Bandwagon or Bust: Buying and Selling NFL’s Most Hyped Teams
Brad Gagnon@@Brad_GagnonFeatured Columnist IVAugust 7, 2024Bandwagon or Bust: Buying and Selling NFL’s Most Hyped Teams0 of 8
Caleb WilliamsNick Cammett/Getty Images
The NFL hype train loves August. Or August loves the NFL hype train.
Regardless, it’s easy to become fired up at this time of year about teams that are seemingly emerging for one reason or another.
Based on events that have taken place in the last calendar year or so, here’s a rundown of the league’s most hyped teams entering the 2024 campaign, along with judgments on whether it’s worth buying into or selling the hype.
Spoiler: Not a lot of purchases were made here.
Atlanta Falcons1 of 8
Kirk CousinsTodd Kirkland/Getty Images
Why they’re hyped: A group of incredibly talented young offensive weapons now has an accomplished veteran quarterback in Kirk Cousins, who signed a four-year, $180 million deal in the offseason.
Why we’re selling: Cousins is 35 years old and coming off a significant injury. There’s no telling how he’ll jell with that supporting cast, and it doesn’t help that a bottom-10 defense in terms of DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average) is not significantly better on paper.
Throw in that they essentially wasted a top-10 pick on Cousins’ eventual successor and it’s hard to purchase the Falcons, even in a soft NFC South.
Prediction: 8-9, miss playoffs
Chicago Bears2 of 8
Rome OdunzeJames Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Why they’re hyped: After jumping from three wins in 2022 to seven last year (including four in their final six games), the Bears used significant real-world and draft capital to improve the roster immensely.
That endeavor included the addition of No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams at quarterback, as well as his new weapon and fellow top-10 selection, Rome Odunze.
Why we’re selling: While the ingredients are there for Chicago to make a leap similar to the one the Houston Texans made with their shiny rookie quarterback and fellow top-10 pick in 2023, the problem is the Bears are locked in a tough division that contains two other teams on this list.
There has been a lot of change around the Bears, and I’m not convinced head coach Matt Eberflus is the guy to lead this franchise forward.
Prediction: 8-9, miss playoffs
Detroit Lions3 of 8
Jared GoffGregory Shamus/Getty Images
Why they’re hyped: The Lions are possibly beyond hype at this point. They’re loaded with young talent on both sides of the ball and have gained plenty of experience now as well.
After falling just short of a first-ever Super Bowl appearance in 2023, many believe this will be the year when Detroit finally makes it happen.
Why we’re buying: Jared Goff has found a groove and is surrounded by tremendous talent and proven coaches.
Right now, despite the fact that the franchise has historically been snakebitten, it’s simply easier to trust the Lions than a Packers team that still doesn’t have much of a sample on Jordan Love or a 49ers team that faces some questions offensively.
Prediction: 12-5, and at least an appearance in the NFC title game
Green Bay Packers4 of 8
Jordan LovePatrick McDermott/Getty Images
Why they’re hyped: After they went 6-2 down the stretch last year, thanks in part to lights-out play from quarterback Jordan Love, the Packers made him the highest-paid player in NFL history and made rare free-agent splashes on veterans Josh Jacobs and Xavier McKinney.
Why we’re selling: I’m not sure Love is the answer just yet, and it’s not as though Green Bay has a lot of special talent elsewhere on offense.
The defense is good but not excellent enough to carry the team if Love can’t keep it rolling consistently in a strong division. Let’s remember that the 25-year-old is living off of one great 10-game run right now. The rest isn’t pretty.
Prediction: 9-8, one and done in the playoffs
Houston Texans5 of 8
C.J. StroudTim Warner/Getty Images
Why they’re hyped: Quarterback C.J. Stroud put on a historic show in 2023, with support from an inspiring rookie head coach and an exciting rookie defensive star.
And now the Houston Texans should be even better, with Danielle Hunter and Stefon Diggs joining the fray on either side of the ball in 2024.
Why we’re selling: The whole league will have a better feel for what to expect from Stroud and the rest of those 2023 rookies this season, and it’s worth noting that the Houston offense has been a little rusty this summer.
A sophomore slump is absolutely on the table for a team that might have played a bit above itself last year, especially in the top-heavy AFC with opponents such as Kansas City, Buffalo, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Miami and the Jets factoring in.
Prediction: 9-8, one and done in the playoffs
Jacksonville Jaguars6 of 8
Trevor LawrenceDavid Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Why they’re hyped: Their 2021 No. 1 overall pick quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, now has a massive new contract, and there’s some fresh blood around him with Gabe Davis and Brian Thomas Jr. joining the Doug Pederson-run offense.
Why we’re selling: There’s still little reason to believe the defense is anything more than mediocre, we’ve yet to see how this new-look offense will come together,
Lawrence has either lacked consistency or durability for much of his career, and the Texans and Indianapolis Colts will be strong challengers within the division. After the Jaguars lost five of their final six games in 2023, I don’t trust this team at all.
Prediction: 8-9, miss playoffs
Los Angeles Chargers7 of 8
Jim HarbaughKevork Djansezian/Getty Images
Why they’re hyped: New head coach Jim Harbaugh mainly.
Why we’re selling: While they’re too talented to lose double-digit games again, it may take time for quarterback Justin Herbert—who now has a foot injury—to adjust to yet another new offense after a disappointing 2023 campaign.
Keep in mind the Bolts underwent major changes pretty much everywhere on that side of the ball, while a defense that ranked 26th in DVOA and isn’t clearly better on paper shouldn’t be expected to do much heavy lifting.
Throw in that they’re in a division with the Chiefs and in the stronger of the two conferences, and it’s not looking promising.
Prediction: 7-10, miss playoffs
New York Jets8 of 8
Aaron RodgersLuke Hales/Getty Images
Why they’re hyped: Future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers is healthy again, and he’s surrounded by quality weapons and backed by a strong defense.
Why we’re selling: It’s really hard to believe in Rodgers, who is now 40 and coming off a major injury. He didn’t exactly light it up in Green Bay two years ago, either.
The four-time NFL MVP hasn’t shined since 2021, and it’s fair to wonder about his commitment level while dealing with big changes and an offensive line that could still be a liability despite some shuffling in the offseason.
The AFC East is also loaded.
Prediction: 8-9, miss playoffs
