NFL midseason predictions: Playoffs, MVP, 2025 draft - ESPN

The midway point of the 2024 NFL season is here. After nine weeks, the Kansas City Chiefs are still undefeated, rookie Jayden Daniels is making a serious run at MVP and there's no clear favorite in the NFC West. But a lot can happen over the next two months.

We asked 18 of our NFL analysts for their best second-half prediction. Which teams will shockingly make the playoffs? Who's making a strong case for one of the league's annual awards? What records could the Lions break this season? And which team could lose out the rest of the season to land the top draft pick?

Let's predict the second half of the season, starting with some playoff race calls.

Jump to:
Playoff races | Award winners
Continuing trends | NFC West
Record-breakers | NFL draft

The Baltimore Ravens will make the Super Bowl with improved pass defense

The Ravens' defense is fifth worst in the league against the pass, and they've seen one of the highest dropback rates accordingly. That's not a good formula for running through an AFC that's riddled with star quarterbacks — but I don't think those numbers will hold. Cornerback Nate Wiggins and linebacker Trenton Simpson are improving each week. Nickel cornerback Arthur Maulet is back from a knee injury, and I trust coordinator Zach Orr to find new subpackages that work. If their pass defense becomes even average, the 2024 Ravens can go all the way. — Ben Solak, NFL analyst

The Kansas City Chiefs will be the No. 1 seed in AFC

The Chiefs will finish with the NFL's best record and earn home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. They haven't been as dominant as they were in the past, but the trade for DeAndre Hopkins to replace injured Rashee Rice and a top-five scoring defense can easily lead them to their ninth