2019-20 NFL Predictions Part One

So we are about 72 hours from Soldier Field and Packers-Bears to start the NFL's 100th season.  (And, again, that's why you're getting Packers-Bears and not Patriots-Steelers on Thursday night.)

So it's time for me to make an ass out of myself on some predictions, but I'm going to start with some "other" predictions, as in non-standings/Super Bowl ones...

• Ezekiel Elliott will NOT play this season.  It will be an under-the-table suspension by the league to get his house in order, or the Cowboys will suffer like the OBJ Giants.

To give you an idea of this impact, Elliott was the 3-1 favorite to lead the league in rushing this season at the William Hill and 3-2 at Caesar's.  (About a month ago, as will all relevant sourcing.)

What any Cowboys fan the last three years should tell Elliott is that he needs to get his house in order first and not spend at least three different iterations an off-season in trouble with the league and with the law.

• Speaking of OBJ, he will NOT have a positive impact on the Browns.

When they write the story on Odell Beckham Jr., it will be one of a headcase whose potential was completely lost due to his demons.  And I don't think this story ends well in any realistic extent.

To semi-break my above rule, about the only way that I think he could have a positive impact on the Browns is to help make them marketable enough to make the playoffs, but this league is going to be such a duct-tape and baling-wire operation this year, that may be all they need!!

• The new pass-interference review rule will be used to rig a Week 1 or Week 2 game to set the narrative.

Could, in fact, be as early as Thursday.  Both the Packers and the Bears have been picked by at least one pre-season source to go to the Super Bowl.

• Antonio Brown will NOT help the Raiders.

Speaking of headcases...

• Fines will SKYROCKET this year, whether they are reported or not.

There was a definite message sent by the league and by defensive players last year in the last six weeks of the season.  Scoring finally went down when the fines went up!

• There will be increasing talk of a 2020 work stoppage.

The NFLPA is beginning to prepare for one, and, whether it's social issues or the owners wanting more of the pie, there will be further murmurings.