Patrick Mahomes has done it winging the ball downfield, and he’s done it throwing short. He’s done it from the pocket, on scrambles and designed runs.
So there’s no reason to bet against Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs winning the Super Bowl for the third straight year.
And if the Chiefs only look so-so midway through the year – they visit the 49ers in Week 7 – that doesn’t mean they won’t be playing their best football when it matters most.
Here’s a look at what to expect in the NFL this season:
Super Bowl winner
Kansas City Chiefs. Patrick Mahomes has proven it doesn’t matter who plays running back or receiver as long as he’s running the offense, and Andy Reid and Steve Spagnuolo are the best game-planning as well as game-day coordinators in the game.
MVP
Jordan Love, Green Bay. The fourth-year quarterback grew in confidence and stature to a remarkable degree last season. He threw 23 touchdown passes with three interceptions in his last 10 games and is poised for another quantum leap in 2024.
San Francisco 49ers’ Javon Kinlaw (99) pressures Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) in the third quarter of an NFC Divisional playoff game, Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
Offensive player of the year
Derrick Henry, Baltimore. The league’s premier power runner joins the league’s top power running team. Health permitting, 100 yards per game (1,700 yards) and 15 touchdowns seems like a slam dunk for the former Tennessee Titan.
Defensive player of the year
Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas. There may not be a more respected player in the NFL when it comes to production tied to maximum effort. The 26-year-old defensive end has 27 sacks and 45 tackles for loss in the last two years. Don’t be surprised if he averages a sack per game in 2024.
Offensive rookie of the year
Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona. Harrison, the No. 4 pick out of Ohio State, is a step-in-and-start wide receiver who ought to be good for 80-plus catches, 1,200-plus yards and double figure touchdowns in Year 1. If Caleb Williams of Chicago can be anywhere near as good as Harrison’s college teammate C.J. Stroud a year ago, the Bears’ new QB will challenge Harrison for ROY honors.
Defensive rookie of the year
Jared Verse, L.A. Rams. The Rams of late have been the NFL’s best at developing their own talent, even when going without a first-round draft pick. L.A. didn’t have to make much of a reach with Verse, an explosive edge player out of Florida State. He is the Rams’ first pick in the first round (No. 19) since Jared Goff in 2016.
Coach of the year
Jim Harbaugh, Los Angeles Chargers. He’s corny and downright strange, but damned if Harbaugh doesn’t get teams to play for him. And play hard. Getting the Chargers in the playoffs will be Step 1 in his return to the NFL after nine seasons – and a national championship – at his alma mater Michigan.
New Chargers head coach Jim …read more
Source:: The Mercury News – Entertainment
