Prisco's Energy Rankings for Week 1, plus choosing division winners and Trent Williams holdout seems over

Welcome to the Tuesday version of the Decide Six publication! 

In simply over 48 hours, the Ravens and Chiefs can be kicking off the 2024 NFL season with a sport in Kansas Metropolis, however earlier than that occurs, we have now about 276 extra predictions to get by means of, so we higher get began.

For at the moment, not solely do we have now the return of Pete Prisco’s Energy Rankings, however we even have some divisional predictions and my Week 1 picks. Now that you understand what you are in for, let’s get to the rundown.  

Really, earlier than we get to the rundown, this is a fast reminder to anybody who missed Monday’s publication. For our Labor Day version that got here out yesterday, I predicted the ultimate report for all 32 groups, and you can check that out by clicking here. All proper, now let’s actually get to the rundown. 

As at all times, this is your each day reminder to inform all your folks and neighbors to join the publication. To get them signed up, all you need to do is click here. 

1. Prisco’s Energy Rankings are again

After spending the previous 4 months at a hair restoration clinic in Aruba, Pete Prisco is lastly again to provide us his Energy Rankings. The final time we heard from Uncle Pete got here all the best way again in Might when he ranked every group shortly after the NFL Draft. 

Since then, Pete has been busy attempting to determine the place every group must be ranked to begin the 2024 season. In information that will not shock anybody, the group that received all of it final yr is on high of Prisco’s rankings (the Chiefs). However, in information that may shock you, the group that the Chiefs performed within the Tremendous Bowl (San Francisco) just isn’t the highest-ranked group within the NFC. 

This is a have a look at Prisco’s high 5 groups heading into Week 1: 

1. Chiefs
2. Packers
3. 49ers
4. Payments
5. Bengals

I am not going to spoil the remainder of the Energy Rankings right here, however I’m going to provide you a number of nuggets. This is what has modified since Prisco’s final Energy Rankings: 

• The most important leap between the draft and now went to the Washington Commanders, who moved up 5 spots. Prisco moved Washington up from thirty first general in Might to twenty sixth general now. The Commanders and Packers had been the one two groups that moved up at the very least 4 spots (Inexperienced Bay jumped from sixth to second). 
• The New York Jets made the most important leap within the AFC, nevertheless it was solely two spots. With Aaron Rodgers now wholesome, Prisco determined to maneuver them up two spots from eleventh general to ninth.   
• The most important tumble went to the Las Vegas Raiders, who dropped a complete of seven spots. The Raiders had been twenty fourth in Might, however they tumbled all the best way right down to thirty first. Apparently, Prisco is NOT offered on Gardner Minshew because the starter. 
• Now, let’s speak concerning the worst group within the NFL. The Panthers closed the 2023 season on the backside of the rankings and that is the place they will be opening the 2024 season. 

If you wish to know the place your favourite group ended up in Prisco’s Week 1 Energy Rankings, be sure to click here. If you wish to argue with Prisco over his rankings, you can do that on Twitter by clicking here. I argue with him on a regular basis about every thing. 

2. 49ers drama seems to be over: Trent Williams lastly returning to group

In a span of simply 5 days, the 49ers have managed to place all of their offseason contract drama behind them. Lower than every week after getting a deal accomplished with Brandon Aiyuk, the 49ers at the moment are on the verge of getting a brand new deal accomplished with Trent Williams. 

This is what you might want to know:  

• Williams is headed to San Francisco. After skipping all of coaching camp, Williams lastly jumped on a flight to the Bay Space on Monday night time. CBS Sports activities lead NFL insider Jonathan Jones reported that Williams is making the trip because he’s expected to finalize a new deal with the 49ers. 
• 49ers have been in a troublesome scenario with Williams. There is a motive the Williams contract drama has been dragging out for therefore lengthy, and that is as a result of it is not a simple scenario. The All-Professional left sort out nonetheless has THREE years left on his present deal, so the 49ers have been hesitant to provide him a brand new one. Williams’ wage for the 2024 season is at the moment scheduled to be simply $20.05 million, which does not rank within the high 5 for offensive tackles. Since he is arguably the highest left sort out within the NFL, Williams needs to be paid like the highest left sort out, and it appears that evidently 49ers are going to grant his want. The 49ers actually had no alternative right here as a result of they merely could not afford to enter the season with out Williams. 
• How a lot Williams would possibly make. As we stated, the deal is not fairly accomplished but, however there are some benchmarks Williams will most likely shoot for. The three highest-paid offensive linemen proper now are Tristan Wirfs ($28.125 million per yr), Penei Sewell ($28 million per yr) and Christian Darrisaw ($26 million per yr). At 36 years previous, it is fairly clear that Williams simply needs to ensure he can money in another time whereas he nonetheless has the leverage and ability to take action.  

The 49ers additionally received one other dose of excellent information on Tuesday with return of Christian McCaffrey. After lacking most of coaching camp camp with a calf pressure, McCaffrey is expected to return to practice today. 

With McCaffrey and Williams within the fold, the 49ers will now start preparations for his or her regular-season opener, which can happen on Monday night time in opposition to the Jets. 

In different 49ers information, Ricky Pearsall will not be enjoying till October on the earliest. The 49ers positioned the rookie receiver on the reserve/non-football damage, which implies the first-round decide must sit out at the very least the primary 4 video games of the season. Pearsall was launched from the hospital on Sunday, lower than 24 hours after being shot during an attempted robbery on Saturday in San Francisco.

3. Choosing a winner in each NFL division

In the case of the NFL, it is exhausting to get anybody to agree on something, and Tyler Sullivan discovered that out the exhausting approach this week when he requested eight of our writers to select the winner of every division. Of the NFL’s eight divisions, our writers solely unanimously agreed on the winner in two divisions: the AFC West and AFC South. 

Each different division is a crapshoot in our eyes. 

This is a have a look at every division, together with what number of first-place votes every group within the division acquired. (Subsequent to every group’s title, you possibly can see their odds for profitable the division and what number of first-place votes they acquired from every author.)

AFC EAST
Payments (+195): 4 votes
Jets (+160): Two votes
Dolphins (+210): Two votes

AFC NORTH
Ravens (+145): 5 votes
Bengals (+165): Three votes

AFC SOUTH
Texans (+100): Eight votes

AFC WEST
Chiefs (-270): Eight votes

NFC EAST
Eagles (-140): 5 votes
Cowboys (+175): Three votes 

NFC NORTH
Lions (+125): 4 votes
Packers (+210): 4 votes

NFC SOUTH
Falcons (+145): Seven votes
Buccaneers (+290): One vote (The lone Bucs vote got here from Bryan DeArdo)

NFC WEST
49ers (-190): Seven votes
Rams (+330): One vote (The lone Rams vote CAME FROM ME)

If you wish to learn our clarification for every of our votes, then you’re definitely going to want to click here. 

4. Breech’s Week 1 NFL picks 

It is my favourite day of the week. Not solely is it Taco Tuesday, nevertheless it’s additionally the day the place I unveil my weekly picks. If that is your first season with us, this is how the components works round right here: I keep up till an insane hour each Monday night time in order that my picks are able to roll each Tuesday morning. The publication will characteristic three of my picks, after which if you happen to really feel like studying the remainder of them, you can click through here and check them out. 

With that in thoughts, listed below are three of my most important picks for the week, beginning with the NFL opener on Thursday:  

• Baltimore (+3) at Kansas Metropolis: I hate choosing in opposition to the Chiefs, as a result of they virtually at all times make me look silly at any time when I do it, however I will do it right here. The Ravens are going to be out for revenge and if there’s one occasion the place the Chiefs are literally beatable, it is on this precise scenario: The Chiefs are simply 5-5 in residence prime-time video games in opposition to non-divisional opponents since Patrick Mahomes’ first full yr as their starter in 2018. PICK: Ravens 23-20 over Chiefs
• Packers vs. Eagles (-1.5) in Brazil: The Eagles offense virtually feels prefer it’s too loaded to fail. If the Packers need to cease the Eagles passing assault, then Saquon Barkley could have an enormous day. However, if the Packers need to bottle up Barkley, then A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith might each go off. After experiencing a complete collapse to finish the 2023 season, I really feel just like the Eagles have to win in Week 1 greater than virtually another group within the NFL, so I will take them. PICK: Eagles 27-24 over Packers.
• Titans at Bears (-4.5): Over the previous 21 years, there have been 15 quarterbacks taken with the highest decide within the NFL Draft and people quarterbacks have mixed to go 0-14-1 of their debut sport. That makes me really feel like I ought to decide in opposition to Caleb Williams, however I believe the Bears rookie bucks historical past by main Chicago to a win. PICK: Bears 19-16 over Eagles

As soon as once more, to take a look at the remainder of my picks for Week 1, be sure to click here.  

5. CBS Sports activities 2024 Preseason All-NFL Staff: Chiefs land three gamers on the offensive facet of the ball

After voting on division winners at the moment, we additionally had a gaggle of our NFL writers vote on an All-Preseason Staff (As you possibly can most likely inform at this level, we love voting on issues). That is principally a listing of gamers who we anticipate to be nice this yr. It is a standard factor to do in school — you at all times examine preseason all-conference groups — so we thought we might use that concept for the NFL. 

With that in thoughts, let’s check out the offense for our 2024 Preseason All-NFL Staff: 

QB: Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
RB: Christian McCaffrey, 49ers
WR: Ceedee Lamb, Cowboys
WR: Tyreek Hill, Dolphins
WR: Justin Jefferson, Vikings
TE: Sam LaPorta, Lions
OT: Trent Williams, 49ers
OT: Penei Sewell, Lions
OG: Joe Thuney, Chiefs
OG: Tyler Smith, Cowboys
C: Creed Humphrey, Chiefs

As you possibly can inform, the Chiefs are clearly loaded: They’ve three gamers on the first-team offense and that occurred although Travis Kelce received snubbed at tight finish. 

If you wish to see the defensive facet of the ball for our preseason All-NFL group, plus the particular groups representatives, then be sure to click here.   

6. Additional factors: Browns stadium will get a brand new title

It was a busy 24 hours within the NFL, and because it’s practically unimaginable to maintain monitor of every thing that occurred, I went forward and put collectively a roundup for you.

• Browns stadium will get a brand new title. The Browns’ stadium will not be known as Cleveland Browns Stadium. The group introduced a cope with Huntington Nationwide Financial institution on Tuesday. The deal is for 20 years and at some stage in the deal, the Browns will play at “Huntington Financial institution Area.”
• Ja’Marr Chase sits out Monday follow. Though Chase attended follow on Monday, he didn’t participate, which is principally what he is accomplished for the reason that begin of coaching camp. If the Bengals do not get a deal accomplished quickly with Chase, there’s an opportunity that he might miss the group’s opener on Sunday in opposition to the Patriots. 
• Russell Wilson voted Steelers captain. The Steelers’ new quarterback has already earned some respect within the locker room, and we all know that as a result of Wilson has been voted a team captain. Wilson is the only consultant for the offense, whereas defensive lineman Cameron Heyward, go rusher T.J. Watt and security Miles Killebrew spherical out the captains.
• Trey Lance loses Cowboys’ backup job to Cooper Rush. The Cowboys gave Lance each probability to earn the backup job behind Dak Prescott, however he wasn’t in a position to get the job accomplished. Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy revealed on Monday that Rush had received the battle for the No. 2 job. Lance nonetheless has a roster spot in Dallas, however his future is now as soon as once more up within the air. It is seeming much less and fewer possible that the previous No. 3 general decide will ever be a starter once more within the NFL.