A part of the enjoyable of the start of a brand new NFL season is making predictions about which gamers will stand out and the way the standings will end. However what’s much more enjoyable is making “bold” predictions which will appear outlandish to some, however function a chance to exit on a limb and be completely different.
Listed below are just a few “daring” predictions for the 2024 NFL season.
The Payments will miss the playoffs
After being eradicated by the Chiefs for the third time in 4 years, Payments followers have been as soon as once more left with an all too acquainted feeling, like “When will it ever be our flip?”
However sadly for Buffalo, the great vibes by no means returned within the offseason. The Payments broke up some of the potent quarterback-wide receiver duos in soccer by delivery four-time Professional Bowler Stefon Diggs to Houston.
Diggs was additionally removed from the one key departure. Middle Mitch Morse, security Jordan Poyer, large receiver Gabe Davis and cornerback Tre’Davious White are all elsewhere in 2024.
And to rub extra salt within the wound, Payments followers must stay with the very fact Buffalo traded with the Chiefs in the course of the NFL Draft, permitting Kansas Metropolis to take rookie speedster Xavier Worthy (who scored two touchdowns in his NFL debut on Thursday).
Whereas the Payments did draft a rookie receiver of their very own and made different strikes, this may lastly be the yr they take a step again. Merely having an elite sign caller like Josh Allen main the cost will not be sufficient in a crowded AFC and the Payments find yourself at house when the playoffs kickoff for the primary time since 2018.
Kirk Cousins shall be an MVP candidate
The Falcons signing Kirk Cousins was some of the high-profile strikes of the offseason. And no less than for one yr, Cousins will show to be among the finest additions any workforce made, too.
Although some have been confused when Atlanta drafted Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 general decide, Cousins can have management of the offense in 2024.
Think about Cousins’ normal manufacturing with a wide-open NFC South and there isn’t any purpose to not consider he can immediately be beneficial sufficient to show Atlanta round.
Cousins surpassed 4,000 yards passing in every of the three prior seasons with the Vikings earlier than his 2024 was lower quick with an Achilles damage. Cousins ought to have sufficient round him for the Falcons to have one of many prime offenses in soccer.
The Texans attain the Tremendous Bowl
It could not appear all that daring to say the Texans shall be a contender, however all indicators level to Houston going a step beyond contender status and making the franchise’s first Tremendous Bowl look.
Dethroning the back-to-back champion Chiefs will not be simple, however the Texans have the roster to do it. Add Diggs and operating again Joe Mixon to an offense that ranked No. 12 in overall yards and Houston has supplied 2023 Offensive Rookie of the 12 months C.J. Stroud with the whole lot he must be even higher in his sophomore season.
Houston’s offense and formidable protection ought to carry the Texans to a different division title in a comparatively weak AFC South and arrange a path to Tremendous Bowl LIX.
