We’re halfway through the 2024 NFL season, we’ve learned a lot about all 32 squads.
Surprises — good and bad — have formed the biggest storylines of the campaign, and while there’s still plenty of time for teams to rewrite scripts it won’t be long before we’re witnessing the sprint down the stretch.
With nine weeks in the books and the 10th about to kick off with a pivotal meeting between AFC North rivals Cincinnati and Baltimore, we’re looking around the league and identifying one big question for every team as we shift our focus to the second half of the season.
(Teams are grouped by division and ranked within according to the standings ahead of Week 10’s action.)
AFC NORTH
Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2): Can Mike Williams add another dimension on offence?
George Pickens has come alive in the Russell Wilson era, and the addition of Mike Williams, who struggled in New York, brings an opportunity for the former Jet at WR2. Defence runs the show here, but this offence is looking — dare we say — kind of fun?
Baltimore Ravens (6-3): Will the Ravens’ defensive deficiencies catch up with them?
We all know the biggest and most important question about the Ravens cannot be answered until January, but in the meantime, as the offence fires on all cylinders we shift our focus to some struggles on the other side of the ball. While this run defence is locking down opponents, holding rushing attacks to a league-low 75.7 yards per game, they’ve been very beatable through the air, allowing a league-high 280.9 yards per game on average in what’s been a major step back after losing defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald and several big-name players in free agency. A deadline trade for veteran cornerback Tre’Davious White adds some depth, but any significant improvements will need to come from within.
Cincinnati Bengals (4-5): Can a win over the Ravens set up a wild run to the playoffs?
Before we all settle in and buckle up for what could be a wild ride through the second half of the season for the Bengals (déjà vu, anyone?), they need to pass their first major test: A Thursday night date against the Ravens, who beat them already in Week 5. A win opens the door for Burrow to stay in the fight for the division. A loss will have them looking for wild card windows.
Cleveland Browns (2-7): Reset, retool, or full-on rebuild?
Last year’s playoff berth tells us this defence isn’t far off, but this year’s deadline deals — selling wide receiver Amari Cooper and edge rusher Za’Darius Smith — suggest a larger plan in play. But how much can they really do while Deshaun Watson is still on the books?
NFC NORTH
Detroit Lions (7-1): Can Smith make a splash on Detroit’s D-line?
There aren’t many questions here — just statement wins for a squad with an unstoppable offence led by a QB who’s been pretty much perfect and a defence that hasn’t missed a beat despite losing star Aidan Hutchinson. But with deadline pickup defensive end Za’Darius Smith now on his third NFC North squad and openly musing about revenge on former teams, we’ve got to ask: Just how great can this pass rush get?
Minnesota Vikings (6-2): Can Sam Darnold stay the course?
With an elite defence shutting down opponents and a strong set of weapons around him, Minnesota is built for the playoffs and on pace to get there. If Sam Darnold can simply keep things clean, the Vikings will continue to be a force.
Green Bay Packers (6-3): Can Jordan Love stay healthy?
He’s already dealt with two separate injuries this season and as talented as the Packers are, they’ll need a little luck on their side with a tough slate ahead if Green Bay is to keep pace in an even tougher division.
Chicago Bears (4-4): Has Matt Eberflus lost the locker room?
The writing’s on the wall, and while mid-season firings aren’t the Bears’ M.O., they cannot afford another wasted year.
AFC EAST
Buffalo Bills (7-2): Can Josh Allen climb the MVP ranks?
While it’s not the trophy he’s really after, the Bills quarterback is at his best and deserves to be among the headliners thanks to his adaptability, his control over this evolving offence, and his winning 17-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
New York Jets (3-6): Can Rodgers light it up?
September and October have been dark days in New York, but a win over Houston on Halloween may have brought a jolt of energy to the Jets. There’s a lot of ground to make up, but with the league’s fifth easiest strength of schedule remaining things could get interesting.
Miami Dolphins (2-6): Underperforming, or just unlucky?
The Dolphins are better than their record indicates — four games without Tua Tagovailoa derailed the squad, and when he did return the team played well but fell to back-to-back walk-off field goal wins for the other side. It’ll take a lengthy win streak — and plenty of luck — for the Dolphins to jump back into relevance this season.
New England Patriots (2-7): Why didn’t the Patriots sell more at the deadline?
The rebuilding club was supposed to be busy collecting draft capital at the deadline in an effort to build around rookie quarterback Drake Maye this off-season. Will their lack of trades come back to haunt them?
NFC EAST
Washington Commanders (7-2): Can Marshon Lattimore make a good defence great?
Jayden Daniels’ success has Washington on the fast track to contention, and their deadline status as buyers reflected that when they scooped up the best cornerback on the market in a deal with New Orleans.
Philadelphia Eagles (6-2): What else you got, Barkley?
Like Derrick Henry in Baltimore, watching Saquon Barkley thrive in Philadelphia has been a lot of fun. When he’s not bursting through coverage with big runs, he’s leaping — backwards! — over defenders, and his game opens up this offence and brings a spark to an Eagles squad that needed it after last year’s collapse.
Dallas Cowboys (3-5): Can Micah Parsons’ return bring signs of life on defence?
Things are unravelling in Dallas — and fast — with a string of injuries that now includes Dak Prescott’s hamstring issue. A poorly-timed (and pricey) trade to acquire receiver Jonathan Mingo feels like too little, too late for a team that was supposed to be all-in. The good news: Micah Parson is expected to return against the Eagles.
New York Giants (2-7): Will Daniel Jones get the Russell Wilson treatment?
As ESPN insider Adam Schefter pointed out earlier this season, Jones’ contract, which still has two years on it, features $23 million in injury guarantees in 2025. Like the Broncos did with Wilson last year, Giants brass may opt to sit Jones to keep him healthy and prevent that from kicking in as they prepare to cut him and start fresh this off-season.
AFC SOUTH
Houston Texans (6-3): Can Collins’ return get the Texans back on track?
Like many other offences around the league, C.J. Stroud’s deep group of weapons has taken a hit with the loss of top target Nico Collins in Week 5 and veteran Stefon Diggs in Week 8. Houston lost two of four games during Collins’ time on IR, and while Diggs is done for the year, there is hope Collins can return for a crucial Week 10 battle against the Detroit Lions — Stroud’s toughest test yet.
Indianapolis Colts (4-5): Will Anthony Richardson start another game this season?
The Joe Flacco era opened with a flop against the Minnesota Vikings, but as long as the Colts are in the mix he remains their best option to win. And if they’re not, perhaps Richardson gets another look after being benched.
Tennessee Titans (2-6): What’s the QB plan?
Will Levis’ mistake-prone play has resulted in a lot of memes, and very little good to balance out the bad in Tennessee. His injury status remains unclear, and while he’ll likely get another shot to start considering Mason Rudolph hasn’t exactly stolen the job in his absence, are we watching Levis audition for a backup job elsewhere at this point?
Jacksonville Jaguars (2-7): So, uh, is Bill Belichick interested?
Two and a half seasons into Doug Pederson’s tenure has yielded a 20-23 cumulative record, and with just two wins on a season that started with great expectations it’s clear things just aren’t working. Changes are coming, with coaching at the top of that list.
NFC SOUTH
Atlanta Falcons (6-3): No pass rush, no problem?
That’s the message the Falcons’ front office sent with their stand-pat approach to the trade deadline despite the relative wealth of edge rushers available at affordable prices (see Za’Darius Smith to the Lions), but it is a problem. Atlanta’s offence is clicking, and it’s gotten them to the top of a winnable NFC South, but with a league-low nine sacks on the season it’s hard not to see this glaring weakness haunting them down the stretch.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5): They totally should’ve gone for two, right?
Add Todd Bowles’ decision to kick an extra point Monday night against the Chiefs rather than gamble for a win outright with the undefeated defending champs on the ropes to the growing list of what-ifs for the injury-depleted Buccaneers. With the easiest remaining strength of schedule ahead, Tampa Bay still has a clear path to the post-season, but a conservative approach against the Chiefs feels like a missed opportunity to make a statement and light a spark on a team that could use one.
Carolina Panthers (2-7): Can Bryce Young earn back his starting job?
Young’s performance Sunday against New Orleans — his second start after being benched just two games into the campaign — wasn’t perfect, but it did show plenty of promise that his early-season setback was just that. That the Panthers didn’t ship him off at the deadline shows Carolina isn’t ready to give up on the idea of him leading this franchise.
New Orleans Saints (2-7): Is a rebuild in the works?
While the re-signing of running back Alvin Kamara suggests an on-the-fly retool, the firing of head coach Dennis Allen earlier this week and the trading of Marshon Lattimore to Washinton suggest a willingness to make bigger changes. How big depends on whether interim bench boss Darren Rizzi can jump-start this squad.
AFC WEST
Kansas City Chiefs (8-0): Can DeAndre Hopkins unlock this offence?
The back-to-back champs have been a defence-first team once again, but Monday brought a little hope for more fireworks. The win over Tampa Bay marked Patrick Mahomes’ first three-touchdown game of the season, and two were caught by newcomer DeAndre Hopkins in the wide receiver’s second matchup as a Chief.
Los Angeles Chargers (5-3): Can L.A.’s defence keep rolling?
Allowing an average of just 12.6 points against per game, this unit has yet to give up more than 20 in a matchup and are currently in the playoff picture because of it.
Denver Broncos (5-4): Is Bo Nix a franchise QB?
One week he’s at the helm the league’s most boring offence, and the next he’s leading the squad in rushing yards and throwing dimes. He likely lands somewhere in the middle, which is fitting for a rebuilding team that will probably do the same. The Broncos are above .500 but their wins have come against bad teams. A tough slate ahead — including two against the undefeated Chiefs — will likely hold answers.
Las Vegas Raiders (2-7): How warm is Antonio Pierce’s seat?
The club is hoping some offensive coaching overhauls can spark something in Vegas.
But if that doesn’t work… is Antonio Pierce next?
NFC WEST
Arizona Cardinals (5-4): Did Arizona do enough at the deadline to keep pace atop the NFC West?
Three straight wins has Kyler Murray’s Cardinals atop the league’s most intriguing division and while the offence is clicking, its porous defence has struggled. Bringing in pass-rusher Baron Browning at the deadline felt like a decent start but an otherwise quiet approach and a tough stretch ahead brings questions about whether they’re really ready to contend.
Los Angeles Rams (4-4): Can rookie defenders keep upping their game?
While all eyes will be on Cooper Kupp and Puca Nakua as the Rams heat up, rookie defenders Jared Verse and Braden Fiske could be a fun one-two punch of pressure on a defensive line that’s being rebuilt after Aaron Donald’s departure.
San Francisco 49ers (4-4): Can Christian McCaffrey’s return bring a spark to 49ers?
San Francisco’s string of injuries has tested the team’s impressive depth, and sitting at an even .500 at their mid-season bye week serves up a clean slate for a second-half run. They keyword, of course really is run — if McCaffrey can bring last year’s OPOY energy to his delayed season debut, the rest of the NFC West better watch out.
Seattle Seahawks (4-5): Can Mike Macdonald get this defence to click
Macdonald’s hiring suggested Seattle would get back to its Legion-of-Boom ways, but as the first half of the season shows, patience will be required. Post-season hopes will be in the hands of Geno Smith once again.
from Sportsnet.ca
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