2024 NFL Season Predictions: Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Cowboys Get No. 1 Seed in NFC

Predictions ahead of the NFL season often arise immediately after the Super Bowl, but those projections start to intensify further once teams report to training camp.

For the Dallas Cowboys, they’re a popular pick to head to the playoffs. Pro Football Network’s NFL Playoff Predictor has the Cowboys snatching the NFC’s top overall seed.

What else did PFN’s Playoff Predictor reveal about this upcoming season, including who claims the AFC’s top seed? From final division standings to playoff seeds, here are its 2024 season predictions.

Predicting the 2024 NFL Regular-Season Standings in the AFC

AFC East

1. Miami Dolphins (13-4)
2. Buffalo Bills (11-6)
3. New York Jets (6-11)
4. New England Patriots (4-13)

The Dolphins’ AFC East title drought is projected to end off the simulation. Miami’s last division crown was in 2008, when new $212 million quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was a 10-year-old. Buffalo, despite losing Stefon Diggs via trade, still produces a playoff contender at 11-6 but watches its streak of four straight AFC East titles end.

Unfortunately, a full season of Aaron Rodgers isn’t enough to catapult the Jets to a winning record. New England, meanwhile, is predicted to match last year’s mark even with Jerod Mayo taking over as head coach.

AFC North

1. Cincinnati Bengals (14-3)
2. Baltimore Ravens (10-7)
3. Cleveland Browns (10-7)
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-11)

The toughest division from a year ago produces three teams hitting 10+ victories. However, only two this time earn a postseason bid.

Cincy, behind a healthier Joe Burrow under center, shatters a franchise record for regular-season wins at 14. Per the predictor, Baltimore trails the Bengals at 10-7, and Cleveland misses the playoff cut while Pittsburgh endures its first losing season in the Mike Tomlin era.

AFC South

1. Houston Texans (12-5)
2. Indianapolis Colts (12-5)
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (10-7)
4. Tennessee Titans (3-14)

The Texans and Colts are deadlocked with the same record — but it’s Houston claiming first. Still, Indianapolis, behind a full season with second-year QB Anthony Richardson, returns to the playoffs.

Jacksonville ends up improving to 10 wins but misses out on the postseason. As for new head coach Brian Callahan in Nashville, he’s unfortunately predicted to be in a rebuilding year as the Titans go 3-14.

AFC West

1. Kansas City Chiefs (11-6)
2. Los Angeles Chargers (7-10)
3. Denver Broncos (7-10)
4. Las Vegas Raiders (3-14)

The Chiefs remain the class of the division by securing its only winning record. No one else surpasses seven regular-season wins. That includes the now Jim Harbaugh-led Chargers, although their 7-10 prediction can pass as better than last year’s 5-12 finish.

MORE: Simulate the NFL Season With PFN’s Playoff Predictor

Elsewhere, the predictor wasn’t kind to the Raiders as they transition to Antonio Pierce. This could mean battling for the No. 1 overall pick and the rights of Shedeur Sanders or Carson Beck to lead the future at quarterback.

Projecting the AFC Playoff Picture

1. Cincinnati Bengals
2. Miami Dolphins
3. Houston Texans
4. Kansas City Chiefs
5. Indianapolis Colts
6. Buffalo Bills
7. Baltimore Ravens

Paycor Stadium becomes home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs with the Bengals securing the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye. Miami vs. Baltimore features an intriguing QB matchup involving Tagovailoa and 2023 MVP Lamar Jackson. Houston and C.J. Stroud end up hosting Josh Allen and company.

The Colts, meanwhile, join the Bengals as this year’s AFC playoff newcomers for the 2024 season. Kansas City still manages to secure Arrowhead Stadium as a playoff site by hosting Indy.

Predicting the 2024 NFL Regular-Season Standings in the NFC

NFC East

1. Dallas Cowboys (13-4)
2. Philadelphia Eagles (11-6)
3. New York Giants (6-11)
4. Washington Commanders (2-15)

Amid an offseason featuring constant contract chatter involving Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Micah Parsons, the Cowboys still repeat as NFC East champs — a first for them since 1996.

The Eagles and Giants end up matching last season’s marks. Washington, unfortunately, places itself in a position for the No. 1 overall pick by succumbing to 2-15 in Dan Quinn’s first season as head coach.

NFC North

1. Detroit Lions (12-5)
2. Chicago Bears (11-6)
3. Green Bay Packers (8-9)
4. Minnesota Vikings (5-12)

The Lions repeat as division champs for the first time since 1953 and 1954. Chicago, meanwhile, returns to the playoffs behind Caleb Williams leading the charge.

Green Bay takes a slight step back at 8-9. Minnesota, by likely turning to rookie J.J. McCarthy behind center, falls to 5-12 and in last place.

NFC South

1. Atlanta Falcons (11-6)
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7)
3. New Orleans Saints (6-11)
4. Carolina Panthers (5-12)

The return of Raheem Morris and the arrival of Kirk Cousins pays big dividends for the Falcons — as they win the franchise’s eighth division title but first since 2016.

Despite losing the division to Atlanta, Tampa Bay still produces a 10-win season off the simulator. New Orleans drops to 6-11 but avoids the bottom of the division. Carolina, despite its fourth-place record, still shows a three-win improvement under first-year head coach Dave Canales.

NFC West

1. San Francisco 49ers (13-4)
2. Los Angeles Rams (9-8)
3. Seattle Seahawks (7-10)
4. Arizona Cardinals (4-13)

Once again, the 49ers reign supreme at the top of the NFC West at 13-4. However, with Dallas clinching the top seed, it means the Niners lost in the head-to-head regular-season matchup that eventually decided the NFC’s No. 1 seed.

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The Rams, meanwhile, produce their seventh winning season under Sean McVay but miss the playoff cut. Seattle, with Mike Macdonald taking over, goes 7-10 in his first season. Arizona ends up with a repeat of 4-13 off the predictor.

Projecting the NFC Playoff Picture

1. Dallas Cowboys
2. San Francisco 49ers
3. Detroit Lions
4. Atlanta Falcons
5. Philadelphia Eagles
6. Chicago Bears
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Cowboys force teams to come to AT&T Stadium by sealing the top spot and the first-round bye, while San Francisco positions itself as the No. 2 seed.

The NFC South, often considered annually as the league’s weakest division, winds up producing two playoff teams in the Falcons and Bucs. Detroit settles for third but welcomes rival Chicago into Ford Field. Finally, the Eagles once again accepts the No. 5 seed and draws an NFC South opponent to start the postseason.