Who Will Lift the Vince Lombardi Trophy Next? NFL Prediction 2024 for Playoff Brackets and Super Bowl

Last February, over 100 million fans tuned into the Super Bowl action at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona–from their homes, from the parks and convention centers functioning as viewing venues, and from the thousands of bars and restaurants around the country that were transformed into extended quarters for loyal supporters and football enthusiasts alike. 

The Big Game, featuring the Kansas City Chiefs, led by Patrick Mahomes, and the Philadelphia Eagles, commandeered by Jalen Hurts, ended up being one of the most exciting matches of recent times, keeping the tension all the way to the moment when, with eleven seconds remaining, Harrison Butker kicked a 27-yard field goal that gave the title to Andy Reid’s squad. The buzzing exhilaration of that final quarter reminded us why the Super Bowl is the most-viewed sporting event in America, and one of the most popular in the world. 

Excitement doesn’t stop, though, and now, as the beginning of the season looms closer, experts–including our team at Lines, which brings you fresh, carefully-curated predictions every week–are choosing their favorite team, the one that, according to their analysis, is most likely to lift the Vince Lombardi Trophy in 2024. 

While, prior to every Super Bowl, there are always squads slated as the favorites and some potential underdogs, there have been several movements in both the NFL Draft and the transfer market that have altered the odds and made this prediction game more enticing. 

Below, we delve into our initial playoff forecasts for the 2023-24 football season, including our take on who will be the next divisional champions and the team that has a higher probability of emerging victorious in the Super Bowl. 

As mentioned, we highly recommend that you take a look at Lines’ predictions, which are updated on a weekly basis and have the intention of helping you maximize your winnings. 

Who Will Reach the Playoffs in 2024? Predicting the Next Super Bowl Winner

Conference Champions

American Football Conference (AFC)

In recent years, the American Football Conference (AFC) has produced some of the league’s most significant dynasties, including Tom Brady’s New England Patriots–one of the most successful teams in NFL history–and Patrick Mahomes’ Kansas City Chiefs, the most recent Super Bowl Champions. 

The conference is also home to other prominent squads, such as the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Baltimore Ravens, and the Denver Broncos, and as a result, there are several historic and intense rivalries between some of them. 

Having said this, before jumping into our predictions, here are the most recent AFC Champions:

AFC West Championship: Kansas City Chiefs

As the recently-crowned champions, the Kansas City Chiefs are, by far, the favorites to retain their title in the AFC West Division. Patrick Mahomes will look to further cement his legacy and pursue another Super Bowl ring, and he can count on allies like receiver Travis Kelce, running-back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, and a solid defensive line spearheaded by Chris Jones, Justin Reid, and Nick Bolton.

Having said this, we do expect the AFC West to be a highly competitive division, and one where upsets are likely to happen. After the Chiefs, we see a very tough contest taking place between the Las Vegas Raiders, the Los Angeles Chargers, and the Denver Broncos. 

Even though bookmakers list the Las Vegas Raiders as the underdog in the division, with +1200 odds before the start of the season, we believe that the signing of Jimmy Garoppolo will have a higher impact on the team than what many experts predict. Let’s remember that Garoppolo has already been a conference champion, winning the NFC with the San Francisco 49ers. The Raiders also have more talent, with Josh Jacobs as a running back, Davante Adams as a wide receiver, and Maxx Crosby as a tight end. Furthermore, there is a growing fan base in a city that, for decades, was hungry for professional sports, and that now is looking to build upon the success that the Vegas Golden Knights have had in the NHL. 

This is not to say it will be easy. In their quest, the Raiders will have to withstand tough threats from the Los Angeles Chargers, who are led by Justin Herbert, a quarterback that, after playing great college football with the University of Oregon, has gained maturity and wisdom and could be ready to achieve NFL success. Similarly, the Denver Broncos, led by legendary coach Sam Payton and commandeered on the field by Russell Wilson, who has already been a Super Bowl champion with the Seattle Seahawks, will hope that their experience, combined with the potential of promises such as WR Jerry Jeudy, can be enough to keep them fighting for that wild card spot until the very end. 

Predicted standings:

1. Kansas City Chiefs - Divisional champions
2. Las Vegas Raiders - Wild Card
3. Los Angeles Chargers
4. Denver Broncos

AFC West Current Odds:

1. Kansas City Chiefs, -160
2. Los Angeles Chargers, +300
3. Denver Broncos, +550
4. Las Vegas Raiders, +1200

AFC North Championship: Cincinnati Bengals

A division that was, traditionally, dominated by the Pittsburgh Steelers, and then by the emergent Baltimore Ravens, it has now been significantly disrupted by the surfacing of the Cincinnati Bengals as one of the best teams in the league, and by the Cleveland Browns becoming one of those teams that has a lot of promise, although it remains to be seen if they can fully materialize their potential. 

Having said this, we expect the Cincinnati Bengals to clinch, once again, the spot as the best team in the AFC North division. In his short career in the NFL, Joe Burrow has already reached one Super Bowl and one conference final, and as time goes on, he is gaining more experience that can prove invaluable in decisive moments. He also has three top receivers to work with: Ja’Marr Chase, Tyler Boyd, and Tee Higgins, and let’s remember that last season, the Bengals were a tough challenge for the Chiefs on their way to AFC dominance, and we expect the same to be the case this year. 

Beyond the Bengals, the AFC North has very competitive teams, and that gets proven by the fact that the Pittsburgh Steelers, one of the most lauded teams in the history of the league, is considered by some the weakest squad in the division. Nevertheless, the Steelers made some smart draft selections in the likes of Joey Porter Jr. and Broderick Jones, and Kenny Pickett will likely be eager for a chance to prove himself. To make it to the wild card, the Steelers will need to make it past the Baltimore Ravens, a traditionally solid team that has boosted its offensive prospects with Zay Flowers and Odell Beckham Jr., and the Cleveland Browns, who, led by former Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson and defensive end Myles Garrett, will seek to become the competitive team that analysts have said they can be, but that, last season, ended last in the division, being the only team with a negative record in the AFC North. 

Predicted standings:

1. Cincinnati Bengals - Divisional champions
2. Baltimore Ravens
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
4. Cleveland Browns

AFC North Current Odds:

1. Cincinnati Bengals, +125
2. Baltimore Ravens, +240
3. Cleveland Browns, +390
4. Pittsburgh Steelers, +500

AFC South Championship: Jacksonville Jaguars

The AFC South has been, traditionally, the weakest division in the American conference. Even though the Indianapolis Colts won a Super Bowl when they were led by Peyton Manning, it is still uncertain how the biggest names on the team will perform. Anthony Richardson, Jonathan Taylor, and Darius Leonard have still to reach their best form to lift the Colts up. 

The defending champions of the division are the Jacksonville Jaguars, who clinched the title with a 9-8 record–that would have been merely sufficient for a third-place tie in the AFC North, for example–and it is expected that the Jaguars will have enough depth to defend its title. Coach Doug Pederson and quarterback Trevor Lawrence seem to have developed a good groove, and we can expect the team to build upon solid performances last year that led them to be a worthy opposition against the Super Bowl champions Kansas City Chiefs. Furthermore, the Jaguars snatched some good draft prospects, like Brenton Strange, and this will help Jacksonville have more variants, especially when they face tough rivals. 

Trailing the Jaguars will be the Tennessee Titans, a team that reached the conference final in the 2019-2020 season and that might be able to close the season with a positive record. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill and running back Derrick Henry, together with tackle Jeffery Simmons are some of the key contributors that Tennessee will have as they aim to push for the playoffs, something that seems complicated given the level of competitiveness that the other divisions in the conference boast. The greatest incognito in the division is the Houston Texans. The team has three grand debuts: quarterback C.J. Stroud, the second-overall pick in the NFL Draft and a record-breaker at Ohio State, head coach DeMeco Ryans, former defensive coordinator with the San Francisco 49ers, and defensive end Will Anderson Jr., the third pick in the Draft and an outstanding player at the University of Alabama. We expect the season to be the beginning of a transition period for the Texans, but if they can learn their lessons fast, they might be able to be an underdog worth watching. 

Predicted standings:

1. Jacksonville Jaguars - Divisional champions
2. Houston Texans
3. Tennessee Titans
4. Indianapolis Colts

AFC South Current Odds:

1. Jacksonville Jaguars, -160
2. Tennessee Titans, +380
3. Indianapolis Colts, +500
4. Houston Texans, +800

AFC East Championship: New York Jets

The New York Jets signed Aaron Rodgers, a landmark transfer that tilts the balance of power in the division. While last year the New York Jets finished last, this year, they are contenders to the divisional title, depending on how fast Rodgers can adapt to the Big Apple and how well he can click with receivers like Garrett Wilson. 

Nevertheless, the path for the Jets to secure the divisional title will not be easy. The toughest rival will be the Buffalo Bills, a team that was the conference runner-up not too long ago and that has a top-notch quarterback in Josh Allen. Allen has been considered a Super Bowl contender, and this year, he will set his sights on living up to that expectation. Beyond Allen, Sean McDermott has other key players in his squad: Stefon Diggs, Von Miller, and Matt Milano, and if they are all fit, this is likely to help the Bills to at least get a spot in the playoffs. 

In the mix is the Miami Dolphins, a team that heavily depends on the health of its lead quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa. Tua was a star at the University of Alabama, one of the best college football teams, and he is yet to make his mark in the NFL. Even though, in some matches, he has displayed glimpses of brilliance, Tagovailoa’s path has been hindered by constant injuries, and even though there are other players that can catapult the Dolphins, we believe that Tua’s presence will be key in their chase for the playoffs. 

Last, but not least, we have the New England Patriots. Bill Belichick’s team is one of the greatest football dynasties of all time, yet, after Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski left, the Pats have not been able to keep the same level. It remains to be seen whether Mac Jones, supported by new receivers like draft selection Kayshon Boutte, can turn the tide around and restore glory for New England. 

Predicted standings:

1. New York Jets - Divisional champions
2. Buffalo Bills - Wild Card
3. Miami Dolphins - Wild Card
4. New England Patriots

AFC East Current Odds:

1. Buffalo Bills, +130
2. New York Jets, +250
3. Miami Dolphins, +290
4. New England Patriots, +750

AFC: The Battle for the Wild Card Spots: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Las Vegas Raiders

We’ve seen how competitive this conference is, and how tight the battle for some of its divisions is likely to be. This is great news for football fans, as it means that we will have wonderful matches, those in which the players involved give it their all, because they know that the line between victory and defeat–the line between qualifying for the playoffs and going back home–will be so thin that every play matters. 

In this journey, we predict the AFC East to be the division where teams fare best. This is, of course, assuming that Tua Tagovailoa can stay healthy, as this will have the Bills, the Jets, and the Dolphins pulsating to be amongst the best teams in the league. Therefore, we predict that, as it has happened sometimes, there will be three teams from the same division in the playoffs, with the Dolphins and the Bills snatching wild cards and the Jets taking the divisional championship home. 

The other wild card, in our opinion, will go to one of the major surprises of the season, the Las Vegas Raiders, who, led by a reenergized Jimmy Garoppolo, eager for a new challenge, will at least get a chance to participate in the playoffs. 

National Football Conference (NFC)

Iconic teams that are amongst the league’s most valuable franchises, such as the Dallas Cowboys, the Green Bay Packers, the New York Giants, and the San Francisco 49ers are part of the National Football Conference, also known as the NFC. 

The conference is also home to some intense rivalries, such as the one between the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, and Minnesota Vikings, and the California-based antagonism between the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams. It is precisely the Rams and the 49ers that, together with the Philadelphia Eagles, have dominated the conference in recent years. 

As we did with the AFC, before we dive deep into the predictions, let’s take a look at the squads that have taken the George Halas Trophy home most recently.

NFC West Championship: Seattle Seahawks

There is no question that the NFC West will be amongst the most competed divisions in the league. On one side, we have the San Francisco 49ers, a team that has been amongst the most solid squads in the league in recent years, constantly reaching at least the conference final stage. Coach Shanahan has plenty of talented players to choose from, even in the quarterback position with Brock Purdy and Trey Lance vying to be the starting commander-in-chief. We have yet to see how the defensive line adapts to DeMeco Ryans’ departure–to be the head coach in Houston–but one thing we can guarantee is that at the very least, the 49ers will present tough opposition the way they have constantly done. 

Seeking to oust the 49ers as the divisional champions are, primarily, the Seattle Seahawks and the Los Angeles Rams. Both are led by the same coach that spearheaded their Super Bowl campaigns, in the case of Seattle, Pete Carroll, and for the Rams, Sean McVay. 

In Seattle, quarterback Geno Smith comes from a fantastic season, and is looking forward to proving that he is more than a one-hit-wonder. Smith, who was selected for the Pro Bowl, has formed a good offensive line with Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf, and now has an additional receiver option on draft recruit Jaxon Smith-Njigba. On the other hand, in Los Angeles, the Rams will depend on the health of quarterback Matthew Stafford, the one that led them to their last Super Bowl ring. If Stafford is able to play at his top level, and Cooper Kupp and Aaron Donald are able to do the same, we could see the Rams being contenders once again. 

The last team in the division is expected to be the Arizona Cardinals, who struggled last season, and, battered by Kyler Murray’s latest injury, seem to be looking forward to 2024, where they will have several draft selections to bolster its squad. 

Predicted standings:

1. Seattle Seahawks - Divisional champions
2. San Francisco 49ers - Wild Card
3. Los Angeles Rams
4. Arizona Cardinals

NFC West Current Odds:

1. San Francisco 49ers, -165
2. Seattle Seahawks, +220
3. Los Angeles Rams, +850
4. Arizona Cardinals, +2400

NFC North Championship: Detroit Lions

Last year, the Minnesota Vikings clinched the divisional title with relative ease. According to its General Manager, the Vikings have entered a “competitive rebuild” era, and it remains to be seen how this will affect its top performers such as quarterback Kirk Cousins. The Vikings have hired Brian Flores as a defensive coordinator, and this will likely improve a squad that allowed 427 points last year. 

While the Vikings will be a tough nut to crack, even during that self-labeled “competitive rebuild,” we expect the Detroit Lions to steal the divisional crown this year. Dan Campbell has done an outstanding job as a coach, and Jameson Williams will be able to return to the field once his gambling-related suspension is over. Jahmyr Gibbs is set to make his mark rushing, and Jared Goff seems poised to keep transforming the luck of the Lions’ franchise, one that improved significantly over the past two seasons and that could reach the pinnacle of its transformation by winning the NFC North this year. 

There are more doubts surrounding the other two franchises in the division, the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers. The Packers have just lost Aaron Rodgers, one of the best quarterbacks in the team’s history, to the New York Jets, and it remains to be seen how well Jordan Love can fill this void. If he is successful, the Packers could pull off an upset, but nothing is for certain as the team enters a new era. At the same time, the Bears–its bitter rival–are for real in a “competitive rebuild”, having been one of the worst teams last year and significantly revamping its lineup. With new players on board in key positions, the Bears could perform better, but they are likely to remain a work in progress. 

Predicted standings:

1. Detroit Lions - Divisional champions
2. Minnesota Vikings
3. Chicago Bears
4. Green Bay Packers

NFC North Current Odds:

1. Detroit Lions, +145
2. Minnesota Vikings, +270
3. Green Bay Packers, +350
4. Chicago Bears, +420

NFC South Championship: Carolina Panthers

Derek Carr is eager to begin a new era with the New Orleans Saints, and he has a solid offensive line to support him, one that boasts the likes of Michael Thomas, Alvin Kamara, and Chris Olave. The bookmakers have swiftly responded to the move, listing the Saints as the favorites to be the next NFC South divisional champions. While we believe that Carr’s signing will assist in helping the team have a positive record and secure at least a wild card spot, we also feel that the battle for the NFC South will be tougher than it seems.

One reason why this is likely to be the case is that the NFL Draft #1 overall pick, quarterback Bryce Young, will lead the offense at the Carolina Panthers, and will hope to achieve what only Jake Delhomme and Cam Newton have been able to accomplish, which is leading the franchise to participate in the Super Bowl. The Panthers are also highly valued as a franchise, and it is likely that owner David Tepper will inject considerable financial resources into the team to increase its odds of succeeding. 

The fact that the Saints and the Panthers have improved their rosters will have a big impact on the NFC South, which was a very weak division last year with all teams finishing with negative records. We believe that this will likely still be the case for the other two teams in the NFC South, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Atlanta Falcons, as both seem to be in a transition stage. The Falcons need to bolster their defensive line prospects and solidify Desmond Ridder’s position as the leading quarterback. For the Buccaneers, the franchise needs to find someone who can inspire the team and command it on the field the way Tom Brady did. No easy feat, of course, but the team has talent–Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and more–and if Baker Mayfield or Kyle Trask can step up to the plate, they could help transform Tampa’s fortunes. 

Predicted standings:

1. Carolina Panthers - Divisional champions
2. New Orleans Saints - Wild Card
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
4. Atlanta Falcons

NFC South Current Odds:

1. New Orleans Saints, +135
2. Atlanta Falcons, +230
3. Carolina Panthers, +340
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, +600

NFC East Championship: Philadelphia Eagles

For the Philadelphia Eagles, this is a redemption season. The team was so, so close to being the next Super Bowl champion, and Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown and company will be back for more. Supported by Georgia’s draft selections, Nolan Smith and Jalen Carter, the Eagles are not only the top candidates to secure the NFC East championship, but once again, to compete for the Super Bowl. 

To accomplish this, Nick Sirianni’s squad will need to get past the Dallas Cowboys, one of the most valuable teams in the league, with enormous brand equity, but that, at the time of performing on the court, can go either way. In the past, the Cowboys have attained glory led by the likes of Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman, but also, they have gone through bitter disappointment. Perhaps, that is the price to pay for a team that, due to its global fan base, always generates high expectations. 

Led by Dak Prescott, the Cowboys could still be in the hunt for a wild card, a spot they will have to fight for with the New York Giants. The Giants have made a smart signing with Darren Waller, who joins Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley as a team figure whose performance will be key in determining the fate of the team. While the Giants could pull off the upset and leave Dallas out, we have less hopes for the Washington Commanders, who still have many unresolved questions, including whether Sam Howell or Jacoby Brissett will be the team’s starting QB. As the season gets closer, however, anything can happen. 

Predicted Standings

1. Philadelphia Eagles - Divisional champions
2. Dallas Cowboys - Wild Card
3. New York Giants
4. Washington Commanders

NFC East Current Odds

1. Philadelphia Eagles, -105
2. Dallas Cowboys, +175
3. New York Giants, +700
4. Washington Commanders, +1000

NFC: The Battle for the Wild Card Spots: San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans Saints

While we expect other teams such as the Minnesota Vikings and the Los Angeles Rams to be in the race for the wild card spots until the very end, we believe that, all in all, the 49ers, the Cowboys, and the Saints will end up moving on to the playoffs. We see the NFC West as the most competitive division, by far, and therefore consider that the 49ers will be able to comfortably secure a spot in the post-season. For the Cowboys and the Saints, the battle is likely to be tougher, especially for Dallas as they have a difficult divisional rival in the Giants. We wouldn’t be surprised if we see three teams from the NFC West, with the Rams as a surprise contender in the background, but as of now, we’ll stick with our three selections. 

After all, this is football, and isn’t one of the reasons we love it the fact that, once the teams are out and the ball is rolling, anything can happen? 

Super Bowl 2024: Predicting the Bracket

If our predictions stand, the playoff bracket would consist of very interesting and exciting matchups. Let’s take a look. 

AFC Playoffs

1. Kansas City Chiefs
2. Cincinnati Bengals
3. New York Jets
4. Jacksonville Jaguars
5. Buffalo Bills
6. Miami Dolphins
7. Las Vegas Raiders

1. Wild card round: Bengals defeat Raiders, Dolphins defeat Jets, Bills defeat Jaguars
2. Divisional round: Bills defeat Chiefs, Bengals defeat Dolphins
3. AFC Championship Game: Bengals defeat Bills

NFC Playoffs

1. Philadelphia Eagles
2. Seattle Seahawks
3. Carolina Panthers
4. Detroit Lions
5. San Francisco 49ers
6. Dallas Cowboys
7. New Orleans Saints

1. Wild card round: Saints defeat Seahawks, Cowboys defeat Panthers, 49ers defeat Lions
2. Divisional round: Eagles defeat 49ers, Cowboys defeat Saints
3. NFC Championship Game: Eagles defeat Cowboys

The Big Game - Super Bowl 2024 Prediction

The Favorites

According to our analysis, Lines believes that the Super Bowl 2024 will be played by the Cincinnati Bengals (AFC Champions), and the Philadelphia Eagles, who will retain the NFC Championship. This would make for an amazing Super Bowl LVIII, with two squads that are seeking to redeem themselves from recent Super Bowl defeats. For the Bengals, this would be its first Super Bowl title, while the Eagles won the championship in 2018 in Super Bowl LII. If this was the final matchup, we believe that the AFC would prevail, once again, and that Joe Burrow and company will be winning their first Super Bowl ring. 

The Underdogs

Kurt Warner’s feat with the St. Louis Rams is hard to forget for any football fan. Warner, who was not drafted and had spent some time playing in NFL Europe and in the Arena Football League, was called as a backup for the Rams, and no one expected much of him. Under the guidance of head coach Dick Vermeil and offensive coordinator Mike Martz, Warner shone, teaming up with players such as Marshall Faulk to build an explosive offensive line, one that was known as “The Greatest Show on Turf.” St. Louis would end up winning the Super Bowl for the 1999-2000 season, and this story is one to always keep in mind when predicting the next Super Bowl winner. Always leave room for the unexpected. The Rams paid 300-1 odds that year, so who is to say you cannot predict the next underdog? 

Related: NFL Predictions

The Odds

Speaking about the odds, here are the most updated odds to win Super Bowl 2024. 

1. Kansas City Chiefs, +600
2. Philadelphia Eagles, +800
3. Buffalo Bills, +900
4. Cincinnati Bengals, +1000
5. San Francisco 49ers, +1000
6. Dallas Cowboys, +1400
7. New York Jets, +1600
8. Baltimore Ravens, +1800

For more information on how to understand the odds for Super Bowl 2024, learn about the different types of bets that you can place, and study different strategies that can help you maximize your winnings, look at this in-depth guide that we have prepared for you.