With the NFL offseason in full swing, several pivotal moves have reshaped team dynamics and stirred the pot for the upcoming 2024 season. Let's delve into some of the most noteworthy changes and predictions involving the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Atlanta Falcons, Los Angeles Rams, and New England Patriots.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: A New Quarterback Era
Coming off an NFC South-winning season with a 9-8 record, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have made headlines by signing quarterback Baker Mayfield to a three-year, $100 million contract. Although the Buccaneers clinched their division last year, they are not favored to retain their title according to the latest 2025 Super Bowl odds.
Surprisingly, the Buccaneers find themselves trailing behind in the odds to win the NFC South, with the Atlanta Falcons emerging as the frontrunners. It seems that despite their NFC South triumph, Tampa Bay's aspirations for dominance face significant hurdles.
Atlanta Falcons: The New Division Favorites
The Atlanta Falcons have positioned themselves as the team to beat in the NFC South. Currently holding odds of -120 to win the division and -196 to make the playoffs, their recent acquisition of quarterback Kirk Cousins in the offseason has undoubtedly elevated their standing.
With expectations mounting, the Falcons will be eager to see if Cousins can propel them to new heights, solidifying their status as the preseason favorites to capture the NFC South title.
Los Angeles Rams: Sustaining Success
The Los Angeles Rams have displayed remarkable consistency in recent years, winning at least 10 games three times in the past four seasons. Under head coach Sean McVay, the Rams have made five playoff appearances in seven seasons, including a Super Bowl victory following a 12-5 season in 2021-22.
Despite this success, the Rams have only secured the NFC West title once in the past five years. Nevertheless, with the majority of their offensive production from last year returning, including running back Kyren Williams, who had 228 rushing attempts for 1,144 yards and 12 touchdowns, the Rams are poised to remain competitive.
New England Patriots: A New Chapter
The New England Patriots have encountered challenging times recently, experiencing losing records in three of their past four seasons. With a dismal 4-13 record in 2023, the departure of legendary head coach Bill Belichick marks the end of an era.
In his stead, Jerod Mayo has taken over the reins as the new head coach. Facing a daunting schedule with three of their first four games on the road, the Patriots are in a period of transition. NFL expert Eric Cohen doesn't paint a rosy picture for New England's prospects, predicting a grim 2-15 finish in their first post-Belichick year. "Anyone who followed Cohen's NFL predictions won big," he confidently asserts, having concluded last season with an impressive 39-28 streak in his NFL predictions.
Cohen's insights reveal that savvy bettors could uncover lucrative opportunities. "See which other surprising winners Cohen is picking only at SportsLine," he advises, hinting at intriguing long-shot bets. "They include a potential Super Bowl result that pays almost 100-1 and a win total that pays back plus-money."
As the NFL landscape continues to shift, fans and analysts alike eagerly anticipate how these developments will impact the forthcoming season. Each team's narrative is shaped by strategic decisions and key personnel changes, all aimed at outmaneuvering their rivals and capturing glory on the gridiron.