As the NFL season looms, it’s time for predictions. Which teams will surprise, and which will underachieve? What storylines will take form within the league? All these questions are to be answered in the next 6-plus months.

The consistently struggling teams

Now that preseason roster cuts around the league are finalized, let’s start with a part of the NFL where people often resent—the absolute dregs of the league. Teams that I consider to be in this group include the Panthers, Saints, Giants, Cowboys, Colts, Raiders, Cardinals, Browns, Seahawks, Titans, and Jets. Some of these teams are simply coming off of bad years and have a chance to be respectable, including the Raiders, Seahawks, and Cowboys. The others, however, are constantly shaky and are arguably long shots to even get to .500 in the next few seasons.

The “Mid-tier” group

The next class of teams includes rosters that are questionable, but also have potential to be a playoff squad. These teams are comprised of the Patriots, Dolphins, Steelers, Bengals, Texans, Jaguars, Chargers, Broncos, Commanders, Vikings, Bears, Packers, Falcons, Buccaneers, Rams, and Niners. Although this is exactly half of the league, some of these teams have the ceiling to make it to Championship Weekend.

I consider these teams to be the Rams, Commanders, Texans, and Packers. These four teams have two similar constants—smart, high regarded coaches with stable quarterback situations. These four teams are also a few bad injuries from going in the completely opposite direction, though.

Clear Super Bowl contenders

This category of the league is truly self-explanatory—teams that have either won or appeared in a Super Bowl, or previously had expectations of being in the big game.

These teams are the Chiefs, Eagles, Lions, Ravens, and Bills. The defending champion Eagles are still a great team, but I see them taking a step back. The Chiefs haven’t given any signs that they can be stopped, while the Ravens were a successful two-point conversion away from a potential AFC Championship Game appearance last season. The Lions clearly weren’t ready for the playoff moment, and the Bills haven’t been able to break through the haunting that is the Kansas City Chiefs.

My Super Bowl pick

My very early prediction for the Super Bowl is a matchup between the Green Bay Packers and the Buffalo Bills. I believe Green Bay is preparing themselves for a late playoff run after this week’s acquisition of former Cowboys three-time All-Pro defensive end Micah Parsons.

Buffalo, on the other hand, has been on the door step of the Super Bowl on multiple occasions the last few seasons. Buffalo made four consecutive appearances in the big game from the 1990 to 1993 seasons, coming up short in all four. But, as previously mentioned, Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs seemingly always have something to say about that. I predict that Josh Allen wins league MVP and vaults Buffalo over the hump, and they overpower Green Bay in the Super Bowl with their experience, hoisting the franchise’s first Lombardi Trophy.

The top storylines throughout the NFL remain to be seen, but fans across the world should expect another entertaining season. Get your fantasy teams, along with your favorite snacks, appetizers, and comfortable living rooms ready, everyone, and simply enjoy the ride of another NFL season.