September 26th, 2024
By Stephen Juza
We’re now three weeks into the season—is it already time to panic for some teams around the league? Which teams have surprised, and which teams have disappointed their fans the most?
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Biggest Disappointment: Cincinnati Bengals
While the AFC North has been arguably the toughest division over the last few years, the Bengals are off to an 0-3 start that may be impossible to come back from. No team has ever started 0-3 and made the playoffs, and competing against the undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers, that 0-3 climb may be steep. However, there is still some optimism for the team.
First, they have not played any division opponents. While they started 0-3, the Browns and Ravens are off to a 1-2 start. Secondly, the Steelers are riding a surprising start by new quarterback Justin Fields. After being cast away by the Chicago Bears this offseason, Fields has looked efficient for the Steelers under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. However, he may be ripe for a return to his Bears form once teams have additional tape on him in Smith’s scheme
However, it is an unexpected start for the Bengals that have championship aspirations.
Biggest Surprise: Minnesota Vikings
After losing first-round pick J.J. McCarthy in the preseason, Vikings turned to Sam Darnold to lead the offense. Entering his seventh season, Darnold was not viewed as a viable starting QB for a competing team after six underwhelming seasons around the league. However, through three games, he is playing the best football of his career, and the Vikings are off to a stellar 3-0 start.
But it’s not just Darnold. The Vikings defense has been playing lights out, allowing the second-fewest points behind defensive coordinator Brian Flores. The next three weeks are pivotal for the Vikings. With two divisional games and one against the 2-1 Jets, the Vikings have a grasp of where their season is headed by the middle of October.
Biggest Non-Surprise: Kansas City Chiefs
It’s never easy to defend a Super Bowl title, and it’s even more difficult to go for a three-peat. However, the Chiefs entered the 2024 season with arguably the best chance of anyone in modern NFL history to win three straight Super Bowls and they are showing why. With a strong 3-0 start (albeit some favorable calls from some officials), they continue to get their business settled each week. Wide receiver Rashee Rice has been sensational, leading the league in receptions. Rice’s emergence has been critical to the Chiefs offense as tight end Travis Kelce is off to the slowest start of his career since taking over as the starting tight end, only putting up 69 yards and zero touchdowns through three games.
This offseason, we wrote about the key to continued Chiefs’ dominance was being able to replace Kelce as the number-one receiving option, and head coach Andy Reid may think he’s found the guy with Rice. Time will tell, but their title defense is off to a predictable great start.
Upcoming:
Week four kicks off tonight with a critical NFC East matchup between the New York Giants hosting the Dallas Cowboys, as they both try to get their season back on track with a disappointing 1-2 start.