The time for the most exciting part of the sports calendar is almost upon us, with less than a month to go until the start of the 2024 NFL Season. Every year is filled with surprises, disappointments, and things that nobody could have predicted. With all that being said, here I am trying to predict every team's NFL record. We will come back to this article in January to see how I did.
AFC East:
1.New York Jets (11-6) - Full disclosure, I am a Jets fan. But if this isn't the year the Jets make the playoffs, then it might truly never happen in my lifetime. On paper, the team really has no holes. With a healthy Aaron Rodgers, revamped offensive line, and WR addition in Mike Williams, to go along with arguably the best defense in the NFL, I am fully buying into this squad.
2. Buffalo Bills (10-7) - Despite many talented players leaving in the offseason, Josh Allen and company have always produced for many years now. There could definitely be some adjustment period in the beginning, but I believe the Bills squeeze into a wild card spot.
3.Miami Dolphins (10-7) - Miami led the NFL in most offensive categories last year, and I don’t think much of that will change, but key defensive pieces leaving in free agency is the main reason for a slight downgrade this year, but it should be fun betting on their over every single week.
4.New England Patriots (4-13) - Times have changed quickly in Foxborough, and with a Rookie HC and QB, growing pains are expected to happen for the Pats. A successful season for them will not be determined by their record, but by the development of North Carolina QB Drake Maye.
AFC North:
1.Cincinnati Bengals (11-6) - With the easiest schedule in their division, and key players like Joe Burrow and Jamaar Chase fully healthy, the Bengals are primed for another deep postseason run this year after missing the playoffs.
2.Baltimore Ravens (11-6) - Baltimore really should’ve been playing in the Super Bowl last year, with one of the most feared defenses we’ve seen in quite some time. With the addition of Derrick Henry, I expect Lamar Jackson and company to return to the playoffs.
3.Cleveland Browns (10-7) - The AFC North is easily the best division in football, so one team with a great record is not going to make the playoffs. The browns won 11 games despite missing QB Deshaun Watson and Nick Chubb for the majority of the season, but Watson staying productive and healthy for a full season is something I can’t put my full faith in.
4.Pittsburgh Steelers (9-8) - Mike Tomlin has never had a losing season as the HC of the Steelers, and that isn't going to change. Yes, this entire division is going to finish above .500, but it makes sense for the best division in football. With Rusell Wilson and Justin Fields, QB play should be better this go around, but still, last place with a winning record is a tough pill to swallow.
Those are my predictions for the AFC East and AFC North, stay tuned for next week's article where I will be diving into the AFC South & AFC West.
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