetically by team.

HB Nick Chubb, Atlanta, T-Draft Rookie

A 1,000-yard rusher in both his junior and senior years at Georgia, Chubb is a big, bruising back, but one with enough breakaway speed to muscle through the first line of defense and then race past the second. He will share carries with Chris Ivory and Kenyan Drake at first, but we expect to see him start to take over more and more of the load as his rookie season progresses.

TE Eric Ebron, Birmingham, NFL Import

The Stallions may now have one of the best 1-2 punches at the TE position after signing Ebron away from the Detroit Lions. Paired with Hunter Henry in 2-TE formations, the defenses are not going to be able to key on the run, because they have to respect the ability of these two big receivers to get open over the middle.

WR Justin Blackmon, Charlotte, Free Agent

After gaining over 2,000 combined receiving yards in the past 2 seasons in Ohio, Blackmon will quickly become Mitch Trubisky’s favorite target. Certainly not a speed burner, what Blackmon brings is a combination of crisp route running and the ability to win on contested throws.

QB Teddy Bridgewater, Jacksonville, NFL Import

Robert Griffin III will start the season as Bridgewater clears to play and picks up the system, but we expect that there will be a short leash on the often-erratic Bulls’ QB now that they have a viable alternative in Bridgewater. Would it surprise us if Bridgewater was the starter by midseason? No. It would surprise us more if he spent the entire season on the bench.

OT Willie Colon, New Orleans, Free Agent

It’s a one-year deal, and it is likely the veteran left tackle’s final season at age 34, but for a team that seems to be inches away from true title contention, bringing in an All-USFL left tackle to protect Drew Brees and plow holes for Leonard Fournette seems like a very good short-term strategy to us.

CB Aqib Talib, New Jersey, Trade from Denver

Denver’s cap crisis was New Jersey’s gain. The Gold dealt Talib for pennies on the dollar, unable to square away his large contract bubble, but New Jersey had room aplenty and were more than happy to make the deal. It brings to them perhaps the best pure shut-down corner in the league. Paired with Devin McCourty on the other side, this duo is going to be very tough to crack by all but the best WR groups the league has to offer.

CB Jaire Alexander, Philadelphia, T-Draft Rookie

Alexander was a very nice find in the Philadelphia T-Draft. He is already slated to start as the nickel back but will likely challenge Sam Shields and Courtland Finnegan for a starting spot soon enough. With the two starters for Philly a combined 67 years old, Alexander could be on a 1-year gig in the slot before taking over in 2019.

HB Sony Michel, Pittsburgh, Rookie

Is Michel as good as Barkley could be? No, not likely, but he is a solid option at halfback and could push Marcus Lattimore for carries if he has a good early season. Michel rushed for over 1,200 yards on a Georgia team that also had Nick Chubb over 1,000 last year. Now, admittedly, Michell won’t be seeking Vanderbilt, Kentucky or Louisiana-Lafayette on the schedule this year, but we still think Michel was a very nice add for the Maulers, and a good bit of “double down” drafting.

WR Dez Bryant, Tampa Bay, NFL Import

We did not have the Bandits on the short list to sign the former Cowboy wideout, but it does make sense. After all this is the team of Eric Truvillion and Randy Moss. Bandit Ball has always been about the huge vertical throw, and Bryant is one of the best deep ball receivers in the game. Now, if the Bandit line can only protect QB Dak Prescott long enough to have him hit Bryant often enough.

HB Anthony Allen, Washington, Free Agent

We thought about putting rookie Bradley Chubb here, but while we expect Chubb to be a big factor for the Feds, Allen’s presence is of more immediate need. Coach Bradley wants Washington to return to its roots as a run-first team with a solid defense and an opportunistic passing game. To do that they need a back who can handle 25-30 carries a game and who can actually get results. Allen has proven in Memphis that he can carry a heavy load, produce good yardage, and even make the occasional big play. He is not LeVeon Bell or Doug Martin, but he could very well be a 1,200-yard back in Washington with a little help from his line.

DIVISION PREVIEWS

Ready to get deep into the weeds? We are going to take a look at each of the Eastern Conference divisions, who is on the rise, who may stumble, what players are going to make an impact, what rookies could start fast right out of the gate. Then, of course, we will make our picks for each division’s final standings and who we see making the Eastern Conference playoffs.

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The NE Division has been among the league’s best for several years now, often placing 3 teams in the postseason. Last year saw something of a mixed bag in the division with Philadelphia dominant, New Jersey looking very strong, Baltimore up, then down, then up again, Pittsburgh still unable to duplicate their 2015 success and Washington bottoming out. Will it look different this year or will the Stars hold off all others once again?

Four Potential Breakout Players

Baltimore LB Anthony Hitchens

Hitchens comes over to Baltimore from the Outlaws and will almost certainly start on the strong side, next to MLB Brandon Jenkins. It is quite a step up after not starting a single game for the Outlaws last year. Coach Caldwell says he sees great things for “Hitch” and we have learned to trust his judgement on undervalued players.

New Jersey CB Aqib Talib

Yes, Talib was already a standout player in Denver, but this is the Big Apple, OK, it is Big Apple adjacent. Talib will be a star in New Jersey, with every big-time play amplified by the local media. Seeing how Talib has played for the Gold, there will be plenty of those big plays.

Pittsburgh WR Brian Quick

The Maulers have a very crowded WR group, having also added Tedd Ginn Jr to a group led by Thielen and Cruz. That said, Quick showed in Portland that he can be a reliable deep threat as well as a solid mid-range receiver. Expect him to be in a lot of the 3-receiver sets, with Ginn used mostly for return duties and the odd 4-receiver formation.

Washington HB Anthony Allen

We love what we see from Allen. In Memphis he not only subbed for Todd Gurley, he often outperformed him. He is exactly the type of inside/outside runner that Coach Bradley needs if he wants to return to a more smashmouth power run game. We think 1,000, maybe 1,200 yards is in Allen’s future this year.

Four Rookies in a Good Position for Early Success

New Jersey DT Deadrin Senat

Senat is currently the swing tackle in Baltimore’s defense but could earn a starting job with a good start. It will be a bit of an adjustment coming from USF to the USFL, but hey, he is already ¾ of the way there.

Philadelphia CB Jaire Alexander

The first of two rookies we highlight on the very talented Stars team. Alexander will start the year at the nickel position but could also see some action in early downs as well. He is going to have to pick up the more complex route trees of the USFL, but his raw talent is impressive.

Philadelphia WR Braxton Berrios

Berrios came in expecting to have a role in special teams, but he had a great camp and will share slot duties with James Hardy. He has the skillset to be an outstanding 3rd receiver, running slants, hooks, and crossing routes.

Pittsburgh HB Sony Michel

Yes, the Maulers had their hearts set on Saquon, but Sony is a pretty good fallback plan, and with a heavier build than Marcus Lattimore, we expect to see a lot of him on first and second down. He has to work on his blocking if he wants to be a 3-down back.

Our Predicted NE Division Standings

Here we go, prognosticating again. Guess we never learn.

Philadelphia 12-4   

We think New Jersey and Baltimore will challenge, but this roster is just too deep and too good. We think they win the division again and could end up as the 1 seed as well.

New Jersey 10-6     

The Generals are building a very good team. We love the Talib trade, the run game, and the development of OBJ, but the D-line could have issues without Okoye, and we are just not sure about any receiver outside of Beckham.

Baltimore  9-7        

Despite all their issues, we have the Blitz chasing New Jersey for one reason, Big Ben. We just trust him a lot more than we do Nick Foles. The defense is a bit of a question, so we could be overshooting their ceiling, but we just think they have the weapons to be a real tough out each week.

Pittsburgh 7-9        

Andy Dalton cannot complain about having no targets, that is for sure. The line, well… that may be a different story. While we think the Maulers could have a Top 5 D-Line, what is behind it is a big question mark.

Washington 5-11      

Coach Bradley will build some quality and much needed discipline into the defense, but that will take time. Drafting Bradley Chubb certainly helps there. On offense, while we think Allen is a perfect fit, we are not sure that David Garrard has gas left in the tank after missing much of 2017 with an injury, and the line still needs to prove itself.

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Perhaps the weakest division in the league, with only 1 team reaching .500 last year and a lot of questions all over. Even Charlotte, which looks like the best of the division again, has issues. They have struggled to win even home playoff games, and they need to prove they can beat the conference's elite teams, not just beat up on their division.

Four Potential Breakout Players

Charlotte SS Shaun Schillinger

After 8 years in Seattle, Shaun Schillinger has had a solid career, but his recognition has been lacking. He now joins a Charlotte team that has been a steady playoff team but rarely has found post-season success. Schillinger could be a factor in changing that history.

Jacksonville QB Teddy Bridgewater

After missing out on the 2016 NFL season with the Vikings, Bridgewater was a victim of circumstance, let go by the Vikings despite two strong years as their QB. Jacksonville is happy they jumped the gun on letting Bridgewater go. They believe they have found the rarest of commodities, a free agent QB who could turn into a regular starter. It will take time, and a lot depends on how Robert Griffin III reacts to the challenge, but we have liked Teddy B ever since his days at Louisville.

Orlando WR Terrance Williams

Williams made a name for himself in Dallas, where his NFL career showed great promise. St. Louis snatched him up when he pushed the Cowboys for more money, but last year was not a great start to his USFL career. With cap issues, the Skyhawks had to let him walk, and Orlando is hoping that what they get in Williams’s 2nd spring season is a lot like what we saw in the Fall.

Tampa Bay WR Dez Bryant

The Bandits have always loved deep ball receivers, and by snapping up Dez Bryant in the NFL transfer window, they have nabbed one of the best. Yes, he can be a diva, but the talent he possesses certainly seems worth it. After finding success with veteran wideouts in the past, including winning a title with Joey Galloway after Ohio felt his career was over, the Bandits are hoping that Bryant can be the next in a long line of outstanding deep threats.

Four Rookies in a Good Position for Early Success

Atlanta HB Nick Chubb

Chubb shared his UGA backfield with Sony Michel, and he will start his USFL career sharing with Kenyan Drake, but from what we have seen of the former Bulldog, he may well deserve a shot, and an early one, at being a true lead back.

Charlotte DT B. J. Hill

If Charlotte sticks to a strict 3-4 alignment, we may not see a lot of Hill in his first year, but if they experiment a bit with some 4-3, especially on early downs, then Hill may get a shot to show what he can do. Paired with Vernon Butler, who is only a year older, Hill could help form the basis for a pretty dynamic interior line.

Tampa Bay C Frank Ragnow

Our first of two Bandit rookies who have impressed in camp. Ragnow has already won the starting job at center and will be charged with helping this line become a source of strength for the Bandits. They have outstanding talent along the line with Levi Brown at LT, Carl Nicks and Brandon Brooks inside, and now with Jake Long at RT. We could see a very good shift in both protection and in run blocking.

Tampa Bay SS Derwin James

James has lit up camp in St. Pete., to such a degree that Coach Jones has strategically held him out of some drills so that the offense can gain a bit more confidence. With James and Xavier Woods deep, we expect Jones to call a lot more man coverage this year, which could make the Bandit pass rush that much more effective.

Our Predicted SE Division Standings

Charlotte 11-5     

We see the Monarchs as clearly a step or two ahead of the rest of the division. Atlanta could be a challenge, but unless we are gauging the improvement of other teams far to cautiously, we think the Monarchs hold the division. Their real test will be in those opening playoff games, where they have had issues in the past.

Atlanta  9-7        

The Fire had some moments last year, but uncertainty at QB is still an issue. We like the addition of Nick Chubb to the run game, and we are loving a LB group made up of Kuechley, Willis, Justin Houston and Dannell Ellerbe. If they can keep getting pressure on QBs from Chris Kelsay, this could be a very tough defense.

Orlando 8-8        

Russel Wilson’s injury last year revealed that the offense did not have a plan B. With the departure of Knowshon Moreno, they may now need a Plan C. That is a major concern, and once again we look at the Renegades and wonder if they are simply wasting the best defensive player in the league with a team that does not have enough other playmakers.

Tampa Bay 6-10      

We see gradual growth for this club. They like what they have seen from QB Dak Prescott, have a solid back (if he can stay healthy) in Cook, and now add a Bonafide deep threat in Dez Bryant. The defense still has some holes, but the secondary is looking solid with Jalen Ramsey, Xavier Woods and rookie Derwin James giving them some real quality on the back end. Is it enough? Perhaps too soon to say, but this could be a team that is substantially better than last season.

Jacksonville 5-11      

Sorry Bulls fans, we just don’t see this working out. Adding Teddy Bridgewater is in some senses a nice move but could also produce a lot of indecision unless either he or Robert Griffin suddenly plays lights out. And we are just not seeing enough talent around them to expect Jacksonville’s offense to be more than middle-of-the-pack. The defense has talent, particularly in DE Barkevious Mingo and MLB Sean Lee, but there are also major questions at all 3 levels. This just feels like a team that will win some games and look good, but far too often will not have answers.

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What had been New Orleans’s division now looks a lot more competitive. The arrival of Houston threw out the old order, and now the Gamblers look like a team that is ready to make a run again. The Breakers are following on their heels, and Birmingham, who were edged out of the playoffs despite a 9-7 record, are looking to make a mark as well. And then there is Memphis, which had a surprising run to the Summer Bowl in 2016, but last year looked like a team in a rebuild. This year feels like that too.

Four Potential Breakout Players

Birmingham TE Eric Ebron

A very nice signing from the NFL, as Cam Newton gains a safety valve so that scrambling is not his only option when things don’t look good downfield. Ebron showed a lot of potential in Detroit but now could benefit from teams having to focus on Newton’s legs.

Birmingham CB E. J. Biggers

Biggers will start the year as the nickel, which might be the best possible spot for him. He struggled in straight up man coverage with Memphis, but now, playing for his former rivals, he could find a nice fit inside.

Houston TE Tony Moeaki

Is Moeaki going to displace starting TE Vernon Davis? No, not at all, but what Moeaki can do is help Houston use more 1-back, 2-TE formations, and serve as a viable outlet for Colt McCoy if Davis is swarmed by defenders. We expect him to be a factor in the run game as well.

New Orleans DE Ezekial Ansah

The Breakers added two solid pass rushers in free agency, Kony Ealy from the Skyhawks, and Ansah from the NFL Lions. Both will rotate in as the Breaker try to account for the lost presence of Ty Warren, who retired this offseason. While both are solid speed rushers, we like Ansah for his ability to also use some muscle to bull rush when needed.

Four Rookies in a Good Position for Early Success

Houston CB Siran Neal

Once again it looks like Houston’s front office did their homework. Neal looked good in camp and has locked up the nickel position for the Gamblers. We expect him to be laser locked on those slot receivers as teams try to play catchup against the explosive Gambler offense.

Houston WR Keke Coutee

Coutee was seen at first as just another camp body, a player who could see some action on special teams, but a strong camp and good instincts have let him overtake Josh Reynolds as the Gambler slot receiver. With Evans, Smith-Schuster, and Davis already occupying a lot of attention, Coutee could benefit from some very favorable matchups each week.

Memphis TE Dallas Goedert

Goedert has been a pleasant surprise in camp and has lept over Chris Gragg to take the 2nd TE spot, meaning he will be on the field a lot more, especially on early downs. He has good hands and can be an effective run blocker as well.

New Orleans CB Donte Jackson

The Breakers have penciled in Jackson as the 2nd corner, meaning he is starting his career as a starter. He will be learning from Tra’Davious White, which is not a bad option, though, of course, the loss of Patrick Peterson will still be felt in New Orleans. Big shoes to fill for sure.

Our Predicted SOU Division Standings

The Southern Division feels like it is a 2-team race that might get some flack from that 3rd team. Birmingham played very well at the end of last year, but they still feel like they are a step behind New Orleans (despite some big losses on the Breakers) and a few steps behind Houston, who again look like a potential Summer Bowl contender.

Houston 13-3     

We think Houston stands a very good chance to repeat as the Eastern Conference’s representative in the Summer Bowl. They draft so well, and they develop those picks into solid performers. Kudos to Coach Phillips, because we think Houston is again at the top of the division, if not the conference.

New Orleans 10-6     

As long as Drew Brees is guiding the offense, this is a dangerous team. We wish we saw more from Leonard Fournette last year, but very often we see backs come of age in their 2nd spring season. The defense could be a bit weaker than last year, with both Ty Warren and Patrick Peterson now gone, so the Breakers may need to rely on Brees even more than in the past.

Birmingham 8-8        

The Stallions got hot late, and could make us look bad if they can recapture that mojo, but we think they failed to address their two big issues, a lack of consistency in the run game, and a defense that gives up too many big plays. We like the addition of Biggers and free Safety Will Allen, but is that enough?

Memphis 5-11      

Still unsure about Paxton Lynch? So are we. Wishing the ‘Boats had retained Anthony Allen? So do we. Wondering just where the pass rush will come from? Yup, us too. So, basically a lot of questions for Coach Ryan and we are not sure we seen the answers forthcoming, which is how you end up at 5 wins in our book.

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PHILADELPHIA: SHOOTING FOR THE STARS

Offseason Assessment: The Stars had only 1 major loss in the offseason, with WR Stevie Johnson leaving in free agency. They feel good about moving Randall Cobb into Johnson’s position and will move rookie Braxton Berrios into the slot. They feel they got a steal in CB Jaire Alexander and feel good about adding LB Eric Kendricks from the Thunder. All in all, this Philly squad will look a lot like the 2017 team that went 13-3, which is not a bad thing.

Team Philosophy: The goal in 2018 is to use Henry to free up the play action pass, where Gutierrez excels, and to use their solid team defense to keep foes under 21 points. Slow the game, shorten it, and grind out wins. That is what this club does better than anyone.

2018 Outlook: If Cobb, Ronald Johnson and Berrios can step up in the absence of Stevie Johnson, this Philadelphia squad should be as good if not better than last year. They have a solid power run game, one of the game’s best tight ends, and a defense that plays as a team. In other words, they are a Summer Bowl favorite to be sure.

NEW JERSEY: PREPARING FOR BATTLE

Offseason Assessment: The Generals’ D took some hits this offseason, with CB Danieal Manning leaving for the NFL, DT Amobi Okoye now in Denver, and CB Brandon Boykin down the road in Washington. But, man, oh, man, did they recover strong. Getting Aqib Talib from Denver was a stroke of genius, and the Generals, understanding that Okoye will be hard to replace, are feeling good about their depth at the position after adding USF’s Deadrin Senat through the draft.

Team Philosophy: The goal for 2018 has to be to add a level of big-play danger to an offense that is more of a slow, methodical, matriculate the ball kind of team. That will depend on Nick Foles showing us he can find Beckham, Sanu or Zay Jones deep, and not always settle for the drop down. On defense, it is all about getting pressure with just the front 3, and maybe one blitzer. If Kampmann and Beasley can both get to 15 sacks this year, the Generals could be golden.

2018 Outlook: New Jersey is clearly leaning into Nick Foles as their QB, signing Ricky Stanzi (a very similar player) as a backup. So now it is up to Foles to prove he can lead this team and challenge Philadelphia. MJD will still be the key to the offense, and the defense will still revolve around edge pressure from Aaron Kampman and Vic Beasley, but now, with Talib taking on each opponent’s top receiver, it will be harder than ever for teams to go over the top on the Generals. We think they can give Philadelphia a very good run in the division.

BALTIMORE: CAN LIGHTNING STRIKE

Offseason Assessment: Any team that has 4 starters retire in the same year (Adam Archuleta, Ellis Wyms, Austin King and punter Stephon Gibson) is going to have to do a lot of work in the offseason. Losing LB Brandon Spikes in free agency just adds to the “to do” list. The Blitz think they filled the gap at center with Birmingham’s Matt Tenant (FA), and they brought in LB Anthony Hitchens from Oklahoma for their LB hole, also adding LB Jermaine Carter through the draft. The big question mark is at safety, where Archuleta will be replaced by former Stallion Kendrick Lewis. All in all, it feels like the Blitz are treading water rather than advancing.

Team Philosophy: Protect Big Ben, let him extend plays, and go deep. That is the strategy on offense. If they could get more out of Kerwynn Williams and Anthony Dixon, that mission would be a lot easier. If not, then they will need to rely on a defense that has a lot of new parts, and not all of them are top-of-the-line.

2018 Outlook: While the passing game remains very dangerous in Baltimore, we are still not loving their ability to run the ball. On defense they are relying a lot on their secondary, and we are not sure they are as good as they were last year. The D-line’s biggest edge threat is Olivier Vernon, who does not have the burst he used to. The linebacker group is average at best, which makes us wonder if this Blitz team is ready to join New Jersey as a challenger or ready to slip beneath Pittsburgh in the division.

PITTSBURGH: FORGING AHEAD

Offseason Assessment: The Maulers missed out on Saquon Barkley, but added Sony Michel, which his a pretty good consolation prize, but the most impressive part of the roster is that WR group, which added Tedd Ginn Jr and Brian Quick to a group that already had Thielen, Cruz, and undervalued Josh Cribbs. On Defense they added DE Quentin Groves from Arizona to go alongside Dwight Freeney and Aaron Dobson, retaining a very nasty front line.

Team Philosophy: The Maulers would be well-served to borrow some ideas from the Run & Shoot. They have such good receivers that spreading out the defense is their best bet. They can use that to free up rookie Sony Michel inside, or just keep tossing the ball to Cruz, Thielen, Ginn and Brian Quick.  On defense, the Maulers want to stick to a 4-3 and allow Dwight Freeney to rush the passer. If Gabe Wright can handle that assignment, then that will allow Aaron Donald to use his rare talent to disrupt the offenses Pittsburgh faces.

2018 Outlook: There are still some gaps in the secondary, and the LB group could be deeper, but overall we look at the Maulers and think this is a team ready to make a move, especially if Coach Fangio is willing to open up the offense with more 3-4 receiver sets. That will certainly allow Sony Michel easier running lanes but also take advantage of the depth at WR with this club. We think Pittsburgh is a potential playoff dark horse.

WASHINGTON: A NEW ADMINISTRATION

Offseason Assessment: The Federals started the offseason looking for a new coach, GM, and quarterback, the sign of a total do-over. They found their coach in Gus Bradley, and have their GM, but they did not nab the QB they coveted, losing out on OU’s Baker Mayfield to the NFL Browns. That means that it is David Garrard, still recovering from a season-ending injury last year, at the helm once again. The other big need was at HB, and Washington thinks they found their big bruising back in former Showboat Anthony Allen. Losing DE Mathias Kiawanuka and LB Aaron Curry will be a blow to the defense Coach Bradley wants to build, but Washington is very excited about two rookies penciled into those spots, DE Bradley Chubb of Georgia and LB Tremaine Edmunds of Va Tech.

Team Philosophy: Coach Bradley wants to return to power football. Run the ball with Allen, let Garrard use play action to find Allen and LaFell outside. Then, slow the game down when you have a lead and force teams to pass, which, they hope, means that rookie Bradley Chubb can focus on getting to the QB.

2018 Outlook: The Feds still feel very much like a team in transition. They have an older QB who may be only 1 year away from retirement and who is not the player he once was, a free agent halfback who has to prove himself, and a defense being built around 2 rookies and shaky safety play. That is very much a team that feels like it is in Year 1 of a 3-year rebuild.

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CHARLOTTE: KINGS OF THE CASTLE

Offseason Assessment: The Monarchs lost some veteran leadership with the retirements of D. J. Hackett and Shane Welton, and needed a new kicker after Brandon Coutu left for the NFL, but they are clearly building around Mitch Trubisky, adding a nice receiving back in Nyheim Hines as well as TE Tyler Conklin in the draft. They found their kicker in Miami (FL) rookie Michael Badgley, and they used free agency to fill the gap at receiver, landing former Glory wideout Justin Blackmon. They also upgraded at safety with Shaun Schillinger coming over from Seattle.

Team Philosophy: The goal here is to keep the game simple for Mitch Trubisky. Force teams to play the run, hope Adrian Peterson has some game breakers left in him, and then give Trubisky good mid-range routes to Nicks and his new target, Justin Blackmon. On defense, it is all about the front 3 occupying blockers so McClain and Mayo can make plays from the LB position. The secondary got a boost from Shaun Schillinger’s arrival, but Charlotte does not want to let team challenge a shaky CB group, so expect a lot of blitz packages.

2018 Outlook: It seems pretty obvious that if Mitch Trubisky grows further in his 2nd year in the league that this Charlotte team is the best of the SE Division. But, is that good enough against the powerhouses from the NE and South? We don’t see Charlotte up to Houston or Philadelphia’s level yet, but they are doing a nice job of replacing departed players and adding depth and talent year to year. They are our favorite to win the division, and maybe this year they escape the 1st round of the playoffs.

ATLANTA: BURNING HOT

Offseason Assessment: No retirements, no NFL losses, and only 1 starter lost in free agency (guard Brandon Brooks) means Atlanta should easily have a net gain in the offseason calculus. So what did they add? Well, they traded for Blaine Gabbert, which further complicates a very uncertain QB situation, so not a great start. No Free Agent additions, but a nice NFL addition in WR Leonard Hankerson (who lasted only 1 year in the fall before returning to the USFL). But, the best day this offseason for the Fire was draft day. They selected, and, more importantly, signed a potential starting halfback in Georgia’s Nick Chubb, a nice change of pace back in Boston Scott, and some good depth at other positions.

Team Philosophy: Coach Arians wants to have a high-flying offense, but the pieces are just not there. Atlanta’s best shot is to be tough to predict. Use rookie Nick Chubb, Kenyan Drake, and Chris Ivory to keep the run game at the center, then mix it up with the pass. If Murray struggles, they now have Blaine Gabbert as well as 2nd year QB Deshone Kizer. On defense, it is all about LB play. In Kuechley, Willis, Houston and Ellerbe they have one of the best quartets in the league. They just need Nick Fairley, Gholston and Kelsay to produce enough pressure to allow their backers to expand coverage beyond the secondary.

2018 Outlook: The old saying says that if you have 2 quarterbacks, you really don’ t have one at all. What does it mean if you have 3? The Fire are starting the year with Aaron Murray again, but still have 2017 rookie DeShone Kizer in the wings and added former NFL starter Blaine Gabbert. They need one of these three to wow us. Without that, we are not sure that even an improved run game and a defense that features perhaps the league’s best LB groups can win them enough games to keep pace with Charlotte. But, if Murray, or anyone else, can get this offense just to to the upper half of the league stats, then Atlanta could surprise us.

JACKSONVILLE: READY TO SEE RED

Offseason Assessment: Before the late signing of Teddy Bridgewater, many were writing off the Bulls’ offseason as a failure. Now, with a potential replacement for oft-injured Robert Griffin III gearing up, the perspective has shifted. Yes, losing FS David Bruton, LB K. J. Wright and DT Henry Melton, all to free agency, hurts. But with the addition of NFL CB Keenan Lewis and rookies DE Duke Ejiofor, DT Taven Bryan and safety Tracy Walker, Jacksonville is bringing both speed and youth to their defense. The continued development of LBs Alex Anzelone and Jarret Johnson could produce a very good group there.

Team Philosophy: The Bulls offense was designed with a mobile QB in mind. They now have two of them, but need one to step up. Matt Jones has been overproducing, exceeding expectations since being made the starter, but can Jacksonville count on that? They may have to because the rest of their “hands” team has underwhelming speed and separation. If the Bulls are going to make any movement in the division, it will be the defense that leads that. They are going to mix 3-4 and 4-3 so that both Beau Allen (DT) and Alex Anzelone (LB) can be used strategically. A lot will depend on DE Barkevious Mingo to make plays on the outside and for Dominique Rogers-Cromartie to turn passes defended into takeaways.

2018 Outlook: Our biggest questions for the Bulls are all on offense. We know we will see a solid defense, perhaps even a faster, more attacking one this year. But on offense, we are not sure what to expect. And this is not all about the Griffin v. Bridgewater QB battle we all expect. Are we really sure Matt Jones is a true lead back in this league? And if not, who else on the roster could help out? And, with no changes on the horizon we are still not impressed with the receiver group of Mike Williams, Reuben Randle, Tavon Austin and TE Gavin Escobar. It is not exactly the 1998 Bandits or the Run & Shoot Gamblers, is it?  We think Jacksonville will win some tight games, but we also think they will struggle to keep pace with the better offenses in the league, so an 8-8 finish feels like the right call here, and that is being optimistic. 

ORLANDO: ROWDY & READY FOR ACTION

Offseason Assessment: Many would say that Russell Wilson’s offseason recovery is the best move Orlando can tout, though we would say that resigning Arthur Moats was also huge. As for the rest of the moves, there is not much excitement out of the Renegade draft, where OT was the main position addressed, and we are not at all certain that adding NFL castoff Terrance Williams makes up for the retirement of Michael Jenkins, but the biggest story of Orlando’s offseason has to be the free agency departure of Knowshon Moreno (now in Seattle). Orlando will try to use 2 backs in rotation, Latavius Murray and former Glory 3rd down back Rashaad Jennings to replace Moreno’s production, but that is a dicey proposition.

Team Philosophy: If we learned anything last year, it is that the key to Orlando’s offense is to keep Russell Wilson healthy. They were a disaster without him. Losing Knowshon Moreno will make that task even tougher, though both Murray and free agent signing Rashaad Jennings are both good outlet pass targets. The defense is all about pass rush, with two of the best in the league in Campbell and Moats. What is needed to make this work is for Dee Milliner and Kevin Johnson to hold up just long enough to allow pressure to get to opposing QBs. Without that, the pass rush does not reach home, and the Renegades give up the big play.

2018 Outlook: Orlando has talent at some key positions, but lacks depth. That is an issue. An uncertain run game, and an unimpressive receiver group adds more question marks. We like Russell Wilson’s pluck, but that is not enough to sustain an offense. Once again we are looking at this team as Calais Campbell and an underwhelming supporting cast. That does not seem fair to the consensus GOAT of USFL pass rushers. It also does not seem like a formula that will keep Orlando in the playoff hunt all season.

TAMPA BAY: RIDING FOR RESPECT

Offseason Assessment: Despite a frenzy of QB action this offseason, Tampa Bay decided to stand pat with Dak Prescott as their presumptive starter. But, what they did do was get him a truly dynamic target, signing Dez Bryant away from the NFL Cowboys in a very expensive, but very bold move. That said, the loss of TE Greg Olsen (NFL) and CB Philip Buchanon (Retirement) will be tough gaps to fill. We love the addition of FSU safety Derwin James and Arkansas center Frank Ragnow, but the TE and CB positions could still use some work.

Team Philosophy: We all know what the fans want in Tampa Bay. They want Bandit Ball. That means getting the run game with Cook going, so that Dak Prescott has time to go over the top to NFL import Dez Bryant and slot speedster Ryan Grant. On defense, assuming the Bandits decide to play some this year, It will be a 4-3, with Brian Orakpo again playing the pivotal role. They need more from their other backers, but Orakpo is still the focal point. We like how the secondary is forming, with the addition of Derwin James in the draft, but we are still not seeing how this club gets enough pressure on the QB to keep that secondary from being stretched thin.

2018 Outlook: The Bandits are building a young, fast offense around Prescott, Dalvin Cook, and now Dez Bryant. That is a nice development for a team that got old very fast between 2014-2016. The Defense still lacks playmakers outside of Orakpo, though Bandit fans hope Derwin James can add another big play defender to the mix. We wish Tampa had been more active in free agency, particularly to beef up their D-line, but they look very good (and young) at safety, solid at LB, and could surprise us this year. Keep an eye on the Bandits and how they start the season. A good start could be a sign that the youth movement is working.

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HOUSTON: GREATNESS DOESN’T NEED LUCK

Offseason Assessment: Houston lost two very solid leaders on the team in LT Willie Colon and DT John Jenkins but that is about the extent of the losses from this very talented team. What did they add? Well, depth at TE for sure with the addition of both Tony Moeaki and NFL import Austin Sefarin-Jenkins. They also addressed the DT position with rookie R. J. McIntosh from Miami, and added some real speed with WR Keke Coutee and CB Siran Neal. Left Tackle remains the one big gap, and that seems like one that needs a solution.

Team Philosophy: Shock and awe. That is the Houston offense. They can run the ball inside or out with Hyde, but they can also go deep on you at any time with Evans and Smith-Schuster. Oh, and if you forget he is there, Vernon Davis will just keep collecting that ball and those first downs. It is a deadly attack. The defense is equally devastating. They led the league in sacks last year and could do even better this year. Their safeties (Baker and Vaccaro) are a nasty combo, and they added a solid nickel option with rookie Siran Neal. The strategy on defense is contain and control, and they have the players to do it.

2018 Outlook: We mentioned concern about the departure of Willie Colon. Houston’s response was to slide Cedric Oghuehi over from right tackle and promote Marcus Cannon to the RT spot. They are fine players, but not in ideal positions, so we are wondering if Houston will have protection issues this year. If they don’t, then expect Colt McCoy and that Gambler offense to once again be a devastating combination of speed, power, deception, and variable options. Vernon Davis had an All-USFL season last year, Carlos Hyde, Mike Evans and 2017 rookie Juju Smith-Schuster are just a deadly talent group. We think Houston finds a way to address the O-line issues and we think they have a very good shot at being a Top 2 seed and once again fighting for a title. 

NEW ORLEANS: THE TIDE IS RISING

Offseason Assessment: The Breakers’ offseason began with some pretty significant retirements, notably DE’s Ty Warren and C. J. Mosley. Then Patrick Peterson became one of the first players to change teams in free agency, heading off to Dallas. The Breakers recovered from these three big losses by adding Ezekiel Ansah from the NFL and Kony Ealy via trade for their DE needs, then drafted two corners in January, led by LSU’s Donte Jackson. Along the way they also added HB C. J. Spiller, LT Willie Colon and used draft movement, falling out of the first round, to get extra picks, including 2 linebacker selections, Ohio State’s Jerome Baker and Purdue LB Ja’Whuan Bentley. Is that overall a gain or a loss, right now very hard to tell.

Team Philosophy: Drew Brees would love to have a game where the Breakers throw the ball 20 times but run for 200 yards. Not gonna happen, Drew. Expect a lot of 50-attempt games, which will certainly make TE Coby Fleener and 2017 receiving yards leader Jordy Nelson happy. The defense will need time to gel, especially on passing downs. With new DE’s and a new secondary, the Breaker’s goal will be to keep the scheme simple and let players play on instinct.

2018 Outlook: The Breaker offense will remain largely the same as in 2017, so the focus right now is on the defense, which could see as many as 4 new starters on opening day. New Orleans needs that newly-configured defense to gel quickly, especially with a huge game against Houston in Week 3. They also, ideally, want to see much more out of 2017 draft pick Leonard Fournette. The former LSU back gained only 710 yards last year, averaging only 3.4 per carry. That is not going to be good enough for him or for the Breakers. As far as the passing game goes, no worries there. Jordy Nelson was a superstar last year, and despite not getting as many targets both Kyle Britt and TE Coby Fleener were outstanding options for Drew Brees. In 2018 we think this team will be in the playoffs, but how far they go and what seed they get will likely come down to where their defense can be by Week 16.

BIRMINGHAM: STAMPEDE TO SUCCESS

Offseason Assessment: Birmingham lost some key contributors in all 3 phases of the early offseason, with TE Bo Scaife and LB Brian Kehl retiring, DE Derrick Harvey signing on with the NFL, and free agents Matt Tenant, Corey White, and Stoney Woodson all taking offers from other teams. But Birmingham did not stand pat. They made a deal with Tampa Bay to bring FS Will Allen over to the Stallions, added a corner in former Showboat E. J. Biggers, and then raided the NFL just a few weeks ago to add TE Eric Ebron, a major bonus for Cam Newton, fullback Zach Line, and kicker Chris Boswell. A very busy offseason indeed.

Team Philosophy: Does a scheme mean much to Cam Newton? Call what you want, the odds are he is going to improvise the minute things go even slightly sideways. Coach Ellard wants to rein in that tendency, but unless rookie Kerryon Johnson or former Tide HB T. J. Yeldon can provide a meaningful run game, the pressure will stay on Newton and he will continue to run. There are concerns on defense, especially with a lackluster pass rush, so the need for blitzes continues to force Birmingham to rely on their secondary a bit too much.

2018 Outlook: the Stallions did not land the big “can’t miss” halfback that many fans wanted. They drafted two local backs, Auburn’s Kerryon Johnson and Bama’s Bo Scarbrough, but both are likely to play backup roles to T. J. Yeldon, who the Stallions just don’t seem ready to give up on. The addition of Eric Ebron from the NFL Lions will certainly help the passing game, and the defense does get an upgrade with the addition of Will Allen, a consummate pro at the safety position. Is it enough to menace Houston? Not likely. But could Birmingham battle it out with New Orleans for the Wild Card? Absolutely.

MEMPHIS: READY TO ROLL ON THE RIVER

Offseason Assessment: We are still not happy Memphis let Anthony Allen go. He so often looked like a better option than Todd Gurley, and the two in the same backfield could have been very effective. In addition to Allen’s departure, Memphis also lost CB E. J. Biggers and TE Jermichael Finley in free agency and saw DT Marcus Tubbs and DE Antonio Smith retire. Truth be told, only the Allen departure is a major blow. On the flipside, the Showboats brought in a couple of nice pieces in fullback Roosevelt Nix and DT John Hughes. But what may make Memphis’s offseason is their draft. Four potential starters came out of that draft: guard Will Hernandez, TE Dallas Goedert, CB Rashaan Gaulden, and LB Zaire Franklin. They won’t all start Week 1, but keep an eye on the Memphis roster as the season progresses.

Team Philosophy: The Showboats are not going to win many shootouts; they just don’t have the big play capacity to throw it all over the yard. They need to play controlled offense, with short to mid-range passing and an effective run game led by Todd Gurley. If they get behind, they are in some trouble. On defense, they are also not well suited to play catch-up, as this is not a team that will produce many takeaways. Their goal is to keep the plays in front of them and then swarm to the ball.

2018 Outlook: The concerns about Memphis which led them to a 6-10 record last year feel very much like they are still in place: Erratic QB play from Paxton Lynch, injury concerns for Todd Gurley, good route running receivers but little true speed, and a defense that just does not have dynamic game-impacting playmakers. So, what we see in the Showboats is a team that will not be painful to watch, but may simply just not have enough to get over the hump each week.

EASTERN CONFERENCE PREDICTIONS

OK, time to fire up the Predictomaic 3000 and make some picks from out of the Eastern Conference. We already gave you our divisional breakdown, so that means now we look at the playoffs and try to see who could be coming out of the East and into the Summer Bowl.

We are predicting that all three 2017 division winners retain their grasps on their respective divisions, and once again that Houston and Philadelphia will be the top 2 seeds getting byes. As for the Wild Cards, our picks are New Jersey in the 4-spot, followed by New Orleans. That leaves one spot and two two teams sitting at 9-7, the Fire and the Blitz. We are going to go with Baltimore to grab that last spot. So, in the Divisionals, we have the Monarchs holding off the Blitz and the Breakers topping the Generals thanks to Drew Brees’s experience advantage over Nick Foles. That sets up Charlotte v. Philadelphia and New Orleans v. Houston. Sorry upstarts, but once again we think there is a pretty big gap between the top two teams and everyone else, so it is the 1 and 2 seeds in the Eastern Finals and we are going to go with Houston to repeat and go back to the Summer Bowl in 2018.

And what about Award contenders out of the East? Some pretty easy options in most categories.

MVP: We think Colt McCoy will be in the mix, along with Drew Brees, but if Birmingham does better than expected, it will be because Cam Newton puts up big numbers, so don’t count him out either.

OPOTY: Assuming the QBs all get sucked into the MVP discussion, what are we looking at with receivers and backs? Well, last year’s OPOTY, Jordy Nelson could be competing for a 2nd award, but he will have competition. Pittsburgh’s Adam Thielen could be a contender, as could Mike Evans in Houston. Among the backs, the West has the frontrunners, but Maurice Jones-Drew could have a big year as well.

DPOTY: You already know who the favorite is, Orlando’s Calais Campbell, but if Orlando struggles, as we are predicting they might, then that cuts down on his chances. In his stead, how about New Jersey’s Vic Beasley, Pittsburgh’s Dwight Freeney, or possibly the newest import from the West, General CB Aqib Talib.

ROTY: A couple of obvious choices are halfbacks Nick Chubb (ATL) and Sony Michel (PIT), both former Georgia Bulldogs. Another name to watch would be DE Bradley Chubb in Washington, who could be a major difference maker for the Feds.

COTY: Here we are looking for the team that comes out of nowhere and exceeds all expectations, much as Seattle did last year. Our favorites to do that would be Tampa Bay and Pittsburgh, so that means June Jones or, for a 2nd time, Vic Fangio.

2018 SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS

We are going to finish up this first of two preview editions with a quick look at the schedule. We went week by week and found one game each week which intrigues us. It may not always be a huge divisional game. It may not always be a clear battle of Summer Bowl contenders, but there is something in each of these games that should draw our attention to it.

Week 1: New Orleans @ Birmingham

A pretty easy place to start, a divisional game between two teams that both finished at 9-7 last year. If Birmingham is going to make a move in the South, this game could be a great place to start.

Week 2: Denver @ Las Vegas

A similar situation out west in Week 2, with two teams that most expect to be chasing the Arizona Wranglers. I doubt we will see Denver draft pick QB Josh Allen in this one, but we should see two very balanced and hard-hitting teams playing intense football early on in the season.

Week 3: Michigan @ Chicago

Our third consecutive focus on divisional rivals takes us to Michigan and Chicago in Week 3. The Machine have a chip on their shoulder after a very disappointing 2017, but Michigan still looks like the class of the division after winning their 4th league title last season.

Week 4: Philadelphia @ New Orleans

A really nice Eastern Conference battle here. It will be the passing game of the Breakers against the rushing attack of Philadelphia, with two pretty good defenses also in the mix.

Week 5: San Diego @ Seattle

In this Week 5 matchup we have a lot of new faces, including former Outlaw Marques Colston, now with the Thunder, and former Renegade Knowshon Moreno, now with the Dragons. In addition to being a key divisional matchup, this game features two mobile QBs who could produce issues for the defenses.

Week 6: Dallas @ Arizona

One of the big mysteries this year will be just how Arizona deals with a huge overhaul of personnel on defense. If their defense is only a shadow of recent years, which many expect, then Dallas could be in a position to topple the Wranglers, much to the delight of the entire SW Division.

Week 7: Orlando @ Atlanta

This one could be a huge mid-season divisional matchup in the Southeast. We think Atlanta may be headed upwards and Orlando could struggle this year, but the two may very well meet in the middle and this game could prove decisive come tiebreaker season.

Week 8: Baltimore @ New Jersey

So many good rivalries in the East. This is not a huge one, but it should be, because these two teams always seem to be battling each other for a Wild Card spot. That is very much what we expect this year, so Week 8’s clash could be a very big one for both clubs.

Week 9: New Orleans @ Houston

You know this is a big game. The Breakers are the closest competition the Gamblers have in the South, perhaps in the conference. They will put everything they have into this game to try to knock Houston down a notch.

Week 10: Oakland @ San Diego

A California Derby with some major questions. Oakland, in particular, is looking like a team that is trying to rebuild their airplane while in flight. Will we be seeing Jimmy Garoppolo in this game? Will it matter? San Diego won the division last year and could be in a position to be even stronger this year with Marques Colston on board.

Week 11: St. Louis @ Ohio

The Central Division is back on center stage with this matchup. Ohio had a solid year in 2017 and are hoping to keep building a team that can compete. St. Louis bottomed out, but they added a real Wild Card in QB Lamar Jackson this offseason. If Josh Freeman struggles this year, we could be seeing the Louisville QB in action by Week 11.

Week 12: Las Vegas @ Arizona

The Vipers have this one circled on their calendars already. They want to step in and step over Arizona if the Wranglers slip this year. It may also be Eli Manning’s last season, so there will be motivation for the Vipers to be sure. As for Arizona, they may have lost a lot on defense, but they still have the reining MVP and a very dangerous WR group.

Week 13: Houston @ Philadelphia

This is our prediction for the Eastern Conference Championship matchup, so it is this game in Week 13 that very well could decide if that game is played at the Linc or at NRG Stadium. Expect a real slugfest here, a battle of styles and of personalities between Jim Harbaugh and Wade Phillips.

Week 14: Arizona @ Michigan

We are back on the Wranglers again, but this time we are looking at a possible Conference Title Game preview once again. Could the past 2 league champions be ready to face off with playoffs on the line, or at least playoff seeding?

Week 15: Philadelphia @ New Jersey

Do we really need to hype this matchup? It is one of the best rivalries in the league, a divisional match between the two teams we think will be in the hunt, and, quite frankly, two teams and fanbases that love to hate each other. This one will be fun.

Week 16: Dallas @ Las Vegas

We looked at the final week of the season and tried to imagine which games might have 2 teams facing off with only 1 playoff spot on the line, like we saw last year with LA and Seattle battling for the final Wild Card spot. Dallas and Las Vegas could very well be in that same situation this year. The SW Division is about as balanced and competitive as any we can think of, so it was easy to imagine that this matchup could be a Win & In for both teams.