Excited for the start of the NFL season? We sure are. It’s got our internal algorithm spitting out all kinds of possibilities for what should be a fascinating year on the gridiron for the local squads, as well as across the league.
Outsized optimism in Florham Park? You know it. Another Harbaugh brain to think against? Yep. An old pal thriving? For sure. A genius quarterback in Chicago, finally? You betcha. Record books ablaze in multiple cities? Oh, yes.
And the Giants have reason to hope, too.
Read on for more intel as we present our annual list of 10 bold predictions for the NFL season. These are “bold predictions,” so there is a chance (slim) that one or two end up incorrect. Go ahead, save the receipts, clap back, whatever. It’s always fun to talk football.
Big Chiefs, again
You may say that picking Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs to win the Super Bowl is not exactly bold enough to qualify for this piece. Hear us out: Predicting history is pretty darn daring. No team has ever won three consecutive Super Bowls, including the Tom Brady-Bill Belichick Patriots, the Terry Bradshaw-Steel Curtain Steelers and those perfect Dolphins. Mahomes, an all-time great, has a chance to quarterback his team to a place no one else has ever been. You betting against him? Oh, and wait until you see who they beat in the AFC Championship Game.
Jets soar
See above mention of the AFC Championship Game! You want to come at us about this being a bold prediction, too, considering the Jets’ excellent defense, nifty offensive weaponry and a healthy Aaron Rodgers? Are you aware of Jets history? The last time they even made the playoffs was 2010! Must we invoke last season and what happened four plays into the tilt against the Bills? This season, though, it goes right for Gang Green. Rodgers is Rodgers, the defense eats, and Garrett Wilson is a sensation (more on that later). There are potential roadblocks all over the AFC – Bengals, Dolphins, Ravens, Bills, Texans, as well as the swaggy Chiefs – but the Jets flight plan gets them to Kansas City.
Bullish on a Bear
Caleb Williams is going to demolish the Chicago Bears’ passing records. Low bar, we know, but the No. 1 overall pick will flatten these single-season marks this year as he plays well enough to garner some MVP votes – In 1995, Erik Kramer set team records for touchdown passes (29) and yards passing (3,838). The Bears haven’t had much elite QB play in their 105-year history – there are only 12 seasons in which a Chicago quarterback has thrown at least 20 TD passes – but that changes now. Heck, with all the weapons Williams can deploy – DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze – could he have the 16th NFL season of 5,000-plus passing yards?
By Jim, the Chargers will surprise
You’ll be shopping for Jim Harbaugh-style khakis by Week 2 as the Los Angeles Chargers come to life under their new coach. Justin Herbert and Co. were just 5-12 last year, but Harbaugh is a turnaround artist and LA is tied for the third-easiest schedule by opponents’ 2023 winning percentage. So expect Harbaugh to have the Bolts firing quickly. And he’s never had a QB like Herbert, who had a 5,000-yard season in 2021, though Herbert’s been troubled by a foot injury. Peep the Harbaugh Bowl in Week 12 when Jim faces John’s Ravens in the second matchup between the brothers – John won the first in Super Bowl XLVII, beating Jim’s 49ers.
Keeping up with Jones, 2022 version
Last year, obviously, was a horror show for Daniel Jones, so predicting anything positive for him rates as bold, right off the top. The Giants’ quarterback played only six games in 2023 and was on the run for most of those, before he tore up his knee. He was sacked 30 times, threw six interceptions and two TD passes. But the Giants worked on their offensive line and added a big-time receiving prospect in Malik Nabers, so Danny Dimes can perhaps get back to, um, throwing dimes. Plus, we believe in the beard. If Jones gets back to his efficient 2022 self, when he led the Giants to the playoffs and won a playoff game, he’ll add luster to his personal narrative and intrigue to his career.
Dallas Double
Repeats don’t happen in the NFC East, you might have heard. The last team to win the division in consecutive seasons was the Eagles from 2003-05. So we are predicting history again when we say the Cowboys will go back-to-back, even with all the inherent drama in Big D’s DNA and a strong Eagles squad in the way. Dak Prescott seems prepared to play out his contract, which means he should be primed for a mega-platform year to take to free agency. Mike McCarthy is coaching for a contract, too. Micah Parsons is unstoppable. Could be an edge to this team.
Flight pattern
Even with – how to put this gently? – non-elite quarterback play, Garrett Wilson was still sensational in his first two seasons with the Jets. With Rodgers slinging it now, Wilson goes off, big-time, and leads the NFL in both catches and TD receptions. CeeDee Lamb’s 135 catches topped all receivers last year and Tyreek Hill and Mike Evans tied with 13 TDs. Lofty company, indeed, but Rodgers doubtless has ideas on how to free up his best pass-catcher, teams have to worry about stopping Breece Hall, too, and both could lead to Wilson’s numbers going wild.
Every week is Leek week
Nabers’ debut in the Giants’ receiving corps is highly-anticipated and, if he lives up to his billing as the No. 6 overall pick, he could transform Big Blue’s offense. Only five times in Giants history has a receiver nabbed 90-plus catches, and there are only 25 seasons where one pass catcher has rung up 1,000 yards receiving. Add one to each category, thanks to Nabers’ big-play chops and apparent desire to be great. Could he even threaten the team’s single-season TD receptions mark of 13, shared by Odell Beckham Jr. (2015) and Homer Jones (1967)?
Philly special
Even if you wanted the Giants to move on from Saquon Barkley, you probably didn’t want him to end up with the Eagles. And the pain won’t stop with just the transaction – Barkley has had trouble staying healthy in his career, but the rejuvenated runner will be fit all year in Philadelphia and have a monster season for a team with tons of firepower. Look out, defending NFL rushing champ Christian McCaffrey.
KT and BB get to the QB, OK?
Last year, the Jacksonville duo of Josh Hines-Allen (17.5 sacks) and Travon Walker (10) combined for 27.5 sacks, the most by a rushing tandem in the NFL. This year, the Giants’ edge pair of Kayvon Thibodeaux and newcomer Brian Burns will grab that mantle, thanks to their own dogged pursuit of opposing passers and the interior havoc regularly created by defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, who can destabilize an offensive line by himself. Last year, Thibodeaux had 11.5 sacks and Burns, who was with the woeful Panthers, tallied eight. Incoming!
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