BEST OF THE HERD – Seahawks Major Flaw | Final NFL Predictions | Watch Out For Steelers & Cowboys

Brian Flores is a 47-year-old defensive coach calling plays for the first time, which feels like a vibe hire that could derail Seattle's offense.

Flores's age and background don't matter; successful coordinators like Bruce Arians started late, and Flores fits Mike McDaniel's system.

The Patriots benefited from an easy schedule and favorable circumstances last year, and a much tougher schedule this year will lead to regression despite roster improvements.

The Patriots addressed their offseason needs and reached the Super Bowl, so excluding them from top-team lists is unreasonable.

The Bills will win the AFC East and reach the Super Bowl; the Patriots, Jets, and Dolphins follow in that order. The Ravens and Bengals will both make the playoffs, with Cincinnati's continuity and defensive spending giving them an edge. The Texans will win the AFC South behind the league's best defense and a CJ Stroud bounce-back. The Chargers will win the AFC West, with Denver second and Kansas City third due to left tackle Josh Simmons's injury.

The Eagles will win the NFC East, followed by the Giants, Cowboys, and Washington. The Lions will win the NFC North, with Chicago second and Green Bay and Minnesota battling for third and fourth. The Saints will win the NFC South, followed by Carolina, Tampa Bay, and Atlanta. The Rams will win the NFC West, with Seattle second, San Francisco third, and Arizona fourth.

Week one is highly unpredictable because preseason game plans are deceptive setups designed to mislead opponents.

Successful coaching requires maintaining a consistent mindset and not letting schedule changes or travel become distractions.

Seattle's exceptional road record suggests a unique team culture or coaching approach that translates to away games.

The Seahawks' road success stems from a coaching-instilled mindset that ignores external variables like schedule or location. Travel strategies work if fully committed to—either arrive a week early or fly in and out—but showing up two days early is counterproductive.

Patrick Mahomes becomes less effective without reliable left tackle play because he ad-libs and loses structure, unlike Justin Herbert.

The Chiefs' pass-heavy scheme amplifies left tackle issues, whereas the Chargers would adjust by running more, protecting Herbert.

The Steelers will contend because the Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers partnership will succeed despite age concerns. The Cowboys will improve defensively and capitalize on their offensive talent to become a playoff team.

The Cowboys are overrated due to high penalty counts and poor performance against playoff-caliber opponents.

The Vikings could win the NFC North due to strong coaching and Kyler Murray's high-level play despite unpopularity.

Opposing quarterbacks fear Brian Flores's defensive schemes, making Minnesota dangerous regardless of roster composition.

Kyler Murray has the talent to become special if he improves his leadership and changes the negative perception around him.