2024 NFL predictions: Standings, playoffs, and awards
Football is BACK.
Sure, this is primarily a baseball newsletter, but did you really think we’d just ignore the return of football season? C’mon…
The 2024 NFL season kicks off tonight with the Baltimore Ravens taking on the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. On Friday, the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles will face off in Brazil. That’s two awesome matchups to take us into the first NFL weekend of the year.
Before the fun begins, here are my predictions for the division standings, playoffs, and end-of-season awards. Feel free to leave yours in the comments.
AFC East
Miami Dolphins (10-7)
Buffalo Bills (10-7)
New York Jets (9-8)
New England Patriots (4-13)
It’ll be really tight between the top three teams if Aaron Rodgers still looks like Aaron Rodgers in his return from injury. It’s a total toss-up but I like Miami just barely edging out Buffalo and New York for its first division title since 2008.
AFC West
Kansas City Chiefs (12-5)
Los Angeles Chargers (8-9)
Las Vegas Raiders (6-11)
Denver Broncos (5-12)
The Chiefs will run away with the AFC West crown for the ninth straight season. The only question is whether they can 3-peat as Super Bowl champs.
AFC North
Cincinnati Bengals (12-5)
Baltimore Ravens (11-6)
Cleveland Browns (9-8)
Pittsburgh Steelers (7-10)
A healthy Joe Burrow leads Cincinnati back to the top of the AFC North. It’ll be a battle between the Bengals and Ravens but I’m high on Burrow and Co. this year.
AFC South
Houston Texans (10-7)
Indianapolis Colts (9-8)
Jacksonville Jaguars (8-9)
Tennessee Titans (5-12)
I’m buying the C.J. Stroud Year 2 hype but don’t sleep on Anthony Richardson and the Colts. They’ll make it interesting. The Jaguars will continue to be in the mix.
NFC East
Philadelphia Eagles (12-5)
Dallas Cowboys (12-5)
Washington Commanders (6-11)
New York Giants (3-14)
Went back and forth between the Eagles and Cowboys. It could go either way, but I’m rolling with Philly to overtake Dallas after coming up just short last year. There’s just so much firepower in that offense, which now includes ex-Giants star Saquon Barkley at running back.
NFC West
San Francisco 49ers (12-5)
Los Angeles Rams (10-7)
Seattle Seahawks (8-9)
Arizona Cardinals (6-11)
The Niners should cruise to another division title but don’t sleep on the Rams this season. Sean McVay’s group is sneaky and could make things interesting come playoff time.
NFC North
Detroit Lions (12-5)
Green Bay Packers (11-6)
Chicago Bears (9-8)
Minnesota Vikings (4-13)
This should be one of the most fun divisions in football this season with the Lions and Packers as powerhouses and the Bears’ revamped offense led by No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams. Chicago isn’t ready to take the crown just yet, so it’ll be between Detroit and Green Bay with Dan Campbell’s group getting the slight edge.
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons (10-7)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-9)
New Orleans Saints (7-10)
Carolina Panthers (5-12)
With Kirk Cousins at the helm and Raheem Morris on the sideline, the Falcons separate themselves from the pack in the NFC South. I’m excited to see how this offense — still featuring Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts — fares without Arthur Smith. Ex-Patriots outside linebacker Matt Judon should give the pass rush a significant boost.
AFC Wild Card
No. 7 New York Jets at No. 2 Kansas City Chiefs
Winner: Chiefs
No. 6 Buffalo Bills at No. 3 Miami Dolphins
Winner: Dolphins
No. 5 Baltimore Ravens at No. 4 Houston Texans
Winner: Ravens
NFC Wild Card
No. 7 Los Angeles Rams at No. 2 Detroit Lions
Winner: Lions
No. 6 Green Bay Packers at No. 3 Philadelphia Eagles
Winner: Packers
No. 5 Dallas Cowboys at No. 4 Atlanta Falcons
Winner: Cowboys
AFC Divisional
Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals
Winner: Bengals
Miami Dolphins at Kansas City Chiefs
Winner: Chiefs
NFC Divisional
Dallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers
Winner: 49ers
Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions
Winner: Packers
AFC Championship
Kansas City Chiefs at Cincinnati Bengals
Winner: Bengals
NFC Championship
Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers
Winner: Packers
Super Bowl LIX
Green Bay Packers vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Winner: Bengals
Awards
MVP - Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals
Offensive Player of the Year - Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins
Defensive Player of the Year - Micah Parsons, LB, Dallas Cowboys
Offensive Rookie of the Year - Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Arizona Cardinals
Defensive Rookie of the Year - Dallas Turner, LB, Minnesota Vikings
Comeback Player of the Year - Aaron Rodgers, QB, New York Jets
Coach of the Year - DeMeco Ryans, Houston Texans