The 2024 NFL season begins on Thursday with the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Baltimore Ravens. The Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles will follow up on Friday with an international showdown in Brazil. Sunday's slate features 13 contests, and Monday Night Football pits the San Francisco 49ers against the New York Jets.
With a new campaign marking its arrival, we've compiled five bold predictions for the 2024 season.
SEAHAWKS WIN NFC WEST
The Seattle Seahawks finished third in the competitive NFC West division last season with a record of 9-8. General manager John Schneider made a massive change by dismissing long-term head coach Pete Carroll. Carroll was replaced by the inexperienced Mike Macdonald, who did a fantastic job as the defensive coordinator of the Ravens last season.
The Seahawks have a win-now roster with an experienced quarterback in Geno Smith. They're largely considered the third-best team in the division heading into the season, with the 49ers and Los Angeles Rams leading the way. I wonder if both teams are regression candidates after undergoing some offseason changes. The 49ers have been faced with offseason drama all summer long, and the Rams have questions on defense at cornerback, off-ball linebacker, and defensive tackle.
I love what the Seahawks built throughout the offseason, and believe they're primed to shock the NFC West this season.
RAHEEM MORRIS WINS COACH OF THE YEAR
The NFL Coach of the Year has to drastically improve his team's output from the previous season. New Atlanta Falcons coach Raheem Morris possesses an opportunity to position his squad for instant contention after the previous coach was fired for going 7-10 last season. The Falcons are entering the 2024 campaign as my pick to win the NFC South.
Constant turnover at quarterback doomed the Falcons in recent seasons. General manager Terry Fontenot ensured that won't happen to Morris by signing Kirk Cousins and drafting Michael Penix Jr.
Morris deserves this opportunity, one he'll maximize by leading the Falcons to the playoffs in year one.
STEELERS FINISH LAST IN AFC NORTH
The Pittsburgh Steelers have famously never endured a losing season under Mike Tomlin, who took charge in 2007. Tomlin's Steelers have never finished lower than third place in the AFC North (though they've finished third in consecutive campaigns). Unfortunately, this is the year that streak reaches its conclusion.
Pittsburgh's offense faces major questions heading into the season. Was Arthur Smith the right hire at offensive coordinator after his lackluster run with the Falcons? Can quarterbacks Russell Wilson and/or Justin Fields revive their careers after such piss-poor 2023 seasons? The three competing AFC North teams are better set up for success this year.
EAGLES FIRE NICK SIRIANNI MIDWAY THROUGH THE SEASON
Nick Sirianni's job security came into question after the Philadelphia Eagles suffered a disastrous 2023 campaign. The Eagles won three fewer regular-season games than their 2022 counterparts, ones that advanced to Super Bowl LVII. Sirianni scapegoated his offensive and defensive coordinators following a blowout loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the wild card.
Who's left for Sirianni to blame if the 2024 season starts disappointingly? New coordinators Vic Fangio and Kellen Moore would both be candidates for interim consideration should Sirianni be dismissed midway through the campaign. General manager Howie Roseman could confidently pull the trigger on his firing if the Eagles fail to meet early-season expectations.
JOE BURROW WINS FIRST MVP AWARD
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is the reigning MVP award winner. The combination of Patrick Mahomes, Jackson, and Aaron Rodgers has won the last six awards. This year, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow will become a first-time winner.
Calf and wrist injuries derailed Burrow's 2023 season, limiting him to 10 appearances. When Burrow was fully healthy in 2022, he threw for 4,475 yards and 35 touchdowns en route to leading the Bengals to a dominant 12-4 record. If Burrow can stay healthy and recapture that magic, he'll garner serious consideration for MVP.
