Dallas Cowboys to disappoint, San Francisco 49ers fall short but beware of the Carolina Panthers – NFL teams to surprise in 2024

The NFL season never goes as planned, but that is not going to stop talkSPORT make predictions for our biggest ever season of coverage.

Kansas City Chiefs are chasing a three-peat and will have Taylor Swift for company again, San Francisco 49ers are desperate to finally get over the hump and a team none of us expect will emerge as an unlikely contender.

Will the Kansas City Chiefs be celebrating again when the tickertape rains down in New Orleans in FebruaryCredit: AFP

The pressure is on Aaron Rodgers and the New York JetsCredit: GettyPatrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Andy Reid could achieve something that proved beyond Tom Brady – winning three Lombardi trophies in succession.

However teams are now queuing up to knock them off their perch.

So where better to start our season preview content than with the teams that may well emerge as talking point this season.

NFL SEASON PREVIEWWe’ve asked talkSPORT’s team of experts, broadcasters and writers to deliver their verdict on the teams and the players who could surprise – for good or bad.

Brian T. Smith, talkSPORT US Sports writer

The Dallas Cowboys will disappoint everyone again. Jerry Jones doesn’t understand chemistry and the billionaire owner waited until the last minute to lock in CeeDee Lamb, then waited longer to add Dalvin Cook as a new running back.

That doesn’t help Dak Prescott, and Mike McCarthy isn’t the right coach to guide the constantly dramatic Cowboys through the weekly chaos.

Jason Bell, former Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans and New York Giants and talkSPORT contributor

This is hard for me because I played for the Giants, but I am not sleeping on the New York Jets at all.

That defense is Championship caliber. Aaron Rodgers doesn’t want to turn the ball over and if you have a great defense that is exactly what you don’t want your offense to do and we know that Rodgers can make plays whenever he needs to.

CeeDee Lamb has a new contract but a million questions still surround the CowboysCredit: GettyWe know if Aaron needs to close out the game, he can make it happen,he is one of the best ever at game management happen. This team could be in the final four.

Jay Lawrence, talkSPORT presenter

Jacksonville Jaguars. It’s not like I’m sitting here proclaiming that the Jags are definitely going to win the Super Bowl this season. But there seems to be a narrative that they aren’t going to do much in 2024.

This might be because of the collapse at the end of 2023, which is understandable. This also might be because their division, for once, is seemingly very competitive. But the Jaguars should still be able to hold their own in the AFC South.

Whether they’ll be able to beat the Houston Texans to the division crown is another matter, but don’t rule them out of a play-off berth just yet. They’ve got more talent than a lot of people are giving them credit for.

talkSPORT ranks the NFL Super Bowl contenders as Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City Chiefs go for historic three-peat but Lamar Jackson’s Ravens eye revenge

Christian Scotland-Williamson, former Pittsburgh Steelers and talkSPORT commentator

I’m going to keep this simple, Caleb Williams helps the Chicago Bears to win nine games – a first winning season since 2018.

Paul Prenderville, talkSPORT US Sports Editor

Most of these predictions will be positive, but I am going to focus on a team who I think will let their levels dip – and that’s the San Francisco 49ers.

Beaten by their nemesis, the Kansas City Chiefs for a second time in five years at last year’s Super Bowl – the 49ers have been to at least the NFC Championship in four of the last five seasons.

I say that run is over. They’ll make the post season, but will come up short in a beefed up NFC, led by the Detroit Lions, the Philadelphia Eagles and the Green Bay Packers.

And another offseason of contract and quarterback questions will be on the menu in the Bay Area.

Two Super Bowl defeats in five seasons and a roster that needs paying – the 49ers could come unstuckCredit: GettyWill Gavin, talkSPORT play-by-play announcer

Carolina Panthers – Bryce Young had as bad of a rookie season as you can imagine without injury, but if you actually watched him play he wasn’t (entirely) the issue.

With an overhauled offensive line, particularly at guard, and Dave Canales now in the building – who dragged a Pro Bowl level season out of Baker Mayfield last year – I fancy the Panthers to push for a record around .500, and in the NFC South 9-8 can mean playoffs football!

Nat Coombs, talkSPORT presenter

I will probably live to regret this as they crash to 6-11, but…..I’m going to say that the New York Jets will make the AFC Championship!

Josh Rogers, talkSPORT US Sports writer

It was hard to choose between the Indianapolis Colts and Arizona Cardinals. However, if I had to go for one team it’d be The Cards.

It’s their second year under head coach Jonathan Gannon, and much like the Detroit Lions in recent years, they’re on an upwards trajectory.

Read More on talkSPORTDual-threat quarterback Kyler Murray is back after injury and I’m expecting a big bounce back year for the 2019 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Trey McBride also had a breakout season at tight end and looks set to continue, they have two new starting cornerbacks and fourth pick Marvin Harrison Jr has the potential to be the biggest star of the 2024 draft.

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