With the 2024 NFL common season across the nook, each staff within the league is about to make some powerful choices, slicing down the roster to get 53 males who will begin the 12 months with Tremendous Bowl aspirations.
Nonetheless, with solely so many playoff spots to safe, each staff might be preventing to come back out of their division as winners, or at the least earn a wild card spot.
FOX Sports activities’ Colin Cowherd gave his predictions for a way every division will shake out earlier than coaching camp started. Utilizing these rankings, here’s a breakdown of every staff in every division, persevering with with the AFC North, which Cowherd calls the most effective division in soccer.
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Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens makes an attempt to throw a go as Drue Tranquill #23 of the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs defends through the AFC Championship NFL soccer recreation at M&T Financial institution Stadium on January 28, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Kara Durrette/Getty Photographs)
1. Baltimore Ravens
Colin says: “The Ravens, top-five offense, top-five protection and the most effective particular groups coach within the league. I’ve them successful the division.”
Within the hardest division in soccer, Cowherd views the Ravens, the reigning No. 1 seed out of the AFC, because the winners as soon as extra.
Lamar Jackson led the Ravens to a 13-3 document when he was a starter, and after throwing for 3,678 yards with 24 touchdowns, whereas dashing for 821 yards and 5 scores, he gained himself one other MVP.
Head coach John Harbaugh is leaning on Jackson, his strong mixture of weapons and a stingy protection to as soon as once more carry the division crown to Baltimore.
KEY ADDITION: RB DERRICK HENRY
This one is not very arduous to see. After dropping Gus Edwards and J.Okay. Dobbins to the Los Angeles Chargers in free company, the Ravens landed a good larger fish in Henry, the bulldozing again from the Tennessee Titans.
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The Ravens are identified for his or her bruising run recreation, and now they’ve a working again that defensive gamers within the NFL sigh once they see him on the schedule as a result of he can simply put on down a protection.
Henry has scored at the least 10 touchdowns on the bottom since 2018, making 4 Professional Bowls in that span, together with two within the final two campaigns. He has a good higher offensive line now, making him a chief candidate to search out the coloured paint on the finish of drives and assist the Ravens’ Tremendous Bowl aspirations.
Baltimore Ravens working again Derrick Henry (22) takes a handoff from quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) throughout a joint follow with the Inexperienced Bay Packers on Thursday, August 22, 2024, at Ray Nitschke Subject in Ashwaubenon, Wis. (Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK)
BIGGEST QUESTION: CAN TE MARK ANDREWS STAY HEALTHY?
The Ravens’ protection has every little thing a coordinator may ask for, so the query doesn’t lie on that facet of the ball. As a substitute, it revolves round a participant that Jackson has leaned on since becoming a member of the league, although he wasn’t wholesome for a big chunk of 2023.
Andrews suffered a nasty ankle harm that left Isaiah Probably, the 2022 fourth-rounder, to step up in his place. Probably did effectively, however Andrews is Jackson’s security blanket and somebody that may be a monster within the crimson zone.
The most important query, then, is will Andrews keep wholesome for a full season, particularly come playoff time? He’s such a catalyst for this offense that noticed 2023 rookie Zay Flowers rapidly grow to be huge receiver one on the depth chart as effectively to offer Jackson one other strong choice within the go recreation.
WEEK 1: @ KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (SEPT. 5, 8:15 P.M.)
2. Cincinnati Bengals
Colin says: “Zac Taylor and Joe Burrow have confirmed when Joe is wholesome, they win. What would you like me to say? Final 12 months with Jake Browning, they’d a successful document. With Jake Browning. Burrow’s again in, they’re a playoff staff.”
It is not arduous to see that when Burrow is underneath middle, he is comfy, calm and delivers strikes that ends in factors on the scoreboard.
As Cowherd famous, they’re a heavy contender to make the playoffs and probably make one other Tremendous Bowl run like they did in 2021.
Burrow, sporting a brand new look with blonde hair, comes into coaching camp after enjoying simply 10 video games final season attributable to a wrist ailment that knocked him out for the season. The Bengals had been 5-5 when he was in after getting off to a nasty begin, however he went 12-4 the 12 months prior and 10-6 through the Tremendous Bowl run season.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9), who didn’t throw, observes follow throughout coaching camp follow at Kettering Well being Observe Fields. (Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports activities)
KEY ADDITION: WR TEE HIGGINS
How is that this an addition? Properly, the Bengals have had some very public huge receiver contract disputes this offseason (one in every of which we’ll get to), however having Higgins aboard is very large for Burrow.
Higgins is arguably the most effective No. 2 receiver in soccer, having amassed 1,000 yards in 2021 and 2022 earlier than the quarterback troubles of 2023, alongside along with his personal accidents, noticed a drop-off in manufacturing.
The Bengals franchise tagged him this offseason, although he wished a long-term extension. However Higgins signed his franchise tag at over $21 million absolutely assured. With Higgins aboard, the Bengals are merely a greater offense and Burrow can have his large man on the skin he can loft the ball to ultimately zone in addition to launch it deep downfield for these large chunk performs.
NFC WEST BREAKDOWN: HOW WILL THE DIVISION SHAKE OUT IN NFL SEASON?
BIGGEST QUESTION: WILL WR JA’MARR CHASE HOLD OUT?
All through coaching camp, we’ve watched receiver after receiver get the long-term extension they wished…besides Chase.
With Brandon Aiyuk and CeeDee Lamb content material now, Chase is the final one on the listing who needs a deal, however doesn’t have one inked. He’s been a hold-in throughout camp, however head coach Zac Taylor introduced actual fear to Bengals followers when he referred to as the scenario day-to-day with Chase by way of whether or not or not he’ll play Week 1.
It goes with out saying how a lot Chase means to the Bengals group, however simply how lengthy till the entrance workplace provides the stud receiver what he needs? Will he sit out and create an enormous cloud over this playoff-ready staff?
Russell Wilson #3 of the Pittsburgh Steelers drops again to go within the first quarter through the preseason recreation towards the Buffalo Payments at Acrisure Stadium on August 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Justin Berl/Getty Photographs)
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
Colin says: “Steelers, they will’t work out their O-line or offensive coordinator. I really like their roster, frankly. I fear in an offensive league about getting it proper on that facet of the ball.”
One way or the other, a way, head coach Mike Tomlin’s document of not having a season beneath .500 with the Steelers stays intact after final season. Actually, Tomlin’s boys obtained into the playoffs at 10-7 regardless of terrible offensive output.
However the Steelers’ protection stays as stacked as ever, and so they’re hoping a change to Russell Wilson at quarterback (or Justin Fields halfway via the season possibly?) and Arthur Smith as offensive coordinator can carry extra fireplace on that facet of the ball.
KEY ADDITION: QB RUSSELL WILSON
It merely must be the Steelers’ key addition as a result of he gained the quarterback battle in camp over Fields, whom the Steelers traded for with the Chicago Bears this offseason.
Wilson and Fields went at it, however Tomlin and his teaching workers gave the 35-year-old the reins to Smith’s offense to start out the season.
Now, what can Wilson do with it, particularly after flopping with the Denver Broncos following his commerce from the Seattle Seahawks two seasons in the past? Wilson has to step up and lead the Steelers, or Tomlin may have a fast hook and provides the offense over to the first-round choose in Fields.
BIGGEST QUESTION: IS ARTHUR SMITH THE RIGHT GUY?
As Cowherd talked about, the Steelers have not gotten it proper at offensive coordinator, as Matt Canada was fired following lackluster manufacturing, which led followers calling for his launch for weeks final season.
In comes Smith, who wasn’t in a position to get essentially the most out of the Atlanta Falcons’ star-studded offensive roster because the staff’s head coach. He is searching for some redemption with the Steelers, a staff that might shock some if Wilson & Co. get going.
Having to play their division foes twice a season, plus a difficult few opponents in between, the Steelers have to put factors on the board as a result of their protection could not have the ability to save them like they did all of final season.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) gestures throughout a joint NFL soccer follow with the Minnesota Vikings. (AP Photograph/Sue Ogrocki)
4. Cleveland Browns
Colin says: “Love the coach in Cleveland. Complete query mark on Deshaun Watson. Bizarre character, bizarre accidents, I’ll simply put them fourth for now.”
Once more, Cowherd mentions this division is separated by inches, not toes, so the Browns being a playoff staff final season (due to Joe Flacco and stellar teaching) doesn’t suggest they’re flopping arduous as final on this division. It may go any approach attainable.
However the Browns do have some huge questions relating to Watson (we’ll get to that), as he is performed simply 12 video games prior to now two seasons mixed and that shoulder harm can have Cleveland followers holding their collective breath to see if he can nonetheless sling it.
In the meantime, the Browns’ offense, led by the reigning Defensive Participant of the 12 months Myles Garrett, is deadly and might suffocate offenses at whim.
KEY ADDITION: WR JERRY JEUDY
Can the Browns unlock Jeudy, a star popping out of Alabama who hasn’t lived as much as his first-round potential with the Denver Broncos?
It’s not solely Jeudy’s fault issues by no means fairly labored out in Denver after 4 seasons of mediocrity. He did virtually notch 1,000 yards in 2022, main some to imagine he was due for a breakout final season till the Wilson quarterback scenario unfolded underneath first-year head coach Sean Payton.
Now, Jeudy finds himself inside the offensive thoughts of Kevin Stefanski, the “coach” Cowherd loves in Cleveland. Stefanski’s scheme might be good for somebody like Jeudy, who can take the highest off defenses and run crisp routes to get open.
Can he construct a fast rapport with Watson and provides him a strong No. 2 subsequent to Amari Cooper within the go recreation?
BIGGEST QUESTION: WHAT WILL WATSON BE THIS YEAR?
The Browns’ playoff hopes hinge on what the three-time Professional Bowl quarterback can do that season.
As of proper now, Browns followers aren’t pleased with Watson as their franchise man underneath middle, as he merely hasn’t lived as much as his huge contract he obtained after being traded from the Houston Texans. They need Professional Bowl Watson, however he simply did not keep wholesome in 2023 and dealt along with his prolonged suspension in 2022.
The AFC North stays a really powerful division to play in, with expertise throughout on the 4 squads. (Getty Photographs)
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He has stars round him to make performs, and Nick Chubb ought to be coming again in some unspecified time in the future this season as effectively.
WEEK 1: VS. DALLAS COWBOYS (SEPT. 8, 4:25 P.M.)
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