Buccaneers' Rebuilding Hopes Under Mayfield
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers enter the 2024 NFL season with a blend of hope and uncertainty. Following a topsy-turvy 9-8 campaign that was enough to clinch the NFC South, the Buccaneers find themselves in uncharted territory. A significant part of their new look includes quarterback Baker Mayfield, who signed a three-year, $100 million contract in the offseason. Despite this substantial investment, the Buccaneers aren't the bookmakers' favorites to take home the NFC South title according to the latest 2025 Super Bowl odds.
In a division ripe for competition, the Atlanta Falcons are currently pegged as the frontrunners. Odds makers list the Falcons at -120 to win the NFC South and -196 to make the playoffs, setting high expectations for a franchise that has struggled in recent years. The addition of quarterback Kirk Cousins during the offseason has further fueled optimism in Atlanta. Cousins brings a veteran presence and solid statistics to the Falcons' lineup, potentially elevating them to playoff contenders.
Rams Seek Rebound Under McVay
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Rams are striving to return to the success they enjoyed in recent seasons. Under head coach Sean McVay, the Rams have made five playoff appearances in seven years, including a Super Bowl victory after a 12-5 season in 2021-22. Despite this success, the team has only secured the NFC West title once in the past five years, highlighting the competitive nature of the division.
The Rams will rely heavily on their returning offensive core, headlined by running back Kyren Williams. Williams was a standout last season, accumulating 1,144 yards and 12 touchdowns from 228 rushing attempts. His continued excellence will be crucial for the Rams' playoff aspirations this year. Eric Cohen, a seasoned NFL expert from SportsLine, continues to monitor the Rams and other teams closely. Known for his keen insights, Cohen ended last season with an impressive 39-28 streak in his predictions, proving to be a reliable source for NFL forecasts.
Eric Cohen's Inside Take
"Anyone who followed Cohen's NFL predictions won big," boasts one of the numerous endorsements for Cohen's analytical prowess. He has mapped out each team's final record for the 2024 season, and pundits and fans alike are paying close attention. His projections are often ahead of the curve, including this year's, which feature a number of surprising picks. "See which other surprising winners Cohen is picking only at SportsLine," he teases, leaving readers eagerly anticipating his next set of predictions.
Among Cohen's bolder forecasts is a grim outcome for the New England Patriots, a team that faces considerable uncertainty following the departure of longtime head coach Bill Belichick. In his place, Jerod Mayo steps in as the new head coach, tasked with revitalizing a franchise that has had losing records in three of its past four seasons. The Patriots' 4-13 record in 2023 painted a stark picture of their struggles. Cohen's prediction doesn’t offer much solace for Patriots fans: "Cohen predicts a grim outcome for the Patriots, estimating they will finish with a 2-15 record in their first year post-Belichick." With three of their first four games on the road, Mayo's tenure begins under significant pressure and heightened expectations.
Falcons' Rise While Patriots Falter
The contrast in fortunes between the Falcons and the Patriots is stark. While the Falcons look to leverage their offseason acquisitions and establish dominance in the NFC South, the Patriots are in the midst of what could be a long and arduous rebuilding phase. Cohen's attention to detail and knack for identifying potential winners make his predictions a must-follow for NFL enthusiasts.
"They include a potential Super Bowl result that pays almost 100-1 and a win total that pays back plus-money," Cohen highlights, indicating the high stakes and unpredictable nature of the league. These insights not only add to the excitement but also provide a valuable perspective for fans eyeing both long-term projections and immediate season outcomes.
As the 2024 NFL season kicks off, teams like the Buccaneers, Falcons, Rams, and Patriots will all be looking to either cement their status or stage a comeback. With expert analysts like Eric Cohen providing in-depth commentary and forecasts, fans have a wealth of information to guide their expectations and fuel their passion for the game.