NFL Summertime Hot Takes

It's The Middle Of June, So Let's Throw Out Some Hot Takes!

Hello there. My name is Mike Schiffman and this is my first post on Stadium Rant. I'm a born-and-raised Floridian, I'm a Scorpio, and my favorite sports are football, football, and football. With the NBA Finals just ending, now is a great time to talk storylines for the 2024 NFL season. Let the hot takes begin!

The Buffalo Bills Will Not Miss WR Stephon Diggs

Buffalo's number one option on the outside had a strong start to last season, putting up 73 receptions for 868 yards and 7 TDs in the first ten games. However, Diggs' production dropped significantly after the firing of offensive coordinator (and former Miami Hurricanes legend) Ken Dorsey on November 14th, 2023.

Diggs only put up 34 receptions for 315 yards and one TD the rest of the year. He also didn't have one 100-yard receiving game after having five under Dorsey. I've been reading and hearing how Buffalo is going to take a step back this season due to Diggs' departure. I disagree.

The Bills found success late last season by relying on their strong running game and younger pass catchers. Josh Allen is a beast at QB. He can get it done with his legs just as well as he can with his monster arm. James Cook came on strong as their RB1 and has high expectations coming into this season. Tight End Dalton Kincaid ended up becoming a trusted target of Allen's and should have an even bigger role in 2024-25.

Combine that with the drafting of FSU wide receiver Keon Coleman in the second round, plus the free agent additions of Curtis Samuel and Mack Hollins, and the Bills are looking strong on the offensive side of the ball heading into training camp.

Lastly, Diggs doesn't appear to be the easiest guy to get along with. There was significant tension between him and the Minnesota Vikings before he asked to be traded. With his usage declining and his unhappiness increasing, it was time for a divorce.

Stephon Diggs might be great on the Houston Texans this season. On the field, he is exactly what a young QB like C.J. Stroud needs. As for the Buffalo Bills, I believe they will improve on offense this season with their new supporting cast and win the AFC East over the trendy New York Jets and Miami Dolphins.

The Baltimore Ravens Will Really Miss Mike MacDonald

The Ravens have been so good on defense for so long, it is reasonable to think they will not miss Mike Macdonald and have another great year. I have my doubts.

Let's get to some statistics! Baltimore put up some impressive defensive numbers in Macdonald's two seasons as DC. In 2022, they ranked third in points allowed per game at 18.1, and were fifth in sacks with 48. Last season, they took a jump and allowed the fewest points per game at 16.5, recorded the most sacks with 60, and total takeaways with 31.

Macdonald put his players in positions to succeed, from athletic safety Kyle Hamilton, to star middle linebacker Roquan Smith, to journeyman edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney.

Another reason I think Macdonald will be missed is his creativity and ability to make adjustments. The Ravens played some outstanding games on defense last year. They frustrated teams with their pressure up front, ability to take the ball away, and penchant for getting off the field on third down.

Baltimore's defense also played a forgotten great game against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs. Holding Mahomes to zero points in the second half to go along with five straight punts is no small feat. It wasn't Macdonald's fault Baltimore's offense couldn't pull their weight.

Maybe new DC Zach Orr will be awesome and pick up right where Macdonald left off. What I think is more likely is that around mid-October, NFL pundits will be asking what's wrong with the Ravens defense.

I Don't Care About Their Drama-Filled Offseason, The Kansas City Chiefs Will Win The Super Bowl Again

I know this doesn't sound like a hot take, but hear me out. Remember when the Chiefs were supposed to lose last season? How did that work out?

As far as this offseason, the whole Rashee Rice situation is bad, and possibly worse than was originally thought. Not ideal.

Backup defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs was arrested twice, with the second being classified as second-degree domestic violence with a burglary designation. Yikes.

Offensive tackles Wanya Morris and Chukwuebuka Godrick were arrested for marijuana possession. Not great.

Plus, there was the three to five-day story of Harris Butker's supposedly controversial comments during his commencement speech at Benedictine College last month. Meh. Slight distraction.

I don't care about any of that! The Chiefs are going to win the Super Bowl in 2025. Reid and Mahomes are by far the best QB and coach combo in the league. It's not close.

Their offense should be better this season. Their defense should still be solid under DC Steve Spagnuolo, even with the loss of cornerback L'Jarius Sneed. I know the AFC is loaded. Again, I don't care. Give me Kansas City against the field in 2024-25.

The Miami Dolphins Will Miss The Playoffs

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The Dolphins beat up on lesser opponents last season. Miami has the NFL's longest active losing streak against teams with winning records, at 25 games. Their last victory against one was in Week 3 of the 2022 season. 25 games. That's..a lot. While the streak can't last forever, I don't see them being the high-flying offense they were last season.

Tyreek Hill is another year older and gets banged up during the season. NFL defenses have another year of film on Mike McDaniel to figure out ways to slow down his offense.

The defense lost their leader Christian Wilkins to the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency. Jalen Ramsey is another year older. My guy Jaelan Phillips is coming back from a serious injury. Same for Bradley Chubb. This is not the same defense. It's worse. Having said all that, these are all secondary to my main reason: Tua.

To be clear: I have nothing against Tua. He seems like a genuinely great person and is by all accounts an awesome teammate. He is capable of playing some really good football, but not great. Tua has one to four throws a game where you shake your head as soon as he lets it go. He can't do that if he wants to be great.

Sadly, with his injury past and more than 50 games played, I think this is who he is. That inability to raise his ceiling combined with the defensive losses cause the Fins to be left out of the playoffs this season.

I hope you were able to handle those scorching hot takes! Keep up with Stadium Rant for more from me, plus other great content.