NFL 2020 Regular and Postseason Predictions

The Kansas City Chiefs are defending Super Bowl champions and they enter the 2020 NFL season as the favorite to not just get back to the big game, but win it again. The Chiefs' chase for history will be one of the top storylines this season as well as the fresh start for the quarterback who was at the helm of the last team to go back-to-back on Super Sunday.

Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady are similar in that they both won Super Bowls within their first three seasons in the league. Besides claiming the most recent Lombardi Trophy and being named MVP, Mahomes also signed the richest contract in sports history in early July and is clearly the top draw in the NFL right now.

Meanwhile, Brady has moved on to Tampa Bay after 20 years of brilliance in New England and has a chance to add another line item to his Hall of Fame resume should he help the Buccaneers snap their lengthy postseason drought and put them in position to play in Super Bowl LV, which is scheduled to take place in his new home venue, Raymond James Stadium.

Mahomes and Brady have faced each other before, including a memorable AFC Championship Game overtime thriller two seasons ago, but a rematch in Super Bowl LV would feature even higher stakes. For Mahomes, he would have a chance to join one of the game's most exclusive clubs at just 25 years old. For Brady, a seventh Super Bowl ring at 43 and with a new team would pretty much serve as the exclamation point to his GOAT status.

While no doubt the NFL and broadcast partner CBS would love to see this matchup come to fruition (especially if the stadium can be filled to capacity), is that what we are headed for? Or will another team ruin this potential made-for-Hollywood script

Perhaps it will be New Orleans with Canton-bound Drew Brees hungry to get back to the Super Bowl and with arguably his deepest and most talented supporting cast to help get him there? Or what about Baltimore with reigning NFL MVP Lamar Jackson and company eager to redeem themselves after going from the best record in the regular season to flaming out at home in the Divisional Round. And we can't forget about San Francisco, the reigning NFC champs who would like nothing more than a chance to take care of some unfinished business with another Super Sunday appearance. Or could some other team rise from relative obscurity, sort of like the 49ers did last season, and ride that momentum all the way to Tampa Bay on Feb. 7?

How will the 2020 NFL season play out? Here is how a panel of Athlon experts see the season playing out. In addition to projected standings for each division, each panelist presents their wild card (WC) picks (remember there are three in each conference this season) as well as the respective conference championship game (CG) pairings and Super Bowl LV matchup.

Panelists are Athlon's own Rob Doster (@AthlonDoster), Steven Lassan (@AthlonSteven), Mark Ross (@AthlonMarkR), and Ben Weinrib (@benweinrib), along with AthlonSports.com contributor Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer).

(Top photo courtesy of chiefs.com)