A Preliminary Overview of the 2024 NFL Season

As the second week of the 2024 regular NFL season concludes and the first game of Week 3 gets underway, it’s time to start envisaging the potential playoff landscape. Although the postseason is still a fair distance away, we delve into an early analysis of the playoff picture and the journey towards Super Bowl LIX. We explore which teams seem poised for success and which ones have a considerable amount of groundwork ahead in order to secure their spot in the 14-team field.

Using the Football Power Index, we project the remaining season and give you an up-to-date view of the playoff scenario for both conferences. We also present the latest odds for each team to reach the postseason, secure its division, and potentially make it to the Super Bowl. Here’s a comprehensive guide to everything you need to know. Last updated: September 21, 12:45 a.m. ET.

Anticipating the AFC Playoff Scenario

Of all the teams across the NFL, two currently hold an 85% or higher chance to qualify for the playoffs this season, both of which hail from the AFC. The Chiefs, who claimed victory over the Bengals in Week 2, have a 91% chance, while the Bills, after a successful game against Miami, stand at 90%.

Interestingly, the Chargers, with the fifth-highest chance to reach the playoffs in the conference at 72%, are a team to watch. The Ravens, on the other hand, saw their chances drop from 61% to 41% following their defeat to Las Vegas. The Jets’ Thursday victory over the Patriots boosted their playoff odds to 79%. The Broncos currently have the least chance of making the AFC postseason, sitting at a mere 3%. The Dolphins’ prospects are also dwindling due to uncertainty at the quarterback position following Tua Tagovailoa’s concussion and subsequent placement on injured reserve after Miami’s Week 2 loss.

Predicting the NFC Playoff Picture

Despite their Monday night loss to Atlanta, the Eagles have a 73% chance of securing a playoff spot, the second-best odds in the NFC. However, the biggest surprise of the season so far is the Saints. Having scored 91 points across two weeks, they lead the conference with an 82% chance of making the playoffs. ESPN’s FPI also gives them a 54% probability of winning the NFC South.

The Lions’ chances slipped to 55% following their loss to the Bucs, and the Rams, dealing with the loss of their top two receivers, saw their chances nosedive to 10% after their second defeat. They slipped to 28th in the NFL in playoff chances, just two weeks after being 16th (45%). The outlook is bleak for the Panthers and Giants, both of whom hold less than a 5% chance to make the playoffs. Bryce Young and Daniel Jones, with a combined total of two touchdown throws, five interceptions, and 12 sacks so far, are struggling, especially after Young’s recent benching by the Panthers.

2024 NFL Playoff Schedule

• Jan. 11-13: Wild-card round
• Jan. 18-19: Divisional round
• Jan. 26: AFC and NFC championship games
• Feb. 9: Super Bowl LIX (in New Orleans)