With the 2018 NFL season kicking off last weekend, Guilford College students gave their predictions on the upcoming season.

 Jacksonville Jaguars: Last year (10-6) .625 pct 

Coming off of a winning season that ended in a defeat to the New England Patriots in the playoffs, the Jaguars are looking to redeem themselves this year with young talent like Jalen Ramsey and Leonard Fournette.

“Most likely if the (Jaguars) play at their full potential they will get to the Super Bowl,” said senior Darrious Patterson. “I love how the Jaguars are coming up and how their defense contributes to their wins.”

Cleveland Browns: Last year (0-16) .000 pct

After completing last season with no wins at all the Cleveland Browns are a team on the watch for this upcoming season. Multiple moves were made in the off season that added youth and depth on the offensive side of the ball.

“Cleveland is looking pretty decent, a pretty average team, but will definitely be above .500,” said junior Reggie Williams. “Very young core but great talent.”

Quarterback Tyrod Taylor, acquired in a trade from Buffalo, will start this season for the Brown, with Baker Mayfield, the first pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, as his backup. Mayfield, who was the 2017 Heisman Trophy winner and a 2016 Heisman Trophy nominee, will look to add his own type of flair to the quarterback position this season. Another player to help the offense is former Miami Dolphins Pro Bowl wide receiver Jarvis Landry, who people compare to Odell Beckham Jr. These additions to the Browns will be positive moves and hopefully add wins to this upcoming season.

Philadelphia Eagles: Last year (13-3) .813 pct

The reigning Super Bowl champions are on the march this season after defeating the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl. The Eagles are looking to silence the critics once again this year. After letting go of big contributors like LeGarrette Blount, Mychal Kendricks and losing young tight end Trey Burton, NFL fans will be looking out for what’s next for the Super Bowl champions.

“I think the Eagles will win this year because even after winning the Super Bowl people are still considering them underdogs, saying they will never win again,” said junior Maya Walfall.Rookie

Watchlist for this season:

Saquon Barkley, Running Back

Barkley from Pennsylvania State University is one, of if not the best, rookies coming into this season with a lot of expectations. An All American, two-time Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year at 5’11 230 lbs is a man on a mission. Drafted by the New York Giants with the second pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, the Giants are in need of another offensive presence other than Odell Beckham Jr. and Barkley will look to fill that piece of the missing puzzle.

“I believe Saquon Barkley will win this year simply because he is a very dominant player with confidence,” said Patterson.

MVP WATCHLIST:

Tom Brady, quarterback

Brady played in all 16 games for the Patriots ending the year with 4,577 passing yards, 32 touchdowns,8 interceptions and a QB rating of 102.8.

“Tom Brady [will be the MVP] simply because he is the best QB in the NFL,” said Patterson.

Carson Wentz, quarterback

Played in 13 games for the Eagles ending the 2017 season with 3,296 passing yards, 33 touchdowns, 7 interceptions and a QB rating of 101.9

“MVP [will be] either Tom Brady or Carson Wentz. If Wentz performs like last year, he can definitely win this year,” said Williams.

Julio Jones, wide receiver 

Last year played in all 16 games for the Atlanta Falcons. He also had 88 receptions, 1,444 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns to finish the year.

“Julio Jones has to be the unanimous MVP this year,” said sophomore Gerard Seals.