Opening Dive: Special Thursday Edition

Good morning. We’re ONE WEEK away from OPENING DAY of the NFL season and we’ve got a special Thursday edition of the Opening Drive to kick things off. Here are five bold predictions for the upcoming 2024 NFL season.

Remember, they're just for fun - let's not take it too seriously (unless your team's involved, then feel free to overreact). 🤣 

Let’s dive in.

No. 5 Daniel Jones proves he’s not the guy

Giants' QB Daniel Jones on Shaky Ground Heading into 2024

The 2024 season is a make-or-break year for Daniel Jones and the New York Giants. After showing flashes of potential but struggling with consistency and turnovers, Jones enters a pivotal campaign where he must prove he can be the long-term answer at quarterback. However, all signs point to 2024 being the year Jones' tenure in New York comes to an unceremonious end.

Jones ranked just 25th among starting quarterbacks last season according to Pro Football Focus' grades. His inability to consistently make accurate throws downfield and avoid costly mistakes has been a major hindrance. The numbers paint a grim picture as well. In 2022, Jones threw for just 3,205 yards, 15 touchdowns, and five interceptions, failing to elevate the Giants' offense to a level befitting a franchise quarterback. His passer rating of 92.5 ranked him in the bottom half of the league's starters, underscoring the team's struggles to move the ball through the air. Jones’ 2023 season was plagued by injuries and he played just six games going 1-5 with 909 yards, two touchdowns, and six interceptions. His passer rating of 70.5 was dead last among starters.

The Giants doubled down on Jones this offseason by declining to pursue other veteran options or move up in the draft to take a QB, but that faith appears misguided based on his underwhelming training camp performance.

NFL analyst Bucky Brooks recently bashed Jones' camp struggles, saying "He's just not getting it done...I don't think he's going to be the guy." With an unproven receiving corps and a defense facing major question marks, the ingredients are in place for Jones to falter mightily in 2024. Expect him to regress statistically and for the Giants to finish last in the NFC East.

Prediction: When the losses inevitably pile up, the Jones era will mercifully come to an end in New York. Head coach Brian Daboll and GM Joe Schoen could also be done after hitching their wagon to the wrong quarterback. A full-scale rebuild could be on tap for 2025 as the Giants are forced to move on from Jones and his shortcomings.

No. 4 The Texans and CJ Stroud are for real

Houston, We Have Liftoff 🚀 CJ Stroud and the Texans Poised for AFC Championship Run

The Houston Texans' faithful have endured a tumultuous stretch, but the arrival of QB CJ Stroud has ushered in a new era of optimism. The second-year quarterback's meteoric rise has captivated the league, and his performance in the 2023 Wild Card round against the Cleveland Browns was nothing short of a masterclass.

Stroud's poise and precision in dissecting the Browns' defense left analysts and fans alike in awe. His four touchdown passes and surgical decision-making belied his rookie status, prompting NFL scouts and executives to hail him as "good as anybody" and "setting the standard for a rookie."

The former Ohio State standout's seamless transition to the professional ranks has been a testament to his work ethic and natural talent. Reports from training camp painted a picture of a quarterback who "looks really good," fueling expectations of an All-Pro season in 2024.

Stroud's ascendancy has been a dream come true for the Texans organization and their long-suffering supporters. As one local columnist eloquently put it, "C.J. Stroud is nobody's fish," a nod to his unwavering confidence and refusal to be defined by external narratives.

With Stroud at the helm, the Texans have emerged as a force to be reckoned with in the AFC. His ability to elevate the play of those around him has galvanized the team, and their sights are firmly set on the ultimate prize – a Super Bowl championship.

Prediction: Fueled by Stroud's transcendent talent and the team's collective hunger, the Houston Texans will defy the odds and punch their ticket to the AFC Championship game in 2024, setting the stage for an epic showdown with the conference's elite.

No. 3 Jordan Love will be the MVP

Love Potion ❤️ Jordan's Brewing an MVP Masterpiece in Green Bay

As the 2024 NFL season dawns, the winds of change are howling through Titletown. Jordan Love, the heir apparent to Aaron Rodgers' throne, is no longer a prospect – he's a full-fledged contender for the league's highest individual honor: MVP.

Love's path has been a winding one, paved with patience and an unwavering belief in his talents. After three seasons as Rodgers' understudy, the 25-year-old gunslinger is primed to take the reins of the Packers' high-octane offense and etch his name alongside the franchise's legendary signal-callers.

The signs have been there all offseason. Love's jaw-dropping performances in OTAs and minicamp left pundits awestruck, with many predicting a seamless transition from the Rodgers era to the Love era in Green Bay.

Physically, Love is a freak – a cannon arm, elite mobility, and a keen mind for the game. But it's his mental fortitude and unflappable confidence that truly set him apart. In a league where the spotlight can be unforgiving, Love has embraced the pressure, thriving under the weight of sky-high expectations.

The Love era has arrived in Green Bay, and the young gunslinger is ready to take the league by storm. With a talented supporting cast and a coaching staff that believes in him, Love is poised to take the NFL by storm. His physical tools are undeniable, but it's his mental makeup that has scouts and analysts buzzing about a potential MVP campaign.

Prediction: Love won't just silence the doubters – he'll etch his name in the record books, capturing MVP honors and leading the Packers on a deep playoff run.

No. 2 Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers are the new kings of the AFC West

LA's Bolts Will Short-Circuit KC's Firepower

Buckle up, NFL fans, because the 2024 season promises to be a rollercoaster ride in the AFC West. While the Kansas City Chiefs have reigned supreme for the past three years, a new contender is emerging, and it's none other than Jim Harbaugh's Los Angeles Chargers.

Harbaugh, the former head coach of the San Francisco 49ers and the University of Michigan, has been tasked with reviving the Chargers' fortunes. With his fiery personality and proven track record, he's poised to shake up the division and put the Chiefs on notice.

Stephen A. Smith, the outspoken ESPN analyst, has thrown his weight behind the Chargers, predicting that they will disrupt the Chiefs' three-peat dream. Smith's bold proclamation has only added fuel to the fire, setting the stage for an epic showdown in the AFC West.

With Harbaugh's ability to build a team known for being physical, the Chargers have the potential to unleash a potent attack that could challenge the Chiefs' high-powered offense.

While the Chiefs have been the class of the division, their reign may be in jeopardy. Patrick Mahomes, the league's most electrifying quarterback, will undoubtedly have his hands full as he faces a revitalized Chargers squad hungry for success.

As the 2024 season approaches, one thing is certain: the AFC West will be a battleground, and the Chargers, under Jim Harbaugh's guidance, are poised to make a statement. 

Prediction: Despite the setback during training camp with QB Justin Herbert’s plantar fascia injury, the Chargers will dethrone the Chiefs and claim the AFC West crown, ushering in a new era of dominance in the division.

No. 1 The 49ers will relinquish the NFC West Division title and miss the playoffs

An aging roster and contract hold outs loom large over the 49ers quest for a third straight division title and fourth straight playoff appearance🏆️

For the past three seasons, the San Francisco 49ers have reigned supreme in the NFC West, punching their ticket to the playoffs with relative ease. However, as the 2024 campaign looms, dark clouds could be gathering over Levi's Stadium, threatening to end the Niners' divisional dominance and potentially keep them out of the postseason for the first time since 2021.

While the talent-laden roster remains largely intact, several concerning issues could derail San Francisco's playoff aspirations. The ongoing contract standoff with All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams has cast a shadow over an otherwise formidable offensive line. If the impasse persists, the 49ers' vaunted rushing attack and Brock Purdy's protection could be compromised.

After months of on-and-off negotiations, including multiple reported private meetings, All-Pro wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk still has not inked the long-term extension he desired. Even if the team and Aiyuk can come to terms, he held out of the entire off-season program and whether he’s in football shape will be unknown until he steps on the field.

Furthermore, the NFC landscape is shifting, with powerhouses emerging across the conference. In the North, the Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, and the Chicago Bears, led by rookie sensation Caleb Williams, are poised to challenge for divisional supremacy. Meanwhile, the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles loom large in the East, both boasting rosters capable of making deep playoff runs.

As the competition intensifies, the 49ers' path to the postseason appears more treacherous than ever before. Head coach Kyle Shanahan and his squad will need to navigate these turbulent waters with precision, or risk watching the playoffs unfold from their couches come January.

Prediction: For the first time since 2021, the San Francisco 49ers will miss the playoffs, falling victim to a strengthened NFC and their internal struggles, ending their reign as divisional champions.

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