Teams Likely to Take a Step Back in 2019

Golden State Warriors

Indy, Dallas, Rams. IMO all 3 QB's are overrated and they will find a way to screw the pooch.

Regress - Ravens Rams

Improve - Falcons Jaguars Browns 49ers Patriots

Well I'd expect KC to take a step back, they're going to lose Hill for probably most of the season (should be more) and defensive coordinators will have an entire off season to figure out a way to slow down Mahomes.

Texans are hit or miss every other year, this will be their miss year.

Baltimore lost some players.

I'll tell you what, the team I think could take a step back is Cleveland...they have been crowned before doing anything. They have a lot of egos on that team...be real interesting to see how they respond to adversity, because if they can't? That thing could explode.

Tony2046 said:

The Jete if it's possible.

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The Jete progressing to 8-8 is not a problem. It might even be preferable.

Rams, Bears, Panthers, Pitt & Cowboys Will all likely win less games or be noticeable worse.

Patstastic said:

Just as the title poses. What teams are due for a "Step back" this season?

1. Saints. From Thanksgiving on, Brees was not a good QB whatsoever. His arm strength looks to be gone. I also think they will miss Ingram. Their schedule is brutal again too. I think the end is near for this group.

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You know, it's kind of funny. Brady has become a trailblazer for 40-something QBs. If it weren't for Brady, everyone would be predicting this could be the year Brees hits the wall (or, I suppose, falls off the Max Kellerman cliff).

Florio had an article today but most people have forgotten that Brees is hitting that age which, unless your name is Tom Brady, bodes very poorly for pro QBs.

Patstastic said:

2. Bears. They had crazy good health last year. And their defense is a beast. But they face a first place schedule now. Their QB isn't "Elite" to say the least.

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Well, the difference between a first place schedule and any other place is only 2 games. But, having said that, I expect them to take a step back.

Patstastic said:

Who are your top three?

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3 teams that do worse: KC, LA Rams, Chicago
3 teams that do better: GB, Atlanta, Oakland

Doublebase said:

I'll tell you what, the team I think could take a step back is Cleveland...they have been crowned before doing anything. They have a lot of egos on that team...be real interesting to see how they respond to adversity, because if they can't? That thing could explode.

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I don't know if you can really take a step back when you haven't accomplished anything. How many years has it been since they've had a winning record? (12 years; 2007 they went 10-6).

I agree with you that expectations are all out of proportion to their accomplishments. Sure, they have a lot of talent. But can you really count on their coach to put it all together? That's a huge reach.

Tunescribe said:

The Jete progressing to 8-8 is not a problem. It might even be preferable.

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Its the three year cycle. I BET YOU Jete finish 7-9 this season and Jets fans claim 2020 is the year!!! Only for them to finish 5-11 for two consecutive seasons.

XLIX said:

You know, it's kind of funny. Brady has become a trailblazer for 40-something QBs. If it weren't for Brady, everyone would be predicting this could be the year Brees hits the wall (or, I suppose, falls off the Max Kellerman cliff).

Florio had an article today but most people have forgotten that Brees is hitting that age which, unless your name is Tom Brady, bodes very poorly for pro QBs.
Well, the difference between a first place schedule and any other place is only 2 games. But, having said that, I expect them to take a step back.

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Brady has had diminished (but not bad) production in December for a few years now. Brees did indeed fall off a cliff late in last year not only on the stat sheet but also by the eye test. I agree with you; you can't trust Brees the 2nd half of the season this year. I expect he'll be fine (again) the first half of the season but would be very surprised if it held up the whole way.

As far as Brady goes, I'm hoping that an emphasis on the run game along with Tom's fantastic conditioning program keeps him a little sharper late in the season this year, but that's a hope not a projection. Simply maintaining what he's done in the past few years will probably be enough to secure another bye.

RAMS

TruthSeeker said:

I don't know if you can really take a step back when you haven't accomplished anything. How many years has it been since they've had a winning record? (12 years; 2007 they went 10-6).

I agree with you that expectations are all out of proportion to their accomplishments. Sure, they have a lot of talent. But can you really count on their coach to put it all together? That's a huge reach.

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No you're right, I should have wrote...the team that could fall short of expectations...something like that.

I hate it when teams are crowned because they "won" the off season. Ask the Celtics how that went for them last year.

I've always kind of "rooted" for Cleveland because they're rich in history, etc, but I just don't like that team now. I don't like Mayfield, I don't like Beckham, Hunt. It'll be nice watching them implode...then again it'll suck watching them succeed.

Ravens Steelers Chiefs

Afc East Will be more strong overall

Cleveland will be a contender

AFC much more strong then NFC

Hot july

Pats look alot stronger than last year at RB and on D.......WR and TE ? We shall see

Tunescribe said:

The Jete progressing to 8-8 is not a problem. It might even be preferable.

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Generally agree, but it is entertaining to watch them have a very high first round draft pick and choke on the pressure, then be tied up with that contract and expectations for four/five years.

Statistically, the most likely to regress is the Pats, as SB champs.

Steelers and Saints are my picks. Both have QBs that are aging less gracefully than ours.

Steelers gave away Antonio Brown. Used a ton of draft capital on Devin Bush, who is a good player, but he's not in the secondary where they needed a ton of help.

Saints could surprise with their defense, but I see them stepping back and the Falcons passing them.

Ryan Fitzpatrick: 'There's been a lot of shade and disrespect thrown my way for a lot of years'

Career record of 50-75 and he’s concerned “there’s been a lot of shade” ?!?

Step back : any team with FitzCranky. (Did you hear about his alma mater ?)

Doublebase said:

Well I'd expect KC to take a step back, they're going to lose Hill for probably most of the season (should be more) and defensive coordinators will have an entire off season to figure out a way to slow down Mahomes.

Texans are hit or miss every other year, this will be their miss year.

Baltimore lost some players.

I'll tell you what, the team I think could take a step back is Cleveland...they have been crowned before doing anything. They have a lot of egos on that team...be real interesting to see how they respond to adversity, because if they can't? That thing could explode.

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