Wow! This is making up to be the best OGCFM season in history! So many great storylines. So many breakout players. So many highs. So many lows. Some great rising teams and some teams have disappointed. The AFC looks stacked. The NFC is beyond underrated with teams that have exceeded expectations. And it is not over yet. There is still some football to be played. And by the looks of it, this will be the craziest playoffs ever! But before we get there, I asked Head Coaches for their takes on what is going on around the league. Because they have to spend countless hours trying to figure out how to beat them, who better to ask, but them? Here is what I took from it:
Who will win the OGCFM Super Bowl in Season 4?
The ultimate prize! Holding up the Super Bowl trophy is what every team dreams of. This is what all the blood, sweat, and tears are for. This is why they sacrifice. This is why they get up when they don’t feel like it. This is why they work hard every day! Nothing is better than this. As the saying goes, “If you’re not first, you’re last.” When asked around the league who will win the Super Bowl in Season 4, this is the top 3:
1. Colts. Wow! I actually did not see this coming. Maybe there are some believers in the Colts after all. They barely won the vote, but they have been picked to be the Super Bowl champs in Season 4. After a loss in week 1 to the Lions, the Colts have yet to lose another game. Last season, the Colts were exposed. Being too reliant on JT and their defense, the Colts quickly fumbled in the playoffs. This season, Anthony Richardson has been trusted to take a larger role. Not only has he taken care of the football, but he is a threat to both run and pass. With the acquisition of Justin Simmons and Myles Garrett, this defense has gone to another level. Powered by their steal in the draft of Chestnut and last year’s DPOY, Rodney Thomas, the secondary is not to be messed with. But the question still exists, are the Colts pretenders? The AFC is no joke, and it won’t be easy to make it out. Many have been quick to call them quick exits. Only time will tell.
2. Raiders. The Raiders have shocked the league. No question. If you didn’t know how much a head coach can change the landscape of a team, the Las Vegas Raiders are living proof. One thing a great head coach does is get the best out of his players. And that is exactly what he has done. Josh Jacobs looks like the best running back in the league. K.J. Jefferson is an MVP candidate as a rookie! Malik Nabers is arguably a top 5 wide receiver in the league as a rookie! Insane! This team had the best start in OGCFM history going 11-0. It seems though, just like last season with the Bengals, one loss has people claiming that the Raiders are “beatable”. Yet, only one team has done it. Talk is cheap. For everyone who says that they are beatable, they will have to walk into Las Vegas to prove it. Last time a team did that…all I will say is “whoop dat trick”.
3. Titans. The scariest thing about the Titans is not that they are blowing teams out every week. It’s not that they have arguably the best offensive coach in the league (we will get to that). It’s not even that they have arguably the best defensive coach in the league (we will get to that too). It’s that with far less talent on the team last year, they made the AFC Championship game! There is no question their roster has massively improved, and that only means one thing. Scary hours! Will Levis is an MVP candidate. And this defense, oh my goodness! If you are a betting man, put your money on this team. They are more than the real deal!
Honorable Mention: 49ers
Who do you think should win MVP this season?
Nope. No. No. No. We’re not even going to pretend here. Nope. We know who the MVP is. We’re not doing top 3. We’re not even doing honorable mentions. There is only one man. Shattering records on records. Destroying records from last year’s cover athlete. Domination. Embarrassing defenses. Making it look like a video game. No, seriously. This guy has put up video game numbers! He has over..bro what the heck am I about to type? This is insane. This man has over 3000 receiving yards! Over 30 receiving touchdowns! Who made this man angry? Why is he doing the league like this? So, yes, we’re not gonna pretend here. It is clear, that the MVP is George Pickens. MVPickens!
What team do you expect to take a massive jump in Season 5?
Some teams started off slow, but that has not stopped coaches from realizing that they have the potential to do damage next season. Here are those teams:
1. Browns. What could go wrong for the Browns did go wrong. A tough schedule in a tough conference. Malik Willis did not start well and the defense was giving up too many points. But the Browns hit a switch toward the end of the season. They brought in Brian Burns in a trade with the Colts, and immediately the Browns improved. A change in scheme, as the coach has said they “are going back to what worked”, has shifted the Browns back into the team we knew they could be. The Browns have put up a fight all year long, and next season I know they will do the same thing.
2. Bears. When you get an X-factor like Micah Parson, you will improve dramatically. How much? Not sure, but the Bears don’t have their picks, so winning is a must. I’m interested to see what they do in the offseason. I expect them to make a splash and be a wreck for the NFC, maybe even the entire league.
3. Eagles. After bringing in a new head coach, the Eagles have gained respect across the league. And that seems to be the theme, right? Bring in a coach who understands what it takes to win. Who will not tolerate losing habits! The Eagles have the team to win, and with an early pick in the upcoming draft, they will get even better. Fly Eagles Fly!
Honorable Mention: Bills
What top team or teams do you believe are frauds and will choke in the playoffs?
Even after you have a great season, there will always be people who say that you will choke in the playoffs. Does it really matter though? Last season, the Bengals had the most votes for being frauds, yet they won the Super Bowl. Nonetheless, these are the teams coaches feel will choke in the playoffs:
1. Steelers. It seems that people are not the biggest fans of the “George MVPickens show”. This is not shocking, but I do want people to remember that the Steelers are AFC North Champs. In arguably the toughest division, the Steelers hold the division crown. Yes, Pickens is a big part of their success. No, he is not the only reason for their success. With improved defense, teams will have a hard time going point for point with them. I’m not saying your opinion is wrong, just that I believe the Steelers are the real deal.
2. Raiders. With success comes tons of haters. We saw this last year with the Bengals. Everyone thinks they can stop the top dawg until it’s time to stop the top dawg. There has not been much of a weakness shown by the Raiders, so I’m not sure where this is coming from. But time will tell. The Raiders coach has talked up a storm, and soon he will have to back it all up.
3. Bengals. Speaking of the Bengals, many people are not believers. They have had a crazy season for a team that just came off a Super Bowl. They have not looked like they can hang with the top dawgs. But when the playoff starts, nothing in the past matters. I would consider them more sleepers than frauds, but the people have chosen.
Honorable Mention: Saints
Who do you think is a sleeper coming into the playoffs?
Although many say that this coming playoffs will be crazy, there are some teams that are being slept on. But if there is one thing about the playoffs, anything can happen. Here are the teams coaches feel are being slept on:
1. Chiefs. Man, I’m such a fan of this head coach. What he has done to bring the Chiefs back into the team we have expected of them. This team has two huge wins that I believe prove that they are true Super Bowl Contenders. Week 12 against a then-undefeated Raiders team, the Chiefs pulled out the victory. Also a couple of weeks ago, the Chiefs beat the former Super Bowl Champs. This offense is so great because it is run to perfection. Not to mention this defense is very underrated. But continue to sleep if you want to, and you might be looking at the Season 4 Super Bowl Champs. Rumor has it, that Taylor Swift has already bought Super Bowl Tickets. Will Kelce meet her there?
2. Jets. The Jets are a great offensive team and with improved defense, anything can happen. Rodgers may be taking the last snaps of his career, and I know that he wants to go out with a bang. The Jets have been vocal about their belief in what they can do this year. One possession can change a game. And if there is one man I trust with the football in a pivotal game, it is the veteran Hall of Famer, Aaron Rodgers.
3. Cardinals. Of course, they are on this list. The Cardinals, even with a great season, somehow are still doubted. Like Kyler Murray has not shown flashes of his greatness. Like this Cardinals’ defense has not shown that they can lockdown opponents. Last season, many said they were too young and had no playoff experience. Well, this season they have the experience and I expect them to shock the world. Watch out for the Cardinals. I’m telling you they will shatter playoff brackets.
Honorable Mention: Giants
How close do you think you are to competing for a Super Bowl? (A season away, draft away, trade away, etc.)
This was a personal question I asked the coaches. I won’t list them all here, but as expected, there was a mix between answers. Most coaches said they were an off-season or season away. In this league, there are so many good coaches who need one piece to wreak havoc on the league. For the teams at the bottom, they will be on top soon. For the teams on top, don’t sleep. Remember it’s an Any Given Sunday type of league. Those exalted will be humbled. And the humble will be exalted. As we have seen this year, teams are getting better. For the madness we are seeing this year, I can’t imagine what we will get next year.
Which team surprised you the most this season, whether good or bad?
With every season, there are teams that exceed expectations. But with that, there are also teams that completely embarrass themselves and shock the league. With this season, I have been very impressed with how competitive some teams have gotten. A change in the locker room. A change in culture. Whatever it was, these are the teams that were the biggest shockers, whether good or bad:
1. Raiders. No surprise here. The Raiders have become a true championship contender. Starting the season 11-0, the Raiders made their presence known. One game in which we saw them spank the former Super Bowl champions. Their offense is up there with the best. And to beat them, you will have to play mistake-free football. If you said you saw this coming, you are a liar. Congrats to the Raiders and a phenomenal job by their head coach. But the job is not finished. I won’t be surprised if they bring a Super Bowl to Las Vegas. What a night that would be!
2. 49ers. A great season by the 49ers would not have been surprising a couple of years ago. But last season, the 49ers were an absolute joke. Hiring a new head coach has done wonders with them. Brock Purdy has been elite, reaching an MVP status. As the last pick in the draft, he deserves credit for his great work, but credit to the coach for putting him in the best position to be successful. This team is averaging 36 points a game and is 3rd in defensive yards. So it won’t be fun for any team that has to travel to San Fransico come playoff time.
3. Panthers. The Panthers were a field goal away from forcing overtime in the Super Bowl last season. They acquired DK Metcalf early in the season and things were looking up. Until it looked down. The Panthers went on a skid that saw them lose 4 of 5 games. And a team that just was in the Super Bowl looked like they might miss it by a margin. And that is a reason many coaches voted for them as a surprise. However, following the questions being asked, the Panthers have run the table and now sit as the 3 seed in the NFC. Wow!
Honorable Mention: Bengals
Who is the best defensive coach in your opinion?
They say defense wins championships. The Bengals proved that last season with a game-sealing interception in every one of their playoff games. This season has had a big leap in offensive scoring. It seems that offense has never been easier. But there are some teams that have offenses look non-existent. Some teams have a degree in Lockdown Defense 101. There is nothing worse than getting clamped. Behind every great defense is a great defensive mind and these are the teams that coaches have claimed to be the best defensive coaches.
1. Colts. Where would the Colts be without their defense? Talking to the Colts’ Head Coach, he told me that he prides himself on finding out the best ways to stop his opponents. And that is clear from how they play. Surrounded by huge pieces like Dexter Lawrence and Myles Garrett. Like Season 3 DPOY Rodney Thomas and Justin Simmons. Like rookie Chestnut and free agent acquisition Darnell Baker. Like Kwity Paye and veteran Kenny Moore. This defense lurks to find a weakness. Making teams pay for their mistakes. To win the Super Bowl this year, their defense will have to continue to show up.
2. Titans. This is actually my pick on the best defensive coach. This team is a headache to play against. And other coaches obviously feel the same way. With Jefferey Simmons, their defensive front is scary. With ball hawks like Kevin Byard and Sean Murphy-Bunting, their secondary is scary. With the addition of Roquan Smith, this defense only got scarier. You can’t score on this team. They allow 12 points a game. 12! They are first in defensive yards. First in passing defense. First in rushing defense. The numbers say they are the best defensive team. And I personally would agree. The Colts are good, but they are not the Titans. The Colts have a “bend but don’t break” defense, but the Titans has the most demoralizing defense known to man. Why even go out on the field for offense, knowing that you will be coming back on the sidelines in 4 downs?
3. 49ers. Nick Bosa. Fred Warner. Nick Bosa. Fred Warner. Tulanoa Hulfanga. Nick Bosa. Fred Warner. You’re probably wondering why I continue to mention Nick Bosa and Fred Warner. And the reason is simple: if you do not pay attention to those guys, you will have a long miserable day. The 49ers head coach has claimed to be the best defensive coach. And by the numbers, he is definitely in the conversation. They are second in defensive yards. I have watched great offensive teams play them and literally look like they have never played football in their life. No joke. Some would say that it is only because of the crazy talent in San Fransico, but isn’t that the point of a coach? To get the best out of his team? Let’s remember that this same team was in the lottery last year. So give respect when it is due. The 49ers defense is insane.
Honorable Mention: Chiefs
Who is the best offensive coach in your opinion?
Would you rather have the best offense or the best defense? I believe great offense beats great defense every day of the week. And honestly, sometimes offense can be a team’s defense. There is no way that you are putting up the points they are putting up. Here are who the coaches say are the best offensive minds.
1. Titans. Yikes! This offense is different. Quick passes give teams a headache. And as soon as you think you have the quick passes covered, a deep pass toward the sidelines. You think you have that covered, you forgot that they have Ekeler at running back. So yeah, this offense is tough. Will Levis is clearly the franchise quarterback, and he may be leading them to a Super Bowl come February.
2. Raiders. Absolutely. The Big 3 of Malik Nabers, K.J. Jefferson, and Josh Jacobs is way too much for defenses. Malik Nabers is my vote for OROY and K.J. Jefferson is in that conversation too. As for the best running back, Josh Jacobs is top 3. The Raiders pride themselves on the run game, but once it’s time to pass, they prove they have no problem doing that either.
3. Steelers. So the Steelers are “frauds”, yet they are voted the best offense? Interesting. Najee Harris and MVPickens lead this offense. Najee Harris may be the best running back in the league. Fewer attempts than Jonathan Taylor and has close to the same amount of yards. Don’t forget about tight end, Pat Freiermuth. This offense leads the league in points, yards, and passing yards and is 4th in rushing yards. Defenses will have trouble stopping them come playoff time. Kenny Pickett is surely having fun running this offense because he has pieces everywhere.
Honorable Mention: Chiefs
Who has the most promising future?
All because you are not in the Super Bowl conversation does not mean that all hope is lost. Actually, some losing teams are winning. That’s a play on words but I’m sure you know what I mean. Some teams have such a bright future, whether that is in young talent or draft capital. Here are those teams:
1. Cowboys. The Cowboys made a crazy trade right before the trade deadline. They traded Micah Parson for a buttload of picks. And with both the Bears and the Cowboys having poor records, the Cowboys are looking at two lottery picks in the upcoming draft. With a team that may just be an offseason away and tons of draft capital that can be used or flipped for a superstar, the Cowboys will be making noise very soon. Hopefully not too soon because I cannot stand their fans.
2. Giants. I guess this is an NFC East race. The Giants have done a great job this year. Making the decision to bench Daniel Jones may have been the best decision for them. Cameron Ward has looked like their franchise quarterback. And a top 5 wide receiver this year in Jalin Hyatt! And this defense! Wow! Rookie Safety, Andrew Mukaba has 11 interceptions and may be DPOY. Boogie Basham has an incredible 10 sacks on the year. Isaiah Simmons. Deonte Banks. Adore Jackson. Donte Jackson. The future in New York is bright.
3. Ravens. Lamar Jackson had an incredible year. As of week 17, he has 42 touchdowns and only 16 interceptions. A massive improvement from last year. The Ravens proved that they can hang and just need a little more time to reach the next level. During the trade season, they made it clear that they wanted draft capital. And they got just that. The AFC is tough and it may just get tougher with the Ravens expected to take a big leap very soon.
Honorable Mention: Browns
Who is your OGCFM cover athlete for OGCFM Season 4?
Is this even a question? Because if you don’t know who the cover athlete is, you have not been watching the NFL. There is only one man who deserves this title. There is only one man who deserves to be the cover athlete. Breaking receiving record after receiving record. With ease, I may add. Everyone knows the ball is going to him, but it does not matter. Like he said, “Just throw it up”. The cover athlete easily goes to the best wide receiver in the league, George Pickens.
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