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.
