Hear it here!
What we’ve all been waiting for has finally arrived.
The NFL season.
I have questions going in. No answers, mind you. But I have some hunches.
Q: Will either the Seahawks or the Patriots, or both teams be there again when they play the next Super Bowl?
Hunch: I don’t think so. We may be in a period of long shots getting to the Big Game. It used to be only a handful of powerhouses were likely to go all the way. I don’t think it’s the case right now. And that’s not a bad thing.
Q: Do you count the Dallas Cowboys as a long shot?
Hunch: I think you have to after all the years of pre-season hopes and disappointing regular season showings. As always, the Cowboys can go either way, but I’m impressed with head coach Brian Schottenheimer, and for some reason I can’t explain, I believe the time has finally come that the Cowboys will make their fans proud. Don’t ask me why.
Q: Everyone’s talking about the Rams as the NFC favorite, especially with their pass-rushing combo of ex-Brown Myles Garrett and future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald coming out of retirement. Is that valid?
Hunch: Yes, it is, but all eyes are on their fabulous receiver Puka Nacua who is battling off-the-field issues that could cost him playing time or affect his performance. To me, the major question surrounds their great 38-year old quarterback Matthew Stafford, who can easily lead the Rams to a championship, but must stay healthy to get it done.
Q: The Bills have been knocking on the door for years, is this the year they finally have to break through and win it all?
Hunch: There’s no question the window is starting to close, but as long as their marvelous QB Josh Allen is around and healthy, the Bills are a strong contender. Some questioned the naming of offensive coordinator Joe Brady as head coach, but he just might be the right guy at the right time. He’ll promote a more relaxed culture for the Bills and still be well versed in the personnel that he’s been around for years.
Q: Will the off-the-field scandals of Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and the 49ers owner Jed York affect their team’s performances?
Hunch: They could, especially if those teams get off to rocky starts. I don’t believe the players are dwelling on them, but if the media harps on those issues and it becomes the question of the day for several weeks, it may be difficult for those teams to focus on the games. Winning is tough enough, you don’t need the added pressure of a head coach and an owner being involved in incidents of immorality.
Q: How important are changes in either head coaches or those who run the offense or defense?
Hunch: Extremely important. Last season the Lions lost both their coordinators to other teams, and it affected them greatly. The Bears were a beneficiary. It takes a while, even an entire season for a team to adjust to new coaches on offense or defense who come in with new systems for players to learn. This year, for example, the Super Bowl champion Seahawks lost their offensive guru Klint Kubiak who became the Raiders head coach. Things could be different in Seattle who also lost their Super Bowl MVP running back Kenneth Walker, now with the Chiefs.
Q: Speaking of the Raiders, will they be any better in 2026 with their new head coach and quarterback arrangement?
Hunch: Yes, I do. Playoffs? Probably not. But they will use flexible veteran Kirk Cousins at quarterback until #1 pick Fernando Mendoza is ready. When they decide he is, he will be, in my view, the leader of the pack of this new generation of quarterbacks. The Raiders will soon be on the rise.
Q: Of all of the 10 head coaching changes this year, is there one that will make a significant difference?
Hunch: Absolutely. John Harbaugh will energize the Giants franchise and make them relevant again. It is understandable why it was time for the Ravens to let him go. Sometimes players need to hear a different voice. But Harbaugh is the perfect guy for the Giants. He is a born leader, he can inspire and is authentic in the way he conducts himself. Players can spot that as well as the other kind. He’s the real deal and he also inherits a promising young QB in Jaxson Dart.
Q: Will Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy, rejoining his old quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who were together for a championship once upon a time in Green Bay, make a difference?
Hunch: I’m afraid not. Both are legitimate all-time NFL figures, but Rodgers, at 42, may be able to win games, but not enough to get into the playoffs. I also wonder whether ex-coach Mike Tomlin who shows promise as a TV expert, will ever return to the sidelines. His predecessor Bill Cowher didn’t and Tomlin might not either.
Q: Name a few teams who could wind up either in a championship game or the Super Bowl that would not be a surprise?
Hunch: Here goes. The Chargers, Broncos, Bengals, and Packers, for example. All four have good head coaches, and franchise quarterbacks. Cincinnati would need a huge defensive upgrade after ranking next-to-last in 2025, but a healthy Joe Burrow would be gold. The coach-QB of the Chargers (Jim Harbaugh-Justin Herbert), the Broncos (Sean Payton-Bo Nix), and the Packers (Matt LaFleur-Jordan Love), are first rate, and they boast staunch defenses as well.
Q: Only two years ago the Eagles beat the Chiefs in the Super Bowl, yet they haven’t been mentioned yet. What’s the deal?
Hunch: Good point. Well, the Eagles are always contenders and if their new offensive plan is successful, QB Jalen Hurts, who still can’t be considered with most of the other elites at that position, should flourish. You have to rate the Eagles with the Rams, at the top of the NFC going in, which doesn’t mean that much. As for the Chiefs, their best days appear to be behind them, but if quarterback Patrick Mahomes bounces back from his serious knee injury, and a remarkable rehab, you just never know. It could go either way, but the Chiefs might be the surprise team of the year.
So the NFL begins, with all the fascinating stories that marks every season. My usual note of caution: don’t fall into drawing conclusions after a handful of games. It’s easy to do, but so deceptive. Most of the teams don’t even find out who they are and what they can do for nearly half the year. That’s a fact. Let it play out and let’s see who stays healthy.
Terrible twosome: Garrett and Donald
Josh and Joe of the Bills
Giants new face on the sidelines
Reunion in Pittsburgh