Best-Case and Worst-Case Scenarios for Every NFL Team Entering 2024 Training Camps
The NFL season is just around the corner, and with it comes the excitement of training camps. It’s a time of hope and optimism, where every team believes they can make a run at the Super Bowl. Of course, the reality is that not every team can achieve their goals. For some, the path to success will be paved with bumps and detours. As the dust settles from the offseason and the first practices get underway, it’s time to dive into the optimal and pessimistic possibilities for each NFL team in 2024.
The teams that were the worst in the NFL last year are usually expected to be the worst again this season. That’s hardly been the case over the past decade. Teams like the Cincinnati Bengals and the Buffalo Bills have gone from the bottom of the league to contenders within a few seasons. That said, many teams enter the year with some uncertainty about their direction and potential. It’s always fun to envision the ideal and unfavorable scenarios for each NFL team as they head into training camp.
Our SI NFL team publishers have taken a look at each of the league’s teams and have presented the best and worst outcomes for each team as they prepare for the season. Think of it as a look at the glass half-full and the glass half empty for each squad.
- Every NFL team entering 2024 training camps has both best-case and worst-case scenarios.
- Teams that were the worst in the NFL last year are not always expected to be the worst again this season.
- Some teams have gone from the bottom of the league to contenders within a few seasons, like the Cincinnati Bengals and Buffalo Bills.
- The AFC is highly competitive, with teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, and Los Angeles Chargers poised to compete for a Super Bowl title.
- Teams like the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers are hoping for significant improvements in 2024.
- Teams like the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars are still figuring out their direction and potential for the upcoming season.
The AFC
The AFC is more competitive than ever, but there are a few teams that stand out as having the best chance to compete for a Super Bowl title. The Kansas City Chiefs, led by Patrick Mahomes, are the favorites, but the Buffalo Bills, the Cincinnati Bengals and the Los Angeles Chargers are all poised to make a serious run. However, there are also some teams that will be looking to make a big improvement in 2024. The New England Patriots are hoping to get back to their winning ways, and the Pittsburgh Steelers are hoping to contend for a playoff spot.
Then there are some teams that are on the verge of taking a step back. The Cleveland Browns are still trying to figure out their identity, and the Jacksonville Jaguars are hoping that their young quarterback can take a step forward.
Here’s a look at the best-case and worst-case scenarios for each AFC team:
AFC East
The AFC East is one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL, and it will be a race to the top in 2024. The Buffalo Bills are the current favorites to win the division, but the Miami Dolphins are not far behind. The New England Patriots will be looking to make a statement, and the New York Jets will be hoping that their new quarterback can lead them to the playoffs.
Buffalo Bills
Best-Case Scenario: The Bills’ offense continues to be one of the most explosive in the league, and they finally get over their playoff hump, making a deep run in the playoffs. The defense remains one of the league’s best, and they will have a clear path to the AFC Championship game.
Worst-Case Scenario: The Bills’ offense struggles to find consistency, and they suffer a few early losses. The defense, which has been the foundation of the team in recent years, takes a step back, and they are forced to fight for a wild-card spot.
Miami Dolphins
Best-Case Scenario: Tua Tagovailoa continues to improve, and he leads the Dolphins to a division title. The young core of the team, including Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, continues to develop.
Worst-Case Scenario: Tua Tagovailoa suffers another injury, and the Dolphins’ offense struggles to find consistency. The defense, which has been a weakness in recent years, remains a liability.
New England Patriots
Best-Case Scenario: The Patriots’ offense takes a step forward, and they become a contender for a wild-card spot. The defense remains one of the best in the league.
Worst-Case Scenario: The Patriots’ offense remains stagnant, and they are forced to rely on their defense to carry them. They finish with a losing record and miss the playoffs.
New York Jets
Best-Case Scenario: Aaron Rodgers has a bounce-back season, and he leads the Jets to their first playoff berth since 2010. The defense, which is one of the best in the league, continues to excel.
Worst-Case Scenario: Rodgers struggles to adjust to a new system, and the Jets’ offense is not as explosive as they hoped. The defense, which has been a strength in recent years, takes a step back, and they finish with a losing record.
AFC North
The AFC North is one of the most physical and competitive divisions in the NFL. The Cincinnati Bengals and the Baltimore Ravens are the favorites to win the division, but the Cleveland Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers are both more than capable of challenging for a playoff spot.
Cincinnati Bengals
Best-Case Scenario: The Bengals’ offense continues to be one of the most explosive in the league, and they finally win their first Super Bowl title. The defense continues to improve, and they become a complete team.
Worst-Case Scenario: The Bengals’ offense struggles to find consistency, and they lose a few close games. The defense, which has been a weakness in recent years, remains a liability.
Baltimore Ravens
Best-Case Scenario: Lamar Jackson has a healthy season, and he leads the Ravens to a division title. The defense, which is one of the best in the league, continues to excel.
Worst-Case Scenario: Jackson suffers another injury, and the Ravens’ offense struggles to find consistency. The defense, which has been a strength in recent years, takes a step back.
Cleveland Browns
Best-Case Scenario: The Browns’ offense takes a step forward, and they become a contender for a wild-card spot. The defense continues to improve, and they become a complete team.
Worst-Case Scenario: The Browns’ offense remains stagnant, and they are forced to rely on their defense to carry them. They finish with a losing record and miss the playoffs.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Best-Case Scenario: Kenny Pickett takes a big step forward in his second year, and he leads the Steelers to a playoff berth. The defense, which is one of the best in the league, continues to excel.
Worst-Case Scenario: Pickett struggles to adjust to the NFL, and the Steelers’ offense is not as explosive as they hoped. The defense, which has been a strength in recent years, takes a step back, and they finish with a losing record.
AFC South
The AFC South is one of the most unpredictable divisions in the NFL. The Jacksonville Jaguars are the favorites to win the division, but the Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans are both capable of challenging for a playoff spot. The Indianapolis Colts are in a rebuild.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Best-Case Scenario: Trevor Lawrence takes a big step forward in his third year, and he leads the Jaguars to a division title. The defense, which is one of the best in the league, continues to excel.
Worst-Case Scenario: Lawrence continues to struggle, and the Jaguars’ offense is not as explosive as they hoped. The defense, which has been a strength in recent years, takes a step back, and they finish with a losing record.
Tennessee Titans
Best-Case Scenario: The Titans’ offense takes a step forward, and they become a contender for a wild-card spot. The defense continues to improve, and they become a complete team.
Worst-Case Scenario: The Titans’ offense remains stagnant, and they are forced to rely on their defense to carry them. They finish with a losing record and miss the playoffs.
Houston Texans
Best-Case Scenario: The Texans’ offense takes a step forward, and they become a contender for a wild-card spot. The defense continues to improve, and they become a complete team.
Worst-Case Scenario: The Texans’ offense remains stagnant, and they are forced to rely on their defense to carry them. They finish with a losing record and miss the playoffs.
Indianapolis Colts
Best-Case Scenario: The Colts’ offense takes a step forward, and they become a contender for a wild-card spot. The defense continues to improve, and they become a complete team.
Worst-Case Scenario: The Colts’ offense remains stagnant, and they are forced to rely on their defense to carry them. They finish with a losing record and miss the playoffs.
AFC West
The AFC West is one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL. The Kansas City Chiefs are the favorites to win the division, but the Los Angeles Chargers, the Denver Broncos and the Las Vegas Raiders are all capable of challenging for a playoff spot.
Kansas City Chiefs
Best-Case Scenario: The Chiefs’ offense continues to be one of the most explosive in the league, and they win their third Super Bowl title in four years. The defense, which is one of the best in the league, continues to excel.
Worst-Case Scenario: The Chiefs’ offense struggles to find consistency, and they lose a few close games. The defense, which has been a weakness in recent years, remains a liability.
Los Angeles Chargers
Best-Case Scenario: Justin Herbert takes a big step forward in his fourth year, and he leads the Chargers to a division title. The defense, which is one of the best in the league, continues to excel.
Worst-Case Scenario: Herbert continues to struggle, and the Chargers’ offense is not as explosive as they hoped. The defense, which has been a strength in recent years, takes a step back, and they finish with a losing record.
Denver Broncos
Best-Case Scenario: Russell Wilson has a bounce-back season, and he leads the Broncos to a playoff berth. The defense, which is one of the best in the league, continues to excel.
Worst-Case Scenario: Wilson continues to struggle, and the Broncos’ offense is not as explosive as they hoped. The defense, which has been a strength in recent years, takes a step back, and they finish with a losing record.
Las Vegas Raiders
Best-Case Scenario: The Raiders’ offense takes a step forward, and they become a contender for a wild-card spot. The defense continues to improve, and they become a complete team.
Worst-Case Scenario: The Raiders’ offense remains stagnant, and they are forced to rely on their defense to carry them. They finish with a losing record and miss the playoffs.
The NFC
The NFC is also extremely competitive. The Philadelphia Eagles are the team to beat, but the San Francisco 49ers, the Dallas Cowboys and the Minnesota Vikings are all contenders for a Super Bowl title.
Here’s a look at the best-case and worst-case scenarios for each NFC team:
NFC East
The NFC East is one of the most unpredictable divisions in the NFL. The Philadelphia Eagles are the favorites to win the division, but the Dallas Cowboys, the New York Giants and the Washington Commanders are all capable of challenging for a playoff spot.
Philadelphia Eagles
Best-Case Scenario: Jalen Hurts continues to improve, and he leads the Eagles to a Super Bowl title. The defense remains one of the best in the league, and they become a complete team.
Worst-Case Scenario: The Eagles’ offense struggles to find consistency, and they lose a few close games. The defense, which has been a weakness in recent years, remains a liability.
Dallas Cowboys
Best-Case Scenario: Dak Prescott has a healthy season, and he leads the Cowboys to a division title. The defense, which is one of the best in the league, continues to excel.
Worst-Case Scenario: Prescott suffers another injury, and the Cowboys’ offense is not as explosive as they hoped. The defense, which has been a strength in recent years, takes a step back, and they finish with a losing record.
New York Giants
Best-Case Scenario: The Giants’ offense takes a step forward, and they become a contender for a wild-card spot. The defense continues to improve, and they become a complete team.
Worst-Case Scenario: The Giants’ offense remains stagnant, and they are forced to rely on their defense to carry them. They finish with a losing record and miss the playoffs.
Washington Commanders
Best-Case Scenario: The Commanders’ offense takes a step forward, and they become a contender for a wild-card spot. The defense continues to improve, and they become a complete team.
Worst-Case Scenario: The Commanders’ offense remains stagnant, and they are forced to rely on their defense to carry them. They finish with a losing record and miss the playoffs.
NFC North
The NFC North is one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL. The Minnesota Vikings are the favorites to win the division, but the Green Bay Packers, the Chicago Bears and the Detroit Lions are all capable of challenging for a playoff spot.
Minnesota Vikings
Best-Case Scenario: Kirk Cousins has a healthy season, and he leads the Vikings to a division title. The defense, which is one of the best in the league, continues to excel.
Worst-Case Scenario: Cousins struggles to adjust to a new system, and the Vikings’ offense is not as explosive as they hoped. The defense, which has been a strength in recent years, takes a step back, and they finish with a losing record.
Green Bay Packers
Best-Case Scenario: The Packers’ offense takes a step forward, and they become a contender for a wild-card spot. The defense continues to improve, and they become a complete team.
Worst-Case Scenario: The Packers’ offense remains stagnant, and they are forced to rely on their defense to carry them. They finish with a losing record and miss the playoffs.
Chicago Bears
Best-Case Scenario: The Bears’ offense takes a step forward, and they become a contender for a wild-card spot. The defense continues to improve, and they become a complete team.
Worst-Case Scenario: The Bears’ offense remains stagnant, and they are forced to rely on their defense to carry them. They finish with a losing record and miss the playoffs.
Detroit Lions
Best-Case Scenario: The Lions’ offense takes a step forward, and they become a contender for a wild-card spot. The defense continues to improve, and they become a complete team.
Worst-Case Scenario: The Lions’ offense remains stagnant, and they are forced to rely on their defense to carry them. They finish with a losing record and miss the playoffs.
NFC South
The NFC South is a division in transition. The Carolina Panthers are the favorites to win the division, but the New Orleans Saints, the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are all capable of challenging for a playoff spot.
Carolina Panthers
Best-Case Scenario: Bryce Young has a strong rookie season, and he leads the Panthers to a playoff berth. The defense, which is one of the best in the league, continues to excel.
Worst-Case Scenario: Young struggles to adjust to the NFL, and the Panthers’ offense is not as explosive as they hoped. The defense, which has been a strength in recent years, takes a step back, and they finish with a losing record.
New Orleans Saints
Best-Case Scenario: The Saints’ offense takes a step forward, and they become a contender for a wild-card spot. The defense continues to improve, and they become a complete team.
Worst-Case Scenario: The Saints’ offense remains stagnant, and they are forced to rely on their defense to carry them. They finish with a losing record and miss the playoffs.
Atlanta Falcons
Best-Case Scenario: The Falcons’ offense takes a step forward, and they become a contender for a wild-card spot. The defense continues to improve, and they become a complete team.
Worst-Case Scenario: The Falcons’ offense remains stagnant, and they are forced to rely on their defense to carry them. They finish with a losing record and miss the playoffs.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Best-Case Scenario: The Buccaneers’ offense takes a step forward, and they become a contender for a wild-card spot. The defense continues to improve, and they become a complete team.
Worst-Case Scenario: The Buccaneers’ offense remains stagnant, and they are forced to rely on their defense to carry them. They finish with a losing record and miss the playoffs.
NFC West
The NFC West is one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL. The San Francisco 49ers are the favorites to win the division, but the Seattle Seahawks, the Arizona Cardinals and the Los Angeles Rams are all capable of challenging for a playoff spot.
San Francisco 49ers
Best-Case Scenario: The 49ers’ offense continues to be one of the most explosive in the league, and they finally win their first Super Bowl title since 1995. The defense continues to improve, and they become a complete team.
Worst-Case Scenario: The 49ers’ offense struggles to find consistency, and they lose a few close games. The defense, which has been a weakness in recent years, remains a liability.
Seattle Seahawks
Best-Case Scenario: Geno Smith continues to play at a high level, and he leads the Seahawks to a playoff berth. The defense, which is one of the best in the league, continues to excel.
Worst-Case Scenario: Smith regresses, and the Seahawks’ offense is not as explosive as they hoped. The defense, which has been a strength in recent years, takes a step back, and they finish with a losing record.
Arizona Cardinals
Best-Case Scenario: Kyler Murray has a healthy season, and he leads the Cardinals to a playoff berth. The defense, which is one of the best in the league, continues to excel.
Worst-Case Scenario: Murray suffers another injury, and the Cardinals’ offense is not as explosive as they hoped. The defense, which has been a strength in recent years, takes a step back, and they finish with a losing record.
Los Angeles Rams
Best-Case Scenario: The Rams’ offense takes a step forward, and they become a contender for a wild-card spot. The defense continues to improve, and they become a complete team.
Worst-Case Scenario: The Rams’ offense remains stagnant, and they are forced to rely on their defense to carry them. They finish with a losing record and miss the playoffs.
This is just a glimpse into the most favorable and least favorable situations for each NFL team as they enter 2024 training camp. The season is full of surprises, and anything can happen. The only thing that is certain is that the NFL is always exciting, and the race to the Super Bowl is always a close one.
