The Chiefs and Ravens will open the 2024 season Thursday night, and 271 games will follow, including the Eagles-Packers tilt in Brazil the next evening. Like every year there will be many twists and turns as the campaign unfolds, and much of what we believe today will not ultimately come to fruition once the games are played.

But we don't have the luxury of waiting to see how everything transpires so we offer some thoughts and predictions on what is sure to be another interesting year of football.

Around the league

What better way is there to kick things off than with some predictions for the 2024 season?

MVP

Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City – Admittedly I get no points here for originality. Mahomes is still the game's best winner and playmaker, and he is odds-on favorite to win his third MVP.

Also in the hunt: Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo; Jalen Hurts, QB, Philadelphia; C.J. Stroud, Houston

Offensive Player of the Year

Breece Hall, RB, N.Y. Jets – I'll make up for my boring pick with one a bit out of the box. Hall could be the focal point of the Jets attack and should help Aaron Rodgers with some easy throws out of the backfield. If healthy he's poised for a huge year.

Also in the hunt: Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami; CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas; Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta; Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco

Defensive Player of the Year

Micah Parsons, LB, Dallas – My first repeat pick from a year ago, Parsons will be motivated as he seeks his big extension.

Also in the hunt: Nick Bosa, DE, San Francisco; T.J. Watt, LB, Pittsburgh; Myles Garrett, DE, Cleveland; Maxx Crosby, DE, Las Vegas; Sauce Gardner, CB, N.Y. Jets

Offensive Rookie of the Year

Caleb Wiliams, QB, Chicago – Sometimes it's best not to overthink it and the No. 1 overall pick in the draft would certainly qualify as the obvious choice here. Williams will have the playing time and weapons to enjoy a solid rookie season.

Also in the hunt: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Arizona; Malik Nabers, WR, N.Y. Giants; Jayden Daniels, QB, Washington

Defensive Rookie of the Year

Dallas Turner, DE, Minnesota – Alabama products tend to enter the league ready to contribute and Turner enjoyed a strong summer for the Vikings as he attempts to replace Danielle Hunter

Also in the hunt: Jared Verse, DE, L.A. Rams; Byron Murphy, DT, Seattle; Laiatu Latu, DE, Indianapolis

Coach of the Year

Jim Harbaugh, L.A. Chargers – Harbaugh understands the NFL game and how to turn teams around quickly. He will get more out of Justin Herbert for the Chargers.

Also in the hunt: Matt Eberflus, Chicago; Shane Steichen, Indianapolis; Sean McVay, L.A. Rams; DeMeco Ryans, Houston

2024 Predictions

AFC East: Buffalo

AFC North: Baltimore

AFC South: Jacksonville

AFC West: Kansas City

Wild cards: Cincinnati; N.Y. Jets; Houston

AFC Championship: Kansas City over Baltimore

NFC East: Philadelphia

NFC North: Detroit

NFC South: Atlanta

NFC West: San Francisco

Wild cards: Green Bay, Dallas, L.A. Rams

NFC Championship: Detroit over San Francisco

Super Bowl: Kansas City over Detroit

Surprise Team (AFC): Indianapolis

Surprise Team (NFC): Chicago

Disappointing Team (AFC): Miami

Disappointing Team (NFC): Seattle

Overrated Player: Stefon Diggs, WR, Houston

Underrated Player: Brock Purdy, QB, San Francisco

Patriots Predictions

*The one most people are interested in when it comes to New England is: When will Drake Maye play? Obviously, a difficult question to answer but my guess is Oct. 27 at home against the Jets. That will give Jacoby Brissett plenty of time to see if he can get Alex Van Pelt's offense moving in the right direction, and it also follows the Patriots trip to London to face the Jaguars. Of course, this all depends on Maye's development and when the coaches believe he'll be ready to go, but Week 8 seems like a reasonable prediction.

*DeMario Douglas will be the Patriots leading receiver. The offense never really looked to be in sync much this summer, but its best moments came when Brissett and Maye were throwing to Douglas. The diminutive slot receiver will need to stay healthy, but he should see plenty of targets throughout the season.

*That said, don't sleep on tight ends Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper. Both should be big parts of the passing game as Van Pelt likes to accentuate the tight end. Henry battled an injury in the latter part of camp, but he should be good to go soon, and he was used as a receiver often throughout the summer. Look for the tight ends being used on some deeper routes as well, both down the seam and near the sidelines.

*Jabrill Peppers will emerge as the Patriots best player on defense. His physicality and enthusiasm are always on display, and after being named one of the team's captains his leadership will take a step forward as well. Look for the versatile safety to perform in a variety of roles and be a tone-setter for the defense.

*Marcus Jones will return to the dangerous form he showed as a returner during his rookie season. He's electric with the ball in his hands and that remained evident even during camp practices when he just moved at a different pace than most of his teammates. Not sure exactly how the new kickoff rules will play out, but Jones will be a going concern for opponents.

Power 5

1. Kansas City – I put the Chiefs on top last year because they were the defending champs. Nothing's changed.

2. Baltimore – The Ravens were dominant for most of the season before laying an egg at home against the Chiefs in the AFC title game. Will Derrick Henry put them over the top?

3. Detroit – The Lions proved they were no fluke last year and nearly made it to the Super Bowl. Will Dan Campbell learn from his mistakes and get the Lions to the promised land?

4. Buffalo – It seems the Bills are on the verge of collapsing in the eyes of prognosticators every year and then Josh Allen finds a way to keep them in the hunt. This year will be no different.

5. San Francisco – The Niners have boatloads of talent but the offseason turmoil with Brandon Aiyuk and Trent Williams is concerning.

DISCLAIMER: The views and thoughts expressed in this article are those of the writer and don't necessarily reflect those of the organization. Read Full Disclaimer