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On Thursday night, the Kansas City Chiefs will host the opening game of the 2024 NFL season against another top AFC foe, the Baltimore Ravens. The game will air nationally on NBC at 7:20PM CDT. It could be a preview of the AFC Championship game coming in January.
Sure, the Chiefs have the best quarterback in the league in Patrick Mahomes. They also have the best head coach in the league. Andy Reid is back for another year in Kansas City.
At least for now, the Chiefs also bring millions of Taylor Swift fans as her boyfriend Travis Kelce returns at tight end for KC.
Sorry, KC! No repeat for you this season!
The odds makers simply LOVE the Chiefs repeating as champions this year. Kansas City must win 12 of its 17 regular season games to beat the odds.
That’s a tall order. I just do not believe Kansas City will repeat as the NFL champion in 2024.
Admittedly, I don’t follow the Chiefs very closely down here in the swamps. Call it a “gut” feeling, but I expect that Kansas City’s mojo and good fortunes may be starting to wane.
After all, the Chiefs have won three of the last five NFL titles (in February of 2020, 2023, and 2024). They have avoided major injuries to many key players during their playoff runs. All things considered, I predict that the “Super Chiefs” train will not arrive back in Kansas City carrying the NFL’s Lombardi Trophy again after this season.
If not Kansas City, who will capture the NFL title?
If Kansas City fails to advance to the Super Bowl this season, the door is wide open a number of hungry teams. Let’s cover a few of my other favorites.
First, the NFC preview!
San Francisco 49ers – A heavy favorite in the NFC once again this year, San Francisco must win 12 or more games this season for the wagering folks to pocket some lucky charms. The 49ers have re-signed two of its key players in the past week to help them stay atop the NFC again this year.
Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk recently agreed to a four-year $120 million contract extension to stay with the Niners. Yesterday, 36-year old offensive tackle Trent Williams snagged a new 3-year $82.6 million deal to remain with the team. The 11-time All-Pro left tackle from Longview (TX) High School and the University of Oklahoma serves as a proverbial brick wall to protect his quarterback, Brock Purdy. The 49ers should have another excellent season in the NFC.
NFC East Winner – Either Philadelphia or Dallas – The NFC East (as usual) features two teams (NY Giants and Washington) which will likely struggle to win six or more games again this year. Let’s go ahead and eliminate the G-men and the football team in Washington.
I would probably consider Philadelphia to be my favorite over Dallas if the Eagles had not (pardon my pun) laid such an egg to end last season. The Eagles lost five of its final six regular season games and were pummeled by an “OK” Tampa Bay team 32-9 in the opening round of the playoffs.
During the off-season, the “Iggles” added bruising running back Saquan Barkley from the New York Giants. The 27-year old Barkley wants his chance to win a championship ring and believes he can accomplish that in Philly. If the big running back can carry the football productively for 15-20 times per game, Philly will be very tough this season.
Meanwhile, in Big D…
Having a 28-year Super Bowl appearance drought is hard to believe, but it was 1996 when the Dallas Cowboys last played in the NFL’s title game. After a 12-5 regular season in 2023, the #2 NFC playoff seed Dallas was throttled at home by the #7 Green Bay Packers 48-32. Most Cowboys fans are still in shock after watching that season-ending playoff debacle.
If you look at this year’s football schedule for the Dallas Cowboys, the team plays many of its toughest games at home. Baltimore, Detroit, Houston, and Cincinnati will pay a visit to the stadium known as “Jerry World” this fall.
Unlike San Francisco, Dallas still has two “star” players begging for new contracts. As of this time, team owner Jerry Jones has balked at providing a new deal for quarterback Dak Prescott and defensive end Micah Parsons. Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb did receive a new deal in the last week (valued at $136 million over the next four years).
Then there’s the head coach. Mike McCarthy has proven to be an excellent coach during the regular season but has been (for the most part) a big dud in post-season games. He now enters the final year of his employment contract in Dallas. How motivated will Mike McCarthy be to help Jerry Jones reach the Super Bowl again when the team’s owner has no faith in the head coach beyond this year?
Detroit Lions – The Lions continue to get closer to the team’s first ever Super Bowl appearance. After a 12-5 regular season last year, Detroit beat the Los Angeles Rams 24-23 and Tampa Bay 31-23 to advance into the NFC Championship game at San Francisco. The Lions took an early 14-0 lead but faltered late to lose the game to the 49ers 34-31.
The brainiacs in Las Vegas think Detroit will win 11 games this fall. The schedule features tough road games at San Francisco, Dallas, and Houston. The NFC Central also looks to be tougher as division foes Green Bay, Minnesota, and Chicago may push the Lions harder this season.
Sleeper teams – Green Bay Packers and L.A. Rams. Green Bay finished last season on a roll after defeating Dallas in the first round of the NFL and played San Francisco a close game until the final moments in Round 2. However, everyone will be prepared to stop Packers quarterback Jordan Love this season.
The Los Angeles Rams have a balanced offense with some stellar wide receivers. The schedule appears favorable for the Rams to win at least ten games, too. Can 36-year old quarterback Matthew Stafford stay healthy this fall? If the Rams defense improves to (at least) the middle of the pack, the team’s potent offense may carry Los Angeles deep into the playoffs.
NFC Champion – Detroit Lions over San Francisco 49ers
Now, for the AFC!
Kansas City Chiefs – Despite my prediction that KC won’t win the Super Bowl, that doesn’t mean they will have a lousy year, either.
The AFC West is still “Kansas City and those other three teams” (Broncos, Raiders, and Chargers). Though Denver and the L.A. Chargers should improve, both teams will be fortunate to reach nine wins. Kansas City is predicted to win at least 11 games and may have home field advantage for at least the first game in this year’s playoffs.
Baltimore Ravens – Adding All-Pro running back Derrick Henry (formerly of the Tennessee Titans) into the Ravens’ backfield should take some pressure off quarterback Lamar Jackson this year. With a tough schedule including road games at Kansas City, Dallas, and Houston, the Ravens are still pegged to win 11 games by the Vegas odds makers.
This is a team with solid coaching (John Harbaugh), a tough defense, a great home crowd, but they depend too heavily on the performance of the quarterback to carry the team. If a more balanced offense unfolds in 2024, the Ravens become the team to beat in the AFC.
Cincinnati Bengals – As quarterback Joe Burrow goes, so go the Bengals. Cincy must play Baltimore twice in the difficult AFC Central division. The road schedule is favorable for the Bengals to have a good season. The toughest road games will be at Kansas City in Week #2 and in Dallas on Monday, December 9. The Bengals must become more consistent on both offense and defense to win the 11 games which Vegas is predicting this season.
Sleeper teams – Jacksonville Jaguars and Buffalo Bills. Don’t forget about Jacksonville this year. The Jaguars’ schedule is not very difficult. After bolting out to an 8-3 start in 2023, an injury to quarterback Trevor Lawrence caused a late collapse. The Jags could become an improved team in 2024.
Likewise, the Buffalo Bills schedule isn’t overly difficult, but recent years have seen the Bills let everyone down in the playoffs. The AFC East features three tough teams (Miami, NY Jets, and Buffalo). Will the Bills play with urgency this fall and emerge as a surprise playoff team?
AFC Champion – Baltimore Ravens over Kansas City Chiefs
Super Bowl Prediction (to be played in New Orleans Superdome) – Detroit Lions 35, Baltimore 27.
Party time, Detroit!