After a five-year hiatus, I was back last season with my NFL season preview and predictions.
The regular season starts on September 5th 2024 and finishes on January 5th 2025.
The playoffs begin on January 11th, with SuperBowl LIX (59) on February 9th 2015 at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Below are my predictions, with the final division placings…..
AFC NORTH
BALTIMORE RAVENS
CINCINNATI BENGALS
CLEVELAND BROWNS
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
The AFC North was super competitive and the only division where all four teams ended with a winning record. But I am going with the Ravens to win back-to-back division titles. Superstar QB Lamar Jackson will pull the strings, with WR Zay Flowers, RB Derrick Henry and LB Roquan Smith in defence.
The Bengals were the only team not to make the playoffs. I feel they will challenge for the division this term, providing QB Joe Burrow stays fit with WR Ja’Marr Chase and DE Trey Hendrickson.
By the law of averages, I am going with the Browns improving this year. QB Deshaun Watson has had a wretched two years but could be back. Supported by, if fit, RB Nick Chubb, WR Amari Cooper and DE Myles Garrett.
The Steelers are in somewhat of a transition, but not to be taken lightly, with QB Russell Wilson drawing on all his experience, supported by LBs T.J Watt and Patrick Queen.
NFC NORTH
DETROIT LIONS
GREEN BAY PACKERS
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
CHICAGO BEARS
I see the Lions winning back-to-back titles, with only the Packers to worry about. They could even go all the way, and have a good squad balance with QB Jared Goff, WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, OT Penei Sewell and DE Aiden Hutchenson.
The Packers will do all they can to get closer than last season. To do this, QB Jordon Love will need an even better second season, supported in defence by CB Jaire Alexander and DE Rashan Gary.
After losing Kirk Cousins, the Vikings will hope for a winning season with QBs Sam Darnold or JJ McCarthy leading the team, supported by the talented WR Justin Jefferson and S Harrison Smith.
It will be touch and go if the Bears will improve on last season. However, they have a new focus with No. 1 draft pick QB Caleb Williams. The rookie will hope for support from WR Keenan Allen and DE Montez Sweat.
AFC EAST
BUFFALO BILLS
NEW YORK JETS
MIAMI DOLPHINS
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
After the Patriot’s dominance, the Bills are going for five division titles in a row, but this could be their most difficult. QB Josh Allen will again have SuperBowl aspirations with RB James Cook and OT Dion Dawkins.
Many think the Jets are best placed to top this division. QB Aaron Rodgers is now fit and ready to go with all his experience and knowhow. Supported by a roster full of talent, including WR Garrett Wilson and LB Quincy Williams.
Making the playoffs twice in a row but behind the Bills in both, despite finishing with the same record must annoy the Dolphins. But they will again be competitive and exciting with QB Tua Tagovailoa, talented WR Tyreek Hill and CB Jalen Ramsey.
After almost two decades of dominance and six SuperBowl rings, the Patriots are experiencing years of how the other half live. In a new era, QBs Jacoby Brissett and Rookie, Drake Maye will battle through the season and hope for support from the roster.
NFC EAST
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
DALLAS COWBOYS
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
NEW YORK GIANTS
This division has more or less been a two-horse race for the best part of two decades, with the Cowboys and Eagles sharing championships. As the Cowboys won last term, I am going with the Eagles to take it with the likes of QB Jalen Hurts, WR A.J. Brown, RB Saquon Smith and OT Lane Johnson.
In defence of their division title, the Cowboys have a talented enough roster to go one better than losing the wild card game. They will again look to their QB Dak Prescott, with WR CeeDee Lamb and LB Micah Parsons.
Washington finished bottom, winning just four games, but I expect an improvement with first-round rookie QB Jayden Daniels, who will hope to get support from WR Terry McLaurin and DT Jonathan Allen.
It’s sad to say this, but the NY Giants may have a worse season than last term where they won six games. QB Daniel Jones will have his work cut out along with LB Brian Burns and DT Dexter Lawrence.
AFC SOUTH
HOUSTON TEXANS
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
TENNESSEE TITANS
After last season’s surprise division-winning exploits, I have even higher hopes for the Texans than just back-to-back titles. QB and offensive rookie of the year C. J. Stroud, will be supported by new WR Stefon Diggs and DE Danielle Hunter.
It will be touch and go if the Jaguars can go one better and make the playoffs this year. They will need big performances from QB Trevor Lawrence, rookie WR Brian Thomas Jr and LB Josh Hinds-Allen.
I am sure the Colts will be neck and neck with the Jaguars again, but challenging for the division is a stretch. However, they will need a fit and healthy QB Anthony Richardson with WR Michael Pittman Jr and LB Zaire Franklin.
The Titans look like they will be bringing up the rear again, but they could get closer to the teams above. Providing they get performances from QB Will Levis, WR Calvin Ridley and DT Jeffery Simmons.
NFC SOUTH
ATLANTA FALCONS
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
CAROLINA PANTHERS
I am sticking my neck out and predicting the Falcons snapping Tampa Bay’s four-year winning streak, and making the playoffs for the first time since 2017. They will rely on new QB Kirk Cousins, OG Chris Lindstorm and S Jessie Bates.
I can guarantee the Buccaneers will not relinquish their hold on the division without a fight. They will again look to QB Baker Mayfield, WR Mike Evans and LB Lavonte David.
The Saints won this division four years in a row, from 2017-2020. They finished on the same record as Tampa but missed out on winning the division and the playoffs. That hurt will spur on QB Derek Carr, WR Chris Olave and LB Demario Davis.
I’m sure the Panthers can improve on winning just two games last year. A main goal must be improving on the worst record in the NFL for the 2023 no1 draft pick, QB Bryce Young, with support from WR Diontae Johnson and DE Derrick Brown.
AFC WEST
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
LOS VEGAS RAIDERS
LAS ANGELAS CHARGERS
DENVER BRONCOS
I can’t see past the Chiefs making it nine division titles in a row and possibly a SuperBowl 3peat, they have been to the SuperBowl four in the last five years. QB Patrick Mahomes will continue to pull the strings with TE Travis Kelce, DT Chris Jones and C Creed Humphrey.
It was touch and go who to put second, however, I’m going with the Raiders again, though they are unsure of QB Aiden Connell. But he will be supported by superstars in WR Davante Adams and DE Maxx Crosby.
I am almost certain the Chargers will improve on last season’s five wins and may even push for second. With QB Justin Herbert, LB Khalil Mack and S Derwin James.
Denver may well be a negative surprise, as I am predicting them to finish last. However, rookie QB Bo Nix can play without expectation. He will be supported by RB Jevonte Williams and CB Patrick Surtain.
NFC WEST
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
LOS ANGELAS RAMS
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
ARIZONA CARDINALS
I felt the 49ers grew in their SuperBowl defeat, and it will only make them more determined this year. I expect them to claim a third divisional title in a row and maybe more, with QB Christian McCaffrey, TE George Kittle, LB Fred Warner and DE Nick Bosa.
The Rams have an offence good enough to push for the top spot but a defence bad enough to let them down. QB Matthew Stafford will have support from the man who broke the record for rookie receptions last year, WR Puka Nacua, with RB Kyren Williams.
With a new head coach, the Seahawks will embark on a new era, so expectations will be low, but I still expect to see improvements. QB Geno Smith will continue to lead the team with support from WR DK Metcalf and CB Tariq Woolen.
Any improvement will be an improvement for the Cardinals, who I suspect will again bring up the rare. QB Kyler Murray will hope for support from WR Marvin Harrison and S Budda Baker.
