Ty Ranks the 2024 NFL Teams: The Contenders Bunch
/Here we are at day seven of my preseason 2024 NFL countdown.
At number 8 I have the Cleveland Browns. The Browns have talent, but they also have issues. This defense played out of their minds last year, and I think they can recreate that again this season. Having Nick Chubb coming back from injury will be nice too. Deshaun Watson is the QB, and he has issues both on and off the field. He has never been the same QB since all of the allegations came out against him. These are real allegations, and he should be in more trouble. He also is not as good as he was while in Houston as a QB. He doesn't seem to have the juice anymore. Nick Chubb is back, as previously mentioned, but he is coming off a major injury. That is never a good thing for a running back. He may be on his last chance, however unfair that may be. Amari Cooper had a great year last season, but he has been in a ton of trade rumors, and maybe he just wants out. They traded for Jerry Jeudy, in what I think will end up being good for both the player and the team. And David Njoku was about the only thing that went right for me on my fantasy football team last year. The o line is stable and good. The defense is elite. Myles Garrett is the returning DPOY and he is a backfield destroyer. They signed Za'Darius Smith, and that dude still has some gas left. Denzel Ward, Greg Newsome II and Grant Delpit form an unbelievable secondary. And they are taking a chance on Devin Bush, who has had his moments. This team wins with running the ball and defense. They need better QB play and to not have their top wideouts in trade conversations constantly. But they will win games and make another playoff run. I have them at 10 or 11 wins.
At number 7 I have the Philadelphia Eagles. I'd have them higher if there wasn't a ton of turmoil surrounding the coaching staff. I am a Jalen Hurts fan. I think he is good, he is one of the best dual threat QBs in the league, and his passing has gotten so much better. They were able to sign Saquon Barkley. I feel like not enough people have talked about how big a deal this is for this team. Barkley adds another potent threat to a run-heavy offense in which he should thrive. This is a big, big deal. Devonta Smith is as advertised. I'm stoked that the Eagles didn't let his height affect drafting him. AJ Brown is in a much better situation. The o line will miss Jason Kelce a ton, but they still have the other guys back from one of the better o lines in the league. On defense, Jordan Davis is a world beater. Josh Sweat brings it from linebacker. CJ Gardner-Johnson and Darius Slay JR make for some nice pieces in the secondary. And Brandon Graham is back for one last ride with this team. The Eagles have the guys on paper to make a Super Bowl push. They need to straighten things up behind the scenes to do so. That being said, they are going to win 12, maybe 13 games this season.
At number 6 I have the Cincinnati Bengals. This team is so good, especially on offense, when everyone is healthy and available. That is not always the case with this team. They always seem to have a key player hurt when they need them most. Joe Burrow has proven himself on the field. The guy can play. He is a top tier QB and he has shown that he can beat the Chiefs in KC. Ja'Marr Chase is, probably, the best wideout in the game. He is damn near unguardable. He is, like he likes to say, always open. They signed Zack Moss to take over as the starting running back. Moss is a pro who will produce whatever they need from him. Tee Higgins is back, maybe only for this season, and when he is on the field he can put up numbers. The o line is much improved and should keep the QBs and running backs from getting too banged up. The defense, according to RD, is young. Dax Hill is a very capable, very good safety. He came in and found a place right away. Sam Hubbard is a very good edge rusher. Sheldon Rankins can be a problem when he wants to be. Kris Jenkins was a good draft pick for them to add depth. Cam Taylor-Britt is okay. This defense has guys that can play, they just need to play. They will get that chance this season. If this team can stay on the field and stay in one piece, I can definitely see them making a Super Bowl run. They just have to hope that this year is different from years past as far as injuries go. I say they are good enough to win 11, maybe 12 games during the regular season, if healthy.
At number 5 I have the Houston Texans. This is a team on the rise. They showed out last year and I only see more of that to some. CJ Stroud is elite. He had one of the best rookie seasons we have ever seen. He looked awesome and he will only get better. Joe Mixon was signed away from the Bengals and he will start here. He adds toughness and big play ability out of the backfield. The Texans may have the best receiving corps in professional football. Nico Collins exploded onto the scene as their number one option last year. He will only be better. Tank Dell was another rookie who had a phenomenal year. And they got Stefon Diggs to come on over. He should love being a part of this offense.. The o line is solid. They do their jobs. The defense is going to be better this year too. Will Anderson Jr is awesome. He is the next great edge rusher in this league. He is so explosive off the ball and he can mess up your backfield in an instant. Mario Edwards Jr can take on double teams to free up other d lineman. Danielle Hunter is a beast off the edge. Henry To'oTo'o is as solid as they come at linebacker. And Desmond King II and Derek Stingley can wreck your passing game at a moments notice. The Texans are good and should be for a good amount of time now. They are also a blast to watch play this game. They are going to win at least 12 games this season and it wouldn't shock me to see them win 13, hell, even 14 games. The Texans are legit.
That's it for today. Come back for the final four teams tomorrow.
Ty
Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.
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