Caleb Harris
Have a good mid-week everyone! Spring training is underway across the NFL, and that means John Breech is taking the day to scour the internet for additional clips of Joe Burrow throwing the rock in Cincinnati. Then you got me, Cody Benjaminhere to bring you all the latest news from the league.
This is the Pick Six newsletter. Now let’s go. (And please do yourself a favor and make sure you sign up for this newsletter every day! You won’t want to miss our daily deals on everything you need to know about the NFL.)
We have news about the future NFL Draft websites, a major change to game day protocol, and more:
1. AFC South win total projection: Beware the Texans
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Instead of “Pick Six NFL Podcast”, which is on pause (find the full catalog of episodes here), host Will Brinson was diving into projected win totals for each NFL division, offering their best bets for the 2024 season. Next up: AFC South, where the Houston Texans are often ranked as prospects Super Bowl competitors, but could justify more caution.
Let’s start with Houston’s 2023 season, which is highlighted primarily by a historic rookie performance in CJ Stroud. The Texans were one of the best stories of the season, but they also went 7-3 in one-score games and overcame their point differential by almost an entire game. This team had a losing record in November after falling to the Panthers (!). Just like the 2022 Jaguars, they went on a rampage down the stretch against some questionable teams and won the division before defeating Joe Flacco in a playoff game. I think Stroud is amazing and DeMeco Ryans has great staying power.
(So) I’m bullish on the Texans, but not to the extent of the market: Stroud is 12-1 to win MVP and that’s a very high win total for a team that’s now tied for first place with the Chiefs, Cowboys and Ravens notably on the agenda down the stretch. At this point in the offseason, I would lean toward the under with more money, knowing the Texans could win nine games, the division and I would still make money without spending anything.
Lean: Less than 9.5 (+120)
2. NFL to test new first-down measurement system
It’s not exactly goodbye, but it soon could be. CBS Sports’ top NFL insider Jonathan Jones reports that the NFL intends test an optical tracking system for line-to-gain (first down) decisions starting this year, specifically in the 2024 preseason. After a “full preseason test,” it is possible that the tracking system – which uses specific cameras and markers on balls of football – be implemented full-time during the regular season, with the chain’s traditional teams standing by as backups and serving. as a “reference point for coaches, players and fans” on the sidelines.
3. Offensive Infrastructure Rankings: Chiefs Remain First
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Jared Dubin has a thoughtful system for determining the NFL offenses best set up for success, taking into account everything from the quarterback’s talent to the player’s track record. And now he has released his 2024 rankings, ranking all 32 teams in levels according to your proven assets. It is not news that the reign Super Bowl The champions are at the top of the list, but they are joined by two other first division clubs: the Detroit Lions and the San Francisco 49ers.
Aside from San Francisco’s offensive line, each of these three teams has a (maximum) rating… in every category. We have the league’s best quarterback (Patrick Mahomes) and best players (Andy Reid and Kyle Shanahan) here, as well as its best offensive line (Detroit) and best skill position group (Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and others). Add Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta, David Montgomery, Jahmyr Gibbs, Jared Goff and Ben Johnson in Detroit, plus Brock Purdy in San Francisco and Travis Kelce, Rashee Rice, Marquise Brown, Xavier Worthy and Isiah Pacheco in Kansas City , and it seems pretty clear that this trio of teams are ahead of the pack. And the Chiefs, of course, are at the top of the entire pyramid. That’s what having the best player in the league and perfect synergy with one of the best offensive minds of all time will do for you.
A month after Detroit set attendance records by hosting the 2024 NFL Draft, we already have our next two draft hosts on the docket: Green Bay is confirmed for 2025, and the NFL officially awarded Pittsburgh the 2026 draft. Steel City was competing to host the event in 2026 or 2027, with plans to place the showcase near Acrisure Stadium and throughout downtown Pittsburgh. This is the first time Pittsburgh will host the draft in nearly 80 years, with the city last serving the role in 1947.
5. NFL watching Australia game, could drop in 2025
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The NFL will travel abroad several times in 2024, with games scheduled for GermanyLondon and, for the first time, South America. But another new development could occur as early as 2025. Peter O’Reilly, head of international affairs at the NFL, revealed this week that Australia is under consideration as future regular season host. His comments came amid reports from Melbourne that the NFL was likely to schedule at least one game Down Under in 2025 or 2026, with the Melbourne Cricket Ground a potential venue.
6. Bonus points: Rodgers shines, Fields eyes QB1 duties
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