NFL predictions: Making a Super Bowl case for top 10 contenders

ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 03: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots talks to head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots after the Patriots defeat the Rams 13-3 during Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 3, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 13: Michael Thomas #13 and Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints celebrate their third quarter touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Divisional Playoff Game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

New Orleans Saints +900

Fresh off a five-year, $100 million contract extension, superstar receiver Michael Thomas must live up to his billing in what could be Drew Brees’ final year.

The future Hall of Fame signal-caller is 40 and faded down the stretch in 2018, averaging 205.6 yards passing in his last five games. Brees’ career per-game average in New Orleans is 302.9 yards.

But Brees did set an NFL record with a 74.4 percent completion rate, and got the Saints one overtime away from a Super Bowl berth.

The past two postseasons, New Orleans has been heartbroken by the Minneapolis Miracle and a blatant pass interference penalty that wasn’t called.

If the Saints are meant to push further and win their second Super Bowl in the tenures of Brees and coach Sean Payton, they must overcome these painful setbacks. The fact that their roster is virtually intact and that they’re held in such high esteem by oddsmakers suggests they can.

Los Angeles Rams +1100

What Super Bowl hangover? Yes, Sean McVay was outcoached by Belichick in Super Bowl LIII. Quarterback Jared Goff looked lost without McVay to read the defense for him in a 13-3 defeat.

McVay must have learned from the master class Belichick gave on the sport’s biggest stage. His genius is still intact, as is the core of the Rams’ electrifying offense. Plus, Goff will have back go-to possession target Cooper Kupp, who’s coming off a torn ACL and missed the last half of 2018.

L.A. was also wise to add backfield insurance behind Todd Gurley with rookie third-rounder Darrell Henderson, who averaged 8.9 yards per carry and had 22 rushing touchdowns at Memphis last year.

The Rams’ secondary trio of free safety Eric Weddle and cornerbacks Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters is as experienced and stout as any in the league. Combine that with the continued, dominant presence of Aaron Donald in the trenches and the addition of Clay Matthews to the linebacker corps, and there’s little reason to count out the current NFC champions in 2019.

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