As the 2024 NFL season approaches, and before I release my entire standings and playoff prediction for this football season, I figured this is a perfect time to make one prediction for every team across the league for the 2024 season. Some of these predictions will be on the safer side, while others will be a bit more out there. With that, let me take a shot and predict how things might unfold for all 32 teams in 2024.
AFC East
Buffalo Bills: Dalton Kincaid Leads The Team in Receiving Yards & Catches
With no current wide receiver standing out from one another, Kincaid is the most talented weapon in the Bills offense outside of Allen. I expect Allen to play more carefully this season and Kincaid as a security blanket for the QB will be the Bills go-to guy in terms of pass-catching.
Miami Dolphins: This Will Be Odell Beckham Jr.'s Final NFL Season
After a solid career that has been hampered by injury, I think the Dolphins new WR3 will walk away from the game after 2024.
New England Patriots: They Will Be Picking First In 2025 & The Fanbase will be calling for Jerod Mayo To Be Fired
I think the Patriots will be in for a long 2024 season, despite being a Drake Maye fan, they have not set up himself (please don't play him in 2024) for success. New England will finish with the worst record in the NFL and secure the first overall pick in 2025. To add onto that, I am calling it now, I think the sentiment out of Boston in January will be the fanbase wanting Robert Kraft to fire first-year coach Jerod Mayo.
New York Jets: Aaron Rodgers Plays All 17 Games
After lasting only four snaps into his Jets debut in 2023 as he tore his Achilles, I think Aaron Rodgers will stay healthy all of 2024 and will play a full for New York as they look to return to the postseason for the first time since 2010.
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys: This is Dak Prescott's Final Year With The Cowboys
I don't think the Cowboys make the playoffs in 2024, but in the case they do, I already see another hilarious playoff exit coming soon. If that's the case, I think Dallas and Dak Prescott both decide it is time to part ways as they both believe their time together has run it's course.
New York Giants: Daniel Jones Is The First QB Benched
If Daniel Jones can pass a physical in the spring, the New York Giants will be able to cut ties with the former sixth-overall pick without a major financial penalty. With that in mind, I think the Giants bench Jones early in the season where he remains healthy enough to pass that physical which will allow them to not be on the hook for another 40 million dollars in 2025.
Philadelphia Eagles: The Tush Push Is Not Used As Frequently
The Philadelphia Eagles have had the most unstoppable play in football over the last two seasons with "Tush Push". However, a big part of that play's success was thanks to having one of the greatest centers in NFL history, Jason Kelce. With Kelce now gone, I don't expect the play to be as automatic. Not to mention, after signing running back Saquon Barkley to a three-year, $37.75 million deal, I believe they are fully intent on feeding Barkley.
Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels Rushes For Over 525.5 Yards
Fanduel currently has Daniels' rushing yards total set at 525.5, and the reason I love him to hit the over is because of how bad this offensive line is. As he will be forced out of the pocket a ton, I expect Daniels to make a ton of plays with his legs in 2024 as he hits his over-on rushing yards.
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens: Zay Flowers Goes Over 5.5 Touchdowns
As a rookie, Flowers caught 5 touchdowns, while the Ravens have added Derrick Henry and it looks like Lamar Jackson will be running more this year, I still expect Flowers to be more involved and take on a bigger role. I like him to catch at least 6 touchdowns in his second season.
Cincinnati Bengals: They Win The AFC North
When healthy, Joe Burrow is the best quarterback in this division. In 2024, I expect him to be out for blood and remind the world he is still one of the best in the game. As this could be the last dance for this Bengals core, I expect Burrow to lead the Bengals back to the top of the North.
Cleveland Browns: Deshaun Watson Gets Benched At Some Point
I'm completely done believing we'll ever see the Deshaun Watson of old. He hasn't been that player in four years, and I think he's mentally checked shot and now a health concern. With only two more seasons left on his fully guaranteed contract, I think the Browns finally cut their losses, and Watson will get benched at some point in 2024 due to poor performance.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Justin Fields Starts More Games Than Russell Wilson
Even though Russell Wilson was named the Week 1 starter, I don’t see his time as QB1 in Pittsburgh lasting long. I predict the Steelers will start 1-4, and won't be shocked if by Week 6 against Las Vegas, Justin Fields is named the new starting quarterback.
NFC North
Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams Is In Fact The Bears First 4000 Yard Passer
It might not seem like a bold prediction, but when it happens, it will be historic. In the Chicago Bears' 105th season, Caleb Williams, in his rookie season, will become the first quarterback in franchise history to throw for 4,000 yards in a season.
Detroit Lions: They Are The NFC's #1 Overall Seed
The Lions had an outstanding 2023 season where they were so close to a Super Bowl appearance. I believe Dan Campbell and his team will come back even more motivated, securing the NFC's #1 seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Green Bay Packers: Josh Jacobs Runs For At Least 1100 Yards
With A.J. Dillon out for the year, Josh Jacobs is in line to take on a heavy workload in the Packers' backfield. I believe we'll see a version of Jacobs closer to his 2022 self, when he led the NFL in rushing as a Raider. I’m predicting at least 1,100 rushing yards for him in his first season in Green Bay.
Minnesota Vikings: They Once Again Trade For a QB Before The Deadline
I’m not buying into the Sam Darnold hype, sorry. I believe the Vikings will eventually look for some quarterback insurance if or when Darnold begins to struggle like I expect him to. Two names that come to mind to watch out for are Mac Jones and Jacoby Brissett.
AFC South
Houston Texans: C.J. Stroud Leads The Lead In Passing Yards
After a sensational rookie season where threw for 4,108 yards, I like C.J. Stroud to be even better in 2024. In his sophomore year, I like Stroud to finish the season as the league's passing yards leader in 2024.
Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Richardson Combines For At Least 30 Touchdowns
Calling Anthony Richardson "raw" would be an understatement. I expect a season of highs and lows for him, but do see him finding the end zone a lot. If he stays healthy, I predict Richardson will account for at least 30 combined passing and rushing touchdowns in 2024.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence's Over 3.5 Rushing Touchdowns Hits
I don’t think any quarterback needs a great season in 2024 more than Trevor Lawrence. While I’m still a believer in TLaw, it is fair to say he hasn’t quite lived up to the generational talent hype that surrounded him when he was drafted in 2021. That said, I love this bet, he’s rushed for four and five touchdowns in the past two years, respectively, and I’m once again taking the over on his rushing touchdowns for 2024.
Tennessee Titans: Tyjae Spears Leads The Team In Rushing Yards
Despite signing former Cowboy Tony Pollard, I believe Spears will emerge as the better pure runner in Tennessee. While Pollard will likely be utilized more in the passing game, I see Spears finishing the season as the team's leading rusher.
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons: They Win Single Digit Games, But Still Win The Division
The Falcons were one of the busiest teams this offseason, adding a lot of talent on offense and defense, but most notably, dramatically improving their quarterback room with the signing of Kirk Cousins and the surprise selection of Michael Penix Jr. with the 8th overall pick. I believe these moves will help the Falcons return to the playoffs and will host a playoff game, but they won't reach double-digit wins in 2024.
Carolina Panthers: Jadeveon Clowney Is Traded At The Deadline
I expect this to be another tough season for Carolina. The Panthers are in need of an influx of talent and draft picks. With that in mind, if he can be productive, I can see the Panthers will trade newly signed edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney to a playoff-contending team that is need of pass rush help in exchange for picks.
New Orleans Saints: Dennis Allen Is The First Coach Fired
There might not be a team I’m less interested in than the New Orleans Saints. I think this will be the year things fall apart in New Orleans, leading to head coach Dennis Allen being fired mid-season.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Playoff Streak Comes To An End
I genuinely believe I might be the biggest Baker Mayfield fan left in the NFL community. I think he has the potential to be a quarterback for a Super Bowl contender in the right circumstances. However, the Buccaneers, in my opinion, did not improve this offseason, while other teams in their conference and division did. After four consecutive playoff appearances, I expect the Bucs to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2019.
AFC West
Denver Broncos: The Over 5.5 Wins Hits
Although I don’t think Bo Nix will ever be a true franchise quarterback, I can see him being the second most "pro-ready" rookie QB behind Caleb Williams in Chicago, given that he has taken the most snaps in College Football history. At 24 years old, Nix undoubtedly has the best coach among the rookie quarterbacks in this class with Sean Payton at his side. Also, I just can't see a coach as good as Sean Payton winning only five games in a season. I expect the Broncos to win at least six games in 2024.
Kansas City Chiefs: They Are The AFC's #1 Overall Seed
No surprise here, but I’m done betting against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. Kansas City sets themselves up perfectly for a shot at a threepeat by clinching home-field advantage throughout the AFC Playoffs after another dominant regular season.
Las Vegas Raiders: They Finish Top 8 In QB Sacks
The Raiders are not a great team, but they have a solid pass rush. With Maxx Crosby and Christian Wilkins leading this unit, I expect the Raiders to finish in the top 8 in quarterback sacks this season.
Los Angeles Chargers: They Make The Playoffs
Everywhere Jim Harbaugh has gone, he’s won right away. In his first year in Los Angeles, I expect the Chargers to make playoffs despite the amount of talent that’s gone out the door this offseason.
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr. Catches At Least 8 Touchdowns
I love Marvin Harrison Jr. and Kyler Murray, which is tough to admit as a fan of a division rival. I think it is fair to say Harrison Jr. is the most hyped receiver prospect of the century, and I think he’ll live up to it immediately. Harrison finds the end zone at least eight times in 2024 as he and Murray quickly form one of the league’s most dynamic duos.
Los Angeles Rams: They Finish As The NFL's #1 Ranked Offense
I haven’t been shy about how much I despise the Los Angeles Rams, but even I have to admit how loaded their offense is. Cooper Kupp is reportedly healthy, Puka Nacua is only going to get better after a historic rookie year, Kyren Williams was dynamic last year, and there’s buzz around rookies Blake Corum and Jordan Whittington. Add in that they may have the best quarterback and coach in the conference with Matt Stafford, and Sean McVay, the Rams finish as the top-ranked offense in 2024.
San Francisco 49ers: The Defense Finishes Outside The Top 10
The 49ers fired Defensive Coordinator Steve Wilks despite reaching the Super Bowl last season. Personally, I would have stuck with him, considering how well they played the Chiefs in that game, especially since most of the top candidates were already off the market by the time the Niners' offseason began. I think this decision could backfire on San Francisco, and I expect their defense to finish outside the top 10.
Seattle Seahawks: They Return To The Playoffs
After 14 years with Pete Carroll as head coach, the Seattle Seahawks have a new leader on the sideline in former Ravens defensive coordinator Mike MacDonald. In MacDonald’s first season, I expect him to turn the defense into at least an average unit, while new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb will have the offense moving the ball down the field more consistently. With this revamped coaching staff, the Seahawks return to the playoffs in 2024.
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