No one likes to stomp on dreams. Part of the fun of being an NFL fan, after all, is buying into your favorite team’s upcoming season, no matter how unlikely a Lombardi Trophy run may seem. And yet, every single year, somebody’s gotta finish last. Or at least close to it.
That’s why we’ve identified five teams that have us more concerned than most. So concerned, in fact, that we wouldn’t be stunned if they ended 2024 near the very bottom of the standings. Buckle up, and if you happen to root for these particular franchises, just be thankful they now have this additional motivation!
Note: Strength-of-schedule rankings courtesy of Sharp Football Analysis.
2023 finish: 11-6 | 2024 schedule: 3rd hardest
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By several key measures, the Browns boasted the No. 1 defense in the NFL in 2023. That’ll help. What won’t is an offense that may well be worse off than it was a year ago, when an aging Joe Flacco briefly picked up the pieces of an injury-racked quarterback room. Yes, Deshaun Watson is back, but for how long? Even if he’s upright and steady — two things that haven’t been the case for years — Kevin Stefanski’s otherwise encouraging staff will have to overcome injuries across the offensive line, as well as to ground-game centerpiece Nick Chubb. Throw in the unpredictable chemistry between Watson and new wideout Jerry Jeudy, who wore out his welcome with the Denver Broncos, and the combustion potential is real. That’s not even accounting for a tough AFC North featuring two popular Super Bowl picks in the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals.
2023 finish: 8-9 | 2024 schedule: 9th hardest
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In terms of raw talent, the…
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2024-nfl-season-predicting-five-of-the-worst-teams-including-last-years-surprise-afc-north-contender/
Author : Cody Benjamin
Publish date : 2024-09-03 13:33:41
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