Football season keeps inching closer to making its return. Since the National Football League’s annual Hall of Fame game kicks off on Thursday night, it’s only fitting to see who the local football coaches have hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in February.

The Hall of Fame game this year will feature the Denver Broncos and Atlanta Falcons, who both had underwhelming seasons last year finishing 7-9 and falling short of any playoff possibilities. The game kicks off at 8 p.m.

All three head coaches had a different opinion on who the super bowl champion would be, but none of them picked the defending Super Bowl champion, New England Patriots.

Washington High School’s head coach Jon Blank gave his prediction for the upcoming season.

“The Baltimore Ravens,” Blank said. “Great defense, great running game. Lamar Jackson will have a breakout season with dynamic play. Great special teams, with the best kicker and punter in the league.”

In Hall of Famer Ray Lewis’ final game as a Raven, they defeated Colin Kaepernick and the San Francisco 49ers in a classic, 34-31 finish in 2013’s Super Bowl. This year, the Ravens will trot out Lamar Jackson on week one, and will have a top run game in the NFL with Kenneth Dixon, Gus Edwards and the off-season addition of Mark Ingram. NFL Network’s analytics expert Cynthia Frelund, says the Ravens have the America Football Conference’s (AFC) most difficult offense to prepare for.

Southside Seahawks head coach Jeff Carrow simply stated the New Orleans Saints would win the super bowl this season. No doubt, the Saints have the talent to earn a return trip to the NFC Championship game after last season’s controversial ending. Drew Brees was statistically the second-best quarterback in the NFL last year according to quarterback ratings (QBR) behind Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes. Brees threw for 3,992 yards with 32 touchdowns and only five interceptions last season. Alvin Kamara, third year running back out of the University of Tennessee, will be the featured back and lone starter after the departure of Ingram. Michael Thomas also returns to the Saints after he led the NFL in receptions last season (125).

Northside head coach Keith Boyd predicted an NFC team to return to the Super Bowl for the first time since 1995.

“The Dallas Cowboys,” Boyd said. “If they can get (Ezekiel) Elliot under contract before the season; the offensive line is back healthy. They added (Randall Cobb) to the receiving corps, and the defense is young and talented at all three levels.”

The Cowboys had one of the league’s best defenses last season (7th overall) and finished an admirable 10-6 with a playoff victory over the Seattle Seahawks. The Cowboys get a key piece back on the offensive line in 2013 first-round pick, Travis Frederick. Wide receiver Amari Cooper, who was somewhat responsible for the team’s offensive resurgence after an abysmal first 8 games of the season, will have his first full season in Dallas.

There are numerous teams capable of making a super bowl run this year. The Panthers will be better with Cam Newton healthy. Mahomes and the Chiefs are dangerous. The LA Rams could make a return trip to the super bowl, and the San Diego Chargers have been a trendy pick among NFL analyst. The 2019 season should be fun, and it all starts on Thursday.