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We've finally made it. We've covered the NFL Draft, Free Agency Period, previews for every single team, and made projections for Fantasy Football. Now, we've reached the last stop on our offseason journey.
This blog will have a mix of Week 1 and season-long predictions, including fantasy boomers, matchup winners, and awards for the regular season. I'll also predict my Super Bowl Matchup and Champion, so make sure you read to the end to get a glimpse at that. For one last time this offseason, let's preview the 2024 NFL Season!
To get caught up on your favorite individual teams, please click here.
Photo: Jed Jacobsohn/Associated Press
Week 1 Power Rankings
Teams to Note
New England Patriots (Dropped 3 Spots from initial preseason ranking)
Anything that could've gone wrong for NE did this training camp. Their best defensive player is dealing with a blood clot issue and is sidelined indefinitely. Matthew Judon was traded away. Their OL is worse than projected. Finally, they're starting Jacoby Brissett over Drake Maye to start the season. I get why they're doing it, but it's not going to help them win games early on.
Atlanta Falcons (Rose 3 Spots from initial preseason ranking)
On the flipside, the Falcons only got better throughout camp. They were the team that traded for Judon, and they added veteran Justin Simmons to form one of the best safety duos in the league. Both the edge and safety positions were a glaring issue for me before the season started, and they couldn't have picked two better players for this scheme.
Fantasy Football
Each week this season, I'll pick five players to score more than their projection. If they are projected to score 10 points, scoring 15 points would be a boom, or scoring 5 points would be a bust. We'll review the results each week, and keep a year-long tab on my predictions.
Week 1 Prediction
QB: Bryce Young vs New Orleans Saints (proj. 14.0 points)
I've been high on Bryce all offseason, and he's gonna start Week 1 strong. He goes against a team with a lackluster pass rush, and no secondary can cover forever.
RB: Austin Ekeler vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers (proj. 10.8 points)
I get that Ekeler fell off a cliff last year, but he was dealing with a nagging ankle injury all season. Now, with a full offseason to recover and a reduced role in Washington's offense, I actually expect him to be more efficient and lead the Commanders backfield in fantasy points.
WR: Khalil Shakir vs Arizona Cardinals (proj. 9.8 points)
The Cardinals secondary is horrid, and Khalil will make a name for himself in this matchup. Khalil made the most of his increased targets as 2023 progressed, becoming a great late-season fantasy pickup.
TE: Luke Musgrave vs Philadelphia Eagles (proj. 6.7 points)
Before Luke's injury in Week 11 of last year, he was doing decent in an offense that had a struggling Jordan Love. Once Love got going after Week 8, Luke put up 29.3 points in a 10-quarter span before lacerating his kidney against the Chargers. In their playoff game against the Cowboys, when Love was at his best, Musgrave put up 14.2 fantasy points. I believe he'll abuse a bad LB/safety Eagles core and become the Packers undisputed TE1 throughout the entire season.
Flex: Darnell Mooney vs Pittsburgh Steelers (proj. 8.6 points)
The Falcons finally have a competent QB and offensive scheme. Drake London and Kyle Pitts will garner a good amount of attention, and the Steelers doesn't have a good enough secondary to stop all of their weapons. Expect a breakout Falcons debut from Mooney.
Week 1 Game Predictions
(Bold letters indicates winner)
AFC Games
Ravens vs Chiefs (Season Opener - Thursday Night)
Patriots vs Bengals
Jaguars vs Dolphins
Texans vs Colts
Raiders vs Chargers
NFC Games
Packers vs Eagles (São Paulo Game - Friday Night)
Vikings vs Giants
Panthers vs Saints
Commanders vs Buccaneers
Rams vs Lions (SNF)
Inter-Conference Games
Cardinals vs Bills
Titans vs Bears
Steelers vs Falcons
Broncos vs Seahawks
Cowboys vs Browns
Jets vs 49ers (MNF)
Photo: Perry Knots/GettyImages
Season Award Predictions
Comeback Player of the Year: Anthony Richardson - Indianapolis Colts
AR15 was looking solid throughout the first few weeks of his rookie year. With a full offseason to recover from his shoulder injury, and to fully absorb the offense, he's primed for a big rebound.
Most Improved Player: Bryce Young - Carolina Panthers
Different day, same outlook. Bryce Young will be the NFL's most improved player this year. He's got a better OL, receivers who can actually separate, and a head coach who knows what he is doing in the modern NFL.
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Terrion Arnold - Detroit Lions
There are a ton of defensive rookies who have a chance to shine - and I was half-tempted to pick 5th rounder Austin Booker for this award, but Terrion Arnold has the fastest track to succeed early on. He's an aggressive and physical corner, and he's playing in a scheme that feeds off that. He also will be paired with former college teammate Brian Branch, who will help him learn the ropes quickly.
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Caleb Williams - Chicago Bears
Going safe with this choice here, Caleb has the best supporting cast any first overall pick has ever had. If he doesn't win OROY, it's because someone else broke records.
Trench Tyrant of the Year: Tristan Wirfs - Offensive Tackle
Wirfs made the transition from right to left tackle last year, and he was still a monster in that spot. Out of all linemen, he ranked in the top 20 in overall blocking and top 10 for pass blocking with 81.1 and 84.3 grades respectively. With a full season at that spot under his belt, he should take a big step and get back to his usual dominance in 2024.
Special Teams Player of the Year: Greg Zuerlein - Kicker
Like I've said all offseason, if this Jets offense can stay healthy, they'll be one of the best teams in the league. With that, Greg the Leg will have plenty of opportunities to add points. For those saying he's old and inaccurate, he went 13 of 14 from 40-49 yards and 5 of 6 from 50+ yards last year - he's still got it.
Defensive Player of the Year: Aidan Hutchison - Detroit Lions
Hutch looked like a menace last season, as he accounted for a whopping 38.2% of his team's total pressures. For reference, elite rushers usually total 25% - 30% of their team's pressures. With virtually no help from his pass rush partners, he still put up 101 total pressures and a 16.19% pressure rate. If Detroit's offseason additions do their job, and if Aidan continues to build off his early-career success, he should be on every ballot for DPOY.
Offensive Player of the Year: Breece Hall - New York Jets
Breece was the only offensive piece that kept the Jets competitive after everything fell apart last year. Now, with Rodgers back, I expect defenses to play lighter boxes to stop the Jets pass attack. This will open up holes in the run game, and I expect Breece to lead the league in rushing as a result.
Coach of the Year: Shane Steichen - Indianapolis Colts
Shane took a team with a serviceable backup, led them to a 9-8 record, and was just a drive shy of making the playoffs last year. With improvements on offense and defense, the Colts have a shot to win the division and be a threat across the entire NFL.
Most Valuable Player: Dak Prescott - Dallas Cowboys
Dak was on an MVP pace for most of last season, and only lost his bid because Lamar decimated some of the best defenses in the league in the final several weeks. Dak will be forced to throw more than he ever has due to a weak backfield, and he's more than equipped to take on that load. He was the 2nd highest graded passer in the entire NFL last season, and was 1st in TDs, tied for 1st in big time throw rate, tied for 3rd lowest in turnover worthy play rate, 3rd most in yards, and 7th in adjusted completion rate. If he performs any better in 2024, and he definitely should, then the MVP is rightfully his.
Photo: Kevin Jairaj/USA TODAY Sports
Super Bowl LIX Matchup - Kansas City Chiefs vs Detroit Lions
The Chiefs make it back for the chance to three-peat, and the Lions make their first Super Bowl appearance ever. Both teams are loaded with talent, and are some of the most exciting offenses in the NFL today. When it's all said and done, I have the 313 spoiling the Chiefs chances at a historic feat with a final score of 29-24, and your Detroit Lions will be Super Bowl LIX Champions!
Final Notes
Check back throughout the NFL season for a Weekly Recap, and I'll also be writing multiple blogs covering the Cardinals season at milestone points (quarter-season, mid-season, final 4 weeks, and end of season). I'll have NFL content pumping around the clock from now until the Super Bowl, but until then, let's enjoy an awesome season and another year for the greatest sport on earth.
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