2024 NFL predictions: Closing file for all 32 groups, Tremendous Bowl LIX choose, playoff matchups and MVP winner

The beginning of the 2024 NFL season is simply days away, which implies it is time to make some predictions. 

Over time, one factor I’ve seen about making NFL predictions is that half the explanation folks love studying predictions is in order that they will make enjoyable of you on the finish of the season when all of your predictions find yourself being improper, however that is not going to be a problem this 12 months, as a result of I am not planning on getting any improper. 

That being mentioned, should you do wish to make enjoyable of my predictions, you possibly can ship all of your hate tweets to me on Twitter by clicking here, and simply so you understand, Payments followers, I am already mentally getting ready on your tweets. 

Earlier than we get to my predictions, let me clarify how issues are going to work right here: I will undergo every division and predict every staff’s remaining file. After that, I will be making one daring prediction for every division.

When you roll by way of the divisional portion of those predictions, you may see my playoff picks and ultimately the staff I am choosing to win the Tremendous Bowl. In 4 of the previous 9 years I’ve accurately picked the AFC staff that ended up within the Tremendous Bowl, and in two of the previous eight years my preseason Tremendous Bowl choose has ended up profitable all of it.

Lastly, should you’re wondering how I did last season, I predicted 5 of the eight groups that made the divisional spherical of the playoffs. I additionally picked the precise file or got here inside one sport of choosing the precise file for 13 totally different groups, together with the Payments, who I mentioned would go 11-6 (and so they went 11-6). I am solely pointing that out as a result of I do not assume Payments followers are going to love my prediction for his or her staff this 12 months. However, I utterly whiffed on the Texans. I had them going 4-13 and should you watched any soccer in 2023, you then already know that the Texans did not go 4-13. With C.J. Stroud main the way in which, the Texans ended up mocking my prediction by going 10-7 and profitable the AFC South.

You do not care about final 12 months although, so let’s get to the 2024 predictions.

AFC East

1. *Dolphins: 11-6
2. *Jets: 10-7
3. Payments: 9-8
4. Patriots: 3-14

AFC East daring prediction: Payments miss the playoffs

Apparently, some folks assume Josh Allen is overrated, however I would love everybody to know that I’m not a type of folks. I truly belief Allen lots, it is everybody else on the offense that I do not belief. Not solely did the Payments commerce away their prime receiver (Stefon Diggs), however additionally they let Gabe Davis stroll in free company. The Payments simply do not have anybody who scares you at extensive receiver and that is one cause why I count on the offense to take a step again. So long as the Payments have Allen, they will at all times be a playoff contender, however simply since you’re contending does not essentially imply you truly make he playoffs and I”m going to say the 2024 season will mark the primary time in six years that Buffalo will miss the postseason. Will I leap by way of a flaming desk if I am improper? I will not rule it out. I need to be punished if I whiff on this prediction. 

AFC North

1. *Ravens: 12-5
2. *Bengals: 11-6
3. Browns: 9-8
4. Steelers: 8-9

AFC North daring prediction: Steelers end in final place for first time in 36 years

The Pittsburgh Steelers have two of essentially the most spectacular streaks within the NFL going proper now. First, they have not completed in final place of their division since 1988. Second, Mike Tomlin has been the Steelers coach since 2007, and within the 17 seasons since then, he has NEVER completed with a shedding file. As they are saying, all good issues should come to an finish and I believe we’ll find yourself seeing each streaks finish this 12 months. I believe somebody within the NFL scheduling workplace truly needs these streaks to finish, as a result of the Steelers have been handed arguably essentially the most brutal schedule of any staff within the NFL over the second half of the season. Their remaining eight video games all come towards groups that completed above .500 final season (Ravens x 2, Browns x 2, Bengals x 2, Chiefs, Eagles). I believe that stretch would be the Steelers’ undoing. 

Final 12 months, I predicted that each AFC North staff would end above .500 and that really occurred, which marked the primary time since 1935 that an NFL division had pulled that off. 

AFC South

1. *Texans: 10-7
2. Jaguars: 8-9 
3. Colts: 7-10
4. Titans: 6-11

AFC South daring prediction: Texans have three receivers hit 1,000 yards

There have solely been 5 situations in NFL historical past the place one staff has produced three receivers that each one hit the 1,000 yard mark in the identical season and it appears like that Texans may be part of that unique membership this 12 months. After buying and selling for Stefon Diggs, the Texans now have three receivers definitely able to hitting that quantity in Diggs, Nico Collins and Tank Dell. Additionally they have a quarterback in C.J. Stroud who likes to unfold the ball round (The Texans had six gamers final 12 months with at the least 30 catches. To place that in perspective, the Chiefs solely had three). 

Diggs has completed with at the least 1,000 yards in six straight seasons, so it might be considerably stunning if he DIDN’T hit that quantity this 12 months. Nico Collins blew previous that quantity throughout a 2023 season that noticed him get away with 1,297 yards. As for Dell, who was a rookie final season, he completed with 709 yards in simply 11 video games earlier than struggling a season-ending harm. With these numbers, he was on tempo for 1,095 yards. Dell could be the most important query mark right here: Not solely is he getting back from a fractured fibula, however he was also SHOT during the offseason. Regardless of that, he appears good to go. If the Texans’ trio can all hit 1,000 yards, Houston would develop into the primary staff for the reason that 2008 Cardinals to have three gamers hit that mark in the identical season.

AFC West

1. *Chiefs: 12-5 
2. *Chargers: 10-7
3. Broncos: 7-10
4. Raiders: 6-11

AFC West daring prediction: Bo Nix wins Offensive Rookie of the Yr. 

I do know I mentioned these have been going to be daring predictions, however I may need made the leap over to loopy with this one. In the case of Offensive Rookie of the Yr, Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels will probably be standard picks, however I will roll with Nix. If he has one benefit over Williams and Daniels, it is that he has an offensive-minded head coach who additionally occurs to be one of many smartest minds in NFL historical past: Sean Payton. Payton will take his system and tweak it in order that it is excellent for Nix. Payton’s system is designed for quarterbacks to place up large numbers and should you want proof, simply return and have a look at Drew Brees’ profession numbers. Nix clearly is not Brees, however he does have a number of the identical attributes: He is good, he is correct and he performs inside Payton’s system (aka he does not go off-script like Russell Wilson tended to do in Denver final 12 months). I absolutely count on Nix to place up some better-than-expected passing numbers in 2024. 

NFC East

1. *Cowboys: 10-7
2. *Eagles: 9-8
3. Commanders: 7-10
4. Giants: 6-11

NFC East daring prediction: NFC East has first repeat champion since 2004.  

On paper, this does not sound like a really daring prediction, however any time you choose a staff to repeat as champion within the NFC East, it counts as daring. The division has by some means gone 20 YEARS with no repeat champion. The final staff to drag off the feat was the Eagles once they received three division titles in a row from 2003-05. The Eagles (-140) are literally the favorites to win the NFC East this 12 months, so taking the Cowboys is considerably daring. The one drawback with the Cowboys profitable the division is that Jerry Jones would take all of the credit score for it (“I instructed you we we’re all-in”), although he did his finest to derail the staff this offseason. 

Dak Prescott goes into the ultimate 12 months of his contract, Mike McCarthy goes into the ultimate 12 months of his contract, so that they each have a giant incentive to win and I believe that issue would be the driving power that pushes the Cowboys excessive. 

NFC North

1. *Lions: 12-5
2. *Packers: 11-6
3. Bears: 8-9
4. Vikings: 6-11

NFC North daring prediction: Jared Goff wins MVP. 

I’ve determined to again a complete darkish horse for MVP this 12 months, and no, Jared Goff will not be paying me to jot down this (However should you want my Venmo, Jared, simply let me know). 

So why do I like Goff? The factors for profitable MVP has principally develop into two-fold: You must be a quarterback and you need to play for among the finest groups within the NFL. I believe the Lions are going to be among the finest groups within the NFL this 12 months, which I believe will put Goff within the MVP dialog, particularly if he performs like he did final 12 months. In 2023, Goff completed with the second most passing yards in league and he additionally had the fourth-most landing passes. That is spectacular, and I believe he may be capable to enhance on these numbers for one large cause: He will get to play almost your complete season indoors. 13 of Detroit’s first 14 video games are indoors. They solely play three outside video games all 12 months and one is towards the 49ers, so climate probably will not be a problem for Goff or the Lions this 12 months. This schedule units up for Goff to have a giant 12 months and I believe it will occur.  

Final 12 months, my darkish horse choose was Dak Prescott and he ended up ending second within the MVP vote, so I’ll now be hoping Goff tops that. 

NFC South

1. *Falcons: 10-7
2. Buccaneers: 8-9
3. Saints: 6-11
4. Panthers: 4-13

NFC South daring prediction: Kirk Cousins leads the NFL in passing yards

The final time Cousins performed a full season got here in 2022 with the Vikings, and he truly put up some large passing numbers that 12 months, throwing for 4,547 yards, which ranked fourth within the NFL. With Cousins now in Atlanta, I am anticipating even greater numbers. Positive, I am barely fearful that he is 36 years outdated and coming off a torn Achilles. And sure, I do fear about the truth that he’ll have T.J. Watt chasing him round in Week 1, however I will overlook all of that and keep on with this prediction. Cousins does not look like a man who usually performs with a chip on his shoulder, however I really feel like he’ll be taking part in with one this 12 months after watching the Falcons draft Michael Penix. If Cousins does not need Falcons followers calling for the rookie QB to interchange him by the point Week 3 rolls round, then he will should have a giant season and that is definitely attainable with weapons like Kyle Pitts, Drake London, Darnell Mooney and Bijan Robinson. 

NFC West

1. *Rams: 12-5
2. *49ers: 11-6
3. Seahawks: 7-10
4. Cardinals: 6-11

NFC West daring prediction: Rams win the division and get the No. 1 seed within the NFC

The Rams have been completely slept on final 12 months and I type of really feel like everyone seems to be sleeping on them once more this 12 months. The excellent news for me is that I do not sleep on anybody, as a result of I do not sleep in any respect (That is what occurs once you stay with a two-month outdated child). Sean McVay has confirmed for seven straight seasons that he is one of many smartest offensive minds within the NFL and he will have a loaded offense to work with this season. If Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua are each wholesome, Matthew Stafford may throw for five,000 yards. Not solely do I believe this staff can win the NFC West over the 49ers, however I believe they might find yourself stealing the No. 1 seed within the NFC. 

NFC playoffs

Groups: 1. Rams 2. Lions 3. Cowboys 4. Falcons 5. 49ers 6. Packers 7. Eagles

Wild card

(2) 49ers 30-20 over (7) Falcons

(2) Lions 27-17 over (7) Eagles

(6) Packers 31-24 over (3) Cowboys

Divisional

(1) Rams 24-17 over (6) Packers

(2) Lions 30-23 over (5) 49ers

NFC Championship

(2) Lions 27-23 over (1) Rams

AFC playoffs

Groups: 1. Chiefs 2. Ravens 3. Dolphins 4. Texans 5. Bengals 6. Chargers 7. Jets

Wild card

(5) Bengals 27-20 over (4) Texans

(7) Jets 20-17 over (2) Ravens

(3) Dolphins 30-27 over (6) Chargers

Divisional 

(5) Bengals 30-23 over (3) Dolphins

(7) Jets 22-19 over (1) Chiefs

AFC Championship

(2) Bengals 23-20 over (7) Jets

Tremendous Bowl LIX in New Orleans

Playoffs daring prediction: Bengals win their first Tremendous Bowl

“Because the resident Bengals homer right here at CBSSports.com, I’m tempted to select the Bengals to win the Tremendous Bowl yearly, however I by no means truly do it as a result of I do not wish to jinx them, however I am doing it now. …  So long as Joe Burrow stays wholesome, this feels prefer it might be Cincinnati’s 12 months.”

Enjoyable reality: That is what I wrote for my Tremendous Bowl choose final 12 months, and as everyone knows, it was not Cincinnati’s 12 months. Joe Burrow received damage 5 minutes into his first observe of coaching camp after which issues went south from there. As quickly as I discussed that I did not wish to jinx the Bengals final 12 months, I knew I used to be going to jinx the Bengals. The excellent news for me is that there is no attainable manner I can jinx them two years in a row, so I am rolling with the Bengals once more.  

That is the perfect offensive line that Joe Burrow has gotten to play with since he arrived in Cincinnati, which is essential, as a result of should you give Burrow time to throw, he will cube you up. So long as Ja’Marr Chase does not skip any video games this 12 months as a result of his contract state of affairs, the Bengals could have the firepower to beat any staff within the league. 

As for the Lions, they’ve among the finest rosters within the NFL and so they received over their greatest hump final 12 months by profitable a playoff sport for the primary time since 1991. Now that they’ve gotten that out of the way in which, this appears like a staff that is able to take the following step and the following step is attending to the Tremendous Bowl for the primary time in franchise historical past. 

If the Lions do make it, your complete metropolis of Detroit should shut down throughout the week of the Tremendous Bowl as a result of each Lions fan will probably be in New Orleans. The issue for the Lions, although, is that if there’s one man you do not wish to face in New Orleans, it is Burrow. 

Burrow and Chase received a school nationwide title on the SuperDome, and now, they’ll staff as much as win a Tremendous Bowl. 

Tremendous Bowl LIX prediction: Bengals 27-24 over Lions

Lastly, if my season predictions all pan out — and I am certain they’ll — here is what the highest of the NFL Draft order will appear to be subsequent April.

Order of first 5 picks for 2025 NFL Draft

1. Patriots
2. Panthers
3. Cardinals
4. Titans
5. Raiders