ESPN Season Predictions: Faith In Us!

[BFritz21]

ESPN had a number of their "experts" make predictions for the 2024 season, and two pick us to make the Super Bowl, with one having us win it!

Quote:Matt Bowen, NFL analyst: Packers over Bengals. A healthy quarterback Joe Burrow will put the Bengals back in the mix as one of the top teams in the AFC. It's the Packers, however, who win the Super Bowl because of quarterback Jordan Love's difference-making ability and a change in defensive philosophy under new coordinator Jeff Hafley.

I will admit that Love is solid and will probably win the MVP, but I think that's just because they're such a historical team and we're use, but I'd take Burrow in the big game over Love every day of the week and twice on Super Bowl Sunday.

Quote:Dan Graziano, national NFL writer: Bengals over Lions. Obviously, this is a bold exercise at this point, so I'm putting two teams in the Super Bowl who've never won it and banking on someone making history. (Even though the real answer is probably the Chiefs making a different kind of history.) Assuming Burrow is 100% healthy from his thumb injury, Cincinnati has a loaded roster (that went 9-8 in 2023 because Burrow got hurt) and gets to play a last-place schedule. And the Lions, who came closer to the Super Bowl without getting there than many, return with their coaching staff intact and should improve on defense through free agency and the draft.

Love hearing him say that we have a loaded roster and he's right because, as long as we can offer Burrow at least some protection from the pass rush, he'll tear the league apart!

After Burrow getting killed so much and still getting us to the Super Bowl and AFCC, I do have faith that we can at least get back there if we can protect Burrow, but the line is still my biggest concern for this team and the only thing holding us back from being a dynasty.

Regardless, it's nice to see us getting some love and recognition.