Tag: 2024 preview

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (4) celebrates with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) after scoring a touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders during the fourth quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

AFC West: 2024 Outlook, Preview, Predictions

Posted on | by Field Level Media

AFC West division preview

2024 predicted order of finish, record
Kansas City Chiefs (12-5)
The whole gang’s back together as Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Andy Reid vie to become the first team to three-peat as Super Bowl champions.

Los Angeles Chargers (9-7)
New coach Jim Harbaugh might need to go conservative to keep Justin Herbert upright while counting on younger talent to emerge in key roles.

Denver Broncos (6-11)
While making deposits into Russell Wilson’s bank account, the Broncos are loaded with untapped potential and rookie Bo Nix. Denver hopes a 7-4 run to finish last season is a harbinger of success.

Las Vegas Raiders (5-12)
It’s an uphill climb for Antonio Pierce, the interim no more after a 5-4 finish last season. The Raiders have two winning seasons in the last 15 years and No. 3 will have to wait.

–AFC West MVP candidates
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes
Mahomes is just the kind of player that can win the award — and Super Bowl — every season. A full year of receiver growing pains is out of the way and a mature group could mean Mahomes posts his third 5,000-yard passing season and 2x the 26 touchdowns he threw last year.

Chargers QB Justin Herbert
Jim Harbaugh has a pretty good track record with talented quarterbacks and inherited one in LA. If Herbert — who dealt with a foot injury in the preseason — stays healthy, the Chargers could be a sneaky contender in the AFC.

Rams RB Kyren Williams
As if a 1,114-yard season — average of 5.0 yards per carry, 12 touchdowns and 32 catches for 206 yards and three touchdowns — wasn’t Williams will also return punts this season. If the Rams are a playoff team and he’s a force on special teams, Williams will emerge as a dark horse MVP candidate.

–AFC West breakout players
Chiefs LT Kingsley Suamataia
The rookie third-round pick from BYU jumps into the fire as a starter with Wanya Morris injured. Kansas City envisioned Suamataia as a starter eventually, but he’ll get the chance sooner than expected.

Chiefs FB/RB Carson Steele
Listed fourth on the depth chart, Steele has already been featured in Andy Reid’s creative playbook laboratory. The undrafted free agent is more power than highlight-reel athleticism, but KC sees him as a strong complement to its revised stable of backs.

Chargers WR Quentin Johnston
A first-round pick in 2023, Johnston acclimated slowly and never became the featured red-zone attraction he was at TCU. But a year with Justin Herbert and a new system built to be run-first stands to highlight Johnston’s massive size and potential.

Broncos LB Nik Bonitto
On 15.5 percent of his pass rushes, Bonitto was the first player to arrive at the quarterback. The next step would be to finish those pressures with more than the 8.0 sacks he recorded last season.

Broncos RB Javonte Williams
A 1,000-yard season is on the horizon for the third-year running back. Until Nix gets comfortable, expect a heavy dose of Williams.

Raiders TE Brock Bowers
The Georgia rookie has the skill set to redefine the tight end position. Collegiately he had a career with 175 receptions, 2,538 yards and 26 touchdown catches. He also had 193 rushing yards and five touchdowns as a running option.

Raiders RB Zamir White
A determined, yards-after contact runner racked up 457 yards on 84 carries with a punishing running style in the final four games of last season when he filled in for Josh Jacobs, who left for Green Bay.

Week 1 outlook
Ravens at Chiefs, Thursday, Sept. 5, 8:20 p.m. ET
As juicy of a matchup as there is Week 1. It’s a rematch of January’s AFC playoff slugfest, won 17-10 by the Chiefs, and could be a prelude to another game in late January of 2025. All the main players, the Swifties and a national TV audience are back. There’s a redemption opportunity for Ravens two-time MVP QB Lamar Jackson after the Chiefs’ defense pitched a second-half shutout in Baltimore to seal the playoff win.

Broncos at Seahawks, 1 p.m. ET
For the first time in 14 years, Seattle will open a season without Pete Carroll on the sidelines but does everyone a favor by wearing the Largent-Curt Warner era blue throwbacks. New head coach Mike Macdonald jumped from Ravens defensive coordinator to driver’s seat in Seattle with a 3-4 defense with an exotic blitz scheme to challenge Nix. Geno Smith has a combined 50 touchdowns the last two years for Seattle, but offensive coordinator Shane Waldron moved on to the Chicago Bears. Ryan Grubb will call plays for the Seahawks after a successful stint at the University of Washington.

Chargers at Raiders, 1 p.m. ET
Who’s got it better than the Chargers? We’re about to find out. Vegas was in the bidding and wanted Harbaugh on the sideline, but the Chargers uncharacteristically opened up the coffers and secured the former Michigan coach for five years and a reported $80 million. It’s been 10 years since Harbaugh led the 49ers to a 44-19-1 record, two NFC Championship games and an appearance in Super Bowl XLVII. Spunky journeyman Gardner Minshew will try to recapture the “Minshew Mania” movement and lead a revival of the Raiders in Las Vegas.

–Field Level Media

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) gestures on the field during the game against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

AFC South: 2024 Outlook, Preview, Predictions

Posted on | by Field Level Media

AFC South division preview

2024 predicted order of finish, record
Houston Texans (11-6)
Get the right coach-QB combo and you’ll go places. Houston did that last year with DeMeco Ryans and C.J. Stroud and are in prime position to make it 2-for-2 this season.

Jacksonville Jaguars (10-7)
Jacksonville wasted a season with a December/January collapse. It has to rebound this year or questions abound if newly re-signed Trevor Lawrence is really the QB to take them places.

Indianapolis Colts (9-8)
Indy came very close to earning a playoff spot against steep odds last year. Can its franchise QB, Anthony Richardson, last more than four games this year?

Tennessee Titans (7-10)
A new coach (Brian Callahan) and second-year QB (Will Levis) give this team a hall pass for now while the league becomes accustomed to seeing Derrick Henry in a new uniform (and division). But there’s talent on this roster. Get off to a fast start, though, and who knows?

–AFC South MVP candidates
Texans QB C.J. Stroud
If 2023 was any indication, history might guffaw loudly at the Carolina Panthers for passing Stroud with the top pick to take Bryce Young. Stroud was everything Houston could have wanted and more in a quarterback, showing the maturity and skill to win big games down the stretch. There’s no reason to expect a sophomore jinx, given his focus and the fact the team added Joe Mixon and Stefon Diggs at running back and receiver, respectively.

Colts RB Jonathan Taylor
With a young quarterback that has just four games of NFL experience, it stands to reason that Indianapolis will need to build its offense around a guy who can carry a team if healthy. If is the question here as he’s missed 13 games the last two years. But should Taylor post for all 17 games, he figures to get plenty of chances to match or surpass the 1,811 yards he rushed for back in 2021.

Titans QB Will Levis
There were some Ryan Leaf-type vibes around this pick in the second round last year but when Levis got the starting job in late October, he showed a big-league arm, plus plenty of poise and moxie while playing behind an offensive line composed mostly of turnstiles and papier-mache. Get actual blocking in front of him and Levis just might be the franchise QB this team’s sought since Steve McNair.

–AFC South breakout players
Texans CB Kamari Lassiter
Guys that come out of the Georgia program these days seem ready to play right out of the gate. Lassiter is the latest to fit that mold in a secondary with an abundance of under-the-radar talent.

Texans WR John Metchie III
The guy beat an ACL tear and cancer before playing in an NFL game. After 16 catches in limited time last year, he might give Stroud a big-play threat down the field.

Jaguars RT Anton Harrison
After a shaky start as a rookie, Harrison got better as the year progressed, not allowing a sack in his last nine games. He should be able to build on that ending for 2024.

Jaguars WR Gabe Davis
A free agent acquisition from Buffalo, Davis has averaged more than 16 yards per catch over the last four years. Getting out of Stefon Diggs’ shadow could mean more receptions for him.

Colts QB Anthony Richardson
Yeah, this is low-hanging fruit. But considering he played just four games last year in which he showed vast potential, it’s easy to say he’s this franchise’s breakout guy in 2024 – if he stays healthy.

Colts WR Adonai Mitchell
The rookie out of Texas has a chance to become a go-to guy on a team with just one wide receiver that strikes any sort of fear in defenses – Michael Pittman.

Titans RB Tyjae Spears
After serving an apprenticeship of sorts last year behind Derrick Henry, Spears will at least split time with Tony Pollard and could be a threat running and catching the ball.

Titans LG Peter Skoronski
Skoronski had an up-and-down rookie season but he showed promise and had big offseason by becoming a pupil of new OL coach Bill Callahan. He also added weight going into this season after playing mostly outside for Northwestern.

–Week 1 outlook
Bears vs. Titans, 1 p.m. ET
A planned grand unveiling of new franchise quarterback Caleb Williams and his array of receivers against first-year coach Brian Callahan of the Titans, who’d like nothing more than to shift the gathering into Will Levis’ coming out party. A shootout isn’t out of the question but the Bears’ defense was dominant the final six games of the 2023 season and might be due more attention.

Texans vs. Colts, 1 p.m. ET
These teams played a barnburner to end last year and Houston won to earn the AFC South title, thanks to a 4th-down drop that sealed Indianapolis’ fate. It’s easy to forget that when the teams played last September, Anthony Richardson was the best player on the field in the first half of an easy Colts’ win before leaving with an injury. The ramifications from this result could be felt all the way into January.

Jaguars vs Dolphins, 1 p.m. ET
This will be the first test of Jacksonville’s retooled offensive line and revamped defense. Those weaknesses in 2023 were prime reasons for a late-season fade pattern that cost the Jaguars a division title and playoff spot. It will be an especially tough test for the defense and its young secondary against the Dolphins’ explosive offense. And can Trevor Lawrence get back to the standard of play he flashed at the end of 2022?

–Field Level Media

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) gets forced out of bounds by Detroit Lions linebackers Jack Campbell (46) and Alex Anzalone (34) in the third quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports

NFC North: 2024 Outlook, Preview, Predictions

Posted on | by Field Level Media

NFC North division preview

2024 predicted order of finish, record
Detroit Lions (12-5)
Playmakers and power in the trenches take the offense to another level. If the young secondary holds up, competing for home-field advantage isn’t out of the question.

Green Bay Packers (12-5)
Jordan Love and Josh Jacobs drive a dynamic offense and Green Bay’s new-look defense might end up making even more noise.

Chicago Bears (9-8)
Everything is looking up in Chicago with Caleb Williams at the controls. Double-digit wins for the first time since 2018 is a bridge too far.

Minnesota Vikings (7-10)
Head coach Kevin O’Connell was dealt a rough hand with the Kirk Cousins exit and J.J. McCarthy’s season-ending knee surgery.

–NFC North MVP candidates
Lions QB Jared Goff
GM Brad Holmes hitched the franchise to Goff with a massive contract that spells out Detroit’s belief in the maligned quarterback in big, round numbers. Goff’s 2023 season bordered on special with 30 TD passes and 4,575 yards. An elite No. 1 receiver in Amon-Ra St. Brown and a rising talent at tight end, Sam LaPorta, helps while the muscle up front and run-first mentality of head coach Dan Campbell promises balance to test any defensive scheme.

Packers QB Jordan Love
Send your apology letters to GM Brian Gutekunst at his Lambeau Field office if you were among those who labeled Love a bust in the first half of last season, when he was trending toward being good enough to lose close games. But Love isn’t the anti-Aaron Rodgers in performance after all. Instead, the evolving talent takes a next step in stride with an underrated cadre of wide receivers.

Packers RB Josh Jacobs
Two years removed from leading the NFL in rushing, Jacobs is the player the Packers want on the field after a timeshare approach in the backfield most of the 2023 season. A better receiver than most understand, the only roadblock to a massive season appears to be durability.

–NFC North breakout players
Bears RB-WR-RS Velus Jones Jr.
Nobody suggests he’ll take work from D’Andre Swift or DJ Moore. Taking advantage of Jones’ quickness and speed is the goal. He was used as a wide receiver, running back and returner in training camp. Don’t be surprised if he throws one, too.

Lions MLB Jack Campbell
Height, range and speed are the qualities Campbell combines to draw comparisons to some of the best modern-day versatile playmakers at the position.

Lions WR Jameson Williams
When the Lions jumped 20 spots in the 2022 draft to select Williams, the belief was he had No. 1 wide receiver potential. A speed threat with acrobatic athleticism, he’s had moments of brilliance as a downfield target. Teammates and coaches relayed a shared opinion from training camp that a more focused and mature Williams could be in for a huge season.

Packers TE Luke Musgrave
A lacerated kidney cost Musgrave six games as a rookie. He has size and speed to exploit the middle of the field and keep defenses honest as they crowd the line of scrimmage to contain Jacobs.

Packers FS Javon Bullard
The 58th overall pick in the 2024 draft, Bullard’s role in Green Bay’s new-look defense will be varied and bring ample chances to make a massive impact.

Vikings RB Ty Chandler
Aaron Jones signed as a free agent to start in Minnesota with Chandler knocking on the door for a defined role. At the outset of the season, that includes kick return duties. He’ll open eyes and dig into Jones’ hold on the every-down role if he stays healthy.

Vikings OLB Dallas Turner
A rookie with a veteran’s approach to the pass-rushing role, Turner should blossom under the tutelage of Brian Flores.

Week 1 outlook
Packers vs. Eagles, Friday, 8:15 p.m. ET (Brazil)
Playoff participants in January take the rare Friday Night Lights spotlight in Brazil. Hyper-active roster remodeling is nothing new for Howie Roseman and the Eagles, who’ll introduce Saquon Barkley at running back and hope the reconfigured back end of the defense — highlighted by first-round pick Quinyon Mitchell — stands tall behind a stronger pass rush. The Packers picked up their own elite RB, signing Josh Jacobs to complement Jordan Love.

Bears vs. Titans, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
A planned grand unveiling of new franchise quarterback Caleb Williams and his array of receivers against first-year coach Brian Callahan of the Titans, who’d like nothing more than to shift the gathering into Will Levis’ coming-out party. A shootout isn’t out of the question but the Bears’ defense was dominant the final six games of the 2023 season and might be due more attention.

Lions vs. Rams, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET
A rematch of the January divisional playoff reunion with Matt Stafford at Ford Field, Detroit will be bouncing for the primetime opener as the Lions launch their mission to repeat as the dominant predator in the NFC North and beyond. The Rams lost their top defensive player — DT Aaron Donald retired — but the Lions’ young secondary is in for a stiff test facing Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, who is over a knee injury that bogged down his August.

Vikings at Giants, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Sam Darnold is back in his original home stadium. The No. 3 pick in the 2018 draft flatlined with the Jets, fell behind with the Panthers and rode the clipboard as Brock Purdy’s backup in San Francisco last season. Sunday, he’ll get the call as the QB1 in Week 1 for the first time since beating the Jets in Carolina to start the 2021 season. A main attraction is the pairing of LSU products Justin Jefferson (Vikings) and Malik Nabers (Giants), top targets capable of putting on a show if their QBs cooperate.

–Field Level Media

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) warms up on the field before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

NFC South: 2024 Outlook, Preview, Predictions

Posted on | by Field Level Media

NFC South division preview

2024 predicted order of finish, record
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7)
Baker Mayfield’s continued resurgence at quarterback and a stable defense will lead to a fourth consecutive division title.

Atlanta Falcons (9-8)
Kirk Cousins is an upgrade at quarterback and adding edge rusher Matthew Judon and safety Justin Simmons make a return to the playoffs after a six-year absence realistic.

New Orleans Saints (7-10)
They could be better than this, but only if an offensive line featuring three unproven starters jells quickly.

Carolina Panthers (5-12)
Rookie coach Dave Canales will benefit Bryce Young, as he did Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield, but the team ceiling remains low.

–NFC South top MVP candidates
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield
Mayfield had his most productive season in 2023 and earned a huge contract. His leadership and the increased comfort level of a second season with wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin and tight end Cade Otten should mean an outstanding offensive season.

Saints QB Derek Carr
If the offensive line is OK, Carr should thrive under first-year coordinator Klint Kubiak. The versatility of Alvin Kamara and Taysom Hill and a play-action game that takes advantage of young receivers Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed should be reminiscent of the 49ers system that Kubiak brought with him.

Falcons RB Bijan Robinson
New coordinator Zac Robinson’s system, which he operated with the Rams, should enable Robinson, who had more than 1,000 yards of total offense as a rookie last season, to excel.

–NFC South breakout players
Bucs RB Rachaad White
The arrival of one-time Rams coordinator Liam Coen from Kentucky should be a perfect fit with White’s combination of size and athleticism, both as a runner and in the screen game.

Bucs LB Yaya Diaby
Diaby had an impact as a rookie last season, making 7.5 sacks, and his continued maturation will allow him to be even more productive as a sophomore.

Falcons WR Drake London
Erratic quarterback play held down the team’s passing game last season, but Cousins’ consistency and Bijan Robinson will create opportunities that London will take advantage of.

Falcons CB AJ Terrell
Terrell is a rising defensive star and having gotten his new, hefty contract out of the way will enable him to focus on becoming an elite playmaker.

Panthers QB Bryce Young
Young never had a chance as a rookie behind a poor offensive line. The Panthers upgraded the line and Canales will shepherd him through a much better season.

Panthers CB Jaycee Horn
Horn has been limited by injury in his first three seasons, but he played in 13 games last season and continued health will be key to him becoming a leader on a defense needing leaders.

Saints WR/RS Rashid Shaheed
Shaheed’s explosiveness makes him dangerous as both a big-play receiver and a return specialist. He’ll benefit from Kubiak’s scheme and the new kickoff rules that will provide more opportunities.

Saints DT Bryan Bresee
The former Clemson star had a solid rookie season in 2023 and he has moved into the starting lineup. The presence of Cam Jordan and the arrival of Chase Young on the outside will allow Bresee to become a consistent playmaker on the inside.

Week 1 outlook
Panthers vs. Saints, 1 p.m. ET
The Panthers and No. 1 overall pick in 2023 Bryce Young will be eager to show they’re improved over their 2-15 record last season under the new regime. They’ll have a stiff challenge against what should be a very good defense for the Saints, who badly need to start with a win as games against the Cowboys, Eagles, Falcons, Chiefs and Buccaneers follow.

Steelers vs. Falcons, 1 p.m. ET
Visiting Pittsburgh welcomes a new veteran quarterback in Russell Wilson as Cousins makes his Falcons debut. Atlanta’s defense has to show that it can hold up against Wilson and 1,000-yard rusher Najee Harris, who should excel in an offense coordinated by former Falcons head coach Arthur Smith.

Buccaneers vs. Commanders, 4:25 p.m. ET
Washington is starting over with former Falcons coach Dan Quinn and No. 2 overall draft choice Jayden Daniels, the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback from LSU, running an offense coordinated by former Cardinals head coach Kilff Kingsbury. But host Tampa will have more of an if-it-ain’t-broke-don’t-fix-it approach.

–Field Level Media

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (17) and quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) participate in jog through during training camp at Loyola Marymount University. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

NFC West: 2024 Outlook, Preview, Predictions

Posted on | by Field Level Media

NFC West Division preview
2024 predicted order of finish, record

San Francisco 49ers (12-5)
The 49ers have plenty of playmakers and signed “hold-in” WR Brandon Aiyuk to an extension. But LT Trent Williams remains a holdout and without him the line might not give Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, Aiyuk and Co. enough time to make plays. Will the 49ers regress after losing (again) to the Chiefs in the Super Bowl?

Los Angeles Rams (10-7)
With WR Cooper Kupp returning, the Rams have one of the best receiving tandems in the league with Puka Nacua, who was the runner-up for Offensive Rookie of the Year last season. RB Kyren Williams also had a breakout season in 2023, giving QB Matthew Stafford plenty of options. One massive worry: the Rams have to replace retired three-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald.

Seattle Seahawks (8-9)
For the first time since 2009, someone other than Pete Carroll will be calling the shots in Seattle. Former Baltimore defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald fills his shoes, hoping to revamp a defense that finished 25th in points allowed each of the past two seasons. Veteran QB Geno Smith remains at the controls, with a new OC in Ryan Grubb.

Arizona Cardinals (6-11)
After losing eight of their first nine games last season with QB Kyler Murray sidelined by a torn ACL, the Cardinals went 3-5 after he returned. First-round pick WR Marvin Harrison Jr. gives Arizona a No. 1 receiver it has lacked since Larry Fitzgerald retired.

–NFC West top MVP candidates
RB Christian McCaffrey
If McCaffrey isn’t the first pick in every fantasy draft, something is wrong. He rushed for 1,459 yards and 14 TDs in the regular season last year, plus caught 67 passes for 564 and seven more scores when he was third in MVP balloting. Then he had five more postseason TDs in leading the 49ers to the Super Bowl, which they lost to Kansas City in OT. A calf strain kept him out of most of training camp and all of the preseason games.

QB Brock Purdy
Purdy was fourth in the MVP balloting last season, behind Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson, Buffalo’s Josh Allen and teammate Christian McCaffrey. The former Mr. Irrelevant from the 2022 draft proved his rookie season was no fluke, despite coming off UCL surgery last year. He completed 69.4% of his passes for 4,280 yards and 31 TDs in the regular season.

QB Kyler Murray
Want a dark-horse candidate for MVP? Murray was a leading contender in 2021 before fading late, then suffered a gruesome ACL injury in 2022. The Cardinals led the league in total offense after he returned from the injury in Week 10 last season, with 414.3 yards per game.

–NFC West breakout players
49ers CB Deommodore Lenoir
Started all 17 games last season, breaking up 10 passes and intercepting three while playing both outside and in the slot. Has improved each year and has plenty of motivation as he enters the final season of his rookie contract.

49ers S Ji’Ayir Brown
The third-round pick out of Penn State played in 15 games as a rookie last season, recording 35 tackles. Brown didn’t start until Talanoa Hufanga was sidelined with an injury, but is listed as the starting free safety heading into the 2024 campaign.

Rams edge Byron Young
The 2023 third-round pick started 16 of 17 games last season and finished eighth in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. He had 61 tackles last season, including eight sacks. He’ll need to increase that output with DT Aaron Donald having retired.

Rams DB Quentin Lake
The third-year player, the son of four-time Pro Bowl selection Carnell Lake, was voted a captain by his teammates, an honor his dad didn’t get until his 10th season. Lake filled the nickel defender role Jalen Ramsey previously held last season, but can cover the slot or serve as a safety.

Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Smith-Njigba got off to a slow start as a rookie last year, in part because of a fractured wrist suffered in the preseason. He still finished with 63 receptions for 628 yards and four TDs and new coach Mike Macdonald has called him a “massive piece” in first-year coordinator Ryan Grubb’s system.

Seahawks DT Byron Murphy II
The second defensive player taken in the 2024 draft at No. 16 overall, the 300-pound rookie should help Seattle stem the opponents’ running game. He’ll be a big part of new coach Mike Macdonald’s rotation on the D-line.

Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr.
The fourth overall pick in the 2024 draft out of Ohio State brings more than just good genes. He was the 2023 Fred Biletnikoff winner as college football’s top receiver. He’ll be the No. 1 receiver the Cards have been missing since Larry Fitzgerald retired.

Cardinals OL Paris Johnson Jr.
After playing all 17 games at right tackle last season as a rookie, the 2023 sixth overall pick out of Ohio State will be moving to the left end of the line to protect Kyler Murray’s blind side. He’ll have big shoes to fill as D.J. Humphries, Johnson’s mentor, was released after nine seasons.

Week 1 outlook
Cardinals at Bills, Sunday, Sept. 8, 1 p.m. ET
The Cardinals have a tough opening matchup on the road, though at least it shouldn’t be snowing at Highmark Stadium. The Bills have won the AFC East in each of the past four years, but could be challenged this time as they had quite the roster turnover in the offseason, with QB Josh Allen losing his top two targets in Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis.

Broncos at Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 8, 4:05 p.m. ET
Remember a couple of years ago when the Broncos opened at Seattle in Russell Wilson’s first game in orange and blue? Seattle won that one 17-16. Wilson is already gone, with the Broncos turning the reins over to rookie Bo Nix out of Oregon, the 14th different starter at QB for the Broncos since Peyton Manning retired after Super Bowl 50.

Rams at Lions, Sunday, Sept. 8, 8:20 p.m. ET
After winning their first division title in 30 years last season, the Lions led San Francisco by 17 points in the third quarter of the NFC Championship game before faltering. That should give the Lions plenty of motivation in 2024. Rams QB Matthew Stafford, formerly of the Lions, can flash his Super Bowl ring at Lions QB Jared Goff, formerly of the Rams.

Jets at 49ers, Monday, Sept. 9, 8:15 p.m. ET
Jets QB Aaron Rodgers, a Bay Area native, calls it a comeback at age 40 after missing all but four offensive snaps in 2023 because of a torn Achilles. The Jets’ defense should be strong with CB Sauce Gardner and DL Quinnen Williams, but they’ll have their hands full with the 49ers’ multiple targets.

–Field Level Media