Michael Bellifemini's 2024 NFL Predictions

Published: Thursday, September 5, 2024

by Michael Bellifemini

The long offseason is over, and the 2024 NFL season kicks off tonight in Kansas City, where the Chiefs will aim to become the first team to win three straight Super Bowls. However, several contenders from both conferences are eager to dethrone this potential dynasty. Let's dive into each division as I share my standings predictions and see which 14 teams will be playing postseason football in the new year.

AFC East

Jets: 12-5 (#3 seed)

Dolphins: 11-6 (#6 seed)

Bills: 9-8

Patriots: 5-12

This is "take two" for the Jets after their high hopes were crushed just four plays into last season. With Aaron Rodgers sidelined, the Jets had to turn back to former number two overall pick Zach Wilson, who continued to struggle. Now, with a healthy Rodgers, a revamped offensive line led by veteran Tyron Smith, and an elite defense, I predict the Jets will narrowly win the division and end the longest active playoff drought in North American sports. The Dolphins will maintain their regular-season success and grab a wildcard spot, while the Bills will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2018, losing key pieces in the offseason. Though Stefon Diggs may have caused locker room tension, he was consistently productive, and rookie Keon Coleman will have big shoes to fill. Considering how competitive this division is and the strength of the AFC, the Bills will be on the outside looking in, while the Patriots continue their rebuild with rookie quarterback Drake Maye at the helm.

AFC North

Bengals: 13-4 (#2 seed)

Ravens: 12-5 (#5 seed)

Browns: 9-8

Steelers: 9-8

The Bengals had a season similar to the Jets last year—loaded with talent, but their playoff hopes were derailed when Joe Burrow went down with an injury. If Burrow stays healthy, I see Cincinnati winning the division in a tight race with the Baltimore Ravens, who bolstered their already dangerous offense by adding Derrick Henry in the offseason. The Browns' defense will keep Cleveland competitive, but Deshaun Watson is clearly no longer the elite player he once was, which will hold them back. I've predicted Pittsburgh's collapse before, but Mike Tomlin consistently proves everyone wrong, keeping the Steelers in contention year after year. While I expect Pittsburgh to extend their streak of finishing over .500, they, too, will miss the playoffs in this tough division and conference.

AFC South

Texans: 11-6 (#4 seed)

Jaguars: 10-7 (#7 seed)

Colts: 9-8

Titans: 5-12

The Texans shocked the league last season by breaking out of their rebuild to claim the division, and with their offseason moves, I believe they can do it again. After an ugly year for the Jaguars, I see them returning to the playoffs, with Trevor Lawrence getting back on track and becoming one of the top quarterbacks in the conference. While Jacksonville makes the postseason, I have the Colts narrowly missing out for the second straight year, though Anthony Richardson, if he stays healthy in his sophomore season, will give Indianapolis hope for the future. As for the Titans, they may have found their quarterback in Will Levis, but they lack the firepower to compete for a wildcard spot.

AFC West

Chiefs: 14-3 (#1 seed)

Chargers: 8-9

Raiders: 4-13

Broncos: 3-14

There are no surprises in this division. The Chiefs will cruise to another division title and secure the first-round bye heading into the divisional round of the playoffs. The Chargers will remain competitive, but with only three wildcard spots available, they will fall short. The Raiders are in a rebuild/retool phase, but I still have them finishing ahead of Denver. It might be a bold take, but the Sean Payton era has been a disaster so far, and I don’t see it improving. Russell Wilson wasn’t the solution, and I doubt Bo Nix will be either, leaving Payton possibly on the hot seat. If he parts ways with Denver, hopefully his coaching talents will be better utilized with another team.

NFC East

Eagles: 12-5 (#2 seed)

Cowboys: 11-6 (#5 seed)

Commanders: 5-12

Giants: 3-14

The NFC East hasn’t seen a repeat division champion since 2004, and I expect that streak to continue this season. The Eagles will surpass the Cowboys to win the division. Despite a rough end to last season, where Philadelphia went from 10-1 to a wildcard exit, the addition of Saquon Barkley to their offense and Dallas’s loss of Daron Bland for about half the season could be crucial. These factors may determine whether the Eagles secure home-field advantage in the first round or have to play on the road. The Commanders and Giants both have significant work ahead. While Big Blue boasts an elite defense, their future is more uncertain than Washington’s, particularly with the possibility of moving on from Daniel Jones at season’s end.

NFC North

Lions: 11-6 (#3 seed)

Packers: 10-7 (#6 seed)

Bears: 9-8 (#7 seed)

Vikings: 7-10

The Lions won their first division title since 1993 last season and came close to their first Super Bowl appearance. Motivated under Dan Campbell, they’ll secure their second straight NFC North crown, narrowly beating out the Packers. Green Bay impressed in the first year of the Jordan Love era, upsetting Dallas as the seventh seed and nearly defeating San Francisco. The Packers will fall just short of the division title but claim a wildcard spot for the second year in a row. The Bears are my breakout team pick; despite years of struggle, their revamped offense led by number one overall pick Caleb Williams, along with receivers Keenan Allen, DJ Moore, and rookie Rome Odunze, could help them snag the final wildcard spot. With Kirk Cousins leaving in free agency and rookie JJ McCarthy out for the season, the Vikings will finish last in this competitive division.

NFC South

Buccaneers: 10-7 (#4 seed)

Falcons: 8-9

Saints: 7-10

Panthers: 2-15

The Falcons' signing of Kirk Cousins is seen by some as the move that makes Atlanta the frontrunner to win the NFC South, currently the weakest division in football. However, people often count out Baker Mayfield, as they did last year, only for him to prove them wrong by leading Tampa Bay to a division title and a playoff win. This is why I have the Buccaneers repeating as NFC South champions. They lost a few key players and were close to an impressive NFC Championship Game appearance last season, so I can see them staying in the mix for a deep, surprising playoff run this year as well. The Saints, despite the division’s openness, lack the talent on both sides of the ball to challenge Tampa Bay or Atlanta. Meanwhile, Carolina is still rebuilding, and securing the first overall pick in the 2025 draft should accelerate that process. 

NFC West

49ers: 13-4 (#1 seed)

Rams: 8-9

Seahawks: 7-10

Cardinals: 5-12

Similar to the AFC West, the 49ers will easily win the NFC West and secure the number one seed, earning a direct berth to the divisional round of the playoffs as they aim to bring the Lombardi Trophy back to the Bay Area. I have the Rams missing the postseason due to their tough schedule, and the Seahawks will finish just one game behind Los Angeles. The Cardinals will make some improvements but remain a season or two away from being legitimate contenders.

Wildcard Round

(5) Ravens defeat (4) Texans 19-17

(3) Jets defeat (6) Dolphins 31-20

(2) Bengals defeat (7) Jaguars 27-16

(5) Cowboys defeat (4) Buccaneers 27-20

(3) Lions defeat (6) Packers 34-31 (OT)

(2) Eagles defeat (7) Bears 23-10

Divisional Round

(2) Bengals defeat (3) Jets 27-24 (OT)

(5) Ravens defeat (1) Chiefs 23-17

(3) Lions defeat (2) Eagles 34-21

(1) 49ers defeat (5) Cowboys 28-13

Championship Round

(2) Bengals defeat (5) Ravens 30-27

(3) Lions defeat (1) 49ers 38-33

Super Bowl

(2) Bengals defeat (3) Lions 23-17

With a healthy Joe Burrow, I have the Bengals returning to the Super Bowl for the second time in four seasons, and this time, they will come out on top. The Lions’ magical run to their first Super Bowl appearance, which included a revenge win over the 49ers on the road, will fall short as they lose to Cincinnati in New Orleans. We’re in for a competitive and exciting season, and it will be fun to revisit these predictions after Super Bowl LIX to see how they measure up against the actual outcomes of the 2024 NFL season.

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