Our 11 Bold Predictions for the 2024 NFL Season
The NFL regular season kicks off in 19 days, and the anticipation is tasteable.
Our 11 Bold Predictions for the 2024 NFL Season
The Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, and Baltimore Ravens are the favorites to win the chip — so the usual suspects.
Accordingly, we asked VikingsTerritory writers for their bold NFL predictions, and these were their responses. Reminder — bold predictions are designed to be “out there.”
1. The Bills Miss the Playoffs
Prediction Maker = Cole Smith
The Bills miss the playoffs and ultimately fire Sean McDermott after the season. They traded away Stefon Diggs this offseason, leaving their wide receiver room thin. The yearly fatigue of getting so close to finally crawling over the hump finally catches up to this team in 2024.
2. Cowboys Go Back to 8-9 or 9-8 Era
Prediction Maker = Dustin Baker
Remember the era when the Dallas Cowboys habitually finished 8-8? That’s coming back.
Dallas conducted virtually no business during free agency, only adding Eric Kendricks and Royce Freeman as newcomers. Their draft was impressive, but the NFC will pass the Cowboys by in 2024, returning “America’s Team” to 8-9 or 9-8.
The consecutive 13-4 campaigns are dead.
3. Myles Garrett Wins MVP
Prediction Maker = Kyle Joudry
It’s time for a defender to win it, and it’s a shame Aaron Donald never snagged MVP.
4. CeeDee Lamb Eclipses 2,000 Receiving Yards
Prediction Maker = Brevan Bane
Dallas has a less-than-stellar receiving group behind Lamb, and the running game doesn’t look like it will be a lot to write home about, either. Dak Prescott is one of the best in football at racking up passing yards throughout a season, and I, like many, expect the Cowboys to be in the mix of things late in the regular season. With the lack of big names other than Ceedee Lamb on the offense, it may be up to him to have a historic season to keep this offense up there with the best of them.
5. Tyreek Hill Breaks Single Season Receiving Yards Record
Prediction Maker = Janik Eckardt
Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill came close to Calv in Johnson’s record of 1,964 receiving yards in a single season last year until an injury slowed him down. He has tabulated over 1,700 yards in back-to-back seasons. Under the guidance of offensive mastermind Mike McDaniel and with the freshly-paid Tua Tagovailoa throwing him the ball, he will set a new record this time.
6. Dak Prescott Wins MVP
Prediction Maker = Wes Johnson
Look, we all know of the follies and ineptitude of the Cowboys come playoff time. But during the regular season, they tend to get red hot. Enter Dak, who’s likely entering the season on the last year of his deal by the time the season starts. Dak was phenomenal last season, posting career numbers across the board, a repeat of that is slated for 2024. With former Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer running the Dallas defense, this team could look much more attractive come reward season. Dak will be at the forefront of that.
7. Kyle Pitts Absolutely Breaks Out into Stardom
Prediction Maker = Adam New
Kyle Pitts will be a favorite target of new Falcons QB Kirk Cousins and have a huge breakout season. He will register the most receiving yards by a tight end across the league.
8. Bo Nix Is Immediately the Real Deal
Prediction Maker = Ted Schwerzler
Bo Nix proves the doubters wrong and is the best rookie quarterback this season. His situation isn’t ideal, but he’ll mesh with Sean Payton and flourish in Denver.
9. Daniel Jones Throws for 4,000+ Yards
Prediction Maker = Ali Siddiqui
He’s not high on many quarterback ranking lists, but Jones will ball out this season, tallying 4,000+ passing yards.
10. Steelers Continue Consecutive Season Win Streak
Prediction Maker = Henrique Gucciardi
It may not be bold to say that a team that hasn’t had a losing record in 17 years will continue to do so, but being the worst team in the division and facing the AFC West is not easy. This team still has a strong defense and a very good offensive line. Pair that up with a Hall of Fame coach, and the Steelers can win nine games and fight for a Wildcard berth.
11. The Colts Win the AFC South
Prediction Maker = Josh Frey
Shane Steichen has a year of coaching under his belt, in which he was without his QB1 for about 3/4 of the year and still came a few plays away from making the playoffs. With Anthony Richardson back in the fold, a litany of weapons on offense, and the addition of Laiatu Latu to the defense, Indy will roll through the division.
A Weird Twist at Vikings Training Camp
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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