The NFC (National Football Conference) regular season was insane, with multiple teams with double-digit wins, incredible games, and record-breaking players. All of the teams have fought to make the playoffs and rightfully earn their spot in the playoffs.
The Detroit Lions: Lots of expectations followed the Lions this season. Last season they finished 12-5 leading the division, but they fell short and lost to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship, so this season, they wanted it all. Their offseason was quiet, they resigned some key players, and in the draft, they used their first-round pick on Cornerback Terrion Arnold. Even with the lack of signings, the Lions dominated the NFC with a 15-2 record and easily got the 1st seed in the NFC.
The Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles last season was filled with questions, but the big one was, “Why did this stacked roster lose in the first round of the playoffs?” The Eagles wanted to show the league that they were a serious contender in 2024. Their off-season started with a huge signing when they signed one of the best running backs in the league, Saquon Barkley. Barkley would have one of the best seasons for a Running Back ever, finishing with over 2000 yards on the ground. They would also go on to sign linebacker Zach Baun, who would be their leading tackler and Saftey C.J. Gardner-Johnson. They would also draft rookie Cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, who has been super solid this season With this strong rushing attack and top 5 defense, as well as most of the key players coming back from last season, the Eagles won their division with a record of 14-3 taking the 2nd Seed in the NFC.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Buccaneers beat the Eagles last season in the playoffs which gave them a lot of optimism for 2024. Their first move of the offseason was solidifying a deal with their new starting Quarterback, Baker Mayfield. They would also go one and sign a lot of their veteran players, trying to make one final push for the playoffs. In the draft, the Bucs got two studs. In the first round, they selected Graham Barton who has been a solid Offensive Tackle for the Bucs all season. They would also get one of the biggest steals in the draft with Bucky Irving, who would go on to lead all rookie Running Backs in rushing yards. However, the Bucs season was plagued with injuries on offense and defense. They finished 10-7, barely winning the NFC South over the Atlanta Falcons. Nonetheless, they still took the 3 seed.
Los Angeles Rams: The Rams were a team that a lot of people would be pretty average. They spent a little money in free agency, and they acquired Guard Jonah Jackson, who would be a really good starter for the Rams. The Rams have always been known for their good draft classes, and this one did not disappoint. They started by using their first-round pick on the best defensive player in the class, Defensive End Jared Verse. The Rams finished 10-7, barely beating out the Seattle Seahawks and winning the division, claiming the 4th seed.
The Minnesota Vikings: The Vikings finished tied for dead last in their division last season, with a record of 7-10, their expectations were extremely low to start this season. Free agency started rough for the Vikings when Quarterback Kirk Cousins signed with the Atlanta Falcons instead of the Vikings. The Vikings also lost Pro Bowl Edge Rusher Danielle Hunter to free agency. But the Vikings went out and spent some money, they signed veteran Running Back Aaron Jones from free agency as well as signing Linebackers Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard. But their biggest free agency signing would come when the Vikings signed Quarterback Sam Darnold. Sam Darnold would end up balling out and lead the Vikings to a record of 14-3, giving them the 5th seed.
The Washington Commanders: The Commanders were the biggest shock in the NFL, expected to be one of the worst teams in the league, the Commanders ended up making the playoffs and proving everyone wrong. Their offseason started with signing Seahawks Linebacker Bobby Wagner from free agency. They also acquired running back Austin Ekeler and Linebacker Frankie Luvu. The key to their success, though was first-round selection, Quarterback Jayden Daniels, who completely flipped this team around, getting them to a 12-5 record and claiming the 6 seed.
The Green Bay Packers: Last but not least, the Packers. The Packers finished with a record of 9-8 last season, sneaking into the playoffs. But, they became the first 7th seed ever to beat the 2 seed last season when they beat the Cowboys in the Wild Card game. They came into the season wanting to win, and win they did. The Packers got to work and released running back Aaron Jones but then signed Star Las Vegas Raiders Running back Josh Jacobs. They also signed Safety Xavier Mckinney, who has been an interception demon for the Packers this season. The Packers once again claimed the 7th seed with a record of 11-6.
The NFC looks the strongest it ever has in the past 10 years. Filled with lots of high-winning teams and huge turnarounds for entire franchises, this shows that the NFC will be good for years to come.
The AFC (American Football Conference) has been historically dominant over the past couple of years, and they continue to rain with many amazing teams going into the NFL playoffs. On the other hand, some teams crawled into the playoffs having lots of holes in their offenses or defenses. Nonetheless, these teams deserve to be here and have fought for their spot.
Los Angeles Chargers: Last season, the Chargers had the worst record in the AFC West, finishing 5-12, missing the playoffs. This record forced the owner, Dean Spanos, to fire their current head coach, Brandon Staley. After this firing, the Chargers brought in College National Champion coach Jim Harbaugh to try and flip this team around. There was a positive to this terrible record, though: the Chargers held the 5th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and with this selection, they grabbed Joe Alt, the consensus best Offensive lineman in the draft. Standing at 6’8, 322 pounds, Joe Alt was a beast of a prospect. The Chargers also acquired star Georgia Wide Receiver Ladd McConkey, who would become the team’s leading pass catcher. The Chargers finished with a record of 11-6 with these new players and a new coach. This is one of the biggest turnarounds this season by any team, and the Chargers were able to secure the 5 seed in the playoffs.
The Houston Texans: The Texans came into the 2024 season with lots of optimism, last season they were projected to be a pretty mediocre team. But with their new Quarterback, CJ Stroud, they made a short run in the playoffs. This season, the Texans went all in, making lots of moves. Their most important came down to 4; they traded for star running back Joe Mixon, giving up only a 7th-round pick for him. They also signed elite pass rushers Danielle Hunter and Denico Autry. Finally, their last huge signing was Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair. With all of these star players, the expectations were high for the Texans. Sadly, they dealt with many injuries, and Stroud had an abysmal season, finishing with 12 interceptions, double from last year. Even with all of this, the Texans were still able to win their division and get the 4th seed.
The Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers last season fell short yet again in the playoffs, so this season, they wanted to finally get over the hump. In the off-season, they started by trading Quarterback Kenny Picket to the Eagles, and then they went out and traded for Justin Fields, who fans believed would be their starter until the Steelers also signed Russell Wilson. They also went out and acquired Pro-bowl linebacker Patrick Queen. Even with this new team, the Steelers finished the same as last year, 10-7. The Steelers, like last year, had an elite defense but a poor offense. Nonetheless, the Steelers still secured the 6 seed.
The Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens came into the 2024 season with a vengeance, the 2024 season, they lost in the AFC Championship to the Chiefs, and they wanted their revenge. They started the off-season with a huge bang, signing one of the greatest running backs in the league, Derrick Henry. With this new firepower, along with the drafting of first-round Cornerback Nate Wiggins, this team flew through the Regular season, finishing 12-5, putting up insane numbers on offense. Their quarterback, Lamar Jackson, put up MVP numbers, while Derrick Henry finished with 1900 rushing yards. Overall, their defense was average, having a good run game but a really bad pass game, finishing 22nd in pass coverage overall. However, this team still won their division and secured the 3 seed.
The Denver Broncos: Last season, the Broncos finished 8-9, missing the playoffs. They needed to make some changes to go to the playoffs, so they started by releasing Quarterback Russell Wilson and drafting rookie Quarterback Bo Nix. Head Coach Sean Payton immediately clicked with the rookie, and they completely turned this team around. Finishing 10-7, the Broncos gained the 7th seed, which would be their first playoff appearance since 2016.The Buffalo Bills: The Bills once again lost in the playoffs last season. With this loss, they knew that it was time for them to take a step back and rebuild. They started by trading star receiver Stefon Diggs to the Texans for a 2nd round pick, and they also released star players Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde. The only signings they did were resigning their solidified players. But, mid-season, the Bills traded for Pro Bowl Reciever Amari Cooper for a 3rd round pick. Even with all of the lost players, the Bills still looked like one of the best teams in the league, running through the season, beating the undefeated Chiefs, and finishing 13-4, earning the 2nd seed in the AFC.
The Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs, coming off of their back-to-back Superbowl Victories, were not looking to slow down. Their team stayed pretty much the same, besides drafting the fastest receiver in the draft, Xavier Worthy. This team, per usual, flew through the playoffs, finishing 15-2 and easily claiming the 1 seed.
The AFC was a more boring year than the past years, but these teams still fought hard during the regular season for their chance to play in the playoffs.
