How Did I Do?–2024 Football Predictions

I think this was probably my best year for making football predictions. I know, that sounds crazy, but wait until you see how I did this year. 

Starting with the NFL, we begin with the mock draft. I did much better this year, but at the same time, slightly worse. Allow me to explain. I actually picked five correctly: Caleb Williams, Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, Byron Murphy, and Quinyon Mitchell. I also got one team correct, but with the wrong pick (JJ McCarthy). Mel Kiper got nine, so I think that is pretty good considering I do not do this for a living! Now, last year, I predicted that Stroud would be the better QB. Well, this year I said that Bo Nix looks like a career backup and teams will regret drafting him in the first round. I was totally wrong about that one. Sorry Bo!

As you probably know, I won my Pick ‘Em league this year. I was 156-125, which I believe was one of my best years. I also had 156 back in 2021, but I had more losses. Fun fact: Sean has only beat me 4 times in the 13 years we have been doing this pick ’em. 

The last few years have been rough with my actual NFL prediction post. This year was different. In the AFC I picked 11! I had the AFC South and West perfect. I picked three of the four division champions and one of the wild card teams. I guessed five of the records, including the Steelers. I was a little worse in the NFC though with just three right (but 14/32 is fantastic and definitely my best). I did pick two of the division champs, but none of the wild cards. In the playoffs, I nailed three of the wild card round winners, and one in the division round (I had the Ravens playing the Bills, but I had the Ravens winning). I had the Chiefs in the conference championship, but again, I had them losing. I also picked one award: Comeback Player–Joe Burrow. 

College is a different story. It is so difficult to pick the places (I need to figure out a system to track this). I had 13 teams right. My best conferences were C-USA (4) and the MAC (3). I did get 14 of the records. There are so many awards, and they are weirdly difficult to predict. I only guessed one right this year: Paul Hornung Award–Travis Hunter. That one seemed like a no-brainer. 

It was a fun year of football. I hope this year I can do even better with these predictions.