NFL picks and predictions: Standings, playoffs and Super Bowl LII

BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 07: The Vince Lombardi trophy is held during the New England Patriots Super Bowl victory parade on February 7, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Patriots defeated the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in overtime in Super Bowl 51. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images) /

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The 2017 NFL season is upon us, and Matt Verderame predicted each game of the schedule, giving us our Super Bowl LII matchup.

On Thursday night, the Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots get another NFL season underway. It’s the 98th edition of a sport that began in mostly rural towns across the country, and has turned into perhaps the biggest cultural event America has.

This season, the predictions will be as laughably incorrect as they always are. But I’m paid to try my best, and that’s exactly what I’ll do, fully knowing these will be comedic relief in four months (or sooner).

In the AFC, it’s hard to pick anybody but the Patriots. New England did lose Julian Edelman but still has a bevy of weapons including Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, Brandin Cooks and a guy named Bill Belichick.

I believe the Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers can challenge New England, but won’t beat the Patriots unless the perfect storm presents itself come January. In all likelihood, that storm will need to take place in Foxborough.

As for fringe contenders, the Oakland Raiders and Tennessee Titans are present. Oakland has little defense to speak of outside of Khalil Mack, but the offense is terrific with Derek Carr at the controls. Tennessee is probably a year early to this conversation, but a weak division and an ascending star in Marcus Mariota has people rightly buzzing.

The rest of the AFC is fairly simple to analyze. The Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills, New York Jets and Cleveland Browns are in wait-till-next-year mode. It would be shocking if any of those teams reached the playoffs.

Then there are the middling squads. The Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, Houston Texans, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Chargers will all fight for wild card spots, perhaps even a surprise division title (save Miami).

AFC Predictions

AFC East

Patriots: 14-2
Dolphins: 8-8
Bills: 4-12
Jets: 1-15

AFC North

Steelers: 10-6
Bengals: 9-7*
Ravens: 8-8
Browns: 4-12

AFC South

Titans: 10-6
Texans: 7-9
Colts: 6-10
Jaguars: 4-12

AFC West

Chiefs: 11-5
Raiders: 9-7*
Chargers: 7-9
Broncos: 7-9