Special to Sports News Highlights

(SNH) — The beginning of the 2024 NFL regular season is just three months away when the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens will kick off the regular season on Thursday, September 5th in Kansas City.

In typical NFL fashion, this offseason has been full of exciting moves. The Chicago Bears added rookie superstar quarterback Caleb Williams, the Baltimore Ravens landed elite running back Derrick Henry, and the Atlanta Falcons lured QB Kirk Cousins in free agency, to name just a few moves.

Several teams have seen a huge increase in their projected win totals for 2024, while other teams are expected to take a step back. Today, let’s predict which team will win each division in 2024.

AFC East: New York Jets

This one may be surprising. The New York Jets have high hopes for 2024 as veteran star QB Aaron Rodgers is set to return after a devastating Achilles injury in 2023. The team added wide receivers Malachi Corley and Mike Williams to give Rodgers more weapons. The team also beefed up the offensive line by adding Morgan Moses, John Simpson and Tyron Smith.

Many will predict the Buffalo Bills to win this division. However, the Jets are going all in for 2024, and the team has one of the easiest schedules in the league. The Bills, meanwhile, have one of the toughest slates and are without top receivers from 2023 Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis. Rodgers will have something to prove in 2024, and the veteran will take advantage of an easy schedule. You cannot sleep on the Miami Dolphins, either.

AFC North: Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals failed to make the playoffs in 2023 after star QB Joe Burrow went down with injury. In 2024, the team is reloading to make another run at the AFC crown. The Bengals return star receivers Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase and added underrated running back Zack Moss. The team also added some interesting pieces in the draft like WR Jermaine Burton, tackle Amarius Mims, and defensive tackle Kris Jenkins.

The Bengals have one of the easiest schedules in the league, while the other three AFC North teams are among the toughest schedules in the league. Expect Burrow to take advantage of an easier slate and return his team to prominence in 2024. The Ravens and Steelers will be sneaky picks, but the Bengals are the most complete team in this division.

AFC South: Houston Texans

The Houston Texans took the NFL world by storm in 2023. The team didn’t have high expectations, but rookie QB CJ Stroud burst onto the scene and already cemented himself among the league’s elite passers. So, what did the team do this offseason?

Well, the Texans added an elite receiver in Stefon Diggs. The team also added arguably the best pass rusher available in Danielle Hunter. Running back Joe Mixon was also added to improve the run game. Denico Autry and Azeez Al-Shaair were added to the defense and stolen from the division-rival Tennessee Titans in the process.

The Texans do have a tough schedule, but not as tough as the Titans. The Colts and Jaguars are intriguing, but not as complete as the Texans. This should be Houston’s division in 2024.

AFC West: Kansas City Chiefs

Pick against the Kansas City Chiefs at your own peril. The Chiefs are in the middle of a dynasty and there seems to be no stopping in 2024. The team added rookie speedster Xavier Worthy and veteran Hollywood Brown to the receiving room. These two join Travis Kelce and Rashee Rice to give the Chiefs one of the most exciting group of weapons in the league.

The Los Angeles Chargers, Las Vegas Raiders, and Denver Broncos are all projected to win 8.5 games or less in 2024, while the Chiefs’ total is at 11.5. Even after winning the Super Bowl, the Chiefs have one of the easier schedules in the league, further adding to the chances of a repeat. It would be considered a huge shock if anyone but the Chiefs wins this division.

NFC East: Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles want revenge on the NFL after a disappointing 2023 season. The Eagles finished the season 1-5 in their final six games, and were promptly dispatched by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first playoff game.

In 2024, the Eagles return most of their dominant offensive line and an excellent pass-catcher group. The team also stole star RB Saquon Barkley from the New York Giants, further adding to an elite offense.

The Eagles also lucked out with one of the easiest schedules in 2024. The New York Giants and Washington Commanders are a few years away from contending, and it’s hard to see how the Dallas Cowboys got better this offseason.

NFC North: Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions were minutes away from reaching the Super Bowl in 2023. That near-miss will motivate the Lions in 2024 and should power them to another division crown.

The Lions kept their offense intact and added corners Carlton Davis and Terrion Arnold to improve their weakest area from 2023. The Lions do have a tough schedule, but not as tough as the Vikings’ slate. The Vikings and Bears will have rookie QBs and may take time to gel. The Green Bay Packers are always a threat, but the Lions are the most complete team in the division.

NFC South: Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons made the biggest splash in the division by adding Kirk Cousins. Cousins is consistently one of the game’s best passers, and he has an intriguing group of weapons in Atlanta. Cousins will have Drake London, Darnell Mooney, Kyle Pitts and Bijan Robinson at his disposal

The Buccaneers will be the trendy pick here after winning the division in 2023. However, Baker Mayfield is no Kirk Cousins, and the Falcons have the easiest schedule in the league. The New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers aren’t ready to compete, so this should be a two-team race. Never count out Kirk Cousins, especially if he feels he still has something to prove.

NFC West: San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers were once again on the doorstep of winning a Super Bowl in 2023. The team boasts one of the game’s best groups of receivers and has the most dynamic RB in the game. The team didn’t do much in free agency, but they didn’t need to after an elite season in 2023.

Will the Niners repeat in 2024? The Los Angeles Rams are a tough team with a great coaching staff, however, the team is projected to win just 8.5 games. The Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals seem to be at least one step behind the Niners and Rams.

The Niners have consistency and talent. Barring an injury, the team should be the favorites not only to win the division, but represent the NFC in the Super Bowl once more.

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