The change would not influence the preseason model of the present, which is able to nonetheless characteristic just one staff.
Final yr, the Dolphins appeared in “Exhausting Knocks: In Season,” which premiered on Nov. 21, 2023, and ran by means of Miami’s 2023 playoff run.
With a change within the present’s format coming, here is our rating of the divisions, from greatest to worst, relating to which one must be featured within the sequence this yr.
1. NFC North
An ascending Jordan Love and the Packers, Vikings large receiver Justin Jefferson in a pivotal season, The Lions with Dan Campbell, and Caleb Williams (probably) in Chicago — what’s to not love about this setup? The NFC North is essentially the most attention-grabbing division in soccer and deserves a season of “Exhausting Knocks” dedicated to it.
2. AFC South
The Texans are one of many league’s greatest tales after enhancing from 3-13-1 in 2022 to 10-7 in 2023 and might be even higher this season. The division is filled with gifted younger quarterbacks, together with Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence, Colts’ Anthony Richardson and Titans’ Will Levis, and the NFL might use this chance to market a few of their future stars.
3. AFC West
The pinnacle coaches can be well worth the value of admission alone. Give us Chiefs’ Andy Reid at his favourite burger institution, Broncos’ Sean Payton sticking a pin in his Roger Goodell voodoo doll, and Chargers’ Jim Harbaugh sustaining his garden. Antonio Pierce can be coming into his first yr because the Raiders’ full-time head coach and can attempt to show he belongs with the division’s heavyweights.
4. NFC South
Who would not love a trainwreck? The cringe comedy of the NFC South can be a welcome option to bide the time till HBO drops the second season of “The Rehearsal.” Not one of the groups are notably good, however they’ve excessive stakes for the 2024 season. The Falcons, Bucs and Saints have high-priced quarterbacks that count on to cause them to the postseason, whereas the Panthers hope they did not make an enormous mistake by drafting Bryce Younger at No. 1 general in 2023.
5. AFC North
From high to backside, arguably, no division in soccer is healthier than the AFC North. The Ravens, Browns and Steelers made the playoffs in 2023, and the Bengals ought to return to the sector with quarterback Joe Burrow getting back from a season-ending damage. Nevertheless, groups being competent is not essentially compelling tv. Outdoors of a quarterback battle in Pittsburgh between Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, the 4 divisions forward of the AFC North provide extra fascinating storylines.
6. NFC West
Do the 49ers expertise a Tremendous Bowl hangover? How do the Rams make up for Aaron Donald’s retirement? These are some questions a “Exhausting Knocks” based mostly on the NFC West might deal with. The Seahawks are coming into a brand new age after former head coach Pete Carroll was fired this offseason, and the Cardinals might have one of many high rookies of the 2024 NFL Draft class, large receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., to pair with a wholesome Kyler Murray.
7. NFC East
Does the NFC East have to be featured on “Exhausting Knocks” once we can simply tune into ESPN to search out out the most recent on the Cowboys, Eagles, Giants and Commanders? These groups take up a disproportionate quantity of consideration from the nationwide media and do not want any extra of the highlight.
8. AFC East
The AFC East brings up the rear largely as a result of Aaron Rodgers is already on our televisions sufficient as it’s. From final yr’s preseason version of “Exhausting Knocks” with the New York Jets to his weekly in-season appearances on “The Pat McAfee Present,” we have reached our saturation level with Rodgers. Watching him throw a soccer for 3 hours on Sunday is greater than sufficient.
