Ranking NFL’s most vulnerable division winners for 2024, from sturdy Chiefs to shaky Cowboys

Every year, the NFL standings are a showcase of the league’s parity. History tells us that at least a handful of playoff spots will change hands, regardless of the prior year’s results. The same can be said of the NFL’s eight divisions; in 2023, for example, half of them had different champions than the season before.

So who’s best suited to keep their division title in 2024? And who’s most likely to lose it? Here’s our rundown of the most vulnerable reigning champions, from sturdiest to shakiest:

2023 record: 11-6 | Division title streak: 8 seasons

Patrick Mahomes
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The last time someone other than the Chiefs claimed the West, Alex Smith was K.C.’s team MVP, Eric Berry was Comeback Player of the Year, and Peyton Manning was the Denver Broncos’ quarterback. There have been many renditions of the Andy Reid-Patrick Mahomes squad since then: the historic big-play powerhouse, the suffocating defensive juggernaut, etc. No matter how you slice it, the Chiefs reign supreme, and that should continue into 2024, with Mahomes boasting additional downfield receiving depth and Steve Spagnuolo’s physical defense largely intact. Denver has a rookie signal-caller with Sean Payton still implementing his designs, the Las Vegas Raiders are still without a bona fide quarterback of their own, and while the Los Angeles Chargers should be more disciplined under Jim Harbaugh, they’re relying on lots of new pieces around Justin Herbert.

2023 record: 12-5 | Division title streak: 2 seasons

Kyle Shanahan, right
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Three years after the Los Angeles Rams literally won the Super Bowl, their rival 49ers have established themselves as one of the safest bets…


Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/ranking-nfls-most-vulnerable-division-winners-for-2024-from-sturdy-chiefs-to-shaky-cowboys/

Author : Cody Benjamin

Publish date : 2024-05-27 12:45:14

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