Data Day's 2024 NFL Predictions

Steven Cheah9/05/2024 2:00 PM

John Moore. Getty Images.

With the NFL season kicking off, we began Data Day on The Yak where I broke down each team's record by game. Here are where things shake out in the AFC East.

The Jets rebound behind a healthy Aaron Rodgers take the division while Buffalo does just enough to make the playoffs. Miami on the outside looking in and New England is two years away from being two years away.

In the AFC North, the Ravens just have too much firepower, but this is a feisty division!

The Bengals do just enough to punch their ticket to the post-season while the Browns and Steelers are left on the outside looking in. I think Nick Chubb comes back before Halloween and gets them back on the right track, but it's too little too late. I also like Mike Tomlin to AGAIN be over .500.

As for the AFC South, this is another tight race!

I like the Texans to repeat as division champs, but I do think Jacksonville makes it tight! They lose out on the division after losing both head-to-head matchups with Houston, but they're frisky enough with a good, young outside pass rush and they start winning the turnover battle more regularly! Meanwhile, I see Tennessee surprising a bit and being a frisky team while the Colts are left at 7-10 and don't have enough firepower on offense to extend their season.

In the AFC West, I do have Kansas City making the playoffs.

I think all the other teams are fairly frisky though with the Chargers getting to 10 wins under Jim Harbaugh. The Raiders will be a top 10 defense easily and be continually competitive and I think Denver does improve with Bo Nix, but doesn't have enough to get over .500.

As for the NFC East…

The Eagles continue the trend of a new NFC East Champion which dates back 20 years. The Cowboys remain in the mix with their high powered offense. The Commanders do not seek the improvement they crave under Dan Quinn in his first year, though remain exciting. The Giants are horrible which leads to Brian Daboll being fired and rumors about Daniel Jones being cut or dealt in the off-season.

In the NFC North…

The Lions reign supreme and only have three games outdoors this season. That fast track in Detroit and in other indoor domes propel them to the #1 seed in the NFC. I love Dan Campbell and think Jared Goff makes a run for MVP this season.

Jahmyr Gibbs is one of the most electric playmakers in football and their biggest need was Cornerback going into this season. All they did was draft Terrion Arnold out of Alabama and Ennis Rakestraw from Mizzou and they traded for CBs Carlton Davis and Amik Robertson. And in a very under the radar moves, they added DT DJ Reader who is one of the best run stuffing Defensive Tackles in football.

The Packers will be a problem with Jordan Love, a case of good, young Receivers, and a good defense. I think Chicago will be fun, but I'm not touting Caleb Williams the King of the NFL just yet. Rookie QBs typically see a lot of ups and downs. Minnesota is in a bad spot with just Sam Darnold, but they also are a leaky defense.

And the NFC South came down to a division tiebreaker which was won by…

The Bucs due to a 5-1 division record compared to a 3-3 division record for Atlanta. One of the most successful teams of the 2020s hangs their 4th straight division banner. Atlanta has a very good defense and will be a tough out. Kirk Cousins plays the entire season. New Orleans has no identity, and expensive, and bad roster. They eek out six games and continue to have no plan. The Panthers stink and won't be able to run the ball with Dave Canales at HC.

Meanwhile out west…

I think the 49ers repeat, but at a 10-7 record. I think Seattle will be a team you don't want to play this season. I think Kenneth Walker III could lead the NFL in rushing. The Rams continue to reload under Sean McVay and draft so well in the middle rounds. Arizona still is bad with Kyler and Jonathan Gannon despite a good rookie season from Marvin Harrison Jr.

Here's how I see it shaking out in the playoffs: