The 2023 NFL season is formally over, which implies it is time to stay up for subsequent season.
We do not have a transparent image of what every crew’s roster will seem like when the 2024-25 season kicks off in September, with April’s upcoming draft and free company nonetheless to return earlier than then, however Colin Cowherd already has an inkling of which groups are poised to interrupt out in 2024 just like the Houston Texans and Detroit Lions did this previous season.
He made some daring predictions for subsequent season’s playoff image on Friday’s version of “The Herd.” Cowherd has six groups making the playoffs in 2024 that missed out in 2023, together with a surprising NFC East winner and a just-as-surprising would-be contender within the AFC lacking the playoffs completely.
Try his full way-too-early predictions under:
AFC
Division winners: Buffalo Payments (East), Cincinnati Bengals (North), Indianapolis Colts (South), Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (West)
Wild-card groups: Baltimore Ravens, Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Chargers
Cowherd’s ideas: “Houston would not make it — [you’re saying], ‘What?’ Now they must play with expectations. Their schedule is considerably more durable. And oh, by the best way, Anthony Richardson and Trevor Lawrence are each wholesome once more. I do not suppose Houston bottoms out however [instead] has a sophomore stoop. Keep in mind, per season over the past decade, six new groups make the playoffs, so I went by means of it and ended up with six. Have a look at the Texans’ opponents, there [are] some robust ones. Cowboys on the highway, Chiefs on the highway, Packers — who I believe are wonderful — on the highway. House video games, nicely, good luck. The Lions are actually good, Ravens are actually good, Payments and Dolphins rating lots of factors. That is a tricky schedule for the Texans and they’re nonetheless in a rebuild. I like Houston, I simply suppose they pull again by a recreation or two.”
Colin’s way-too-early 2024 NFL predictions: Commanders, Colts win divisions, Cowboys in wild card
“Shocker, I am taking the perfect quarterbacks overwhelmingly. The Payments have received their division for 4 straight years. The Bengals have had double-digit wins every year [when] Joe Burrow was wholesome and led their division earlier than he bought damage final yr. I believe they’re going to rebound. I believe [Colts coach] Shane Steichen is pretty much as good a younger offensive coach because the league has had in years. They have $60 million in cap house, and I like lots of their younger gamers. They virtually bought to the playoffs with Gardner Minshew. Richardson getting damage was, in a bizarre approach, a break as a result of now he may study from the sidelines. I’ve talked to [Colts general manager] Chris Ballard — they love that child. After which I will take Patrick Mahomes.
“My wild-card groups are, by quarterback, Lamar Jackson, Trevor Lawrence and Justin Herbert. The Jaguars began 8-3 earlier than Lawrence bought damage. In addition they employed a defensive coordinator, Ryan Nielsen, from Atlanta, who did the perfect job operating Atlanta’s protection in a very long time. The Chargers, by the best way, misplaced seven video games by three factors or fewer, even with [former head coach] Brandon Staley. Now [new coach Jim] Harbaugh will get his star quarterback. Nothing towards Miami, however Tua Tagovailoa was utterly wholesome this yr. I do not suppose that is going to occur once more subsequent yr. I additionally nonetheless do not love their offensive line.”
NFC
Division winners: Washington Commanders (East), Inexperienced Bay Packers (North), Atlanta Falcons (South), Los Angeles Rams (West)
Wild-card groups: Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers
Cowherd’s ideas: “Why the Commanders? They’ve $75 million in cap house, and I like new coach Dan Quinn and [offensive coordinator] Kliff Kingsbury. I believe the Eagles and Cowboys, due to age and drama, are weak. We now have a shock crew yearly within the league. I believe the Commanders get North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye with the No. 2 total choose within the draft, and I believe Drake Maye is like Justin Herbert. He performed in a easy faculty offense and might be higher than individuals suppose instantly. The man that Herbert was [in 2020], that C.J. Stroud was [in 2023], I believe Maye is that man this yr.”
Caleb Williams, Drake Maye & Marvin Harrison Jr. in Joel Klatt’s mock draft
“I like the Packers’ younger offensive personnel. They’re youngsters, and so they went into Dallas and hammered the Cowboys [in the playoffs]. I believed Matt LaFleur did his finest job as a head coach. I believe the Falcons land Russell Wilson or Kirk Cousins. They’ve a top-five offensive line and good skill-position items. I believe they get a veteran quarterback in there for a few years and Atlanta wins form of a weak division.
“The Rams are the second-youngest crew that made the playoffs final yr apart from the Packers. They’ve, I believe, one of many nice coaches in soccer in Sean McVay, and so they’ve bought 11 draft picks and about $30 million in cap house. I believe the Rams are on the Tremendous Bowl bubble probably. Then I’ve the Cowboys, Lions and 49ers — all with nice offensive head coaches — moving into the playoffs once more.”
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