The 2023-2024 NFL season has kicked off with an electric start, with surprising performances across the league. With 5 weeks under this season’s belt, I think it’s time to start the speculation of which teams will vie for the Lombardi Trophy come February 2024. As always, my predictions are terrible, but I’m hoping there’s some more surprises on the horizon and this year’s predictions are different.
Here are my seeding predictions for the 2024 NFL Playoffs. (As of October 11, 2023)
Honorable Mentions:
AFC Division:
No. 7
As a Browns fan, it pains me to put them here, but the Steelers find a way to weasel their way into the playoffs way too often.
No. 6
The Browns have one of the easiest remaining schedules in the league, and a defense that will keep them in any game. On paper, they have one of the best rosters in the league. The struggle is just putting it together.
No. 5
The only reason they aren’t higher is because the Dolphins also are in the AFC East.
No. 4
With a tough division to play in the AFC North, I think the Ravens take the cake, but not without some scars from the extremely difficult remaining schedule.
No. 3
It should be a cakewalk for the Jags to take the division. Their only real competition is the Colts, maybe the Texans. But I think they’ll earn enough wins for this position anyway.
No. 2
When do the Chiefs not make the playoffs? This is an easy one. The only thing not easy about this is not putting them at No. 1.
No. 1
This team dropped 70 on the Broncos. Yes, they may have lost to the Bills the following week, but division rivalries like this are always 50/50, and the Bills are a good football team. They bounced back and wrecked the Giants 31-16. This team is currently poised perfectly to take No. 1.
Honorable Mentions:
NFC Division:
No. 7
This team has seemingly gotten a little bit better every week that’s gone by. I expect the same going forward.
No. 6
Packers, like the Steelers, find a way to the postseason more often than not. I like the Packers this season. Like. Not love. But I have hope for the green and gold.
No. 5
The Cowboys have been off to a strange start. Shutting out the Giants, pulverizing the Jets, and smacking the Patriots back to poverty. But they were also smothered by the Cardinals and killed by the 49ers, so I don’t know what to expect out of Dallas going forward. I have hope that they’ll pull it together, though.
No. 4
Baker Mayfield has kindled the flame that Tom Brady left in Tampa in the offseason. I think the Bucs have a great shot at winning an easy division this year.
No. 3
The Lions have been a force this year. It’s a team with a lot of young talent which I think can get them far with a coach like Dan Campbell.
No. 2
Last year’s Super Bowl runner-ups land at the No. 2 spot. There’s not much to say about Philly, other than that they’re an incredible team that is probably the betting favorite in any game, aside from the 49ers.
No. 1
The 49ers are not only the best team in the NFC, they’re the No. 1 team in football. Brock Purdy has looked like a veteran player on the field so far, and I have no doubt that this talent machine of a football team is going to earn the bye week come February.
