2024 Beginning of the Year Power Rankings and Season Predictions
Power Rankings:
1 49ers
2 Dolphins
3 Bills
4 Lions
5 Ravens
6 Chiefs
7 Seahawks
8 Cowboys
9 Packers
10 Bengals
11 Texans
12 Vikings
13 Eagles
14 Rams
15 Jaguars
16 Colts
17 Saints
18 Bears
19 Raiders
20 Chargers
21 Broncos
22 Falcons
23 Cardinals
24 Steelers
25 Browns
26 Titans
27 Jets
28 Buccaneers
29 Commanders
30 Patriots
31 Giants
32 Panthers
​
Here are my predictions for the 2024 NFL season. Predictions are made from gathering raw player and team data from 2023, adjusting for roster and coaching changes, and using a formula to decide wins and losses. Every team you could give or take 2 wins, so most of the divisions are a toss up in my mind.
AFC West:
Chargers - 10-7
Chiefs - 10-7
Raiders - 7-10
Broncos - 6-11
Notes: Despite winning the super bowl, the Chiefs greatly benefitted from a trash division and playoff experience. The division may have gotten even worse, but Harbaugh has enough talent on the Chargers roster to give them the boost they need.
AFC North:
Ravens - 13-4
Bengals - 10-7
Steelers - 8-9
Browns - 8-9
Notes: It is super bowl or bust for the Ravens, as their roster is way too talented to get bounced early. Bengals should recover after the slew of injuries from last year. Steelers and Browns have talent, but not enough in this division.
AFC East:
Dolphins - 13-4
Bills - 11-7
Jets - 8-9
Patriots - 3-14
Notes: Call me crazy, but I think the Dolphins are for real. Thier offense was ridiculous last year, and I have no reason to think anything would change this year. Bills are still a solid team. Rodgers is washed until I see otherwise. If Jerod Mayo can do anything with that roster, he would be a hero. I feel for Drake Maye.
AFC South:
Texans - 11-6
Colts - 9-8
Jaguars - 9-8
Titans - 6-11
Notes: This is the first time in many years that I have been interested in the AFC South. Will Stroud experience a sophmore slump? Will Anthony Richardson show us a full season of the talent he flashed last year? Will Trevor be considered a bust if they Jags falter again this year?
NFC West:
49ers - 12-5
Seahawks - 9-8
Rams - 8-9
Cardinals - 7-10
Notes: 49ers are still the best team in my mind. By far the best roster top to bottom. They were my super bowl pick last year, and are again this year. Seahawks are a mystery with the new coach, but their roster is still very solid. Rams have some holes on their defense just like last year, but I wont doubt McVay's ability to draft like last year. Cardinals have a bad defense. They won't be able to stop opposing teams.
NFC North:
Lions - 11-6
Packers - 10-7
Bears - 8-9
Vikings - 8-9
Notes: Another interesting division. Lions have elite talent and are looking to make the push to the super bowl. Packers are my dark horse this year. Love looked the part last year and has talent around him. Bears hopes all ride on the rookie, and the Vikings need Darnold to be the ultimate game manager to have a sniff at the playoffs.
NFC East:
Eagles - 10-7
Cowboys - 8-9
Commanders - 6-11
Giants - 4-13
Notes: I know there are alot of NFC East fans in here who will hate me, but I do think a changing of the guard could be coming, just not this year. Cowboys starting Zeke makes me question everything else they are doing. I don't trust them. Jayden Daniels is my pick for best QB from this draft, but the rest of the offense is not great by any means. Giants gave up over 5 sacks A GAME last year. Daniel Jones and Nabers better be a match made in heaven or else this team is going to struggle mightily.
NFC South:
Falcons - 9-8
Saints - 9-8
Panthers 6-11
Buccaneers 5-12
Notes: A new year, the same trash division. This division looks so horrible, you could argue a case that all these teams would finish 3rd at best in every other division. The media is high on the Falcons for all their new additions this year. What I have learned over the years is that the more a roster turns over, the more risk involved in the following year. I was way off on the Panthers last year. For some reason, my system of predicting was really low on the Bucs. I think every team in this division has a shot at 9-8, but maybe the Bucs blow up the roster after this year.
Playoffs:
AFC:
Dolphins
Ravens
Texans
Chargers
Bills
Chiefs
Bengals
Ravens def. Bengals, Texans def. Chiefs, Chargers def. Bills
Ravens def. Texans, Dolphins def. Chargers
Ravens def. Dolphins
NFC:
49ers
Lions
Eagles
Falcons
Packers
Seahawks
Saints
Lions def. Saints, Eagles def. Seahawks, Packers def. Falcons
49ers def. Packers, Lions def. Eagles
49ers Def. Lions
Super Bowl:
49ers Def. Ravens 20-10.
Note: I don't review or proofread this, I just write in once. There are probably some wonderful contradictions that you can tell me about if you take the time to read.