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Way-Too-Early Super Bowl and other predictions for 2019

By Erik Lambert

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 13: Owner Jim Irsay, head coach Frank Reich and general manager Chris Ballard of the Indianapolis Colts pose for a photo during the press conference introducing head coach Frank Reich at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 13, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 13: Owner Jim Irsay, head coach Frank Reich and general manager Chris Ballard of the Indianapolis Colts pose for a photo during the press conference introducing head coach Frank Reich at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 13, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 16: Khalil Mack #52 of the Chicago Bears encourages the crowd to cheer during a game against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field on December 16, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois.The Bears defeated the Packers 24-17. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 16: Khalil Mack #52 of the Chicago Bears encourages the crowd to cheer during a game against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field on December 16, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois.The Bears defeated the Packers 24-17. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Defensive Player of the Year:  Khalil Mack

Nobody was stopping Aaron Donald from winning Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2018. However, if anybody had a chance to take it from him it was Khalil Mack. The outside linebacker was a monster this past season with 12.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, and a pick six. The crazy thing is there’s a reason to believe he’ll be even more dominant going into next season, and it has to do with the new man running that Chicago Bears defense.

Chuck Pagano is one of the more respected coaches around the league, and it stems from his ability to simplify and motivate his players. One area of defense he routinely has great success with is pass rushers. Several names have had their career-best production under his watch including former All-Pros in Terrell Suggs (14.5 in 2011) and Robert Mathis (19.5 in 2014). The crazy thing is Mack is more talented than either of them.

So just what could he end up producing next season?

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