2024 Predictions: Celtics raise a banner, Bill Belichick will be fired | Vautour

I dumped the crystal ball. The one that said Tom Brady would play for the Raiders and the Rafael Devers would get traded last year.

It’s gone. Swapped out on one of those Facebook sites where people try to get you to take their old bedroom dressers off their hands.

Instead, I’ve got Tarot cards, tea Leaves, a Ouija board and if necessary, chicken entrails. We’re predicting the future old school for 2024.

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Here’s what to expect in 2024:

Bill Belichick will not be the Patriots head coach in 2024 — This won’t be an easy trigger for Robert Kraft to pull, but whether it’s a firing or a trade or mutual whatever, Belichick’s last game coaching the Patriots will be this weekend.

As far as my predictions go, several of these are predicated on me being right. Who the Patriots hire, who they draft etc.

Patriots hire Jerod Mayo — In the end, Robert Kraft is going to hire someone he’s comfortable with. It might work. Mayo radiates leadership and intelligence, but Belichick assistants don’t have a great track record as head coaches.

Alabama beats Michigan; Washington beats Texas and Alabama beats Washington to win the College Football Playoff — I’ve learned my lesson on picking teams with team-of-destiny feel to them, especially those wearing purple. Since my heart says Washington, my brain says Alabama.

John Henry announces he’s starting the process of selling the Red Sox — Or more accurately the Red Sox announce that John Henry is starting the sale process. Henry doesn’t announce anything himself and he no longer seems motivated by championships. I predicted this last year and I think I was just a little early. But that day is coming.

Don Sweeney will add a forward at the deadline — He’ll have to be creative either unloading someone off the NHL roster or getting the trade partner to retain salary, but he’ll make a move for a top-nine forward.

The Bruins will advance to the second round — Haunted by last year, Jim Montgomery will play both goalies and his very motivated team will advance out of the first round in six games, but the Bruins won’t have enough scoring depth to get beyond the second round.

Jeremy Swayman will be the only Bruins’ unrestricted free agent who will be back in Boston for 2024-25 — I’m referring to guys making at least $1 million. They might bring back Parker Wotherspoon or Danton Heinen back, but there will be a lot of turnover among the older, higher-priced guys as Boston retools its roster.

Banner 18 is coming — This Celtics team has taken a step. Joe Mazzulla has taken several steps. They’re building on what they’ve learned from both past successes and failures. This is the year.

Super Bowl — 49ers 34, Ravens 31.

Sha’Carri Richardson will the redemption story of the 2024 Olympics — After a failed drug test in Tokyo, she’ll thrive with multiple gold medals in Paris.

Some sports controversy is going to be part of the election — Maybe it’s somebody making a political statement at the Olympics. Maybe it’s football related as these things often are. But some sports foolishness is going to have politicians sounding like fools weighing in.

This year’s picks will be better than last year’s — My only safe pick.

Follow MassLive sports columnist Matt Vautour on Twitter at @MattVautour424.

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