NFL 2018 Preview: Sam Darnold, Jaguars Among Those Likely To Disappoint

00:00 Hope springs eternal every fall in the NFL, and with that hope often comes oversized expectations.
Every offseason, a number of trendy teams and players become the talk of the upcoming NFL season, whether it be contending for titles, winning awards or simply elevating to the next level.
The expectations will be sky-high for many teams and players as the season approaches, but who will live up to the hype and who will crash and burn?
Blake Bortles and Co. are expected to top the division again in 2018, but they’ll play a challenging first-place schedule that includes matchups with the the New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs, along with two games each against the Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans.
Look for Jacksonville to take a step back this season.
The USC product has a load of upside, but rookie quarterbacks struggle more often than not, and Darnold doesn’t have the talent around him to light it up the way Jets fans might expect.
San Francisco 49ers — Following Jimmy Garoppolo’s 5-0 run to end last season, Kyle Shanahan’s crew has been predicted by many to make a jump in 2018 and earn a playoff spot.
With running back Jerrick McKinnon tearing his ACL in the preseason, Garoppolo will have to rely on wide receiver Marquise Goodwin and tight end George Kittle as his main weapons.
Couple that with the recent trade of star linebacker Khalil Mack, and Oakland could struggle to finish better than third in the AFC West.
Could the Chargers run away with the AFC West?