Part of the fun of the beginning of a new NFL season is making predictions about which players will stand out and how the standings will finish. But what's even more fun is making "bold" predictions that may seem outlandish to some, but serve as an opportunity to go out on a limb and be different.
Here are a few "bold" predictions for the 2024 NFL season.
The Bills will miss the playoffs
After being eliminated by the Chiefs for the third time in four years, Bills fans were once again left with an all too familiar feeling, like "When will it ever be our turn?"
But unfortunately for Buffalo, the good vibes never returned in the offseason. The Bills broke up one of the most potent quarterback-wide receiver duos in football by shipping four-time Pro Bowler Stefon Diggs to Houston.
Diggs was also far from the only key departure. Center Mitch Morse, safety Jordan Poyer, wide receiver Gabe Davis and cornerback Tre'Davious White are all elsewhere in 2024.
And to rub more salt in the wound, Bills fans have to live with the fact Buffalo traded with the Chiefs during the NFL Draft, allowing Kansas City to take rookie speedster Xavier Worthy (who scored two touchdowns in his NFL debut on Thursday).
While the Bills did draft a rookie receiver of their own and made other moves, this will finally be the year they take a step back. Simply having an elite signal caller like Josh Allen leading the charge won't be enough in a crowded AFC and the Bills end up at home when the playoffs kickoff for the first time since 2018.
Kirk Cousins will be an MVP candidate
The Falcons signing Kirk Cousins was one of the most high-profile moves of the offseason. And at least for one year, Cousins will prove to be one of the best additions any team made, too.
Even though some were confused when Atlanta drafted Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 overall pick, Cousins will have control of the offense in 2024.
Factor in Cousins' usual production with a wide-open NFC South and there's no reason not to believe he can instantly be valuable enough to turn Atlanta around.
Cousins surpassed 4,000 yards passing in each of the three prior seasons with the Vikings before his 2024 was cut short with an Achilles injury. Cousins should have enough around him for the Falcons to have one of the top offenses in football.
The Texans reach the Super Bowl
It may not seem all that bold to say the Texans will be a contender, but all signs point to Houston going a step beyond contender status and making the franchise's first Super Bowl appearance.
Dethroning the back-to-back champion Chiefs won't be easy, but the Texans have the roster to do it. Add Diggs and running back Joe Mixon to an offense that ranked No. 12 in overall yards and Houston has provided 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud with everything he needs to be even better in his sophomore season.
Houston's offense and formidable defense should carry the Texans to another division title in a relatively weak AFC South and set up a path to Super Bowl LIX.
