Madden 24: Our 2023 NFL season sim and Super Bowl LVIII prediction
![SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 25: Brock Purdy #13 and Deebo Samuel #19 of the San Francisco 49ers before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Levi's Stadium on August 25, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. The Chargers defeated the 49ers 23-12. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images) SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 25: Brock Purdy #13 and Deebo Samuel #19 of the San Francisco 49ers before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Levi's Stadium on August 25, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. The Chargers defeated the 49ers 23-12. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/380828d8f2e7c13a48757191472c7571efe3b957419620c306e91d3c97f9542e.jpg)
AFC West
We’re finally back to normalcy where Madden 24 is a bit more realistic in its predictions. The AFC West is home to last year’s Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs and, despite their Week 1 lost, they are poised to at least repeat as champions of the AFC West.
1. Kansas City Chiefs (12-5) – No. 2 Seed
Patrick Mahomes finishes with 4,773 yards, 37 touchdowns and 9 interceptions, guiding the Chiefs to a 12-5 record and first place in the AFC West. Travis Kelce (102 rec., 1,225 yards, 10 touchdowns) is the team’s leading receiver but both Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Kadarius Toney each top 1,000 yards receiving. That feels like a tall order given Week 1’s performance.
2. Los Angeles Chargers (10-7) – No. 5 Seed
The Chargers finish with another 10-7 record but this time it’s enough to make the playoffs. Justin Herbert throws for 4,231 yards, 30 TDs and 9 interceptions. Austin Ekeler adds 1,263 yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground. The most unrealistic part of the Chargers sim is the fact that rookie Quintin Johnston had no catches on the year. Again, very unlikely.
3. Las Vegas Raiders (10-7) – No. 6 Seed
With the AFC East struggling so much in the simulation, it opens the door for the Raiders to make the playoffs with a 10-7 record. Jimmy Garoppolo (3,305 yards, 25 TDs, 10 Ints.) isn’t a huge improvement over Derek Carr and Davante Adams struggles to find a connection with just 67 catches for 828 yards and 10 touchdowns.. It’s more the performance of Josh Jacobs (332 carries, 1,834 yards, 17 touchdowns) that leads this team. Pay this man.
4. Denver Broncos (8-9)
An 8-9 record in Sean Payton’s first year as head coach would be an improvement but it’s still not the playoffs management envisioned when they acquired Russell Wilson. The veteran throws for just 3,530 yards and 21 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. Better than last year, but not by much.