NFL Elite Eleven (Preseason Edition)
We are heading into the final week of the NFL preseason and the real action begins in two weeks. Let’s dive into the top 11 teams heading into the 2024 NFL season.
NFL Elite Eleven (Preseason Edition)
#11. NY Jets (+1100/+2000) - It is officially put-up or shut-up time for multi-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers should be fully healthy and has plenty of weapons to utilize this season and has an offense that was built for him. Can he adjust to life as a less dynamic quarterback and be willing to defer to some of his team’s other talents. Last Year’s Record: 7-10
#10. LA Rams (+1500/+3000) - The Rams could be a sleeper to represent the NFC in this year’s Super Bowl. They’ll have to keep quarterback Matthew Stafford healthy but that might be less of a problem this year if they lean on running back Kyren Williams. The defense will have to deal without the retired Aaron Donald but could he be coaxed back late in the year if the Rams look Super Bowl-ready? Last Year’s Record: 10-7
#9. Buffalo Bills (+800/+1500) - This could be a case of addition by subtraction after the Bills parted ways with petulant WR Stefon Diggs. Diggs’ absence puts all the onus on quarterback Josh Allen and he will shine on his own. Watch out for this team but they will have to get some defensive help with the loss of MLB Milano for the season. Last Year’s Record: 11-6
#8. Philadelphia Eagles (+600/+1500) - If you believe that the rift between quarterback Jalen Hurts and head coach Nick Sirianni is over, then you like the Eagles chances to rule the NFC once again. Call me skeptical but don’t be surprised if Bill Belichick is studying the Eagles’ roster right now. Last Year’s Record: 11-6
#7. Cincinnati Bengals (+700/+1300) - Quarterback Joe Burrow is back and healthy and still has his top two receivers in Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins at his disposal. They are the last AFC team other than the Chiefs to reach the Super Bowl and are not intimidated by the Chiefs’ aura. Last Year’s Record: 9-8
#6. Houston Texans (+850/+1600) - The Texans added Steffon Diggs to an already loaded offense and it is now the job of CJ Stroud to lead them. If they get enough defensive support, the Texans could be the most dangerous team to unseat the Chiefs in the AFC. Last Year’s Record: 10-7
#5. Green Bay Packers (+800/+1900) - The Packers are turning into a quarterback factory with Jordan Love successfully succeeding Aaron Rodgers as Rodgers did Bret Favre before him. Love has the tools and a less than dominant NFC to navigate through this year. Last Year’s Record: 9-8
#4. Baltimore Ravens (+550/+1300) - The Ravens thought their year was 2023. They have the best record in the NFL and homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. Once again, they fell short with a strange offensive gameplan that didn’t lean on the team’s strength, running the ball. Will King Henry be the missing piece this season? Last Year’s Record: 13-4
#3. Detroit Lions (+550/+1200) - The Lions have taken the traditional track of a Super Bowl Champion. A run to nearly make the playoffs one year, advancing to the conference title the next, and now, a Super Bowl title, perhaps. They are on the cusp and could be the NFC favorites. Last Year’s Record: 12-5
#2. San Francisco 49ers (+250/+600) - For the 49ers, the question will be, Can they go through another rigorous season and finally get over the hump after three long seasons ending in defeat? They have the tools but it is hard to keep picking yourself up off the mat. Last Year’s Record: 12-5
#1. Kansas City Chiefs (+300/+500) - The Chiefs are as well positioned as any team in history to claim a third-straight Super Bowl title, which would be an NFL first. They have a young defense, the NFL’s best quarterback and a head coach in Andy Reid who is loaded with playoff experience. Last Year’s Record: 11-6
Top Five MVP Candidates for 2024
#1. Patrick Mahomes, quarterback KC Chiefs (+475): The Chiefs, as always, will go as far as Mahomes takes them. They have a solid defense, and some new playmakers, but, in the end, Mahomes drives this ship. He’s deferred to some others in recent seasons but this could be his year to return to the top.
#2. Josh Allen, quarterback Buffalo Bills (+850): Allen will have all the pressure on him this season to lead an inexperienced Bills’ skill group. Allen may be asked to do more than he’s done in recent years, which is a lot. If he delivers, and the Bills are again atop the AFC East, he’ll be a prime MVP candidate.
#3. Jordan Love, quarterback Green Bay Packers (+1400): Love excelled over the second half of last season and developed a huge rapport with his young WR group. He now has Josh Jacobs in the backfield to take some pressure off of him. He could join a stellar list of Packers MVP quarterbacks this year.
#4. CJ Stroud, quarterback Houston Texans (+850): Stroud took the NFL by storm in his rookie season, playing with poise beyond his years. He now has Diggs as a reliable target to add to his receiving group and another year of experience under his belt.
#5. Joe Burrow, quarterback Cincinnati Bengals (+900): Burrow is back and the Bengals will go as far as his golden arm takes them. They have shifted to a backfield by committee which will likely put more pressure on Burrow and the passing game. The Bengals have the talent but Burrow drives this ship.
*All odds courtesy of Draftkings.com
By Mark Ruelle
