NFL training camps will be here before you know it, so now might be a good time to make predictions for the winner of the 2024 NFL division. If there's one thing we've learned over the years, it's that the picks for division winners aren't as easy as U think. Only half of the 2022 division winners repeat the feat in 2023, so there's bound to be some turnaround this year as well.
Pick the eight 2024 NFL winners
Of course, there's a lot to consider when making preseason NFL predictions. We've got the draft and some big moves in free agency, not to mention young players who have taken a step forward and star players returning from injuries.
We also don't want to forget that last season ended with one of the best Super Bowls ever. But for now, let's just focus on sharing our predictions for the 2024 NFL winners
East Asia: New York Jets
Buffalo remains the favorite in this division, but remember that the Bills had to rally late in the season to steal the division away from the Dolphins. They also had to make some tough decisions to reach the salary cap during the offseason, so they're bound to take a step back. Even though they still have Josh Allen, the Bills will be more reliant on him than ever before.
That makes Miami the obvious heir, right? Don't forget that Tua Tagovailoa is still injury prone. The Dolphins will need him healthy every game to win such a competitive division. That leaves it to the Jets to pull off the upset. Assuming Aaron Rodgers is able to recover from the injury that cost him all of 2023, he is poised to lead the Jets to the AFC title with a strong supporting cast and a defense that also looks good on paper.
AFC North: Cincinnati Bengals
This may be the hardest division to call because the Ravens and Bengals are both quality teams while the Browns and Steelers could both be considered sleepers. Baltimore was clearly the better team in 2023, but that's because Lamar Jackson stayed healthy. It's not a guarantee that Jackson will stay healthy all year, which is why it's difficult to go all-in with the Ravens.
Ironically, it was Joe Burrow who was limited to 10 games last season due to injury. But he should return to full health in 2024 and have the best offensive line of his career ahead of him. Cincinnati's roster is too talented to fail in back-to-back seasons if Burrow is healthy, which is why we prefer the Bengals to the Ravens in the AFC North.
AFC South: Indianapolis Colts
It's crazy not to pick the Texans, right? CJ Stroud clearly has a chance to be even better in his second season, especially with Stefon Diggs now part of the offense. But don't forget that the Texans have gone through a lot of changes on the defensive side of the ball. Likewise, the Jaguars face some questions after a disappointing 2023 season.
That leaves the door open for the Colts, who narrowly missed the playoffs last year despite playing most of the season with a backup quarterback. Indianapolis' roster has been largely intact since last year, allowing the Colts to remain in the hunt. It all comes down to Anthony Richardson's health and development. But we've seen enough of him in the past year to know that his upside is high. Also, the Colts have Joe Flacco as a backup in case Richardson is injured, which gives them some margin for error.
AFC West: Kansas City Chiefs
There is not much to say about West Asia. Even with Jim Harbaugh and Sean Payton in the division, no one touches Andy Reid's team.
As long as the Chiefs have the best player in the world and one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history on the roster — do we really need to say their names — no one in the AFC West has a chance to topple them.
NFC East: Philadelphia Eagles
As usual, this division is a tie between the Eagles and Cowboys. Dallas won the division last year but has not won it in consecutive years since the mid-1990s. So, it's Philadelphia's turn to capture the NFC East.
With both Dak Prescott and Mike McCarthy's futures with the team uncertain, the Cowboys face too much internal turmoil to fall behind.
The Eagles are also too talented to let the collapse that occurred late last season continue into this season. The playmakers around Jalen Hurts remain impressive while Philadelphia's defense looks much better than last year, especially with Vic Fangio at the top. Look for the Eagles to get back on track in 2024 and dominate this division.
NFC North: Detroit Lions
Things will not be as easy as you think for the Lions. Jordan Love's emergence last year makes the Packers a contender in the NFC North. Also, the Bears and Vikings could make a lot of noise if things click right away with their rookie quarterbacks.
However, Detroit is arguably the best team in the NFC. Jared Goff provides stability in the middle, especially with a host of playmakers around him. Meanwhile, the Lions spent a little money and two early-round picks on the defensive side of the ball. Under Dan Campbell, the Lions could be better than last year's 12-5 record, making them difficult to beat.
NFC South: Atlanta Falcons
Regardless of Atlanta's draft day, this team is poised to win the NFC South. In fairness, the 9-8 Buccaneers haven't set that high in 2023. Tampa and New Orleans should also provide a fair amount of competition for the Falcons.
However, with a veteran like Kirk Cousins and one of the best offensive lines in football, the Falcons should be able to hold their own against the Bucs and Saints. Cousins should be better at utilizing Atlanta's playmakers than the team's two quarterbacks were last season. This alone should elevate the Falcons to the best team in this lackluster division.
NFC West: San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers have won the NFC West in four of the last five years, and there's no reason to believe that will change. Brock Purdy is already a top-tier quarterback, especially with Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, and George Kittle around him. All three of these players are among the best at their position in the league.
Defensively, the 49ers have elite players and difference-makers at every level. They may also have several elite players at all three levels of the defense. With all due respect to the Rams and Seahawks, neither seems equipped to steal the NFC West away from the 49ers barring something exciting and unexpected.
