2024 NFL Awards Predictions: MVP, Super Bowl Matchup, Coach of the Year and more from the NFL on CBS

The wait is over. The 2024 NFL season has officially begun. And what better way to ring in the new year than with the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday night? Football fans have something to look forward to, as the race for the next Lombardi is on.

Speaking of the next Lombardi, which contenders have the best chance of claiming the glory? And which superstars will earn the top honors along the way? We polled more than a dozen of our NFL experts here at CBS Sports to give you predictions for everything from MVP to Super Bowl champion ahead of Week 1:

The voters (13): The NFL Today analyst Nate Burleson, CBS Sports analyst Amy Trask, senior NFL writer Will Brinson, NFL writers Cody Benjamin, John Breech, Jordan Dajani, Jared Dubin, Jeff Kerr, Garrett Podell, Tyler Sullivan, CBS Sports HQ analyst Leger Douzable, CBS Sports Network analyst Brock Vereen, NFL editor Kevin Steimle

Best Player

1. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (4 votes)
2. T-Texans QB CJ Stroud, Bills QB Josh Allen (2 votes)

Other vote recipients: Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, Packers quarterback Jordan Love, Lions quarterback Jared Goff, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts

Mahomes already has two MVP titles under his belt, but it's clear that no one expects him to slow down in his seventh season as a starter. Interestingly, however, a whopping nine (9) different quarterbacks received votes for this year's top award, which speaks to the abundance of talent at the position.

Offensive Player of the Year

1. T-Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill, Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb (3 votes)
2. Jets RB Breece Hall (2 votes)

Other vote recipients: Bills QB Josh Allen, Ravens RB Derrick Henry, Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase, Buccaneers WR Mike Evans, Vikings WR Justin Jefferson

It's the year of the wide receiver. Or at least it seems that way. Hill and Lamb were arguably the most explosive pass receivers of 2023, and as prime targets in still-fearsome offenses, they're both poised to keep up their video game production. Hall is the wild card, looking to stay fully healthy and fast as New York's lead back. Noticeably absent from the entire poll: reigning Offensive Player of the Year Christian McCaffrey.

Defensive Player of the Year

1. Cowboys DE Micah Parsons (6 votes)
2. Texans DE Danielle Hunter (2 votes)

Other vote recipients: Lions DE Aidan Hutchinson, Texans DE Will Anderson Jr., Browns DE Myles Garrett, Raiders DE Maxx Crosby, Steelers OLB TJ Watt, Jets CB Sauce Gardner

It's a bit of a surprise that Parsons hasn't won this award yet after recording 40-plus sacks in three NFL seasons. Perhaps now is his time. Hunter is an interesting choice at nearly 30 and is actually one of two Texans pass rushers to receive a vote here. He's poised for top-level sack numbers under DeMeco Ryans.

Offensive Rookie of the Year

1. T-Bears QB Caleb Williams, Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr. (4 votes)
2. T-Broncos QB Bo Nix, Commanders QB Jayden Daniels (2 votes)

Other vote recipients: Chiefs WR Xavier Worthy

If you thought the 2024 quarterback class wasn't already historic, producing a record six first-round picks, check out this poll where literally 50% of that group received at least one vote for Rookie of the Year. Williams flashed some of his trademark brilliance during his promising preseason debut.

Defensive Rookie of the Year

1. T-Colts DE Laiatu Latu, Rams OLB Jared Verse (4 votes)
2. Byron Murphy II of the Seahawks (2 votes)

Other vote recipients: Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson, Eagles CB Quinyon Mitchell

Defensive players didn't dominate this year's draft, but Latu and Verse have a chance to save the 2024 rookie class with expected roles on the edge. Verse in particular should benefit from playing in Los Angeles alongside promising Rams starters Kobie Turner and Byron Young.

Comeback Player of the Year

1. Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8 votes)

Other vote recipients: Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson, Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson, Browns RB Nick Chubb

This was a no-brainer for us. And why wouldn't it be? Rodgers lasted all four snaps in his infamous debut for the Jets in 2023 before suffering a torn Achilles tendon. But if he can stand tall this time, he has all the tools to get New York back into the playoffs. Can he finally deliver on his promise?

Coach of the Year

1. Mike Macdonald of the Seahawks (3 votes)
2. Matt LaFleur of the T-Packers and Jim Harbaugh of the Chargers (2 votes)

Other vote recipients: Dan Quinn (Commanders), Shane Steichen (Colts), Sean Payton (Broncos), Sean McVay (Rams), Mike McDaniel (Dolphins), Raheem Morris (Falcons)

Macdonald is coming off a successful year as the Ravens' defensive coordinator and with a solid group of talent led by DK Metcalf, it's possible he can put Seattle in position to earn an immediate playoff spot in the NFC West. However, this is a diverse group as nine (9) different coaches are casting their votes.

Super Bowl winner

1. Chiefs (3 votes)
2. packer (2 votes)

Other predictions: Chiefs vs. Rams (Brock Vereen), Ravens vs. Rams (Amy Trask)

Only two teams received more than one vote for the overall win, and interestingly, Green Bay, with young Jordan Love, finished second to the reigning champions. Unsurprisingly, the Chiefs led the entire field with five (5) votes for at least one Super Bowl appearance, while the Lions finished second in that category with four (4), although only one analyst picked Detroit to win the Cup.