We have hit halftime in the NFL season! After eight weeks of fierce competitive competition, there are a lot of interesting stories to follow as the winter season is quickly approaching. Here are some of the most fascinating storylines in the league so far!
Chiefs and Lions Are the Top Dogs Thus Far
The Kansas City Chiefs are the only undefeated team left with a sterling record of 7-0. The defending champions of the last two seasons are not slowing down even with star quarterback Patrick Mahomes playing mediocre football as of late. Their winning experience has helped them on the margins throughout the season, leading to close games being won and the confidence that any mistakes can be recoverable.
The 6-1 Detroit Lions have also dominated the NFL this season. Led by the energetic Head Coach Dan Campbell and experienced veteran quarterback Jared Goff, Detroit has taken another step forward to becoming a legitimate Super Bowl contender. Their offense has been electric with players such as wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, running back Jahmyr Gibbs, and tight end Sam LaPorta contributing to big scoring outputs all season long.
Both teams look like the favorites in their conferences and look primed for a head-to-head matchup in the postseason. There is more football to be played, but eight weeks in, Kansas City and Detroit look like the creme of the crop of the National Football League.
Derrick Henry on Pace for 2,000 Rushing Yards Once Again
Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry continues to dazzle on the football field and set the standard for the running back position. The former star in Tennessee has thrived in the Ravens offensive system under offensive coordinator Todd Monken and is once again on pace for the historic 2,000-yard number feat.
Henry leads the NFL with 946 rushing yards and 9 rushing touchdowns in his first eight games. That is an average of about 118 rushing yards and one touchdown a game. If Henry continues this production at this rate, he will be on par for 2,010 rushing yards and 17 total rushing touchdowns for the year, becoming the first running back in NFL history to have multiple 2,000-yard seasons.
King Henry will be one to watch going down the stretch, as he will look to not only break barriers in the statistical department but look to help the Ravens continue their outstanding season and keep the momentum up for a trip to the postseason.
The Trio of Rookie Quarterbacks Are Good!
Rarely does the NFL have three rookie quarterbacks starting and thriving simultaneously. 2024 seems to be an exception as Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears, Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders and Bo Nix of the Denver Broncos are putting up unprecedented numbers.
Between the three, they have an average 65% completion percentage with nearly 5000 passing yards and a 2/1 touchdown to interception ratio. What’s even more stunning are their records. All three of them have winning records for their respective teams, with a combined record of 15-8.
You seldom see that, as teams with new, young, talented quarterbacks are bottom-basement teams from the year prior. Williams, Daniels, and Nix have changed each of their franchises’ fortunes as of right now. I am very interested to see how they continue their progression throughout the rest of the season.
The Jets Season Is Finished
The New York Jets season began with Super Bowl aspirations, but those dreams appear to be effectively over. After their 25-22 loss against the New England Patriots, they have fallen to 2-6 on the year and tied for the last in the AFC East.
New York after struggling out of the gate, has attempted many things to get themselves back on the Super Bowl path. From firing Head Coach Robert Saleh to acquiring wide receiver Davante Adams, to even bringing back disgruntled pass rusher Haason Reddick from his holdout, none of these notable moves have helped make any difference in the win column.
The Jets would need to go on an unheard-of winning streak to make the postseason at this point, and while not completely impossible, the chances are slim to none. I will be watching if they start to sell their veteran pieces for draft picks at the trading deadline, and also watch which teams will benefit from another disappointing season in East Rutherford.
