1 Reason Every NFL Team Shouldn't Be Overlooked in 2024

There's no better moment for optimism than during the approach to the 2024 NFL season.

Sure, the most recent campaign might not gone wonderfully for a team. Since then, however, a franchise may have brought in a new coaching staff, signed some key players or drafted a well-fitting prospect—and perhaps a combination of those things.

On the other hand, the offseason might have allowed a front office to build on a promising year. The team reached the playoffs in 2023 and should be aiming for more improvement this season.

The reality is these positives won't necessarily be enough to avoid a bunch of losses from piling up during the regular season.

Right now, though, every team has reason to believe it can compete.

Buffalo Bills: Stability on Defense

Since the receiving corps is a new-look group, Buffalo will be leaning especially heavily on Josh Allen to guide the offense. Fortunately for him, the Bills aren't entirely dependent on him. As long as Buffalo can settle the secondary, its defense can be a top-10 unit for the fourth straight year.

Miami Dolphins: Powerful Offense

Until proven otherwise, it's fair to debate how much you believe in Tua Tagovailoa against top competition. That narrative is backed up in stats so far. Nevertheless, led by Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, the supporting cast is just loaded. Miami has 30-point potential every week; Tagovailoa is simply the key to unlocking it consistently.

New England Patriots: Defensive Potential

The offense was so bad in 2023. Miserable, dreadful, all those bad negative words. The hope is veteran Jacoby Brissett and/or rookie Drake Maye can spark the scoring unit in 2024. As the Patriots chase that goal, they'll be expecting the defense to shoulder the load early on. New England ceded the fourth-fewest yards per snap last season.

New York Jets: The Defense Was Already Great

If you follow the NFL even a little, you're familiar with the hype around the Jets because of Aaron Rodgers' return. And, hey, logical. Stopping there does a disservice to the defense, though. The unit matched the league-best mark of 4.6 yards allowed per snap in 2023 and should provide Rodgers with a considerable margin for error in most games.

Baltimore Ravens: Elite Balance

Can you imagine not immediately pointing to Lamar Jackson? This defense is so good that it would be reasonable. Baltimore has consistently boasted a top-tier unit. In five of the last six seasons, the Ravens have finished with a top-three mark in points allowed per game. Oh, and Jackson is a two-time MVP in five seasons as the full-time starter.

Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow Is Healthy (Knock on Wood)

Injuries have clouded the beginning of Joe Burrow's promising career. Last year, a calf strain in training camp kicked off an unlucky string of health setbacks for Burrow in his worst NFL season to date. When he's healthy, however, the Bengals can be a very dangerous offense.

Cleveland Browns: Defensive Strength

What separates Baltimore from Cleveland is a few hundred miles and the effectiveness of their offenses. But on defense—while stylistically different—both AFC North squads are nightmare fuel. Cleveland tied the Ravens for the league's top spot in yards allowed per play in 2023 and returns a bulk of that defense this season.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Freakin' Tomlin

Don't believe in the Steelers? Tough. Mike Tomlin is incredible. Last season, they started three quarterbacks—Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph, none of whom remain on the team—and still finished 10-7 with a playoff bid. Pittsburgh has never had a losing record in 17 years with Tomlin in charge. That's coaching.

Houston Texans: The Offense Is Even Better

Sure, that's an "on paper" assessment. Houston still must reinforce that belief on Sundays. By acquiring Stefon Diggs, the Texans took a proactive step at helping CJ Stroud avoid the dreaded—even if not historically accurate—sophomore slump. Good luck slowing Houston's hype train.

Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Richardson Is Back

Consistency will be a question for Anthony Richardson, given his uneven performances in college and small-sample variance as a rookie. Simultaneously, few QBs have anywhere near as much athleticism as the dual-threat standout. From him to Jonathan Taylor and an intriguing set of receivers, talent is not a concern for Indy's offense.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Upgrades Up Front

Last season's collapse was a comprehensive meltdown, but improvement may start in the trenches. Jacksonville signed veteran center Mitch Morse to direct the blocking unit and picked up Arik Armstead with rookies Maason Smith and Jordan Jefferson to bolster the D-line's interior.

Tennessee Titans: Big Roster Changes

While nobody can guarantee that Tennessee's overhaul will pay off, I can't argue with the effort. Offensively, the Titans added running back Tony Pollard, receivers Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd and offensive tackle JC Latham. Tennessee patched the secondary with L'Jarius Sneed and Chidobe Awuzie before drafting D-tackle T'Vondre Sweat. The roster looks stronger this season.

Denver Broncos: Coaching Staff

Even as the Broncos had the issues on offense and major weaknesses on defense, they clawed out an 8-9 record last season. Sean Payton's style isn't for everybody—and a busy offseason was a prime example of that—yet it can be very effective. Tempered expectations are fair, but Denver can linger in the wild-card picture.

Kansas City Chiefs: Is Anyone Overlooking KC?

That would be pretty, uh, silly. Super Bowl champions in three of the last five seasons—and runner-up in a fourth—the Chiefs are clearly built to contend for a ring as long as Patrick Mahomes is healthy.

Las Vegas Raiders: Defensive Identity

Fixing a lackluster offense will determine the success of Antonio Pierce's first full season in charge. In the meantime, though, the Raiders added star defensive tackle to a solid returning unit. Last year, Las Vegas ranked ninth in the league in points allowed per game. Spark the offense, and the Raiders could make a postseason trip.

Los Angeles Chargers: Jim Harbaugh Wins

The phrase "he's a winner" is one of my least favorite sayings. It's a vague, undescriptive way of talking about players and coaches alike. I will quickly make an exception for Jim Harbaugh. He set program records at San Diego and Stanford. He took the San Francisco 49ers to a Super Bowl. He celebrated a national title at Michigan. The dude just wins.

Dallas Cowboys: Elite Talent at the Top

After such a quiet offseason, I am not alone in being concerned about the Cowboys. Elite players can cover up some issues—in the regular season, at least—and wideout CeeDee Lamb and linebacker Micah Parsons fall in that category. We can bicker about Dak Prescott's most accurate label, but he's clearly a quality QB.

New York Giants: Pass-Rushing Upside

Concern is relative, of course, and the Giants are setting off cranial alarm bells all over the NFL world. But if they're able to shatter low expectations, this defensive line will likely be part of the reason. Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux are a promising duo on the edges, and Dexter Lawrence is a force in the middle.

Philadelphia Eagles: Experience in Coordinators

Let's be clear: Brian Johnson and Sean Desai are not dually responsible for Philadelphia's late-season nightmare in 2023. That required a ton of mistakes from the Eagles as a whole. Nevertheless, both were first-time NFL coordinators. Philly went in the opposite direction this offseason, hiring Kellen Moore and Vic Fangio to oversee the units and meld their preferences with a talented roster.

Washington Commanders: It's a New Era

Dan Quinn brings a different kind of energy. Jayden Daniels is a unique type of playmaker. The defense is loaded with fresh options. Bringing all of that together in Year 1 is a challenge, for sure, but Houston showed in 2023 that it can be achieved even with a new coach and rookie QB.

Chicago Bears: Influx of Offensive Talent

Early in the 2023 offseason, Chicago made a stellar deal for wideout DJ Moore that ultimately netted quarterback Caleb Williams in the 2024 draft. Additionally, the Bears just traded for Keenan Allen and picked Rome Odunze to further improve the receiving corps. If the offensive line can finally hold up, the Bears are a legitimate playoff hopeful this season.

Detroit Lions: Breakout Looks Sustainable

Jared Goff's performance last season quieted a fair number of doubters—hand raised here—and helped the Lions surpass rising expectations. As a result, we're talking Super Bowl for Detroit. (Which, by the way, is a shockingly weird reality for a Midwesterner.) The secondary was a disaster in 2023, but the Lions shored up the unit by acquiring Carlton Davis, Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. this offseason.

Green Bay Packers: Youth Propelled the Late-Season Ascent

Though a lack of experience can be an obstacle, GB's youth won't be lacking confidence after turning a 2-5 record into a 9-8 finish with a playoff win—and nearly two. Every projected starter for this offense entered the NFL no earlier than 2019. Only three defenders don't fit that criteria, and the oldest, Preston Smith, is only 31 years old.

Minnesota Vikings: Skill-Position Upside

Justin Jefferson is a sensational wideout, and Jordan Addison played well in his rookie year. T.J. Hockenson is among the league's top tight ends, and running back Aaron Jones is a good playmaker when healthy. Minnesota needs to determine if Sam Darnold or rookie JJ McCarthy is the right QB in 2024, but that eventual choice will have plenty of help.

Atlanta Falcons: Kirk Cousins' Arrival

The obvious answer is the correct one. Among the reasonable options on the board for Atlanta this offseason, Kirk Cousins was basically the best possible solution. Will his contract age well? Maybe, maybe not. But in 2024 specifically, he should significantly improve an offense that ranked 26th in scoring last season.

Carolina Panthers: Refreshed Offense

Bryce Young should never look at his rookie tape. Burn it forever. Without question, the No. 1 pick of the 2023 draft contributed to Carolina's woes as the league's worst team. Still, instability in the coaching staff and a mediocre supporting cast didn't help him. Dave Canales isn't a lock to unlock Young's ability—and neither are the Panthers' big-name additions—but the outlook is much better in 2024.

New Orleans Saints: The Promising End of 2023

The volatility of New Orleans' scoring attack stung the team's postseason hopes in 2023. Down the stretch, though, the Saints put together a quality 4-1 run. Derek Carr tossed 14 touchdowns with two interceptions, and the defense held its opponent to 17 points or less in each win. Starting the 2024 campaign in a similar way is imperative but doable.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Baker Has Options

Speaking of sustaining a nice finish, the Buccaneers rode Baker Mayfield's resurgence to an AFC South title and a postseason victory. Mayfield signed a shiny new contract, but Tampa also reinforced the offense with three rookies in the first four rounds. The trick will be adapting to new coordinator Liam Coen after Canales left to take over the Panthers.

Arizona Cardinals: Gannon Has A Plan

It sort of rhymes, so it makes sense. In seriousness, Jonathan Gannon took on a rebuild with a rehabbing quarterback in 2023. The coming year should be a more accurate measure of Gannon's plan for Arizona, which knocked off Pittsburgh and Philadelphia—two playoff teams—after Murray returned to the field last season.

Los Angeles Rams: So Much Offense

You know what, the Rams might just win 41-38 in a couple of games. Not ideal, but it all counts the same! Matthew Stafford did an admirable job navigating a tough 2023 season, partially thanks to Puka Nacua becoming an All-Pro receiver as Cooper Kupp dealt with injuries. If they're healthy with running back Kyren Williams in tow, Los Angeles will put some scoreboard operators to the test.

San Francisco 49ers: Again, Who's Doubting?

As with Kansas City, the better question is why anyone would overlook the Niners. They've appeared in four of the last five NFC Championship Games with a couple of trips to the Super Bowl. Provided the team figures out its contract situations with Brandon Aiyuk and Trent Williams, San Francisco will be a playoff team in 2024.

Seattle Seahawks: Defensive Wizardry

Your first thought may center on Geno Smith throwing passes to DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Makes sense. Be careful not to breeze past the potential impact of first-year head coach Mike Macdonald, who orchestrated a confusing, effective, elite defense in Baltimore. Buoyed by a fantastic secondary, the Seahawks should be far tougher to score against this season.