The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are entering the 2024 NFL season with a mixed bag of optimism and uncertainty. Fresh off an NFC South-winning season with a 9-8 record, the Buccaneers have made headlines with the acquisition of quarterback Baker Mayfield, who inked a lucrative three-year, $100 million contract this offseason. However, despite their recent success, they are not the favorites to clinch the NFC South, according to the latest 2025 Super Bowl odds.
Atlanta Falcons Emerge as Favorites
The Atlanta Falcons are touted as the frontrunners to win the NFC South, holding odds of -120 to take the division and -196 to make the playoffs. Spearheading this shift in fortunes is their new quarterback, Kirk Cousins, who joined the team in the offseason. Cousins brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record, qualities that the Falcons hope will translate into divisional dominance.
Buccaneers Face a Challenging Path
With the Buccaneers' change in quarterback and the Falcons' ascension, the landscape of the NFC South looks to be highly competitive. Mayfield's addition provides Tampa Bay a seasoned leader under center, but questions remain about whether this will be enough to outpace a revamped Falcons team.
Eric Cohen's Keen Predictions
According to SportsLine NFL expert Eric Cohen, who finished last season with an impressive 39-28 streak in his NFL predictions, betting on his picks can yield significant returns. "Anyone who followed Cohen's NFL predictions won big," noted one observer. Cohen's predictions for the upcoming season include surprising winners and even a potential Super Bowl result with nearly 100-1 payout odds. He also forecasts a win total with plus-money returns for teams that are poised to exceed expectations.
Cohen's comprehensive grid predicting each team's final record for the 2024 NFL season casts a shadow over certain franchises, particularly the New England Patriots. Cohen foresees a grim outcome for the Patriots, estimating they will finish with a 2-15 record in their first year post-Bill Belichick.
New England Patriots Struggle to Find Footing
The Patriots have seen better days, enduring losing records in three of their past four seasons, including a dismal 4-13 record in 2023. The departure of legendary head coach Bill Belichick marks a significant turning point for the franchise. Stepping into the leading role is Jerod Mayo, who faces the daunting task of revitalizing a team that has struggled to maintain its former glory. The uphill battle is immediate, as three of the Patriots' first four games in the 2024 season are on the road, challenging Mayo's squad to prove their resilience early.
Los Angeles Rams: Steady Yet Unspectacular?
The Los Angeles Rams are another team in the spotlight. Under the guidance of head coach Sean McVay, the Rams have made five playoff appearances in seven seasons and secured the Super Bowl with a 12-5 record in the 2021-22 season. Consistency has been their hallmark, having won at least 10 games in three of the past four seasons. Despite this success, they've only claimed the NFC West title once in the last five years, underscoring the competitive nature of their division.
Looking to build on their offensive stability, the Rams will return the majority of their offensive production from last year. Running back Kyren Williams, who had an impressive season with 228 rushing attempts for 1,144 yards and 12 touchdowns, is expected to be a key contributor once again.
Navigating Futures and Fortunes
As the 2024 NFL season approaches, fans and analysts alike will be keeping a close eye on these developments. Whether it's the Buccaneers striving to defend their NFC South title, the Falcons aiming to capitalize on their new quarterback, or the Patriots attempting to rebuild under new leadership, the levels of intrigue and speculation are at an all-time high.
For those looking to make the most of this wealth of information, Eric Cohen's insights might just hold the key. "See which other surprising winners Cohen is picking only at SportsLine," his followers are advised, hinting at the potential for both thrilling games and lucrative betting opportunities in the unpredictable world of NFL football.