NFL Season Preview
Before we know it, September will roll around again and, along with it, all the excitement of a brand new NFL season. It’s going to be the 105th and it’s set to kick off with a meeting between the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs against the Baltimore Ravens.
Whether the Chiefs will be able to record a record-breaking three Super Bowl victories in a row remains to be seen—and we’ll just have to wait until February 9th, 2025, to find out. In the meantime, there will be plenty of other teams vying for a place in the playoffs and eventual Super Bowl glory.
NFL Schedule Release
This is the first year I can remember when the NFL Schedule came out after the draft. I’m surprised it took this long, honestly; giving a team a prime-time game based on the assumption that they will be drafting a new rookie quarterback wasn’t the best strategy. That being said, this year’s NFL Schedule does seem to favor some teams over others heavily.
The amount of prime time games for every NFL team…
How many does your favorite team have? pic.twitter.com/GCKQ1MLfeJ
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) May 12, 2023
You could argue that the Jets and Giants do not deserve five primetime games, but New York is a beast in terms of market share. Local businesses will be extremely thankful for the packed bars and restaurants on nights of these games. I think the disrespect regarding up-and-coming teams that were shafted has to go to the Texans. CJ Stroud and Company look to be a major contender to not only win the AFC South but challenge as an AFC playoff sleeper team in 2024/25. I’m hoping they have the Texans highlighted as a team that could be flexed for Sunday Night games often this season.
AFC contenders
It certainly seems like the Chiefs will continue to be all-conquering and the sports betting favorites at this early stage of the year. With Patrick Mahomes arguably in the prime form of his career and the exciting new drafting of Xavier Worthy, the Chiefs are sure to be a force to be reckoned with.
Also looking good are the Los Angeles Chargers, thanks to the ever-improving Justin Herbert and the return of head coach Jim Harbaugh. Harbaugh’s final season with Michigan was not without drama — he was suspended for the full half of the regular season in two separate investigations. Still, he is a no-nonsense, old-school leader who should help the Chargers find new life.
The Ravens vs. Chiefs game is a fascinating first game of the season that could set the tone for the year. The arrival of Derrick Henry means that the Ravens now have a running back of real quality, and Nate Wiggins is sure to make a difference, too.
Two other teams that should enjoy a great season are the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns. The former will see the return of Joe Burrow from his injury-affected 2023-24 season, while the Browns will be hoping that Deshaun Watson can find the consistency that was lacking last season.
In the AFC South, all eyes will be on the Houston Texans. New arrivals Danielle Hunter, Joe Mixon, and Stefon Diggs are sure to breathe new life into the franchise and build on the turnaround provided by C.J. Stroud and DeMeco Ryans.
The Jacksonville Jaguars will be looking to improve on past seasons. Trading Calvin Ridley for Brian Thomas Jr. and Gabe Davis should, on paper, give them a strong offense.
The arrival of Brian Callahan as head coach of the Tennessee Titans could well have a major effect on this team’s performance.
Last but not least, the AFC East also has some fascinating prospects. For example, the Miami Dolphins have lost many players to pay for their more expensive stars, but at what cost? The New York Jets will also be hoping that Aaron Rodgers’s return will tell a tale or two.
Looking at the NFC
It looks like the San Francisco 49ers are set to dominate once again. Much of this will come down to the superstar trio of George Kittle, Christian McCaffrey, and Deebo Samuel. The pressure seems to have shifted as the public has bought in on the idea that Brock Purdy is not a fluke and deserves to be the guy. It’s now about the supporting cast and closing out games to get deeper into the post-season.
With Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, the Rams’ passing game will always be a force to be reckoned with. But life without Aaron Donald will be interesting. The Rams, who never seem to have draft picks (from off-season trades), may have found gold in the first round with Florida State OLD/DE Jared Verse. The 6-foot-4, 250 lb defensive stud should make life easier after Donald retired, but the Rams defense is key to their success this season.
The Seahawks enter the season with a defense that can make them challengers for divisional champions, especially if Mike Macdonald lives up to expectations. I’m surprised the team didn’t draft a quarterback for the future, but they’ll cross that bridge when they get to it. Either way, the Seahawks are not a team to sleep on.
Last season, the Detroit Lions surprised everyone by showing just what they could do. Now, the question is whether they can repeat it. It’s a young team eager to go, and with Jared Goff on the squad, scoring shouldn’t be a problem.
The Green Bay Packers signing of Xavier McKinney promises to be a key playmaker with Jordan Morgan strong as ever on defense. The NFC North should be interesting to see who comes out on top
There seems to be very little debate over the fact that the Atlanta Falcons should secure division-winner status in the South, driven by superstar quarterback Kirk Cousins. With other talents like Kyle Pitts and Drake London on board, the prospects are great.
The Carolina Panthers’ $150 million+ spending spree on two guards is a gamble they hope pays off. Robert Hunt agreed to a five-year, $100 million contract with $63 million guaranteed, and Damien Lewis signed a four-year, $53 million contract with $26.2 million guaranteed. Diontae Johnson was also added and brings experience and talent to the offense. Bryce Young should have more time in the pocket and better targets to throw, too, in 2024.
Finally, the NFC East seems to be in a similar situation as last year. The Eagles and Cowboys are favorited to battle it out for the division lead with the Commanders in rebuild mode, while the public tries to make sense of what the Giants are doing with decisions on and off the field.
