Tribune-Review NFL predictions: Steelers' T.J. Watt to win Defensive Player of Year
The Kansas City Chiefs and quarterback Patrick Mahomes looked like they were ready to defend their Super Bowl title in the season opener Thursday. Can they become the first team in nearly two decades to repeat as champions?
No NFC team has reached the conference title game in consecutive years since Seattle did it in 2013-14. The Seahawks, behind quarterback Russell Wilson are strong, but are they good enough to get past division rival San Francisco?
As for the individual honors, can anyone unseat Lamar Jackson as MVP? Will Aaron Donald recapture his Defensive Player of the Year award? Can Big Ben bounce back at age 38?
As the NFL kicks off with a full slate of games Sunday amid a pandemic, here is how Tribune-Review staff writer Joe Rutter thinks the season will play out:
AFC
East: Buffalo Bills
North: Baltimore Ravens
South: Tennessee Titans
West: Kansas City Chiefs
Wild cards: Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, Denver Broncos
NFC
East: Dallas Cowboys
North: Minnesota Vikings
South: Atlanta Falcons
West: Seattle Seahawks
Wild cards: San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Rams, New Orleans Saints
AFC championship: Kansas City over Baltimore
NFC championship: Seattle over Dallas
Super Bowl: Seattle over Kansas City
Individual awards
MVP: Russell Wilson, Seahawks
Offensive Player of the Year: Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
Defensive Player of the Year: T.J. Watt, Steelers
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Joe Burrow, Bengals
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Chase Young, Washington Football Team
Comeback Player of the Year: Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers
Coach of the Year: Sean McDermott, Bills
•••
Tribune-Review staff writer Chris Adamski’s predictions:
AFC
East: New England Patriots
North: Baltimore Ravens
South: Tennessee Titans
West: Kansas City Chiefs
Wild cards: Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers, Indianapolis Colts
NFC
East: Dallas Cowboys
North: Minnesota Vikings
South: New Orleans Saints
West: San Francisco 49ers
Wild cards: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers
AFC championship: Kansas City over Pittsburgh
NFC championship: Dallas over New Orleans
Super Bowl: Kansas City over Dallas
Individual awards
MVP: Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
Offensive Player of the Year: Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
Defensive Player of Year: T.J. Watt, Steelers
Offensive Rookie of Year: Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Chiefs
Defensive Rookie of Year: Isaiah Simmons, Cardinals
Comeback Player of Year: Cam Newton, Patriots
Joe Rutter is a TribLive reporter who has covered the Pittsburgh Steelers since the 2016 season. A graduate of Greensburg Salem High School and Point Park, he is in his fifth decade covering sports for the Trib. He can be reached at jrutter@triblive.com.
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