The first two weeks of the 2024 NFL season have been filled with many surprises. Teams like the Buccaneers (2-1), Vikings (3-0), Saints (2-1), and Steelers (3-0) have gotten off to surprisingly good starts, while playoff-hopeful teams like the Ravens, Bengals, and Rams have had a hard time realizing their potential with 0-2 records to start the season.
To add to the surprising start of the season, the NFL seems to have some unexpected players taking the leap to stardom, like Saints starting QB Derek Carr (33), and Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield (29), who have been instrumental in their teams’ successful starts to the season. In particular, Derek Carr helped the Saints put up astronomical scoring numbers with over 40 points in each of the first two weeks of the season. Additionally, Vikings QB Sam Darnold has impressed many doubters, leading Minnesota to a blowout win against the Giants and a hard-fought win against the 49ers, and then another blowout against a strong Texans team. While some of the Veteran QBs have been on fire, some of the young QBs around the league have had a hard time starting the season. 1st pick in the 2024 draft Caleb Williams has started off slower than most expected with 2 interceptions 0 touchdowns and around 250 yards in the first 2 games of his career. Last year’s 1st pick Bryce Young has looked even worse with 3 ints in back-to-back blowouts and was benched after a 26-3 to the Los Angeles Chargers. Rylan Dean ’26, when asked about Bryce Young, said “I think it’s a great choice to bench him, I think his time in Carolina is done.” In the subsequent game, 36-year-old Andy Dalton threw 319 yards for three touchdowns in the Panthers’ first game of the season, putting Young’s future into further doubt.
On the defensive end, the youth seem to be the ones that are dominating the league. The 2nd year Lions duo, Aidan Hutchinson and Brian Branch have both had electric starts to the season. Hutchinson leads the NFL with 5.5 sacks with 4.5 of them coming in their loss against the Buccaneers, while Branch has excelled in pass coverage with a season leading 5 pass deflections and an int to go with it. Patriots 2nd year DE Keion White has made a massive impact on their first win of the season with 4 sacks and a forced fumble to begin his season.
The 2024 NFL season has been an unexpected but entertaining start, and we look forward to keeping you up to date on the action in the weeks ahead.
