
But I’d give a slight edge in overall roster strength to San Francisco, and, if we’re splitting hairs, I’d give the same slight edge to Kyle Shanahan over Sean McVay. I think Matthew Stafford tips the Rams in the right direction, back toward the Super Bowl. I like the whole NFC West I feel like they could all be in the playoff mix. So while I think all three of those teams are capable of winning the Super Bowl, he alone-and how the Chiefs helped him this offseason-tipped my pick toward Kansas City. But given how the Chiefs reconfigured on the offensive line this offseason, I don’t want to bet against Patrick Mahomes.

I really like the Bills in the AFC, especially on offense, and I buy the Browns hype, even if it feels like this is a movie we’ve seen before. I could see around six teams being capable of winning the whole thing, and their chances will depend largely on health and injury rates, not to mention COVID-19. My baseline feeling is I could have filled this out five times and come to five wildly different conclusions. Rodgers will become the first repeat MVP since Peyton Manning in ‘08, and Henry will continue to alter what we expect out of a heavy-usage running back. At the top of the award category, it’s quite boring but also underlines just how phenomenal of an era we’re in. Lance’s season-long situational usage, which will eventually lead to starters' snaps before the trade deadline, will be electrifying in spurts, leading to significant optimism for the 49ers in 2022. Meanwhile, a pedestrian offense in Jacksonville will help Trey Lance edge out Trevor Lawrence for Rookie of the Year, despite a solid performance from the No. But the reenergized, Mac Jones–led offense will forge a new energy in Foxboro.

His reputation took an absurd, momentary dip in the wake of the Tom Brady divorce and New England's first missed playoff appearance in more than a decade.

Despite being the greatest coach in modern history, he has been awarded Coach of the Year only three times. This will be a fun season, as it’ll feature a return of the Patriots to the playoffs and, with it, a renewed appreciation for Bill Belichick as a head coach.
