Another season of National Football League (NFL) football is about to kick off on Sept. 5. Football fans have been eagerly waiting for half a year, but as it approaches, it’s time to take one last look back on the 2023 season and start to make some predictions of what may be to come in the new one.
First of all, let’s recap the major points of last season. First and foremost, the Kansas City Chiefs have been on an unstoppable run so far this decade. They secured their third Super Bowl win of the past five years against the San Francisco 49ers in February, and Lord knows they’ll be gunning for it again this year. The question is, will anybody rise to the challenge and dethrone them, whether it be a National Football Conference (NFC) team with dreams of being the one to wipe the smiles off Mahomes and Kelce’s faces or within the American Football Conference (AFC) to prevent them from making it that far in the first place?.
Starting in the Chiefs’ division, the AFC West, I don’t expect the Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers or Denver Broncos to give them much trouble. All of them are in the rebuilding stage with their teams, and none seem to pose much of a threat. The Chiefs should be a shoo-in to win the division.
The Baltimore Ravens may be the scariest team in the league as we head into the oncoming season. They’ve shown dominance throughout the regular season for a few years now, ending the 2023 season with the best record in the league. Their biggest problem is capitalizing on their success in the playoffs, where they always seem to choke. The AFC North looks as dangerous as ever, with the Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Cleveland Browns looking like they could be serious threats. Of course, this is all contingent on Joe Burrow staying healthy and productive for the Bengals, the Steelers’ new quarterback acquisitions proving to be the solution they’ve been praying for since Roethlisberger’s retirement, and the Browns not Browns-ing themselves out of a playoff opportunity like they so often do. It wouldn’t come as a surprise to see any three of these teams in the playoffs.
In the AFC East, the Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills have been on the edge of a Super Bowl run for the past few seasons. Both teams seem to have the pieces they need for this to be their year. I could easily see both making the playoffs. On the other hand, the New York Jets and New England Patriots do not inspire much confidence. It’s looking like it may be another painful season for both.
Rounding out the AFC is the South, which looks to be the weakest of the four divisions. The Tennessee Titans looked rough last season, and I don’t see them changing my mind this year. The Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars are both middle-of-the-road teams that I’m not going to write off entirely, but I also won’t be paying them any specific attention. The only team I could see being legitimately good is the Houston Texans. They should be able to secure their division’s playoff spot, and I think that if they play their cards right, CJ Stroud could lead them on a surprising playoff run.
Moving to the NFC, the 49ers should have as good of a chance at another Super Bowl trip as anybody else. They have an electric lineup of talent that I would expect to win the West. The leading contender for their division behind them would be the Los Angeles Rams, but I’d be surprised if they secure more than a wild card spot. The Seattle Seahawks are another team that doesn’t stand out as particularly good or bad. Lastly, the Arizona Cardinals look like one of the worst teams in the league at the moment. Their best hope may be for a good draft pick for next season.
As far as the weakest division in the NFC, I’d give that title to the South. It looks like a toss-up for the winner between the Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. If I had to guess, the Carolina Panthers will probably be the worst team in the league again this season.
The division that has the most potential upside this year would be the NFC North. The Detroit Lions have found their stride and look like a strong contender for the NFC Championship. The Green Bay Packers look promising despite a turbulent 2023 season. With their new first-overall draft pick quarterback, Caleb Williams, the Chicago Bears may have more success than their past few seasons. Lastly, the Minnesota Vikings always feel like they have potential, but I wouldn’t put much stock in it until I see them capitalize on any of it.
Finally, the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys should be serious contenders for the NFC East once again. The Washington Commanders may have a marginally more successful season with their new quarterback, Jayden Daniels. The New York Giants will likely be as bad as they’ve been for the last few seasons.
Overall, my predictions for the AFC playoffs would be the Chiefs, Ravens, Bills, Texans, Dolphins, Bengals and Steelers. In the NFC, I would guess it will be the 49ers, Cowboys, Lions, Falcons, Eagles, Rams and Packers.
The 2024 season’s first game between the Ravens and Chiefs kicks off at 5 p.m. on Sept. 5 in Kansas City. Whether or not a team will rise to the occasion and knock off the Chiefs is yet to be seen. However, regardless of the outcome, it’s sure to be another exhilarating season of NFL football.
Photo courtesy of Unsplash.
2024 NFL season preview
Another season of National Football League (NFL) football is about to kick off on Sept. 5. Football fans have been eagerly waiting for half a year, but as it approaches, it’s time to take one last look back on the 2023 season and start to make some predictions of what may be to come in the new one.
First of all, let’s recap the major points of last season. First and foremost, the Kansas City Chiefs have been on an unstoppable run so far this decade. They secured their third Super Bowl win of the past five years against the San Francisco 49ers in February, and Lord knows they’ll be gunning for it again this year. The question is, will anybody rise to the challenge and dethrone them, whether it be a National Football Conference (NFC) team with dreams of being the one to wipe the smiles off Mahomes and Kelce’s faces or within the American Football Conference (AFC) to prevent them from making it that far in the first place?.
Starting in the Chiefs’ division, the AFC West, I don’t expect the Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers or Denver Broncos to give them much trouble. All of them are in the rebuilding stage with their teams, and none seem to pose much of a threat. The Chiefs should be a shoo-in to win the division.
The Baltimore Ravens may be the scariest team in the league as we head into the oncoming season. They’ve shown dominance throughout the regular season for a few years now, ending the 2023 season with the best record in the league. Their biggest problem is capitalizing on their success in the playoffs, where they always seem to choke. The AFC North looks as dangerous as ever, with the Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Cleveland Browns looking like they could be serious threats. Of course, this is all contingent on Joe Burrow staying healthy and productive for the Bengals, the Steelers’ new quarterback acquisitions proving to be the solution they’ve been praying for since Roethlisberger’s retirement, and the Browns not Browns-ing themselves out of a playoff opportunity like they so often do. It wouldn’t come as a surprise to see any three of these teams in the playoffs.
In the AFC East, the Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills have been on the edge of a Super Bowl run for the past few seasons. Both teams seem to have the pieces they need for this to be their year. I could easily see both making the playoffs. On the other hand, the New York Jets and New England Patriots do not inspire much confidence. It’s looking like it may be another painful season for both.
Rounding out the AFC is the South, which looks to be the weakest of the four divisions. The Tennessee Titans looked rough last season, and I don’t see them changing my mind this year. The Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars are both middle-of-the-road teams that I’m not going to write off entirely, but I also won’t be paying them any specific attention. The only team I could see being legitimately good is the Houston Texans. They should be able to secure their division’s playoff spot, and I think that if they play their cards right, CJ Stroud could lead them on a surprising playoff run.
Moving to the NFC, the 49ers should have as good of a chance at another Super Bowl trip as anybody else. They have an electric lineup of talent that I would expect to win the West. The leading contender for their division behind them would be the Los Angeles Rams, but I’d be surprised if they secure more than a wild card spot. The Seattle Seahawks are another team that doesn’t stand out as particularly good or bad. Lastly, the Arizona Cardinals look like one of the worst teams in the league at the moment. Their best hope may be for a good draft pick for next season.
As far as the weakest division in the NFC, I’d give that title to the South. It looks like a toss-up for the winner between the Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. If I had to guess, the Carolina Panthers will probably be the worst team in the league again this season.
The division that has the most potential upside this year would be the NFC North. The Detroit Lions have found their stride and look like a strong contender for the NFC Championship. The Green Bay Packers look promising despite a turbulent 2023 season. With their new first-overall draft pick quarterback, Caleb Williams, the Chicago Bears may have more success than their past few seasons. Lastly, the Minnesota Vikings always feel like they have potential, but I wouldn’t put much stock in it until I see them capitalize on any of it.
Cornhole comes to campus
Finally, the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys should be serious contenders for the NFC East once again. The Washington Commanders may have a marginally more successful season with their new quarterback, Jayden Daniels. The New York Giants will likely be as bad as they’ve been for the last few seasons.
Overall, my predictions for the AFC playoffs would be the Chiefs, Ravens, Bills, Texans, Dolphins, Bengals and Steelers. In the NFC, I would guess it will be the 49ers, Cowboys, Lions, Falcons, Eagles, Rams and Packers.
The 2024 season’s first game between the Ravens and Chiefs kicks off at 5 p.m. on Sept. 5 in Kansas City. Whether or not a team will rise to the occasion and knock off the Chiefs is yet to be seen. However, regardless of the outcome, it’s sure to be another exhilarating season of NFL football.
Photo courtesy of Unsplash.