The 2024 NFL season is almost upon us, and anticipation is already at a fever pitch before a ball has even been kicked. The Kansas City Chiefs head into the campaign as the reigning champions, and they will have the opportunity to become the first in history to complete the elusive three-peat next term. They will kick things off on September 5th as they welcome the Baltimore Ravens to Arrowhead in a repeat of last year’s AFC Championship game, and victory will surely put them in good stead in their hopes of securing yet another Lombardi.
One thing that Patrick Mahomes has benefited from in recent years is the relatively weak division they find themselves in. The Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, and Los Angeles Chargers haven’t been able to provide any competition to the Missouri outfit in recent years, but not every team has such a luxury. Here are three inter-divisional showdowns we can’t wait to see in 2024.
Bengals vs. Ravens
The AFC North has long been known for its fierce rivalries, and in recent times, it has become arguably the toughest division in the entire NFL. Last season, three of the team’s four competitors made it to the playoffs, with the Baltimore Ravens leading the way ahead of the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers. Strangely, perhaps the best team of the quartet missed out on the postseason, the Cincinnati Bengals.
Much of Cincy’s demise was because superstar quarterback Joe Burrow suffered a season-ending wrist injury at the campaign’s midway point. The former Heisman winner has since returned to full fitness, and his Bengals don’t just have ambitions of winning the division, they are aiming to go all the way to the Lombardi.
Standing in their way, however, are the Baltimore Ravens. Lamar Jackson claimed the MVP award for the second time last season, helping his side to top-seed status in the conference.
They will be aiming for a similarly impressive showing next season, but if they are to do so, they will have to outperform a much improved Bengals with Burrow back at peak health.
The duo will first clash in Cincinnati on week five, and while the NFL odds for week 5 haven’t yet been published, one would expect the hosts to be narrow favorites. The bookies have, however, priced both teams’ Super Bowl odds, and they slightly favor the Ravens, pricing them at +1100 with the Bengals at a slightly longer +1600. With their star quarterbacks and top-tier defenses, both teams have established themselves as forces to be reckoned with in the conference, and the first clash between the two will be crucial in determining the eventual champion of the division.
Bills vs. Dolphins
The AFC East has seen a shift in power dynamics in recent years, with the Buffalo Bills emerging as the division’s powerhouse. The New York State outfit has romped to glory in each of the last four years, however, they have been unable to continue their regular season form into the postseason. As such, a first-ever Lombardi Trophy remains elusive – as does a first Super Bowl appearance since the 1990s – and to make matters worse, the Miami Dolphins have emerged as genuine divisional rivals.
Last season, the Floridians topped the AFC East standings all season long and looked set to claim their first crown in 15 years. Unfortunately for them though, they couldn’t see the job through, and a final-day defeat to the Bills ensured that the divisional honors remained at Highmark.
Led by superstar quarterback Josh Allen, the Bills have become a perennial playoff contender in recent times, while the Dolphins, behind the arm of Tua Tagovailoa, have shown flashes of brilliance and tenacity. The former Alabama Crimson Tide man had a breakout season in 2023, leading the league in terms of throwing yards, and he will be aiming to continue that form into next season.
Odell Beckham Jr. has joined Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle in the wide receiving corps, and that could spell danger for the Bills’ hopes of making it five divisional crowns on the spin next term.
Packers vs. Lions
In the NFC North, the Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions have a longstanding rivalry that dates back to the early days of the NFL. Historically, it has been the Cheeseheads that have been the dominant force, however, last season, it was their nemesis that rose to the forefront. Detroit claimed their first-ever NFC North title last term and came within a whisker of reaching the Super Bowl for the first time.
Led by the highest-paid player in NFL history, Jordan Love, the Packers boast a potent offense that can strike fear into any defense. The Lions have developed a similarly impressive attack under head coach Dan Campbell, and they have emerged as genuine Lombardi contenders in recent years. Only the reigning champion Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers have shorter championship odds than Detroit heading into the new season, and for once, they find themselves as the favorites against their rivals from Lambeau Field.
Can they convert that into a second straight NFC North title? Or will the Packers reclaim the bragging rights?