The halfway level of the 2024 NFL season is right here. After 9 weeks, the Kansas City Chiefs are nonetheless undefeated, rookie Jayden Daniels is making a severe run at MVP and there is not any clear favourite within the NFC West. However loads can occur over the following two months.
We requested 18 of our NFL analysts for his or her greatest second-half prediction. Which groups will shockingly make the playoffs? Who’s making a robust case for one of many league’s annual awards? What information may the Lions break this season? And which staff may lose out the remainder of the season to land the highest draft choose?
Let’s predict the second half of the season, beginning with some playoff race calls.
Bounce to:
Playoff races | Award winners
Continuing trends | NFC West
Record-breakers | NFL draft
How will the playoff races play out?
The Baltimore Ravens will make the Tremendous Bowl with improved go protection
The Ravens’ protection is fifth worst within the league towards the go, and so they’ve seen one of many highest dropback charges accordingly. That is not a very good formulation for working by an AFC that is riddled with star quarterbacks — however I do not suppose these numbers will maintain. Cornerback Nate Wiggins and linebacker Trenton Simpson are enhancing every week. Nickel cornerback Arthur Maulet is again from a knee damage, and I belief coordinator Zach Orr to search out new subpackages that work. If their go protection turns into even common, the 2024 Ravens can go all the way in which. — Ben Solak, NFL analyst
The Kansas City Chiefs would be the No. 1 seed in AFC
The Chiefs will end with the NFL’s greatest file and earn home-field benefit all through the playoffs. They have not been as dominant as they have been previously, however the trade for DeAndre Hopkins to interchange injured Rashee Rice and a top-five scoring protection can simply cause them to their ninth straight AFC West title. Kansas Metropolis is vying for New England’s file of 11 straight division titles (2009-2019). — Jason Reid, senior Andscape author
The Miami Dolphins will declare an AFC wild-card spot
The Dolphins’ roster has sufficient expertise to get up from a 2-6 slumber. The offense is averaging 27.0 factors since Tua Tagovailoa returned in Week 8. On protection, the pass-rush accidents damage, however security Jevon Holland and defensive finish Zach Sieler ought to be again quickly. The schedule can be manageable as two of Miami’s final 9 video games function opponents with .500 information or worse. The Dolphins most likely will not catch the Payments within the AFC East, however the seventh seed is gettable. — Jeremy Fowler, nationwide NFL reporter
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will earn an NFC wild-card spot
Regardless of the injuries to Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, the Bucs can bounce again from a 4-6 begin. Evans ought to return in Week 12 from his hamstring damage, and their remaining seven video games are exceedingly simple. They’ve two matchups with the Panthers, plus contests towards the Raiders, Cowboys, Giants and Saints. The Buccaneers’ hardest opponent would be the Chargers in Week 15. So going 10-7 may be very sensible. — Aaron Schatz, NFL analyst
The Pittsburgh Steelers will beat out the Cincinnati Bengals for an AFC wild-card spot
With a robust protection that simply brought back Alex Highsmith and is led by Defensive Participant of the Yr front-runner T.J. Watt (-135, per ESPN BET), Pittsburgh’s go rush will proceed to fluster opposing passers. In the meantime, the offense has discovered its legs with Russell Wilson beneath middle, and adding Mike Williams to the surface solely bolsters the receiving corps. I see the Steelers splitting the sequence with Baltimore to lose the AFC North, however they will fend off Cincinnati for a playoff berth. — Liz Loza, fantasy analyst
Who will win the awards?
Lamar Jackson will win his third (second straight) MVP
As of now, Jackson’s completion share (68.2%) could be a profession excessive by a full season. The Ravens’ quarterback can be on tempo for a profession excessive in landing passes (20 proper now), a profession low in interceptions (two proper now) and a QBR (77.0) that may be second to his first MVP season of 2019. Jackson appears to be like like a brand new man on a mission, and that mission is to win the Tremendous Bowl. He’ll distance himself from the remainder of the sector if he stays wholesome and make the MVP alternative apparent. — Dan Graziano, nationwide NFL reporter
Jared Goff will win his first MVP
Uncertainty clouded Goff’s future when he went 3-10-1 after being traded to the Lions in 2021. 4 seasons later, Goff says he is enjoying his greatest ball but, as Detroit’s 7-1 file is the staff’s greatest since 1956. Over the previous six video games, the Goff-led Lions offense has scored 26 touchdowns. In that very same span, he has solely 24 incompletions. In line with the Elias Sports activities Bureau, Detroit is the one NFL staff since no less than 1933 to have extra offensive TDs than incomplete passes over six video games. — Lindsey Thiry, nationwide NFL reporter
2:26
Rodgers impressed by Jared Goff’s season in Detroit
Aaron Rodgers raves to Pat McAfee about Jared Goff’s accuracy this season with the Detroit Lions.
Xavier McKinney will win Defensive Participant of the Yr
McKinney has been a difference-maker for Inexperienced Bay, utilizing his vary and ball abilities to seize six interceptions, which is tied with Detroit’s Kerby Joseph for essentially the most within the league. And in Jeff Hafley’s defensive system, McKinney could have extra alternatives to make game-changing performs for a staff that ought to make the playoffs. The Packers hit a house run once they signed McKinney this previous offseason, upgrading their security group. — Matt Bowen, NFL analyst
Trey Hendrickson will win Defensive Participant of the Yr
The Bengals are 4-5, however Joe Burrow is enjoying essentially the most environment friendly ball of his profession with the league’s second-best QBR (76.3). The protection has been their important difficulty. However Hendrickson is usually a main a part of that turnaround. He leads within the NFL in sacks (11) and is second in go rush win fee (29.9%) to Aidan Hutchinson. If Hendrickson continues to place collectively a robust season, the Bengals can sneak into the playoffs. — Seth Walder, analytics author
Derrick Henry will win Offensive Participant of the Yr
Henry earned this honor in 2020 when he posted 2,027 speeding yards and 17 touchdowns. His blistering tempo within the first half of 2024 has him already with 11 speeding touchdowns and 1,052 yards. He additionally has two receiving touchdowns; he had zero when he final gained the award. His feats are much more spectacular contemplating he is 30. It is good to be the King. — Stephania Bell, fantasy author/damage specialist
Jim Harbaugh will win his second Coach of the Yr honor
The award usually goes to a coach who exceeds preseason expectations or turns a staff round. 4 of the previous seven winners have been of their first 12 months with a brand new staff and did not have the league’s greatest file. Harbaugh checks all of these containers, as he has ushered in an period of grit and toughness for the Chargers. Los Angeles has already matched its five-win complete from final season and is a severe playoff contender within the AFC. It additionally has one of many best remaining schedules. — Eric Moody, fantasy/betting analyst
The Washington Commanders will sweep awards of MVP, Coach of the Yr and Government of the Yr
The Commanders are amid one of the vital unprecedented turnarounds by any NFL franchise. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels is third in QBR (76.0), and their speeding assault produces the third-most speeding yards per recreation (163.9). They began shaky on protection, however new coach Dan Quinn has engineered them to the Eleventh-best scoring protection to this point. Normal supervisor Adam Peters slowly constructed this roster right into a contender over the offseason, and his trade for Marshon Lattimore may instantly enhance their secondary.
I count on Washington to win the NFC East and make it to the NFC Championship Recreation, including loads of particular person {hardware} alongside the way in which. — Mike Tannenbaum, NFL analyst
What season development may proceed down the stretch?
The Detroit Lions will finish the season with one other streak of opponents shedding their following recreation
Here is a enjoyable one. On Sunday, the Titans turned the primary Lions opponent this season to win their following recreation, breaking a streak of six straight opponents who misplaced their subsequent recreation after going through Detroit. The Lions’ opponents weren’t simply shedding — they have been shedding large. There’s one thing to be mentioned about Detroit’s bodily model and play-action-heavy offense that creates residual fatigue for opposing defenses. — Kalyn Kahler, nationwide NFL reporter
What may occur within the NFC West?
The Arizona Cardinals will win the division
No division is tighter proper now, because the Cardinals stand half a recreation up on the opposite three groups at 5-4. Arizona has put collectively a formidable offensive identification on the bottom (149.7 speeding yards per recreation), and this can be very disciplined (fewest common penalties per recreation). Plus, it’s coming alongside on protection. With division wins over Los Angeles and San Francisco beneath their belt already, the Cardinals are in fine condition to make a run to the playoffs. — Subject Yates, NFL analyst
The Los Angeles Rams will win the division
Los Angeles has rallied again from a tough 1-4 begin; it’s on a three-game successful streak and sits second within the NFC West. Sean McVay is transferring Matthew Stafford out within the perimeter greater than ever, designing bootlegs for the 36-year-old quarterback to search out receivers in area. Kyren Williams has been the heartbeat of the offense, and Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua are again from injury. Together with a younger defensive position led by Braden Fiske and Jared Verse, the Rams can win the division in the event that they keep wholesome. — Dan Orlovsky, NFL analyst
5:19
What’s the Rams’ ceiling this season?
Stephen A. Smith, Dan Orlovsky and Shannon Sharpe debate the ceiling of the Rams this season.
The San Francisco 49ers will miss the playoffs
A season decimated by accidents will finish with the reigning NFC champions lacking the postseason and holding the Super Bowl hangover development alive for the shedding staff. Sitting at 4-4 after a bye week, the 49ers are without Brandon Aiyuk for the season and nonetheless have Christian McCaffrey on the sideline (although he may return this week). Their protection out of the blue cannot make key stops, both. This appears to be like like a misplaced 12 months within the Bay. — Matt Miller, NFL draft analyst
What information might be damaged this season?
Jared Goff will break Drew Brees’ single-season file for completion share
Over the primary 5 video games, Goff’s 83% competitors share was an NFL file, in line with ESPN Analysis (minimal 50 makes an attempt). He leads the NFL with a 74.9% completion share, placing him on tempo to eclipse Brees’ 74.4% single-season mark set in 2018. And Goff is not exhibiting any indicators of slowing down. He has accomplished 30 straight passes to his prime goal, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and may enhance his numbers towards the Colts and Jaguars (two struggling go defenses) over the following three weeks. — Seth Wickersham, NFL author
Which staff could have the No. 1 choose?
The Las Vegas Raiders will lose out and have the highest choose within the 2025 NFL draft
After firing offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, a robust argument might be made they’re already the worst staff within the NFL. There are 9 groups with two or fewer wins, which is tied for essentially the most groups by Week 9 because the 1970 merger, per ESPN Analysis (9 groups in 2006). The Raiders have misplaced their previous 5 video games, and I count on that streak to climb to 13 by season’s finish. They’re going to have the No. 1 total choose for the primary time since 2007, once they chosen JaMarcus Russell with the franchise’s solely prime choice. — Jordan Reid, NFL draft analyst
