NFL: Three Rank Outsiders That Could Still Win Their Divisions
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The 2024 NFL season is starting to heat up. As we head into the middle part of the campaign, we still have two undefeated teams, namely the reigning back-to-back champion Kansas City Chiefs and the upstart Minnesota Vikings. The former of that duo are aiming to make history by completing the first three-peat in NFL history, while the latter are defying their lowly preseason expectations.
But while those two are flying, some teams have made disastrous starts. Even so, we aren’t writing them off yet when it comes to their ongoing battle for divisional glory.
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers find themselves bottom of the stacked NFC North despite a decent start to the season. All four teams have very real ambitions to top the quartet at the end of the year, but it’s the perfect Vikings that currently head the pile. They are followed by last season’s beaten NFC conference finalist Detroit Lions, with the Chicago Bears further back. But while the Cheeseheads are currently propping up the division, don't rule them out just yet.
In the preseason, all the talk was about quarterback Jordan Love and his signing of the biggest contract in NFL history. However, he was crocked in Green Bay’s opening day defeat against the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil, which caused him to miss two games. Second-string Malik Willis stood in and steered the Packers to victories against the Colts and the Titans, but hardly impressed during his time under center.
Love returned for the difficult contest against the Vikings, throwing for a mighty 389 yards and four touchdowns, albeit in a losing effort. He was in similarly impressive form at SoFi Stadium against the Rams on week five, and this time he managed to lead his side to victory. Now, he has his eyes set on winnable upcoming clashes against the likes of the Arizona Cardinals and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
If they win those two, the Cheeseheads will be primed and ready to make an all-out assault on the divisional title, and their current odds of +750 will surely have shortened. That would leave them in a perfect position to tackle their NFC North rival Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears on weeks nine and 11 respectively. Further victories would surely put Minnesota in their sights.
Cincinnati Bengals
Despite heading into the new campaign with genuine Lombardi hopes, the Cincinnati Bengals have made a disastrous start and currently sit rock bottom of the AFC North. They began the season with a shocking defeat at home to the New England Patriots, despite being the biggest favorites on the opening weekend. They suffered another disappointing defeat to the Washington Commanders, as well as two nail-biting losses to both the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens.
It's a glum opening. Their current record has seen online football odds providers push Cincy out to +750 to win the AFC North. Despite this tough beginning, the Bengals have a roster brimming with talent, poised for a potential turnaround. The key to their success lies in the health and performance of their star man, quarterback Joe Burrow.
The former Heisman winner has made his best-ever start to an NFL season, despite losing four of his five games. He has thrown for a mighty 1,370 yards and a league-high 11 touchdowns. If the former LSU Trojan can continue in a similar vein, surely his side will begin to put wins on the board and claw back the current deficit.
Furthermore, the Bengals’ schedule includes five crucial divisional matchups that could be pivotal in climbing the standings. They lost in their home game against the Ravens, missing an overtime field goal that would have secured them the victory. Instead, the Ravens took over and charged down the field to secure the win, but similar displays in the return fixture and their home and away clashes against the Browns and the Steelers will catapult them back into contention.
New York Jets
The New York Jets are second in the AFC East. Despite a shaky start, the arrival of Aaron Rodgers has infused the team with optimism and experience. But while the four-time MVP winner’s presence has been a welcome boost to the offensive unit’s morale, their displays on the gridiron haven’t lived up to expectations. With A-Rod at the helm, the Green Machine managed to post just nine points against the Denver Broncos in a recent clash at MetLife Stadium, ultimately costing them the game.
Now, however, head coach Robert Saleh has left the organization, and another superstar could be arriving in the form of current Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams. The Allegiant Stadium superstar was a teammate of Rodgers with the Green Bay Packers and the duo formed one of the most devastating double acts in the league. If he heads to the Big Apple, don’t be surprised to see the Jets start reeling off victories and beginning to haul in the Buffalo Bills.
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