Sports Predictions For 2021

As we head into the 2021 sports year, while we of course cannot claim to have entered a post-COVID world by any means, we can at least hope that the sports universe will look far more like the “normal” one we know and love than whatever the heck we have had in 2020. Every major team sport intends to operate in the new year, and while reduced schedules and limited fans are to be expected, the potential of a widespread vaccine is giving fans the real hope that sports in 2021 will look more like 2019 than 2020. So what should we expect in the year to come?  Glad you asked….

National Football League

As we head down the stretch towards the playoffs, the race for the postseason is wide-open, aided in part by the expanded size of this year’s playoff field.  In the AFC 10 teams have a legitimate chance to make the second season, and the NFC is borderline ridiculous – there are only 2 teams which aren’t leading their division that have over .500 records, so basically everybody still has a shot.  The AFC Championship game just HAS to be Kansas City and Pittsburgh, right?  The two teams are a combined 22-2 and nobody else seems close to their level.  As for the NFC, the favorites seem to come and go each month.  Seattle looked like the class of the league and Russell Wilson was going to win the MVP….and now they have lost 3 of their last 5 games.  The Saints looked like the class of the league and then lost QB Drew Brees, so that was it for them.  Um….but they haven’t lost since he went out, and he may be back soon, so cancel that.  Tampa Bay was one of the big stories of the year as Tom Brady looked rejuvenated and they were playing great defense….but they are now 7-5 and have looked outclassed when playing really good teams.  The NFC East is the worst division in the history of football….well, maybe, but the NY Giants and Washington Whatevers have won a combined 7 straight games and just took out the Steelers and Seahawks this week. The Bears were 5-1 and a great surprise story…..and are now 5-7 and are unlikely to be the subject of a 30 for 30 film any time soon.  So who’s playing in the NFC Championship game?  I’ll go with The Green Bay Packers and the New Orleans Saints. 

Take it to the Bank 

The Chiefs win their second straight Lombardi Trophy as they win a shoot-out over the Saints, 34-31.

Most Likely to Make a Surprising Run 

The Buffalo Bills are 9-3 and Quarterback Josh Allen is cocky enough to think they can play with anyone. If anybody is going to crash the Chiefs/Steelers’ party, look for it to be them. You know, if my Dolphins don’t sneak up and steal the AFC East from them. 

Don’t quote me on this (and if you throw this back in my face at the end of the season I’ll flatly deny ever having said this) but… 

I just summarized everything important in the NFL and didn’t mention Bill Belichick, who’s Patriots are still in the playoff hunt. He’s the smartest guy in football (maybe ever) and I’ll believe they’re dead when I see the tombstone. Somehow, someway, they make the playoffs.

National Basketball Association

It feels like the 2020 NBA season ended just a few hours ago and yet somehow pre-season games start this week. It’s like the league’s offseason was inspired by tennis or something. Anyway, the league doesn’t look that much different than it did in October when the LA Lakers beat the Miami Heat to win the title – the Lakers are still the favorites, the Western Conference is still far deeper and stronger than the East, and the New York Knicks are still a world-class joke worthy of a Sebastian Maniscalco monologue. Among the expected storylines for the season to come include the following: (1) – Will LeBron James finally start showing his age at 36? (No, he won’t); (2) – Will Kevin Durant still be the Top 5 player he was before his Achilles tear? (Eventually, yes); (3) – Will Zion Williamson ever stay healthy enough to reach his enormous potential? (I hope so, but am pessimistic); (4) – Will any of this year’s thoroughly UN-heralded rookies make an impact this year? (I doubt it); (5) – Can the Bucks convince Giannis Antetokounmpo that their future is worth committing to, so that he gives up the right to become the most coveted free agent since LeBron took his talents to South Beach? (I think they can).

Take it to the Bank 

The Bucks finally make the NBA Finals, as the Greek Freak unleashes the dogs of war on the Eastern Conference. The Lakers ride LeBron and Anthony Davis back to the Finals after surviving a brutal Western Conference playoff field.  The wear and tear on the Lakers is evident in the Finals, and the Bucks win their first title since 1971.

Most Likely to Make a Surprising Run 

The Dallas Mavericks are healthy now that Kristaps Porzingis has 2 functioning knees again, and Luka Doncic is BY FAR the best basketball player in the world that you don’t know all that well.  Nobody is going to want to play them in the playoffs. If they can get a third guy to step up and be an elite contributor, they can win the whole thing.

Don’t quote me on this (and if you throw this back in my face at the end of the season I’ll flatly deny ever having said this) but… 

The Philadelphia 76ers are going to blow their team up this year.  They can talk about trusting The Process for as long as they want, but unless the Ben Simmons/Joel Embiid pairing starts showing some massive dividends in 2021, they have to ship at least one of those guys out and come up with Plan B. 

Major League Baseball

No other major sport faces as much uncertainty heading into 2021 as the National Pastime. We don’t know how many games will be played this season, whether there will be fans, or even if the Designated Hitter will be used in both leagues. None of the major free agents have signed yet, and suddenly the now flush-with-cash New York Mets are apparently in on ALL of them. Not only is COVID still threatening baseball’s economy, but a potentially disastrous labor war is very much on the horizon once the current Collective Bargaining Agreement expires at the end of next season. As for the games on the field, the Dodgers were clearly the best team in baseball in 2020 and there’s no obvious reason to think that’s going to change any time soon. Their primary competition for that title from last season, the Atlanta Braves, the Tampa Bay Rays, and mayyyybe the New York Yankees should all make their presence felt this season, and the up-and-comers filled with exciting young talent, the San Diego Padres and the Chicago White Sox, should continue to up and come. The Mets are the National League’s X-factor, as they have the best pitcher on the planet (Jacob DeGrom), a couple young hitting stars (Pete Alonzo, Michael Conforto) and potentially a massive influx of free agent talent (they are pursuing George Springer, J.T. Realmuto, Trevor Bauer AND DJ LeMahieu).  Add it all up and…you probably still don’t get a playoff team, but hope springs eternal, especially in Queens, NY.  

Take it to the Bank 

The LA Dodgers find that once the pressure of ending a 30+ year World Series drought is gone, it’s actually EASIER to win again, especially if you’re a lot better than everybody else.  They roll through the National League and are thoroughly unconcerned with who shows up to meet them in the Fall Classic.  In the American League, the Rays can’t make the magic happen two years in a row, the A’s continue to amaze in the regular season but come up short in the playoffs, and somehow the Yankees manage to cobble together a starting rotation that can support Gerrit Cole enough to sneak their way into their first World Series since 2009. The Dodgers are still annoyed by their 3-8 all-time record against the Yanks in the Series, and they take it out on this year’s version, winning the title in 5 games.

Most Likely to Make a Surprising Run 

The Minnesota Twins need to re-sign Nelson Cruz as their DH, and they need a Game 1 playoff series starter that scares ANYONE.  OH, and they need to win a playoff game, which is something they haven’t done the last EIGHTEEN times they tried. But they are balanced, talented, and if the Red Sox and Cubs can overcome THEIR demons, the Twins can too.  Maybe they win a playoff series and ride a Team-Of Destiny vibe all the way to the pennant.  Hmmm….probably not. 

Don’t quote me on this (and if you throw this back in my face at the end of the season I’ll flatly deny ever having said this) but… 

Francisco Lindor wins a World Series Title!  Not sure what team he will be playing shortstop for when October rolls around, but he’s the trade-deadline acquisition that could put a team over the top.  He’s the best shortstop in baseball, an infectious leader, and a guy that does everything you could ask a guy to do at the plate. Just don’t let the Indians send him to the Dodgers.  They already have enough super-duper-stars as it is.