Picks for all eight divisions

NFL coaching camps shall be right here earlier than you already know it, so now may be a superb time to make 2024 NFL division winner predictions. If there may be one factor we’ve discovered over time, it’s that division-winner picks aren’t as straightforward as you assume. Solely half of the division winners in 2022 repeated that accomplishment in 2023, so there may be certain to be some turnaround this 12 months as effectively.

Selecting the Eight NFL Division Winners in 2024

In fact, there’s a lot to think about when making preseason NFL predictions. We’ve had the draft and a few massive strikes in free company, to not point out younger gamers taking a step ahead and star gamers getting back from accidents.

We additionally don’t wish to neglect that final season ended with one of many best Super Bowls of all time. However for now, let’s simply concentrate on sharing our 2024 NFL division winner predictions

AFC East: New York Jets

Buffalo stays the favourite on this division, however do not forget that the Payments needed to rally late within the season to steal the division away from the Dolphins. In addition they needed to make some robust selections to get underneath the wage cap through the offseason, so they’re certain to take a step backward. Regardless that they nonetheless have Josh Allen, the Payments shall be extra depending on him than ever.

That makes Miami the plain successor, proper? Don’t neglect that Tua Tagovailoa stays susceptible to harm. The Dolphins will want him wholesome for each sport to win such a aggressive division. That leaves the Jets to tug off the shock. Assuming Aaron Rodgers can bounce again from the harm that value him all of 2023, he’s poised to steer the Jets to the AFC crown with a powerful supporting solid and a protection that additionally seems to be good on paper.

AFC North: Cincinnati Bengals

This may be the hardest division to name as a result of the Ravens and Bengals are each high quality groups whereas the Browns and Steelers may each be thought-about sleepers. Clearly, Baltimore was the higher crew in 2023, however that’s as a result of Lamar Jackson stayed wholesome. Jackson isn’t assured to remain wholesome all 12 months, which is why it’s onerous to go all-in with the Ravens.

Mockingly, Joe Burrow was the one who was restricted to 10 video games final season due to an harm. However he must be again to full well being in 2024 and figures to have one of the best offensive line of his profession in entrance of him. Cincinnati’s roster is just too gifted to flop in back-to-back seasons if Burrow is wholesome, which is why we favor the Bengals over the Ravens within the AFC North.

AFC South: Indianapolis Colts

It’s loopy to not decide the Texans, proper? Clearly, C.J. Stroud has an opportunity to be even higher in his second season, particularly with Stefon Diggs now a part of the offense. However don’t neglect that the Texans went by a number of personnel adjustments on the defensive facet of the ball. Likewise, the Jaguars are dealing with some questions after a disappointing 2023 marketing campaign.

That leaves the door open for the Colts, who narrowly missed the playoffs final 12 months regardless of enjoying a lot of the season with a backup quarterback. The Indianapolis roster is essentially intact from final 12 months, permitting the Colts to be within the hunt. All of it comes right down to the well being and improvement of Anthony Richardson. However we noticed sufficient from him final 12 months to know his upside is excessive. Additionally, the Colts have Joe Flacco because the backup in case Richardson will get damage, giving them some margin of error.

AFC West: Kansas Metropolis Chiefs

There’s not a lot to say concerning the AFC West. Even with Jim Harbaugh and Sean Payton within the division, no one is touching Andy Reid’s crew.

So long as the Chiefs have one of the best participant on the planet and one of many greatest tight ends in NFL history on the roster – do we actually have to say their names – no one within the AFC West has an opportunity to unseat them.

NFC East: Philadelphia Eagles

As typical, this division is a toss-up between the Eagles and the Cowboys. Dallas received the division final 12 months however hasn’t received it in back-to-back years because the mid-90s. Due to this fact, it’s Philadelphia’s flip to seize the NFC East.

With uncertainty over the way forward for each Dak Prescott and Mike McCarthy with the crew, the Cowboys have an excessive amount of interior turmoil to get behind.

Additionally, the Eagles are too gifted to permit final 12 months’s late-season collapse to hold over to this season. The playmakers round Jalen Hurts stay spectacular whereas the Philadelphia protection seems to be a lot better than final 12 months, particularly with Vic Fangio calling the photographs. Search for the Eagles to get again on observe in 2024 and dominate this division. 

NFC North: Detroit Lions

Issues received’t be as straightforward as you would possibly assume for the Lions. Jordan Love’s emergence final 12 months makes the Packers a contender within the NFC North. Additionally, the Bears and Vikings may make loads of noise if issues click on instantly with their rookie quarterbacks.

That being mentioned, Detroit is arguably one of the best crew within the NFC. Jared Goff supplies stability at quarterback, particularly with the gathering of playmakers round him. In the meantime, the Lions spent slightly cash and two early-round draft picks on the defensive facet of the ball. Underneath Dan Campbell, the Lions might be even higher than final 12 months’s 12-5 document, which makes them robust to beat.

NFC South: Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta’s draft day head-scratcher apart, this crew is poised to win the NFC South. In equity, the 9-8 Buccaneers didn’t precisely place the bar that top in 2023. Tampa and New Orleans also needs to present a good quantity of competitors for the Falcons.

Nevertheless, with a veteran like Kirk Cousins and the most effective offensive strains in soccer, the Falcons ought to be capable of outlast the Bucs and Saints. Cousins must be higher at using Atlanta’s playmakers than the crew’s quarterbacks did final season. That alone ought to elevate the Falcons to one of the best crew on this lackluster division.

NFC West: San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers have received the NFC West in 4 of the final 5 years, and there’s no purpose to assume that may change. Brock Purdy is certainly a top-notch quarterback, particularly with Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, and George Kittle round him. All three of these gamers are among the many greatest at their place league-wide.

Defensively, the 49ers have elite gamers and difference-makers at each degree. They may even have a number of elite gamers in any respect three ranges of the protection. With all due respect to the Rams and Seahawks, neither seems to be geared up to steal the NFC West away from the 49ers barring one thing dramatic and unexpected.