I’ve not done one of these for a few years after my 2018 rant, boycotting the NFL when they threatened to ban any player from taking a knee during the National Anthem.

But that is now all water under the bridge, and I am back. 32 teams will embark on an intense, gruelling, high-competitive 17-game regular season.

It starts from September 7th and finishes on January 7th 2024. The playoffs start on January 13th, with the SuperBowl in Paradise, Nevada, on February 11th 2024.

Below is my division-by-division preview and prediction of who will finish where in the division.

 

AFC NORTH

 

 

 

CINCINNATI BENGALS
BALTIMORE RAVENS
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
CLEVELAND BROWNS

 

I feel this is probably one of the strongest divisions in the league. However, the Bengals, losing to Kansas in the AFC final, have SuperBowl aspirations. So, the likes of QB Joe Burrow. WR Ja’Marr Chase and DE Trey Hendriksen will be motivated. 

That said, the Ravens will push them close in the division with the quality of QB Lamar Jackson, WF Odell Beckham Jr. and TE Mark Andrews.

The order of the bottom two was my hardest decision, but I opted for the Steelers to finish 3rd. But they will need former defensive player of the year TJ Watt and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to hold the weight for rookie QB Kenny Pickett.

Lastly, I have predicted the Browns, with their history to bring up the rear. But they have the capabilities to prove me wrong with QB Deshaun Watson. DE Myles Garrett and RB Nick Chubb.

 

AFC SOUTH

 

 

 

 

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
TENNESSEE TITANS
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
HOUSTON TEXANS

 

The biggest question is how comfortable will the Jaguars win it. Last season they almost threw it away; but won their first divisional title in five years, and I doubt they will make that mistake again. QB Trevor Lawrence will continue to impress with WR Calvin Ridley and RB Travis Ettienne.

However, the Titans, who missed out on winning the division via one fumble, will be extra motivated with QB Ryan Tannehll. RB Derrick Henry and DT Jeffery Simmons. 

The Colts will fight off a wooden spoon place. The hope is they get some quality from RB Jonathan Taylor and DT DeForest Buckner, with QB Anthony Richardson.

I don’t hold much hope for the Texans this year. But at least rookie QB and No2 draft pick CJ Stroud will not be under that much pressure. However, he will need support from TE Dalton Schultz and OT Laremy Tunsil. 

 

AFC EAST 

 

 

 

 

BUFFALO BILLS
MIAMI DOLPHINS
NEW YORK JETS
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

 

This is another strong division. However, The Bills are a SuperBowl possible, and I don’t see anyone stopping them from making it four straight division titles. With the quality of QB Josh Allen. WR Steffon Diggs and LB Matt Milano. 

A more contentious question is, who will finish second? I have gone for the Dolphins. They have made steady improvements in the last few years. But it will rely on the fitness of QB Tua Tagovailoa, and the brilliance of WR Tyrek Hill, with CB Xavien Howard.

The Jets had a decent second half of the season, and will hope to bring that momentum into this season with the quality of QB Aaron Rodgers. CB Sauce Gardener and WR Garrett Wilson.

It feels weird to predict a poor Patriots team, but everything has its time. However, still in transition, they will look to the ability of LB Matthew Judon in defence, WR Juju Smith-Schuster and QB Mac Jones. 

 

AFC WEST

 

 

 

 

KANSAS CITY CHEIFS
LOS ANGELAS CHARGERS
DENVER BRONCOS
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS

 

I expect the Chiefs to win their eighth division title in a row while attempting to win back-to-back SuperBowls. They have an abundance of quality in the squad led by the best player in the league, QB Patrick Mahomes, supported by TE Travis Kelse and DT Chris Jones in defence. 

The Chargers will do their best to make this division respectable but may be closer to third. However, they will look to QB Justin Herbert, DE Joey Bosa and RB Austin Ekeler for performances. 

It’s possible the Broncos could make the fight for second very interesting. But will be desperate for QB Russell Wilson to produce one last winning season, with performances from CB Patrick Surtain II and WR Jerry Jeudy.

I am not expecting the Raiders to finish with a winning record. But stranger things have happened, especially if the likes of DE Max Crosby and WR Davante Adams can put in performances to support inexperienced QB Jimmy Garoppolo.

 

NFC NORTH

 

 

 

 

MINNESOTA VIKINGS
DETROIT LIONS
GREEN BAY PACKERS
CHICAGO BEARS

 

This might be one of the most closely contested divisions. But I am going with the Vikings to make it back-to-back divisional titles. Mainly because of the quality of WR Justin Jefferson. Along with DE Danielle Hunter in support of QB Kirk Cousins.

However, I have a good feeling about the Lions, who are equally a good bet to win the division with the abilities of WF Amon-Ra St.Brown. DE Aiden Hutchinson and QB Jared Goff.

I don’t think the Packers will be that far behind in third, although it will be tough. They will need performances from CB Jaire Alexander and RB Aaron Jones in support of QB Jordan Love.

Sadly, I cannot see the Bears improve enough to make any difference in this division. That said, they have a plus in QB Justin Fields; who seems to work well with WR DJ Moore. They also have quality in LB Tremaine Edwards.

 

NFC SOUTH

 

 

 

 

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
ATLANTA FALCONS
CAROLINA PANTHERS
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

 

I don’t think many expect much from the teams in this division, but I will be surprised if the Saints don’t win it after a two-year gap. They have the quality in CB Marshon Lattimore and WR Chris Olive to support QB Derek Carr.

Hopefully, the Falcons will make this division competitive, but they require performances from CB AJ. Tyrell. TE Kyle Pitts and QB Desmond Ridder.

The battle not to finish last might be a close one, but I feel the Panthers might have a bit more due to the quality of LB Brian Burns and DT Derrick Brown with QB Bryce Young.

Suffering from a Brady hangover, I expect the Buccaneers to bring up the rear. However, they have hope; if they can get performances from OT Tristen Wirfs. WF Mike Evans and QB Baker Mayfield.

 

NFC EAST

 

 

 

 

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
DALLAS COWBOYS
NEW YORK GIANTS
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS

 

I am expecting a tough fight for this division. The top two have superb QBs, but I am going with the Eagles to win their fourth title in seven years. Using their SuperBowl defeat as motivation with the quality of QB Jalen Hurts, OT Lane Johnson and WR A.J. Brown, who are just three of several quality players. 

However, not only do the Cowboys have divisional winning aspirations, but SuperBowl aspirations. With QB Dak Prescott is pulling the strings, along with WR CeeDee Lamb and LB Micah Parsons. 

I expect the Giants to be comfortably in third but not quite good enough to challenge the top two. Their main performers will be RB Saquon Barkley and DT Dexter Lawrence II in support of QB Daniel Jones.

The Commanders may challenge for third, but I am expecting them to finish last. However, they have a plus in WR Terry McLaurin, with DT Daron Payne and QB Sam Howell.

 

NFC WEST

 

 

 

 

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
LOS ANGELAS RAMS
ARIZONA CARDINALS

 

I expect this to be a comfortable first title in five years for the 49ers, who will have SuperBowl aspirations. QB Brock Purdy will have top-level support from OT Trent Williams and RB Christian McCaffrey, to name a few. 

Some were surprised the Seahawks got into the playoffs last year, and it will be difficult to surprise again this year. If they are to surprise, they will need performances from WR Tyler Lockett, CB Riq Woolen and QB Geno Smith. 

For a while, I thought to put the Rams second. They could surprise a few with QB Matthew Stafford looking to prove a point. Also, DT Aaron Donald and WR Cooper Kupp. 

Sadly, I am predict the Cardinals to have one of the worst records in the NFL. It will be a struggle, So much so that their starting QB could be Clayton Tune or Josh Dobbs. However, they have quality in CB Marco Wilson and DT Paris Johnson Jr.