Yankees Inch Closer to Another AL East Division Title
As the season ends in just seven days, and there are only six games left to play, the Yankees’ magic number to clinch the division is now one.
As the team holds a six-game lead over the Baltimore Orioles heading into a massive three-game series against them, the Yankees will not only look to clinch the Division but also beat out the Cleveland Guardians for the American League number one overall spot.
Are the Yankees good enough to win it all?
One could argue yes, but the more realistic evaluation is no. The Yankees have a lot of holes that they will have to fill this off-season, most glaringly the back end of the bullpen. The Yankees bats and starting pitching are certainly good enough to potentially win a World Series, but the bullpen is as bad as it has ever been.
To win a World Series you must have a lockdown ninth-inning guy, and the Yankees have been using Luke Wever to fill that “lockdown” spot over the past month. While Weaver has performed great recently no one should believe it will be sustainable due to how bad he has been in his past, and no one should trust him in the 9th inning of a playoff game with a one-run lead.
If the Yankees get matched up with a team that has a solid bullpen, it should be expected they will fall early in the playoffs. However, as we have seen as recently as last year, if a team gets hot anything can happen, though both World Series teams from last year had outstanding bullpen performances throughout the playoffs. Can the Yankees overcome the odds of being eliminated due to a bad bullpen? We will find out soon enough.
NFL Crystal Ball 2024: Division Winners, Playoffs and Super Bowl
AFC EAST
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – NOVEMBER 24: Aaron Rodgers #8 of the New York Jets looks on from the sideline prior to the game against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium on November 24, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Ok, let’s rip the bandage off of this one. All the talk in the NFL these days is about how much better the New York Jets will be this season, and that might be the case. A healthy Aaron Rodgers with those incredible weapons of Garret Wilson and Breece Hall; plus a talent defense! What’s not to like? I say not so fast. The Miami Dolphins have plenty of speed and experience, and Mike McDaniel has shown – so far — to be a pretty solid Head Coach. As for Buffalo, they lost a lot of key pieces from last season, and are putting a lot on the shoulders of Josh Allen.
PREDICTION
DOLPHINS 11 – 6
JETS 10 – 7
BILLS 9 – 8
PATRIOTS 2 – 15Final Word:
A very daunting late season schedule could haunt the Jets in December. Don’t be shocked to see Miami sneak away with the AFC East in the season’s final week when the Jets and Dolphins meet in Week 18, eerily reminiscent of the finish the Jets had with another former Packers legend under center back in 2008. Only this time, the Jets have the wild card in their back pocket.AFC NORTH
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 16: Quarterback Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals drops back to pass against the Baltimore Ravens game at M&T Bank Stadium on November 16, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Perhaps the NFL’s most competitive division. A case can be made for any of the four teams to win this division.
BENGALS 12 – 5
RAVENS 11 – 6
BROWNS 7 – 10
STEELERS 7 – 10Lot of pressure on Lamar Jackson and the Ravens to get it done this year after blowing it last January in the AFC Championship game at home against the Chiefs. It won’t be easy with a tricky early season schedule that features games at Kansas City and at Dallas. Still these are the Ravens, they know how to win. The Bengals have a healthy Joe Burrow, and Jamar Chase is back at practice. The Bengals are a real threat in the AFC. The Browns and Steelers could be good, but they need stability under center.
AFC SOUTH
HOUSTON, TEXAS – AUGUST 17: C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans throws a pass before the preseason game against the New York Giants at NRG Stadium on August 17, 2024 in Houston, Texas.
Everyone is all in on the Texans this season after their surprise turnaround last year. C.J. Stroud was Rookie of the Year last year. Many will tap him to be a League MVP candidate in 2024. The Texans loaded up on offensive talent, bringing in running back Joe Mixon, receiver Stefon Diggs and tight end Dalton Shultz. They are legit on paper.
TEXANS 11 – 6
JAGUARS 9 – 8
TITANS 7 – 10
COLTS 6 – 11
Houston should win this division, but it won’t be a runaway. Don’t discount Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars. Jacksonville disappointed last season, and would love to regain control of this division again.
AFC WEST
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – AUGUST 17: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks for an open receiver during the first quarter of a preseason game against the Detroit Lions at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on August 17, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri.
All roads to the Big Game roll through Kansas City. Yes, the Chiefs are another year older, but barring a catastrophic injury or two, it’s hard to imagine the Chiefs not winning the AFC West and getting a high playoff seed at the very least. The Chargers are definitely a threat with Jim Harbaugh now installed as Head Coach. The Broncos and Sean Payton hope they have their new franchise quarterback in Bo Nix. The Raiders could be feast of famine this year. Antonio Pierece showed a lot of grit as interim Head Coach last season, but he still doesn’t have a quarterback to lead the way.
CHIEFS 12 -5
CHARGERS 10 – 7
BRONCOS 8 – 9
RAIDERS 7 – 10
NFC NORTH
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – NOVEMBER 23: Rashan Gary #52 of the Green Bay Packers forces a fumble against Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions during the fourth quarter of the game at Ford Field on November 23, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan.
A lot of hype in this division for good reason. The Lions are coming off a berth in the NFC title game; the Packers have a young gunslinger in Jordan Love; everyone and their grandmother loves the Bears, and then … then … there are the Vikings and Sam Darnold. Yeah — that was a downer.
PACKERS 11 – 6
LIONS 10 – 7
BEARS 6 – 11
VIKINGS 6 – 11
Got a feeling this could be a let down year for Detroit after such a big season in 2023. The Packers appear ready to rock to the top of the division. And take it easy on the Bears hype. They have a young quarterback learning the ropes.
NFC SOUTH
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – AUGUST 23: Kirk Cousins #18 of the Atlanta Falcons warms up prior to an NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 23, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Should we really trust Kirk Cousins and the Atlanta Falcons? Really?
BUCCANEERS 9 – 8
FALCONS 9 – 8
SAINTS 6 – 11
PANTHERS 3 – 14
The NFL’s weakest division, I see the Bucs once again coming out on top. Baker Mayfield had a renaissance season last year in Tampa, and Todd Bowles should have that defense humming. It will be interesting to see what happens in Atlanta. Bijan Robinson is without a doubt one of the best young backs in the league, but it will come down to the competency of Kirk Cousins under center for Atlanta.
NFC WEST
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 11: Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers runs the ball for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs during Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
This division is really a two horse race between the defending NFC Champion 49ers and the LA Rams.
49ers 13 – 4
RAMS 11 – 6
SEAHAWKS 6 – 11
CARDINALS 6 – 11
If all goes according to plan the 49ers should be the toast of the NFC yet again. It wasn’t an easy summer for San Francisco by any stretch of the imagination. Holdouts by Brandon Ayiuk and Trent Williams coupled with numerous camp injuries made things tough for San Fran. Still they should be back atop this division.
They will get a heavy challenge from the Rams with veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford leading the way for perhaps one last go at a championship.
The Big Game Will Be ...
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – NOVEMBER 27: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs with the ball during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Arrowhead Stadium on November 27, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri.
Chief and Rams.
The Chiefs dynasty rolls on! Kansas City Chiefs win an unprecedented third consecutive Super Bowl title, becoming the first team to ever do so in the post merger era. Get ready for more Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Andy Reid, and, of course, Taylor Swift.
