2024 NFL Win-Loss Totals: Regular-Season Records and Playoff Predictions

August 23, 2024

Thunder Dan Palyo takes a look at the win-loss projections for each NFL team as well as makes his predictions for the playoffs ahead of the upcoming 2024 season.

We are only two weeks from the start of the 2024 NFL season and what's more fun than making predictions about the upcoming season?

I've spent a considerable amount of time studying the latest NFL rosters and every team's schedule and have come up with my predictions for all 32 teams' records as well as the NFL playoffs and Super Bowl.

Let's look at how I see things shaking out this year in the NFL. Of course, I will be wrong about some teams, but hopefully, I will be right about more than I'm wrong. Feel free to complain about how few wins I projected your team for or let me know if you think I got something right by hitting me up on X.

NFC East Predictions

The Cowboys won this division last year as the Eagles completely folded in the second half. I don't see that happening again as Philly looks primed to bounce back with a healthy Jalen Hurts and the best star running back (Saquon Barkley) they've had since the days of LeSean McCoy.

Dallas didn't do much this offseason to improve on either side of the ball. At this point, I view it as a really good regular-season team that can't get over the hump and beat good teams (either in the regular season or postseason).

Washington and New York should both be pretty bad, but Jayden Daniels has flashed some upside this preseason while Daniel Jones...well, has done some "Daniel Jones things" already as well. Malik Nabers is good, but Jones could struggle to get him the ball behind a patchwork offensive line.

Giants QB Daniel Jones has thrown two interceptions today, including this ugly pick six to Jalen Pitre. pic.twitter.com/9jL1rOrs0B

— Chase Senior (@Chase_Senior) August 17, 2024

NFC North Predictions

I already locked in my bet for the Lions to win this division over on DraftKings at +135. The Lions are bringing everyone back for the most part and took steps to try to improve their defense.

They have a well-rounded offense led by a veteran quarterback and a solid play-caller. I expect them to be one of the more potent offenses in the NFL and I have them putting together another 12-win season as a result.

The Packers will be in the mix for a Wild Card spot, while I think the Bears are still probably a year away, despite the general public's fascination with rookie Caleb Williams. Minnesota is likely heading toward a rebuild but will have to wait until next season to see franchise QB J.J. McCarthy out there since he's already been ruled out for the rest of this season.

NFC South Predictions

The Falcons have entered "win-now" mode as they brought in veteran Kirk Cousins to help get their offense going and to be a steadying presence for their young talent. I think they are easily the most talented roster in this division as their defense is a lot better than people might realize and kept them in a lot of games last season.

Tampa Bay is likely stuck in purgatory as it is likely to finish around .500 and flirt with a playoff berth, but it is still well behind the top half of the league in terms of talent and depth.

The Saints should struggle and I would predict that Dennis Allen is fired by the end of the season. He's just not a good fit and seems hellbent on not playing some of his best players. I'm not buying Carolina improving -- even if Bryce Young is better this season -- this team still has a lot of holes on both sides of the ball.

NFC West Predictions

With or without Brandon Aiyuk, the Niners are poised for another division title and a deep run in the postseason. The trio of Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel Sr., and George Kittle is one of the most talented offensive groupings that we have seen in recent years and Brock Purdy is more than capable of getting them the ball where they can do damage in Kyle Shanahan's system.

I am more bullish than others on the Rams as I think they could be a dangerous team this season in the NFC. Cooper Kupp is finally healthy, and if Puka Nacua can come back at full strength, they should form one of the most formidable receiving duos in the league.

We've seen what Kyren Williams can do in Sean McVay's system and they drafted his clone in Blake Corum to back him up. It's just a matter of how the Rams defense recovers from losing its heart and soul (Aaron Donald).

Kyren Williams is Kyren Williams, but Blake Corum could be anything. He could even be Kyren Williams! pic.twitter.com/DkWsBjvygV

— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) August 15, 2024

I like the Cardinals a bit more than the Seahawks, but both teams have major questions on defense and running QBs who can struggle to stay healthy.

AFC East Predictions

This is probably where I stray from a lot of other predictions. I am not a believer in the Jets taking the leap and becoming a contender.

I think they'll be better and that their defense will help carry them to a winning record. But I think Aaron Rodgers could be cooked and that their offense could underwhelm and end up relying entirely too much on Breece Hall to move the chains.

The Bills take a step back this season, too, but are probably still a playoff team. I think Josh Allen is going to miss Stefon Diggs and even Gabe Davis more than most people think. Their defense was starting to trend down at the end of last season and they've got a pretty tough schedule this year.

The key for Miami is staying healthy. That offense is a true masterpiece when it's firing on all cylinders, but Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle missed time last season, Raheem Mostert is getting older, and can the electric De'Von Achane's smaller frame handle more touches? The Phins added Jaylen Wright, too, and might have one of the best offensive lines in football.

The Miami Dolphins are loaded at RB.

Jaylen Wright looked like DeVon Achane 2.0.

Chris Brooks continues to put out great tape. (Wonder if the Dolphins will be able to hide him on their practice squad)

Jeff Wilson might be out of a job. pic.twitter.com/ju6nDMaqsq

— Eric Polzin (NinetoFiveSports) (@925_Sports) August 12, 2024

If you watched "Hard Knocks" last season, you probably became a Mike McDaniel fan and you'll remember that this team was in a position to be the top seed in the conference until a late-season swoon. It dealt with a lot of injuries on defense, which is where it'll need to be better, but this team has the ingredients needed to be good.

The Patriots are going to struggle and are outmanned by the rest of the division in a big way. Sorry, Pats fans, but you can't have a good team forever. It's time for your team to suck for a few years, deal with it!

AFC North Predictions

I truly think this will be the best division in football again this season, though the schedule-makers did not do them any favors this year and I tend to think they will beat each other up a lot.

Baltimore is the defending champion, but it will have to contend with a tough Cincinnati team that returns Joe Burrow and a whole lot of weapons around him. I have the Bengals winning the division in a tiebreaker and both teams finishing with identical records.

Tee Higgins can be a WR1 elsewhere but man in Cincinnati he’s a nightmare cover with Chase and Joe Burrow.

pic.twitter.com/uBcFHvlVf7

— Full-Time Dame 💰 (@DP_NFL) August 21, 2024

As a Steeler fan, I wish I had more confidence in them this season, but I'm not sure either of the quarterbacks they brought in during the offseason is the answer to getting this offense going. The defense should be pretty good again, but I'm not sure it can score enough points to keep HC Mike Tomlin's "no losing seasons streak" intact.

And I am sorry Browns fans because I know you have waited patiently for your team to have a nice window of success, but there's a very good chance that Deshaun Watson is toast and that Nick Chubb could miss the first month of the season.

Yes, the defense will be a strong point again this year, but the AFC is an absolute grinder this year and it's going to be tough to win nine games, especially with six of 17 games coming against division foes.

AFC South Predictions

This is another division where I stray from the rest of the pack a bit. The Houston Texans are a darling with the public and expected by many to win the division and take another step forward. But I think they benefited a lot last season from the Jaguars struggling and the Colts having to play most of the season with a backup QB.

I have the Colts neck and neck with the Texans and I will give them the division here just to be a bit contrarian. Anthony Richardson could be a major game-changer if he stays healthy all season and I like Indy's chances of keeping pace with the Texans.

.@FieldYates is "all in" on Anthony Richardson this season in fantasy 👀 @ESPNFantasy

"If you're an elite running quarterback, that is a cheat code in fantasy football." pic.twitter.com/phlXTEYv5C

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) August 20, 2024

And the Jaguars should be right in the mix as well -- I expect them to bounce back after last season and contend for the division. The only team I don't see being competitive here is the Titans, who have a second-year unproven QB and the worst defense in the division.

AFC West Predictions

The Chiefs should run away with this division. They should be even better on offense this year with the additions of Marquise Brown and Xavier Worthy to complement Travis Kelce, Rashee Rice, and Isiah Pacheco. We know the defense carried this team last year and I think KC is going to be scary good this season with a top-5 offense and top-5 defense.

And until someone can beat Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid in the postseason, I think they should continue to be the Super Bowl favorites.

WENTZ FINDS WORTHY FOR 6‼️ pic.twitter.com/bFmoVUBNIz

— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) August 17, 2024

The Chargers almost always tease us with talent in the preseason and come up short, but with Jim Harbaugh guiding the ship this year, I think they're less likely to have a second-half collapse.

Denver and Vegas should really struggle this year, but I have the Broncos winning one more game, and maybe Bo Nix ends up being the guy they have been waiting for as their young QB to build around going forward.

NFL Playoff Predictions

AFC Divison Winners: KC (1), CIN (2), MIA (3), IND (4)

AFC Wild Card Teams: BAL (5), BUF (6), HOU (7)

NFC Divison Winners: SF (1), PHI (2), DET (3), ATL (4)

NFC Wild Card Teams: LAR (5), DAL (6), GB (7)

Wild Card Round

CIN defeats HOU, MIA defeats BUF, BAL defeats HOU

PHI defeats GB, DET defeats DAL, LAR defeats ATL

Divisional Round

KC defeats BAL, CIN defeats MIA

SF defeats LAR, DET defeats PHI

Championship Round

KC defeats CIN

DET defeats SF

Super Bowl

KC defeats DET

The Chiefs finish another incredible postseason run with a dramatic 33-30 win over the Lions in a shootout and complete the three-peat, establishing themselves as one of the greatest dynasties in NFL history.

Again, I encourage you to let me know where you think I got it wrong. This is supposed to be fun and I try my best to take my football fan hat off and put my football analyst hat on instead to make the most objective predictions.

Enjoy this football season and thanks for reading!

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