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NFL preseason games are under way as all 32 teams are taking to the field for the first time in the 2024-25 NFL season. There’s plenty of new and familiar faces in new places. A quarter of the league is entering 2024 with a different head coach than this time last year, including four first-time head coaches in Dave Canales (Carolina Panthers), Jerod Mayo (New England Patriots), Mike Macdonald (Seattle Seahawks), and Brian Callahan (Tennessee Titans).
Those head coach changes as well as moves in free agency and the 2024 NFL Draft could see some teams rise and others fall compared to last season. But BetMGM’s latest Super Bowl odds show the top teams from last year in the same place again. Here’s how the league ranks less than a month from the start of the season.
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Super Bowl 58’s two teams remain the top contenders in 2024. Kansas City traded away top cornerback L’Jarius Sneed but selected the fastest receiver in the draft in Xavier Worthy. There’s little reason to think they’ll fall off with Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid still around. San Francisco’s mired in contract conflicts with stars Brandon Aiyuk and Trent Williams but still boast arguably the most talented roster in the league.
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Baltimore returns Ravens%20QB%20Lamar%20Jackson%20wins%20his%20second%20career%20NFL%20MVP%20award&text=Jackson%20nearly%20won%20the%20award,Buffalo%20Bills%20quarterback%20Josh%20Allen.” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>reigning league MVP Lamar Jackson for a second year under offensive coordinator Todd Monken. The Ravens do have three new starters on the offensive line and lost one of the best defensive coordinators in the league last season in Macdonald. Detroit signed one of Baltimore’s former offensive line starters – guard Kevin Zeitler – and retained their top coordinator Ben Johnson.
Cincinnati lost longtime coordinator Callahan but franchise quarterback Joe Burrow is healthy and that should help weather that loss. Philadelphia has two new coordinators in Kellen Moore and Vic Fangio. They inherit plenty of talent but it may take time to maximize it.
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Leading receiver Stefon Diggs is out with rookie Keon Coleman and Curtis Samuel are in as Buffalo reshaped its wide receiver room this offseason. But the big question remains of whether or not they can finally get past Kansas City in the playoffs.
Green Bay was one of the top offenses in the closing weeks last season and pushed the 49ers to the brink in the NFC divisional playoffs. New defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley could improve the defense but, like Philadelphia, it may take time. Houston acquired Diggs and top free agent pass rusher Danielle Hunter in the offseason. They add to an exciting young core of players that could bring another division title to Houston.
Dallas lost defensive coordinator Dan Quinn to the Washington and brought in former Minnesota head coach Mike Zimmer to replace him. They’ve faced postseason disappointment three years in a row and are currently in a contract standoff with star Ceedee Lamb.
How good New York’s offense can be with a 40-year-old Aaron Rodgers coming off achilles surgery is a big question mark opposite one of the league’s top defenses. Miami’s offense will likely be exciting once again and new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver could bring a new system from Baltimore.
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Los Angeles’ offense will likely be one of the best in 2024. It’s down to the defense – missing the retired generational talent Aaron Donald – to move them from wild card team to conference challenger. They’ll be without defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, who leads a new regime in Atlanta with plenty of talent on offense and new quarterback Kirk Cousins. They’re the favorites in the NFC South anything more may be a big ask in year one of Morris’ tenure.
Chicago’s defense was one of the best in the league in the second half of 2023 and the Bears upgraded the offense ahead of 2024, including drafting Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze and trading for Keenan Allen. Cleveland had a historically good defense in 2023. What the Browns can get from quarterback Deshaun Watson is one of the biggest question marks for a playoff team in the AFC.
Jim Harbaugh is back in the NFL. He never had a losing season in his first NFL stint but faces a tough task in a competitive conference and a roster without much talent outside of quarterback, offensive tackle, edge rusher, and safety.
Jacksonville missed the playoffs last season and return most starters from 2023 with the exception of rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., who replaces Jaguars.” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>free agent loss Calvin Ridley. Pittsburgh has a new offensive coordinator (Arthur Smith) and quarterback (Russell Wilson). It’s down to them to get up to speed quickly opposite one of the league’s better defenses.
Indianapolis’ season rides on whether quarterback Anthony Richardson can both stay healthy and be productive in his sophomore year. New Seahawks coach Macdonald inherits a fringe top-10 offense in Seattle. If he can get the defense closer to league-average, they could surprise. It wouldn’t be a shock to see the Colts and Seahawks in the playoffs over teams ahead of them in these rankings.
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The final two fringe playoff teams have different questions. Minnesota lost Cousins but drafted J.J. McCarthy and signed Sam Darnold. Can either one power a playoff push with a talented offense around them? Tampa Bay lost offensive coordinator Canales. It’s up to new coordinator Liam Coen to help them win the division again.
Arizona used their seven picks in the first three rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft to good use. The Cardinals are building a core of young talent but may be a year away from pushing for the playoffs. Las Vegas Raiders%20hired%20Pierce%20to,this%20season%2C%20their%20second%20together.” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>kept on interim coach Antonio Pierce and they still have questions at quarterback and wide receiver outside of Davante Adams. New Orleans made a change at offensive coordinator for the first time since 2009 and there’s a lot on first-time coordinator Klint Kubiak.
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These teams all have question marks at quarterback. Denver may start rookie Bo Nix or Jarrett Stidham. New England has arguably the least-talented offense in the league around free agent Jacoby Brissett or rookie Drake Maye. New York Panthers%20have%20traded,million%20with%20%2487.5%20million%20guaranteed.” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>traded for edge rusher Brian Burns in the hopes of helping the 26th-ranked defense in the NFL. They drafted Malik Nabers No. 6 overall; will that help struggling Daniel Jones and the 30th-ranked offense?
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The Titans may have the most positive outlook of this group. Second-year quarterback Will Levis had exciting moments last year and Callahan brought his father Bill, one of the best offensive line coaches in the league, with him to Tennessee.
Washington has a new head coach in Quinn and quarterback in rookie Jayden Daniels who was the first of Washington’s six selections in the top 100 of the 2024 NFL Draft. Can that influx of new players and a new coaching staff make a difference in 2024?
Carolina had the second-worst offense and fourth-worst defense in the league last season. They put a premium on investing around second-year quarterback Bryce Young this offseason by drafting wideout Xavier Legette and running back Jonathan Brooks, signing offensive linemen Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis in free agency, and Steelers%20have%20agreed%20to,situation%20told%20USA%20TODAY%20Sports.” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>trading for wide receiver Diontae Johnson. Canales helped quarterbacks Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield turn around their careers in Seattle and Tampa Bay, respectively. Can he have the same impact on Young in 2024?
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