2024-25 NFL Record and Playoff Predictions:

AFC West

1. Kansas City Chiefs 13-4 (4-2 vs AFC West)

Predicted Results:

• Week 1: vs Ravens – L
• Week 2: vs Bengals – W
• Week 3: @ Falcons – L
• Week 4: @ Chargers – W
• Week 5: vs Saints – W
• Week 6: BYE
• Week 7: @ 49ers – W
• Week 8: @ Raiders – L
• Week 9: vs Buccaneers – W
• Week 10: vs Broncos – W
• Week 11: @ Bills – W
• Week 12: @ Panthers – W
• Week 13: vs Raiders – W
• Week 14: vs Chargers – W
• Week 15: @ Browns – W
• Week 16: vs Texans – W
• Week 17: @ Steelers – W
• Week 18: @ Broncos – L

The Kansas City Chiefs are defending Super Bowl champs once again and despite the noise surrounding their organizations, it’s hard to imagine anything can slow them down. Whether Rashee Rice steps on the field in 2024 or not, Patrick Mahomes still has weapons such as Travis Kelce and newly-acquired receivers Hollywood Brown and Xavier Worthy. I am 100 percent positive that Andy Reid will also have new playcalling tricks up his sleeve once again. 

On paper the Chiefs defense once again appears to be pretty average, but as we have seen many times before, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo puts them in positions to succeed when it matters the most. In addition to trust in the Chiefs organization in big moments, they usually find their stride headed into the playoffs. The good news is that their toughest stretch in the schedule is at the very end with the Browns, Texans and Steelers. They will likely be in a nice rhythm at that point of the season. By Week 18, they should not only have their division locked up, but potentially the number one seed. Then they can rest the starters against the Broncos to close the season.

2. Las Vegas Raiders 8-9 (3-3 vs AFC West) 

Predicted Results:

• Week 1: @ Chargers – W
• Week 2: @ Ravens – L
• Week 3: vs Panthers – W
• Week 4: vs Browns – W
• Week 5: @ Broncos – L
• Week 6: vs Steelers – L
• Week 7: @ Rams – W
• Week 8: vs Chiefs – W
• Week 9: @ Bengals – L
• Week 10: BYE
• Week 11: @ Dolphins – L
• Week 12: vs Broncos – W
• Week 13: @ Chiefs – L
• Week 14: @ Buccaneers – L
• Week 15: vs Falcons – W
• Week 16: vs Jaguars – L
• Week 17: @ Saints – W
• Week 18: vs Chargers – L

The Las Vegas Raiders appear to be a little disrespected by the vast majority of predictions I have seen so far. Yes, the Chargers hired Jim Harbaugh to be their head coach and that team should be better this season. I don’t expect things to click instantly though and the Raiders ended last season under Antonio Pierce with some momentum. This team has not significantly improved on paper because some positions got better and others are worse. That being said, I do believe this team could go into their Bye Week with a 5-4 record, before things slow down in the second half of the year. 

Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell will be competing for the starting quarterback job this year. Either could be a decent holdover, yet the Raiders need to be heavily involved in the quarterback market next offseason. The loss of Josh Jacobs hurts the running back room as well. Zamir White is strong and physical, but I question whether he has enough burst to be an impactful starting running back. Adding Alexander Mattison to serve as the backup makes sense, but I was never too impressed by him in Minnesota. On offense, the team’s offensive line is improving but they still have a little ways to go. The good news for the Raiders is that the addition of Brock Bowers is huge. Receiving targets of Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers, Tre Tucker, Michael Gallup, Jalen Guyton, Bowers and Michael Mayer is certainly respectable. Also, adding Christian Wilkins to a defensive line with Maxx Crosby, Tyree Wilson and Malcolm Koonce is big as well. The Raiders may only be a year away from playoff contention.

3. Los Angeles Chargers 7-10 (3-3 vs AFC West) 

Predicted Results:

• Week 1: vs Raiders – L
• Week 2: @ Panthers – W
• Week 3: @ Steelers – L
• Week 4: vs Chiefs – L
• Week 5: BYE
• Week 6: @ Broncos – W
• Week 7: @ Cardinals – L
• Week 8: vs Saints – W
• Week 9: @ Browns – L
• Week 10: vs Titans – W
• Week 11: vs Bengals – W
• Week 12: vs Ravens – L
• Week 13: @ Falcons – L
• Week 14: @ Chiefs – L
• Week 15: vs Buccaneers – L
• Week 16: vs Broncos – W
• Week 17: @ Patriots – L
• Week 18: @ Raiders – W

It should be well-known by now that I have been pretty high on the Chargers the past few seasons. They have the talent level to compete with the Chiefs but poor coaching and significant injuries have ruined their year time-after-time. Jim Harbaugh should be a step up at head coach from Brandon Staley. However, Harbaugh will likely be implementing a more physical, run-heavy scheme. The addition of Joe Alt to the offensive line, along with new running back signings J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards are a sign that the Chargers want to play physically. This team has several tough games in the first half of the season as they try to adapt and piece things together.

Justin Herbert is a young star quarterback in this league, so it will be interesting to see whether his pass attempts go down significantly with a new approach. He will be trying to quickly establish camaraderie with a very young group of receivers. Who will step up this season or will there even be a number one receiver? That is a major question with a room of Joshua Palmer, Quentin Johnston, Ladd McConkey, DJ Chark and Brendan Rice. As for the defense, the stars are still there. Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack and Derwin James Jr. are a few of the big names. This could be a good defense but recent history suggests that they can’t be trusted to remain healthy as a collective unit. After some time to settle in as a group, this team could go on a nice run during the middle of the season. Towards the end they hit a few tough games again and I will be interested to see how depleted their defense is by that point. This season is a stepping stone for the Chargers as they follow a similar trajectory to the Raiders. 

4. Denver Broncos 3-14 (2-4 vs AFC West)

Predicted Results:

• Week 1: @ Seahawks – L
• Week 2: vs Steelers – L
• Week 3: @ Buccaneers – L
• Week 4: @ Jets – L
• Week 5: vs Raiders – W
• Week 6: vs Chargers – L
• Week 7: @ Saints – L
• Week 8: vs Panthers – W
• Week 9: @ Ravens – L
• Week 10: @ Chiefs – L
• Week 11: vs Falcons – L
• Week 12: @ Raiders – L
• Week 13: vs Browns – L
• Week 14: BYE
• Week 15: vs Colts – L
• Week 16: @ Chargers – L
• Week 17: @ Bengals – L
• Week 18: vs Chiefs – W

The Broncos were bad last year and still somehow managed to catch “lightning in a bottle” for a five game winning streak between Week Seven and Week 12. I don’t foresee Sean Payton’s group doing that this year. The defense is respectable and could have some decent games in 2024. Aside from Pat Surtain II, this group lacks star-power and elite pass rushers. Baron Browning and Jonathon Cooper can provide some pressure off the edge with speed, yet there is not one physically dominant edge on this team. The defense is the strength of this team though.

Drafting Bo Nix at pick 12 was the biggest reach of the entire 2024 NFL Draft. Nix is not a bad quarterback. He was my sixth-ranked quarterback in this class, yet I do not feel he is ready to start right away. In fact, I’m not entirely positive if he can ever fit the mold of a starting quarterback in the NFL. Not only is Nix a major question mark, but acquiring Zach Wilson from New York is an even bigger head scratcher. To start 2024, don’t be shocked if Jarrett Stidham is beginning the year as the starter. All three may see the field in 2024 though. Regardless of who aligns at quarterback, their list of receiving weapons is nothing to write home about. Courtland Sutton is the star on the outside, while the rest of the group concerns me. Josh Reynolds was productive in Detroit but he had a good quarterback in Jared Goff and players like Amon-Ra St. Brown took attention away from him. Marvin Mims Jr. is a better return man than receiver. Troy Franklin has plenty of speed to vertically stretch the field, but I’m unsure if he can do anything else to offer value on short or intermediate routes. Lastly, Tim Patrick can’t seem to stay healthy either. The wide receiver and quarterback situation means that the offensive burden probably will fall more on Javonte Williams and the other running backs. It’s going to be a long year for Denver. 

AFC South

1. Houston Texans 13-4 (4-2 vs AFC South)

Predicted Results:

• Week 1: @ Colts – W
• Week 2: vs Bears – W
• Week 3: @ Vikings – W
• Week 4: vs Jaguars – L
• Week 5: vs Bills – W
• Week 6: @ Patriots – W
• Week 7: @ Packers – L
• Week 8: vs Colts – W
• Week 9: @ Jets – W
• Week 10: vs Lions – W
• Week 11: @ Cowboys – W
• Week 12: vs Titans – W
• Week 13: @ Jaguars – W
• Week 14: BYE
• Week 15: vs Dolphins – W
• Week 16: @ Chiefs – L
• Week 17: vs Ravens – W
• Week 18: @ Titans – L

Last year, I anticipated a jump for the Texans, but not to the extent that we got. DeMeco Ryans, C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson Jr. helped shoot the Texans straight to the top of the AFC South in year one. Not only that, but they easily handled the Browns at home in the Wild Card round. The Texans were a force last season and now they have the potential to be dominant in 2024. Adding Danielle Hunter at defensive end, opposite Anderson is brilliant. The front office also brought in Jeff Okudah and drafted both Kamari Lassiter and Calen Bullock to improve the secondary. This defense has plenty of talent and improved depth.

The offense is the biggest story though. Not only is Stroud already a top ten quarterback in this league, but his weapons are absurd. Joe Mixon was brought in from Cincinnati to be the team’s starting running back, which is already a nice step up. The other big move was trading for Stefon Diggs with Buffalo and not giving up much to get him. Diggs, Nico Collins and Tank Dell are perhaps the most scary wide receiver trio headed into this season. Behind them, the room is still loaded with good players. Between Noah Brown, John Metchie III, Ben Showronek, Robert Woods and Xavier Hutchinson, it is hard to tell who will make the 53-man roster. It only gets better for the Texans though as they improved the right tackle spot by drafting Blake Fisher and they have three good tight ends in Dalton Schultz, Cade Stover and Brevin Jordan. With a loaded offense, strong defense, good head coach and an easier first half of the season, this team should come out of the gates flying to an excellent record.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars 9-8 (3-3 vs AFC South)

Predicted Results:

• Week 1: @ Dolphins – L
• Week 2: vs Browns – L
• Week 3: @ Bills – L
• Week 4: @ Texans – W
• Week 5: vs Colts – L
• Week 6: vs Bears – W
• Week 7: vs Patriots – W
• Week 8: vs Packers – W
• Week 9: @ Eagles – L
• Week 10: vs Vikings – W
• Week 11: @ Lions – L
• Week 12: BYE
• Week 13: vs Texans – L
• Week 14: @ Titans – L
• Week 15: vs Jets – W
• Week 16: @ Raiders – W
• Week 17: vs Titans – W
• Week 18: @ Colts – W

Headed into the 2023 season, the AFC South felt like the Jaguars’ division to lose. Despite Doug Pederson being a good coach and Trevor Lawrence being a true franchise quarterback, Jacksonville could not overcome the surge from Houston. As the 2024 season nears, the Jaguars feel like the same team from last year. At wide receiver, the team did acquire Gabe Davis in free agency and drafted Brian Thomas Jr. in the first round to replace Calvin Ridley and Zay Jones. Aside from that, they likely remain a step or two behind the Texans and have the ability to still push for a Wild Card spot. 

Lawrence has been a solid quarterback in the league, but he has not reached the level of greatness anticipated upon being drafted back in 2021. If Lawrence can take a step forward this coming season, while Travis Etienne Jr. remains highly productive out of the backfield, then this team does have a playoff shot. The biggest issue for the Jaguars though is likely the first five game stretch with Miami, Cleveland, Buffalo, Houston and Indianapolis. I expect them to get off to a slow 1-4 start which puts them behind the eight ball from the start. The good news is that the next two weeks following that will be in London, where the Jaguars have won three of their last four matchups. Even if this team makes a push towards the end of the season, in a tough AFC, a slow start could be detrimental. The Jaguars may just miss the playoffs.

3. Indianapolis Colts 8-9 (2-4 vs AFC South)

Predicted Results:

• Week 1: vs Texans – L
• Week 2: @ Packers – L
• Week 3: vs Bears – W
• Week 4: vs Steelers – W
• Week 5: @ Jaguars – W
• Week 6: @ Titans – L
• Week 7: vs Dolphins – L
• Week 8: @ Texans – L
• Week 9: @ Vikings – W
• Week 10: vs Bills – L
• Week 11: @ Jets – L
• Week 12: vs Lions – L
• Week 13: @ Patriots – W
• Week 14: BYE
• Week 15: @ Broncos – W
• Week 16: vs Titans – W
• Week 17: @ Giants – W
• Week 18: vs Jaguars – L

The Colts will get Anthony Richardson back, who missed most of last season due to injury. If he can remain healthy, then this year will be the first true representation of what he can provide. Richardson will have several good receivers to target in Michael Pittman Jr., rookie Adonai Mitchell, Josh Downs and Alec Pierce. Not only will there be some weapons on the outside, but Jonathan Taylor is still the workhorse in the backfield, while Richardson showcases some running ability as well.The lack of depth at running back could be an interesting dilemma as Taylor has had his own injury issues recently and Evan Hull is unproven as the second running back. The Colts offensive line is still set from last year’s group but now have some new depth pieces like rookie tackle Matt Goncalves and rookie guard/center Tanor Bortolini.

On defense, the Colts have a good starting group with names like Kwity Paye, DeForest Buckner, Zaire Franklin and Kenny Moore II. What the front office did well this offseason was add depth on defense during the draft, like edge rusher Laiatu Latu and cornerback Jaylin Simpson. When looking at the Colts and Jaguars on paper, these two are certainly comparable. The only difference is that I trust Lawrence and Peterson more than Richardson and Shane Steichen. If the Colts were in the NFC, they might make the playoffs. Instead in the AFC, they find themselves still a decent way off the pace.

4. Tennessee Titans 6-11 (3-3 vs AFC South)

Predicted Results:

• Week 1: @ Bears – L
• Week 2: vs Jets – L
• Week 3: vs Packers – W
• Week 4: @ Dolphins – L
• Week 5: BYE
• Week 6: vs Colts – W
• Week 7: @ Bills – L
• Week 8: @ Lions – L
• Week 9: vs Patriots – W
• Week 10: @ Chargers – L
• Week 11: vs Vikings – L
• Week 12: @ Texans – L
• Week 13: @ Commanders – W
• Week 14: vs Jaguars – W
• Week 15: vs Bengals – L
• Week 16: @ Colts – L
• Week 17: @ Jaguars – L
• Week 18: vs Texans – W

The Titans moved on from head coach Mike Vrabel following a 6-11 record in 2023. The problem is that Vrabel is an excellent coach and the Titans were probably fortunate to win six games. At the moment, their roster is not built to compete with the rest of the AFC. Since hiring Brian Callahan as head coach, his father Bill Callahan decided to leave Cleveland and join his son. The good news for the Titans is that Bill Callahan is an offensive line genius. Adding him to the coaching staff and drafting tackle JC Latham is smart. Aside from an expectation of improved offensive line play, the rest of the offense doesn’t impress me. Superstar running back Derrick Henry left for Baltimore and the Titans replaced him with Tony Pollard. Both Pollard and Tyjae Spears have third-down back tendencies and lack that true workhorse trait. This leads me to believe that Will Levis will have the ball in his hand a lot more in his first full season as the starter. He will be targeting a lot of big name receivers who appear to have surpassed their primes in DeAndre Hopkins, Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd. To this point, Treylon Burks has not added a whole lot of value in the league either. Not only do I not trust Levis, I just don’t see this vision with their roster construction.

On defense, the Titans have some valuable pieces like Jeffrey Simmons and Harold Landry III. It will also be interesting to see how rookie nose tackle T’Vondre Sweat does in his first season. In the secondary, L’Jarius Sneed and Chidobe Awuzie are nice additions to pair with Roger McCreary, Amani Hooker and Elijah Molden. Although there are some good players on this side of the football, there aren’t true game wreckers at every level. A tough list of opponents, combined with an average roster, leads to a disappointing year for Tennessee.

AFC East

1. Miami Dolphins 11-6 (4-2 vs AFC East)

Predicted Results:

• Week 1: vs Jaguars – W
• Week 2: vs Bills – W
• Week 3: @ Seahawks – W
• Week 4: vs Titans – W
• Week 5: @ Patriots – W
• Week 6: BYE
• Week 7: @ Colts – W
• Week 8: vs Cardinals – W
• Week 9: @ Bills – L
• Week 10: @ Rams – W
• Week 11: vs Raiders – W
• Week 12: vs Patriots – W
• Week 13: @ Packers – L
• Week 14: vs Jets – W
• Week 15: @ Texans – L
• Week 16: vs 49ers – L
• Week 17: @ Browns – L
• Week 18: @ Jets – L

The Miami Dolphins are perhaps the fastest show on turf or grass in the entire NFL. The high-powered offense under Mike McDaniels should be electric once again this season. Tua Tagovailoa not only has burners in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle on the outside, but Raheem Mostert, De’Von Achane and Jaylen Wright all add a ton of speed out of the backfield. In addition to the pure speed, the signing of Odell Beckham Jr. is intriguing. OBJ won’t offer star-power at this stage of his career, but he could be an asset as a third option.

The Dolphins defense is just okay when it comes to the front seven. The biggest improvement for their roster is in the secondary with the free agent additions of Kendall Fuller and Jordan Poyer. They have plenty of experience on the back end of the defense with those two, Jevon Holland and Jalen Ramsey. The schedule for the Dolphins combined with their high-scoring approach, leads me to believe that Miami will have the best record in the NFL for about three-fourths of the season. Their issue is that they aren’t built for cold weather and have a tough six week stretch to close the season. Not only will they have three cold weather games at Green Bay, Cleveland and New York, but they also still face the Jets at home, Texans on the road and San Francisco at home. After going 10-1, a 1-5 finish is extremely possible. 

2. Buffalo Bills 10-7 (4-2 vs AFC East)

Predicted Results:

• Week 1: vs Cardinals – W
• Week 2: @ Dolphins – L
• Week 3: vs Jaguars – W
• Week 4: @ Ravens – W
• Week 5: @ Texans – L
• Week 6: @ Jets – L
• Week 7: vs Titans – W
• Week 8: @ Seahawks – L
• Week 9: vs Dolphins – W
• Week 10: @ Colts – W
• Week 11: vs Chiefs – L
• Week 12: BYE
• Week 13: vs 49ers – L
• Week 14: @ Rams – W
• Week 15: @ Lions – L
• Week 16: vs Patriots – W
• Week 17: vs Jets – W
• Week 18: @ Patriots – W

The Buffalo Bills may take a step back like many people expect, yet with Josh Allen at quarterback and the recent Bills success of getting to the playoffs, you cannot count them out. Even though Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis are no longer Buffalo Bills receivers, I think the Bills did enough to replace them. Not only did Khalil Shakir show some flashes towards the tail-end of last season, but signing a gadget receiver like Curtis Samuel and drafting a big outside receiver like Keon Coleman should make an immediate impact. As for the rest of the wide receiver room, it is hard to tell who will fill the other spots on the 53-man roster. Mack Hollins, Justin Shorter, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Chase Claypool, KJ Hamler and Andy Isabella will all be vying for those other three or four spots. While everyone focuses on the receiver room, Allen has two solid weapons at tight end in Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox, while James Cook is electric as a pass catcher out of the backfield as well. Expect Ray Davis to be a better RB2 behind Cook than what they had last year.

On defense, the Bills look the same at the first two levels. The safety spots will be the difference with Taylor Rapp and rookie Cole Bishop projected to start on the back end. Buffalo will most likely hover around the .500 mark for a while this year, but fortunately for them, they get the Patriots in two of the last three weeks. That is grounds for a late-season surge to a playoff spot.

3. New York Jets 10-7 (3-3 vs AFC East)

Predicted Results:

• Week 1: @ 49ers – L
• Week 2: @ Titans – W
• Week 3: vs Patriots – W
• Week 4: vs Broncos – W
• Week 5: vs Vikings – L
• Week 6: vs Bills – W
• Week 7: @ Steelers – W
• Week 8: @ Patriots – L
• Week 9: vs Texans – L
• Week 10: @ Cardinals – W
• Week 11: vs Colts – W
• Week 12: BYE
• Week 13: vs Seahawks – W
• Week 14: @ Dolphins – L
• Week 15: @ Jaguars – L
• Week 16: vs Rams – W
• Week 17: @ Bills – L
• Week 18: vs Dolphins – W

The New York Jets were put on primetime numerous times last season in anticipation of success with Aaron Rodgers. That was obviously short-lived due to his achilles tear on the first drive of the season. As the 40-year-old quarterback returns to actually get a chance to play with the Jets, New York has improved their roster this offseason. Not only did they add one of the best tackles in the 2024 draft class with Olu Fashanu, but they also snagged one of my favorite receivers in Malachi Corley and added a power back in Braelon Allen. Allen could be useful in short-yardage situations but should not see many reps this year behind Breece Hall and Israel Abanikanda. As for Corley though, the dangerous slot receiver will be paired with Garrett Wilson and newly-acquired Mike Williams. Not only will Rodgers be surrounded by weapons, but the additions of veteran tackles Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses are extremely helpful as well. 

For Robert Saleh’s defense, Haason Reddick and Javon Kinlaw join Jermaine Johnson and Quinnen Williams upfront. Not only will the Jets have one of the more feared defensive lines, but their talented linebacking corps and secondary remained intact. As long as Rodgers is able to remain healthy and play at even an average level, this team should make a playoff push. The road will be tougher following their Bye in Week 12. This feels like a team to either get the seven seed, just miss the playoffs by one game or completely fall apart like last season. 

4. New England Patriots 3-14 (1-5 vs AFC East)

Predicted Results:

• Week 1: @ Bengals – L
• Week 2: vs Seahawks – L
• Week 3: @ Jets – L
• Week 4: @ 49ers – L
• Week 5: vs Dolphins – L
• Week 6: vs Texans – L
• Week 7: vs Jaguars – L
• Week 8: vs Jets – W
• Week 9: @ Titans – L
• Week 10: @ Bears – L
• Week 11: vs Rams – W
• Week 12: @ Dolphins – L
• Week 13: vs Colts – L
• Week 14: BYE
• Week 15: @ Cardinals – L
• Week 16: @ Bills – L
• Week 17: vs Chargers – W
• Week 18: vs Bills – L

Jerod Mayo has his hands full with one of the worst rosters in the entire NFL. The Patriots franchise has significantly fallen since being the perennial power of the AFC not too long ago. The Mac Jones era is officially over and Drake Maye was the team’s first selection in this year’s draft. Reports out of New England to this point are that Jacoby Brissett and Maye are both options to start. It is hard to imagine that Maye will be standing on the sidelines instead of under center due to being the third overall pick. The Patriots do have a decent offensive line and Rhamondre Stevenson is a physical runner in the backfield. New England needed to find receiving threats and have added Antonio Gibson as a receiving running back in addition to drafting Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker, while also signing K.J. Osborn. When looking at this group though, all I see is number twos and threes trying to become something more.

The Patriots defense has the potential to be fairly stout with Matthew Judon, Jabrill Peppers, Christian Gonzalez and others. There are many teams with more talent on the defense, yet New England has kept themselves in games strictly by defensive performance alone in recent times. They will need this again to have any sort of a chance at picking up wins this year. Ultimately, this group is still a long shot to finding any relevance. 

AFC North

1. Baltimore Ravens 12-5 (4-2 vs AFC North)

Predicted Results:

• Week 1: @ Chiefs – W
• Week 2: vs Raiders – W
• Week 3: @ Cowboys – W
• Week 4: vs Bills – L
• Week 5: @ Bengals – W
• Week 6: vs Commanders – W
• Week 7: @ Buccaneers – W
• Week 8: @ Browns – W
• Week 9: vs Broncos – W
• Week 10: vs Bengals – W
• Week 11: @ Steelers – L
• Week 12: @ Chargers – W
• Week 13: vs Eagles – L
• Week 14: BYE
• Week 15: @ Giants – W
• Week 16: vs Steelers – W
• Week 17: @ Texans – L
• Week 18: vs Browns – L

The Baltimore Ravens’ success is dependent on whether Lamar Jackson can play a full season. Last year, not only did he play a full year, but he also won NFL MVP. Perhaps he won’t emulate that exactly, but if Jackson avoids any significant injuries, then this offense and team will be a threat once again. Mark Andrews missed a lot of time last year and the star tight end should be back and healthy. In addition to Andrews, Zay Flowers is looking for a big second season in the league and Rashod Bateman is looking to get back on the right track with his production. The biggest addition for this offense is Derrick Henry at running back. Henry with Jackson in the backfield will be dangerous for the rushing attack. 

The Ravens defense is once again filled with talent at every level. Justin Madubuike is coming off an incredible season, while behind him Roquan Smith and Trenton Simpson will man the middle of the defense. In the secondary, rookie Nate Wiggins joins the likes of Kyle Hamilton, Marcus Williams, Brandon Stephens and Marlon Humphrey. The Ravens also have some more depth on that side of the football with rookie edge rusher Adisa Isaac and rookie cornerback T.J. Tampa. This defense will be fast and physical once again. Of the four AFC North teams, the Ravens definitely have a more favorable schedule than the Browns and Steelers. For that reason, they should win this division barring any major injuries to key players. The final three game stretch of Pittsburgh, Houston and Cleveland is difficult, but they might have a playoff spot locked up before then.

2. Cleveland Browns 11-6 (3-3 vs AFC North) 

Predicted Results:

• Week 1: vs Cowboys – W
• Week 2: @ Jaguars – W
• Week 3: vs Giants – W
• Week 4: @ Raiders – L
• Week 5: @ Commanders – W
• Week 6: @ Eagles – L
• Week 7: vs Bengals – W
• Week 8: vs Ravens – L
• Week 9: vs Chargers – W
• Week 10: BYE
• Week 11: @ Saints – W
• Week 12: vs Steelers – W
• Week 13: @ Broncos – W
• Week 14: @ Steelers – L
• Week 15: vs Chiefs – L
• Week 16: @ Bengals – L
• Week 17: vs Dolphins – W
• Week 18: @ Ravens – W

The Browns head into the 2024 season with one of the best rosters on paper in the entire NFL. Not only is this roster filled with talent, but this team proved last year that they can overcome lots of adversity after being plagued with an injury bug all year long. Hopefully for the Browns, their fortunes have changed. On offense the big unknown is when Nick Chubb will be back. If Jerome Ford has to start the season as the main running back, that is certainly not the end of the world because new offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey is expected to implement a more pass-heavy attack. Deshaun Watson will need to be ready to start firing on all cylinders with a once again strong offensive line and plenty of receiving targets in Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy, Elijah Moore, David Bell, Cedric Tillman, Jamari Thrash and David Njoku. 

The Browns defense was the best in the NFL last season, led by NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett. This team is constructed with a strong veteran presence, especially on the defensive side. Not only are there countless standout starters in addition to Garrett, like Denzel Ward, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and Za’Darius Smith, but the depth is better than most as well. The Browns’ second string may actually rival several starting defenses. It is easy to see why the Browns have such high expectations this coming season. The only downside is how strong the schedule is for Cleveland. Despite a favorable first five weeks of the season, where I see them going 4-1, the final five weeks is brutal. This Browns team should be in the playoff hunt all year and will probably threaten the Ravens for the AFC North title. 

3. Pittsburgh Steelers 10-7 (3-3 vs AFC North)

Predicted Results:

• Week 1: @ Falcons – L
• Week 2: @ Broncos – W
• Week 3: vs Chargers – W
• Week 4: @ Colts – L
• Week 5: vs Cowboys – W
• Week 6: @ Raiders – W
• Week 7: vs Jets – L
• Week 8: vs Giants – W
• Week 9: BYE
• Week 10: @ Commanders – W
• Week 11: vs Ravens – W
• Week 12: @ Browns – L
• Week 13: @ Bengals – L
• Week 14: vs Browns – W
• Week 15: @ Eagles – W
• Week 16: @ Ravens – L
• Week 17: vs Chiefs – L
• Week 18: vs Bengals – W

The Pittsburgh Steelers have done an excellent job at improving their roster this offseason. Not only did they nail free agency with signing linebacker Patrick Queen, but they also improved their quarterback room with both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields as well as had one of the best drafts of any team by selecting offensive tackle Troy Fautanu, center Zach Frazier, wide receiver Roman Wilson, offensive guard Mason McCormick and linebacker Payton Wilson. This front office deserves a pat on the back because they addressed all of their needs. Even though there have been major improvements across the board, this team faces some challenges. 

One challenge is the Wilson and Fields situation. Reports so far are that this is Wilson’s team in 2024. With Fields lurking in the shadows it is hard to imagine that Wilson has a long leash though. If he struggles the first few weeks, then Fields will probably be called to action sooner rather than later. That is not the biggest challenge though. The Steelers have the most brutal schedule of any team in the NFL. The Browns’ schedule is difficult but the Steelers second half of the year is not even funny. From Week 11 to Week 18, the Steelers face the Ravens twice, Browns twice in three weeks, Bengals twice, Eagles and Chiefs. That is all six division games and two other strong playoff contenders. This Steelers team should be in the playoff hunt, yet if they miss the playoffs this year, the most likely cause will be that final stretch of the regular season. 

4. Cincinnati Bengals 9-8 (2-4 vs AFC North)

Predicted Results:

• Week 1: vs Patriots – W
• Week 2: @ Chiefs – L
• Week 3: vs Commanders – W
• Week 4: @ Panthers – W
• Week 5: vs Ravens – L
• Week 6: @ Giants – W
• Week 7: @ Browns – L
• Week 8: vs Eagles – L
• Week 9: vs Raiders – W
• Week 10: @ Ravens – L
• Week 11: @ Chargers – L
• Week 12: BYE
• Week 13: vs Steelers – W
• Week 14: @ Cowboys – L
• Week 15: @ Titans – W
• Week 16: vs Browns – W
• Week 17: vs Broncos – W
• Week 18: @ Steelers – L

I find it crazy that Cincinnati seems so beloved this offseason. Joe Burrow is back, which bodes very well for this team, yet they seem to be the most disgruntled group of all the AFC North teams. Tee Higgins previously requested a trade because he wants paid and Trey Hendrickson recently wanted out as well before stating he was returning. Cincinnati’s offensive line has certainly improved since Burrow’s first year in the league, but his running back room will likely take a step back without Joe Mixon. Chase Brown is a solid third-down back but I’m not sure if Zack Moss can quite fill the Mixon void. At wide receiver, Ja’Marr Chase is the star target. Whether Higgins remains in Cincinnati is yet to be seen, but even with him there the slot receiver position still needs a starter. Jermaine Burton, Charlie Jones and Trenton Irwin will likely be battling for reps. In the event Higgins is gone, Andrei Iosivas will likely be called upon on the outside.

Overall, I don’t have a ton of concerns about Cincinnati’s offense. Instead, their defense is my concern. Losing DJ Reader in free agency and replacing him with Sheldon Rankins may hurt worse than expected. Reader was a dominant force against the run. The rest of the defense is good but not great. Even if they finish in the teens of defensive rankings statistically, that should be well behind the Ravens, Browns and Steelers who might all finish in the top five. The whole AFC North has a great chance to all finish above .500 for the second year in a row, but I feel confident that the Bengals are the most likely to be on the outside looking in for the playoffs. 

Next Page: Regular Season Standings + Playoff Predictions