NFL season opener, division winners, and league award winner predictions for 2024

The primary full week of faculty soccer is within the books and amazingly Iowa has a considerably not completely unproductive offense. Welcome to the brand new world!

Extra particularly although, welcome to the primary official week of the Nationwide Soccer League. Take pleasure in time together with your family members early on as a result of we’ve got video games on Thursday, Friday, Sunday and Monday on the opposite facet of this work week (with CFB on Saturday). It really is essentially the most fantastic time of the 12 months.

Quickly sufficient The Skinny Publish, this weekly column you might be studying between us (Michael Peterson and RJ Ochoa) will characteristic some look-backs on the NFL Sunday that was. For now although we’ve got one time left to look ahead, together with the Thursday night time opener.

Glad soccer season!

Time to formally predict the division winners: Prepared, set, go

RJ:

We wouldn’t be a correct soccer enterprise if we didn’t submit our predictions for division winners in order that we could possibly be made enjoyable of or dunk on the world when the season is all stated and finished.

Final 12 months I (test the tapes, my colleagues will again me up) appropriately predicted the Houston Texans to win the AFC South. It was a lonesome limb that I used to be on and I loved bragging about it at season’s finish.

Right here is how I see every division shaking out in 2024:

• NFC East: Dallas Cowboys
• NFC North: Inexperienced Bay Packers
• NFC South: Atlanta Falcons
• NFC West: San Francisco 49ers
• AFC East: Buffalo Payments
• AFC North: Cincinnati Bengals
• AFC South: Houston Texans
• AFC West: Kansas Metropolis Chiefs

I’ll begin on the high and say that, sure, I’m predicting the Cowboys to grow to be the primary staff to repeat as NFC East Champions in 20 years. They’ve the most effective quarterback, the most effective pass-catcher and the most effective cross rusher within the division. Cream rises to the highest.

Elsewhere, whereas I acknowledge the Detroit Lions as excellent (the nationwide media is clearly throughout them) I’m not going to guess in opposition to what we’ve got seen from Jordan Love and the Packers. Atlanta is the simple choose down south and till confirmed in any other case the 49ers are kings of the west.

Within the different convention I’m driving with the Payments till the wheels of the wagon fall off and consider that Joe Burrow restores order for the residents of the Queen Metropolis. I’ve received My Texans™️ repeating and Patrick Mahomes is Patrick Mahomes.

Michael:

Right here’s what I received:

• NFC East: Philadelphia Eagles
• NFC North: Detroit Lions
• NFC South: Atlanta Falcons
• NFC West: San Francisco 49ers
• AFC East: Buffalo Payments
• AFC North: Baltimore Raves
• AFC South: Houston Texans
• AFC West: Kansas Metropolis Chiefs

The Chiefs would be the Chiefs till somebody takes the AFC West away from them.

As you’ll learn under, I’m fairly excessive on the Falcons this 12 months so I like their probability at successful the NFC South this 12 months.

The plain ones are the Payments, 49ers, and Texans. Even after dropping some receivers, Josh Allen will preserve them über-competitive. Identical with CJ Stroud in Houston. The 49ers are arguably essentially the most full staff within the NFL and I can’t see anybody else in that division having the expertise to knock them off.

I see you just like the Bengals, however I just like the Ravens and their protection extra. I’ll make Joe Burrow show to me that’s he’s totally again from damage earlier than I begin pinning them on the high of the AFC North. As for the NFC North, the Lions are nonetheless the staff to beat in my view. Love’s 2023 breakout appeared extra of an exception than the rule and I like Detroit’s younger stars to be even higher with one other 12 months underneath their belts.

Oh, and Go Birds for the NFC East.

Predicting issues from Thursday’s opener between Kansas Metropolis and Baltimore

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What followers will get every week from the app:

• Matchup Index: Subject Imaginative and prescient’s proprietary mannequin that identifies the most important mismatches each week, utilizing historic information to foretell future outcomes primarily based on scheme, tendency, sport plan, and personnel.
• Betting Suggestions: A curated listing of the week’s finest bets vetted by Subject Imaginative and prescient’s proprietary mannequin and soccer consultants.
• Participant & Group Rankings: A novel data-informed viewpoint, that includes Subject Imaginative and prescient’s proprietary rankings (Menace and Havoc Rankings) and detailed evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of every participant and staff.
• Professional Evaluation: Entry to the weekly weblog and e-newsletter, taking insights and suggestions from Subject Imaginative and prescient’s mannequin and delivering them to followers with the context wanted to make knowledgeable choices.

Michael:

Per Subject Imaginative and prescient’s matchup notes, it certain feels like that is going to be a sport the place Lamar Jackson should use his legs extra usually than standard to maintain performs alive and lengthen drives. Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is understood for sending blitzes early and sometimes and sadly for the Ravens, Kansas Metropolis has a number of very athletic linebackers with notable velocity and burst to actually threaten Jackson within the pocket. Each Drue Tranquill and Nick Bolton like to go searching within the backfield. LJ should choose his moments and operating lanes rigorously to verify he doesn’t open himself as much as damage.

I like their prediction of over 51 dashing yards for Jackson and I might even go additional and say he finds the tip zone at the least as soon as. On the identical time, I can even go forward and say he struggles by the air and finally ends up having lower than 200 yards passing. First-year Raven operating again Derrick Henry should placed on a category efficiency if the Ravens wish to depart Arrowhead Stadium with a victory.

Subject Imaginative and prescient

RJ:

Like Michael and Subject Imaginative and prescient I additionally consider that Lamar goes to must get on the transfer a bit which signifies that new Ravens operating again Derrick Henry might not get as many alternatives.

This isn’t to say that each Jackson and Henry can’t have productive days on the bottom, however past how stout the Chiefs protection is I believe we’ve got to issue within the Week 1-ness of all of it. Gamers are going to take a little bit of time to regulate to going by a whole sport and despite the fact that the Ravens wish to avenge loads of historical past in opposition to the Chiefs, you’ll be able to’t win the Tremendous Bowl in Week 1. Keep in mind that the Detroit Lions received on this spot a 12 months in the past and regardless of a productive season didn’t even attain the Tremendous Bowl (though they got here shut).

For what it’s value Subject Imaginative and prescient appears to be taking a few of that into consideration and is predicting a lower-level night time for Henry.

Subject Imaginative and prescient

I’m not courageous sufficient to lean on this prop myself, however the logic actually checks out.

Wouldn’t it’s essentially the most Chiefs factor ever for the Ravens to convey a model new operating again into the fold in opposition to them and have it not matter in any respect?

That is Kansas Metropolis’s world and we’re all residing in it.

With regards to the Chiefs, our personal RJ Ochoa sat down with Creed Humphrey final Friday to debate a wide range of issues because of our buddies at Sleep Quantity. You’ll be able to watch all the dialog above or on the Running a blog The Boys YouTube Channel.

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Creed simply visited a Sleep Quantity retailer to take a look at a few of the newest fashions and study extra in regards to the know-how.

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Which gamers will take house 2024’s postseason accolades?

RJ:

It feels actually chalk to go along with anyone like Mahomes so I’m going to overthink this as a result of that feels acceptable.

Assuming we get a model new MVP… what about Jordan Love? A lot about successful the award is the narrative behind it and he has the big-time contract and the truth that he has lived as much as the hype when it was inconceivable for the Packers to have discovered one other quarterback. Couple that with all the love for Detroit… in the event that they take out the Lions with relative ease I might completely see this taking place.

Defensively I’ll be a homer and say that Micah Parsons is due. Even in case you don’t suppose that that is attainable, permit me to color you an image:

• Micah Parsons wins Defensive Participant of the 12 months
• This might be the primary time he has received it
• Proper earlier than critical contract negotiations
• With the Dallas Cowboys, in fact
• Once they might have finished it this previous offseason
• And the whole lot we simply lived by with CeeDee Lamb (and possibly Dak Prescott) repeats

I’ll throw the Jets a bone and say that Garrett Wilson is the first beneficiary of all Aaron Rodgers’ consideration to the tune of an OPOY marketing campaign. Give me Caleb Williams for Offensive Rookie of the 12 months in essentially the most chalk factor of all time. I’ll take Jared Verse on the defensive facet of that coin as a result of the nationwide media loves something Rams that they’ll get their palms on.

Michael:

It simply feels bizarre to suppose Mahomes would go a couple of season with out taking house an MVP award. That’s how good he’s year-in and year-out. After Jackson received it in 2023, I believe Mahomes finally ends up popping off with new speedy wideouts Xavier Worthy and Hollywood Brown. Oh, and Kelce continues to be taking part in.

The method for the 49ers mustn’t change in 2024. They’ll feed McCaffrey and he’ll as soon as once more rating a billion touchdowns. Identical factor with Watt and the Steelers protection. They’ll be a tricky staff however Watt would be the shining star who has not solely a knack for getting sacks, but additionally making splash performs with compelled fumbles or interceptions.

After lacking most of final 12 months with a torn Achilles, I believe Cousins will feast in Atlanta with weapons like Drake London, Kyle Pitts, and Bijan Robinson, establishing a powerful rebound 12 months en path to successful CPOY.

Sticking with the Falcons, I’ve Raheem Morris successful Coach of the 12 months behind a powerful and constant offense mixed with a brand new revamped protection that features Justin Simmons and Matthew Judon.

Caleb Williams already appears to be like just like the runaway favourite for Offensive Rookie of the 12 months. The talent gamers round him are elite for any quarterback. Wideouts DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, rookie first-rounder Rome Odunze, and operating again De’Andre Swift look actually good on paper.

Lastly, rookie defensive deal with Byron Murphy is my choose for Defensive Rookie of the 12 months. Simply in his preseason snaps, he appears to be like like a fully handful and I believe I like him as a darkish horse candidate over a few of the greater names at edge rusher like Dallas Turner or Laiatu Latu. Below new head coach Mike Macdonald, I believe he thrives instantly.

• MVP: QB Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
• Offensive Participant of the 12 months: RB Christian McCaffrey
• Defensive Participant of the 12 months: EDGE TJ Watt
• Comeback Participant of the 12 months: QB Kirk Cousins, Falcons
• Coach of the 12 months: Raheem Morris, Falcons
• Offensive Rookie of the 12 months: QB Caleb Williams, Bears
• Defensive Rookie of the 12 months: DT Byron Murphy, Seahawks

Which 2023 playoff staff(s) will fail to make the postseason in 2024?

Michael:

One staff I don’t see making the playoffs in 2024 is the Inexperienced Bay Packers. I truthfully consider Jordan Love’s sturdy season a 12 months in the past was extra of a fluke than what we should always come to anticipate within the coming years. He was a first-year starter with one in all, if not, the youngest group of talent place gamers round him. Not solely did it seem to be Love and his supporting forged performed nicely above themselves all 12 months, however the Vikings not having Kirk Cousins for a lot of the 12 months additionally helped them glide by the remainder of the NFC North.

In 2024, I anticipate Like to be good, however not nice. Identical factor goes for his supporting forged, together with new operating again Josh Jacobs. I believe they find yourself 9-8 and simply miss out.

One different staff I’ll identify is the Pittsburgh Steelers. Am I dumb for trying to rely out a Mike Tomlin-coached staff? Most likely, however I simply don’t see the offense being all that a lot better underneath both Russell Wilson or Justin Fields. I consider they benefitted from Joe Burrow’s damage within the division and a weak AFC exterior of the anticipated groups normally on the high. Certain, they might find yourself above .500 similar to Tomlin all the time does, however the remainder of the convention appears improved (clearly barring a bunch of extreme accidents to key gamers once more).

RJ:

To be sincere the simple choose right here is the Pittsburgh Steelers. I’ll bounce all the way in which on that bandwagon.

Readers of The Skinny Publish might not know this, however Michael appears to be like rather a lot like Baker Mayfield so he could also be upset at this… however I’ll add the Buccaneers to my listing as nicely. The Falcons are prepared and going to be the staff who wins that terrible division.

If I’ve to shoot for the celebs and marvel who else might fall off… how about each the Cowboys and Eagles? Everybody is aware of what a catastrophe of an offseason that Dallas had, however bear in mind final season’s second-half collapse from Philly? Inform me it’s inconceivable that they each flounder and that the Commanders sneak in for a division title the way in which that they’ve finished the final two instances they received the NFC East (2015 and 2020).