NFL 2024 Preseason Analysis

 Well, with most teams having confirmed their 53-man roster, it's time for me to take a serious look at the teams and predict how they will perform.

AFC East

 1.  Buffalo Bills (5-1 in division, 13-4 overall):  Josh Allen had better stay healthy, as inconsistent Mitch Trubisky is the only other QB on the roster.  Other than that, the Bills are loaded with talent, so they will compete for the conference once again.

2.  Miami Dolphins (4-2, 9-8) : The team has a strong receiving corps to continue the development of Tua.  They still have some holes on the offensive line, so his health is still an issue.  Their defense has some weaknesses, too.

3.  New York Jets (2-4, 6-11) : The fans have great hopes, but it depends upon Aaron Rodgers staying healthy.  Even healthy, it may not be so favorable, as the Jets have a weak and thin receiving corps.  He doesn't have the tools he had in Green Bay.

4.  New England Patriots (1-5, 3-14) : The team is still building on both sides of the ball.

AFC North

1.  Baltimore Ravens (5-1, 13-4) : This team remains dangerous.  Like Buffalo and KC, they are establishing a dynasty in the AFC.  

2.  Cincinnati Bengals (3-3, 11-6) : The team has shored up their offensive line to help protect Joe Burrow, and they retain a stiff defense.  Definitely a force in the conference.

3.  Pittsburgh Steelers (3-3, 9-8) : Russell Wilson still looks rusty.  While the Steelers weakened their defense as a result of their trade with the Bears, they may be happy to have Justin Fields.  When Wilson goes cold, they stays cold in a game, so expect to see Fields play a few times this season.

4.  Cleveland Browns (1-5, 6-11) : They have a good defense (although all of the teams in this division do) and have accumulated some great offensive talent, but they need to reduce the mental mistakes that dogged them the past two years.

AFC South

1.  Houston Texans (4-2, 9-8) : CJ Stroud won't surprise any teams this season, but the team still has the talent around him to make them succeed.

2.  Jacksonville Jaguars (4-2, 8-9) : Trevor Lawrence has a thin slate of support around him.  Injuries will severely impact this team.  The defense has some holes, too, so they need to outscore opponents.

3.  Tennessee Titans (3-3, 8-9) : Will Levis takes over the quarterback reins, but his receiving corps is not strong.  The offensive line will keep him upright, and a strong defense will help prevent him from having to overcome large deficits.

4.  Indianapolis Colts (0-6, 4-13) : The offense was shored up, but the defense is too weak.

AFC West

1.  Kansas City Chiefs (6-0, 14-3) : Once again a big favorite to win the conference, and they could set a record for divisional victories in a five-year period.

2.  Los Angeles Chargers (3-3, 12-5) : QB Justin Herbert needs to stay healthy, as the team does not have a decent backup.  A good offense and strong defense supports this team very well.

3.  Las Vegas Raiders (3-3, 6-11) : They have a slim receiving corps for Gardner Minshew, but this team remains tricky and unpredictable.

4.  Denver Broncos (0-6, 3-14) : Potentially the worst team in the league this season

NFC East

1.  Philadelphia Eagles (4-2, 12-5) : Great offense, but the defense has some issues.  The Eagles have a favorable schedule, however, which should keep them ahead of Dallas.

2.  Dallas Cowboys (4-2, 10-7) : The team is strill strong, but their key players are starting to show their age.  Could injuries hurt them this season?

3.  New York Giants (2-4, 5-11) : Their is plenty of talent around QB Daniel Jones, but a weak offensive line will keep him scrambling.

4.  Washington Commanders (2-4, 5-12) : A new QB, many new key players.  This is officially a rebuilding year.

NFC North

1.  Minnesota Vikings (4-2, 11-6) : Still a strong team.  If there is a weakness, it's the defensive secondary.

2.  Detroit Lions (2-4, 10-7) : Great team, but they seem to falter a bit against divisional opponents.  A strong defense throws them off, too, and this division has a couple of those.

3.  Chicago Bears (3-3, 9-8) " The trade with Pittsburgh really improved their defense.  I see similarities with the dominant squad of 1982.  Caleb Williams is improving, but I think the Bears should have kept their third-string QB.

4.  Green Bay Packers (2-4, 7-10) : Once gain, their bench is thin.  Injuries will hamper them in the latter half of the season.

NFC South

1.  New Orleans Saints (5-1, 10-7) : Great receiving corps, but a weak line will keep the QB moving.  That might be why the Saints are the ONLY team with 4 QBs on the roster.

2.  Tampa Bay Bucs (4-2, 9-8) : They have a killer passing game, but not much of a running game.  Opposing defenses will take advantage of a one-note offense.

3.  Atlanta Falcons (2-4, 6-11) : QB Kurt Cousins has a limited slate of talented receivers to throw to.  They have plenty of running backs, so it appears that they will be using a run-based offense, but they don't have any real workhorses among the runners.

4.  Carolina Panthers (1-5, 5-12) : Their offense is improving, but a weak offensive line still limits their effectiveness.  They have talented defenders, but they seem to have trouble coordinating their efforts.

NFC West

1.  Los Angeles Rams (4-2, 10-7) : Lots of receivers for Stafford to use.  It seems like a reincarnation of Kurt Warner's "Greatest Show on Turf".

2.  San Francisco 49ers (4-2, 9-8) : Strong offense led by sure-fire Brock Purdy.  They have another strong defense, too.  Their only issue is that their best receiver and best tight end are aging out.

3.  Seattle Seahawks (3-3, 5-12) : Geno Smith has limited weapons.  The defense has some holes, too.

4.  Arizona Cardinals (1-5, 4-13) : They have good safeties, but the rest of the defense has weaknesses.  The offense still has a talent limit on the tools available to Kyler Murray.