"2026 NFL Season & Hobby Preview" Hobby Quick Hits E236

0:01 Welcome to episode 236. Of Hobby Quick Hits. And it's football season again. Or very soon here. So it's our annual. NFL and Hobby Preview Edition. Of Hobby Quick Hits. We try to do this every year. And kind of go through.

0:44 Pick guys to watch. Who's going to win the MVP. Rookie of the Year. Who's winning divisions. Who the wild cards are. And my pick for the Super Bowl. I get some of these right. I don't get all of them right. But that's sports. And that's the fun. And I love doing these and then going back the year after the year's over and seeing where I was right and where I was wrong. And so for this episode, we're going to not have the news or release schedule. You can check for the release schedule, shameless plug, on our website, www.sportscardnationpodcast.com. You can get all the release schedule there and what's dropping this month. So we're going to.

1:29 get right to it. Let's get into our picks. And so let me go, we'll go by division. Okay. So I'm going to pick the division winners in the, uh, AFC East, the Buffalo bills, you know, every year we're like, is this their year? And I don't know. I won't, I won't give away too much early, but Buffalo, I think wins the division again, Josh Allen, uh, you know, arguably the best quarterback, uh, in the game. And, uh, So I got Buffalo followed by New England. I think Drake May is going to have a good year, but I don't think he's going to have the year a lot of people think he's going to. And I don't want to mince my words here. That doesn't mean he's not going to be what people think, sell all his cards or anything like that. I just think he's going to come back to earth a little bit. He's going to be a solid quarterback. He's going to be a guy that can win you games. He's going to be a guy That can get you, you know, to the playoffs. And, you know, like last year, made the Super Bowl. Didn't win it. Ran into the buzzsaw. That was the Seahawks.

2:37 But I think he sort of comes back there slightly. New England finishes second. I got Miami next with Malik Willis at the helm. I don't think they're ready just yet. They're rebuilding. They got my dude, Kyle McCord, former Syracuse player. Orange quarterback, and he's the backup. They only have two quarterbacks, so that'll be interesting. I'm a believer in Kyle McCord. I don't think he's a superstar per se, but I think he could be an NFL starting quarterback at some point. He's actually one Malik Willis injury away. Not that I'm rooting for that, but that's where he is, being number two on the depth chart. The Jets won't be as bad.

3:23 as last year. They'll get an interception, unlike last year, but someone's got to finish last. They win some more games, which is easy to say because they didn't win any, but probably not enough, and maybe this is Aaron Glenn's last year with the Jets. Let's go to the other side, NFC East. This division's pretty interesting. I'm going to take Philly still. I don't think it's going to be pretty for Philly. I'm not really sold on Jalen Hurts. I know that sounds crazy to say with a ring in tow, but I'm not. Dallas, I got finishing second. They've made some improvements, but I don't think they're ready just yet to overtake Philly. Followed by the Giants. The Giants are improving.

4:15 They got John Harbaugh as their coach. I don't think that's as big a deal as other people do, but they are improved. If Malik Nabors stays healthy, you know, they can be interesting. So, you know, they could be one of those teams that's a prize where they make the playoffs where I don't have them making the playoffs, let's say. Washington, I think they're on the downturn. I think Dan Quinn is probably the number one coach on the hot seat, and I think he gets fired probably during the year. I don't think he makes it a year. My friend Chad would be mad at me. He's a big Commanders fan, but I got to call it like I see it. Let's go back to the AFC and go to the North. My favorite team plays there, and I am going to pick them. I'm going to be a homer here. I think the Steelers, I think with a new coach even though he's an old coach in McCarthy I think the new voice everything's out of camp's been positive with his coaching there I think he's going to breathe life some new life into some old dogs I got Pittsburgh and I hope I'm right being a Steeler fan I got them winning the division followed by Baltimore I think Baltimore lost some guys including their head coach he coached and Jesse meant I think they're still going to be good I just think Pittsburgh wins the division Cincinnati finishing third, and Joe Burrow, you know, a lot of hinges on his arm and his health. So that's another team almost kind of like the Giants that I wouldn't be completely shocked if they finished higher than

5:46 I'm pegging them for. Cleveland's picking up the caboose here in the AFC North. They're carrying four quarterbacks like the Steelers. Another rookie coach in Todd Munkin. I think Todd Munkin's going to be sorry he didn't follow Harbaugh as a coordinator to the Giants. Here, I'm sold on what's going on there. Deshaun Watson, I'm not a believer in. I think it's over. And Shador Sanders, who's probably better than Deshaun at this point. But how good is he, really? So I got them fourth out of four in the AFC North. Let's go to the NFC North. I'm a believer in Ben Johnson and what he's doing in Chicago.

6:29 And so I'm going to take the Bears. to win that division Detroit I still love Dan Campbell that team is formidable and arguably I'm one of the best players in the game and Jamar Gibbs who I think's all set for another big year out of the backfield running and catching the ball so I got Detroit second I wouldn't be shocked if Detroit won it uh the division but I'm going Chicago Detroit Green Bay um you know I'm not a big, huge believer in Jordan Love. I think he's a good quarterback, a great quarterback. Tyrod Taylor backing him up. They lost some serious receivers. Matthew Golden had a terrible rookie season. Will he step up? He's going to have to, or someone's going to have to.

7:14 They already got some problems with Josh Jacobs in legal trouble, although Marshawn Lloyd is an interesting player. new starter now at this point. I like him, but I just don't see it in Green Bay. Minnesota, again, one of those teams, right, that I got him pegged last but wouldn't be shocked if they had a decent run. Kyler Murray takes the reins. I don't think he's a superstar, but I think he's pretty good. And, you know, Justin Jefferson, you know, with some quarterback stability, he's going to come back to being a superstar player. wide receivers. But I just don't see them winning enough games. If Minnesota finished out of Green Bay, I wouldn't be shocked. But I think this is Chicago and Detroit's division. Let's go back to the AFC with the South. Houston Texans, I think they're finally the step up.

8:11 I love Jacksonville and Trevor Lawrence and the progression they made under Liam Cohen. I did not see that, but yet they have. But I think D'Amico Ryans is a good coach, a very good coach, and I think he sharpens his toolbox. I think Houston wins the division, as you probably could tell. I think Jacksonville finishes second, followed by Indianapolis and Tennessee. Daniel Jones coming off an injury in Indy. I just think he's somewhere between the New York Giants quarterback he was and that great year he had. win Indy when he first came over. So I think he's somewhere between that. That's not going to be enough to win that division. Tennessee, they're going to be better.

8:58 You know, will Cam Ward make the necessary, you know, will he make the next step? I don't know. I don't know. I like the tools. Didn't have a great year last year, but will he progress under new coaching staff? We're going to see. But someone has to finish last in the division. I'm picking the Titans. Sorry, Let's go to the AFC South. This division, tough to call. But I'm a fan of Dave Canales and what he's there in a short amount of time. And I think they take the next step. I think Bryce Young improves. I don't think he's a superstar, but I think he's going to be good enough to get them a division title in the NFC South. Tampa Bay is going to be right on their heels with Baker Bates. And gang, and they're running backcourt. They got Kenneth Gainwell now, and, you know, Bucky Irvin's still there. They're going to be a little bit light in the receiver department. So, you know, I know they got Egbuka, who's very good. But they got young receivers. They could win the division. I wouldn't be shocked if the Bucks win the division. But I'm going Carolina with Tampa Bay second. Atlanta, you know, they got quarterback issues either. Who is it? Penix? Tua? You know, they got arguably one of the best running backs in football in Bijan Robinson. think he's gonna have a big year for fantasy wise and maybe card wise keep your eye on bijan and new orleans they're uh you know i'm not i'm not buying what they're selling uh you

10:30 know tyler shuck i had a good surprising rookie year i'm i don't believe that to be real i'm not i'm not signing up for so i am picking them uh last again one of those teams you know all these last place teams i'm I'm picking the finish there. Could surprise you, right? I guess that goes without saying. So let's go back to the AFC West. Again, I'm buying Bo Nix. I think he's kind of a system quarterback. But when that system's under Sean Payton, you look really good. And so with Sean Payton as his coach, he's going to make strides and get better. And I believe, and they got one of the best defenses in the league, hands down, and most people's on a lot of rankings are number one. Bo Nix will make enough plays to get them some wins. So I think there's a new sheriff where it used to be the Chiefs. I think there's a new sheriff in the AFC West. And I don't even have the Chiefs finishing second. I think the Chargers are the upstart team under Jim Harbaugh. So I think And Justin Herbert does not get enough credit. Look at his stats. And people are, like, sort of down on him. I'm like, this dude is a superstar quarterback.

11:51 You know, maybe the talent around him is the issue. It's definitely not Justin Herbert. He plays through some injuries. Maybe that's good. Maybe that's bad. I guess it depends who you talk to. But look at the performance when he's on the field. It's pretty good. Doesn't always equate to wins. I get it. I really like Omari and Hampton. And, you know, I think the Chargers could win the division even if Denver slipped on a couple games. So I think it's Denver, the Chargers, and now I got the Chiefs. And you say, man, you picked the Chiefs third out of fourth in the division. That must mean Pat Mahomes is going to have a bad year. No, I think Patrick Mahomes is going to have a good bounce back year after the ACL injury. But I just think in other spots, they're sort of hurt. I love The Kenneth Walker Jr. signing. The Chiefs finally have a legitimate number one running back. But I just don't think enough pieces are there. I think that, you know, Travis Kelsey is, whether this is his last year, most likely. He's on the downside of his career. He doesn't perform at the same level. And look at his numbers the last five or six games of last year. And I get it.

13:05 Mahomes wasn't in the lineup for a majority of that. But he's regressed. He looks slower out there. He's not blocking in the same fashion. I think they take a step back. Las Vegas, I know I'm picking them last here. I just think they're a team on the come up. I just think it's going to be gradual and it's not going to be overnight. They got Clint Kubiak now as head coach. Got away from the mess of Pete Carroll, who I think the game has passed him by. I know he's hurt right now, but Ashton Gentry, one of the Most dynamic backs in the NFL, and I think they've improved their offensive line. Look out, here's a sleeper pick. Mike Washington, right here from North Syracuse. He is going to be, whether it happens in Las Vegas, and I think he's going to start out as the starter with Jenty on the shelf at the start of the season.

13:55 Mike Washington's going to be a legit back in the NFL. Whether that's in Las Vegas or someone else signs him or they trade him, he is that good. I love Mike Washington. I'm not even saying that just because he's from this area. I just watch him on tape. He's legit. He's going to be, barring injury, a starting running back in this league. Mendoza, Fernando Mendoza. I know everyone wants to talk about the Heisman winner, number one pick. I do believe in Mendoza, but he's going to have to learn behind Kirk Cousins. I don't think that's the dumbest thing. I think it's kind of a wise move to let him learn a little bit, let the game slow down, let Kirk Cousins teach him some stuff. Will you see Mendoza this year? You know, million-dollar question as a starter.

14:45 I think probably not before week five or six at best-case scenario, but you probably do because the Vegas is going to struggle. They're going to lose some games, and I don't think Kirk Cousins is going to light it up. And at some point, the powers that be in Vegas are going to want to see what they have with Fernando and their investment. I think Mendoza eventually starts. I think he's going to have to buy this time Kirk Cousins. Let's go to the NFC West. Aaron Donald's back. And, you know, you've got maybe two of the best teams in football in the same division, right? The Rams and Seattle. And Seattle, the defending Super Bowl champions, I'm buying the Rams.

15:25 Aaron Donald's back. He's not going to be lights out when he first starts, but he'll get up to game speed. I think he improves that defense. That's not terrible to begin with. And Matt Stafford, I think, has got a chip on his shoulder. A lot of people are like, hey, are you going to retire? He's like, did you see the year I just had? I think he's going to come out. motivated, you know, and McVay is one of the best coaches in the game. I got the Rams winning the division, and I'll talk more about them here as we progress in the show. Seattle is going to finish right on their heels. Seattle could win this division, but I think these are the two teams, one and two. I don't think that's any debate in the NFC West.

16:08 I got San Francisco third. They're depleted. I know Debo Samuel's back. Brock Purdy is a good quarterback, sometimes very good, but he can be inconsistent at times. And, you know, we'll see if McCaffrey can stay on the field and healthy. Again, this could be a team that surprises you, right? But I got them finishing third, followed by Arizona with Jacoby Brissett, you know, leading their charge. And Jeremiah Love, who started, you know, I know it's early, but man, he's like already been nicked up. So, Little cautious and tentative with him. So I got my division winners, Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Houston, Denver, Philly, Chicago Bears, Carolina, and the Rams. So there is the eight division winners. Let's talk wildcard team. Three teams from each conference make the wildcards. Let's start in the AFC.

17:04 I think that while they don't win the division, I think the Patriots are still too formidable to not make the playoffs. So I got New England as one. Same thing with Baltimore. I think they regress a little bit. I know they got a rookie coach, but they still got Lamar Jackson slinging the ball around and running the ball around. Didn't have a great year last year. I think he's got a little chip on his shoulder. I think there was problems between El Jack and Harbaugh. And I think Harbaugh's gone. I think that's one of the reasons he is gone. I think they had to pick between the two that they can coexist. So I think El Lamar Jackson's in for a bounce back here. I think Baltimore takes one of the three wild cards, like New England, like I said. I think the last one goes to the Chargers. I think they get in. So no playoffs for Kansas City, Jacksonville, or Indy, or the Bengals. And, you know, any one of those teams wouldn't shock me if I was wrong. But those are my three wild card picks, L.A., Baltimore, and the AFC. Let's go to the NFC. Man, this is tough to say. And they could have a really surprising year or they could be super disappointing. And that's the Dallas Cowboys. I don't love Brian Schottenheimer there. I think sometimes Dak Prescott can be overlooked.

18:24 I think he's a solid, very good quarterback. I think Dallas sneaks in. Maybe it takes to the last week, but they get a wild card spot. I'm going with Detroit. I don't think Detroit is the team they once were, but I think there's too many great chess pieces on the board to them not to make the playoff. Jared Goff doesn't get enough credit. Jamar Gibbs, one of the best running backs in the league, if not the best, and one of the best receivers, Armani Brown. I think if their defense can pick it up from as bad as they played last year, if they make the necessary improvements on defense, I think they'll make enough. So I'm going with Detroit as my second wildcard team. And, you know, we talked about the Rams and the Seahawks, right? One's going to win the division, one's not. I picked the Rams, but I'm taking the Seattle to win a wildcard spot.

19:20 So it's got Dallas, Detroit, and Seattle. So there are your 14 playoffs teams. All right, before we get to my Super Bowl pick, I'll save that for last. Let's go through some... MVP candidates, right? I'm going to really heavily talk about quarterbacks here because for the most part, I think we all realize that most of the time, 99% of the time, the quarterback wins the NFL award. I think Josh Allen is the chalk. here. I think Buffalo is going to have a great year, new stadium and new coach. Although I'm not, I don't know what I think about Joe Brady, but I'm just talking about the team. You know, there's sometimes a team, irregardless of their coach, just as good. Josh Allen is is going to do Josh Allen things. I know he's got an MVP under his belt. I think Lamar Jackson has a bounce back here. He's in the running. I think maybe he's second on this list. You've got to throw Matt Stafford on there. I've got the Rams winning the division, and even more so, again, with the Pike here. So you've got to put him on that list. And Joe Burrow, if he can stay healthy and continue, Since he wins some games, people don't think they can, and they get in the playoffs. Joe Burrow is an MVP talent. Now, whether he wins the MVP or not remains to be seen.

20:45 Whether he can play a full year this year, we've got to see, right? But I would take Joe Burrow as my quarterback eight days a week. He's legit, and I think he makes Cincinnati an interesting team all by himself. And I think he's going to have to win some games by him, and he does that. I think that's going to move him up the MVP boards. You know, we can talk about backs. I kind of mentioned them already. You know, I think Jamar Gibbs, Bijan Robinson are in for big seasons. I think Justin Jefferson is going to rebound with some more quarterback stability. So you can put them as dark horse candidates potentially. All right, let's talk about rookie of the year, right? I mentioned one. Don't sleep on him. Mike Washington from the Raiders. If that Jente injury becomes more serious than they're letting on and he misses a majority of the season or potentially all the season, and I hope that's not the case because I have Jente on my fantasy team and I love him.

21:48 But if that injury is worse than they're letting on and he misses significant time, I think Mike Washington is going to turn some heads legit. So I'm going to pick him as a I don't even want to know if I want to say dark horse here, Canada, but keep your eyes on that situation in Vegas with the health of Jenty. Again, Jeremiah Love, a little nervous with the little nagging things that have come up during the preseason. I know he's number one on Vegas' board. When I say Vegas, I mean the city. When it comes to gambling, he's number one. odds to win Rookie of the Year. I'm not taking those odds. He does. But I got to put him on the list. The guy I love is Jadarian Price, who was second on the depth chart at Notre Dame behind said Love. But he's the guy now in Seattle, and I believe in him. I think he's legit. I think he might turn some heads there as well. You know, maybe he's the better player than Jeremiah Love when all is said and done. So... I like him. You know, again, rookie of the year, right?

22:58 Jonah Coleman in Denver. I'm not really sold on Denver's back. J.K. Dobbins, always getting hurt. He's the number one. R.J. Harvey hasn't looked exactly like the guy they thought they were getting when they picked him. And Jonah Coleman has been great in preseasons. And here's a telling thing that maybe, but Sean Payton didn't play him much in the last two preseason games. And that's when You really preserve guys that you think are important to success. So when you are a rookie and Sean Payton doesn't play you, that means he's got some things in store for you. I would not be shocked, maybe not week one or two, but I think Jonah Coleman is the eventual starter in Denver, and I think he puts up some numbers. He's an underrated college running back that I think becomes a very solid NFL one. Carnell Tate. arguably the best receiver in the draft going to Tennessee. If Cam Ward can make that next step and Carnell Tate becomes the benefactor of that, he could potentially win NFL Rookie of the Year. Jordan Tyson, receiver in New Orleans, who's arguably right there with Carnell Tate.

24:14 I wouldn't throw him out of the room either. He's potential. The guy that's mentioned a lot, which I'm not buying, And I know he was a high draft pick, and I know he was going to be the Steelers pick until Philly swooped in and took him. I don't buy it. I think he's good. I don't think he's great. He drops the ball a little bit too much. He should. And I think there can be problems in Philly with him. He might be their newest malcontent after A.J. Brown. So he's not on my board, but I figured I'd have to mention him. And two more receivers. They're both in Cleveland. We'll see who's throwing him the ball, Shador or Deshaun, but Casey Concepcion and Denzel Boston. I think they both are potential playmakers. Again, with the right quarterback and right coaching, they could have, you know, surprisingly good years. There are obviously dark horse candidates on the outside looking in. And, you know, we got to mention Mendoza, right? I don't think he plays to week six or seven. I think that will obviously hurt his rookie of the year candidacy, but I have to mention the number one pick in the NFL draft. So there we went through our division winners, our wildcard teams, our rookie of the year, our MVP.

25:34 Let's get to how I see the Super Bowl going. You know, I want to mention Aaron Donald. I think that's going to be huge for the Rams. Maybe not right away, but like I said, once he gets his football legs back under him, I think that's all the difference. So I'm not going to go through matchups that I don't know exist yet, but I'm just going to pick the two teams that I think will be in the Super Bowl. And then after I pick the two teams, I will pick the winner and try to give a score. So I think your Super Bowl matchup, no drumroll please, is the Buffalo Bills will be the AFC representatives. And for representing the NFC, I think it's their year. I think the Aaron Donald thing, I know a lot of people say, ah, big deal, he's not young Aaron. I think that just breathes some energy into the building that he's back. And I'm going with the Rams. I think it's Rams-Bills in the Super Bowl. And so who, you know, is this the year that Buffalo gets over the hump and gets their first Lombardi in the new stadium, for the new stadium in Buffalo? Man, I'd love to see it.

26:42 Other than the Steelers winning it, I actually... I don't have a second favorite team, but living close to Buffalo, I know the pain that those fans have gone through for many years in losing four Super Bowls. Is this the year that the monkeys off the back of that organization with Joe Brady as a first-year head coach? Could it happen with a first-year head coach? Or will it be the Rams, kind of the grizzled veterans that have been there, done that, if you will? I don't know, man. If that is the matchup, it's going to be a great game. And I know Bills fans are about to get mad at me here. I think the Rams, it's the Rams year. I'm going the Rams over the Bills.

27:23 And I think it's going to be 27 to 20. 27-20 Rams over the Bills. And the Bills add another Super Bowl loss to their organization. And believe me, if not the Steelers, I'd love to see the Bills get off the schneid. But I got... You know, I can't choose with my heart. I choose with my head. And, you know, if that is the matchup, you got McVay versus a first-year head coach, I got to go with McVay. I think that alone might be the difference. So I'm going Rams over the Bills in the Super Bowl. So there it is, our yearly picks. You know, some cards.

28:04 You know, guys, I'd be buying cards, though, because I'm going to say it, man, and I'm buying them, and I know I'm– giving out advice that will kind of hurt me from buying more potentially. Mike Washington is a great buy, especially when people are thinking, you know, Jenty is the guy there, and he is, but injuries can change things. So I think he's a good, ceiling is high for him. You know, Price, Carnell Tate, Jonah Coleman, put him in the same boat with, like, Mike Washington. Guys that our people aren't talking about enough, but soon could be legit starting quarterbacks. And I do like Mendoza.

28:46 The problem with Fernando's cards, they're already up there in price. And so that makes it difficult. But I love him as a quarterback and as a person. He's a great kid. I have no problem stashing away some Mendoza. But if you're looking to get in cheap, that might be tricky. But maybe... You know, now that they've announced that he's going to be holding a clipboard, at least to start, maybe that'll bring some of the hype down and there'll be some buys. So we'll see. So I know we talked to heavy offense folks because we all know, right? I hate to say it, but it's true, right? Offense, you know, football offense rules the hobby, especially on the quarterback side. And so that's why I went heavy with the offending so let's uh let's revisit this in a year and see how i did uh what say you where did i where did i get it wrong where did i get it right i love feedback you can email me at hobby quick hits at gmail.com so hobby quick hits at gmail.com if you want to critique any of my picks and predictions uh You know, keep it clean, be nice, fairly nice, but you can always disagree with me.

30:03 So there you go. I thank you as always. We'll see you soon.