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Today, we will look at the 2024 NFL season and the top ten most likely teams to raise the Vince Lombardi trophy in New Orleans. You have the usual suspects, Chiefs, Bengals, Bills, and 49ers, but we have some new contenders also. Check us out for all of your NFL News!
I love how quickly we forget that the Eagles are good, having built two Super Bowl teams over five years under different coaches and quarterbacks. Now, after suffering one season-ending failure, they enlisted highly adaptable Kellen Moore to run offense while Vic Fangio will oversee the defense. Of course, such an arrangement might prove hazardous; there was no basis for working together among all these “star” coordinators before coming together as one team. Or it could just be that two truly outstanding coordinators will have more freedom to do their best work under Nick Sirianni, who I think has far greater emotional intelligence than he is given credit. This team still boasts veteran anchors on its offensive line and an effective pass rush; their weapon set may even rank among the best in football… so… why not?
Baltimore has done an outstanding job drafting and developing its players, so like any top program, it will occasionally come under siege from rival programs – especially when John Harbaugh’s brother rejoins the NFL and takes away John’s entire offensive backfield. Still, the Ravens’ success in setting Lamar Jackson up as a robust and on-schedule passer is undeniable and unlocked an entirely new potential for Jackson at the NFL level. Todd Monken will face some difficulty breaking in an evolving offensive line this season, and Harbaugh must keep an eye on new defensive coordinator Zach Orr. Yet Baltimore remains an intimidating opponent with one of the strongest secondary teams in football today. The Ravens were considered a big winner during the 2024 NFL Draft.
No other team has what the Rams possess, making their preparation impossible for opponents to match. While Sean McVay’s staff was drastically revamped this offseason (yet again), those that remain and arrive have high potential in the 2024 season – particularly the defense where rookie Jared Verse and Braden Fiske joined an already star-studded unit under Aaron Donald over two seasons resulting in less star-studded yet potentially more wholly functional units under new coordinator Chris Shula. They have an elite wide receiver corps and an underrated quarterback that has won a Super Bowl.
If Deshaun Watson could turn the clock back four years, the Browns would be a Super Bowl contender, strengthening a roster that already boasts an elite front seven, an excellent (albeit ageing) offensive line, and veteran skill players capable of handling big moments. Like the Jets, there are numerous unknowns regarding the Browns as they enter 2024. Watson is one such uncertainty, while Nick Chubb and an offensive line without Bill Callahan’s hyper-complex striking method offer even more uncertainties. Imagine, though, if some or all of these doubts can be dispelled and the Browns start dominating in an AFC North that will undoubtedly prove more challenging than last season. Every season, the winner of this division stands among the most formidable challengers in the NFL. The Browns must recognize this fact; Myles Garrett, nearing age 30, and most of their offensive line edging closer toward it all are indicators that time may be running short – will they respond accordingly?
Watching Green Bay take down Dallas in last year’s playoffs before battling against San Francisco in the divisional round was evidence that their post-Rodgers Packers have arrived quickly. This was just a sample, but seeing the aggressive approach that Matt LaFleur took in revamping the defense is a sure sign he recognizes what to do. The Packers possess the NFL’s most underrated wide receiver room, while their tight end group has taken great strides toward becoming dominant players since arriving in 2023. This offense appears poised to shake up the offensive scheme in ways we have not witnessed so far, thanks to Jordan Love’s situational mobility and this wide receiver group’s unique speed and precision route running. I wouldn’t be surprised if Green Bay kept ahead in terms of schematic strategy throughout 2024, similar to how Philadelphia Eagles performed under Carson Wentz-Nick Foles during their Super Bowl run.
I struggled the most with picking the Texans as their division is uncertain, but since this contest focuses on teams with potential Super Bowl aspirations? Houston definitely has more upside as an organization than any other team in the AFC South. C.J. Stroud will likely be more challenging to stop due to experience, more reps, and a deeper repertoire of throws he can consistently make. Conventional wisdom dictates that the Texans should now “go for it,” with Stroud being on his rookie contract and playing well. Rarely, however, do we witness such sensible progression – players plateau, schemes are developed, and quarterbacks take or don’t take the “next steps.” DeMeco Ryans is dynamic, Bobby Slowik could soon take the reins as a new head coach somewhere, and the Texans’ front office has made clear its belief that this season could be their year to reach an AFC title game.
I liked the idea of Buffalo shedding Stefon Diggs. I think it gives Josh Allen more ownership and makes life a little less complicated for offensive coordinator Joe Brady, whom I’m guessing will try to marry his past with the New Orleans Saints and the Joe Burrow offense at LSU. Like the Chiefs turning over, Buffalo losing Gabe Davis, Diggs, Jordan Poyer, and more could make way for a necessary youth movement. The Bills have a confident, sturdy quarterback and a coach (Sean McDermott) who can still throw gas as a defensive play-caller occasionally. If the Bills get hot at the right moment, and Brady can figure out the right way to safely get Allen on the move, they will be a difficult team in January.
The 49ers appear to be taking a measured approach, understanding that Brock Purdy will inevitably become expensive at some point. Their offseason has been marked by efforts to identify athletic, disruptive defensive players at an affordable price. The mission was accomplished following the signings of Rock Ya-Sin and Isaac Yiadom, two players who added significant depth to the secondary. Attrition affects every NFL team when it comes to injuries. Still, San Francisco has done an admirable job of keeping its position groups from weakening if one or two starters go down during the season. We may have expected more from Shanahan and Lynch during their offseason efforts, but this might just be their best shot at glory in Super Bowl 59.
It would be surprising if the Chiefs did not factor into this discussion, though I do believe they will need to adjust offensively to remain competitive. Bill Belichick and Tom Brady transformed the Patriots during their time together. Still, Andy Reid and Mahomes will have to reimagine their offensive strategy without an experienced tight end who can cover for mistakes playing at an exceptional level. Travis Kelce remains excellent, but it would not be very reasonable to expect that he can sustain the level of play that made him famous over several seasons. Defensively, Steve Spagnuolo may lead them toward their golden era with talented secondary players coming together seamlessly alongside younger and eager role players who only get better over time.
Last season, not enough attention was paid to Joe Burrow’s remarkable turnaround against medical warning signs; he went out onto the field quickly and found a way to play high-level quarterback before injuring his wrist and sitting out the rest of the season. His unyielding resilience inspired everyone on the Bengals and continues to help guide their pursuit of returning to the Super Bowl. While they were devastated to lose him, D.J. Reader, defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, can make adjustments and field an athletic secondary that can make life difficult for other quarterbacks in the division. Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase still share one of the greatest on-field relationships in football; furthermore, Burrow’s continued digestion and mastery of his own offense will keep defenses guessing throughout 2024. Therefore, I rate the Bengals higher than all other teams in 2024. Were the Bengals a winner during the 2024 NFL Draft?
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