2024 NFL Predictions
With less than a week until the NFL season, we did a round table predicting all of our division winners, playoff teams, conference championship games and a Super Bowl matchup and champion. Here's a look at how the 2024 season will play out. We discussed all these winners in detail on our weekly episode of The Matchup.
AFC Predictions
North:
Cody- Bengals: Joe Burrow is healthy (fingers crossed), and the organization went out and got Lou Anarumo Safeties to run the engine of Cincinnati's defense.
Scott- Bengals: This is a bet on the Ravens being worse, with both the loss of Mike Macdonald and a LOT of talent on defense, and Joe Burrow and the Bengals having a bit of an F-you season after a down 2023.
Sasha- Bengals: When the Bengals have been healthy, they've done nothing but win. Couple that with some brain drain in Baltimore and Cincinnatti has a good change to take home this division
East:
Cody- Dolphins: he Dolphins are loaded with talent and will push for home-field advantage in Mike McDaniel's third season.
Scott- Dolphins: We know there offense is going to be there, but this a bet on their defense being better (and healthier) at the end of the season, and McDaniel being better at adjusting throughout the season in year 3.
Sasha- Bills: It might be risky, but I'm betting on Josh Allen elevating his game to yet another level to compensate for some of the Bills departures.
South:
Cody- Texans: Houston has pushed all the chips in to capitalize on a talented QB with a rookie contract.
Scott- Texans: Ultimatley, the Texans talent on both sides of the ball will be too tough to overcome, particularly with Stingley and Anderson Jr. emerging on defense, although I expect the division to be super competitive.
Sasha- Texans: C.J. Stroud could take a step forward in year 2 and any step in the right direction give the Texans one of the best QBs in football- more than enough to win this division.
West:
Cody- Chiefs: Barring catastrophe, the Chiefs are primed to win the AFC West... again.
Scott- Chiefs: The Chiefs won the super bowl the last two years, and should be better this year. Who stands in the way? Bo Nix?
Sasha- Chiefs: There's not a lot of competition for the Chiefs here yet, but the Chargers should be heading in the right direction in years to come.
Wild Cards:
Cody- Ravens, Bills., Jets
Scott- Ravens, Bills, Jaguars
Sasha- Ravens, Dolphins, Jets
NFC Predictions
North:
Cody- Lions: The Lions feel like they upgraded on defense, which should be enough to get them in Super Bowl contention.
Scott- Lions: The Lions have a Top 5 (maybe 3?) offense in the league, made several upgrades on the defensive line and invested a ton of resources (draft and free agency) into the secondary. They will be on a mission to avenge last years NFC title game loss.
Sasha- Lions: The Packers are tempting here, but the Lions are more established and a year ahead in culture building. I'll bet on Jared Goff having another great year.
East:
Cody- Eagles: Philly finally got their man in Vic Fangio, and Kellen Moore should amplify the talent on the roster and give the offense a true identity.
Scott- Cowboys: They have the best roster in the division, a top 5 offense, and have won more games over the past three years than anyone except the chiefs. I'd expect their defense to get some life from Zimmer as well, and don't trust the eagles.
Sasha- Eagles: The Eagles have two new coordinators to help infuse some life after the Super Bowl hangover last year. They did more to help their team this off-season than anyone else in the division.
South:
Cody- Falcons: Someone has to win this division, and Atlanta has done the most to rework its roster and push for the playoffs and a division title.
Scott- Falcons: Atlanta will at least be serviceable on offense with Kirk Cousins and a bevy of young, top-10 talent surrounding him on offense. Someone has to win this division, and the Falcons are better than everyone else.
Sasha- Falcons: While Marcus Mariotta struggles to make an NFL roster, Kirk Cousins now leads the Falcons. That upgrade alone is enough for me to give Atlanta the nod here.
West:
Cody- 49ers: Similar to the Chiefs, the NFC West is the 49ers to lose with one of the most talented rosters in the NFL.
Scott- Rams: I'm going with the Rams! a) The 49ers will have a Super Bowl hangover of epic proportions, and b) I expect the Rams' offense to be REALLY good with Stafford, Kyren Williams, Puka Nacua, and a healthy Cooper Kupp.
Sasha- 49ers: The talent is too much to ignore here. If the 49ers keep the wheels on this season and avoid massive injury problems, they'll be NFC West champions again.
Wild Cards:
Cody- Cowboys, Packers, Rams
Scott- Packers, Eagles, 49ers
Sasha- Packers, Cowboys, Seahawks
Championship Predictions:
Cody- Super Bowl LIX prediction: Lions over Dolphins
In the AFC, there's a change of pace with the Dolphins and Texans squaring off in the Championship and the Dolphins getting their first Super Bowl appearance since the '84 season. Lions top the Rams in the NFC championship game and beat the Dolphins in Super Bowl LIX for their first Super Bowl victory ever.
Scott- Super Bowl LIX prediction: Chiefs over Lions
The Chiefs take the AFC crown with a win in another Championship game showdown against the Bengals. In the NFC, the North rises to the top as the Lions outlast the Packers. The Chiefs win Super Bowl LIX in a victory over the Lions for the first three-peat in NFL history.
Sasha- Super Bowl LIX prediction: Chiefs over Lions
The Chiefs will beat the Texans in the AFC Championship game while the Lions outlast the Eagles on the NFC side. The Chiefs get the 3-peat done with a win over the Lions in Super Bowl LIX.
For more analysis on all of our picks, go listen to the Matchup by Field Vision Sports wherever you get your podcasts.
As we dive in, we look forward to the conversation, debate, and your feedback. Hit us at @fieldvisionmi on X, @fieldvisionsports on Instagram, or on our website www.fieldvisionsports.com.