Organized team activities are just about to get started, which means NFL teams are starting to get together and figure out what they’ll look like for the upcoming season. Believe it or not, we’re just about two months away from preseason action. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the key regular-season win totals, which were recently released.
The Los Angeles Rams have been one of the busiest teams this offseason and have been tapped with a win total of 9.5. The Rams made big moves on both sides of the ball, signing tackle Ndamukong Suh on defense and acquiring cornerback Marcus Peters and star wideout Brandin Cooks. There are high expectations after this team won 11 games last year but can they deliver now that there are great expectations?
Speaking of which, the bar has been raised for the Buffalo Bills after they acquired a couple of quarterbacks. They let go of Tyrod Taylor but then drafted Josh Allen out of Wyoming with the seventh pick and signed A.J. McCarron. It’s a lot of change at a key position for a team that made the playoffs last year, but with a strong defense and a good running game, they might be even better if one of these two quarterbacks pans out.
Revamped Patriots have highest win total on board
Meanwhile, their rivals in the AFC East, the New England Patriots, have a win total of 11, which is the highest on the board. They haven’t exactly had a banner offseason, though, as they traded away Cooks and lost Dion Lewis, Malcolm Butler, Danny Amendola and Nate Solder. Also, quarterback Tom Brady was absent for the beginning of OTAs. While Brady and Bill Belichick are around, nobody will second-guess the Patriots but there has been ample roster turnover.
In the NFC, the Eagles lead the way with a total of 10.5. Virtually their entire Super Bowl-winning roster returns intact and they should have a healthy Carson Wentz to start the season.
Other teams that have lofty win totals in the NFC are the Minnesota Vikings (10), Green Bay Packers (10) and New Orleans Saints (9.5).
Aaron Rodgers’ return bumps Green Bay number
The Vikings lost to the Eagles in the NFC Championship Game but have had a strong offseason. They signed quarterback Kirk Cousins and defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson, who should give their respective sides of the team a strong boost. The Saints were seconds away from beating the Vikings to get to the NFC title game and should be right there again. What’s interesting to note is the respect that the Packers are getting at 10 wins after finishing just 7-9. Of course, a season-ending injury to Aaron Rodgers hampered their season but they had problems running the ball and on defense, so it will be interesting to see if they can remedy those issues.
Of interest, the Oakland Raiders win total sits at 8. They hired Jon Gruden as head coach and general manager, so a lot of people are interested to see what he can do in his second stint with the team.