Bold Predictions for Regular Season Awards and Super Bowl

The countdown to the NFL season kickoff is only two days away! In our last two articles, we predicted the records of each franchise, the division and conference winners. However, we still have more predictions about the NFL season, including the coveted MVP award. Ultimately, the biggest question to answer is who will win Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans on February 9? In this article, we will tackle these topics and make our bold predictions.

1. Most Valuable Player- the MVP award has become an award given to the best quarterback in the league. The last non-quarterback to win it was Adrian Peterson in 2012, and only eight non-quarterbacks have won it since 1990. Last season, Lamar Jackson won the award deservedly after leading the Ravens to a 13-4 record and the number one seed in the AFC. The favorite to win this award is Patrick Mahomes after winning Super Bowl LVIII MVP. Number 15 is motivated to dominate this regular season after struggling in stretches last season. Other contenders for the award include a Jackson repeat, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, and Brock Purdy. However, my prediction to nab the award is CJ Stroud. Stroud emerged as one of the most prolific rookie quarterbacks after throwing for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns, and five interceptions. The addition of Stefan Diggs on the outside and Joe Mixon will make the offense more potent, while the signal-caller is expected to improve after his stellar first year.

2. Offensive Player of the Year- in the past five seasons, this award has been won by non-quarterbacks with 2 Running Backs and 3 Wide Receivers. The favorite to repeat and win this award is Christian McCaffery, who dominated with 1,459 rushing yards, 21 total touchdowns, including 14 of the rushing variety. McCaffery will have another big season with a loaded 49ers squad, and if he repeats as the winner, he would become the first player since Marshall Faulk in 2000 to win back-back OPOY. However, my pick to win the award is Tyreek Hill. Hill will be motivated to capture the award after nearly winning in the past few seasons. Hill is certain to dominate because he has averaged over 106 yards and 11 targets, and the Dolphins will need his high productivity to stay in contention in a crowded AFC.

3. Defensive Player of the Year- Myles Garrett grabbed the award last season after 14 sacks last season, and dominating as the captain of a top defense. Another candidate that deserves consideration is Nick Bosa, who won the 2022 award. It feels like this is an era of parity when it comes to the dominant defender for the regular season, which will prevent a back-to-back winner like Aaron Donald in 2017-18. Many analysts have tipped Micah Parson to take the leap and win this award in 2024. My prediction is that T.J. Watt will reclaim the mantle from his 2021 triumph. The Steelers depend on their defense to keep their team in games, and Watt is the player that will disrupt the quarterback. Watt tallied 19 sacks last season to lead the league in the statistical category. If the Steelers make the playoffs, I expect Watt to be the difference maker in this team.

4. Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year- the Offensive Rookie of the Year will be an interesting award in 2024 because of the quality of the field. The top two candidates will be Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels, drafted number 1 and 2 this year. Both quarterbacks have been named starters to their teams and see their potential as franchise-altering. My favorite to win the award is Williams because he has better playmakers: D’Andre Swift, DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze. However, more pressure will be on Williams because the expectation is to challenge for a playoff spot in Chicago. I think Caleb will live up to the hype and meet the expectations. The Defensive Rookie of the Year has less sizzle this season because the draft was better from the offensive side of the football. I have Los Angeles edge rusher Jared Verse winning the award because many talent evaluators see him as a capable anchor and try to follow the model set by the retired Aaron Donald. The 19th overall pick will have big shoes to fill, but he will perform adequately in Year 1.

5. Comeback Player of the Year- this will be an interesting award because several quarterbacks missed a lot of last season due to injury. Anthony Richardson was showing flashes of being a dynamic playmaker before his rookie season-ending injury. Kirk Cousins took a big money move after an injury-riddled season in Minnesota for a fresh start in Atlanta. However, if he struggles, Michael Pennix Jr was drafted for the future and is a capable starter. Aaron Rodgers lasted just four plays before getting in his home opener and missing the entire season. Rodgers will not play badly, but he can lean on his defense. Therefore, my pick to win the award is Joe Burrow because the Tigers alum will play this season with a vengeance to remind the world of his greatness.

6. Super Bowl pick-I picked the Baltimore Ravens to win the AFC and the San Francisco 49ers to win the NFC, which would be a rematch of Super Bowl XLVII. In Super Bowl LIX, I have the Ravens winning a thriller over the 49ers. The 49ers struggled against Lamar Jackson in their Dec 2023 matchup, and I think Jackson will relish the opportunity in the biggest stage in sports.