The CT sports staff selects: NFL Predictions

Yenni Jimenez Acosta, Contributing Writer

Regular Season MVP: The MVP this season will be Baltimore Raven’s Lamar Jackson, due to his 2024 performance and his two MVP awards. Jackson is also ESPN’s pick over previous MVP quarterback Josh Allen, and his supporting cast has only improved since last season. 

Super Bowl Champion: I think the Baltimore Ravens will win their first Super Bowl in the Lamar Jackson era. Last year, the Ravens had the best offense and a top 10 defense. With the returning pieces and new additions, the Ravens will finally get past the AFC championship and win the Super Bowl. 

Breakout Team: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a team to look out for. The Buccaneers are already a contender, having risen from No. 9 to No. 7 in the NFL power rankings. Tampa Bay has only grown since then, assembling one of the best draft classes in the recent offseason, according to NFL writer Eric Edholm.

Daniel Pointer, Contributing Writer

Regular Season MVP: Last season, Lamar Jackson combined for 5,087 yards and 45 touchdowns, while only throwing four interceptions all season, according to ESPN. He also led the league in passing yards per attempt and posted the highest quarterback rating. If the Ravens’ offensive weapons can stay healthy, Jackson’s efficiency could win him his third MVP award.

Super Bowl Champion: Each year, the Baltimore Ravens inch closer and closer towards overcoming the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC. With an electric offense led by Jackson and running back Derrick Henry, as well as a stout defense, it can be hard to identify weakness in the Ravens roster. The additions of rookie safety Malachi Starks and cornerback Jaire Alexander could be the missing pieces that help the Ravens take the final step towards a Super Bowl victory.

Breakout Team: The Atlanta Falcons bolstered their struggling defense in the draft, using both   their first round picks on linebackers Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr.. If quarterback Michael Penix Jr. can prove he developed as a backup in his first year and utilize his offensive weapons, the Falcons may surprise fans with their success.

Devynn Alston, Contributing Writer

Regular Season MVP: This year, Lamar Jackson has something to prove. Because of his last few years not being a playoff riser, this season is going to be a revenge tour. He will want to show people he can truly lead a team. 

Super Bowl Champion: The Ravens will follow their QB and look to prove people wrong after their 2024 playoffs performance. 

Breakout Team: The Cleveland Browns’ roster this year is better than what  people are giving them credit for. If they can mesh well within the first month of the season, they will truly shock the rest of the league.

Benney Koch, Contributing Writer

Regular Season MVP: Jalen Hurts is entering his fifth season with the Philadelphia Eagles. Hurts fills the quarterback role in its truest form as a leader and team captain, elevating his teammates and taking control when it is most needed. Hurts led the Eagles to two Super Bowls, most recently becoming victorious and being recognized as Super Bowl MVP. Hurts has gotten better every year, and I expect a respected MVP-caliber season from him and long overdue respect from NFL fans.

Super Bowl Champion: I anticipate the Eagles going back-to-back and winning the Super Bowl again this year. Hurts has put an emphasis on not letting the win get to the team’s head and having them solely focus on re-creating that moment in February instead. The 2024 Eagles were widely considered a super team — though they lost valuable defensive assets in the offseason, they have also picked up new big pieces like Willie Lampkin and Jakorian Bennett. I predict the Eagles facing off against the Baltimore Ravens in a long-awaited “Bird Bowl,” with Philadelphia coming out victorious after a tight game.

Breakout Team: The Las Vegas Raiders have not had a playoff appearance since 2021, and I anticipate a breakout year in this upcoming season. The Raiders made some major changes by hiring head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Spytek, and got some good pickups that will shape them to be an unexpected threat. The Raiders will break their streak of not making the playoffs, and might play the Bills, Ravens or Chiefs in the Divisional Round.

Hayden Braun, Contributing Writer

Regular Season MVP: Joe Burrow will finally win his first MVP this season. The explosive offense with weapons like wide receivers Jamar Chase, Tee Higgins and Chase Brown should help Burrow to his best season yet. The Bengals will need Burrow to be perfect this season, with their bottom-tier defense not improving in the offseason.

Super Bowl Champion: I think Super Bowl 60 will be a matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and the Green Bay Packers, with the Ravens ultimately winning. The Ravens have one of the most dominant all-around rosters in football, and I think this is a Super Bowl or bust year with this current roster.

Breakout Team: The Raiders are my pick for this year’s breakout team. With moves like trading for Pro Bowl quarterback Geno Smith, drafting running back Ashton Jeanty and hiring Super Bowl-winning head coach Pete Carroll, the Raiders may be back in the bubble to compete again, according to ESPN.