by Noah Santiago
As the new season gets closer, everyone is talking about how teams will do, looking at things like new players, injuries and how they played last year. Some predictions seem obvious, but the NFL is always full of surprises, so nothing's for sure. In this article, we'll look at how each of the 32 teams might do this season and see if we can figure out who’s going to come out on top and who might struggle.
AFC EAST
Miami Dolphins: 12-5
The Dolphins are coming off from another disappointing December choking the division away to the Bills and getting knocked out of the playoffs by the Kansas City Chiefs. With all the roster cuts and additions made by the Bills and the Dolphins, they should be able to split the series with them. They have a tough second half of the schedule facing off against the Browns, Texans, 49ers, Rams, and Packers but they should be able to come out with a win in at least half of those games.
New York Jets: 9-8
The Jets probably have the highest expectations out of any team this season. With a now-healthy Aaron Rodgers, an improved offensive line, young stars in Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson and a great defense, they should be able to win most of their games this season.
Buffalo Bills: 9-8
The Bills have one of the hardest schedules out of any team. More specifically, a very tough 4 game stretch where they have to face the Chiefs, 49ers, Rams and Lions. The Bills lost a lot of players during free agency such as Stefon Diggs, Gabe Davis and Jordan Poyer.
New England Patriots: 2-15
The Patriot’s outlook is not good. Their offense is one of the worst in the league with veteran Quarterback Jacoby Brissett at the helm and their defense, which has significantly regressed. They no longer have Bill Belichick behind them and a tough schedule isn't making it any easier.
AFC NORTH
Baltimore Ravens: 13-4
The Ravens have one of the league's best offenses and defenses. They just signed Derrick Henry, which can be a problem for the rest of the league. They now face a new challenges with a healthy Bengals team that could potentially compete with them for the crown in the league's toughest division.
Cincinnati Bengals: 13-4
The Bengals had to deal with Joe Burrow's injury last year but have since added an improved defense and a very explosive offense with a great wide receiver core. They should be competing with the ravens for the division this year.
Pittsburgh Steelers: 9-8
The steelers always find a way to have a winning record. They constantly have a good defense but their offense is still one of the worst in the league. They are hoping to turn things around with veteran Quarterback Russell Wilson and the young Justin Fields.
Cleveland Browns: 7-10
The Browns made the playoffs last year and have possibly the league's best defense. But, they struggled finding a Quarterback last year, with 5 different players starting at the position. They won't have Joe Flacco this year and have to rely on Deshaun Watson to carry them through the league's hardest schedule
AFC WEST
Kansas City Chiefs: 15-2
It is hard to bet against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. They are in the middle of a dynasty and show no signs of stopping. They play their season opener on Sep 5. against the ravens which should make for a great game and have the 10th hardest schedule in the NFL.
Los Angeles Chargers: 8-9
The Chargers just hired a new head coach in Jim Harbaugh. They are hoping to turn things around after having only 5 wins this past season. Justin Herbert might now struggle without his top weapons in receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams whom had been with the Chargers since his rookie year. .
Denver Broncos: 3-14
The Denver Broncos do not have a good defense and on the other side of the ball they do not have a good offense. Denver no longer has a well established Quarterback to help them. On top of losing Justin Simmons during free agency, the team now relies on hope that rookie Quarterback Bo Nix will be good enough to help them win a few games.
Las Vegas Raiders: 5-12
The Raiders have named Gardner Minshew their starting qb for next season. They also signed Christian Wilkins in free agency which should be a big boost for their star studded D-line that already has Maxx Crosby. They are still by no means a great team and have a lot to improve on to finish in playoff contention.
AFC SOUTH
Houston Texans: 12-5
The Texans were a big surprise last season. CJ Stroud is a star and no one excepted them to be as good as they were. The team won their division and made it to the divisional round in their first year with the rookie Quarterback. Their defense has improved and they now have another weapon for CJ- Stefon Diggs.
Indianapolis Colts: 10-7
The Colts did well under Minshew last season but now they have Anthony Richardson back. Richardson showed huge flashes of potential in his few games last season. They should be taking steps forward this season.
Jacksonville Jaguars: 8-9
The Jacksonville Jaguars started 8-3 last season but still missed the playoffs. They greatly improved over the last few years but there is still some questions left to be asked about their offense. Trevor Lawrence led the league in fumbles last season and hopes to make some noise with new additions such as Gabe Davis and Arik Armstead. Who knows, they could be a sleeper team this season.
Tennessee Titans: 6-11
Titans will be moving foward with QB Will Levis for the 2024 season. They did not play well last season and lost their star running back in Derrick Henry. They did make any other big changes to their roster since.
NFC EAST
Philadelphia Eagles: 14-3
The Eagles are one of the best teams in the league. Just signing Saquon Barkley, they look to continue there success on the offensive side of the ball. Yet, there are still some questions to be said about their defense. They collapsed late last season but they should do better now, especially with an easier schedule.
Dallas Cowboys: 12-5
The Cowboys are known for always performing well in the regular season and crumbling in the playoffs. They will be fighting the Eagles for the top of the division but it looks like the Eagles are a more complete team as of right now. CeeDee Lamb had the best year of his career last year and the Cowboys are look great defensively. However, with Trevon Diggs still hurt and Daron Bland slated to miss time, their star-studded defense might need some help.
New York Giants: 4-13
This is Daniel Jones's make-or-break year for the giants. The Giants have neither a good defense nor offense. They just drafted wide receiver Malik Nabers to try to give Daniel Jones a weapon to help with the the vacancy of Saquon Barkley. It just doesn't look like the Giant's year.
Washington Commaners: 3-14
The Commanders had the worst offensive line in NFL history. Sam Howell was sacked 65 times and their defense being really bad does not help as well. They just drafted QB Jayden Daniels but he will have trouble behind that O-line.
NFC SOUTH
Atlanta Falcons: 9-8
The Falcons already have a solid defense and already have some weapons on offense. The only thing holding them back last year was their head coach, who has now been fired. They should be in the race for the division title and could potentially make the playoffs this year.
New Orleans Saints: 9-8
No team in the NFC South is spectacular and the Saints certainly do not show much promise. The team was also held back by coaching and Derek Carr's injuries but will look past tha and try to win the division against the Bucs and Falcons.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 10-7
The Buccaneers surprisingly won their division and made the playoffs last year. Baker Mayfield had the best year of his career and Mike Evans being his regular self provided them with another weapon. They should take the crown again in the easiest division in the NFL.
Carolina Panthers: 5-12
The Panthers were the worst team in the league last year year, and not much has changed. They lost Brian Burns this offseason but on the other side of the ball, Bryce Young has lots of potential. They could escape with a few more wins this year.
NFC NORTH
Green Bay Packers: 12-5
No one expected Jordan Love to be this good and now he is the highest-paid player ever. They nearly went to the conference championship last year and could keep that same momentum coming into this year and make some noise.
Detroit Lions: 14-3
The Lions were the biggest surprise of last year. They had one of their best seasons in a long time and had playoff success for the first time in a decade. They have a greatly improved defense and one of the best offenses in the league. Dan Campbell is an amazing coach and should lead the team to victory again this year.
Chicago Bears: 9-8
The Bears have lots of potential this season. DJ Moore is coming off the best season of his career and they just acquired Keenan Allen to aide the first pick in the draft, Caleb Williams. They have plenty of young weapons and a solid defense.
Minnesota Vikings: 6-11
The Vikings have a big quarterback problem. No longer having Kirk Cousins and JJ Mccarthy being out for the year, Sam Darnold will be their starting QB. Without a great defense, they will struggle.
NFC WEST
San Francisco 49ers: 15-2
The 49ers are probably the most complete team in the NFL. They have multiple stars on defense and offense. A great QB in Brock Purdy and a great coach in Kyle Shanahan set them up for success in the regular season. Now they just need to get past the bump and win the Super Bowl.
Seattle Seahawks: 7-10
The Seahawks are an ok team. They have an ok offense with an have an ok quarterback and an ok defense. The only standouts are DK Metcalf and Kenneth Walker who could do really well this year.
Los Angeles Rams: 11-6
The Rams were surprisingly very good last year. Rookie sensation Puka Nacua broke the record for most receiving yards by a rookie. And they still have Cooper Kupp. Their defense leaves some questions but nonetheless, their powerful offense may make up for it.
Arizona Cardinals: 5-12
The Cardinals drafted Marvin Harrison Jr. in this year’s draft. This also might be Kyler Murray's last year as a cardinal. Not having a good defense and their offense not being strong enough to rip through defenses causes some concern.
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