Legacy Play

As the dust of the 2023-24 season settles, something new begins to rise up: opportunity. The NFL enters the 2024-2025 season as a league in transformation. Legends of the game are fading while new dynasties are forming. We’ve watched players emerge out of nowhere and rookies erupt. We’ve seen franchises bet the house on raw talent and others double down on the old guard. Now with fresh faces in key positions, coaches fighting for legacies, and a league-wide hunger for a new champion, the new season promises to be full of both chaos and drama. It will also reveal the next generation of greatness from the draft and who will step up in key positions for teams around the league.

The AFC is becoming the Chiefs playground. Joe Burrow is back in an attempt to change that and to prove the Bengals are still roaring. Lamar Jackson seeks a statement season in Baltimore and a ring, while Josh Allen is playing with urgency in Buffalo. On the other side, the NFC is redefining itself. The Eagles, Lions, and 49ers are looking like powerhouses, but the Vikings, Packers, and Falcons are seeking to change the script. Every division is a battleground, and every team is a story in motion. But will there be a happy ending? Only time will tell. In this NFL 2024-2025 season preview, the first by Legacy Play, I make my predictions on the results of each division in the NFL and attempt to show who the contenders and pretenders are. Welcome to your detailed roadmap of the 2024-25 NFL season.

AFC NORTH

1. Bengals
2. Ravens
3. Steelers
4. Browns

With Joe Burrow back healthy, this will allow the duo of Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase to be unleashed. Combine that with an improving Trey Hendrickson and a better offensive line, and the Bengals will win the division. The Ravens will always be a threat as long as they have Lamar Jackson, and now with Derrick Henry, they potentially have the most potent rushing attack in the NFL. A close second for the Ravens. Both the Steelers and the Browns have question marks at quarterback, but due to the fact that Mike Tomlin has never had a losing season and with the lack of talent on the offensive side of the Browns, the Steelers pip them to third in the division. I expect a tightly contested division , especially between the Bengals and Ravens.

AFC EAST

1. Bills
2. Jets
3. Dolphins
4. Patriots

This division was arguably the toughest one to predict other than the top. The Bills reign supreme; no other team in the division comes close to them, and with a Josh Allen I expect to challenge for MVP, they will be unstoppable within the division. I expect a massive dropoff among the rest. The Jets have issues at QB along with a struggling running game. I have always had my doubts about the toughness and build of the Dolphins, so I expect them to struggle massively. The Patriots are in a rebuild year, and with a rookie QB and issues all over the roster coupled with a first-time head coach, they will be among the worst teams in the NFL in 2024-2025.

AFC SOUTH

1. Texans
2. Colts
3. Titans
4. Jaguars

This was a tough one. However, I believe the QB will determine how the division standings look at the end of the season. Without a shadow of a doubt, the Texans have the best QB in C.J. Stroud alongside more weapons at WR in the form of Stefon Diggs. The Colts have a great head coach and a mercurial athlete in Anthony Richardson combined with a top-tier edge rusher in Laiatu Latu. The Titans have massive issues at QB, despite my fondness for Will Levis, alongside a first-time head coach. The Jaguars have one of the most overrated QBs in the NFL alongside a poor roster composition that lacks defensive ability and depth, so I’m expecting plenty of struggles.

AFC WEST

1. Chiefs
2. Broncos
3. Chargers
4. Raiders

No surprises here. I predict the Chiefs will steamroll the division as they chase history in the form of a threepeat. Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce will prove too much, and Steve Spagnuolo’s defense is far too strong for the rest of the division. Due to my belief in Bo Nix, I think the Broncos will take second place as Sean Payton continues to rebuild the franchise. The Chargers will regress, as I believe that Justin Herbert, despite his undeniable talent, will face injury problems, and their weak running game will not suit Harbaugh’s game style. The Raiders, much like the Patriots, will struggle due to poor QB play and a defense far too reliant on Max Crosby to get them over the line. Expect Antonio Pierce to be under job pressure soon into the season.

NFC NORTH

1. Lions
2. Packers
3. Vikings
4. Bears

This will be the best division in the NFL, as, roster-wise, the top three teams are among the very best in the entire NFL. I expect the Lions to continue their meteoric rise as Jared Goff continues to prove the doubters wrong and the playcalling on defense and offense continues to puzzle opposition coaches. As long as Love can stay healthy, I expect them to compete but expect second-year regression from Love, as is common among young and talented QBs. The WR room also lacks a true WR Nr. 1, which will hinder the team’s growth. The Vikings have so much firepower on offense that you could even stick me in there as QB, and I would perform well. Saying that, I think Darnold will struggle, and the lack of a running game concerns me. The Bears will struggle badly all season. I don’t believe in their coaching nor in their QB, and the combination of the two will lead to an underwhelming season.

NFC EAST

1. Eagles
2. Cowboys
3. Commanders
4. Giants

The Eagles will soar above the rest of the division as Jalen Hurts will continue to establish himself as one of the top QBs in the NFL. Their recent draft was also outstanding, so barring any injuries, I expect them not only to win the division but also to challenge for a Super Bowl. The Cowboys, due to poor drafting and the Cowboys being the Cowboys, will qualify for the playoffs but no more. The offense is far too dependent on CeDee Lamb, and a total lack of running game will come back to bite. The Commanders, under new rookie QB Jyaden Daniels and Head Coach Dann Quinn, will be exciting and must-watch. The future is incredibly promising in Washington, but I think it might be a year too early to qualify for the playoffs. The Giants are in rebuild mode. With doubts surrounding the QB and an offense that, other than Malik Nabers, has no real weapons, it will struggle. On defense, they depend far too much on Dexter Lawrence, as Thibodeaux, despite my belief in his talent, has not emerged as hoped. The Big Apple will remain poisonous for now, but, like the Commanders, the future is bright.

NFC SOUTH

1. Buccaneers
2. Panthers
3. Saints
4. Falcons

Unfortunately, I have to label this division as among the weakest in the NFL. Other than the Buccaneers, who are a legitimate playoff threat, the level of the other three teams is bad. It really becomes a question of who is the least bad. The Panthers will improve on last year as long as they trust Bryce Young, and due to my love for Chuba Hubbard, their running game will be strong. Defense is what will limit them. The Saints have a dependable QB in Carr, but their defensive core is becoming old along with a head coach I don’t trust. The Falcons, in my opinion, will underperform massively this season. As much as I love Kirk Cousins, it was the wrong move at QB for the Falcons, which was further compounded by their decision to choose Penix at pick 8 in the draft. Their complete lack of defensive pressure on the edge or interior will make them easy to score on, and a rookie head coach won’t help. Their season essentially depends on how good Bijon Robinson will be.

NFC WEST

1. Cardinals
2. 49ers
3. Seahawks
4. Rams

This division was the hardest to predict, as all 4 teams can stake a legitimate claim to win it. Saying that, however, I predict a huge season by Kyler Murray, which will translate to wins on the board. Add in a clever head coach and good offensive weapons in McBride and Marvin Harrison Jr., and you have a formula for success. The 49ers will fall off slightly due to regressions in Deebo Samuel and Aiyuk but will still have enough to make the playoffs. As much as I love the WR trio of the Seahawks thanks to players like DK Metcalf, Lockett, and Smith-Njigba, I think defensively they just won’t have enough to get into the playoffs. Finally, the Rams will struggle. Loosing Aaron Donald, Cooper Kupp continuing to regress and with Mathew Stafford getting older, I just cannot see how the Rams will be able to keep up with rest of the division. Add in a questionable draft and you have a recipe for a poor season.