Anticipation is at unprecedented levels for the 7th 3GML season. For the first time in the history of the league, there is no super team or clear-cut Super Bowl favorite. Each and every team has its strengths and its weaknesses heading into the season. Let's take a look at how these teams stack up and give our final predictions for wins and losses.
Green Bay Packers:
Biggest Strength: Wide Receiver - Stefon Diggs, Justin Jefferson, and JuJu Smith-Schuster make a trio no defensive coordinator wants to plan for. The Packers would be wise to run 11 personnel frequently to ensure all three playmakers are on the field at the same time.
Biggest Weakness: Tackle - Green Bay may have a big problem on its hands when it comes to protecting new starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Tyrell Crosby and Liam Eichenberg are currently penciled in as the starters. Crosby has been a backup swing tackle most of his career and Eichenberg hasn't seen a regular season NFL game. Lucas Niang could play a bit as well, but he too doesn't have a NFL game under his belt.
Record prediction: 11-6
Houston Texans:
Biggest Strength: Offensive Line - Imagine a world where you can take a reliable left tackle like Jake Mathews and play him at guard because you are set at the two tackle positions. This is the exact scenario Houston finds itself in with Christian Darrisaw and Bryan Bulaga anchoring the edge. Put Brandon Linder at Center and you have a team ready to dominate the trenches.
Biggest Weakness: Quarterback - Don't get us wrong, Andy Dalton and Gardner Minshew can hold their own in the league. But in reality, the Texans have two backup quarterbacks splitting time as the starter. The good news for Houston? Both men won't have to do too much with the solid roster GM TH has constructed around them.
Record prediction: 10-7
Miami Dolphins:
Biggest Strength: Wide Receiver - This trio may be better than the one mentioned above in Green Bay. Julio Jones, Allen Robinson, and Corey Davis will give the Dolphins plenty of playmakers this season. Quarterback Jalen Hurts could roll the dice with a throw in the direction of any of these three and more often than not be rewarded.
Biggest Weakness: Cornerback - The failed physical of Stephon Gilmore spoiled Miami's blockbuster trade last week. This puts a lot of pressure on Tre Flowers, DJ Reed, and Taron Johnson. Miami is going to score a lot of points, but when they play teams with elite receivers, they could find themselves in a shoot out with no lockdown guy on the roster.
Record prediction: 12-5
San Francisco 49ers:
Biggest Strength: Defensive End - The duo of Brian Burns and Bradley Chubb will result in countless quarterback hurries, hits, and sacks this year. Burns is a dark horse defensive player of the year candidate and Chubb has shown when he's healthy, he's one of the best in the game.
Biggest Weakness: Defensive Tackle - The 49ers are the youngest team in the NFL by far with an average age of 24.4 years. The inexperience definitely contributes to question marks on this roster. However, the defensive interior stands out among the rest. Andrew Billings and Bilal Nichols will be tasked with dominating the interior line this season. GM CD is hoping the two men playing on either side of them (Chubb and Burns) will relieve some pressure.
Record prediction: 9-8
