Cole’s Corner: 2023-24 NFL Preview and Predictions

AFC West

1. Kansas City Chiefs 12-5 (4-2 vs AFC West)

Predicted Results: 

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

The Kansas City Chiefs will once again win their division and be a significant playoff threat. With Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid, the Chiefs feel almost unstoppable at times on offense. Despite the high powered offense, the holdout for Chris Jones on his contract could actually be harmful. He has been such a valuable asset for the defense and makes a ton of plays each and every game. The sooner Jones returns, the better the Chiefs will be but they are still good enough to win a bunch of games without him. 

2. Los Angeles Chargers 11-6 (4-2 vs AFC West)

Predicted Results: 

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

The Chargers have been a team lurking yet underperforming the past few seasons. Justin Herbert is undoubtedly talented and the franchises’ answer for the long term future. Unfortunately for Herbert, important injuries on both sides of the football, along with questionable coaching decisions from Brandon Staley have held this team back. At some point the injury bug seems like it would have to stop even just for a little while. If Keenan Allen, Austin Ekeler and Joey Bosa can all manage to be healthy at the same time, then the Chargers should be right back in contention this season. 

3. Denver Broncos 6-11 (2-4 vs AFC West)

Predicted Results: 

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

Last season the Broncos looked terrible with Nathaniel Hackett as head coach and Russell Wilson at quarterback. One of those two things has changed but will it actually make a major difference? With Sean Payton now in charge some believe the Broncos will totally flip the script offensively. I do believe there will be some improvements especially in the ground game with Javonte Williams back and the addition of Samaje Perine. I do not trust Wilson at this point. His name and past success is holding him up in the eyes of the media when actually I think his career is on a steep downward spiral. He missed a ton of easy throws last season and his receiver room is always hurt. The defense will win the team some games early but the wheels will fall off later in the season. 

4. Las Vegas Raiders 5-12 (2-4 vs AFC West)

Predicted Results: 

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

Things are already looking dysfunctional in Las Vegas due to the Chandler Jones situation. The newly acquired edge rusher already does not want to play for the organization and my gut feeling is he won’t be the only one to feel that way by the end of this season. Jimmy G looked pretty good at times in the San Francisco offense but I doubt it will look the same in Las Vegas. If Jimmy struggles then you would have to assume Davante Adams won’t enjoy time with his new quarterback. The good thing for the Raiders is that Josh Jacobs has signed a new deal and is back to carry the rock which should take pressure off of the passing attack. 

AFC South 

1. Jacksonville Jaguars 11-6 (3-3 in AFC South)

Predicted Results: 

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

The Jaguars have the privilege of playing in the worst division in the AFC which means unless the sky starts falling, Jacksonville should not be anything else but first in the AFC South. Doug Pederson’s team looked much improved last year and are expected to take another significant step forward. Trevor Lawrence has shown glimpses of being a star in the NFL but this year I expect he will actually be a darkhorse for MVP, especially with Calvin Ridley on the field. Their defense is still young but also seems to be taking solid strides. 

2. Houston Texans 7-10 (3-3 vs AFC South)

Predicted Results: 

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

It is easy to once again believe that the Texans will just be bottom feeders. Instead, they will likely have one of the better defenses in the AFC South thanks to head coach DeMeco Ryans and additions to the defense like Will Anderson Jr. If the defense can take some pressure off of rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud and the offense, that will significantly help. Despite some injuries already, the Texans offensive line is improved from last season and so is their receiver room. Expect Tank Dell to go off at some point this year and Dameon Pierce to up his touchdown production.

3. Indianapolis Colts 5-12 (3-3 vs AFC South)

Predicted Results: 

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

The Colts have been holding Jonathan Taylor hostage despite him demanding a trade. The situation does not appear to be improving and Taylor will be out at least the first four weeks. Without Taylor to take the pressure off of Anthony Richardson, Deon Jackson and Evan Hull will have their plates full. Last season the offensive line took some major steps backwards and the Colts also only have possession receivers and no one that can truly stretch the field. For those reasons, Richardson likely is not going to have the easiest time settling in. Expect him to be running a lot. The Colts still have a lot of pieces on defense but it won’t be enough to overcome the issues on offense and in the front office.

4. Tennessee Titans 4-13 (3-3 vs AFC South)

Predicted Results: 

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

Mike Vrabel is a fantastic coach, but this season will likely be his last because the Titans will struggle once again. This season I expect them to be part of the sweepstakes for Caleb Williams and Drake Maye. Vrabel’s defense has plenty of talented edge rushers coupled with some talented defensive backs, including Baldwin Wallace alum Anthony Kendall. On offense Derrick Henry has carried them for many years but it seems like he has begun to lose a step, which would make sense after so many years of dominance and loads of touches. If Henry cannot shoulder the load quite as much then Ryan Tannehill will need to pick up the slack. The problem is Tannehill has regressed a bit and spent a few weeks sidelined last season. They also lack depth at the wide receiver room which could be detrimental.

AFC East

1. Buffalo Bills 13-4 (4-2 vs AFC East)

Predicted Results: 

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

The window for the Buffalo Bills may very well be closing as some of their defensive stars like Von Miller are getting older. Also there have been concerns about Stefon Diggs and whether he wants to remain in Buffalo for much longer. Despite potential concerns about the future, Buffalo should still be strong this season. Their rushing attack will likely be better than last season with the incredible burst of James Cook now getting the starter reps. Josh Allen is still a top tier quarterback and that gives the Bills a chance in any QB duel.

2. New York Jets 11-6 (4-2 vs AFC East)

Predicted Results: 

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

The Jets defense was flying to the football last year and they will be strong again. This year the team actually has a real quarterback that could propel the team to the playoffs. Aaron Rodgers might be in the final years of his career, but he should still be able to perform well enough with weapons like Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard, Mecole Hardman, Breece Hall and Dalvin Cook. This Jets team will be a wild card team to watch out for this season.

3. Miami Dolphins 10-7 (3-3 vs AFC East)

Predicted Results: 

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

I expect the Dolphins to get off to a slow start, not only due to tough scheduling, but also because I don’t necessarily trust their ground game. Thanks to Waddle and Hill, Miami is a quick strike offense, but when they need to slow the game down and kill the clock, I’m not sure if they can do it with Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane. There seem to be extremely high expectations with Miami’s defense this season. They will have some good moments but I personally do not see a top ten defense on paper. I also think that due to a slow start, Miami will just miss playing beyond week 18.

4. New England Patriots 7-10 (1-5 vs AFC East)

Predicted Results: 

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

The Patriots find themselves significantly behind their other three division rivals which is a complete reversal of roles from past history. Mac Jones is certainly the worst quarterback of the bunch and they have the worst defense of the four teams. They have tried to improve their receiving corps by adding Juju Smith-Schuster but I personally do not see that as much of an upgrade. The main thing New England has going for them is the fact that Rhamondre Stevenson is a solid workhorse running back. They will be buried in the playoff race by week eight.

AFC North

1. Cincinnati Bengals 11-6 (4-2 vs AFC North)

Predicted Results: 

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

The Bengals are once again a favorite in the AFC and rightly so. Despite coming off a serious calf injury one month ago, Joe Burrow is an incredible quarterback who will once again shine whether that is in week one or week two and beyond. The Cincinnati receiver room is once again filled with a familiar cast of exceptional talent in Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd. Cincinnati also improved their offensive line with the addition of Orlando Brown Jr. this offseason which will allow Burrow more time in the pocket. I do believe the Bengals defense is about to take a step backwards and they will be exposed during a tough run of games mid-season. It won’t be enough of a difference to stop them from winning the AFC North… barely.

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

Predicted Results: 

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

As mentioned earlier, the Browns roster is loaded from top to bottom. Deshaun Watson has an excellent opportunity to regain his 2020 form with a full offseason under his belt and a plethora of weapons at his disposal. The Browns offensive line will once again be one of the best in the NFL which means there will be holes for Nick Chubb to run through once again. Even though Watson will be throwing way more this season than the couple games last year, Chubb will still likely see 20 touches per game. As for the defense, I expect lots of sacks and lots of interceptions. Cleveland will be in prime position to win the division all the way until the end of the year. It would be just the Browns luck to lose to Cincinnati in the final game of the season and lose the division based on tiebreakers. Regardless, the 11-6 is just enough to make it to the playoffs again. 

3. Baltimore Ravens 10-7 (4-2 vs AFC North)

Predicted Results: 

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

The Ravens will go as Lamar Jackson goes this season. If he stays healthy then they will compete, if he gets hurt then they won’t. I get the feeling he will be healthy longer than last season but I am not convinced that he will play all 17 games. I would expect a nice bounce back from Lamar for at least the first half of the season though. Baltimore will look to be more of a threat on offense this season by making passing touchdowns less scarce and by utilizing a healthy J.K. Dobbins. The Ravens defense will once again be extremely strong, but I expect a slight collapse late in the season for the whole team.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers 8-9 (1-5 vs AFC North)

Predicted Results: 

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

If anyone could go 1-5 versus their division yet still finish around .500 it would be the Steelers. Even when people count them out they find a way to win games. This year the consensus on Pittsburgh appears polarizing. Many feel Kenny Pickett and the Steelers will stink, many feel Kenny Pickett and the Steelers will be strong. I am not really leaning one way or the other. Pickett is the most unproven quarterback in the division and his offensive line is improving yet still weak. Najee Harris also danced around too much last season which leads me to the conclusion that he is unfortunately overthinking things and wasting his freakish ability. For those reasons I do not trust this team. On the other hand Mike Tomlin is a top tier coach and the Steelers defense always finds ways to force some important turnovers. They will make this season interesting while hovering in the middle of the pack.

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