I'm With Stupid

There's no better word to describe it. Stupid. That was the first word that came to my mind after my crystal ball, CB2, revealed its forecast for the 2019 NFL season. That's because the team CB2 is picking to win the championship never wins championships. Well, almost never and certainly not lately. In its 'storied' history the team CB2 says is going to win the Super Bowl has won all of 3 championships. The first one was so long ago that there was no such thing as the Super Bowl. And the second one doesn't count either because immediately after they won it they were trounced in Super Bowl 1. So in reality just one true championship in the 59 years of their existence. That's why any mention of the Kansas City Chiefs actually winning the Super Bowl is not only stupid, it's utter stupidity. Right?

Well, I hate to admit it, but I'm actually with CB2 on this one (and not just because I'm a huge Chiefs fan). Guess that makes me an idiot too.
Or .... maybe not. I mean, we all saw it. The Chiefs almost won last year. A 12-4 regular season, best in the AFC. Then an honest-to-goodness home victory in a playoff game, ending an 0-6 streak that had spread over 23 years. And then after overcoming a 14-point deficit in the AFC Championship game to take a late lead over the mighty New England Patriots, it looked like the Chiefs were going to the Super Bowl after their much-maligned defense intercepted the great Tom Brady with less than a minute to go. I was screaming in joy .... for about 5 seconds, that is, until that yellow box appeared on the TV screen indicating there was a penalty on the play. A careless, self-inflicted mistake (lining up offside) and then losing the coin toss to begin overtime were all that kept the Chiefs from a trip to the Super Bowl last season.

But in 2019, according to CB2, nothing's going to hold the Chiefs back this time. On the 50th anniversary of their last and only true championship in 1969 (an incredibly enjoyable 23-7 victory over the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl 4) the Vince Lombardi Trophy will finally be coming to Kansas City. I don't like to put anyone into the Hall of Fame after one season, no matter how great that season was. But after what Patrick Mahomes did last year? I mean he already looks like he's going to be the best quarterback the Chiefs have ever had, and make them a contender for years to come. With him throwing the passes and WR Tyreek Hill (hopefully) catching many of them and often throwing up the deuces (photo above, from training camp on July 29), maybe it's not that stupid anymore to think the Chiefs have a real chance to win it all.

And just who will the Chiefs be defeating in Super Bowl 54? It will be, ironically, the team representing the same city in which the Chiefs once made their home. Way back in 1960, in case you didn't know, the Dallas Cowboys debuted as an expansion team in the NFL, while the Dallas Texans were one of the original 8 teams in the AFL's inaugural season. But with Big D apparently not big enough for the both of them, the Texans left town right after winning the AFL title in 1962, moved to KC and became the Chiefs. After three AFL titles and one Super Bowl championship in its first 10 seasons, the franchise has gone 0 for 49 since the AFL-NFL merger.

The Cowboys, who have had no such trouble winning championships, will make their 9th Super Bowl appearance after enduring a difficult regular season. After barely earning the #6 NFC playoff seed, they will catch fire in the playoffs, defeating the #5 seeded Los Angeles Rams for the NFC championship before coming up a bit short against the Chiefs.

CB2 sees 5 teams making the playoffs this season that didn't in 2018. In the AFC, the Steelers, Titans, Jets, and Browns will be in, replacing the Ravens, Colts, Texans, and Chargers. The only new participant in the NFC will be the Atlanta Falcons after dethroning the New Orleans Saints as South Division champs, with the Saints then missing the playoffs altogether after suffering a heartbreaking (again) Week 17 loss to Carolina that costs them a Wild Card berth.

As usual, CB2 has predicted the winner of all 256 regular season games plus the 11 playoff games for the 2019 season, releasing the selections a bit later than usual - last Wednesday, barely before the season began. CB2 was hot and cold (mostly cold) on its 2018 predictions, finishing 146-110 (a .570 percentage) on its picks made entirely before the season started, 2 games worse than 2017. But bet against it at your own risk. So without any further delay, here is how CB2 sees things going in 2019, with its exact words in italics.


AFC EAST

     1. NE 11-5
     2. NYJ 10-6
     3. BUF 8-8
     4. MIA 4-12

CB2: With their playoff hopes in jeopardy in Week 17, Jets trail Bills 23-20 with 2:11 remaining when Tremaine Edmunds crushes Robby Anderson after a catch, causing him to fumble at Bills 10-yard line; but Brandon Shell comes to rescue, scooping up ball and dragging three defenders with him into the end zone for a touchdown to give Jets a 4-point lead. After Andre Roberts returns ensuing kickoff to midfield, Bills drive to NY 17-yard line, but pass into end zone is intercepted by Darryl Roberts with 27 seconds to play to clinch playoff berth for Jets.

Hmm. At this time last year, CB2, you picked Adam Gase to go 2-14. Now 10-6??
CB2: Shut up. In Gase we trust! 

 CB2 is predicting Bills LB Tremaine Edmunds will lead the league in tackles and be named NFL defensive player of the year; but it won't be quite enough to lead Bills to the playoffs.
.

AFC NORTH

     1. PIT 11-5
     2. CLEV 10-6
     3. BAL 9-7
     4. CIN 3-13

CB2: Despite 3 TD by Kareem Hunt, Browns fall to Bengals in Week 17 stunner at Cincy, as Dre Kirkpatrick returns interception 27 yards to the house on first play of overtime. Browns loss gives Ravens chance to win division, but they fall to Steelers in Week 17 Sunday night heartstopper at Baltimore  With Ravens leading 23-20 and 8 seconds remaining, Steelers can't get FG unit on field in time with clock running and have to go for it on 4th and goal. Maurice Canady intercepts tipped pass in end zone and returns it 102 yards to the house to give Ravens apparent victory. But play is video reviewed, and Patrick Onwuasor is called for pass interference penalty, nullifying TD and giving Steelers ball at 1-yard line. On untimed down Steelers eschew FG attempt, and Benny Snell plunges in for his 1st career TD, giving Steelers division crown and allowing Browns to back in to playoffs.  

CB2 thinks in his 1st season with dreads WR Marquise Brown, the Ravens 1st round draft pick, will score 6 TD and finish tied for the lead for most TD by a rookie with dreads.
.

AFC SOUTH 

     1. TENN 10-6
     2. HOU 8-8
     3. IND 6-10
     4. JAC 5-11

CB2: In Week 17 at Houston DeAndre Hopkins makes incredible, one-handed catch in corner of end zone for TD with 10 seconds remaining to give Texans 26-24 upset of Titans, costing Titans first-round playoff bye. 

CB2 likes Derrick Henry, shown here warming up for the Titans' preseason game at Chicago on Aug. 29, to not only lead the NFL in rushing, but also to lead all players with dreads with 18 TD, leading the Titans to their first division title in 11 years..

AFC WEST

     1. KC 12-4
     2. LAC 9-7
     3. DEN 4-12
     4. OAK 4-12

TIEBREAKER: Broncos finish in 3rd place due to better record than Raiders in games against division opponents (DEN 3-3, OAK 1-5)

CB2: Chargers have chance for Week 17 upset at KC that will keep their playoff hopes alive, but as Travis Benjamin heads to end zone in final 2 minutes for would-be 85-yard TD on punt return, Tremon Smith catches him from behind, grabs a hold of his dreads, and yanks him down, causing him to fumble inside 5-yard line. Ball rolls into and out of back of end zone for touchback, and Chiefs hang on for 38-33 victory to clinch AFC #1 playoff seed and end playoff hopes for Chargers.

CB2 is sure WR Tyreek Hill will lead all NFL players with dreads in TD catches with 15, but Chiefs will be dethroned as the team having the most TD scored by players with dreads. ..

AFC TIEBREAKERS
Patriots clinch #2 seed due to head-to-head victory over Steelers (Week 1)
Jets clinch #5 seed due to head-to-head victory over Browns (Week 2)
.


NFC EAST

     1. PHIL 13-3
     2. DAL 9-7
     3. NYG 8-8
     4. WASH 4-12

CB2: After both Cowboy QBs are injured in 1st quarter of must-win game in Week 17 vs. Redskins, Jaylon Smith records 17 tackles, 2 sacks, and 2 INT to carry Cowboys to 9-3 victory and wild card playoff berth.

CB2 believes Redskins RB Derrius Guice will be the biggest fish in a small pond, leading all NFC East players with dreads with 5 TD, as the division as a whole finishes (as usual) with the fewest TD scored by players with dreads.
.

NFC NORTH

     1. CHI 9-7
     2. MINN 8-8
     3. GB 8-8
     4. DET 7-9

CB2: In winner take all Week 17 thriller at Minneapolis, Cordarrelle Patterson scores rushing TD, receiving TD, and game-winning kickoff return TD with 3:33 remaining in game against his former team as Bears come back from 20-3 halftime deficit to edge Vikings 30-27 for division crown.

TIEBREAKER: Vikings finish in 2nd place due to head-to-head sweep of Packers (Weeks 2 and 16)

CB2 is forecasting that with RB Dalvin Cook (left photo) scoring 10 TD, the Vikings, a team with nothing but RBs with dreads (except for the FB) on the roster, will lead the league in rushing TD scored by players with dreads with 21 ..... and that with WR Davante Adams (right photo, during the Texans-Packers joint practice on Aug. 5) leading the way with 14 TD, the Packers will lead the league with 28 TD scored by players with dreads.
.

NFC SOUTH

     1. ATL 11-5
     2. NO 9-7
     3. CAR 8-8
     4. TB 6-10

CB2: Falcons seize control of division with 30-13 victory over Saints on Thanksgiving night, as Desmond Trufant scores his 1st career pick 6. Then in Week 17 nailbiter at Charlotte, with game tied and Saints at Panthers' 45-yard line in closing seconds, Donte Jackson intercepts Drew Brees pass and returns it 77 yards to the house to give Panthers 23-17 lead with 3 seconds left. But extra point is missed, and Alvin Kamara breaks 5 tackles as he returns ensuing kickoff 92 yards for TD to tie game with :00 on the clock. But attempt for game-winning extra point is blocked, and Jackson scoops up ball and speeds 98 yards to the house for defensive 2-point conversion to give Panthers 25-23 victory that knocks Saints out of playoff race. 

CB2 is confident that CB Donte Jackson will be celebrating often, not just in Week 17, during a stellar season, as he makes the Pro Bowl after leading all NFL players with dreads with 7 INT. CB2 also is picking the Panthers as the team with the most INT by players with dreads..

NFC WEST

     1. SEA 12-4
     2. LAR 9-7
     3. SF 7-9
     4. ARIZ 4-12

CB2: With Rams trailing Cardinals 27-14 in 4th quarter at the Coliseum in Week 17, rookie WR Nsimba Webster, in the lineup after three other Ram WRs go down with injuries, makes his first 2 career TD catches, including game-winner with :14 seconds remaining to give Rams 28-27 victory and wild card playoff berth.

CB2 likes 3rd round draft choice RB Darrell Henderson of the Rams (right photo) to finish tied for the lead for the most TD by any rookie with dreads with 6 ..... and CB2 also likes newcomers Ziggy Ansah (#94) and Jadeveon Clowney (left photo, from practice on Sept. 2) to combine for 22 sacks as the Seahawks by far finish as the team with the most sacks by players with dreads. Clowney btw is now listed on the Seahawks' website as jersey #90; so apparently he has talked (or paid) Jarran Reed (who has worn #90 in his first 3 seasons with the Seahawks) into letting him have #90 (Reed is now listed as #91).
.

NFC TIEBREAKER
Rams clinch #5 seed, Cowboys clinch #6 seed, and Saints eliminated in 3-way tie for the two wild card spots due to head-to-head record in games between the teams (LAR 2-0, DAL 1-1, NO 0-2 ..... Rams victories over Saints in Week 2 and Cowboys in Week 15, Cowboys victory over Saints in Week 4).
.


PLAYOFFS

ROUND 1

• PIT over CLEV
• TENN over NYJ
• DAL over ATL
• LAR over CHI

ROUND 2

• KC over TENN
• NE over PIT
• DAL over PHIL
• LAR over SEA

CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS

• KC over NE
• DAL over LAR

SUPER BOWL 54

• Chiefs 29 Cowboys 24  (MVP: Tyreek Hill, not Patrick Mahomes!)   

.

CHANGES FOR 2019

As usual, there have been many changes in the NFL's population of players with dreads since last season. The following lists reflect those changes. From A to Z I checked all of the opening day rosters of all of the teams, hoping to keep any mistakes to a minimum. But if you notice any mistakes or omissions, please leave a comment with the correct info.
(FYI: Here are the abbreviations I'll be using: PS = practice squad; IR = injured reserve list; PUP = physically unable to perform list; NFI = non-football injury list)

EX-DREAD

These are the players who had dreads at the end of the 2018 season but not anymore at the start of the 2019 season.

• A.J. Cann (JAC) (photo on left below)
• Brandon Carr (BAL)
• Jamie Collins (NE)
• Carlton Davis (TB)
• Michael Davis (LAC)
• Julio Jones (ATL) ..... again
• Kahlil McKenzie (SEA PS)
• Jerick McKinnon (SF IR) ... here's the video, if you can bare to watch it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlSh3gRTFQ0&t=144s 
• Jacob Martin (HOU)
• Yannick Ngakoue (JAC)
• Josh Perkins (PHIL PS)
• Dontari Poe (CAR)
• Delanie Walker (TENN)
• Jarrod Wilson (JAC) (photo on right below)

 

Most of this year's ex-dreads had short dreads, but that certainly isn't the case with two of the three Jaguars on the list. Jags fans will no longer have any difficulty seeing the names on the backs of the jerseys of G A.J. Cann and S Jarrod Wilson after they both cut off their very long dreads.

++++++++++ UPDATE ON 9/29/2019 ++++++++++
Unfortunately the list doesn't end there. Two more players have lost their dreads since the season began: sadly, Josh Sweat of the Eagles; and even more sadly, Tyreek Hill of the Chiefs.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
.

NEW DREADS

As dreads become more and more popular every year, this list keeps getting longer and longer every year. Here are the players who have started growing their dreads since the beginning of last season (including several who started theirs during the 2018 season).

• Mario Addison (CAR)  

• Jaire Alexander (GB) (photo on left below)

• Kwon Alexander (SF) (photo on right above)
• Alex Armah (CAR)
• Anthony Averitt (BAL)
• Kalin Ballage (MIA)
• Kenjon Barner (ATL)
• Ronald Blair (SF)
• Jatavis Brown (LAC)
• Marquise Brown (BAL, rookie) 

• Corey Clement (PHIL) 
• Javien Elliott (CAR) 
• Jaylon Ferguson (BAL, rookie)
• Xavier Grimble (PIT)
• Joel Iyiegbuniwe (CHI)
• Justin Jackson (LAC)
• William Jackson (CIN)
• Michael Jordan (CIN, rookie) 

• Akeem King (SEA) 
• Kendall Lamm (CLEV)
• Chris Lammons (MIA)
• Chris Landrum (HOU PS)
• Cole Luke (CAR PS)
• Justin March (DAL)
• John Miller (CIN)
• Terrance Mitchell (CLEV)
• David Njoku (CLEV) 
• Bobby Okereke (IND, rookie)
• Jordan Phillips (BUF) (photo on left below, from last season)

• Brian Poole (NYJ) (photo on right above)
• Jarran Reed (SEA)
• Riley Ridley (CHI, rookie)
• Elandon Roberts (NE)
• M.J. Stewart (TB)
• Chandon Sullivan (GB) 
• Mike Thomas (LAR)
• Darwin Thompson (KC, rookie)
• Tracy Walker (DET)
• Fred Warner (SF)*
• Charles Washington (ARIZ)
• Quincy Williams (JAC, rookie)
• Kenny Young (BAL)

* Fred Warner actually had dreads when last season began, and I thought he did. But I wasn't totally sure then that he did, and I wanted to make sure I was sure before putting him on the list.
.

SAME DREADS, NEW THREADS

These are the players with dreads who are now wearing the uniforms of different teams than they did at the end of the 2018 season (2018 team listed first, followed by current 2019 team which will be underlined).

• Jahleel Addae (LAC, HOU)
• Ziggy Ansah (DET, SEA)
• Mark Barron (LAR, PIT) 

• Michael Bennett (PHIL, NE)
• Brandon Bolden (MIA, NE)
• Tre Boston (ARIZ, CAR)

• Bashaud Breeland (GB, KC)
• Malcom Brown (NE, NO)
• Jamon Brown (NYG, ATL) (photo on left below)

• James Carpenter (NYJ, ATL) (photo on right above)
• Jamal Carter (DEN, ATL PS)
• Adrian Clayborn (NE, ATL)
• T.J. Clemmings (OAK, CHI IR) 
• Jadeveon Clowney (HOU, SEA)
• James Crawford (GB, MIA)
• Isaiah Crowell (NYJ, OAK IR)
• Johnathan Cyprien (TENN, PHIL) 

• Tyeler Davison (NO, ATL)
• Mario Edwards (NYG, NO)
• Reuben Foster (SF, WASH IR)
• Markus Golden (ARIZ, NYG)

• Davontae Harris (CIN, DEN)
• Kareem Hunt (KC, CLEV)
• Bruce Irvin (ATL, CAR)
• Malik Jefferson (CIN, CLEV)
• John Jenkins (NYG, MIA) 
• Ryan Lewis (BUF, IND)
• Tyrann Mathieu (HOU, KC) (#32 in photo below, next to Bashaud Breeland (#21))

• Gerald McCoy (TB, CAR) 
• Pernell McPhee (WASH, BAL)
• C.J. Mosley (BAL, NYJ)
• Avery Moss (NYG, MIA)
• Parry Nickerson (NYJ, SEA PS)
• Robert Nkemdiche (ARIZ, MIA PUP)
• Ty Nsekhe (WASH, BUF)
• Cordarrelle Patterson (NE, CHI) (photo left below)

• Donald Penn (OAK, WASH) (photo on right above)
• Sheldon Richardson (MINN, CLEV) 
• Curtis Riley (NYG, OAK)
• Andre Roberts (NYJ, BUF) 
• Seth Roberts (OAK, BAL)
• Bradley Roby (DEN, HOU) (photo on left below)

• Buster Skrine (NYJ, CHI) (photo on right above)
• Za'Darius Smith (BAL, GB)

• Earl Thomas (SEA, BAL)
• Billy Turner (DEN, GB)
• Jason Verrett (LAC IR, SF) 
• LaAdrian Waddle (NE, BUF IR)
• B.W. Webb (NYG, CIN)
• J.J. Wilcox (IND, ATL IR)

.

ROOKIES

2019 NFL DRAFT

Here are the 32 players with dreads that were selected in the NFL Draft back in late April, including a few who didn't get their dreads started until sometime after the Draft. Players are still with the teams that picked them unless otherwise noted.


ROUND 1
12. LB Rashan Gary (GB) (photo below)
25. WR Marquise Brown (BAL)

ROUND 2
54. CB Lonnie Johnson (photo below)
58. DT Trysten Hill (DAL)

ROUND 3
66. WR Diontae Johnson (PIT) (top photo below)
67. WR Jalen Hurd (SF)
68. LB Jachai Polite (NYJ) ..... signed to SEA PS after being released at end of preseason
70. RB Darrell Henderson (LAR)
85. LB Jaylon Ferguson (BAL)
89. LB Bobby Okereke (IND)
98. LB Quincy Williams (JAC)
101. OT Yodny Cajuste (NE) ..... put on NFI list at end of preseason
102. RB Alexander Mattison (MINN) (bottom photo below)

ROUND 4
112. RB Bryce Love (WASH) ..... put on NFI list before start of preseason
119. S Sheldrick Redwine (CLEV) (photo below)
122. RB Benny Snell (PIT)
126. WR Riley Ridley (CHI)
136. G Michael Jordan (CIN)

ROUND 5
140. RB Ryquell Armstead (JAC)
144. S Marvell Tell (IND)
154. RB Jordan Scarlett (CAR) (photo below)
172. CB Jordan Miller (ATL)

ROUND 6
187. WR Juwann Winfree (DEN) (photo below)
190. DT Armon Watts (MINN)
213. S Donovan Wilson (DAL)
214. RB Darwin Thompson (KC)

ROUND 7
215. DT Terry Beckner (TB) ..... signed to TB PS after being released at end of preseason
219. OT Derwin Gray (PIT) ..... signed to PIT PS after being released at end of preseason
225. DE Darryl Johnson (BUF) (photo below)
229. DT P.J. Johnson (DET) ..... released at end of preseason
238. CB Stephen Denmark (CHI) ..... signed to CHI PS after being released at end of preseason
251. LB Dakota Allen (LAR) ..... signed to LAR PS after being released at end of preseason

UNDRAFTED

Several rookie players with dreads that were not selected in this year's Draft were signed to teams' practice squads after the end of the preseason; but, as far as I can tell, only one undrafted rookie with dreads made a team's final 53-man roster this year ..... and that player is ...

... WR Nsimba Walker of the L.A. Rams.
.

INJURED RESERVE

Here are the unfortunate few players with dreads who suffered serious injuries during offseason practices or during the preseason and landed on the injured reserve list. For most of these players their season was over before it even got started. However, it is possible one or two of them will be added to the active roster later in the season (after sitting out at least 8 games) if they return to full health.

• T.J. Clemmings (CHI)
• Isaiah Crowell (OAK)
• Sean Davis (PIT)
• D'Cota Dixon (TB, rookie) 
• Duke Ejiofor (HOU)
• Amba Etta-Tawo (NTG)
• Reuben Foster (WASH) 
• Daurice Fountain (IND)
• Dillon Gordon (CAR) 
• Davon Grayson (KC)
• Nate Harvey (NYG, rookie)
• Derwin James (LAC) 
• Tre'Von Johnson (LAC)
• Cre'Von LeBlanc (PHIL)
• Steven Means (ATL)
• Ira Savage-Lewis (HOU, rookie) 
• Tim Patrick (DEN)
• Horace Richardson (DEN)
• Josh Shaw (ARIZ)
• LaAdrian Waddle (BUF) 
• Isaac Whitney (HOU)
• J.J. Wilcox (ATL) (photo below)

Instead of playing alongside fellow safeties Keanu Neal (#22) and Damontae Kazee (#27) in the Falcons' secondary this season, J.J. Wilcox was helped off the field by them after injuring his knee (torn ACL) in the very first practice of training camp on July 22.
.